Cowboy Father

by Linda Ford

  “The man has kept his distance, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be cautious. Adele, I don’t want you leaving the yard without someone with you.”

  “Yes, Pa.”

  Pa headed toward the sheriff’s office.

  Adele and Ethan lingered behind the church. She didn’t feel ready to face the others, especially Ma. Ma would see the worry in Adele’s face and fret. That wasn’t something Adele wanted. Ma was still weak.

  So she stayed at Ethan’s side, watching the children playing in the yard.

  Ethan was a good man. Her assessment of him had been marred by her experience with Floyd and with his partner who had threatened her.

  She shivered. That threat was not over. If the man followed her to Montana Territory, she didn’t think he’d simply pack up and leave just because the sheriff said to.

  Ethan felt Adele shudder and looked around. He saw nothing to alarm him. “What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You shuddered. Did you see something?”

  “No. But that man isn’t going to give up. He thinks I know where the money is.”

  Ethan had thought of that too. “It’s obvious he doesn’t have it. You don’t have it. Would Floyd had hidden it somewhere? Did he have another partner?”

  “I don’t know. I tried to stay as far away from the men who visited in the barn as I could.”

  Ethan resisted an urge to draw her to his side. Floyd had pulled her into his dangerous way of life with no regard for her safety… Or Jake’s either.

  As if having the same anxiety, Adele hurried over to Jake and gave him a hug.

  “Mama.” The little guy nestled into her embrace.

  “I love you,” she whispered. She met Ethan’s gaze, her eyes flashing with determination.

  He understood her silent message. She was prepared to protect her son no matter what. He nodded. He was too. And the other children as well. They would have to stay close to the house until the sheriff could deal with Floyd’s partner.

  Adele sat against the wall of the addition and released Jake to rejoin Georgie. Donny had given them both one of his wooden animals. Ethan sat next to Adele. The two little girls had rag dolls. He grinned at the one Blossom played with. Someone had fashioned a basic shape and sewn in features. Despite its plainness Blossom was enthralled with her toy, and perhaps also with the way Susie organized their play.

  Donny had taken his barn and retreated to a place in front of the corrals.

  The children were all in plain view, and slowly the tension he’d been unaware of seeped from him. Soon the sheriff would have dealt with Floyd’s partner, and they could all settle back into safety.

  Then Ethan would broach the subject of his keeping the children. Now was not the time. There were more pressing matters to concern them.

  Footsteps from down the backstreet had them both on their feet, looking that direction.

  “It’s Pa.” Adele sounded as relieved as Ethan felt.

  Pa signaled them to follow him to the church where they stood at the backdoor. “I have good news and bad news,” he said.

  Ethan waited, tension building across his shoulders. Adele rolled her head back and forth as if trying to ease tightness.

  “Your cowboy—”

  Thankfully, the preacher didn’t say friend because Ethan was quite certain none of them would consider him that.

  “Decided to rob Sylvie.”

  Adele gasped. “Is she okay?”

  Ethan remembered the diner with Sylvie’s name and guessed that’s who they referred to.

  The preacher grinned. “I think you could fry an egg on her forehead she is so angry. She can’t stop talking about it. Says the man grabbed her from behind and said to give him her money. She was right at the counter and instead, picked up her butcher knife and whacked his hand with the blade. And you know how sharp she keeps her knives. He let go of her, and she spun around, and it seems she sliced his arm good. I didn’t see it, but Norm said there was blood all over. She chased the culprit out the door, screaming threats and waving her knife. They say the man was on his horse and racing away while she still hollered at him. It’s the talk of the town.”

  “Pa, is that the bad news?”

  “Part of it. A crowd had gathered, and they marched down to the sheriff’s office to inform him. Instead, they found a note on the door saying he’d gone to check on the Adams family. I guess he’d heard reports of a death out there. So the crowd debated as to whether they should wait for the sheriff or form a posse on their own. I think the discussion got quite heated. Sylvie said that if she could ride a horse she’d be on his trail right now. I think she insulted a few of the men who said they didn’t want vigilante justice.” He chuckled softly. “Like I said, she was steaming mad. Before they’d settled the matter, the sheriff returned. He had a body to deal with first, then he said he would ride after the man. Everyone declared the trail would be easy to follow.”

  Ethan and Adele both waited to see if there was more.

  “The man is on the run. The good news is the sheriff is after him. He will apprehend him and take him to the county jail. We’ll be done with him.”

  Ethan eased the breath out of his lungs. He’d feel better once the man was behind bars, but with the sheriff on his trail and a town full of angry people, at least the man wouldn’t come back this way.

  Adele leaned back on the wall next to her father. “Poor Sylvie.” She waited a moment then added, “He picked the wrong person to mess with.” She gave a short laugh.

  Ethan tried to see the humor in the situation, but all he could think was this man was dangerous and reckless. A deadly combination. “I pray the sheriff has overtaken him already.”

  “My prayer as well,” the preacher said. “By the way, I did leave a message for the sheriff to contact us when he returned.”

  Stella came to the door of the house. “Supper is ready.” Donny was on his feet and headed for the house so fast he left a cloud of dust behind.

