Cowboy Father

by Linda Ford

  Ethan entered, and Georgie was invited to join the tea party.

  Stella waved Adele and Ethan away. “Go enjoy yourselves while we do things.” She turned to the children, and in a conspiratorial whisper, said, “I have some special things planned.”

  Adele gave Stella a close look. Her color was better than it had been in days, and her eyes flashed with eagerness. She deserved time with the children. Adele went outside.

  Ethan followed. “Let’s walk down to the river.”

  Adele fell in at his side before she could think better of it. They crossed the dusty street, the strip of grass, made their way through the trees, and paused at the edge of the river. For a few minutes they followed the trickling water, then Ethan pointed out a grassy spot, and they sat.

  “I like your family,” he said.

  “Me too.” They both laughed.

  “You must miss yours,” she said.

  He tossed a rock into the river. “Sometimes. It’s hard to believe Maisie will soon be getting married.”

  “Do you ever visit them?”

  “A couple times a year.”

  “Tell me something about your family.”

  He thought a moment, a smile playing about his mouth. “I remember an occasion when I felt like I had done something very special. Pa had headed for town to pay off a loan, and we had gone with him. I can’t remember what the loan was for, but I will never forget the fear and panic in my parents’ faces when they got to town. Pa couldn’t find the money. The ride home was so tense I could barely breathe. Ma made Pa go over every step he’d taken. Pa did so and returned to say he’d gone over every inch of his tracks. I went out and looked. I told myself I wouldn’t quit until I found the purse of money. And I did find it. It had fallen from Pa’s pocket when he harnessed the horses and one of them must have tromped on it. It was pushed into the ground, but I saw it. I took it to Pa. I remember how grateful my parents were. Ma cried and hugged me. Pa even hugged me, and he wasn’t given to hugs. He told me how grateful he was for my expertise. That really stuck with me. After that I prided myself on finding things. I learned it was easy if you just paid attention to the details.”

  “I think you like the joy it gives yourself and others when you locate missing items.” She couldn’t help wonder if he would continue to look for his boss’s money until he found it.

  “I suppose I do. But the one time I lost my money, it couldn’t be found. Belle went back east. I had no way of proving she had taken it.”

  “How devastating for you.”

  “It was awful at the time but if I’d settled next to my parents’ farm I would have never gone to Texas, never tried my hand at ranching and known it was what I wanted to do.”

  “I’m sorry I don’t have the money you came in search of. I know you hoped to buy your own place with it.”

  He shrugged.

  “What will you do now?”

  “Wait until the sheriff returns and question that cowboy again. Even though others have questioned him, I might figure out something.”

  “I hope you do.”

  He leaned back on his elbows. “It must have been awful for you when you learned the truth about Floyd.”

  Tears stung the back of her eyes. “I don’t know how I could have been so gullible.”

  “I’m guessing he tricked more people than you. I’m certain if your pa had suspected, he would have forbidden your marriage.”

  “That’s true. I don’t think Pa really realized until he saw the things Floyd bought.”

  “When did you discover it?”

  “I thought I knew him. I thought I could trust him with my heart, my life, my future.” She knew bitterness had crept into her voice but she couldn’t help it. “I started to have suspicions but I ignored them. I remember the day I could no longer deny the truth. I already knew I was going to have a baby and was eager to tell him. We’d had supper earlier, and I’d thought of telling him then, but he seemed distracted and ate in a hurry. So I washed the dishes and tidied the house and started the bread dough. I’d heard him ride away, and an hour or two later, I heard him return. So I slipped out to the barn to speak to him. The sky was washed in pink with gold edges at the horizon. The flowers were fragrant. Birds murmured in the trees. It was a perfect evening, and I envisioned a sweet, tender moment.” She slanted a grimacing look at Ethan.

  He took her hand and held it. She clung to him, finding strength and comfort in his grasp.

  “I really built it up in my imagination.” She swallowed hard, reliving the anticipation that ended in the shattered moment. “He’d hug me and kiss me. He’d insist on going to the house and having a celebratory tea. I’d even made and decorated some cupcakes in anticipation of the event and made sure to have his favorite flavor of tea. Earl Grey, which I didn’t care for, but he loved. I was humming with my happiness when I realized he wasn’t alone. I stopped so I could listen. There were at least three, maybe four men speaking. I didn’t recognize the voices. And then I caught their words. They were discussing how old Mr. Smith was heading from town with the payroll in his saddlebags. One of the said he was an easy target because he was half deaf and wouldn’t even hear them ride up. I couldn’t believe it. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid they would hear it. Could they—could Floyd—really be planning to rob a poor old man? I listened some more, but the words didn’t make sense. This was not the man I married. There was something wrong.”

  She hung her head, tears scalding her cheeks. “I went back to the house, my dreams dashed. My hope of a loving home dead. Floyd didn’t come back until late that night. I pretended to be asleep, but how could I sleep after what I’d heard? I finally decided to wait and see what happened. The next day, news circulated that Mr. Smith had indeed been robbed. And a few days later, Floyd had a sudden ‘paycheck.’ I almost vomited when he told me.”

