Linda Ford (12 page)

“It’s okay,” Linette soothed. “Do you think the horses would be ready to play if they were afraid of Mr. Gardiner?”

“He not hurt horses?”

“No. And he won’t hurt little boys, either.”

Grady wasn’t convinced and wanted down. He took Linette’s hand and pulled her away from the corrals.

Eddie eased closer. “Take him along the road toward the other buildings across the creek. You’ll come to the wintering pens and pigsty. Some of the men are working down there. I’ve instructed them to ignore the boy until he’s ready to make friends.”

“Thank you.” How thoughtful and kind he was. He would be an excellent partner in assisting her to help others. She wanted to say so, but Grady tugged at her, wanting to escape.

Once Grady felt he was far enough away to be safe, he slowed his pace to examine every detail—the rocks beside the trail, the leaf that blew across the path, the raven flying overhead with a raucous call that made him laugh.

The wooden bridge was solidly built over a frozen stream sheltered by bare-limbed trees. On the span they paused to admire the view. A pig squealed and Grady looked up at Linette, his mouth a surprised
O
.

She chuckled. “Do you want to see some piggies?”

His blue eyes bright with excitement, he nodded and raced across the bridge. He noticed a man near the pigsty and ground to a halt. Slowly he backed toward Linette.

She knelt beside him. “Grady, not all men are frightening. Most are very nice people who would like to be your friend. Mr. Gardiner especially wants to be your friend. You need to give him a chance.”

Grady shuddered and clung to her side.

She recognized the person by the pigs as Ward Walker. “You remember that man from yesterday. He works for Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner would never let a bad man live here, so you can be friends with him, too.”

Ward touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am.” But he said nothing more and turned to fiddle with a gate.

Linette stood up. “Can we get close to the pigs?”

“Right up to the fence,” Ward said as he continued his work, though Linette wondered if he actually did anything productive. Warmth wrapped about her heart as she realized Eddie had coached them all to be present for Grady but give him the space he needed. Again, she admired Eddie’s kindness. Just think of the things they could do together, helping those in distress. It filled her heart with such joy she wanted to laugh out loud.

Grady kept his eyes on Ward until he got close enough to see the pigs nosing around in the feed trough, snorting and pushing. Fascinated, he watched and forgot about Ward even when the man walked past him, heading toward the larger pens where a number of cows milled about.

She let Grady watch the pigs for a long time. Then she interrupted him. “We have to go back so I can make dinner.”

“I stay?”

“Do you want to stay with Mr. Walker?” Ward moseyed along the path.

Grady jerked back as he noticed the man. “I go with you.”

Linette smiled an apology at Ward as they walked away. “One day, young man, you will realize these men can be your friends.”

“Not make me?”

She stopped to face the child. “Of course not. You can’t force someone to be friends. It comes when you realize they are good people who care about you.”

“Not hurt me?”

Had there been others besides the man on the ship? “Grady, who hurt you?”

He looked past her, his gaze seeking the distance. She guessed he was seeing something in his past. When she called his name, he blinked. “Grady hungry.”

“Then let’s go make dinner.” It had been a little glimpse into what had happened to the boy. She could hardly wait to tell Eddie about their walk and Grady’s little confession. They could work together to help Grady learn to trust men. Another step toward showing Eddie how they could be a team.

Remembering his reaction to a similar statement in the big house, she decided she wouldn’t speak of it in those terms.

Chapter Eight

A
fter lunch, Eddie climbed the hill to the house and stepped into the quiet interior. With some hard work, the place would be ready for occupancy by spring. A fine house for a fine lady. He grabbed a length of oak trim, measured it and cut it. Tension he hadn’t been aware of eased away. There was satisfaction and peace in the work.

A few hours later, his growling stomach and the growing darkness forced him to stop. He set his tools to one side. He’d return next morning and spend the day working.

As he made his way down the hill, the light from the cabin beckoned. Beyond the doors lay something he wasn’t used to—warmth, welcome, a hot meal...

