Now that she had presented her case, Bridget leaned back in her chair, looking expectantly at Kirsty.
"Are you saying you've all been taking about me?" Kirsty asked. "Discussing my situation?"
Bridget drew in a deep breath. "We held a meeting about you."
"A meeting!" Kirsty exclaimed.
Bridget nodded emphatically. "And it was agreed that you would be given all the help you need. You are a part of this homesteader community. If we can't help you when you are in need, who can we help?"
"I'm not in need, Bridget," Kirsty objected. "Really, I'm not."
"Nonsense, Kirsty," Bridget countered. "We have to show Christian love to all our neighbors. And you are our neighbor." Bridget gave Kirsty a stern look. "In case you hadn't noticed."
Kirsty was taken aback by the directness of Bridget's response. Bridget's feisty Irish character was on full display now. When she got like this, there was little chance of winning an argument. Even Bridget's accent had become more pronounced as emotion had gotten the better of her.
Kirsty sighed. "When is all this supposed to start?"
"Tomorrow. Gustav Schmitt will be here early in the morning. I expect he'll know what to do. But I'm sure you'll tell him what you need done. Then, the next day it'll be Karl Olson. After that, Calum will be over."
Kirsty gasped, feeling exasperated. "They can't come every day. I don't need that."
Bridget leaned forward, placed her elbows on the table and peered sternly at Kirsty. "Are you telling me you don't want our help? That you're going to refuse?"
Kirsty met Bridget's unmoving gaze. Put as plainly as that, Kirsty realized she wasn't willing to turn down the offer from the homesteader community. Maybe Bridget was right. Kirsty was a part of the community, even if, right now, she was reluctant to admit it. Was pride getting the better of her? She hoped that wasn't the case. And was that the real reason she'd been pushing Logan away? Or at least, holding him at arms length. Was she trying to prove something to herself? Was her stubbornness a sign of a deeper problem within herself?
She offered up a silent prayer. Lord, help me to find the answers I need. Help me root out the things within me which are making me feel like this. And making me hold all those closest to me as far away as possible. Help me overcome my stubbornness. My pride.
"Well?" Bridget asked, waiting for Kirsty to answer.
Kirsty nodded. "I accept your very kind offer." She hoped she sounded sincere, since doubts still lingered at the back of her mind.
A satisfied grin spread across Bridget's features.
Kirsty held up a hand. "However, I insist that I'll be the one who decides how long this help continues. Whether it lasts for days or weeks, I'll be the one who decides."
Bridget bowed her head. "Of course. That's only common sense. You know what you need to do around your own homestead. Because its all yours now, isn't it."
Kirsty nodded. "I guess it is," she admitted softly. Gazing at Bridget, Kirsty added: "You know, I was trying not to think about what it would be like once Abby left to live with Lucas. I just assumed I'd handle it. Just like I've always done in the past."
"You're a strong woman, Kirsty," Bridget said. She smiled warmly at Kirsty. "I've absolute faith in you. I know you'll make this work. Your ma and pa would be proud of you."
Kirsty lifted a brow. "You think so?"
Bridget nodded. "They were good people. Faithful and good-hearted."
"I miss them very much," Kirsty said, feeling sadness spread to her heart.
Bridget patted Kirsty's hand gently. "I'm sure you do. But, you know what your pa would say to you. It's time to move on. To keep fighting for what you believe is right."
Bridget's words lifted Kirsty's spirits. She was right. Her pa would want her to carry on. But not in a faint-hearted way. He'd want her to do her best. To make a new start and carry on the work which he'd begun.
"I'm so lucky to have you as a friend," Kirsty admitted.
Bridget's cheeks flushed. It wasn't often that Bridget looked embarrassed, but she looked it right now.
Waving a dismissive hand, Bridget smiled. "There you go," she scoffed good-naturedly. "You'll be making me cry in a minute if you say another word."
Kirsty heard pounding footsteps out on the porch. Bridget stood. "Those children of mine are making an awful lot of noise. I must go and see what they're up to."