  She forced herself to continue. “I struggled with what to do. I didn’t want my baby to grow up knowing his or her father was a thief. I thought about going back to Ma and Pa. But I didn’t want to admit I had made such a colossal mistake. Besides, I had vowed before God to stay with Floyd through better or worse. Not that I’d ever dreamed what worse could mean.

  “I watched him carefully, but saw no other activity to be suspicious of, and let myself be lulled into believing it was the one and only time he had participated in crime. But I was scared every time I saw the sheriff or Mr. Smith.

  “It was two weeks before I told Floyd I was having a baby. He was thrilled about the baby, and he did insist on a celebratory tea. Only we went to the hotel instead of having it at home, and I couldn’t help but think it was really Mr. Smith who was paying for it.”

  Her joy at the coming baby had been tempered with what she’d learned about Floyd. She’d promised the unborn infant that she would protect him from the dreadful knowledge of who his father was and do her utmost to keep him sheltered from seeing the men who met Floyd in the barn. She suspected why they came, but with no proof, she let herself believe they came for other reasons.

  “Floyd had a job at the livery barn and went every day. I convinced myself that he was basically an honest, hardworking man. Only later did I realize that job provided him a perfect opportunity to hear of people’s activities and know who was traveling with a lot of money.

  “I heard of a few more robberies—mostly not close to home. I tried not to think of the times Floyd was away, giving me the excuse that he had to deliver a horse or run an errand for someone.”

  She forced herself to continue even though every word seared her throat. How could she have been so easily fooled?

  “Then Jake was born, and I lost myself in my love for him. My family adored him. Several times I considered telling them of my suspicions. I knew they would give me a safe home. But by then I’d seen Floyd’s mean streak, and I feared what he would do. My family moved, and I had to deal with the life I had inadvertently chosen. I prayed for God to intervene, though I couldn’t imagine what
He could do. I didn’t want the shame of having Floyd in jail.

  “And then he was shot. He shot one of the robbers when he saw what was going to happen, so the sheriff believed he was trying to stop the robbery. I knew better, but I wasn’t about to say so. As soon as he was buried, I packed up and fled to Glory. All I wanted was to begin again without the dark fear of Floyd’s past dogging me.” She was drained from spilling all the gory details of her story. Too drained even for tears.

  Ethan shifted and pulled her to his chest. She buried her fingers in the fabric of his shirt, anchoring herself to a man who was as solid as a rock. Startled, she realized it wasn’t only his physical strength, but much more so, he was the sort of man a woman could trust.

  She tried to warn herself of how easy it had been for Floyd to make her think that of him. But she wasn’t the same person she was back then. The events of her failed marriage had taught her to listen to the promptings of her heart, to see God’s guidance, to see beyond surface charm.

  Ethan caught her chin with his curled finger and tipped her face up to his. “I am so sorry you went through all that. You deserve so much better. You should be cherished, protected, and…” His voice deepened as his gaze went to her mouth. “Kissed every day of your life.”

  She knew what he wanted even before he asked, “May I?”

  For answer, she lifted her head to meet him halfway.

  The kiss was short and sweet. Perhaps he meant it only as a gesture of sympathy. She should be content with that, but her heart burst open, hungry for love and all the things he’d said she deserved.

  She should leave the shelter of his arms, but instead she settled back into his embrace.

  He stroked her hair. “Your life is now yours to do with as you want.”

  “My choices will always be made with Jake in mind.”

  “I didn’t mean otherwise. In my mind, he is so much a part of you that I couldn’t see you without seeing him.”

  Her throat momentarily choked off. When she could speak she smiled up at him. “That is sweet.”

  He tightened his arm around her.

  “He is the one thing about my marriage to Floyd that I will never regret. I remember a day when Jake was about two months old. I had been so tired and maybe downhearted after he was born, worried about bringing a child into our situation. Floyd had grown more and more distant. Secretive. Even dismissive. He often pushed me away, both emotionally and physically. I don’t think he meant to hurt me.” She paused. She’d believed that of him until he started shoving her aside with no regard for the bruises he left. “He often hurt my feelings and frequently left me feeling bruised both physically and emotionally. But this day I’m talking about was a day I began to feel like myself. Floyd had been away for three days. I didn’t dare think what he might be doing. I had spent Sunday with my family. It was just before they informed me they were moving. It was a day full of love and fun. And Jake was smiling and charming everyone. I realized how much love I’d received in my adopted family, and even though a pain remained that I had been abandoned as a baby, I knew I had been loved and indeed, was still loved, and it broke something free in my heart. Love for Jake almost overwhelmed me. I could barely stop the tears from flowing at how great was my love for him. I managed to keep them back until I got home, and then I had a time of laughing and crying and rejoicing. I know it sounds contradictory to say, but it was one of the happiest days of my life. My tears were good tears. Healing tears. To know such love given to me by my parents and by God and to know such love for my child. It was overwhelming.” She sniffled. “See, I still tear up.”

  Smiling tenderly, he caught her tears with his fingertips.

  The pain that Ethan felt at knowing what she had endured was like a knife slicing into his heart. She’d had a husband who didn’t cherish her.

