Big Sky Daddy

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ufd2ac34e-83a7-5125-9620-b10f69c475a2)

Bar Crossing, Montana Fall 1889

Did he hear gunshots? Caleb Craig jerked toward the window. “Listen.” He held up his hand, trying to cut short the storekeeper’s detailed description about the young woman who had stepped out of the store as Caleb and his son, Teddy, went in.

“Lilly Bell,” the storekeeper had said. Twin sister to Rose, the two were the least alike, though to be sure, both were sweet and generous and loyal. Their parents were elderly, but that didn’t mean they were feeble. Oh, far from it.

A series of pops convinced Caleb someone had set off firecrackers. They were not as deadly as gunshots, but they were enough to start a dangerous chain reaction.

Before he reached the window, Caleb knew it had already started. Several women screamed. A deeper voice called out. The rattle and creak of wood and harnesses signaled frantic horses.

“You stay here,” he ordered five-year-old Teddy, and then raced through the door.

The young woman, whose virtues the storekeeper expounded on even as Caleb hustled out of the shop, wrestled with a rearing horse hitched to a swaying wagon. Packages and sacks tumbled out the back. A redheaded woman raced toward the struggling gal. That must be the twin sister, Rose. An older man hobbled across the street toward them while other people huddled on the sidewalks, watching but doing nothing.

Caleb saw it all in one glance as he jumped to Lilly’s side and grabbed the harness, his hand right next to hers.

“Steady there,” he ordered, his voice stern yet kind—something animals understood.

Breathing raggedly, the horse allowed Caleb to pull his head down. Still holding tight to the animal, as was she, Caleb turned to the young woman. The name Lilly suited her. Blond hair, unblemished skin, blue eyes flashing like lightning.

She was understandably upset.

“What idiot set off firecrackers?” he demanded.

She snorted. “That Caldwell cowboy.”

Ebner? His boss? Caleb glanced about but saw no sign of the Caldwell foreman. “Is anyone hurt?”

The redhead rushed to their side. “Lilly, are you okay?” She rubbed her hands over the young woman’s arms. “I saw the whole thing.” She jammed her fists to her hips. “I can’t believe anyone would do such a stupid thing. Not even a Caldwell.”

Caleb’s neck tensed. He’d been working at the Caldwell ranch a couple of weeks now. Ebner was tough, allowing no slacking and objecting to Caleb keeping Teddy with him as he worked. Caleb had reminded Ebner several times it had been part of the agreement before Caleb had taken the job.

Mr. Caldwell was away on some errand, leaving Ebner in charge. The foreman ran the place with efficiency. Caleb had certainly seen no sign of such wanton disregard for the safety of man and beast.

“I’m fine,” Lilly said. She sucked in air as if to calm her nerves and faced Caleb. “Thank you for your help. I saw you at the store, didn’t I?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave his name.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” The smile she gave him could have changed rain to sunshine.

“Papa.” Teddy’s trembling voice made them all turn toward his son. Both ladies murmured, “Ah,” as they saw Teddy.

Caleb understood how the boy would pull at one’s heart. Big blue eyes, tousled hair that refused to be tamed, a look of innocence, though it was impossible there could be any innocence left after what the boy had been through. Teddy leaned on his crutches, his right leg not touching the floor.

“Son, I asked you to stay inside.”

“I know, Papa. But what if something happened to you?”

Lilly’s attention flickered between Caleb and Teddy. Rose’s lingered on the boy.

“I don’t intend for anything to happen to me.”

Teddy nodded, his expression more worried than relieved.

“You stay there while I help these ladies collect their packages.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“That’s my boy.”

An older man approached them. “Are you girls okay?”

“We’re fine, Pa,” the pair chorused.

So this was Mr. Bell. Caleb introduced himself. In turn, Mr. Bell introduced his daughters.

The horse had settled down. Caleb left Mr. Bell holding him and strode to the back of the wagon to gather up parcels and return them to the box.

Lilly scurried around to pick up things as well. “I hope nothing was damaged.”

Teddy hobbled along the sidewalk to see better what Caleb was doing.

Lilly lifted a sack and paused to watch the boy. There was no mistaking the question in her eyes. She was wondering why the boy wasn’t walking.

If only someone could provide that answer.

“Caleb.” Ebner rode toward the wagon. “Leave them people to gather up their own stuff. You get our wagon on home now. Hear?”

“Yes, boss.”

Lilly glowered at Ebner as he rode away laughing. Then she turned toward Caleb. “You work for them?” She grabbed the package from his hands and shook it as if his mere touch had somehow soiled it.

“Yes, ma’am. ’Fraid I do.” And if he wanted to keep his job, he needed to do as the boss said. “Glad no one was hurt.”

She snorted. “I’m sure your boss won’t agree.”