Linda Ford (11 page)

Eddie carefully kept his face expressionless as he opened the door. “Cookie, I brought company.”

Cookie swept across the floor. “Why, this must be the young woman who came to—”

He broke in before Cookie said anything about marrying. “She’s visiting for the winter. May I present Miss Linette Edwards and Mrs. Godfrey. Linette, this is Cookie—Miz Liza Mc—”

“Never mind the Miz stuff. Just call me Cookie.” She wrapped Linette in a bear hug and banged on her back. “So good to see you, gal. You don’t know how good it is. Welcome, welcome.” Every word was accompanied by another smack that jarred Linette’s whole body.

“Cookie, you might let her go before you break something.”

“Well, I guess I plumb forgot myself.” She let Linette escape.

“You’ll recover in a few minutes,” Eddie said. Cookie’s greeting seemed like justice.

Linette gasped and sent him a hard look.

“Hey, don’t blame me. She’s like that with everyone. Cookie, how many times have I told you to have a little respect for breakable bones.”

“Ah, pshaw.” Cookie flicked a towel at his leg. It connected and stung. He knew there would be a welt. Cookie didn’t even bother to give him a second look.

She turned and wrapped Cassie in a likewise-crunching hug.

Cassie gasped for breath when Cookie released her to turn to the boy clinging to Linette. “And who is this little man?”

“Grady Farris.”

Cookie squatted to eye level with Grady. “And aren’t you a handsome young fella. How old are you?”

Grady held up four fingers.

“Why, I’d say that’s old enough to join us for tea, right, boss?”

Eddie waited, expecting Grady to disappear into the folds of Linette’s coat, but he beamed at Cookie. His eyes glistened like sun off the snow. He looked sweet and innocent, not drawn and fearful. Seems he didn’t object to the friendship of women. “I’ll leave you ladies here while I get to work.” He retreated.

Cookie made it to the door with a speed that seemed impossible with her big body. “Not before you have tea.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the center of the room.

He glanced at Linette, saw her amusement and jerked away to face Cookie as a bolt of something he could only think of as admiration flickered through his brain. “A little respect here.” He struggled to contain his grin. Cookie didn’t need to know he wasn’t serious.

Cookie dropped his arm. “Sorry, boss.” She neither looked nor sounded repentant. “Coffee?”

Eddie glanced longingly at the door but nodded. “Sounds good.”

Cookie laughed heartily. “That’s more like it.”

So they sat at the long table. Linette made sure to position herself between Eddie and Grady.

Cookie poured their drinks then she put a platter of fresh cinnamon buns before them. “Eat hearty,” she instructed.

Linette took a bite of the bun and sighed. “These are delicious. They practically melt in my mouth.”

Cookie beamed. “Nice to have someone appreciate my cooking. The men—” she slid an accusing glance at Eddie “—wolf it down without comment.”

“Isn’t enjoyment the highest form of praise?” he asked. He consumed two rolls and two cups of coffee.

The door jarred open and Bertie strode in, his arms full of supplies from the storehouse.

Eddie made introductions again. Bertie reached out to shake hands with Grady but pulled back when Grady buried his face in Linette’s sleeve. Bertie shifted direction and took Linette’s hand as he asked about the trip.

Eddie rose. Cookie and Bertie could entertain the ladies. “Thank you, Cookie. Now I have a ranch to run.” Eddie hurried for the door before Cookie could tackle him.

Cookie roared with laughter. Just before the door closed behind him, Cookie spoke to Bertie. “There’ll be a wedding before the winter is out. Mark my words.”

Eddie bolted as if he could outrun his churning thoughts.

Let Bertie and Cookie fall in love with Linette if they so desired. He didn’t have a mind to do so. Sure, she was cheerful. But also stubborn and independent. Even worse, she got all prickly at the idea of acting like a proper lady.

No. He anticipated sharing life with a woman who welcomed the chance to be the lady of his big house, a woman who would bring to this wild country the sort of life that had taken centuries to establish in England. A woman who would do his family name honor.

* * *

The sound of the door slamming crashed through Linette’s mind. Her face warmed. Eddie had not been pleased by Cookie’s prediction. Not that it robbed her of hope. She trusted the Lord to help her. In the meantime, she would enjoy learning about life in the West.

Bertie sat across from them and Grady shrank to Linette’s side. She placed a reassuring hand on his quivering shoulder. His reaction to Eddie’s touch worried her. How would they spend a winter together in tiny quarters if Grady screamed at his touch and retreated at his presence? The poor man would feel unwelcome in his own house. That would not serve any of them well. Besides, it seemed unnatural and unhealthy for the boy to be so afraid of men.

She turned her attention back to the conversation around the table. Cassie spoke more freely and friendly with Cookie than Linette had heard her speak with anyone to this point. Turned out both of them had once lived in the same area of Ontario and even had some mutual acquaintances.