Inside, the smell of cinnamon and ginger greeted him. As did Linette’s smile.

He paused, caught between the unfamiliar welcome and a resistance filled with the voice of his father and his promise to Margaret. Turning to hang his coat and hat on the hook behind the door, he pushed his thoughts back into proper order. “Food smells good.”

“Once again Cookie has been kind enough to offer me some instruction. Under her supervision I made ginger cookies.”

“Ah. That explains the cinnamon smell as I stepped in the door.”

“Cookie said they were your favorite.” Her voice strummed a bass chord in his heart.

Their gazes collided, caught for a moment, just long enough for him to feel a flash of something unfamiliar before her gaze darted away.

Linette passed around potatoes, carrots, fried pork chops and canned applesauce. Later, when the plates were cleaned, she served tea with cookies still warm from the oven.

He pushed back from the table. “Excellent meal.”

Linette grinned. “Thank you, sir. I told you, I’m a fast learner.”

He recalled what had accompanied her statement of being a fast learner—a promise he’d beg her to stay before the winter was over.

His pleasure in the meal faded. The interior of the cabin seemed less welcoming.

Cassie took Grady to the bedroom shortly after the meal. Linette didn’t linger more than a few minutes before following them.

He finally relaxed. Life in the cabin could be pleasant enough if she would be content simply to pass the time while waiting for traveling weather.

Before he fell asleep he came up with a plan to divert Linette’s single-mindedness.

* * *

The next morning was Sunday. Linette wondered if Eddie did anything to honor the day.

“We have a simple worship service in the cookhouse,” Eddie explained. “Nothing fancy, but it’s the best we can do.”

Linette liked the idea just fine. “It sounds perfect. I tried to guess how you managed to make Sundays special with no church out here. I read one story about a missionary who held services wherever he went. Didn’t matter if it was in a tent, a sod shack or even in the open air. Wouldn’t that be special, worshipping God in His own cathedral?” She went to the window to glimpse the mountain peaks to the west. “No church built by man could rival the majesty of God’s creation.” She turned to Eddie, saw him watching her with surprise, and—dare she hope—a hint of appreciation. “Wouldn’t you agree, Eddie?”

“I think,” Eddie said slowly and softly, “He gave us the great outdoors to enjoy and to make us realize how small we are and how mighty He is. Then we would acknowledge our dependence on Him. We’d see how great is His grace that He considers us with such favor. Perhaps that is the kind of worship He desires.”

Linette stared, darted a look at Cassie and saw from the expression on her face that Eddie’s eloquence had surprised her as much as it had Linette. She couldn’t find a response as her thoughts lifted Heavenward, carried on the wings of his words. “I like the way you put it.”

Eddie shifted from foot to foot and shrugged. “Let’s get over to the cookhouse.”

Linette held his gaze a moment longer, feeling again, as she had several times in the past few days, a sense of connection. He would no doubt deny it, but they shared the same awe at God’s creation visible around them in the form of mountains, streams and even storms. They shared the same need to establish new roots in a new world.

He broke eye contact first to look out the window. “The men are already filing in.”

It took her a moment to pull herself back to the here and now. How could she so easily forget that Eddie didn’t want to use the new world to do new things? She followed the direction of his gaze in time to see a man disappear into the cookhouse. “Come on, Grady.” She held her hand out to the child, but he backed away, retreating under the table. So long as she remained next to Eddie, the boy would not come to her. Sighing her frustration, she moved across the room and called Grady again.

Darting frightened glances in Eddie’s direction, he scrambled to her side and clutched her hand with both of his.

“Grady, Mr. Gardiner is not going to hurt you.”

He whimpered.

Eddie grabbed his Stetson and jammed it on his head. “Not to worry. It takes time to put aside fears.” He stepped out the door and held it for the others. Grady shivered against Linette as they slipped past Eddie.

Eddie fell in at her other side, casually keeping two feet away so as to not further frighten Grady. They crossed the yard and entered the warmth of the cookhouse. The benches had been placed on one side of the table; Bertie faced them from the other side, a Bible tucked under his arm. Cookie sat on a chair at his side.

