Linda Ford by The Cowboy's Convenient Proposal

Author:The Cowboy's Convenient Proposal
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Red understood Ward was doing his best to bring back good memories for Belle. Just as he made no secret of his desire to help her remember better times. On one hand she appreciated it. On the other, she wondered why it mattered to him. More important, how would Belle feel when they moved on?

If not for disappointing Belle, who could not remember going on a picnic, she would have gathered up her skirt and marched away. Instead, she allowed Ward to pass her a thick sandwich full of savory beef, seasoned with sharp mustard sauce. She tried valiantly to maintain a sense of annoyance but the peace of her surroundings, the enjoyment of good food and her pleasure at watching Belle play defeated her attempt.

Accepting the inevitable, she leaned back and looked up at the bright sky laced with the branches of evergreen trees. There was a time such a sight would have filled her with sweet thoughts of God’s love.

She jerked her attention from the sky to the fallen trees. One of them formed a sidewalk for Belle’s doll, Sally. Would she ever hear the name, or be able to say it without a thousand regrets and a world of longing catching at her heart?

Ward looked into the picnic basket. “Looks like that cake was the last of it. I hope you both got enough to eat.”

Belle glanced up from her play long enough to tell him her opinion. “I did. It sure was good.”

“I’ll be sure to tell Cookie. She’ll be pleased.” He turned to Red.

“It was very good,” Red allowed. “And I’m plenty full. Give my thanks to Cookie.” She wondered at the way his eyes flickered as if remembering something.

“Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

She didn’t care that her expression likely revealed her surprise and a whole lot more. Did he expect her to walk over and tell Cookie? “You aren’t bringing her to visit, are you?”

“Tomorrow is Sunday, and Cookie and Bertie have a little church service in the cookhouse. I thought you might like to go. Then you could thank her yourself.”

“It’s impossible.” How dare he even suggest it?

Belle left her doll stranded on the fallen tree and rushed to Ward’s knees. “Would Grady be there?”

Ward’s probing gaze left Red just long enough for him to cup Belle’s head and smile at her. “He’s there every Sunday. He used to be the only child.” He made it sound like Red was responsible for the child’s loneliness.

She stiffened her spine, preparing to defend herself.

But before she could voice her protests, he turned to her, his gaze intense, demanding, even challenging. As if he silently dared her to face the crew at the ranch. And maybe even God.

Her own gaze hardened as she pressed her lips into a tight line. Before she could reiterate her refusal, Belle stood before her. “Red, I never had a friend. Not since I was real young. I kind of remember the kids next door. There was a big boy who would give me a push on the swing and another boy about my age.

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