Linda Ford (9 page)

If only he’d allow her to share the weight of his responsibility, lighten his load in any way she could.

Lord, show me how to help him.

“He’s coming.” She spun away and hurried to the table. She didn’t want him to think she’d been staring after him. She barely found her way to a chair and picked up a shirt to mend before he flung the door open and stepped inside.

“They’re safe.”

Linette nodded. Her anger fled and she grinned at him. “Glad to hear it.”

Their gazes connected and held. A strange feeling of accord trembled in her heart. Then Cassie made an impatient noise and diverted her gaze from Eddie’s dark eyes.

He hurried to explain. “The boys had the animals all gathered and when they sensed the snow coming, got them into the shelter of a wooded area. Ward says they even had some grazing.” He rubbed his hands together and looked thoroughly pleased.

“I prayed God would keep them safe and He did,” Linette gently pointed out.

“So you did. Do you want me to thank you?” His voice carried a hint of teasing.

“Would it hurt you?”

He tipped his head back and laughed.

His amusement danced across her nerves until she could hardly remember what they’d been discussing. She ducked her head and returned to the mending in order to get her thoughts sorted out. In her hurry, she jabbed her finger and found the pain erased everything else from her mind. She sucked her fingertip and tried to be annoyed that he’d caused her to be so careless. Except it rather pleased her to know he felt comfortable enough to tease her.

He stopped laughing, though he grinned so wickedly she had several errant thoughts of further enjoyment. She tried to remember that she didn’t want to feel anything toward him. But he had a smile that made her forget everything else.

“Thank you for praying,” he murmured, his voice thick with amusement. “Me and the boys...and the cows...appreciate your help.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “So what happens now to these wonderful cows of yours?”

“The boys will hold them there until the snow melts then ease them down. A Chinook is already blowing in. Can you feel it?”

“The wind?” Linette turned toward the window and listened. The door rattled. A sound sighed around the cabin.

“Yup. You’ll soon be throwing open the door to let in some warmer air.”

The room did seem warmer. Or was it only her churning emotions? She drew in a deep breath and settled her tremulous feelings. “A Chinook. How exciting.” Already melted snow dripped from the eaves and she caught sight of a puddle on the road.

“It certainly makes a mournful noise.” Cassie hugged her arms around her and looked about as pleased as if stung by a hornet.

Linette laughed. “Seems you have to take the bad with the good. I try to overlook the bad so I can enjoy the good.”

The look Cassie shot at her held the power to curdle Linette’s breakfast if Linette had a mind to let it. She didn’t.

Eddie rubbed his hands together and considered the view from the window, looking as pleased as if he had personally invented sunshine. His pleasure drew her to his side.

“’Net?” Grady whispered. She turned from the window to answer Grady’s insistent tug at her arm. She bent to hear his question. “I go see horses now?”

She glanced toward Eddie and met his brown eyes.

He smiled. “This change in weather makes a person want to go out and play, doesn’t it, Grady?”

Grady pressed to Linette’s side but nodded agreement.

The change in the weather must be the cause of her emotions swinging so wildly from worry to fear to...pleasure? Of course she was happy Eddie had returned safely. He was her means of escaping Lyle Williamson.

“We’ll give it time to melt more of the snow and then I’ll take you. You just be patient.”

Grady nodded again and Linette’s heart crowded her ribs at the way Eddie smiled at the boy. Grady needed to know not all men would look at him and dismiss him as a nuisance the way his father had. Eddie’s gaze had softened as he smiled at the boy. For a moment his eyes held hers in a strong grip, as if silently promising her something she could not identify...

She managed to divert her attention to something beyond his shoulder. This was to be a marriage of convenience. Nothing more. But something inside her had shifted as she realized he was a man of his word. What he said, he would do. They could all take comfort in the fact.

Except his word to her had been that she was safe here for the winter and then he would send her back to her father.

And to Lyle Williamson with his pudgy hands and leering eyes.

She tucked in her chin and pulled herself tall and straight. Somehow between now and spring Eddie would change his mind.

From the corner of her eye she saw Eddie watching her.

She allowed herself a steady glance at him, saw what looked like concern in his eyes.

