Cowboy Father by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford [Ford, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crocus Mountain Publishing
Published: 2019-06-01T05:00:00+00:00

Two days later, Mrs. Kinsley joined the others in the kitchen. She looked pale but so much better than when Ethan last saw her.

Yesterday, Cal had ridden away, whooping his pleasure at being on his horse as he headed back to his job on a nearby ranch.

Rocky looked longingly after him, but he knew, as well as all the adults, that he wasn’t strong enough yet to spend a full day in the saddle.

“Maybe by Sunday,” Adele consoled him.

The children had settled into a routine of sorts. Susie thrived under the attention of the womenfolk. Donny continued to dig holes. He now had two in the corner of the garden, joined by an earthen bridge Ethan had helped him fashion.

The preacher rode out every day to check on people needing help. He’d returned last night with a report that there had been no new cases, and most of the ill were improving. Ethan understood there had been at least a dozen fatalities, including Mr. and Mrs. Oates.

Ethan continued to hang around even though he wasn’t truly needed. But he had promised the kids he wouldn’t leave them. Besides, no one had suggested he move on, and he didn’t offer to.

But he grew restless. He was making no progress on locating the missing money his boss expected him to find.

It was early afternoon, and everyone was busy. Since it was Saturday, the women were preparing a feast for Sunday dinner after the service. Adele had informed him they expected her sisters and their husbands to visit. She seemed to take it for granted he would be there. And he planned to be part of the visiting. It might be a time when a careless word was spoken, and he’d learn more about the stolen money.

Saturday was a good day to visit Main Street and see who might be around town. He’d studied every face at Floyd’s funeral and had a good description of two of the thief’s partners.

Susie watched him brush his hair and wipe the dust off his boots. “You’re going, aren’t you?” She tried to sound fierce, angry even, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

He squatted to her level and caught her hands to pull her close even though she tried to hang back. “Susie Q, what did I tell you?”

“That you would stay for a while. You didn’t say forever. Is a while over?”

His insides felt like they’d been squeezed by a giant fist. If only he could promise her forever. He would do everything in his power to keep them. Once the sheriff assured them there was no family, then he would make his case with the sheriff and the preacher and anyone else who would listen.

Adele would not be on his list. She would oppose him taking the children.

“Susie, no one can promise forever, but know this and don’t forget it, ever—I want to keep you forever. I want to make a home with you.”

“What kind of home?”

“A house with lots of flowers.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.