Her dream—on her terms
With her own business, Cassie Godfrey is finally self-sufficient. But her plans are interrupted by four young orphans—and one persistent cowboy. If she’ll care for the children until their uncle claims them, Roper Jones will build Cassie’s house. To her business mind, the proposal makes sense. To her independent spirit, it’s a reminder of the commitments she’s promised to avoid.
Roper can’t help admiring Cassie’s pluck, even if he’s exasperated by her stubbornness. All he can offer Cassie is the love and acceptance she claims not to need. But dreams, like hearts, can change and grow...especially in a land made for brave new beginnings.
“Cassie, if you need me you have only to holler,” Roper said.
“I won’t be hollering.”
“I expect not. But I feel better knowing anyone could and I’ll hear them.”
He meant the kids could call for him. “Why would they need you when I’ll be right there in the same tent or whatever you want to call it?”
“No reason. Just as there’s no reason to get all prickly about it.”
“Prickly?” She swallowed hard. “If I am it’s because you make me sound like I can’t manage on my own.”
He held up his hands in a sign of protest. “It never crossed my mind.”
“Well, then. So long as we understand each other.” She headed back to her site.
He chuckled softly and followed her. “Oh, I get it.”
She ignored the note of triumph in his voice. How could he possibly comprehend? He had no idea of the events that had shaped her life and made her want nothing half as much as she wanted to be independent. Self-sufficient.“I don’t need anyone,” she muttered.
“Sounds mighty lonely to me.”
LINDA FORD
lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada. Growing up on the prairie and learning to notice the small details it hides gave her an appreciation for watching God at work in His creation. Her upbringing also included being taught to trust God in everything and through everything—a theme that resonates in her stories. Threads of another part of her life are found in her stories—her concern for children and their future. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.
The Cowboy’s Unexpected Family
Linda Ford
MILLS & BOON
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Owe no man anything, but to love one another.
—Romans 13:8
To families. To my children and their children.
May you build sweet memories,
establish worthwhile traditions and grow in love
and care for each other. I wish this for all families.
Contents
Chapter One
Eden Valley, Alberta
Summer 1882
Cassie