Then he blinked. “I’ll take you up to the big house before it gets muddy. Then you can tell Margaret about it.”

It wasn’t an invitation. It was an order. Just as the “tell Margaret about it” was an order. However, she didn’t care. She’d stared at the house for two days and her curiosity had built with each passing hour. She couldn’t wait to see it up close. If her prayers were answered, her plan fulfilled, the house would be her home.

“I’d like to see it.” She reached for her coat.

“I come?” Grady whispered.

Linette looked at Eddie for his approval.

He shook his head. “The hill will be slippery. Best you stay here with Mrs. Godfrey this time, Grady.” He held the door open for Linette.

She stepped out. The wind tore at her. She pulled her collar tight and laughed as the bottom of her coat whipped about her ankles.

“Hang on to your coat.” Eddie bent into the wind and headed across the yard.

She pushed after him, the wet snow heavy on her boots. Lifting her head, she sucked in air laden with promise. God had kept Eddie’s cows safe. He was faithful. She trusted Him to continue to provide the ways and means for her to avoid marriage to her father’s choice.

Eddie paused at the bottom of the hill. “I don’t have a proper trail up to the house yet. Think you can manage the slope?”

Snow covered whatever path had been there. In most places the snow was sticky as it melted. “I’ll be fine.” She put a foot forward, following in Eddie’s footprints, and discovered the ground was slippery where the snow had melted. She went down on one knee.

“Here.” He held out his hand.

She grabbed it and straightened, tipping her head back to meet his gaze. “Thank you.” Something flickered in his eyes as if seeing her for the first time.
See me,
she silently begged.
Give me a chance
.

His grasp was firm, his hand strong and reassuring. His gaze, however, warned he had only one plan in mind and that plan did not include Linette staying permanently. He turned and resumed his climb.

They reached the top and she looked back. “Oh, my. No wonder you picked this spot.” She looked down on the ranch buildings, on the snow-covered river wandering through the land and past red-painted buildings, past the ridge of dark green pine trees to a white-topped mountain, purple in the distance. Strong and powerful. “I could never get tired of this view.”

“I can see the whole ranch at a glance from here.” He paused. “Not all the land, of course. Our lease is thousands of acres. It takes several days to ride it. Some areas are practically inaccessible on horseback.” For a moment, they both took in the view.

Her breathing was ragged from the climb. His came loud and clear, matching her own. They breathed in and out in unison. She admired the landscape and knew he did as well, though he might be seeing his cows and his responsibilities while she saw the strength and beauty of God’s creation. Her hope and faith drew sustenance and renewal from the sight.

They exchanged a glance of understanding then he turned away. “I’ll show you the house.” His brisk tone reminded her of his expectations—see the house, report on its fineness to Margaret.

The feeling of sharing something special ended with his words.

“It isn’t finished yet.” He sounded almost apologetic.

She couldn’t imagine why. “It’s a big house. No doubt it’s required a great deal of work.”

“Two stories.” He pointed. “A balcony off the main bedroom.” A stone chimney dominated the roof. Bay windows were capped by the round balcony he referred to. “Servants’ quarters at the back.”

Did he intentionally emphasize the word
servants
as if to remind her he didn’t need or want a pioneer wife?

She would not acknowledge the possibility.

They climbed the steps to double doors and he threw them open to a large foyer. She could see through to another set of double doors at the far end with glass panes allowing light to flood through. Wide stairs rose to the second floor and curved toward a landing. Doors opened off the foyer to various rooms. Disappointment twisted through her.

“It’s like...” A manor house.

“The plans were drawn up in London, a replica of the manor house on the Gardiner estate.”

Linette shook her head. “This is the West. Full of possibility for change. Why would you want to replicate the old ways?”

His look was rife with disbelief. “The Gardiners are proud of their heritage.”

The Gardiners? “What about you?”

“I’m a Gardiner.” He seemed to think that said it all. He slid back the pocket doors to the right. “Our dining room. Those doors lead to the kitchen.” He pointed to a wooden door in the far corner.

