Big Sky Daddy (Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical) (Montana Marriages - Book 2) by Linda Ford

Big Sky Daddy (Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical) (Montana Marriages - Book 2) by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford [Ford, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon
Published: 2014-11-30T23:00:00+00:00


Chapter Eleven

Caleb kept his horse at a steady pace as he rode toward the Caldwell ranch. He reached the yard just as the other cowboys headed out from the cookhouse. Good timing. Ebner would have no cause for complaint.

He tended his horses and set to work on the barn chores. He had almost completed them when Ebner stepped in.

“Good to see you back at work.”

“Did you think I would leave?”

Ebner grunted. “Then who would muck out the barn?” His tone conveyed the message that only Caleb would be desperate enough to take the job.

Caleb shrugged. He couldn’t deny it was the sort of job he might have once shunned. Now all that mattered was doing all he could to pick up the pay.

Ebner listed a number of chores that would keep a man hopping all day. Caleb didn’t care. He’d do them and leave. He smiled as he thought of the welcome he would receive at the end of the day. Teddy’s smile, a hot meal and— Would Lilly be gladder to see him than the others would?

He jabbed the fork into the muck so hard the shock jolted up his arm. It wasn’t a thought—or rather, a hope—he could allow himself.

He worked hard all day, finished the list of assigned chores and then washed up at the pump.

Ebner hurried over. “You figure on leaving?”

Ignoring the challenging tone, Caleb answered. “I finished my day’s work. I don’t think you’ll find any reason to complain about how well the chores were done. Now I’ve got a boy to take care of.”

Ebner jammed his fists to his hips and scowled. If he could find a reason to order Caleb to stay at the ranch, he would, but Caleb only worked there. Neither Ebner nor the Caldwells owned him.

His horse stood saddled and ready and he took up the reins. “I’ll return in the morning.” He swung into the saddle and rode away before Ebner could find any reason to make him stay.

Not that Caleb could have been persuaded on any grounds. He meant to get back to Teddy and the Bells. And even if he only pictured Lilly when he thought of the Bells, he wasn’t about to admit that.

Teddy was in the yard when Caleb rode in and waved and yelled. Blossom was huddled at Teddy’s side. Lilly stood nearby, a basket of carrots in her arms.

A sense of peace and contentment came over Caleb.

“Papa, guess what?”

Caleb dropped to the ground and swept Teddy into his arms.

“Guess what?” Teddy demanded again.

Caleb set his son on the ground. “Let me see if I can guess.” He studied him slowly. “I don’t think you’ve grown since this morning.” He turned Teddy’s head from side to side. “Still just two ears.”

Teddy giggled.

Caleb lifted his hands into the air. “I give up. What?”

“I got to help Lilly in the garden.”

“Is that a fact?” So far he had avoided looking directly at her hovering by Teddy’s side, but now he raised his gaze to hers. “So what did you do?” he asked the boy.



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