Montana Cowboy's Baby

by Linda Ford

  She stared in disbelief and then, understanding his teasing, burst out laughing. “How fortunate for her,” she said when she could speak.

  “I know.” He sobered. “I wish you could have met her. She was a special woman.” He took the last bite of his cookie.

  “She must have been to survive you…” She let the sentence drag. “And your brothers.”

  The smile she gave him made him swallow his cookie half chewed. He put on a mock frown and caught her shoulders. “Kate, those are fighting words.” He pulled her to her feet and stared down at her wide, waiting eyes.

  “And how do you fight?”

  He could not mistake the invitation in her voice. “I’m not much of a fighter.” He studied her mouth, thought of kissing her. He pulled her closer, then thought better of it. A kiss had to mean something. Yes, sometimes it was offered out of joy or gratitude. But mostly, for him, it meant mutual affection. And more.

  There might be a degree of regard between them, but not enough for him to open his heart. He shifted away and took her hand. “Best get you home before your father comes looking for you.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He allowed himself to think she conveyed regret.

  Could it be she was beginning to entertain the possibility of staying in Bella Creek, of becoming part of a big, happy family?

  Or was he being foolish in hoping that was the case?

  Chapter Nine

  Kate checked her reflection in the mirror. She was ready for church, but it was too early to leave. Father still nursed a cup of coffee. He gave Kate a considering look. “You in a hurry?”

  “I guess not.” She stirred the pot of stew she had made and pushed it to the back of the stove so it would simmer slowly while they were gone.

  He chuckled and she knew she hadn’t convinced him.

  “You’ve been restless the last couple of days.”

  “I’m anxious to hear back from the medical school.”

  “Yes, I suppose so. Or perhaps see a certain young man.”

  She suddenly found a spot on the cupboard that she needed to scrub. It was on the tip of her tongue to argue his suggestion, but she couldn’t find it in her heart to do so. Conner had not been back since the evening they had gone to the river. They’d parted with a list of things each of them would do regarding the fair. Somehow she’d expected him to return, if only to discuss the plans. But he hadn’t.

  Had he decided she wasn’t worth his time?

  Oh, what was she thinking? It wasn’t as if she wanted him to court her. Of course not. But still, would it hurt for him to let her know how Ellie was doing? But even that wasn’t excuse enough for her eagerness to see him as Annie had come to town and brought news that Ellie was getting stronger every day. And Logan daily brought news to Sadie and Sadie repeated it to Kate. She was simply feeling out of sorts for no reason.

  “It’s time to leave,” Father said.

  Finally! She grabbed her drawstring handbag, put on her Sunday hat, and they headed down the street toward the church. Buggies and wagons trundled past them. Horses and riders trotted by. And if she glanced up at each one, it was only to call a friendly greeting.

  And then she saw the Marshalls already in front of the church. Hatless, the three brothers’ hair glistened golden in the sunlight. Grandfather and Bud were behind the boys. Sadie and Isabelle and the children clustered together.

  Kate’s steps slowed. She had never before realized or perhaps hadn’t acknowledged how solitary she was with only her father for family.

  More foolishness. She dismissed the thought.

  Conner saw her and stepped away. Ellie perched happily in his arms.

  Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her ribs as he approached her. She stopped and waited while Father continued on, speaking to those he encountered.

  Conner reached her side.

  She stroked Ellie’s cheek. “Aren’t you looking as sweet as pie?” Her cheeks had begun to fill out. Her skin was flawless. She wore a white cotton dress with eyelet lace along the hem and a pair of white knitted bootees. Her brown eyes shone from under a lacy cotton bonnet. Wisps of light brown hair peeked out around the edges of the bonnet.

  Kate’s throat closed off. The baby was beautiful. Obviously she was being well taken care of at the Marshalls’. Why would she think otherwise?

  Ellie chortled and bounced so hard Conner had to tighten his hold on her. “She’s that happy to see you.” But he shifted the baby and kept her in his arms.

  Kate understood that he wanted those in attendance to see the baby with him. She glanced around. Already people had noticed and whispered together, no doubt wondering where Conner had found a baby. They’d be speculating if it was his and who was the mother.

  Unless he told the truth, once they learned Thelma was the mother, they would assume he was the father and expect him to marry her.

  He leaned close to whisper. “I’m not going to try to convince anyone the baby isn’t mine until I know for sure she isn’t in some kind of danger.”

  She nodded. “The secret is safe with me.”

  “Thanks. I’m going to announce the fair today. Are you ready? Not that it’s news to anyone who has been in town during the week.”

  “I prepared the list of volunteers we need.” She handed it to him. Her fingers brushed his and she had to force herself not to jerk back. She had to stop acting like a silly schoolgirl. It was like she’d been with Edward—too aware of every touch, reading things into every glance, dreaming and wishing and hoping. Remembering how that had turned out, her insides settled.

  Conner glanced over the list. “It looks like you’ve got everything covered.”

  “I wasn’t sure about asking for volunteers for entertainment. What if one of the elderly ladies wants to sing hymns in a quavering voice? Wouldn’t that put a damper on the festivities?”

