The Cowboy's Surprise Bride

Cassie gave the stove a bleak look. “Here I am not yet twenty-five, a widow. I’ll be alone the rest of my life.”

“God has a plan for your life. He says His thoughts toward us are of peace, and not of evil.” She spoke of a verse she thought to be in Jeremiah.

“I’ve seen little reason to believe God wants to do me good.” Cassie’s voice shook. “Until I see otherwise, I think I’ll trust my own resources.”

“What is your opinion?” Linette asked Eddie. Even if he’d received her letter and agreed to a marriage of convenience, she’d made up her mind not to marry until she was certain of his convictions. He’d expressed his faith in his letters, but she wanted to hear it firsthand. She still wanted to hear it, though marriage now seemed but a distant possibility. But no, she would not abandon hope that God could work a miracle over the winter.

He gave his answer some consideration. “I believe God honors those who honor Him.”

“Yes. I agree.”

“And how do you suggest we do that?” Cassie demanded.

“I can’t answer for everyone,” Eddie said. “For me, it means doing my duty. Honoring my father and mother. Being charitable.”

A man of honor, just as she’d guessed from the first. Surely she stood a chance of finding favor in his eyes. She tried to signal her relief to Cassie. But the other woman only stared at Eddie.

“So you think if we do what is right, God will treat us fairly?”

“That’s my belief.”

“So what did I do wrong to lose a husband and two babies? They were born beautiful and whole but never drew breath.”

“I can’t say. That’s between you and God.”

“Oh, no,” Linette protested. His words sounded condemning, as if Cassie harbored secret sins. Linette found such reasoning to be flawed. “You can’t reduce God to human intelligence and emotions. There are circumstances we aren’t aware of. We don’t see the big picture, but God does. That’s where trust comes in.”

Cassie made a sound of raw disbelief. “When you’ve lost everything, then you can talk to me about trust. Until then, it’s only childish wishing.”

Linette ached for Cassie’s pain, but the woman was stronger than she realized to have survived such hardship. However, Linette couldn’t imagine enduring such tragedies without God’s help. “Whatever happens I will trust God.” She wondered what Eddie thought and met his gaze, felt a jolt in her lungs at the way he studied her.

“I hope you never have occasion to believe in anything but the goodness of God.” Did he sound just a little doubtful? As if he considered it possible? This situation was about as bad as things could get. And her faith had not faltered.

“‘He will never leave me nor forsake me.’ Now I’m going to make tea.” She clapped her hands to her knees, startling Grady, who whimpered and buried his face against her shoulder. She put the toys on the floor, took his hand and drew him after her toward the sack.

Eddie jumped to his feet and accompanied her. “Cookie wasn’t sure what you would want. She says if you need anything, just trot on over to the cookhouse.”

“There’s another woman on the place?”

Eddie chuckled at her delighted surprise. “Yup. Cookie.”

Linette stepped past the sack to peer out the window. “Which is the cookhouse?”

Eddie stood close to her, bending a little so he could see out the window. “Can’t miss it. It’s the two-story building right across the road. Cookie—Miz Liza McCormick—and her husband, Bertie, live on the upper floor, but mostly you’ll find both of them cooking and feeding the crew.”

“Liza? Pretty name. How many are in your crew?”

“During the summer, there’s twelve men, give or take, plus me and the McCormicks. Less once winter sets in. Six or eight men. Right now most of them are up in the hills, edging the cattle down. And best call her Cookie.”

“Another woman. Isn’t that nice, Cassie?”

Cassie showed marginal interest. But it didn’t dampen Linette’s relief. The place suddenly seemed a lot more civilized and friendly. She studied the building across the wide expanse Eddie had called a road. As soon as possible, she’d pay Liza—or Cookie, if she preferred—a visit. Eager to get on with this new life, Linette spun away from the window and almost pressed her cheek to his chest.

His eyes widened.

Something quivered in the pit of her stomach.

Their gazes held for a moment of nervous awareness at the realization they were going to be sharing these tight quarters for several months.

She ducked her head, lest he guess at the way her heart had come unsettled. She could expect such encounters throughout the winter. She must prepare herself. Learn how to keep her emotions under lock and key. She would not be controlled by feelings.

The winter...only a few months...but more than long enough for God to work a change in Eddie’s heart. In the meantime, she had to prove to him how nice it was to have her around.

* * *

“Let’s see what Cookie sent over.” He hadn’t meant to be drawn into questions about Linette’s personal life. What did it matter to him if her father had chosen a marriage partner she didn’t welcome? Yet the idea made his muscles tighten. He’d seen the way she held herself and knew she didn’t make up her fears. It couldn’t be pleasant to be controlled by a father who didn’t take her feelings into consideration.

He could only hope something would change on her behalf before spring when he’d send her back to her father.

Linette tried to extract herself from Grady’s clutches. “Look, Grady. Play with these things and I’ll make you something to eat, but I can’t work with you hanging from my arm.”

Grady poked his face around Linette enough to expose one eye. He saw Eddie and with a loud cry burrowed into Linette’s skirts.

Eddie backed off, carefully avoiding looking directly at the boy.

Grady waited until Eddie picked up the sack and carried it to the table before he untangled himself from Linette’s side and hurried back to the stove, where he squatted to examine the objects that would have to pass as toys until something better could be found or fashioned. Grady made sure to keep his face toward Eddie as if he had to know where the enemy stood.

Linette edged to Eddie’s side. “Thank you for being patient with him.”

He pulled flour and sugar from the sack as he considered her words. Why should she care, when she had no connection to this child? Yet it made him realize even more how generous his father had been in taking in himself and his mother and giving them his name. He redoubled his vow to live a life that would honor that gift. “He’s not a lot different than a scared animal. Here’s a slab of bacon and other things Cookie thought you could use. Lots of women wouldn’t give an orphaned child a second glance.” In his case, his father and mother had married. Eddie was part of the union. But Linette had no connection to this boy. “Why do you?” He kept his voice low so Grady wouldn’t hear.

She shifted the supplies around, examining them and lining them up. “We need a shelf for these.”

Just when he thought she intended to ignore his question, she faced him.

“I simply cannot walk by someone in need and pretend I don’t see them or can’t help them.” Her eyes flashed some kind of challenge as if she’d had to defend her views before.

“I’m guessing your feelings haven’t met with approval.”

Her sigh puffed out her cheeks. “According to my parents, ladies don’t soil their hands with such matters. They say there are people whose calling is to do such things. People of the church. Not regular people.” All the while she talked she held his gaze. Her compassion and conviction poured from her like hot tea.

“You’ve rescued an orphan boy and a widowed woman. I’d say you’ve done your share.”

Her eyes turned to cold amber. “Are you warning me?”

“Miss Edwards, sometimes practical matters must be considered. And propriety. This cabin won’t hold any more charity cases.”

“Propriety?” She kept her voice low, but still managed to make the word ring with distaste. “It will never stop me from following my heart and conscience.”