Logan took Jack over to the buckboard by the side of the barn. The small barn looked even more rickety in the daylight. They attended to their horse. Logan hadn't liked leaving the animal hitched up and outside like that. But he'd had no choice. The animal didn't seem to have suffered any ill-effects from being outside overnight. Logan loosened the horse from the buckboard and soon had it inside the corral alongside the barn.
As he closed the corral gate behind him, Logan saw Jack gazing in obvious fascination at everything around him. "This is quite a place, isn't it," Logan said to Jack.
"Does Kirsty run this place all on her own?"
"I think she gets some help from her cousin," Logan explained. "And I'm sure the neighboring homesteaders pitch in from time to time whenever Kirsty needs something." He saw Jack think about that one. "Homesteaders aren't like city folks, Jack," Logan said. "They like to be friendly and look after each other. This is a tough life out here in the wilderness. And everyone needs all the help they can get."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. Logan led Jack on a walk around the cabin. Now that he could see it more clearly, Logan was impressed with how solid it looked. It had been constructed with rounded logs. Gaps had been filled with chink. The cabin had a sloped roof of shingle. There wouldn't be problems with a leaking roof, he told himself. A narrow chimney jutted out the top of the roof. Smoke was easing out of it and drifting up toward the azure blue Montana sky. Logan had seen similar cabins and knew just how much work had gone into making this one.
He recognized solid workmanship when he saw it. He noted with approval that the cabin itself was on elevated ground. That would ensure good drainage of ground water and reduce the risk of flooding. Kirsty's parents had made some smart decisions when they'd chosen this location for their homestead.
Out back of the cabin were more vegetable patches, neatly bordered with makeshift fences to keep wandering animals out. Gazing south past the cabin, Logan saw the trail he'd followed from the nearby creek. Memories of driving through the night and worrying about the children were still fresh in his mind. He'd done the right thing by stopping. He'd known this place was where Kirsty's family had settled. Gambling that she would still be living here, he'd chosen to stop for the night.
Even if he and the children had been forced to stay in the barn, it still would have been better than driving on through the cold night. They'd been delayed on the way north by a loose wheel on the buckboard. Logan had figured he could have made it to Inspiration before nightfall, but he'd been wrong. And, now that the children were his responsibility, he wasn't willing to take even the slightest chance with their health. He was their protector now. Their father. They relied on him for everything, and he wasn't going to let them down. It was that simple.
Yesterday, heading north toward Inspiration, he'd taken note of the terrain, realizing he was on familiar territory. When he'd been younger, he'd spent many days playing with his friends in these forests. The cabin was situated in a wide, flat valley flanked on both sides by groves of trees. There would be a plentiful supply of herbs in those forests, he told himself. And he was sure that Kirsty had the knowledge to know what to look for.
He and Jack made their way to the yard. The cabin door opened and Kirsty emerged followed by Alice.
"This is some place you got here," Logan said.
Kirsty propped a hand on her hip and sauntered toward him. She smiled. "I'm glad you approve."
"Who are your neighbors?" Logan asked.
Kirsty tilted her head. "Let's see." She pointed southward. "We got the Shaughnessy family down that way. They're Irish. So we get along pretty well. My parents were Scottish, you know."
He quirked a brow. "I do remember. Your pa's accent got the better of me plenty of times. Yours is better, though." He smiled at Kirsty. "Just." He loved her accent, Logan told himself. It wasn't as strong as her late father's accent, but there was still a gentle, lilting burr to it which never failed to give him a secret delight.
Her lips formed a slightly disapproving pout. One he recalled from long ago. She'd been in the habit of doing that just before unleashing a stinging rebuke. He'd forgotten she was touchy about her accent. "Are you saying you can't understand what I'm saying?" she snapped. Whenever she was getting upset, her accent seemed to become more pronounced. That was another clue.
"I can understand you," Alice chimed in, looking up at Kirsty.
Kirsty placed a hand gently on Alice's head. "Why thank you, Alice," Kirsty said. Glancing at Logan she added: "I'm glad to see someone has good manners around here."