  He grinned at her. “The only thing that could be worse would be rain.”

  She acknowledged his smile with her own. It felt good to be with him, working together on this project and sharing the same sense of humor. “We’ll pray that neither happens.”

  “If the volunteers speak to you, you can always say you’ll take it under consideration until both of us have a chance to finalize plans.”

  “That will work.” And give them a reason to visit.

  They joined the others entering the church. She slipped in beside Father. Conner usually sat with his father and grandfather, but today he followed her into the pew and sat beside her. He shifted the baby to the arm closer to Kate. His elbow pressed into hers and she welcomed the touch. The two of them protecting Ellie.

  Preacher Hugh Arness took the pulpit. “Please pray for me. I am still trying to locate my son. I trust God to lead me to him, but sometimes my faith falters.” He looked around the congregation, his dark eyes seeming to see everything. “In all this, I know God has not changed. Let us worship Him and rejoice in His love.” He announced a hymn.

  Conner took up the hymnal and passed it to Kate. She found the number and held it between them. Little Ellie reached for the book and Kate had to move it out of her reach. She smiled at the baby trying to squirm from Conner’s grasp in order to get to the book and she stole a glance at Conner. They grinned at each other, then turned toward the front before anyone could accuse them of not paying attention. Kate’s smile lingered in her heart throughout the service.

  Preacher Hugh closed his sermon. “Conner Marshall has an announcement. Come on up.”

  “You hold her.” He shifted the baby to her lap and strode to the front.

  Ellie babbled a protest.

  “Hush, sweetie,” Kate whispered, keeping her attention on Conner.

  He announced the planned fair. From the startled murmur, she knew there were some who hadn’t heard the news yet. “It’s to raise money for a church bell.” He explained the reasons and many nodded their heads in agreement. “It’s short notice, but I have no doubt that we, as a community,
can make it work. However, we’ll need some volunteers.” He read off the list. “Miss Baker will take the names of each volunteer, then she and I will make a plan. Is that acceptable to everyone?”

  Again, most of those present nodded their heads.

  Mr. Grieves stood to his feet, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

  Mrs. Grieves elbowed him. “Ask him.” Her whisper carried across the room.

  “Conner, whose baby is that?” He plunked down, his face a brilliant red.

  Conner walked down and took Ellie. He carried her to the front.

  Kate held her breath. How was he going to explain this?

  He faced the congregation, a proud smile on his face. She wanted to warn him that he presented the picture of a proud papa, but it was too late.

  “Folks, this is Elspeth, better known as Ellie. At the present, she is living with us.”

  Murmurs greeted his announcement. Kate tried to hear what people were saying.

  “Is she yours?” Mr. Grieves asked.

  “Where’s the mother?” Kate couldn’t see who asked the question. “Who’s the mother?”

  The murmurs increased in volume.

  Preacher Hugh stood at Conner’s side. “Jesus placed a child in their midst and said, ‘Who so shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.’ I think what matters here is that little Ellie is welcomed.” He placed his hand on her head in blessing.

  The murmurs subsided.

  “Thank you.”

  Kate wasn’t sure if Conner thanked Hugh or those gathered together in the church and it didn’t matter. Hugh’s words had ensured that Ellie would be welcome even if there were questions about her parentage. Ellie was an innocent child and shouldn’t be judged by the actions of her parents, but sadly Kate knew it was not always so.

  Conner returned to Kate’s side and sat down. “That went well, I think,” he whispered.

  Preacher Hugh dismissed the service and they rose. Before they could escape, they were surrounded by a crowd. Some wanted to get more details about the fair. Many volunteered to help and Kate was kept busy writing down names. However, more than a handful came by simply to have a closer look at Ellie.

  No one spoke out again about Ellie’s mother, but Kate would have to be blind not to see the speculative look in most of those who came around. She knew they hesitated to say anything with the entire Marshall family gathered behind Conner.

  It took several minutes for them to make it outside.

  Kate remained at Conner’s side. Would he now return to the ranch? The afternoon stretched long and boring.

  Annie paused at Conner’s side. “Like I said, I’m spending the day with Carly.”

  Conner’s shoulders sank. “I’m going to starve.”

  “Maybe someone will find it in her heart to invite you to share a meal.” Annie winked at Kate.

  Kate stared at the younger girl. Did she mean to suggest Kate should invite Conner to join her and Father for dinner? It would be different to sit across from him in her own home as they shared a meal. It would feel—her pulse pounded behind her eyes—as though he belonged in her life. She swallowed hard in an attempt to push the foolish thought away and grew aware that he watched her with expectation in his eyes.

  Her breathing was too fast, making her words airy. “There’s a pot of stew on the stove if you care to join us for dinner.”

  He grinned. “I accept. Do you, by any chance, have pie as well?”

  “I just might.” Boredom and restlessness had turned into several afternoons of baking. “Father and I won’t be able to eat all I’ve baked before it spoils. We welcome your help.”

  “And I’m most grateful to give it.”

  They looked at each other and laughed.

  “There you go,” Annie said. “Pa and Grandfather are going to Uncle George’s, so I can leave without being accused of trying to starve any of you.” She joined Carly and they hurried away.

