Big Sky Daddy

by Linda Ford

  “I’m glad you think so. Now you get on with your chores so you’ll be done in time for supper,” Ma said. “It will be ready soon.”

  “Yes, Ma.” Lilly went to the workroom, strained the milk and set it to cool. Pa would take the cans to the river after supper and hang them in the water, where the cold would keep the milk fresh and sweet for days. Soon that wouldn’t be necessary. The workroom would be cold enough once winter set in. Many days it was so cold the milk froze. Lilly smiled. She loved spooning the crystalline milk from her cup. It was almost as good as ice cream, a rare treat they only enjoyed at community gatherings.

  Although done, Lilly lingered. She didn’t want to rush back to the barn and give anyone reason to think she was being overly curious or concerned about Caleb and his son. Though, of course, she had Blossom to check on, and she had said she and Ma would do what they could to help Teddy. It would be nice to have more than one day on which to help. But she’d tell them Ma would look at Teddy’s leg after supper.

  She turned, her reasons for returning firmly established. But still she hesitated. There was something about Caleb that upset her equilibrium. She might have said it was concern and sympathy over Teddy’s plight, but it was more than that.

  She might have said it was compassion because Caleb’s wife had been murdered. Or she might have said it was because they had shared a good old-fashioned belly laugh at Teddy’s description of his father’s routine.

  It was all of those things. But still more. Something about the man touched a tender, expectant spot deep inside that she hadn’t been aware of before this day.

  And that frightened her. She didn’t like surprises, and this unexpected feeling left her off balance.

  But why let it bother her? He’d soon be gone. He’d made that very clear.

  Rose stepped into the room. “I can’t believe you asked him to stay.”

  There was no mistaking the challenge in her sister’s voice. “Only for one night, so Blossom has time to rest.”

  Rose made a dismissive sound. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d hang about a Caldwell cowboy.” She didn’t give Lilly a chance to answer before she grinned and spoke again. “Though he is rather handsome, and seems a decent sort of man.” She grew glum again. “For a Caldwell cowboy.”

  Lilly shrugged. “Hard to judge a man after only a few hours, but I’m glad he’s staying long enough for Ma and me to look at Teddy’s leg and see why he doesn’t use it.” She explained yet again what had happened to the boy.

  “Oh, that’s terrible. I wouldn’t wish that kind of disaster even on a man who works for the Caldwells.”

  Lilly chuckled. “Nice to know.”

  Rose studied Lilly long enough to make her squirm inside, but outwardly she returned the look, hoping she was managing to keep hidden every hint of her confusion about her feelings for Caleb and Teddy.

  Rose’s expression softened as if satisfied with what she saw.

  Lilly might demand to know what exactly Rose thought that was, but she didn’t care to encourage Rose’s curiosity about the Caldwell cowboy and Lilly’s choice to open their home to him.

  “I came to tell you supper is ready,” Rose said. “Will you let the others know?”

  “Certainly.” Lilly left the house and stopped at Pa’s shop to tell him, and then made her way to the barn. She paused outside the door. Why hadn’t Rose informed everyone of supper herself? Lilly narrowed her eyes. Was she purposely avoiding contact with Caleb and Teddy simply because Caleb worked for the Caldwells? His reasons were noble—to earn enough money to take Teddy to a special doctor. She’d have to tell Rose that and set the record straight.

  Caleb was sitting near Teddy and Blossom, his back against a post, his legs stretched out halfway across the alley. He’d perched his hat on a nearby nail. He was watching his son, an affectionate smile curling his mouth. She drew in a breath at the depth of his devotion. Many men would simply accept the fact their son would only walk with crutches and get on with their lives. But not Caleb. It seemed he meant to move Heaven and earth to help his son. It was truly admirable and brought a sting of emotion to the back of her eyes.

  Teddy fussed with the dog, petting her head and talking to her, urging her to eat more.

  Neither of them had noticed Lilly in the doorway until Grub padded toward her.

  She stepped inside. “Supper is ready.”