Bridget went outside. Kirsty remained seated at the table, thinking over what Bridget had just told her. Maybe it was time to admit she wasn't alone, after all, Kirsty told herself. People wanted to help. Deep down, Kirsty was glad of their offer. Her fellow homesteaders were all good people. Maybe this was the Lord's way of showing her the way forward. To accept her station in life, and the community within which she lived. This was her future. This was where she belonged.
Kirsty stood as she heard Bridget laughing with the children. There was only one thing which tugged at her heart, though. One question that lingered in her mind.
Was Logan Kincaid going to be part of her future?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
On the Monday morning after he'd helped Abby and Lucas move her things to their new home in town, Logan walked into the land office. He'd been thinking all night long about how he could buy some land. Since there were no acceptable properties for sale in town, Logan figured it was time to think about building a place for him and the children.
As he closed the door behind him, Logan saw a tall man standing in front of the counter. He was talking with Robert Gannon, one of the residents at Miss Hannigan's boardinghouse. Hearing the door close, the tall man turned and peered at Logan. The stranger, aged Logan guessed somewhere in his forties, was dressed in a dark suit and Derby hat. He looked like he belonged in a city, Logan told himself. The man's angular features were striking. Eyes that were as black as coals gazed steadily at Logan, sizing him up. Thin lips, long nose and broad forehead with dark, angled brows created an almost devilish appearance, Logan told himself. Logan hadn't seen the man around town.
Logan tipped the front of his Stetson. "Morning."
The stranger's features remained impassive.
Behind him, Robert Gannon smiled nervously. "Morning, Logan. I'll be with you in a few moments. I'm just dealing with this gentleman's inquiry."
Lifting a hand, Logan rested against a wooden counter near the door. "Take your time, Robert," he said.
Gannon cleared his throat. "Mr Haas. I'm sure we can clear this issue up. I know you're new in town."
The man whose name was Haas whirled around and faced Gannon. When he spoke, his voice sounded gravelly and dry. "That's where you're wrong, young man. I was here a few years back." Logan saw the man smile sarcastically. "Of course, everything has changed since I was here. The town was only just getting started." He grinned. "Word has gotten around that this is quite a desirable place to come and live."
"I can confirm that," Logan chimed in brightly, believing he was being friendly. "This sure is a friendly town."
Haas twisted his head around and stared disapprovingly at Logan from beneath furrowed brows. "Do you mind?" he said in a slow, acid voice.
Logan shook his head and cleared his throat. "Pretend I'm not here," he said and waved a hand.
Turning back to Gannon, Haas lowered his voice. Logan could still hear what the man was saying. "I've explained my situation to you, young man. I'd be obliged if you'd speak with your senior whenever he gets back in the office." Then he added in an ironic tone of voice that made Logan bristle. "I understand this is all above your head. As you just told me. You're new in the job."
To his credit, Gannon didn't react to that clear provocation. He gave Haas a patient smile. Logan dragged in a deep breath and remained where he was. The temptation was strong to go over to Haas and tell him not to speak to Gannon like that. He'd gotten to know Robert Gannon while staying at the boardinghouse. Logan knew Robert was a good man. He didn't like to see him being humiliated like this.
Haas d
rew himself up to his full height. "As I explained. It has come to my attention that a certain land holding is now eligible for me to enforce my claim. Please tell that to your boss. I'm sure he has the details on file. They've been there long enough." He took a step away from the counter and touched the brim of his Derby hat. "You can send any messages to me at the hotel."
Giving Logan one final look, Haas left the land office, closing the door behind him with unnecessary force. Now that the man was gone, Logan felt the tension drain out of the room.
Logan smiled at Gannon. "I'm glad he's gone."
Gannon sighed and leaned against the counter. "So am I."
"He's new in town?" Logan observed.
Gannon nodded. "Just got in this weekend. He's from Billings."
"Is that so?" Logan replied. "What's he here for?"
"Seems he has a claim on some land around these parts," Gannon said. "It goes back to when Inspiration was just starting up as a town."
"Where's the claim?" Logan asked.
