you what. I’ve got to check on my horse and finish my business here. That’d give you enough time to arrange things?”
What he meant was that was how much time he’d allow Roper and his silly idea. “It’s all I need.”
“I’ll be back shortly.” The Mountie pushed past him, and strode down the street.
Roper wanted to holler at him to take his time but knew the Mountie would do as he chose. Instead, he turned to contemplate the kids and his predicament. All he needed was a convincing argument. But if Cassie got all independent and resisted the idea, what would he do? He needed help from the good Lord and he uttered a silent prayer. “Come on, kids. I think I know just the place for you.” As he shepherded them out the door, he prayed some more. If ever he needed God’s help—and he had many times in his life—it was now.
Chapter Two
Cassie had heard a wagon stop at the store but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts were on other things.
She pulled out a length of wood and dragged it to the site she’d chosen for the house and laid it alongside the other three she’d put there. She still had no idea how to proceed. Did she build the floor and put the walls on top? Did she make the walls and build the floor inside? How did she put in the windows?
She sat down on the stack of lumber and stared at the four pieces of wood. If she had the money she’d hire someone to do this. Someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who would expect nothing in return but his wages. But she was out of funds. Roper’s offer to help flashed across her mind but she dismissed the idea. She did not want to be owing a man for any reason. She bolted to her feet. She’d ask Macpherson what to do, and she’d do it. By herself.
Her mind set, her back stiff, she turned and staggered to a stop as a wagon drew up before her property.
Roper jumped down, leaving a boy on the seat. She thought she glimpsed two or three more kids in the wagon but she must be dreaming. Why would Roper have kids with him? She supposed the boy could be headed out to work at the ranch, though he looked too young to have to earn his way in life. But if Roper took him to the ranch Eddie and Linette would see he was properly treated. He could be a companion for Grady, the four-year-old boy Linette had rescued on her ocean voyage from England.
Roper crossed the grassy property and stopped two feet from her. “See you’re about ready to move into your house.” His grin mocked her.
“Check back in a week or so and your grin won’t be so wide.”
He glanced at the lumber on the ground. “Guess you know what you’re doing.”
What he meant was, You’re lost in the fog. “I was about to ask advice from Macpherson. Who are those kids?” Three pairs of eyes peered at her over the edge of the wagon and the boy on the seat watched with unusual interest.
Roper removed his hat, scratched his head until his hair looked like a windblown haystack then shoved the hat back on, adjusting it several ways until he was satisfied.
She’d never seen the man at a loss for words. “Roper, what are you up to? You haven’t kidnapped them, have you?”
“Nothing like that.” He stared at the wagon and the kids, who stared right back.
“Well, what is it like?” She alternated between watching Roper and watching the kids as wariness continued to creep across her neck like a spider.
He faced her so quickly she stepped back, as much from his bleak expression as from being startled. “The kids’ mother is dead. They came West hoping to join up with their pa but they just heard he’s dead, too.”
Cassie’s heart dipped low, leaving her slightly dizzy. She remembered what it was like to hear your pa had died, recalled what it felt like to suddenly be homeless.
“I said I would keep them until their uncle sends for them. Or comes for them.”
“Roper, how will you look after four children?”
“I will.”
She didn’t bother pointing out the obvious arguments. “Why are you here?”
He gave her a look rife with possibilities and she didn’t like any of them. “I know how to build a house. I could put this up for you in short order.”
“We’ve had this discussion.”
He snatched the hat from his head. “Hear me out. What I have in mind is a business proposition.” He paused, waiting for her response.
“I’m listening.” The word business appealed to her. She had every intention of becoming a successful businesswoman.
“I plan to take care of the kids until the Mountie finds their uncle. But I can’t do it alone. If you helped I would pay you by building your house.” He grinned, as pleased with himself as could be. “I’ll stay here, in a tent, as long as it takes me to build it.”
She stared at him, turned to study the kids who listened intently. She wanted to help. Not for Roper’s sake but because her heart tugged at her. She knew how uncertain the children would be feeling right now. She hoped their uncle would welcome them, unlike her grandfather who had never welcomed Cassie and her mother. He’d made it clear every day how much it cost him, though the way he’d worked Ma she knew he’d gotten a bargain in the arrangement. Cassie didn’t want the children to feel as lost as she had felt, but if she went along with Roper’s suggestion would he end up thinking he had the right to control her life? She would never give up her dream of being self-sufficient.
The youngest boy sank back in the wagon. “She don’t want to help us,” he muttered.
The words were slightly different than the ones that had echoed in her head from the time she was nine until she’d run off to marry George, but the ache was the same. The need to be accepted, to feel secure.
Before she could reason past the emotion, she turned to Roper. “It’s a deal.” She held out her hand, and they shook. He held her hand a moment longer than the shake required, his eyes warm and thankful. She clamped her lips together and tried to deny the feeling that the two of them had stepped across an invisible line and entered strange new territory.
He released her hand and turned to the children. “Come on, kids. You’re staying here.”
They scrambled from the wagon and edged their way over to face Cassie. She felt their uncertainty like a heat wave.
She wanted to ease that fear. “You’ll be safe here as long as you need.”
The oldest girl teared up. “Thank you. Thank you.”
The oldest boy’s expression remained guarded. Cassie knew he wouldn’t easily accept words; he’d have to see for himself they were more than empty promises.
Roper introduced them all and at Cassie’s request they gave their ages: Daisy, thirteen; Neil, twelve; Billy, six; and Pansy, two.
Cassie quickly assessed them. They seemed weary and afraid but not defeated, especially Daisy who appeared competent in her role as mother, her watchful brown eyes never leaving her siblings.
Neil,