  Caleb tugged on the lobe of his ear. “We don’t want to be a bother.”

  “It’s no bother.”

  Slowly he rose. “If you’re quite certain?”

  “I most certainly am.” More than anything, she wanted them to join the family for a meal. She wanted more time to observe them.... She meant, observe Teddy.

  “Then we will come.” He signaled for Teddy to join him and the pair fell in step with Lilly as she crossed the yard.

  Teddy grinned up at his father. “I was afraid you would say no.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “’Cause sometimes you are so stubborn.”

  Lilly choked back laughter. Young Teddy must have really kept Caleb on his toes.

  “Son, must you point out all my flaws and perceived failings in front of Miss Bell?” His voice deepened.

  She couldn’t say if it was from amusement or annoyance or perhaps a combination of both. “Please, call me Lilly.” He’d used her Christian name several times already—perhaps not aware he was doing so. She certainly didn’t want to revert to a more formal way of address.

  “Lilly and Caleb it is, then.”

  She realized she, too, had easily used his Christian name even without permission. Maybe working together over an injured pup erased some of the normal polite restraints.

  “Papa, I only say what I see.”

  Lilly could not contain her amusement at Teddy’s directness and burst out laughing.

  Caleb rocked his head back and forth in dismay, but she understood it was only pretend because his eyes brimmed with mirth, and in a moment he chuckled.

  Teddy grinned, pleased with himself for making them both laugh.

  Ma and Pa would enjoy a young boy’s presence at supper. Even Rose would see Caleb was a nice man.

  She realized her smile might have appeared too bright as she entered the house, so she forced a bit of seriousness into her expression.

  * * *

  Still chuckling, Caleb followed Lilly to the house. Teddy had not once complained about the simple food they ate, but perhaps the meals, although adequate, were lacking in imagination.

  He was willing to give his son a good meal tonight. Then it was back to their regular fare after tomorrow.

  Lilly led him into the house.

  The scent of roast pork, turnips and apples brought a flood of saliva to his mouth. The meals he’d had over the past few months certainly didn’t carry such tantalizing aromas.

  “Papa, it smells awfully good,” Teddy whispered.

  “It does indeed.” Caleb glanced about. It was a usual-looking kitchen—cupboards to one side, a big stove belting out heat, a wooden table. But there were touches that revealed the family, too. A rocking chair with a basket of mending. A spinning wheel and a basket of carded wool. A stack of papers teetering on a side table. And on the cupboard, four golden brown loaves of bread were cooling beside jars of applesauce and jars of dark blue-purple jam. He could almost taste the jam on the bread.

  He and Teddy seldom had bread. A man on his own didn’t have time to make bread, even if he knew how. They ate biscuits unless they found bread to purchase in one of the many towns he’d visited in his search for a doctor who could help Teddy.

  The woman by the stove turned at their entrance.

  Lilly pulled them forward. “Ma, this is Caleb Craig and his son, Teddy.” Lilly and her mother’s love for
each other was evident in the way they each smiled. “Caleb, my mother.”

  Both Teddy and Caleb offered their hands and Ma shook them. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Mrs. Bell indicated two chairs at the table and he and Teddy sat down.

  The others took their places. Rose and Lilly sat across from him and Mr. Bell sat at the end, facing his wife.

  Caleb glanced around the table, but his gaze stalled when it landed on Lilly. She smiled as if to assure him they were welcome.

  “Papa.” Teddy tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. “This is like we used to have.”

  Caleb nodded. “Yes, son.” They’d once known family. Though Amanda admitted she didn’t love him and had married him only to get away from her overly strict upbringing. He’d tried to love her as a man should love his wife, but she had rebuffed every attempt, so they had lived together in peaceful coexistence, both committed to providing their son with a pleasant home.

  But that home had never felt as warm and welcoming as this one did already.

  Mr. Bell cleared his throat. “Welcome to our guests. I’ll give thanks.” He reached for Rose’s hand on one side and Caleb’s on the other. Seeing what Mr. Bell meant for them to do, Teddy reached for Ma’s and Caleb’s hands.