Jack laughed quietly and Logan glanced down at him. Seemed like some things hadn't changed. Kirsty still had a short fuse. Logan told himself he'd have to tread carefully for the rest of the morning. However, it had been good to hear Jack's laughter. As far as Logan was concerned, there hadn't been enough of that in the past few days.
Kirsty pointed east. "Over that way we got the Olson family. They're from Norway." Turning west she added: "And that way there's the Schmitt family from Germany. Of course, there are other families all across this part of the territory. Homesteading is real important in these parts."
"Every nation under the sun," Logan said teasingly. Kirsty peered steadily at him. It looked like she was trying to make up her mind about whether he was playing with her. He felt a familiar sensation. One he hadn't felt in a long time. The simple joy of companionship. Maybe he'd spent too much time working ranches and homesteads, he reflected. Living in bunkhouses, he'd kept himself to himself for most of the last five years. This was a reminder of what he'd been missing.
The sound of rolling wheels caught his attention. Turning, he looked along the northbound trail. The one he and the children would be taking later. He saw a buckboard, pulled by a single horse. A woman, around Kirsty's age, was seated on the buckboard. Logan saw Kirsty's eyes widen and she took a step toward the oncoming buckboard.
"Abby's back early," Kirsty muttered. She sounded surprised, too. Kirsty turned to Logan. "It looks like you're going to meet my cousin, after all."
Logan peered at Kirsty. He could see concern on her features. Logan smiled down at the children. They both looked curiously up at him. He nodded and said nothing to them. Then he watched as the buckboard made the curve in the trail and headed into the yard.
Once more, Kirsty glanced at Logan and clasped her hands at her waist. Now he could see she was worried. Logan asked himself one question. Why would Kirsty be worried that her cousin was about to meet him and the children?
CHAPTER FIVE
The buckboard rolled to a halt in front of the cabin. Abby stepped down from the seat and paused a long moment. She stood staring at Kirsty, Logan and the children. Kirsty cleared her throat and advanced toward Abby. Her cousin was wearing a brown cotton gown, gray overcoat, black boots and a neat bonnet decorated with a spray of flowers. Abby lifted a hand to the bonnet and shifted it slightly. Then her gaze shifted to Logan and the children. Abby smiled hesitantly. As she strode toward her cousin, Kirsty saw Abby's dark brows furrow as she took in the clearly surprising sight of a handsome man and two children standing in the yard. It must have been the last thing Abby had expected to see.
Kirsty reached Abby and hugged her. "You're early," Kirsty said softly.
Up close now, Kirsty could see how perplexed Abby was. Her cousin's eyes glanced at Kirsty. Abby lifted one brow, and said nothing. She was waiting for an explanation, Kirsty told herself.
For a moment, Kirsty's mind was a blank. How could she explain the presence of Logan, Jack and Alice? Abby knew all the neighboring homesteaders personally. She'd know Logan wasn't one of them.
Kirsty took Abby by the elbow. Abby took one step as Kirsty declared: "Come meet Logan and his children."
Abby halted abruptly. "Logan?" Abby tilted her head at Kirsty. "Logan Kincaid?"
Kirsty nodded.
"The same one you've told me about?" Abby continued.
Feeling her face flush warm, Kirsty looked away from
Abby. "I mentioned him once or twice. That was all."
"I think it was more than that," Abby objected. Kirsty saw Abby examine Logan. "He cuts quite a figure, doesn't he?"
"If you mean by that he is handsome, I suppose he is," Kirsty said quietly. "In a rugged sort of way."
Now they were close enough that Logan could probably hear what she and Abby were saying Kirsty forced a smile on her face. "Logan. I'd like you to meet my cousin Abby."
Logan lowered his head politely. "Pleased to meet you ma'am," he said in a low voice. He pushed Alice and Jack gently forward. "This is Jack and Alice. My children." Kirsty saw Logan glanced hesitantly toward her. There would be time to give Abby a full explanation later. After Logan and the children had left.
