Cowboy Father

by Linda Ford

  He squeezed her hand.

  Her cheeks stung at how desperately she clung to him. She withdrew her hands. What must he think of her boldness? Especially in light of such a serious situation.

  “I guess all we can do is watch and wait and pray.”

  She nodded. “Pa would say it’s the best we can do.”

  “What would you say?”

  She lowered her whisper and leaned close. “I believe it, but sometimes it’s a struggle to do so.” She lifted one shoulder in resignation. “I don’t like dealing with the harsh realities of life even though Pa reminds me that without the rain there wouldn’t be any roses.” She tried to smile but knew it was more of a grimace.

  “Roses have thorns.”

  “Exactly. Sometimes I wish they didn’t.” She met his gaze, feeling as if he understood how she felt. “Why must life be laced with sorrow and disappointment?”

  “When we’re done here…when your mother is feeling better, I’m going to ask you what sorrows and disappointments you mean.”

  “Thank you for saying when, not if.”

  “Seems if a man is asking God for something, he should have faith to get it.”

  That simple statement filled Adele with hope and trust. “I think I’ve been equating God’s strength and love and faithfulness with what I’ve seen from others.” She kept her gaze fixed on her mother, knowing she had revealed something about herself that opened a door into her past. Before he could ask for an explanation, she added, “Ma and Pa and my sisters have never been anything but true and faithful though.” Why was she letting her experience with Floyd have so much power in her life?

  She’d gladly forget about him and the life she’d shared with him if not for Ethan’s presence. A reminder of her past and Floyd’s activities.

  She felt Ethan watching her but would not return his gaze. After a bit, he leaned back and stretched out his legs. She continued to keep her attention on the rise and fall of Ma’s chest, aching from the struggle Ma had to get in air. The rattling sound of her breathing stopped, and Adele jolted to her side.

  “Ma. Ma. Breathe.”

  Ma gasped and sucked in air that rattled to her lungs and out again.

  Adele’s knees folded, and she staggered the two steps to her chair and collapsed on it.

  “She’s breathing,” Ethan said.

  “Thank God.”

  From beyond the walls, she heard a cry. “It’s Jake. I should see what he needs.”

  “You go ahead. I’ll stay here. I’ll call if there is any change.”

  Adele didn’t immediately get to her feet. It took a moment for her to feel strong enough. “Thanks. I’ll take care of him, then return.” She hurried from the room.

  Stella had the children sitting around the table as she served soup. Where had the afternoon gone? She sat beside Jake and pulled him to her knees. “Poor little boy. I expect you’re tired and hungry and maybe missing your mama. I’m in Gramma’s room. Are you enjoying playing with Georgie?”

  Jake babbled a response. She didn’t understand what he tried to say.

  “Lotsa rocks,” Georgie said. “Nice rocks.”

  Adele chuckled. Life with two little boys would be full of such pleasure. She turned to Susie. “I hear you helped make the soup. Thank you.”

  Susie beamed.

  “Donny, what have you been doing?”

  “My hole is this big.” He held his arms wide. The he realized a hole was deep and twisted them to indicate depth.

  Blossom gave Adele a shy smile, hoping to be noticed. The child was so quiet, she was often overlooked.

  “Blossom, what did you do this afternoon?”

  “Play with dolly.”

  “I let her carry Dolly around,” Susie said.

  Adele turned toward the hall and strained to hear a sound. Nothing. If Ethan wasn’t there, she would rush back to the room. But Ethan would let her know if Ma—

  She didn’t finish the thought.

  Stella filled a bowl with soup and put it in front of Adele. “Would you ask the blessing?”

  Adele smiled around at the children. Her heart swelled. Tears stung her eyes. Being with these sweet children went a long way towards easing the tension of the afternoon spent sitting with her mother. “Children, bow your heads.” Five little heads tipped down. Five pairs of hands clasped together.

  She recalled a prayer her parents had taught her and her sisters to say when they were young. “God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for this food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. Amen.” When things around the house settled down, and the future of the Oates children was decided, she would teach them and Jake that little prayer.

  She helped Jake eat his soup. Ate her own hurriedly. “How are Cal and Rocky?”

  “Both on the mend. Cal took soup out for Rocky.” Stella chuckled. “I think the young man has surprised himself with what he’s done today.”

  “Ethan told me.”

  “He was scared,” Susie said. “Big people shouldn’t be scared.”

  Adele and Stella glanced at each other and smiled. Adele knew both of them could have told Susie big people were often frightened.

  Adele finished her soup and set Jake on the chair beside her. “I hate to eat and run, but I must check on my mother.”

  “You go right ahead. We’ll manage, won’t we, children?”

  They chorused yes, though Adele wondered if the littler ones had any idea what they agreed to. “I’ll stay with Ma and send Ethan out. He can help.” How easily those words came. But in the two days he’d been there, she’d seen how capable he was, how willing to help.

  If not for what she knew about who he was, she might like him a little. A lot?

  Sooner or later, the truth would be revealed. Either by something beyond his control, or she would find a way to get the information from him.

  She returned to the room and studied Ma’s chest. The blankets rose and fell. “Is it my imagination or is she wheezing less?”