She rose as they entered. “Grady, boy. Come sit with me.”

Grady saw all the men and pressed closer to Linette’s side. She pushed forward to an empty place on the back bench, carefully putting herself between Grady and the others. Cassie settled on the end of the bench on Grady’s other side.

Linette looked about. Eddie had not followed her. Instead, he sat on the far corner of the bench in front.

Someone sat beside Linette. “Morning, ma’am.”

She turned. Ward Walker, all slicked up and polished for the day. “Good morning.” Her gaze slipped toward Eddie.

He nodded and smiled, not a bit disturbed by this arrangement. Rather, he seemed pleased.

Her head buzzed with a thousand protests all as troublesome as a swarm of insects. She wasn’t prepared to be so easily dismissed. She signaled her warning with her eyes but he turned away as Cookie cleared her throat.

“Shall we begin?”

Linette gave her attention to the pair at the front.

Bertie opened the service with a prayer. Cookie, with more enthusiasm than skill, led them in singing three familiar hymns then Bertie read a passage about the prodigal son. He closed the Bible. “I once wandered far from God eating of the husks of life. It took hitting bottom for me to turn around and look for God. He was there waiting all the time. Folks, He always is. No matter what we need, He can supply.” He spoke several more minutes, then closed with a prayer.

The cowboys shifted, as if uncertain what they should do next with two visiting ladies in their presence. Cookie rose to the occasion. “I’ll make tea for you all. Stay and visit. Make the ladies feel welcome.”

Cassie hurried to help Cookie, but was shooed away. “Go visit. Enjoy yourself.”

Roper edged forward and asked Cassie how she enjoyed the country.

Linette didn’t catch her answer as Ward asked at her side, “Miss Edwards, are you liking the country?”

“Like I said before, I love it.” She sought Eddie, found him standing across the room, grinning.

More protests buzzed loudly in her brain.

“Not too wild for you?”

Good manners forbade her from walking away from Ward and telling Eddie exactly what she thought of his enjoyment of her situation. “Not at all.’”

“I have some land north of here. Intend to have my own place just as soon as I can get me a few head of cows. It ain’t much. Not fancy like this. But it’s mine.”

Linette nodded, sensing the man’s enthusiasm. “It sounds great. I wish you every success. When will you take up residence?”

“Not for a while. Ain’t had no cause to make the move. Maybe that will change now.” Did he sound hopeful? Had Eddie said something to encourage the man?

She glared at Eddie with a burning look.

He flicked a glance her way and then turned his back to her.

Oh! The man was impossible beyond description. Did he think she would simply substitute another man for him? It wasn’t possible. She recalled Eddie had said something very similar about her substituting for Margaret.

“Come on,” Ward said. “Let’s get tea and cookies.”

Later, after they’d returned to the cabin and eaten a simple lunch, Linette tried to think how best to inform Eddie that she wouldn’t be diverted from her purpose and that she had no intention of wasting her time with a cowboy, though no doubt Ward was a very nice man. Just not a man her father would accept as her husband.

But before she found a chance, a knock came on the door.

“Company.” Eddie didn’t sound a bit surprised. He opened the door. “Come on in, boys.”

Ward and Roper stepped inside.

Eddie’s smile practically broke his face in half. “Thought you ladies could stand some visitors for a change. So I’ll leave you to visit while I take care of some business.” He grabbed his coat and ducked out, leaving four awkward adults behind.

Linette’s thoughts raged. How dare he assume she would welcome this any more than would Cassie, who set aside her knitting with such vehemence Linette wouldn’t have been surprised to hear something rip. Thankfully, Grady had fallen asleep in the bedroom so didn’t have to endure this...this invasion.

“Ladies, if this is awkward...” Ward twisted his hat.

Linette pushed aside her anger. It wasn’t their fault. “Of course not. Come on in. We’d love to hear about your ranch—” she indicated Ward “—and about your plan in life,” she said, indicating Roper.