Abby greeted the children with delighted enthusiasm. Alice and Jack seemed pleased at Abby's instant approval. Her cousin was always good at creating favorable impressions. When Abby glanced at Kirsty again, she could see a hundred questions hovering behind Abby's eyes.
"Logan, Jack and Alice are on their way to Inspiration," Kirsty told her cousin.
"You are?"
Logan nodded. "We plan on settling down there for good," he explained. He rested a hand on Jack's shoulder and the other against the top of Alice's head. "The children and I are going to take up residence in Inspiration. Full time." Seeing Abby's look of curiosity, he added quickly, in a friendly voice: "I'm originally from here. Grew up in the town."
"So Kirsty's been telling me," Abby said and glanced at Kirsty.
Logan coughed and then peered at Kirsty. "I hope she hasn't been telling you about all the terrible things I did when I was young and foolish," he said good-naturedly.
Alice glanced up at Logan. "What did you do?" she asked innocently.
Kirsty had to hold in her laughter when she saw Logan's face turn red. "Nothing any other pupil at the schoolhouse wouldn't have done," he replied. She knew he was trying to make light of it but, judging by Alice's puzzled expression, it had ended up sounding even more intriguing.
Before Alice had a chance to question Logan again, he spoke up: "You and Jack will find out what it's like when you both start going to school, soon."
"Where have you all come from?" Abby asked Logan.
"We've been taking the trail from Helena," Logan replied. "Got delayed last night, so I figured I'd stop and say hello to Kirsty. She showed us her best hospitality. And she let us stay the night. It sure was comfortable." He smiled at Kirsty, apparently oblivious to the effect his words had had on her. Why had he gone and said that?
Abby's brows furrowed and her mouth dropped open. She stared, wide-eyed at Kirsty, but said nothing. For the moment. Kirsty shook her head imperceptibly at Abby, ordering her cousin not to ask the question Kirsty was sure was hovering on her lips.
"Logan has been showing Jack around the homestead," Kirsty said quickly.
Picking up on her eagerness, Logan said: "We're mighty impressed. Ain't that right, Jack."
Jack nodded. "It's big."
Abby laughed. "That's why it needed me and Kirsty to work it," she said. Abby gazed admiringly out across the homestead. "It took a lot of hard work. But I think it was worth it."
Kirsty frowned, wondering why Abby had spoken like that. Why had she spoken about all the work they'd done together as if it was a thing of the past? Kirsty looked inquiringly at Abby, but her cousin dragged her attention away from Kirsty.
"I don't know how you've done it," Logan observed.
"Long hours, for one thing," Kirsty retorted. She glanced at Abby. "And teamwork."
"I don't doubt that for one moment," Logan said. "You two fine ladies must have pulled together to make all this come to pass."
"We got plenty of help from the Lord," Abby declared.
"I'm sure you did," Logan said. Now there was a distinctly defensive tone in his voice. He wasn't to know that Abby possessed a strong faith.
"We could not have made this earth so fruitful if we hadn't been blessed by Him. He gave us the strength to do what we did," Abby said. Abby peered up at Logan. "Prayer and hard work will always achieve things that please the Lord."
Logan nodded quickly in agreement. "I can see that, Abby," he concurred.
Once again, Kirsty noticed Abby was talking as if everything was over and done with. A thought drifted into Kirsty's mind. She stared at Abby, realizing there might be another reason for Abby's cheerful demeanor, this morning.
"I guess we'll start getting ready to move on," Logan announced suddenly. He looked down at Alice and Jack. "You two can help me."
Kirsty felt a surprising surge of emotion. Was that disappointment she was feeling? "You're leaving so soon?" she asked.
Logan nodded. "I'd like to get us into town as early as we can. Get settled in that boardinghouse I was telling you about."
"Are you staying at Miss Hannigan's place?" Abby asked.
"That's the one," Logan replied. "I hear it's big enough for all of us. We won't be staying there too long, though. I'm figuring on buying us a permanent place to stay. But that might take a while."
"It's a nice place," Kirsty said. She wondered what it would be like for the children to be living in a boardinghouse. There would be restrictions on what they could do. Kirsty couldn't imagine Jack and Alice being completely happy there. But Logan had to make a start somewhere if he was going to get his new family established in town.
