by Linda Ford
Sam had heard less direct sermons at church. He refused to look at Gus, though he sensed the old man’s glee. Instead, he dug into the stacks of food. He wasn’t going to argue about the fact Elin was a good cook. Nor was he about to deprive himself of a feast in an attempt to prove something. At the moment he didn’t have any idea what he wanted to prove.
Joey finished and got down. “I go now?”
Sam pushed back from the table. “Tell you what, boy. I’ll show you round the place. Would you like that?”
Gus leaned forward. “We have baby kittens.”
Joey’s eyes lit up. “I go see.”
“Good idea.” Sam headed for the door, with Joey at his side, keeping a careful distance between them.
“Elin, you go too,” Gus said.
“Thank you.” She followed them outside.
“This,” Sam said, waving his arm in a wide circle. “Is the H Bar S Ranch. S for Sam. H for Harry.” Partners, just like Morty wanted, though Harry had a habit of shirking his share of the responsibility. “To your right is the barn, the bunkhouse for the cowboys, and some other buildings.” He doubted either of them cared about the storeroom or the feed bunk. “To the left is the river.” It was far enough away not to pose a threat to a three-year-old boy, though that hadn’t been a consideration when he and Harry chose the building site.
“Kitties?” Joey asked.
“Right this way.” He led them to the barn and to a manger where a motley-colored mama cat meowed a greeting. Three kittens nursed. One was black, one colored like its mother, and one a silvery gray.
Joey leaned over the edge and caught his breath. He reached out a hand and touched each kitten.
“Would you like to hold one?” Sam asked.
Joey nodded.
Sam lifted the silvery one and showed Joey how to hold the kitten in the crook of his arm. Joey sighed his pleasure as he stroked the kitten.
Sam turned to Elin. “Do you want to hold—” He stopped at the way her eyes glistened with tears. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Her voice broke.
“But you’re—” He pointed toward her tear-filled eyes.
“It’s just so sweet to see you and Joey—” Her voice quavered and she wiped her eyes with her fingertips.
Sam shrugged. “All I did was hand him a kitten. I was about to ask if you’d like to hold one.” This woman had him confused. First, she was so stubborn he wondered if she was made of steel, and now she wept at the sight of a tiny kitten. It simply didn’t make sense to him.
“I’d love to.”
He picked up the black one and handed it to her. She pressed it to her cheek and murmured Norwegian sounding words. He held the third kitten and petted the mother cat as she meowed. “They’re all safe, you know. We aren’t going to hurt them.”
Mama cat meowed and planted her front feet on the side of the manger to check on the kitten Joey held. She caught the kitten by the scruff of the neck and carried it back to her nest.
Joey laughed. “She take her baby home.”
“Yes, she did.” Sam and Elin returned their kittens. He darted a glance at her. She swiped at her eyes again and drew in a shuddering breath.
He squinted at her. “I don’t understand.”
She gave a watery smile. “They’re so sweet. And did you hear Joey laugh?”
“I did. That’s a good thing. Right? Not something to make you cry.”
She laughed, the sound ringing through the silence of the barn. “Oh, poor Sam. You’ve spent too much time in the company of men and not enough with women.”
“I had a gal once. I told you that.”
“Yes, you did. I’m sorry for your loss. Did she laugh and cry much?”
Her question stumped him. “I guess she was mostly sick. Don’t recall her laughing a lot. Or crying either. She was stoic about her pain.”
“Oh, poor Sam.”
That was twice she had said it. As if he was failing in some way. “I’m not ‘poor Sam.’”
She laughed softly. “I have a mother, numerous aunts, female cousins, a grandmother, and three sisters. There is always lots of laughing and lots of tears. But not sad tears so much as tender tears.”
Sam rocked his head back and forth. “Tender tears?” He pretended to shudder.
She chuckled and drew her arm through his. “It is one of the mysteries of being a woman. We cry when we’re happy and when we’re sad.”