Gannon's features froze. "I don't know. Even if I did know, I couldn't tell you that, Logan." He shifted awkwardly. "You know I'm not allowed to talk about private matters. Client confidentiality is important in this job."
Logan nodded and smiled at Gannon. "I know, Robert, I wouldn't want to do anything to get you fired from your new job." Logan grinned. "You only just got here."
Gannon ran a finger along his collar. His brows furrowed and his eyes were filled with worry. Whatever Haas was up to, it had made Robert Gannon feel distinctly uneasy.
"What can I do for you, Logan?" Gannon asked.
"I need to buy some land," Logan declared. "I've looked at every house for sale in town." He sighed. "There aren't too many. And I haven't seen anything I'd spend a dime on. I need a place for the long haul. Me and the children will be here for years to come."
"You're settling down for good," Gannon said.
Logan nodded. "I sure am. So I need some good land. Preferably not too far from town. Jack and Alice are in school now. I took them there this morning."
"How are they doing?"
Logan smiled. "They're fitting in fine. Miss Chalmers is a good teacher. I think they're going to enjoy school." He laughed quietly. "Which is more than I can say for myself."
"You telling me you were a troublemaker?" Gannon asked.
Logan shook his head. "One of these days, you and I can sit down over a drink and I'll tell you all about my youth." Logan lifted a brow. "I made some bad choices. I guess I didn't appreciate what I had. But that's all changed." Spreading his hands on the counter, he looked at Gannon. "Now. What land do you know about which might be up for sale?"
For the next half hour Logan and Gannon went over some of the available plots of land which might be up for sale. Logan knew that land changed hands all the time out here on the frontier. Claims traded hands every week of the year. Years ago, when the land had opened up, before the government had gotten involved in regulating claims, there had been a frenzy of buyers and sellers. Some folks had become rich buying and selling. And, like everything else where there was profit to be had, it had attracted the good and the bad. Thankfully, things had settled down in recent years. Logan was hopeful he'd be able to buy some suitable land. But, he also knew he might have to be patient.
Agreeing to call back into the office later in the week, Logan left and made his way up the boardwalk. As he walked, he couldn't help thinking about Kirsty. He wondered how she was doing. Today would be her first full day on her own over at the homestead. Earlier that morning, over breakfast, Logan had made the decision to allow Kirsty plenty of space and time. The last thing she needed was for him to be crowding her. In spite of feeling a powerful eagerness to go over to offer his help, he had restrained himself.
Thinking back to the way she'd looked at him yesterday as he and the children had driven away on the buckboard, Logan felt a tugging sensation in his heart. He'd seen the moistness in Kirsty's eyes as she'd said goodbye to Jack and Alice. He liked to think that some of those carefully controlled tears had been caused by his own departure. But he couldn't be completely sure about that.
When it came to the children, Logan was convinced that Kirsty had strong feelings for them. Having watched them working on the wedding dresses, Logan had seen the way Kirsty and Alice had bonded. And it was clear that Kirsty also took delight in Jack's presence on the homestead. When Logan and the children were on the homestead, the air was filled with laughter and joy.
So how come the only person Kirsty seemed determined to hold at a distance was himself. Just thinking about that caused a heavy ache in Logan's middle. Well, if Kirsty wanted Logan to stay away from the homestead, that was exactly what he was going to do.
He wasn't sure how long he would hold out. The temptation to go and visit Kirsty was strong. But he'd try and resist for as long as he could. In the meantime, he had to try and find some land to buy. And that wasn't going to be easy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
It was Wednesday on the MacAnliss homestead. Calum Shaughnessy had arrived early that bright, sunny morning. He hadn't come alone. He'd brought two of his boys, five-year-old Sean and six-year-old Connor, to help. From the moment they'd arrived all three had thrown themselves into the work. In the morning, they'd worked out in the fields, tending to the crops.
Now it was near lunchtime, and they were all working around the cabin. With Connor's help, Kirsty attended to the cow, the chickens and the hogs. A fence had also needed mending. Calum and Sean had been working on that for an hour. Just like on the previous days, Kirsty felt like she was working with a team. It felt good. Like she was making progress. Still, she couldn't shift the thought that all of this was merely a temporary situation. A time for honest reckoning was fast approaching.