  “I’m wondering the same.”

  Filled with hope and gratitude, she smiled at Ethan. “Dare I believe she’s on the mend?”

  “Believe.”

  She sat on the chair. “Go have supper. I’ll stay with Ma. No need to come back now that she’s on the mend.”

  He stood and looked down on Adele. “For my peace of mind, I will check on you later. If you have no objection.”

  “None at all.” Her answer came far too quickly. Far too eagerly. She tried to put it down to relief that Ma had improved. Not to having enjoyed the pleasure of his company for much of the afternoon.

  “Until later.” He slipped from the room.

  He returned twice throughout the evening. Each time she reported that Ma was much better.

  “She opened her eyes and drank some water a bit ago.”

  “Excellent. Rocky is moving about and complaining of being hungry.”

  She chuckled. “Sure sign of improvement. Do you mind staying while I get Jake into bed?”

  “He’s already settled. I put him with Georgie. I hope you don’t mind.”

  She tried to think why she should. But mostly she was grateful that there were others to help with his care. “He and Georgie get along so well.” Did he hear her subtle hint that they belonged together?

  His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t voice an opinion.

  “I thought Pa might be back by now. He must have found people needing his help.”

  “I’ll be outside if you need anything.” Ethan stepped from the room and pulled the door closed behind him.

  The evening light had turned to soft gray when the door rattled again. Adele turned, expecting to see Ethan. “Pa.” She sprang to her feet and rushed into his arms.

  “Ethan says your mother has been very ill. I wish I’d been here, but the Shaddock family lost their little girl and the eldest boy today.”

  “You were needed there.” She felt his weariness as she hugged him. “Have you e
aten?”

  “I have.” He looked past her. “Martha.” He released Adele and went to the side of the bed.

  “Jacob.” Ma’s voice was weak, but she was breathing more easily than she had all day.

  “Pa, I’ll leave you to be with her. Call if you need anything.” She slipped away.

  From the room across the hall she heard Blossom singing. She’d noticed before how the little girl blossomed—she smiled at the use of the word that echoed the child’s name—when she was alone with her family.

  She made her way to the kitchen. Someone had cleaned up the supper dishes. The floor had been swept. Had Ethan done it all?

  She continued outside. If Ethan hadn’t retired, she wanted to check on Jake.

  “I see your pa came home.” Ethan sat with his chair tipped back against the addition.

  “He’s weary.” She relayed the news. “Ma woke up and spoke to him. I need to check on Jake.” She slipped past him to where three children were curled up side by side. Georgie and Jake had fallen asleep holding hands. Susie’s arm crossed over Georgie, and her hand rested atop the chubby little hands of the two boys.

  “The little guys fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Susie insisted on going to bed when they did. She said she would guard them.”

  Adele hadn’t realized Ethan had followed her. It was on the tip of her tongue to point out that the trio had formed an instant bond that should be honored. But it wasn’t the time or place.

  She glanced into the other room. Rocky was asleep. Cal read by lamplight. He lowered his book. “Glad to hear your ma is on the mend.”

  “Thank you.”

  She went outside and drew in a breath of warm air laden with the scents of the day—turned earth, the flowers Ma grew at the front of the house, and camphor.

  “Would you like to walk a little?” Ethan asked.

  She should refuse, but her insides were wound too tightly to think of going to bed. Besides, this was an opportunity to do some probing, so she agreed.

  They crossed the dusty road and strip of grass, made their way through the trees, and stopped at the river. Rays of light slanted through the branches, making alternating bright and dark stripes dance on the water. She breathed deeply of the cool moisture rising from the river.

  “It’s been a long day,” he murmured.

  “But at least everyone is getting better, and the children haven’t declared war on each other.” She jolted. “Or did they? I wouldn’t even have noticed. How awful.”

  He chuckled. “Susie and Donny have studiously avoided each other. Donny dug a huge hole in the corner of the garden. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Eve warned me of his interest in digging. Maybe he’ll do something important with that passion when he’s older.”

  They laughed together. His gaze reflected the shifting light from the river, making her feel a little dizzy.

  “Eve is one of your sisters?”

  This was the opening she’d been hoping for. “She and her younger sister, Flora, joined the family when they were a little older than Susie and Georgie. I was eight at the time and remember how they clung to each other. Much like Susie and Georgie. I mothered them a lot.” She hoped he’d see the advantages of leaving the pair in a home that knew how to deal with orphaned children. “I was left on the doorstep as a baby. Tilly came as a baby when I was five. I loved being a big sister. Just as I love being a mother.”

  “That’s four girls. I thought you said there were six.”

  “Josie came when she was twelve, and Victoria when she was fifteen.”

  “Where are they now?” He glanced around as if expecting they had been in hiding all this time.

  “Flora, Eve, Josie, and Victoria came to Glory with Ma and Pa, and all four of them are now married and live nearby. Tilly and I stayed back in Verdun, Ohio. You ever been there?”

  She watched him carefully for a reaction.

  His face grew blank except for the flashes of light off the water. “I was there not too long ago.”

  She waited, but he seemed disinclined to say more. “You get around a lot. Texas, Ohio, and now Montana Territory.” She let the words end like a question.