She reached for Joey’s hand and they left the barn so entwined, and stood in the morning sunshine. She sucked in a deep breath. “I love the smell of a spring morning.”
He filled his lungs too, and coughed. “It smells like a barnyard.”
She tipped her head back and laughed.
Joey grinned at them, seemingly enjoying the happy sound as much as Sam.
He sobered. He’d half agreed to let them stay. He’d thought it meant hot meals, but hadn’t considered it might also mean happy shared times. It was a sobering idea.
Or was it an enticing one?
Elin silently thanked God for the answer to her prayer. Sam had agreed to let Joey stay. Which meant she would have to stay, too, to care for the boy. Seeing Sam with the cats had changed her view of him from hard and unbending to a man with a soft side. The discovery comforted her. She could make this arrangement work.
Sam escorted them back to the house. She looked about. “I will need lots of hot water.” She intended to wash every single dish in the house, scrub the grime from every surface. Before she finished, the house would gleam.
“You’ll be needing more fuel.”
He returned with a bucket full of coal and an armload of kindling wood.
She’d already discovered the pump that produced cold, sweet water.
Sam left, saying something about checking on the cows. Gus said he had to see to the chickens.
Elin set to work.
Joey wandered toward the door. She needed to keep him busy. “Would you help me wash dishes?”
He looked surprised but interested.
“Good. Let’s see how many dishes you can bring me to wash.” She noticed soiled cups and plates scattered throughout the room.
Joey nodded and brought two cups from the table by the big armchair.
She clapped. “Great find. Can you get more?”
Grinning, he brought the dishes from the living area then went to the bedrooms and found more.
She laughed and clapped with every item he brought her and his grin widened. “You are a great finder, did you know that?”
He nodded. “I find more.”
While he looked she set bread dough to rise and prepared a pot pie for the noon meal.
Finally Joey came back empty-handed and sad looking. “No more.”
“That’s because you did such a good job. Would you like to help wash them?”
“Me help.”
She pulled a chair to the cupboard and let him swish the dishes about in the soapy water. She showed him how to scrub each one, guiding his hands when needed. Soon his shirt was wet but neither of them minded.
Gus returned with a dozen eggs and put them in a basket. “You two are working up a storm.” He rubbed his hands together. “It sure is nice to see things shapin’ up.”
Elin planted her hands on her hips and studied the older man. “I will make Sam realize how much he needs me.”
Gus scrubbed at his bristly chin. “I’ve known Sam since he was a tadpole. Ten years old when Morty took him in. The boy has been raised by men. Only woman he ever let himself care for was sickly. His ma was sickly.” Gus chuckled. “I’m thinking someone as strong-natured as you is throwin’ a kink in his thinking.”
“That is a good thing, ja?”
“A mighty good thing.” Gus made his slow way to the armchair and lowered himself with a groan. “Did you say you have something that will help my old joints?”
“I’ll get it.” She got the jar of ointment from her trunk. “This is my grandmor�
�s special rub. Anker told me to bring lots.” She handed the jar to Gus. “You want me to rub it on?”
“Thanks, but no. I’ll go my room and spare you the sight of my old legs.” He limped away.
She cleaned up the last of the dishes and dried the front of Joey’s shirt with a towel. “Maybe I should hang you up to dry.”
He giggled.
She hugged him. “It’s nice to see you happy.”
He followed her as she went from chore to chore, wiping things clean.
Gus emerged from his room and sank to the armchair. Within minutes, he snored softly.
Poor man. Likely the pain of his sore joints kept him awake much of the night.
She held her finger to her lips to indicate Joey should be quiet. Not that he made much noise. The young ones in her family were always laughing and squealing, or crying. Thankfully, Joey wasn’t doing the latter.
She had no idea if she should expect Sam for the noon meal but set the table for four in case he planned to eat with them.
She pulled the pot pie from the oven. The crust was golden and flakey. She sniffed the steam rising from the holes she’d cut in the crust. It smelled every bit as good as she hoped it would.
The door opened and boots struck the wooden floor.
