Tina Tracks a Trail Boss: A Historical Western Romance (Brides with Grit Book 8) by Linda K. Hubalek

Author:Linda K. Hubalek [Hubalek, Linda K.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Publisher: Butterfield Books Inc.
Published: 2016-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Leif had held Tina hours after she finally fell asleep. His back had gotten stiff leaning against the wheel, and his seat numb on the hard ground, but he couldn’t disturb her after she finally confessed all her sorrow and finally sank into the first deep sleep he’d known her to have in the past two weeks.

Why the woman wasn’t insane by now was a mystery to him. First her husband’s murder and possible infidelity, then thinking her children were killed in a train wreck, and then Oliver’s birth and disappearance.

He would never complain about life’s little inconveniences again, that was for sure.

“Leif?” He could barely see his mother in the pre-dawn light as she handed him a cup of coffee.

“Is Tina all right? I heard her crying late last night.”

Did the night air carry Tina’s confession to his parents? And his consoling her, too? What should he tell his mother?

“She finally broke down last night, telling me how her husband died. It was bad, Moder. She’s been through so much the last few months.”

“I’m glad you’ve been there for her, Leif.”

“To give you the short version, so she doesn’t have to repeat it again to you…her husband was shot because a man thought Mr. Martin was seeing his wife. A bullet in the heart while teaching school. Then Tina was the first to run in the school house before the shooter put a bullet in his own head.”

His mother gave a long shuddering sigh. “How horrible! Things like that always put life in perspective don’t they?”

“Yes, they do.” And made him want to pull Tina and the kids closer to his heart. He had to admit it felt good comforting Tina, wiping her tears off her cheeks, kissing her forehead.

“I’ll take good care of them during the day for you,” his moder was saying while he’d strayed in his thoughts.

“Watch Robby. He tends to wander off—although Samson stays with him. Emma still needs help sitting down because of the splint on her leg. Oliver needs…”

“I raised you four children, so I can handle these three, Leif.”

Leif looked down at his mother’s knowing smile. Yes, he could depend on her to take care of…his family? That’s what Tina and the three children were starting to feel like to him.

“Tack så mycket, Moder. I’ll loop through when I can to check on everyone.”

“We’ll get into our own routine. You handle your job since you’re back to being the trail boss. Eat and go, Leif.”

His mother handed him a plate of eggs, potatoes and ham. Then grabbed another plate, filled it with food and handed it to his father. Leif hadn’t realized he was standing behind him hearing the conversation.

“Don’t worry, Leif. They’ll be fine with your moder.”

Leif knew that, but longingly looked at the wagon where Tina’s family was still sleeping. He’d taken care of Tina and the children for the past two weeks and would miss their routine. Wrangling Robbie into clothes, washing Emma’s sleepy face, changing Oliver’s diaper, brushing and braiding Tina’s hair.

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