“So you and your man were planning to head west?”

“I didn’t want to go, but that’s what George wanted. He sold everything and quit a good job. Now we have nothing.” She swallowed hard and corrected herself. “I have nothing. Not even a home.” She ducked her head but not before Linette caught a glimpse of tears.

Cassie hadn’t shared her husband’s dreams. No wonder she was annoyed that men made the decisions. “You have a home here.”

“For the winter. Then what?”

“Whatever the Lord has in store for both of us. And Grady.”

Even if returning to England wasn’t a dreadful prospect, she wanted to stay here. Foolish it might be, but she still saw Eddie as ideal, saw him through her earlier reactions while reading the letters he’d written to Margaret. His words of hope and faith in the new land, his description of the mountains, his references to his family and his duty as an obedient son had all served to give her a vision of a man who was strong and noble.

Her opinion of him hadn’t changed in the slightest despite his resistance and continued denial of her plan. He simply needed time to get used to it and see how ideal she was as a rancher’s wife.

Cookie chuckled. “Could be you’ll both find what I’ve found with Bertie. I wouldn’t trade that man for ten thousand acres of the best rangeland in this here country.” She leaned closer to her husband. “He thinks the world of me, too.”

“That I do, my love.” Bertie patted his wife’s generous arm.

Linette wasn’t interested in that kind of marriage. Love, she feared, would eliminate her right to make choices and follow the dictates of her heart.

Cookie pushed to her feet. “Most of the men are out, but I still need to make a meal for those hanging around. Excuse me while I tend to my duties. Feel free to stay and keep me company.”

Grady’s head had been nodding for several minutes.

“One little man is ready for a nap,” Linette said.

“It doesn’t take two of us to put him down. I think I’ll stay and visit with Cookie.”

Linette was glad if Cassie found something to make her happy and she prepared to leave. Cookie accompanied her to the door. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to say so.”

Linette glanced past Cookie to the cinnamon buns under the tea towels. “I wouldn’t mind learning to bake like you do.”

“It’s easy as falling off a log. I’ll gladly show you.” Cookie laughed and made to slap Linette on the shoulder. She thought better of it and dropped her hand.

Chapter Seven

E
ddie needed fresh air and hard work. He saddled Banjo. Remembering Linette’s amusement at the name of his horse, he chuckled. Guess it
was
funny if you stopped to think about it. Linette had certainly considered it a joke.

Enough of thinking of her. He shifted his thoughts toward little Grady and the way he’d reacted when Eddie touched him. “I can’t believe that boy screamed. I’m not such a bad guy, am I, old friend?” He’d seen how Grady shrank back from Ward and every other man on the place, so had to believe it wasn’t personal. “I wonder what happened to make him so afraid of men.” He remembered that Grady’s mother crossed the ocean to meet her husband. How long since the man had left? “I suppose it could be that the boy hasn’t spent much time around men.” But the screaming when Eddie touched him seemed extreme. “They’ve upset my quiet little life,” he muttered to Banjo as he led him from the barn. “I’m not happy about it, either.” He swung into the saddle and headed down the trail to join his men.

Ward and Blue were already gone, but they led packhorses. Eddie would soon overtake them.

The more he thought about Grady, the more he wondered if it wasn’t more than not seeing many men. He scrubbed at the back of his neck. Had some man done something cruel to Grady? Or perhaps Grady had witnessed a man hurting his mother. He tried to think what Linette had said about the pair. She’d met them on the boat. Had they been in cabins or steerage?

He decided he would ask more questions though he wasn’t sure how it would change anything. He’d seen frightened animals. Sometimes you could simply walk into their world and strong-arm them into capitulation. Other times, you had to give them space and let them figure out you were safe to be around. He kind of figured he would have to give Grady space. He chuckled, causing Banjo to perk his ears in curiosity. “You wouldn’t understand, but it’s going to be a little hard to give the boy room when the place is only three hundred square feet.”

Banjo tossed his head as if comprehending every word his master said.

Eddie laughed. He saw the boys ahead and flicked the reins to hurry Banjo toward them.

Ward waited for Eddie to fall in at his side. “Hey, boss. Miss Edwards is a right pretty gal.”

“Guess so.” He thought her coloring a little uncertain. And she was on the small size. He’d thought Cookie would crush her in her enthusiasm. Again, he thought it a form of justice at the hands of another for a woman who had forced her way into his peaceful life and turned it topsy-turvy.

“Boss, I don’t want to speak out of place...”

“Go ahead. Speak your mind.”

“Well, Cookie said she came out to get married but you’re not interested. That so?”

He knew his life was open to examination by everyone on the ranch. He was being asked if he had an interest in Linette. He had none other than to see she got back safely to her father as soon as spring arrived. Back to an arranged marriage with a man that brought a twist of disgust and fear to Linette’s mouth.