  He shrugged. “Running a big ranch isn’t limited to staying in a corner of Texas.”

  Especially, she thought, if one had other matters on his agenda. She almost said she had seen him in Verdun at Floyd’s funeral, but she would wait. Sooner or later he would trip himself up and expose the truth.

  Two days later, Mrs. Kinsley joined the others in the kitchen. She looked pale but so much better than when Ethan last saw her.

  Yesterday, Cal had ridden away, whooping his pleasure at being on his horse as he headed back to his job on a nearby ranch.

  Rocky looked longingly after him, but he knew, as well as all the adults, that he wasn’t strong enough yet to spend a full day in the saddle.

  “Maybe by Sunday,” Adele consoled him.

  The children had settled into a routine of sorts. Susie thrived under the attention of the womenfolk. Donny continued to dig holes. He now had two in the corner of the garden, joined by an earthen bridge Ethan had helped him fashion.

  The preacher rode out every day to check on people needing help. He’d returned last night with a report that there had been no new cases, and most of the ill were improving. Ethan understood there had been at least a dozen fatalities, including Mr. and Mrs. Oates.

  Ethan continued to hang around even though he wasn’t truly needed. But he had promised the kids he wouldn’t leave them. Besides, no one had suggested he move on, and he didn’t offer to.

  But he grew restless. He was making no progress on locating the missing money his boss expected him to find.

  It was early afternoon, and everyone was busy. Since it was Saturday, the women were preparing a feast for Sunday dinner after the service. Adele had informed him they expected her sisters and their husbands to visit. She seemed to take it for granted he would be there. And he planned to be part of the visiting. It might be a time when a careless word was spoken, and he’d learn more about the stolen money.

  Saturday was a good day to visit Main Street and see who might be around town. He’d studied every face at Floyd’s funeral and had a good description of two of the thief’s partners.

  Susie watched him brush his hair and wipe the dust off his boots. “You’re going, aren’t you?” She tried to sound fierce, angry even, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

  He squatted to her level and caught her hands to pull her close even though she tried to hang back. “Susie Q, what did I tell you?”

  “That you would stay for a while. You didn’t say forever. Is a while over?”

  His insides felt like they’d been squeezed by a giant fist. If only he could promise her forever. He would do everything in his power to keep them. Once the sheriff assured them there was no family, then he would make his case with the sheriff and the preacher and anyone else who would listen.

  Adele would not be on his list. She would oppose him taking the children.

  “Susie, no one can promise forever, but know this and don’t forget it, ever—I want to keep you forever. I want to make a home with you.”

  “What kind of home?”

  “A house with lots of flowers. Some big trees for a swing. A place for a garden.”

  “Chickens. Cats. Dogs. Pigs.”

  “Sounds great.”

  She hung her head. “But we need a mama.” Her gaze went past his shoulder. He shifted to see what she looked at. Adele in the garden. “Jake needs a papa.”

  Ethan straightened. “I don’t think that’s possible.” Surprisingly, he wished it could be. He’d once suggested marriage to Adele, and now it seemed ideal. A mama for the two Oates children. A papa for Jake. Yup. Ideal. Except for one little detail that made all the difference.

  She had shared a life of crime with her husband.

  Although it was hard to believe such a sweet woman co
uld be part of a robbery, the evidence all suggested that she was.

  Susie grabbed his hand. “Are you leaving now?”

  “Just going downtown. Maybe I’ll find a store with candy and bring you some. Would you like that?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “I’ll see you later.” He swung his hat to his head and strode down the back street toward the heart of town. A block later, he turned down Main Street. He came to the barber shop, which was doing a brisk business. Seemed like a good place to start getting information. He planted himself in an empty chair to wait his turn.

  Half an hour later, he emerged with his hair cut short and smelling spicy. He’d learned about those who’d been sick, those who were moving, and a dozen other things. None of which provided him with any information about Floyd Roberts’s widow or partners.

  He passed Sylvie’s Diner. Likely a good place to learn local news, but the sheriff’s office was across the street, and he went that direction.

  The sheriff was in, his battered gray hat on the corner of the desk where he sat. “Mr. Sandburg, I was about to pay you a visit. I took care of the Oates’s wagon and belongings. I sent a wire to the only address I could find. It was former neighbors who said there are no known relatives. As you saw, there were few belongings, but I moved the wagon and horses to the livery barn. They rightfully belong to the children.”

  It was the news Ethan expected, but it hit him that these children had lost everything. “What’s to become of them?”

  “They need a home. If no one wants to give them one, they will be sent to the nearest orphanage.”

  “I’d like to give them a home.”

  The sheriff leaned forward, his elbows on his desk. “I took you for a single man.”

  “I am, but I’m sure I can find someone to marry, or hire a housekeeper.” He knew his argument sounded as weak as milk tea.

  “It would be better if they went to a home with two parents, but if no one else offers to take them in, and you can give them a home… I guess it’s the best we can offer.”

  As if Ethan was better than nothing but not by much. “They are with the Kinsleys at the moment. I’ll make arrangements for them to stay there while I sort things out.”