The Baby Compromise

There. She’d spoken the words with as much apology and pleading as she could. And never before had it taken so much effort. “A business arrangement. But I insist on being involved in all decisions regarding the orphanage.” She saw his protest coming and hastened to add, “Just as I’m sure you wish to be involved with all the decisions regarding Gabriel.”

He continued to study her without any change in his expression. Then he nodded. “Very well. Come along, then. We’ll go to the mercantile first.”

“Finally,” Heidi murmured. “I was afraid you’d let him leave.”

Rebecca took Heidi’s hand as they picked their way across the rough ground. Was it possible that she’d just agreed to work with him? To live in his house?

“So how will this work?” she asked the cowboy. “How will we divide the responsibilities?” she clarified when he looked at her questioningly. “I expect to do my share.”

“I would expect nothing less. You can take care of the house while I get this building up. It benefits us both. I can be in town working here without worrying about my parents. And I can keep Gabriel safe.”

“You mean we can keep Gabriel safe.” She fell in step at his side as they returned to the street.

“Of course.” He struggled to hold the baby and the basket as he reached to untie the horse. The animal didn’t care for the arrangement and tugged back on the reins.

“Whoa,” Colton ordered. “Settle down. It’s just a baby and his bed.”

His words did nothing to calm the horse.

Rebecca let Colton struggle for a moment, enjoying his predicament. If this provided any indication of how well he’d manage on his own, he should be thanking her for agreeing to join forces with him.

He shot her a look.

She saw no gratitude in the way his eyes flashed, nor in the hard set of his mouth.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

She wiped all amusement from her face. “I’ll take the baby.” She reached out to do so.

He drew back.

“I thought we were going to work together,” she reminded him.

“That’s what we agreed.”

My, my, didn’t he sound gracious? But she took the infant without further comment, leaving him with the basket. He quickly untied the horse and they began the journey toward the store.

He walked so close at her side that it made her aware of his size, his rolling gait and something beyond the physical. A sense of strength and confidence. Her skin felt his nearness in a way that alarmed her and she moved aside.

“You aren’t planning to run away with the baby, are you?”

She sniffed, realized it sounded like Miss Ward and vowed never to do it again. “Oh, yes. It’s always been my dream to be chased down by a horse-riding, big-booted cowboy.”

He stopped, lifted one foot and examined it. “My feet aren’t that big.”

“If you say so.” She continued on her way. It took him only two steps to catch up.

“You’re just sore that you didn’t get your way.”

He made her sound like a spoiled child. “I am not.”

Heidi giggled. “You’re quarreling.”

Rebecca clamped her lips together and shot Colton a look that dared him to continue this.

He grinned. Did that glint in his eyes suggest a challenge?

They turned down Victory Street. A lone cowboy rode past, greeted Colton by name and tipped his hat at Rebecca.

Something burned at her thoughts and wouldn’t be quenched, despite her best intentions. Was he like her father, doubting her abilities? “Do you think I can’t manage on my own?” If so, she would prove him wrong.

He raised an eyebrow at her, but didn’t answer. His eyes were like hard bits of rock chiseled from a quarry. Only an accident of birth made them the unusual green color.

“Just because I’m a city girl doesn’t mean I’m incapable of caring for a baby.”

“Don’t recall saying you were.”

They reached the mercantile, forcing her to keep her retort to herself. Besides, as Heidi had pointed out, this was childish quarreling.

She shifted the baby to one arm and brought her thoughts to the task at hand—getting the building supplies delivered as promised. No workers would come unless there was material—though she suspected Miss Ward had been spreading her belief about God’s displeasure with the project among the townspeople. Perhaps some of them believed her.

Oh, and getting a regular supply of milk for the baby. See, she wasn’t a bit incompetent.

With Heidi clinging to her side, Rebecca stepped into the store. She breathed in the smell of coal oil and leather. From past experience, she knew that when she moved closer to the counter she’d catch the scent of licorice and cheese and hundreds of other things more pleasant to the senses.

Colton paused to tie the horse to the hitching rail and set the basket on the bench outside the door, but he reached her side before she made it to the counter. She stuffed back annoyance. Did he think she couldn’t handle things without him?

Without giving him a chance to take over, she spoke to Mr. Gavin. “Sir, I thought we had an agreement. You promised that the supplies would be delivered to the building site this morning.” He’d given his word several times, but something always prevented him from keeping it. “I was just there, and there are no supplies.”

Mr. Gavin raised his craggy eyebrows and gave little Gabriel a look rife with curiosity. She saw the flash of inquisitiveness in his eyes before he thought better of asking about the baby and turned his attention back to her.

“Miss Sterling, I’m doing my best. Unfortunately, I’m at the mercy of the suppliers in Newfield.”

Rebecca understood that. Newfield was the largest town to the east. A distance of approximately twelve miles, if she wasn’t mistaken. She could have walked that far and carried the boards back one by one in the time since she’d placed the order. “Is there not a regular train?” The question was rhetorical. Everyone knew there was. And although Evans Grove wasn’t a regular stop, whistle stops could be scheduled whenever deliveries needed to be made. Furthermore, she knew supplies regularly came from Newfield by wagon. “The work cannot proceed without lumber.”

Mr. Gavin made noncommittal noises. “I’m not responsible for the delay.”

Colton leaned on the counter, all relaxed-looking, as if he had no concern about this stalemate.

So much for working together.

He shifted slightly, turned his attention to the storekeeper. “Guess there’s not much you can do about it, then?”

Mr. Gavin shook his head. “Not a single thing.”

“Suppose I could take a wagon to Newfield and bring back supplies. Likely I’d have to make more’n one trip.” He spoke in a leisurely, unconcerned way. “Come to think of it, I could buy up supplies for the ranch at the same time.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Mr. Gavin all but sputtered. “I’ll send a wire again today. Whatever the reason is, this delay is unacceptable.” He turned back to Rebecca. “Your supplies will be here tomorrow. I personally guarantee it.”