The Cowboy's Unexpected Family. Linda Ford

the background and vowed she would not do or say anything to make them real. She dried her hands on the towel and turned to Daisy. With her still-damp hands, she clasped the girl’s shoulders and turned her so they were face-to-face. “I don’t consider you the least bit of trouble. In fact, it would be mighty lonely if I were here by myself.” Yet that was exactly what she intended once the children were gone. “Besides, isn’t it to my benefit? I get help to build my house.”

      Daisy considered her steadily, then, satisfied with Cassie’s assurance, nodded. “Still. I wouldn’t want you to regret it.”

      “I promise I won’t.” As she returned to her task a flash drew her attention to the side. Roper stood with two spades over his shoulder, so new and shiny the sun reflected off them. He stared as if he’d overheard the conversation. She favored him with a challenging glare, silently informing him not to read anything into her confession of loneliness. It was meant to reassure the children, not give him an argument to pursue.

      “What’s with the shovels?” Far as she could figure he needed to wield hammer and saw, not shovels.

      He moved closer so she saw the green glints in his eyes. “Got to thinking. Didn’t you say you plan to bake bread for the store?”

      She nodded even though he knew the answer.

      “And feed travelers?”

      She didn’t bother to nod again.

      “Seems you might be needing a cellar. You know. To keep things cool in the summer and stop your canned goods from freezing in the winter. So me and Neil are gonna dig you one.”

      No way could she hide her surprise and she knew he read it on her face by the way he grinned in satisfaction. He held her gaze for several seconds.

      She tried to tell herself she didn’t notice the way his eyes flashed pleasure at coming up with an idea that seemed to please her. Tried to convince herself he was only doing what he always did—making sure people were happy. But try as she might she couldn’t deny a little start of something both sweet and reluctant. It was sweet to have someone appear to care about what might please her. But she dare not let herself think past that. A woman in her situation could do no better than maintain her independence.

      Still grinning, Roper called Neil and handed him a shovel. Together they marched to where she’d marked the boundaries of her house and began to dig.

      An hour later they’d made little progress.

      She began to suspect digging a cellar hole would consume an inordinate length of time.

      Had that been his reason for suggesting it? Not concern for her at all but only an excuse to hang around and do for her what she preferred to do for herself?

      He’d always balked at her independence.

      She glanced about at the children. Daisy brushed Pansy’s hair and talked softly to her. Neil worked alongside Roper trying his best to dig at the same pace as Roper, which was impossible yet Roper told the boy how well he was doing. Billy carried the dirt to the designated area. How could she tell Roper she suspected him of delay tactics?

      She didn’t need or want him trying to take care of her.

      Chapter Four

      As Roper and Neil dug, Cassie turned her attention to other things. First, she had to prepare meals for the children and Roper. With the stove set up in the little shelter, she could bake, using this time to her advantage to start paying off her debt at Macpherson’s. She mixed up a hearty stew of meat and vegetables and as it simmered, she cut lard into flour for biscuits. By noon, she had several dozen baked and cooling.

      “This place is steaming hot.”

      She turned at Roper’s voice behind her and brushed a strand of hair from her burning face. “I’m baking.”

      “Both yourself and biscuits, I presume.”

      She grinned at his teasing.

      “You need a breeze going through here.” He ducked outside and made a racket on the wall. Then the canvas rolled up and blessed cool air blew through the shack. Roper peered through the opening. “I can roll it down at night.”

      “Oh, that feels good.” She fanned herself. “I didn’t realize how hot it was.”

      He came in again and eyed the biscuits covering the table. “You’ve been busy.”

      “Dinner is ready.” She reached for the pot then realized she had no place to put it.

      Roper grabbed a towel and took the pot. “Come see what I made.”

      She wrapped a selection of biscuits in a towel and followed him outside. “A picnic table. Perfect. Now we can eat outdoors in comfort.”

      He set the stew in the middle of the table. “I thought you could use it for feeding travelers, too.”

      “Thank you, but—” Oh, dear. How were they going to manage working together if he constantly took care of her when she was determined to take care of herself?

      Though, on her own, it would take a little longer to build a house and get herself organized. Macpherson understood she’d take time to get established.

      “Just part of the business deal.” His dismissive tone warned her not to make a fuss about it.

      She stifled a sigh. She might as well take advantage of all this arrangement offered. So she tucked away her resistance as Daisy passed around the plates and cups.

      Cassie waited for the children to sit, then chose a place that wouldn’t put her near Roper. She didn’t want to be forced to hold his hand again during prayer. But as soon as she was seated, Neil and Billy slid down on the bench opposite her and made room for Roper to edge in and sit directly across from her, an unrepentant grin on his face. He’d correctly read her attempt to avoid him.

      She barely restrained herself from wrinkling her nose at him but let him guess at the silent message in her eyes. Don’t think I’ve changed my mind about wanting to keep this businesslike.

      He winked, and when he saw her draw her eyebrows together in affront, he sighed. “Cassie, don’t be looking for offense when none is meant.”

      She forced a smile to her lips but figured it looked as wooden as it felt.

      Roper wagged his head in mock frustration. “Cassie, Cassie, what am I going to do with you?”

      She tipped her chin. “You could try saying the blessing so we could eat before the ants find us.”

      The children giggled.

      Roper chuckled. “Very well.” He eagerly reached for her hand, giving her a look that said he enjoyed her discomfort. Then he bowed his head and uttered a few words. “Amen.”

      When she jerked her hand free, his eyes practically glittered with triumph. Oh, bother. By overreacting to an innocent, meaningless touch of hands, she’d given him reason to think it meant more than it did when she only wanted to remind him this was a business deal.

      They ate in companionable silence except for Pansy who fretted.

      Daisy hushed her. “She needs a nap.”

      “Finish your meal, then put her down,” Roper said.

      “And the dishes?”

      Goodness, the child had an overblown sense of responsibility. Cassie patted her hand. “I can manage a few dishes.”

      Daisy nodded gratefully, scooped up her little sister and disappeared inside the shack. For a few minutes Daisy’s gentle murmurs blended with Pansy’s fussing, and then all was silent.

      Roper helped Cassie clean up the table. “Daisy reminds me of you,” he said.

      “How’s that?” She filled a basin with hot water, and began to wash the dishes. She scrubbed the plates and Roper