Linda Ford - Montana Cowboy Family

A look passed between Sammy and Beth. Logan could not interpret it except to know it put him on edge.

Jeannie struggled to get down, and Beth could not hold the squirming child. The little girl went to the table and stared at the cake.

“Who would like some?” Sadie asked, her look including all the children.

Sammy surged forward, but Beth pulled him back.

Ignoring their response, Sadie took a knife from her bag and cut a piece. “Jeannie, would you like some cake?”

She nodded and took the offered morsel. “Thank you,” she said before she devoured the treat.

Sadie cut two more pieces and indicated Sammy and Beth should each take one. Beth shook her head and gripped Sammy’s shoulder, but the boy slipped away and took the cake, making short work of it.

“When did your father leave?” Logan demanded, his voice more sharp than he intended, but to see the way the children ate...

“He left Friday and good rid—” Sammy’s words were cut short as Beth poked him.

Sammy jumped and gave his sister a glaring look. “What?”

“How many times do I have to tell you we keep our business to ourselves?”

“Lots, I guess,” he mumbled. “Want your cake?”

“I’m not hungry,” she said, although her eyes practically devoured the treat.

“Can I have some more?” Sammy asked Sadie.

“Certainly.” She handed him another piece, then turned to Logan. “Can I speak to you outside?”

Three pairs of eyes followed them to the door. She went to the far side of the buggy and waited, her eyes flashing green shards. “These children cannot stay here.”

“I agree.”

Her fierce expression didn’t falter. “Good. We agree on that point, at least. Now would you mind helping me get them to my place?”

“Your place? Where is everyone going to sleep? Do you even have enough bedding for four people?”

“I’m sure I can get what I need at your uncle’s store.”

“That’s so.” But still, it seemed just plain wrong for her to take them home. “At the ranch, they would be surrounded by many loving people.”

“Is it fair to ask Annie to take on more?”

He almost gave up at that. “Annie can manage. After all, she doesn’t have Dawson and Mattie to look after anymore.”

Sadie sighed as if he missed the whole point.

“Shall we let the children make the choice?” he said. Of course, they would choose the ranch. What child doesn’t want to live on a ranch with lots of adults to dote on them? “Besides, we know what it’s like to lose a mother.”

She looked past him, far past him. “Maybe I understand them better than you and your kin can.”

“Now why would you say such a thing?”

“Because you come from a loving, supportive, forgiving family. How can you begin to understand what these kids are dealing with?”

He wished he could see what her past held that made her eyes seem lifeless as she brought her gaze back to his.

“Let’s go ask the children.” She took half a step and stopped. “What if they keep insisting they will stay here?”

He considered the possibility and suddenly chuckled. “Guess we could tell them there’s a nice hot meal waiting for them with cake to follow.”

The heaviness left her face and she grinned. “I heard the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I suppose it applies equally to children.”

He took her arm and led her back to the shack. “We’ll soon find out.”

The children stood lined up waiting for them to enter. He wondered how much of the conversation they’d been able to hear through the thin walls and barely-there window.

Side by side, he and Sadie stood before them. He and Sadie hadn’t decided what to say to persuade the children they must leave, but while he mulled over possibilities, Sadie spoke.

“Children, I think you can see as plainly as we can that you can’t remain here. I’d like you to come stay with me while we sort things out. You might enjoy sharing the stew I have planned for supper.”

“Or you could come with me to the ranch.” That didn’t sound very enticing. “We always have lots to eat.”

“We’ll go with the teacher,” Beth said with finality.

Logan had agreed to let them make the choice. So that’s how it would be. He glanced at Sadie, who didn’t look like she was enjoying this victory. In fact, her eyes were dark. Was she regretting her offer?

She clapped her hands just like a schoolteacher should. “Very well. Let’s get your things gathered up.”

The children’s belongings were pitifully few—three threadbare blankets, a change of clothes, well-worn jackets. Beth’s and Sammy’s were too small, while the arms of Jeannie’s jacket hung past her hands.

Jeannie clutched a rag in her arms.

“What’s that, honey?” Sadie asked.

“My comfie.” She wrapped both arms about it, looking defensive.

“It’s an old sweater of Ma’s that she sleeps with.” Beth looked ready to go to battle.

“Then, by all means, you must bring it.”

Beth’s shoulders dropped as she realized she wouldn’t have to argue with Sadie about the rag.

They all headed for the door. Beth hesitated and turned about to look around the room.

“What is it?” Sadie asked.

“What will he do when he comes back and we’re gone?” Her voice quivered.

“Why don’t I leave a note explaining where you are?” Sadie had pencil and paper out of her bag before she finished speaking, then waited, allowing Beth to make up her mind.

“I guess that would be best.”

Sadie wrote the note.

Logan glanced over her shoulder to read it: “The children are safe in Bella Creek.”

She couldn’t have given less information. He was about to protest when she turned to Sammy.

“Would you get me a rock?” The boy ran to do so.

Sadie took the rock, placed it over the paper in the middle of the table and stepped back. How long would the paper stay there before a mouse used it to build a nest?

They arrived at the schoolhouse and he helped them alight. “I’ll ride out to the ranch and gather up some stuff for you and the children.” He climbed back into the buggy and drove away before she could voice any arguments. He would assist with the children whether or not she welcomed it. In fact, he quite looked forward to doing so.

With a start he realized it would mean spending time with the schoolmarm. How had he managed to get himself tangled in a situation that had him helping a woman? Hadn’t he learned his lesson? And why, in the back corner of his brain, had a little thought surfaced and left him wondering if this time things would be different?

He tightened the grip on the reins of his heart. He would not feel free to care about a woman until he knew everything about her—her present situation, her plans for the future and, especially, her past.

Chapter Three

Sadie stood in the doorway and faced three forlorn children huddled together in the middle of the floor. Her quarters had seemed roomy until now. As Logan had said, they would be crowded here. But they would be safe.

Without appearing to do so, she studied Beth. Was there a reason she’d chosen to come with Sadie? Was it because there were no men at the teacher’s house?

With a shake of her head, she warned herself she too easily equated the children’s situation with her own and she had no reason to do so. They wouldn’t know the truth about things until they located the father. Perhaps he had been injured. But providing an excuse did not erase the way her nerves tingled with certainty there was more involved than a missing father and a deceased mother.

“Children, I will get beds arranged after Logan comes back.” She’d ask him to help her bring cots she would purchase from his uncle’s store. “In the meantime, let’s put your things in the bedroom.”