  Caleb hesitated. Regret, refusal, confusion and pain all flashed through his brain. Being invited so intimately into this family circle had set his nerves to jangling. He had vowed to distance himself from people after Amanda’s murder. Or maybe it had begun long before that, during the years when Amanda had remained cold to his love. Slowly, over time, he had closed his heart in order to protect it. Now he was grateful he had done that. It kept him from overreacting to this current family situation. He’d only be here one day. He sucked in air and allowed Mr. Bell to take his hand.

  He sought Lilly with his eyes. She smiled and gave him a tiny nod. Confused by the way his heart tipped sideways at her gesture, he bowed his head as Mr. Bell asked the blessing. A question blared through his mind. Why had he looked to Lilly for reassurance? He didn’t need or want assurance from anyone. And yet his insides felt soft and mellow knowing she was sitting across from him, and she cared enough to take note of his hesitation.

  He jerked his thoughts to a halt. If he kept going in that direction he would lose sight of his every goal. He was only there to get a dog tended to, his son looked at and a savory meal or two eaten. Then he would return to the Caldwell ranch.

  All that mattered was getting Teddy to that doctor down east.

  “Amen,” Mr. Bell said, and the word echoed around the table.

  Throughout the meal Teddy raved about the food. He turned often to Mrs. Bell to ask questions.

  Mrs. Bell helped him cut his meat and butter his bread. She filled his cup with milk three times. “You can have as much milk as you like,” she said. “We have lots of it. Milk is good for strong bones.”

  “Would it make my leg work again?” Teddy latched his trusting, begging gaze on Lilly’s ma.

  She didn’t answer at first. “It might depend on what’s wrong with it, but it can’t hurt.”

  “Then can I have some more?” He downed the contents of his cup and pushed it forward for a refill.

  “Son, remember your manners.” Caleb spoke softly, not wanting to spoil Teddy’s enjoyment of this family meal, but needing him to be polite.

  “Please,” Teddy said. As Mrs. Bell filled his cup again, he added, “Thank you so much.” He drawled the words to make sure Mrs. Bell understood he was terribly, terribly grateful.

  Lilly and her sister glanced at each other and ducked their heads to hide their amusement.

  Mr. Bell smiled at Teddy. “A young boy with a healthy appetite is a good thing to see.”

  Caleb murmured his thanks. He had no objection to the kindness and attention this family seemed prepared to heap on his son.

  Mrs. Bell patted Teddy’s hand. “You’ll go far.”

  Lilly watched Teddy. She swiped at her eyes and glanced at Caleb. Then she ducked, as if uncomfortable that Caleb had seen her tears. Rose also swiped tears from her eyes.

  The tenderness of this family’s behavior toward his son stirred Caleb’s heart. Perhaps the boy would find something here he hadn’t had since his mother’s death—the loving care of a mother figure. Only in this case, two mother figures, a grandma figure and a grandpa-type man.

  Too bad he could only spend a day with them. No. He didn’t want more time. He clanged shut the doors guarding his heart, doors he’d built with steel and sealed with rock. His future did not include a loving family and a warm home. He had Teddy. That was enough.

  When the meal ended, Mr. Bell spoke. “We’ll have our Bible reading now.” He lifted the Bible from a nearby shelf and opened it.

  “Papa,” Teddy said, “you used to read the Bible every night. How come you quit?”

  Caleb shrugged. “Things change.” It hadn’t been intentional. At first he’d been in shock. Then his energies had been bound up in caring for Teddy. Then the two of them had been on the move, going from one doctor to another.

  Mr. Bell turned pages. “God changes not.”

  Caleb nodded. “For which I am grateful.”

  “Tonight’s reading is from Job, chapter thirteen.” He glanced about the table, giving each person a moment’s attention. “May we each be blessed by the hearing of God’s word.” He read the chapter until he reached a verse that he emphasized. “‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.’ We’ll stop there. Job, a man like us, faced troubles and trials most of us will never know, thank God, yet he chose to trust God through them all. Shall we pray?” He again reached out for the hands on either side of him and prayed that each be blessed, and each have a good night’s sleep. “May we honor You in all we say and do. Amen.”