  Right then and there he promised himself that if he found the money, he would give her and Jake a home along with Susie and Georgie. He had grown to care for her more deeply than he’d ever cared for anyone before. Certainly far more than he’d cared for Belle.

  He wanted to convey that to Adele. “I don’t think I really loved Belle.”

  She shifted to look into his face as he talked. He met her gaze, and for the space of a heartbeat forgot what he was going to say.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Maybe because when the money disappeared, I was more concerned about not being able to buy the farm than the fact she was missing. I had been working at every job I could lay my hands on and saving every penny. I’d been courting Belle for a few months. Of course I shared my dreams with her. I thought she had the same dreams. When I discovered the money was gone, I was beside myself with surprise and shock. What had happened to it? Had I forgotten where I put it? I went to Belle hoping for some sympathy. Only she was gone. Her aunt said she had gone back east, and when I asked when she was coming back, her aunt said she didn’t expect Belle to return. Said Belle had had a bit of good luck that enabled her to pay for a ticket and find a place to live. I knew then that she’d stolen my money, though it took me a few days to actually believe it.”

  “And now a woman has ruined your life again.”

  He couldn’t think what she meant. What woman ruined his life again?

  “You hoped I’d know where your boss’s money was. A woman has again shattered your hope of getting your own place.”

  Her reasoning was so far from the truth that he roared with laughter and kissed the top of her head.

  “What’s so funny?” she demanded.

  “I haven’t given up on my dream, so don’t be taking any blame on that score.”

  She stared at him.

  He could think of nothing but the blue-green of her eyes. The way her gaze held his and seemed to promise a fulfillment of his every dream. That dream grew clearer in his mind with every passing moment. A low rambling house. Three children playing together, running to hug him when he returned home. Adele waiting behind them, a special smile reserved for him alone.

  She searched his gaze, and he let her, his heart welcoming her.

  In the distance came the sound of children laughing. Adele sat up. “Stella might be needing help with the children.”

  Ethan kept his arm about her for a moment longer, then pushed to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. He retained her hand as they stood, only a breath between them. Wondering if she felt the same promising stirrings as he did, he smiled.

  She smiled back and shyly lowered her head to stare at the button on his shirt at her nose level.

  He tucked away pleasure at this sign of awareness as they crossed back to the yard where five children ran around, yelling as Stella tossed a yarn ball for them to catch and bring back to her.

  They sat beside Stella.

  “You’re certainly feeling better,” Adele said.

  “I am, and it feels wonderful.”

  “Don’t overdo it.”

  “I won’t. I intend to get strong enough to return to my farm soon.” She held the ball and sighed. “I miss having my own home.”

  Adele patted Stella’s hands. “Me too.”

  They looked at each other with understanding.

  If Ethan needed any confirmation that his plans should include Adele, the longing he saw in her eyes satisfied that need.

  Stella threw the ball toward the little boys. She must have instructed the other children to let the pair play without interference, for the older three stood back and waited for Georgie and Jake to chase after the ball. Side by side, they carried it back to Stella.

  After a few more minutes of chasing the ball, Donny went to his barn, and the two girls chose to play with their dolls. Jake and Georgie made up their own game of chasing the ball.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen children that age so readily become buddies,” Stella said. She got to her feet. “I hear the Kinsleys. I’ll make them tea.” She went inside.

  “Even Stella sees how much the two of them belong together
,” Adele murmured.

  He understood what she didn’t say. She wanted him to leave the children in her care. But he had other ideas, which he couldn’t tell her of at the moment.

  Not until he had a plan.

  He looked down the street.

  Shouldn’t the sheriff have returned with Floyd’s partner by now? Was he waiting to visit with news out of respect for the Sabbath?

  Ethan shivered. Or had something gone wrong? He tried not to think of the sheriff being ambushed, and he squinted hard in every direction.

  Was it possible the culprit had circled back? He edged his chair closer to Adele.

  She raised her eyebrows, but he didn’t offer an explanation. Until the sheriff showed up with news of the man’s arrest, Ethan would be on guard.

  * * *

  Supper seemed a subdued meal. The children were clearly tired. Stella instructed her children quietly. Mrs. Kinsley did her best to keep a conversation going, but after the noisy crowd at the noon meal, it appeared everyone was content to pass the food, clean their plates, and leave the table to attend to other things. The preacher and his wife went to the parlor. Blossom fussed, and Stella excused herself to prepare the little girl for bed.

  “Do I have to go to bed too?” Donny asked. “I’m not tired.”

  “I’ll watch him,” Adele said.

  “Thank you. Donny, you be good.”

  “Yes, Ma.” But the look Donny sent Susie’s direction warned them he would only be good if she kept her distance. He turned to Georgie and Jake. “You want to come?”

  They followed him outside.

  Susie gave a dismissive shrug. “I’ll help clean up.” She carried a handful of cutlery to the dishpan.

  Ethan sprang forward and spoke to her. “I’ll wash. You dry.” He bent close to her ear. “It was very nice of you to offer to help.”

  “Mama would want me to.”

  Adele gave the little girl a sideways hug. “Your mama would be happy that you remember.”