Her Gentle Protector (First Families of Flat River Book 9) by Christine Sterling

Author:Christine Sterling [Sterling, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Small Cottage Press
Published: 2023-12-04T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Baxter grunted as he pushed the wagon further into the barn and out of the shafts of light that shone through the broken roof. Working quickly, he positioned it in a corner where it would be sheltered from the many holes in the roof that might let the rain in. Once he was satisfied, he laid out his bedroll in the back of the wagon and covered it with a coarse blanket.

“Whatcha doin’, Mister Baxter?” Berry asked, holding a kitten close to her chest. The children hadn’t left the kittens alone since he brought them back home.

Baxter turned around to face Berry, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Just getting things set up for the night, little one.” He smiled at her, noticing the kitten snuggled up against her chest. “What about you? Are you and your siblings ready for bed?”

“We have to eat supper first.” She paused, looking up at Baxter with big, curious eyes. “Don’t you have somewhere to sleep?”

Baxter chuckled, mussing her hair gently. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’ll make do.”

He watched as she gave the kitten a kiss and rocked it like a doll. The kitten let out a little mewl as Berry released it to the floor. The kitten scampered off in search of its littermates.

“Night, kitty,” Berry called.

“Are you sleepin’ in the barn?” Jenny asked, her curls framing her innocent face as she clutched a ragged doll to her chest.

“Yup.” Baxter nodded, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before they darted away, scanning the barn as if ensuring everything was in order.

“Why?” Abilene asked, confusion creasing her small brow. Baxter learned why was the three-year-old’s favorite word.

Baxter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced at the children, their eager faces waiting for an answer. “I reckon it’s best I stay out here, near the horses and all. Keep an eye on things.”

The children exchanged glances, as if trying to decide if this answer satisfied their curiosity. Baxter shifted his weight from one foot to the other, knowing that staying in the barn would also give Midge and her family the space they needed. She might be stubborn, but she was doing her best to protect these children, and he respected that.

“Alright,” Berry finally said, nodding solemnly as if accepting Baxter’s reasoning. “Don’t let the rats bite!” she added with a mischievous grin before leading the other children back towards the house.

“Rats?” Baxter muttered to himself, his expression souring at the thought. He saw mice. Not rats. Hopefully, the kittens were big enough to deal with an occasional field rat. He groaned at the thought.

After securing Knickers in the one stall he had cleaned, Baxter provided the horse with a bit of feed and filled a bucket with fresh water. It had been a long day, and he was ready to rest. He pulled out a cheese sandwich from his saddlebag and climbed into the back of the wagon.

The smell of leather and manure filled the air as Baxter settled down on his makeshift bed.

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