  “Are you ready to go home?” Father asked.

  “Conner and Ellie are joining us.”

  “Good. That will put an end to your moping about.” He walked away.

  Kate’s cheeks burned. “I wasn’t moping,” she protested to Conner. “But he refuses to let me accompany him on calls. Says I’ll soon be gone and he’ll be on his own. Says he prefers I stay at home in case someone comes to the house. Though what he plans to do when I leave, I can’t say. I suppose he needs to find an assistant.” She knew she babbled, but she couldn’t stop herself.

  Conner tucked the baby into the crook of his arm on one side and caught her elbow with his other hand. “I’m about to starve into a shadow. And my taste buds keep thinking of your pie.”

  “Of course.” She fell into step beside him, all the while telling herself she was an intelligent woman, trained to be unaffected by drama, change or uncertainty. So why did she struggle to think straight?

  Several people spoke to them as they made their way home, mostly wanting a closer look at the baby.

  The aroma of meat, onions and other vegetables greeted them as they entered the house.

  Conner paused to sniff. “My stomach is kissing my backbone.”

  She laughed. “What? Did you forget to eat breakfast?”

  He looked shocked. “I have never in my life forgotten to eat a meal. But breakfast was long ago. Hours and hours and hours.”

  Ellie fussed a little.

  “Even Ellie is complaining. I better feed her.”

  As he prepared a bottle, Kate got dishes from the cupboard. She turned around and Conner stood before her, his large body blocking her. Her gaze went to his. She couldn’t be certain what she saw, or thought she saw, in his eyes. But it made everything else fade away as he searched her thoughts. She felt exposed by his look. Mentally she hesitated, undecided as to whether she should close herself to his look or let him see her deepest secrets.

  Ellie fussed, impatient with waiting for her bottle, and Kate realized the baby perched on Conner’s hip and Kate’s father as he sat at the table were both anxious for dinner.

  She sidestepped Conner and, with arms that seemed too long and unwieldy for the task, set the table.

  Conner pulled out a chair and sat feeding the baby.

  Why was it he seemed to take up so much space in the kitchen? It wasn’t as though he’d parked in the middle of the room, and yet when she took bread and butter to the table, his presence almost overwhelmed her.

  She returned to the stove and counted in and out four deep breaths before she lifted the hot pot from the stove and set it on a trivet in the middle of the table.

  “Can I dish you up?” She nodded toward Conner’s plate.

  “Thank you.”

  Pleased with how steady both her voice and hand were, she served him a generous portion and then put stew on Father’s plate and her own.

  She sat.

  “I’ll ask the blessing.” Father bowed his head and said a short grace. “Amen.”

  Conner held the baby on one side, holding the bottle with the same hand. “You’re getting to be quite an expert,” Kate said. Seeing his ease with Ellie brought a sting of tears to her eyes.

  “No word on the mother yet?” Father asked.

  “Jesse was able to locate the traveling show and learned that Thelma left it several months ago.”

  Kate heard the concern in his voice. The baby’s future would remain unsettled until Thelma was found.

  Conner continued, “Jesse has someone following up on that, but it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  If they’d been alone, she would have reached for his hand and offered encouragement. Instead, she had to limit herself to words. “I will continue to pray she is located.” Except wouldn’t it then mean Conner might marry the woman? His love for Ellie grew more evident, stronger, every day.

  The subject was dropped as they concentrated on their meal. Seeing how Conner struggled to manage with one hand, Kate went to his side. “Let me hold her while you eat.
”

  “I appreciate that.”

  She sat with the baby on her knee. Ellie had finished her bottle and reached for the objects on the table. Kate gave her a spoon and let her bang the tabletop with it.

  The spoon fell to Kate’s lap as Ellie’s head drooped. “Why, the little darling has fallen asleep,” Kate said. She shifted Ellie to a more comfortable position.

  “I’ll make a bed for her on the floor.” Conner rose. “Do you have a blanket?”

  “There’s a quilt hanging over the back of the chair in the front room.”

  He prepared a pad on the floor by the sofa and eased Ellie from Kate’s arms. Of necessity, his arms practically held hers. She lifted her gaze to his. He looked at her and again she felt as though he sought something she normally kept hidden from view.

  Ellie stirred and he laid her down. Side by side they stood watching her to see if she would settle.

  “She’ll sleep like a baby,” he whispered, grinning to indicate he meant to tease, and then he caught her hand and led her back to the kitchen.

  She eased her hand free of his grasp, hoping Father wouldn’t notice. She did not want to cause him concern that she might change her mind about following in his footsteps or give him any more reason to think she held special feelings toward Conner.

  They returned to eating the meal. After a second helping of stew and three slices of bread, Conner said he’d had enough and glanced around.

  Kate chuckled when she saw the disappointment in his face. “Do you think I got you here under false pretense?”

  “The stew was mighty good and I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” She let the moment hang between them, enjoying how he struggled to ask where she’d hidden the pie.

  He glanced toward the door beside the stove. “Is that a pantry?”

  “It is.”

  He darted a glance toward her as if to suggest she should stop stalling. “You store food in there?”