Linda Ford by The Cowboy's Surprise Bride

Author:The Cowboy's Surprise Bride [Bride, The Cowboy's Surprise]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Linette hummed as she and Cassie cleaned up after lunch.

“You’re mighty pleased with yourself,” Cassie said, sounding curious as much as anything.

“I spent the morning helping Eddie in the big house. I think he is beginning to accept me.”

Cassie let out an impatient sigh. “Accept you or just your help?”

“Either way, it’s a start. He’ll soon see I’m suited for ranch living. If you stay with Grady for his nap, I’ll help him this afternoon, too.”

Cassie picked up her knitting. The afghan was steadily growing large.

“You never did tell me who you are knitting that for.”

“For myself. I have no one else, if you care to recall.”

“I’m sorry. Perhaps you’ll find someone out here. Roper seemed rather interested. I think he’s half in love with you already.”

“I’ll marry again if I can.” She jabbed her needle through a stitch. “A woman needs protection of a man. But it won’t be for love. No value in that.”

Linette didn’t answer, but she couldn’t argue. Love had no place in the lives of those she knew. Certainly her mother and father seemed to tolerate rather than love each other. Mother ventured no farther than her sewing room and her lady friends. Father’s time and attention were devoted to enlarging his holdings and amassing more money. Her aunt was the only woman she knew who spoke freely of loving her husband and, as far as Linette could see, it made her aunt far too pliable and ready to jump at every little suggestion her uncle made. Linette had no desire for such a life.

“I’ll stay with Grady if you still have a mind to traipse up the hill, but it seems to me he’s a man who knows what he wants.”

“And it isn’t me? Is that what you’re saying?”

Cassie lowered her knitting and met Linette’s gaze. “The man was quite clear on the matter.”

Linette pulled on her coat before she faced Cassie again. “I have until spring to change his mind and I intend to make the most of my time. I’ll be back later.”

“No rush. I can manage Grady. Maybe we’ll go over and see Cookie.”

Linette took her time climbing the hill. She’d seen the flash of surprise darkening Eddie’s eyes when she’d said he had integrity. He’d surely looked at her with more interest than he’d previously revealed. She’d shown herself capable of working at his side. Surely he was learning her value...an asset to help him build a new life here. She would not think of the letters even now starting their journey to Margaret. She could imagine what Eddie had said, likely they were words of love urging her to join him.

But if Margaret changed her mind... Her heart dipped toward her toes. She had until spring. She prayed it would be long enough.

* * *

“Boys, turn the tailenders into the pen then head for the cookhouse.” Only the weak and young cattle were brought to the ranch. The rest were in nearby pastures where he could keep an eye on them.

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