The previous two days had seen the Olson and Schmitt men come to the homestead. Determined not to be outdone by the highly capable and experienced homesteaders, Kirsty had worked alongside them throughout the day. To be fair to the two men, Karl Olson and Gustav Schmitt had followed Kirsty's instructions. Each man had nodded patiently, smiling courteously as Kirsty had told them what she wanted them to do. Not once had either man imposed their own opinions on her. She'd been grateful for that. By the end of both days, plenty of work had been done.
Kirsty went inside the cabin and prepared some lunch for the Calum, Sean and Connor. Once it was finished, she laid the plates out on the table and made her way to the yard.
As she stood in the yard, her hands planted against her sides, she gazed out across the fields. She could see Calum and two boys working hard. Kirsty called out to them. "Food is ready. Come and get it."
Calum, Sean and Connor started to make their way toward the cabin. As they strode across the field, Kirsty's gaze was caught by the flash of sunlight on metal. It had come from a westward direction, over by the forest which spread along the base of the low-lying hills. Kirsty lifted a hand to her eyes, shading them from the bright sunshine. She saw a movement in the deep shadows of the forest. Kirsty made out the vague shape of a horseback rider. A figure, dressed in dark clothing sat atop a black horse. She took a few steps across the yard, eager to see who could be watching her from what was obviously meant to be a hiding place.
Clearly reacting to Kirsty's movement, the rider moved suddenly, withdrawing into the shadows of the forest. Moments later, she lost sight of the horse and rider. Frustration wrenched at Kirsty. She wondered who it could have been.
Calum and the Shaughnessy children arrived at the yard. Calum came up to Kirsty. When he saw Kirsty's concerned look, the good-natured smile disappeared from his even features. "Something wrong?"
"I thought I saw someone over in those trees," she told him. "A rider on horseback."
Calum's dark brows furrowed. "You want me to go and check it out?"
Kirsty shook her head. "No. Whoever it was, they've gone."
It wasn't unusual for riders to use the trail. Not only was it the only trail south in thi
s part of the territory, it also linked many of the homesteads. What unsettled Kirsty was the fact that the unknown watcher had felt the need to hide their presence. She thought about Logan. Could it have been him? Instantly, she dismissed the idea. Logan knew he was always welcome on the homestead. He would never have hidden in the trees like that, she told herself.
Later, after lunch, Calum leaned back in his seat and patted his stomach appreciatively. "That was a fine lunch," he declared. Smiling at Connor and Sean, he added: "Ain't that right, boys."
Connor and Sean grinned. Kirsty smiled back at the boys. "You want some apple pie?" she asked them.
Their eyes lit up. Calum looked across at Kirsty. "Are you trying to stop us from doing any work, Kirsty? Once those boys get to eating pie, I think we can say goodbye to any work this afternoon."
Kirsty saw worry crease the brows of Connor and Sean. She knew their father was probably joking. "Maybe a small piece each then. What about that? And we can keep the rest for later."
Calum nodded. "That makes sense." He lifted a brow and peered at his sons. They both stared back at their father and didn't say a word in protest. Maybe he was just trying to teach them an important lesson in moderation, Kirsty told herself. It couldn't be easy bringing up children out on the frontier. There were so many ways that children could end up on the wrong path. But Calum was a good father to his boys. Kirsty had already seen plenty of evidence of that.
As Kirsty was standing by the table, dishing out the pieces of apple pie, Calum looked up at her. "Bridget asked me to tell you something, Kirsty."
"Yeah? What?" she asked handing Calum his plate.
"We've got a barn raising on Saturday. And we'd be mighty honored if you'd come over."
Kirsty frowned at Calum. "You want me to help out with a barn raising?"
"Well, not exactly. We're having a get-together with the other families. The Olson and the Schmitt families, as well as a few others from homesteads around here. There's going to be plenty of us." Calum forked some pie into his mouth. He grinned and then, after chewing a while, he continued speaking. "We're having a celebration afterwards."
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