They edged toward the table and each pulled out a chair and sat down. Cassie, her face revealing anything but welcome, shifted her chair to face them.

Linette filled the kettle. How did one entertain a pair of cowboys on a Sunday afternoon? From what she’d read, they played cards or chewed the fat, which meant they sat around spinning yarns. Well, she had no problem learning more about the country.

“What brings the two of you to northwest Canada?” she asked the men.

They talked easily about the cattle drives they’d been on and the country they’d seen.

“Working for Eddie is good,” Ward said. “He’s a fair boss and the both of us have year-round work.”

Roper nodded. “What about you ladies? Where have you come from and why here?”

Linette turned to tend to the tea. How much did the pair know? Did they know she’d come with plans to marry Eddie to escape her father’s arrangement? But she had no intention of confessing so. “I want a life where women are allowed to follow their hearts.”

Both men looked at her, confusion in their eyes.

Ward spoke slowly. “Where does your heart want to go?”

Where, indeed? So many things filled her thoughts. Escape, for sure. Freedom to tend to those who were hurting and in need. Those were the motivations she gave to Cassie and Eddie. But hidden deep inside lay a secret reason. She saw in Eddie something she’d admired from the first letter Margaret read. She had no words for the feeling. She only knew it was there.

She realized the others waited for her answer and she gave a little chuckle. “I’m not sure how to answer other than to say I grew tired of the restrictions society places on women in England and hoped to find new opportunities here.”

A moment of silence greeted her response then Roper turned to Cassie. “Mrs. Godfrey, what brought you to the West?”

Cassie considered the man for a moment then sighed. “A boat, a train and a stagecoach.”

Linette laughed along with the others. She knew Cassie meant to be dismissive but had instead been funny. Something warm flickered through the other woman’s eyes at their amusement.

They visited until Grady called from the bedroom. “’Net?”

Linette excused herself and went to the boy. “Come out and visit.”

He shook his head and clung to her hand. “I scared.”

She sat on the bed and pulled him onto her lap. “Grady, I don’t know what’s happened to you to make you so fearful, but you are safe now. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. Eddie won’t let anything bad happen to you. Cassie won’t let anything bad happen to you. Nor will Cookie, or Bertie or any of the cowboys on the ranch.” She said it with total confidence, knowing her words were backed up by Eddie’s character. “You can trust me on this.”

Grady snuggled close.

“Do you think I’ll take good care of you?”

He nodded.

She asked the same question with Cassie’s name.

Again a nod.

Then with Eddie’s.

Grady shivered. “He big.”

“Yes, he’s strong. That means he can take care of you really well.”

Grady shook his head. “He big. He strong.”

Linette closed her eyes. Had a man used his strength, his power, to hurt Grady or perhaps his mother? How could she explain strength as a good thing? “Grady, if you needed something big and heavy carried, would you ask me or Eddie to help?”

He didn’t answer.

She wrapped him closer. “You’d ask Eddie because he could do it and I couldn’t. Sometimes we need strong people to help us.”

He considered her words then sat up. “I not move anything big.”

She laughed. “You know that’s not what I mean, you little scamp.” She rose to her feet with the boy. “Now, come along and say hello.”

He jerked his hand free. “I stay here. Okay?” His eyes pleaded.

“Fine.” She couldn’t force him to forget his fears.
Please, God, heal his little heart.
She returned to the other room. “Sorry.”

Cassie gave her a worried look. “Where’s Grady?”

“He prefers to stay in the bedroom.”

Roper stood. “We’ll be on our way.”

Ward scrambled to his feet as well.

Roper paused at the door. “The boss said the boy was afraid of men. Sorry to hear that. But we won’t be doing anything to feed that fear. Thank you for a pleasant afternoon.” He donned his hat and stepped outside.

Ward grabbed his Stetson and smiled at the ladies. “’Twas a very pleasant afternoon. Thank you.” He shifted his attention to Linette. “Perhaps you’d like to see my ranch someday.” He twisted his hat round and round in his hands. “Think you might see lots of opportunities there.”