The Cowboy's Surprise Bride & the Cowboy's Unexpected Family by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-15T16:24:22+00:00

Chapter Two

Cassie had heard a wagon stop at the store but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts were on other things.

She pulled out a length of wood and dragged it to the site she’d chosen for the house and laid it alongside the other three she’d put there. She still had no idea how to proceed. Did she build the floor and put the walls on top? Did she make the walls and build the floor inside? How did she put in the windows?

She sat down on the stack of lumber and stared at the four pieces of wood. If she had the money she’d hire someone to do this. Someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who would expect nothing in return but his wages. But she was out of funds. Roper’s offer to help flashed across her mind but she dismissed the idea. She did not want to be owing a man for any reason. She bolted to her feet. She’d ask Macpherson what to do, and she’d do it. By herself.

Her mind set, her back stiff, she turned and staggered to a stop as a wagon drew up before her property.

Roper jumped down, leaving a boy on the seat. She thought she glimpsed two or three more kids in the wagon but she must be dreaming. Why would Roper have kids with him? She supposed the boy could be headed out to work at the ranch, though he looked too young to have to earn his way in life. But if Roper took him to the ranch Eddie and Linette would see he was properly treated. He could be a companion for Grady, the four-year-old boy Linette had rescued on her ocean voyage from England.

Roper crossed the grassy property and stopped two feet from her. “See you’re about ready to move into your house.” His grin mocked her.

“Check back in a week or so and your grin won’t be so wide.”

He glanced at the lumber on the ground. “Guess you know what you’re doing.”

What he meant was, You’re lost in the fog. “I was about to ask advice from Macpherson. Who are those kids?” Three pairs of eyes peered at her over the edge of the wagon and the boy on the seat watched with unusual interest.

Roper removed his hat, scratched his head until his hair looked like a windblown haystack then shoved the hat back on, adjusting it several ways until he was satisfied.

She’d never seen the man at a loss for words. “Roper, what are you up to? You haven’t kidnapped them, have you?”

“Nothing like that.” He stared at the wagon and the kids, who stared right back.

“Well, what is it like?” She alternated between watching Roper and watching the kids as wariness continued to creep across her neck like a spider.

He faced her so quickly she stepped back, as much from his bleak expression as from being startled. “The kids’ mother is dead. They came West hoping to join up with their pa but they just heard he’s dead, too.

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