He squeezed his fists about the reins. Even if Linette was too small, dressed poorly and had ideas of helping misfortunates, she didn’t deserve that.

He turned to Ward. “I expect my intended will change her mind and join me in the spring.”

“Then I guess any of us can court Miss Linette.” Ward grinned widely.

“Suit yourself.” Things might be looking up. If Ward had an interest in Linette then it would make her presence in his life less intrusive. He smiled as he rode on ahead, though his smile didn’t go any deeper than his face. Why should he feel it necessary to take care of Linette? She sure wouldn’t welcome such a sentiment.

He saw the cows ambling along, being moseyed toward the winter pasture. The crew moved them at a slow pace, letting them find the easiest path, giving them time to graze, but still keeping them headed in the right direction.

He checked the horizon. No threatening clouds. They might not get any more snow for a few days, but he knew better than to count on it. Last year he’d lost several hundred head in the heavy snow. His father had no idea what the country was like. He saw only the numbers and losses. His reprimand, given in a letter, had been strongly worded.

Eddie didn’t intend to repeat his mistake.

He spoke to each of the men, assured them more supplies were coming with Ward and Blue. Satisfied that the men had the herd under control, he headed back to the ranch.

Darkness engulfed him by the time he reined in at the barn. He led Banjo inside, unsaddled him, brushed him thoroughly, filled a manger with hay and left the barn. Many times he had returned home after dark, to an empty, cold cabin. Now a light beckoned from the window, drawing him irrevocably to its welcome. He paused outside the door, but when he heard Linette’s laugh, eagerly he reached for the handle. He stopped, turned and looked at the big house. Linette laughed again and he forgot the unfinished manor on the hill and stepped into the light.

Linette stood in the middle of the room, a blindfold on her eyes as she tried to catch Grady, who giggled and jumped away. “You’re too quick for me, Grady.”

Grady saw Eddie and fear wreathed his face. He ran to Linette and clung to her skirts.

Linette slowly removed her blindfold. “You’re back.”

It seemed unnecessary to respond, but he nodded as he pulled off his heavy coat. He took his time hanging it on a hook. His silly, unexplainable eagerness at seeing the cabin lit up and stepping into its warmth had been snatched away by Grady’s fear.

Linette edged Grady to Cassie’s side and slipped over to Eddie. “I’m sorry he’s so frightened. I wish it weren’t so.”

“But it is.” Eddie knew he sounded weary and he was. He wanted to relax before the warmth of the stove and enjoy the evening. But Grady’s fear palpitated through the room.

“Have you eaten?”

He shook his head.

“We waited for you.”

The smell of venison stew enabled him to push aside the problem of Grady’s fear. “It smells good.”

At Linette’s signal they gathered around the table and Eddie said the blessing.

“It’s good,” he said after he had tasted the food.

“Thanks to Cookie, who has been kind enough to teach me. Cassie has discovered she and Cookie are from the same town.”

Cassie smiled. “I know her sister.”

Eddie had never seen the woman smile. It took ten years off her face. Seemed she might find the winter pleasant enough because of Cookie’s company. He shifted his gaze to Grady who pressed as close to Linette as he could. Now, if only the boy would shed his fearfulness.

Cassie helped Linette do the dishes without any prodding then took Grady to bed as she’d done the previous nights.

He pulled his chair closer to the stove and propped his feet on the wood box. “How do you know Margaret?”

“Margaret and I met at a tea given by Viola Williamson.”

“You say that name with a curl of your lip. Is she a distasteful woman?”

She flashed him a grin. “She’s a very nice woman. A distant relative. And sister to Lyle Williamson, the man my father wants me to marry.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Viola gives the best teas. In the summer she puts up linen shelters and serves cold lemonade and sweet cold tea. She invites young ladies and their mothers. There is music and plays and games. Margaret and I got matched up for charades. Then we were seated together at tea.”

“What did you like about her?”

Linette ducked her head as if embarrassed. “She told me about you and let me read your letters.”

He’d often regretted his inability to put down words of affection, but now he was grateful he hadn’t. Knowing Linette had read his letters left him feeling exposed. Why had Margaret shared them? It didn’t seem as if she put proper value on their relationship. Or perhaps her parents regretted their agreement to let her move so far away. Had they influenced Margaret’s decision?

But surely, once they knew of the big house and his plans to live a genteel life such as Margaret was accustomed to, they would realize it wasn’t a mistake to let her go. “Did you write Margaret and tell her about the house?”

Her gaze caught his in silent challenge before she gave a tight smile. “It’s done and waiting to be posted.” She nodded to the letter on the shelf beside his own.

Had she written as he wished?

She sighed as she read his unasked question. “If it’s a fine house she seeks, I told her she’d find it here.”

