The Cowboy's Unexpected Family. Linda Ford

clutched Pansy closer and Neil reached for Billy’s hand. He was getting as prickly as Miss Cassie.

      If such a little thing eased their minds, he could do it graciously. “You’re right. I should tell her.” He flashed them a grin as he tromped back up the hill to the shack where pots and pans clattered. Hat in hand, he paused in the doorway.

      Cassie glanced up, saw him and pointedly returned to her work.

      “I’m going to take the wagon back to the ranch and get a saddle horse.”

      Her hands stilled. He felt her indrawn breath.

      “Do you want to come along? You and the youngsters?”

      She didn’t look directly at him but he caught a flash of eagerness. Then it disappeared, and she grunted. “Thought you were taking the wagon back.”

      “Uh-huh.” Of course, he couldn’t bring them back on a saddle horse. “Eddie might be willing to lend us a wagon.”

      “No need. I can’t go. I’ve got work to do.” She nodded at the bowl of dough and set of bread pans. “Check and see how Linette is, though, if you don’t mind, and say hi to Grady for me.”

      “I can do that. You’ll be okay until I get back?”

      That brought her about so fast he chuckled.

      “I think I can manage just fine, thank you.”

      “See you later, then.” He was still chuckling as he returned to the wagon and bid the youngsters goodbye.

      * * *

      Later, he pulled the wagon onto the Eden Valley Ranch property and drove past the ranch house. From the dining room window overlooking the yard, he saw Linette watching and waved. At least she was feeling well enough to be up and about.

      Eddie trotted from the barn. “Roper. Nice to see you back. Are you here to stay?”

      “No. Sorry, boss, but you won’t believe what I’ve been doing.”

      “Tell me about it. No, wait. You better come to the house and tell Linette at the same time.”

      Roper jumped from the wagon and fell in step with Eddie as they headed up the path to the house. “How’s Linette?” When he left, Eddie was worried that she was so sick.

      “She’s fine.”

      “Good to see you grinning from ear to ear. Not all hangdog like you were when I left.”

      Eddie laughed. “She tells me she’s in the family way. That’s why she’s ill.”

      Roper ground to a halt. He wasn’t sure how a man should respond. “You seem happy.” The idea of family filled him with a queasy feeling. It seemed an unnecessary risk.

      “I feel like I’m walking on air.”

      “You don’t mind that she’s sick?”

      “Linette assures me it’s normal and temporary as her body adjusts to the new life growing in her.”

      Roper grinned. “Eddie Gardiner a papa! Now won’t that be something?” He couldn’t wait to tell Cassie the news.

      Eddie grinned wide enough to split his face. “It will certainly be something to behold.” They reached the house and Eddie threw open the door.

      Linette waited in the entrance, the picture of health.

      “You’re looking good,” Roper said.

      “I’m feeling fine. Better than fine.” She sent Eddie a look full of love and adoration.

      A hollow hunger hit Roper’s gut and sucked at his soul. He pushed away the feeling. It was enough that Eddie and Linette were happy, he told himself. He was glad for them.

      Linette led the way into the cozy room with big windows allowing a view of the ranch buildings. “Have you been with Cassie all this time?” she asked as they sat at the big table.

      “I have and you wouldn’t believe why. She sure didn’t want me to stay and help but...”

      Linette served tea and cookies as he told of finding the children and his agreement with Cassie.

      “Boss, I’ll be needing time off to help with the kids.”

      Eddie nodded. “Take as much time as you need. Your job will be waiting.”

      “I’m so grateful it’s worked out that way. I’ve been praying God would somehow make it so Cassie would get help. She’s so...”

      Roper sighed. “Prickly.”

      Linette chuckled. “Actually I was thinking independent. She once told me she didn’t feel she could trust anyone. Or was it only men she didn’t trust? I can’t remember but once she figured out how to start her own business she was set on proving she didn’t need any help.”

      “She’s still set on doing so.”

      Grady burst into the room. “Hi, Roper.” He looked about. “Where’s Cassie?”

      “I left her in town. Remember, she said she was going to live there.”

      Grady climbed to Linette’s lap and snuggled close.

      Roper had often observed that Linette gave the child as much comfort as he sought. Grady was fortunate. He could have been placed in an orphanage. Roper had no complaints about his upbringing—he’d been fed and housed and taught to read and write. Even been taught about God. But he couldn’t remember ever having a lap to welcome him. He couldn’t even imagine how it would have felt.

      “We’ll visit her soon,” Linette promised Grady.

      After a few minutes the boy got down and found a collection of carved animals to play with.

      Linette leaned closer. “Tell me more about the children and how Cassie is doing.”

      Roper told her everything he could think of. Even remembered to mention that Cassie was taking biscuits to the store and was busy baking bread for Macpherson to sell.

      “Sounds like she’s getting into business sooner than she thought possible, thanks to your help.”

      He shrugged a little. Too bad Cassie wasn’t as appreciative as Linette.

      Linette turned to consult Eddie. “She’ll be needing some supplies. Potatoes, carrots. Some meat. Do you think Cookie would part with some of the jarred beef she did up?”

      Eddie chuckled. “I think if I mention sending something for Cassie, Cookie will load a wagon to the limit.” He turned to Roper. “Come along. Let’s see what we can find.”

      They found plenty. Enough to see Cassie through much of the summer unless she started feeding huge crews. Roper took time to visit with Cookie and Bertie and the cowboys still around the place, then headed back to town with a full wagon and a saddle horse tied to the back.

      Roper didn’t mind in the least that he’d returned with the wagon he’d meant to leave at the ranch. His only regret was he hadn’t insisted Cassie come with him. Next time he would.

      He glanced back at all the supplies. It eased his mind to know she’d have plenty of provisions even when he couldn’t bring in game. There was no way she could reject these gifts. Because he wasn’t taking them back.

      The wagon rattled as he drove toward home.

      Home? Guess he was so used to calling any place he hung his hat home, so it naturally followed this was home for the time being. But the word had a more satisfying feel to it than a hat rack. Probably because he had youngsters to care for and a house to build.

      Suddenly he realized it was the closest to home he’d ever known even if it was only temporary. Something pinched the back of his stomach. A sensation of intermingled regret, sorrow, hope and—

      He’d long ago