  The little girls rose slowly and patted their clothes clean.

  Jake and Georgie waited.

  Ethan and Adele went to them. Adele picked up Jake. Ethan lifted Georgie, and the four of them went inside.

  The little boys grinned at each other as if they had planned it.

  It was a shame they would have to be separated when he took Susie and Georgie to his new home. Which did not even exist at this point.

  He missed a step when he realized that if Adele didn’t have the money and neither did the man being chased by the sheriff, he had no idea of where it was. The dream of a home to share with two children grew distant and foggy.

  “Something wrong?” Adele asked as he ground to a halt, the truth stealing his strength.

  He shook off the disappointment that his acknowledgement brought. “Nope.” He’d find that money and get a home. Or he’d find another way to provide a home.

  She gave him an odd look, but he continued toward the house, and she followed, jiggling Jake and making him laugh. She laughed too, enjoying her young son.

  The kitchen was warm though a breeze came down the hall from the open front door. He was certain he could smell roast venison, turnips—he gave Susie a sympathetic look—and chocolate. “Umm. Smells mighty good in here.”

  “It might be supper,” Adele said with a teasing look. “Or it might be dinner for tomorrow.”

  That’s right. All her family would be attending. Would they wonder at his presence? Perhaps they’d think he should leave the children in the care of the Kinsleys and move on.

  If any of them challenged him, how would he inform them that he meant to take the children when he left?

  He glanced across at Adele as they sat around the table. He needed to tell her of his plans. Except at the moment, he had none apart from keeping the children.

  Perhaps he should again suggest they marry to provide the children with a home.

  10

  Adele helped Jake eat his me
al. She continually stole glances at Ethan sitting across the table with Georgie beside him. How much longer would he stay now that he knew Adele didn’t have the stolen money? He’d said he expected a reward for finding it. Did he hope to use the funds to fulfill his dream of owning his own place? She would ask him some questions when she got a chance. And she’d make sure she got a chance soon. No doubt he would move on in search of the money though he maybe hoped to question the man who tried to rob Sylvie.

  So many questions circling in her head.

  “Adele?” She realized Ma had spoken to her.

  “Yes, Ma.”

  “I asked if you’d bathe the children. Stella is tired.”

  Stella looked ready to argue, but there wasn’t any point in her denying that she was exhausted. Her face was lined in weariness.

  “Not at all. I’ll enjoy it.”

  “I’ll help,” Ethan said. “We’ll have fun, won’t we kids?”

  Susie nodded eagerly, but Adele noticed that Blossom and Donny were less keen on the idea.

  “Thank you,” Stella said, giving Donny a warning look. He lowered his gaze to his plate.

  Adele could see that this would be a perfect opportunity to show him that the children would be well cared for here. The Norwood children would likely return to their homestead. Stella often enough said that was her goal. But Susie and Georgie could be raised with Jake. It’s not like Adele ever planned to marry again. No, one experience with how awful that could turn out was enough for her.

  To her sorrow, she’d learned that not all marriages were like her parents’. Even their concern over Josh’s disappearance had not turned them bitter or mean.

  Her glance went to Ethan. He’d been hurt by this Belle woman. Badly hurt by the woman’s greed and unfaithfulness, yet he seemed to still be kind.

  Stella and Ma were too tired after the meal to help clean the kitchen. Adele chased them away. “Go rest. I can manage here.” She put water to heat for the baths while she gathered up the dishes. Pa and Ethan and Rocky went out with the children.

  Adele chuckled as she overheard Donny’s muttered words. “If I’m going to have a bath, I’m going to get dirty.” He headed for the hole by the corrals and started flinging dirt everywhere.

  Ethan met Adele’s glance through the window and tipped his head Donny’s direction as he grinned at her.

  Something she thought the first time she saw him came to mind. With his strong jaw and steady gaze, he was a man a person could trust.

  What would it be like to share more time with him? Lots more time. Maybe like Ma and Pa.

  She jerked away, buried her hands in the hot water, and washed dishes with such vigor that water splashed over the edge and soaked the front of her skirts. She was only thinking such foolish things because she no longer saw him as one of Floyd’s partners.

  Which did not mean she had to see him as husband material either.

  She finished the dishes and tidied the kitchen then headed for the addition. “I’m going to set the tub up in the work room. The children can splash around and it won’t hurt anything.”

  Ethan followed. “What do you need me to do?”

  “You could bring out the hot water, if you would.”

  A few minutes later they brought the two little boys in, undressed them, and put them in the tub together.

  They grinned at each other, splashed water, and giggled until they couldn’t hold their heads up.

  Adele and Ethan knelt side by side by the tub watching over the pair.

  The boys stopped splashing and regarded each other solemnly.

  Ethan leaned closer to Adele and whispered, “What are they scheming?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t get over how much they enjoy each other.” She’d been about to say that they belonged together when they both slapped the water and sent a spray over the edge onto Ethan. He sprang back.

  The boys giggled at his reaction.

  Adele laughed. “It’s only water.”

  He swiped the droplets off his face. “I prefer to take a bath without my clothes on.”

  She sat back and grinned at his aggrieved tone.