Somehow she managed to make it sound as if it would be a poor excuse for marriage. Perhaps. But didn’t most women put a great deal of stock in what a man could provide? Seemed Linette didn’t. He decided to change the subject. “How did you meet Grady’s mother?”

She tipped her head and looked troubled. “I wandered about the ship, exploring everything and meeting as many people as I could. It was the first time I’d had a chance to converse with such a cross section of people. Dorothy Farris was on the lower decks. She appealed to me to help her.”

“Because she was ill?”

Linette lowered her head. “It was more than that.”

“Someone was bothering her?”

Linette nodded. “Her only companion was Grady and he wasn’t much protection.”

“Do you think Grady knew what was going on? Perhaps felt threatened by it?”

Linette still looked at her lap. “Once I found him outside a cabin crying for his mother. When I asked, he said she was inside. The door was locked and a man ordered me away when I knocked.”

Eddie’s jaw protested as he chomped down on his molars. It was as he suspected, though he couldn’t guess how much Grady had faced. Threats? Physical abuse? More? He didn’t want to imagine anything done to the boy, but something had made Grady fearful beyond reason. “It might explain why he is afraid of men.”

“I suppose so. The poor child.”

The air shimmered with embarrassment at the subject they discussed. Her cheeks flared like a summer rose of palest pink.

He stood to stir the fire and put on more wood.

“I thought I saw bruises on his face a couple of times, as if he’d been struck, and I know his mother didn’t do it.”

Eddie groaned. He suspected there were bruises Linette hadn’t seen and, even worse, damage to little Grady’s soul.

“I don’t know how to help him,” she whispered.

Eddie didn’t know, either. “About all I can think of is to encourage him to see men as his friends.”

“I guess the more time he spends around you the better then.”

He snorted. “Considering his reaction, that might prove a challenge.”

“It’s a shame he is so frightened of you.”

“Yes, but what are we to do about it?”

Her gaze bored into him. He couldn’t imagine what he’d said to bring that burning look to her eyes. Then she banked the fire. “Give him time, I suppose.”

* * *

“I will bid you good-night.” She scurried away and a few minutes later crawled into bed with Cassie, Grady between them. He moaned a little at the disturbance. What had the poor child seen or experienced? The subject of what Dorothy Farris had done—or rather, endured—was not a topic proper ladies took part in. But Eddie needed to understand Grady’s fear.

Eddie had asked what they could do about it. He’d made them partners. It meant her plans were succeeding.

“What were you two talking about?” Cassie whispered.

“How I met Margaret. And what awful things Grady might have seen on the boat.”

“What things do you mean?”

Linette edged closer and whispered as softly as she could. “His mother was afraid of one of the other passengers. I think he was being inappropriate.”

“You think he was—” Cassie didn’t finish. One didn’t even mention the shameful things that went on in secret. “Where was Grady?”

“Once I found him locked out of a cabin, but I can’t say about any other time. Like I told Eddie, I saw bruises on Grady more than once.”

Cassie let out a short sigh. “Poor little mite. Sometimes life is so unfair.”

Linette couldn’t argue with her.

She whispered good-night to Cassie and turned over, but she didn’t sleep right away. Miserable thoughts of Grady’s past tangled with joyous thoughts of success in proving her worth to Eddie. But the latter held little importance alongside Grady’s needs.

Next morning, she rose with a plan in mind. Over breakfast, she put it into action. “Would you object to Grady and me wandering around the ranch?” she asked Eddie. She hoped her eyes told him she had an ulterior motive for her request—to help Grady grow comfortable around the men.

His steady look searched beyond the surface.

Finally he nodded and she believed he understood her silent message. “I’ve no objection. I’ll be out in the yards today.”

He headed for the door. Not until it closed behind him did Grady jump down from the chair to play.

“Cookie has invited me to visit anytime I like,” Cassie said. “So while you venture around the place, I’ll go over there.”

“I’ll go with you and discuss what I can make for dinner before I take Grady for a walk.” Cassie looked relieved to think Linette might not bother her as much about meal preparation anymore.

It took only a few minutes to tidy the little house and then Cassie, Linette and Grady crossed to the cookhouse. Linette spent a pleasant hour planning meals. Cookie invited her back in the afternoon to help bake cakes.

The sun was warm overhead, the snow melting and a breeze drifting down from the mountains when Linette took Grady outside.

“You can run and run here,” she said to Grady.

Squealing, Grady raced down the trail toward the barn. Eddie lounged against the fence watching. Grady, unaware of Eddie’s presence, turned at the corner of the corrals and raced back. Several horses nickered at his laughter.

Linette caught him and turned him about. “Let’s say hello to the horses.”

They edged toward the fence. She lifted Grady to the top rail so he could touch the horses that came for attention. He laughed as they snorted a greeting.

Suddenly he noticed Eddie in the pen and drew back.

Eddie pretended not to notice the boy as he scooped up droppings with a pitchfork.