She turned in time to see the surprise on Sam’s face as he looked about and then he sniffed. “Is that dinner?”
“It is.” She set it on a pad in the center of the table.
Sam strode across the floor, filled a basin with warm water, and washed his hands and face.
Joey watched the water drip from Sam’s chin. He rubbed his own chin and looked puzzled. His gaze went up and down the length of the man drying his face. The way he studied Sam, Elin wondered if he’d had much exposure to men.
She chuckled softly, regretting it as Sam turned toward her looking puzzled.
“Did I miss something?”
“From what Gus said, I think you’ve missed having womanly influences in your life.”
Sam shot a protesting look at Gus, who had wakened and watched them.
Before Sam could say anything, Elin hurried to explain. “And I think Joey has had no men in his life. Aren’t you an odd pair? But God has put us together so Joey sees men and you learn what it’s like to share your home with a woman.” Ignoring the way Sam’s eyes narrowed, she waved her hand airily. “I expect it will be fun.” She meant to make it so, if only to prove how valuable her presence was.
They sat at the table. Sam asked the blessing. He indicated Elin should dish herself up first. She pushed back a smile at the thought he might not leave enough for the rest so she took what she wanted, gave some to Joey, and passed the dish to Gus.
“I don’t know what that ointment had in it but it sure has helped my old joints.” Gus held out his arm to show that it didn’t hurt. Then turned to Sam. “If you don’t keep her, I will. She’s just what we need around here.”
Sam concentrated on eating as if he hadn’t heard the old man and if he was unaware of Elin watching him to see how he would react.
Obviously he cared for nothing but his food so she left off waiting for him to say anything, to perhaps inform Gus of his decision. Someone needed to say it.
That left her. “He’s agreed to let us stay.”
Gus harrumphed. “Boy has more sense than I thought.”
Sam paused long enough to send a scowl Gus’s way then returned to his food. His plate empty, the baking dish clean, he sat back with a deep sigh. “That was delicious. Can’t remember when I ate something that tasted so good except for last night. Thank you.”
His praise brought a glow of satisfaction to Elin’s heart.
Gus harrumphed again. “You complaining about the way I cook?”
Sam grinned. “No more than you do.”
Gus gave a dry chuckle. “Never did figure out how to make a decent meal. Sure am glad you came along.” He patted Elin’s hand, causing the glow inside to grow warmer.
Gus shifted his attention to Joey. “I remember when your pa was about your size.”
Joey looked at Sam with wide eyes.
Sam shook his head. “He doesn’t mean me. I’m sorry. Your pa is Harry and Harry isn’t here.”
Joey looked down.
Elin reached out to pat his shoulder. So did Sam and their hands touched in the middle of Joey’s back. It was all she could do not to jerk back as her nerves twitched.
Slowly, as naturally as she could, she withdrew her hand. Sam did the same thing.
She hadn’t made dessert but she’d be sure to have some for supper.
Sam pushed back. “I’m riding out to check on the herd this afternoon. I’ll be back before dark.” He went to the door and opened it and let out a groan. “More company.”
Elin glanced past him. A cloud of dust tailed toward the ranch. She hurried about cleaning up the kitchen.
Sam watched the visitors draw closer. “Sure hope it’s not another would-be wife for Harry and another forgotten child of his.”
Elin’s heart stalled. Her hands held the now-clean baking dish. She seemed incapable of moving. There couldn’t be another woman seeking marriage with Harry. Could there? Even worse, there couldn’t be another child growing up without a father.
Except the more she heard about Harry, the more she understood it was possible.
“I was here first,” she said with as much firmness as she could muster. “I am staying.”
Chapter 4
Sam grinned at the way Elin established her right as the first arrival. His amusement died. He’d been joshing when he suggested there might be another woman and child. Except it was entirely possible.
“Last thing I need is more complications.”
“I am not a complication,” Elin said rather firmly.
Sam took his gaze from the approaching visitors and met her gaze. “I remember something my pa told me. Complications can be an obstacle or they can be a blessing. Huh. It’s a long time since I heard him say that and yet I remember it.”
