Linda Ford by The Cowboys Unexpected Family

Author:The Cowboys Unexpected Family
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Cassie could hardly swallow her food. Why had the Mountie come now when she’d finally won Pansy’s affection?

What would he see?

She’d done her best to provide properly for the children. They ate well. They had a dry place to sleep, though, as she worried to Roper, it was crowded. They were reasonably clean, more thanks to Daisy than to herself.

But when had her best ever been good enough?

This time more was at stake than her own concerns. These four children depended on each other and cared for each other yet they couldn’t be allowed to live on their own. They needed adults to help them. God in heaven, I don’t know if I’ve done a good enough job but please make it appear so to the Mountie so the children can stay together with us.

The Mountie paused from eating. “I saw Red Fox. He said to say hello to Mrs. Gardiner.”

Cassie allowed a portion of her brain to slip back to the Indian woman and her children that Linette had taken into the cabin and fed. “How are Bright Moon and the baby?”

Constable Allen chuckled. “The baby is still wearing the little sweater Mrs. Gardiner gave him. They call him Little Shirt.” The Mountie sobered. “The tribe had a tough winter. Not enough food.” He shook his head sadly. “With the buffalo almost gone they’re dependent on what the government provides for them to eat. They must learn to become farmers, but they don’t understand the concept. For them, food is acquired by hunting. It’s a hard lot for them. I fear many will suffer.”

Cassie momentarily forgot her own worries and cares. “Red Fox and his family are okay, though, aren’t they?” She hadn’t shown them much kindness when they’d been at the ranch even though she understood they were starving. Now she wondered how she could have been so selfish and bitter.

“They’re surviving.”

She didn’t much care for the hopelessness of the Mountie’s words. “Did you see their older son?”

The Mountie nodded. “You mean Little Bear?”

“Yes. I first saw him hanging around the Fort when we arrived last fall. He was helping a man. And being treated cruelly.” She should have done something then. But all she could think was how her grandfather had grown even more vicious if anyone intervened in even the slightest way. So she’d backed away. Not like Linette. “Linette found the freighter who had abandoned him and gave him a slicing with her tongue.” She laughed as she recalled how the big man looked so angry. “She asked if he would starve his mules and still expect them to pull a load. He as much as told her to mind her own business.” She smiled in Roper’s direction, sharing a common knowledge that Linette didn’t mind her own business if she saw someone needing help. Cassie returned her gaze to the Mountie. Linette wouldn’t allow anyone to take these children and parcel them out to homes or a foundling home. But then Linette had a big house and the Gardiner money to back her up.

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