  He squinted at her. “Seems to me you’re enjoying this a bit too much.”

  “Oh, me? No, of course I’m not.” She managed to keep a straight face, but barely.

  He stalked closer.

  She realized what he meant to do and held up a hand to stop him.

  He pushed aside her hand, and before she could jump away, he scooped up a palm full of water and tossed it at her.

  She squealed.

  “It’s just water,” he mocked.

  If that’s the way he wanted it… She splashed water at him. The little boys, thinking it was a game, laughed and splashed both of them.

  She collapsed into laughter, unable to defend herself against the onslaught of two little males and one big one. “Enough,” she finally managed to yell.

  Jake screwed up his face, ready to cry.

  Georgie looked at Jake and wrinkled up his face too.

  “It’s all right. It was all in fun.” Adele leaned forward to reassure the boys at the same time Ethan did. They ended up with their arms crossing over each other’s as they hugged the little guys.

  Ethan’s face was so close she saw how dark blue lines fanned out from the pupils of his eyes, making what would have been pale blue become the color of a Montana summer sky. Water beaded on his skin, trapping silver bits of light. His grin sank into a bemused look as he studied her as carefully as she studied him.

  To realize they were no longer persons of suspicion changed everything between them.

  Jake twisted under the weight of their arms. “Mama,” he protested.

  She withdrew her arms even as Ethan did the same, and they sat back. She picked up the soap and scrubbed Jake from his hair down to his toes. Ethan did the same with Georgie.

  Georgie was ticklish and giggled and wriggled when his belly and his feet were touched.

  Jake giggled along with him even though the only place that Adele knew was ticklish was under his arms.

  “All done,” she said, and lifted Jake from the tub and wrapped a towel around him.

  “A’done,” Georgie said, and stood, his arms out to Ethan.

  Ethan didn’t bother with a towel, but picked up the boy and hugged him. “You’re quite the little man.”

  Adele couldn’t miss the huskiness of his voice. He was truly fond of the children and they of him. Then Georgie reached over and patted Jake’s arm.

  “Little man,” he said.

  Adele lifted her gaze to Ethan’s. “They’re such good friends.”

  He turned away, grabbed a towel, and dried Georgie. He didn’t say anything, and Adele guessed he was angered by her not-too-subtle hint that the boys belonged together.

  But she couldn’t apologize for something she believed to be best for the children.

  They prepared the boys for bed, then Ethan took one in each arm and went to the bedroom he shared with Georgie and Susie. “I’ll play with them while you bathe the girls.”

  “Thanks.” She didn’t like the strain between them, but what could she do? Surely he would see that he couldn’t give the children a home and they were better off with the Kinsleys.

  She called the girls in. Susie led Blossom by the hand. Blossom gladly let Susie mother her.

  The girls were much calmer about their bath though Blossom giggled when Susie tried to wash her hair. Adele let the girls play for a bit then scrubbed them. When the girls were in their nightgowns, she braided Blossom’s blonde hair and then Susie’s brown locks.

  Susie leaned hard against Adele’s knees, as if needing more attention.

  Adele finished her hair then drew the little girl to her lap and held her.

  “Could you put me to bed tonight?” Susie asked.

  Adele’s insides ached at the lonely need of this child. “I would love to. First, let me get Donny into the tub.” She lowered her voice and preten
ded to shudder. “I think he is trying to get as dirty as possible.”

  Susie rolled her eyes. “His mama has her hands full with that one.”

  Adele kept her amusement to herself. Where had the child heard such a comment? Certainly not from Adele’s mother. “He’s just being a boy.”

  “Georgie will never be like that.”

  “He might.”

  “Nuh uh. He’s a sweet little boy.”

  Ethan chuckled, and Adele realized he stood in the doorway.

  She held his gaze a moment, then turned her attention back to Susie. “Georgie won’t always be a little boy. He will grow into a big boy and a young man. Why, some day he’ll probably fall in love and get married.”

  Susie’s eyes widened as she digested this information, then she signaled Adele to lean closer and whispered in her ear. “That’s okay, if he’s going to be like Ethan.” Pink flared in Susie’s cheeks.

  Adele looked at Ethan and knew he’d heard. A slow smile widened his mouth, and he crossed the room to kneel at Susie’s side.

  “Honey, that is the sweetest thing anyone ever said about me. Thank you.”

  Susie threw herself into his arms and clung to his neck. “You’re the nicest man ever except for my papa.”

  Ethan met Adele’s gaze over Susie’s head. In his eyes she read his love for this child, and something more.

  A warning?

  Ethan loved these kids. They loved him. The sheriff had said he could keep the children unless someone else laid claim to them.

  But he needed a home. And perhaps a wife.

  Could her persuade Adele to a marriage in name only so they could give the three children a home?

  But he wasn’t interested in such a marriage.

  Maybe if he told her the sheriff had already given him the children…

  But he was certain she would protest. This wasn’t a conversation he would have with children around to hear their words.

  He pushed to his feet and carried Susie into the room he shared with the children. Blossom went into the house to her mother. The two little boys played together on the bed on the floor. He let Susie join the little boys.