“Glad you see that I am going to be a blessing.”
He laughed. “One thing about you, Elin, is you won’t let me think otherwise.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Seems you’ve enjoyed the meals I’ve prepared. “
“Can’t argue with that.”
“Don’t forget she helped my pain,” Gus added. “And she kept one little boy amused and happy. You’re happy, aren’t you, Joey?”
Joey nodded. “I full.”
The adults laughed. Sam met Elin’s gaze. He wasn’t ready to believe she might be a blessing but neither did he feel she was an unwelcome complication. He signaled her forward. “Want to watch them drive up?”
He might have detected a momentary hesitation, but before he could decide what it meant, she came to his side and they watched the visitors approach.
Joey squeezed past Sam and stood in front of him. He dropped his hand to the boy’s shoulder, smiling as Joey leaned against his leg. It felt good to have the little guy warm up to him. Poor child, as Elin had said. Abandoned by everyone he knew. Sam squeezed a little tighter.
“It’s a wagon,” Sam said. A few minutes later, he said, “Two people. A man and a woman.”
They turned up the laneway and the woman waved.
Sam groaned. “Tell me it ain’t so.”
“Who is it?” Gus asked. “Should I disappear out the back door?”
Beside Sam, Elin tensed.
“Don’t you dare leave me alone to face these people,” Sam warned Gus.
“Who are they?” Elin’s voice croaked.
“Mr. and Mrs. Scanlon.”
Gus groaned. “I think I need a nap.”
“No, you don’t.”
Elin swallowed loudly. “Who are the Scanlons that you are both so afraid?”
“I’m not afraid,” Sam protested.
“Yes, you are and so am I,” Gus said.
“Okay, maybe I am a little scared.” He shuddered. “The Sca
nlons have appointed themselves the guardians of moral conduct in the community. But why are they coming here? I’ve done nothing that’s even faintly immoral.” He looked over his shoulder to Gus. “You been up to something I should know about?”
Gus snorted.
Sam shifted his gaze to Elin. “You haven’t been here long enough to warrant a visit from them. Have you?”
“I just got here.”
“That leaves Joey.” A horrible thought filled his mind. “They wouldn’t—No, surely not.”
“What?” Elin demanded.
“Would they object to—” He leaned closer to whisper. “Harry never married Joey’s mother. He is illegitimate.”
Elin drew back and stared at Sam. “He is a child. But three years old.”
“I know but—” His gaze returned to the approaching wagon. It would soon be at the gate. He tightened his hold on the boy. “They better not say anything about him. I won’t tolerate it.”
Elin planted a hand on the boy’s other shoulder. “Nor will I.”
Sam cupped his hand over hers. “He is safe with us.”
She faced him. “Glad to hear it.”
The wagon stopped and Sam strode out to greet the visitors. When he turned around to lead them inside, Elin no longer stood in the doorway. He tried not to feel abandoned.
“Come inside. We’ll have coffee.” He wondered if there was anything else to give the guests. After all, Elin had only arrived late yesterday and had spent the morning cleaning the place. At least he had nothing to be embarrassed about on that score.
The couple followed him inside.
“Mr. and Mrs. Scanlon, this is Miss Hansen.”
Elin stepped forward and gave a little courtesy.
Mrs. Scanlon giggled behind her hand. “My dear, we aren’t so formal out here.” She held out a limp hand. “I heard a young lady had arrived and asked after Harry Ortwell. You would be the young lady Harry has been corresponding with.” Without missing a beat, she turned to Joey, who was pressed to the wall. “And who is this young man?”
“This is Joey,” Sam said, offering nothing more. “Joey, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Scanlon.”
Joey mumbled, “’Lo.” He pressed even harder to the wall.
The couple eyed Joey at length. Mrs. Scanlon’s mouth pinched. “I heard the young lady arrived with a child.” Her gaze settled on Elin with the weight of judgment.
