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 learned the futility of wishing upon stars or anything else, so he abandoned that way of thinking and turned his thoughts to estimating how long it would take to dig the cellar at the rate they were going.
Lost in his planning, he was surprised when he reached Cassie’s bit of land.
No one raced out to greet him as he pulled to a halt, which provided a sharp reminder that this was not home. Then he heard Pansy’s heart-wrenching cries. He bolted from the wagon and raced toward the sound.
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