  Teddy clung to Caleb’s hand even when the others started to push back from the table. He pulled at Caleb to draw his attention. Caleb leaned toward the child. “What is it?”

  Tears flooded Teddy’s eyes.

  Caleb groaned inwardly. What had upset the boy so much? “Do you miss Mama?”

  He nodded. “But that’s not why I’m sad.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  The room had grown quiet. Caleb glanced up and met Lilly’s gaze. Her lips lifted at the corner—it was not quite a smile, but there was no mistaking that she meant to encourage him. He nodded and turned back to Teddy.

  “What is it?”

  “He asked God to bless me.”

  “Yes. Mr. Bell asked God to bless each of us.” He didn’t understand why that had made Teddy cry.

  “Can God make my leg better?”

  Lilly hurried around the table and knelt beside Teddy. She touched his head and looked at Caleb. He felt her concern clear through to the bottom of his heart.

  “Can He, Papa?”

  Caleb pushed his chair back and pulled the boy to his lap. “God made you. I expect He can fix you.”

  Lilly hovered close. “God can do anything. Do you want my pa to pray for you?”

  Teddy sniffed. “Would he?”

  Mr. Bell had already moved to Lilly’s side and placed his hand on Teddy’s head. Rose scurried around to stand behind Teddy’s chair and Mrs. Bell stood behind Caleb, her hand warm on his shoulder.

  Mr. Bell prayed. “God of all mercies and love, look upon this little child of Yours and make his leg strong and well again that he might run and play like other little boys, and most of all, that he might love and adore You all his life. Amen.”

  For a moment no one moved, and then Mrs. Bell squeezed Caleb’s shoulder and stepped back.

  Teddy beamed up at Mr. Bell. “You know God real well, don’t you?”

  Mr. Bell chuckled. “I’ve known Him a long time.”

  Lilly leaned over and kiss
ed the top of Teddy’s head.

  Caleb rubbed the bridge of his nose and kept his gaze on Teddy until the rush of emotions passed. He’d beseeched God to heal his boy, but he’d never felt as blessed and supported by the prayers of others as he did here in the Bell house.

  Would God choose to heal Teddy?

  For good measure he added a silent prayer. Help me earn enough money this fall to take Teddy down east.

  As soon as he thought the words, he regretted them. A doubting man would not receive anything from God.

  Would his prayer, expressing doubt as it did, be the reason Teddy’s didn’t heal?

  A familiar sense of failure caught at his thoughts.

  Chapter Six

  Ma signaled to Lilly to join her. “God will do His part. Now let us do ours.”

  Lilly nodded. “Caleb, would you let my ma examine Teddy’s leg and see what she thinks?”

  Caleb pushed to his feet and handed the crutches to his son. “Where do you want him?”

  “The cot.” She indicated the narrow bed at the far side of the room.

  Teddy remained beside the table. “You’re not gonna hurt me, are you?”

  Lilly sat on Caleb’s chair and faced Teddy. “Did I hurt Blossom?”

  “A little, maybe.”

  “But she had open cuts. Do you?”

  He shook his head and leaned close to whisper to Lilly. “Will you look at my leg instead of your mama?”

  “My ma knows more about such things.”

  “Nonsense,” Ma said. “You are every bit as good as I any day of the week.” She smiled at Teddy. “Certainly she will look at your leg. Do you mind if I watch her?”

  “That’s okay.” Teddy hobbled toward the cot. “Do you want me to lie down?”

  Lilly knelt before him. “First, can you pull your pant leg up and show me where you were hurt?”

  He did so.

  Caleb stood at Lilly’s shoulder, his presence making her nervous. And yet she didn’t want him to move away.

  She saw the boy’s scar, the skin pink and uneven. She checked the underside. The bullet had gone in and out, leaving two roundish scars in the fleshy part of the leg just above the knee.