Logan, Alice and Jack headed off toward the barn. As she watched them make their way across the yard, Kirsty felt Abby touch her on the arm. Speaking in a low voice, Abby said: "Did Logan Kincaid stay the whole night here?"
Kirsty frowned. "Why, of course, he did. He and the children bunked down in the cabin. I hope you don't mind the children using your room."
Abby squinted at Kirsty. "That's the least of my concerns."
"What do you mean?"
Abby sighed and then folded her arms. "I think it would be wise to keep this to ourselves."
Kirsty tilted her head at her cousin. "You think people will talk?"
Abby looked suddenly grim. "I know they will."
"But the children were here." Kirsty lowered her voice. "I wasn't alone with Logan. Not for one minute."
Abby shook her head. "It won't make any difference in the minds of certain folk," Abby replied. "All they'll want to know about was that an unmarried man stayed overnight at the homestead."
"But Logan's a father to two lovely children."
"Are they really his?" Abby asked. "I never heard you mention that Logan was married."
Kirsty glanced toward the barn. She could hear Logan talking with Alice. It was time to tell Abby all she knew about Logan and the children. Kirsty quickly explained Logan's situation to Abby. As she listened to Kirsty, Abby's features softened with obvious sadness and sympathy. By the time she had finished her account, Kirsty could see Abby's eyes beginning to moisten.
"Those poor children," Abby murmured. "How they must have suffered."
"They've got Logan, now," Kirsty said. "He'll look after them." Even as she said those words, Kirsty knew them to be absolutely true. Since Logan had arrived she'd sensed a determination in him. He knew how serious was the responsibility he'd been handed.
"The Lord has seen fit to place them under Logan's protection," Abby declared. "That, at least, is a blessing."
"Logan has changed," Kirsty said quietly.
"In what way?"
Kirsty thought for a moment. "When he was younger, he was wild. Almost uncontrollable. But now?" Kirsty shook her head. "He's a new man."
Kirsty started to walk toward the cabin. Over by the barn she saw Logan begin to hitch his horse to his own buckboard. Alice was by his side, stroking the side of the horse's head. Jack emerged from inside the cabin carrying the things which had been brought from the buckboard during the night.
Pretty soon, they were ready to go. Logan guided the buckboard out to the yard. Jack and Alice took their place next to Logan. As he sat on the seat, holding the reins
, Logan smiled down at Kirsty and Abby. "Can't thank you enough for giving us shelter when we needed it, Kirsty," he declared.
"It was nothing, Logan," she said.
Logan touched the front edge of his Stetson and smiled at Abby. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma'am."
"Call me Abby," Kirsty's cousin told Logan.
He nodded. "Abby it is, then."
"See you pay us a visit sometime," Abby said.
Logan gave Kirsty one long look and said: "I'll be sure to do that."
Kirsty felt her heart skip a beat. Why had he looked at her like that? Didn't he realize his dark gaze could still affect her?
Logan flicked the reins and the buckboard headed toward the trail. Soon it was lost to view as Logan and the children set out on the last leg of their journey to Inspiration. A new life for the children, Kirsty reflected. But a return to familiar haunts for Logan. She wondered how he'd cope. Logan's surprise visit had been an unexpected delight, she told, herself. But it was over now. She and Abby had a life to build for themselves. There was no use longing for something she couldn't hope to have. It was time to leave the past where it belonged. In her memory.
CHAPTER SIX
Later that morning Logan drew the buckboard to a halt outside Miss Hannigan's boardinghouse on the west side of town. From where he was sitting Miss Hannigan's place looked mighty fine. Even grand, Logan told himself. It was a large, white-fronted building on two levels. Constructed in a typically elaborate style it had tall windows on both floors, a steeply-angled roof and a columned porch which stretched the length of the front.The porch steps led down to a well-tended garden enclosed by a picket fence. The whole building appeared clean and prosperous. It looked like Miss Hannigan's establishment was a thriving concern, Logan reflected.
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