by Linda Ford
Judith hesitated before she released her hold.
Gil took a good look at the little one who returned his study, her lips quivering. “She’s just a baby.”
“Old enough to walk. I think she must have wandered away. Her parents will be beside themselves with worry.”
Gil helped Judith to the saddle with one hand then lifted the little girl to her. Leading the horse, he slowly made his way through the bushes, looking for any sign of the parents.
“Where would she have come from?” Judith’s voice revealed a good deal of worry and a hefty dose of fatigue. She must have wandered about for several hours, anxious to reunite the baby with the doubtlessly worried parents.
“There’s a wagon train a few days ahead of us. They left a month before us.” What sort of delays had caused them to lose so much time? “One of the wagons must had dropped out.” He could think of no other explanation for a baby out in the wilds.
They continued for the better part of an hour, his attention on the ground. He often stopped and studied his surroundings. Something caught his attention and he bent low to the ground. “Wagon tracks.” They were several days old but no mistaking them and they went straight toward a thicket of trees. “You better stay here while I have a look.”
She looked ready to argue until she looked at the child in front of her. “I’ll wait here.” She’d correctly read his concern about what he might discover.
He led the horse to the protection of some trees against a rocky bank.
“If you hear gunshots, ride up the hill. You’ll come to the dusty trail in about a mile. Turn right and keep going.”
“And leave you? That doesn’t seem correct.”
“You can send back Buck or your brothers. But you must protect the child.”
Judith’s brown eyes held his, direct, challenging. He’d noted this about her already. A woman who wouldn’t back away from a challenge and who made it clear she didn’t expect to sit back and let others take care of her.
He waited for her cooperation.
Only after she nodded did he cradle his rifle in his arms and on silent feet, make his careful way toward the trees and whatever he might find there.
The bushes and branches were battered by people passing through. A few more feet and he saw a wagon tipped over, contents scattered wildly. He remained in the trees, watching for signs of danger. A groan drew his attention and he slipped through the trees to the other side of the clearing.
His heart gave a violent beat at the sight of a man and woman on the ground, their clothes blood soaked. A glance informed him the woman was dead. He passed her and fell to his knees by the man. The color had left his face. Gil knew he watched the life leaving him.
“What happened?” Gil asked.
“Left wagon train. Wife sick. Robbers came upon us. Baby?” He tried to sit up.
Gil eased him back. “We found your daughter. She’s safe.”
“Thank God.” The man shuddered. “She’s Anna Harris. Anna. Eighteen months old.” He grabbed the front of Gil’s shirt. “Take her. Raise her as your own. We have no family.”
“She’ll be well taken care of. I can assure you of that.”
Mr. Harris’s grip tightened, his strength surprising considering his condition. “Promise me you will raise her.”
How could he? He wasn’t even married. Had no intention of entering that state. Oh sure. Once he’d thought it was what he wanted. Before Lillian had made him think otherwise. Finding her in the arms of another man when she talked of love and marriage to Gil had left him disillusioned about the faithfulness of a woman. He certainly had no notion of repeating his mistake.
Mr. Harris clutched at Gil’s shirt, a look of determination on his face. “I won’t let you go until you give me your word to take Anna.”
Gil unhooked the man’s fingers and eased him to the ground. “You have to understand I am not married. I can’t raise her.” Gil’s insides shriveled as the man sobbed. “But I promise I will find a good family for her.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Harris closed his eyes and struggled for breath. “We’ve been robbed but if there is anything you can use…”
“I’ll take care of everything. You sure there’s no one I should notify?”
“Tell Anna how much we loved her.” A inhalation shuddered in and out.
Gil watched Mr. Harris’s chest. But he’d taken his last breath. “Good bye. I’ll make sure Anna knows she is loved.”
He pushed to his feet and looked about. Torn clothing tossed about. Flour scattered recklessly. A trunk with the top torn asunder. Two bodies to take care of.
An hour later, with darkness closing in about him, he returned to Judith. Little Anna slept in her arms. He carried with him a bundle of clothing for the girl and a few items that had not been destroyed.
“What did you find?” Judith asked.
Gil could not say if it was fear or fatigue or even hunger that made her voice quiver. The darkness had deepened so he couldn’t make out her features well enough to read her expression.
“You might as well get down while I tell you.” He reached up for the sleeping Anna, holding her in one arm while he assisted Judith to the ground.
He led her to shelter by the trees. They sank to the grass and he told her what he had discovered. “I promised him I would see that the baby had a home.”
“I’ll keep her.”
Coming soon!
Also by Linda Ford
Contemporary Romance
Montana Skies series
Cry of My Heart
Forever in My Heart
Everlasting Love
Inheritance of Love
Historical Romance
Dakota Brides series
Temporary Bride
Abandoned Bride
Second-Chance Bride
Reluctant Bride
War Brides series
Lizzie
Maryelle
Irene
Grace
Wild Rose Country
Crane’s Bride
Hannah’s Dream
Chastity’s Angel
Cowboy Bodyguard
Copyright © 2018 by Linda Ford
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