“Very convenient.” Oak panels covered the walls. She could almost see a long table with heavy chairs surrounding it. But she didn’t like what she saw. The room was so official and stiff. “Is there some other place for family meals?”

He led her to another pair of pocket doors and silently slid them back to reveal a smaller room filled with sunlight. The bay windows she’d admired from the outside made the room almost circular. She could easily imagine matching wing chairs in green brocade before the windows, a basket of sewing nearby and a book opened for reading. At her feet, a circular rug in burgundy and green. She stepped toward the curve of the windows and looked out at the mountains. “This is a lovely room. I expect you can see the sunset from here.”

He stood at her side. “You can. It’s spectacular at times. I’ll bring you up some evening so you can see for yourself.”

She wanted to thank him for his offer, but after a glance at the hard lines in his face she guessed he wished he hadn’t spoken the words.

Again she had the peculiar feeling they breathed the same air, felt the same draw to something outside themselves, something big, inviting and exciting. Wishful thinking on her part. He would certainly deny the notion vehemently if she mentioned it.

The cattle in the wintering pens down below shuffled, sending up a cloud of steam.

“Come along. I’ll show you the rest of the house so you can give Margaret a complete description.”

She sighed. Of course, he was only thinking of the impossible hope of persuading Margaret to reconsider. Though a tiny doubt poked at her brain, perhaps once she learned of this manor house Margaret might indeed change her mind. Heaviness caught at Linette’s limbs, so it took a great deal of effort to follow him.

He showed her the rooms on the other side of the foyer—the big parlor, a den, and the library with empty shelves. “Do you have enough books to fill these?”

“They’re in crates waiting to be shipped come spring.”

Come spring. Seemed everything hinged on that season.

He led her across the hall to the kitchen, stark and empty. A door from the kitchen led to small bedrooms. “For the servants.” He turned from the area and led her up the wide, curving staircase with a flawless wooden banister that gleamed as if he’d spent hours polishing it.

Upstairs, to the left of the landing, he opened the door to a huge bedroom. A door with the upper half in glass gave her a view of the balcony. “Oh, what a lovely place to sit and read.” She could see herself ensconced in a wicker chair, the sun warm on her face as she read her Bible and prayed. “Or draw.”

“I saw the initials L.E. on those paintings in the cabin. Did you do them?”

She wished she hadn’t mentioned her little hobby. “It’s a pleasant way to spend a few hours.”

“They’re good.”

Her cheeks burning with pleasure, she spun about to face him. “You think so? Really?”

“They have...” He paused, his gaze steady and unblinking. “Heart.” His eyes slid away as if he was embarrassed by his comment.

She swallowed hard. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my painting. Father considers it an occupation suitable for a female. In other words, a waste of time.” But he encouraged it. Found it preferable to some of the other pursuits she chose, like speaking to the people she saw on the street, or handing out coins to beggars. Which was the only reason he’d allowed her to study with one of the finest art teachers in the city.

Eddie met her look again. “The world would be a poorer place without the art of great men and women.”

Surprise flared in her heart. She floundered in the depths of his gaze, got lost in his look, his words, his approval.

He jerked away, freeing her to find balance and sanity. “There’s more.” He crossed the room and opened the door. “The nursery.”

“Ah.” Thinking of babies while standing next to the man she had planned to marry filled her with hot embarrassment. But she could not stop from dreaming of little boys and girls playing noisily, happily, in this beautiful room.

She noticed three smaller rooms branching off the larger area.

“Bedrooms for children and a nurse,” Eddie murmured and moved away quickly, leading her across the hall and opening the doors to a water closet and four generous bedrooms.

The size of the place awed and inspired her. She could see so many possibilities. “This is wonderful. I can see using this wing to help others. The ill. The brokenhearted.”

He spun about and faced her. Any sense of connection, promise or hope fled in the anger wreathing his face. “This house is for the Gardiners. These rooms are for family.” He waved toward the main suite. “My wife and children.” He waved his other arm down the hallway. “These rooms are for my parents and grandfather, should they choose to visit. Or other family members and friends of the family. For company when I entertain.” He indicated she precede him down the stairs. “Once Margaret learns how fine the house is, she will change her mind about coming West.”