Linda Ford (8 page)

Daisy insisted on helping and Cassie allowed it. The girl needed to know she pulled her weight.

An hour later a cake stood ready to ice. A meal was cooked and pushed to the side of the stove to stay warm. The rumble of a stagecoach brought her from the shack and she stared toward the store. She watched the passengers disembark—three men and a woman. As the driver tossed down packages, a cowboy reached out to lend a hand.

Roper joined Cassie. The children clustered around. The boys bounced on the balls of their feet. Pansy ran round and round in front of them. Daisy, ever vigilant, continually darted glances at her baby sister while observing as much of the activity around the stagecoach as she could.

Cassie wanted to join Pansy in making happy, flapping circles but instead, crossed her arms and waited. “Everything is ready.” Her voice seemed high, as if she worried. Well, of course she did. Her future depended on providing meals that satisfied. Word of mouth would build her reputation.

Roper draped an arm across her shoulders. “You’ll do fine.”

She didn’t need his encouragement. Of course she’d do fine. She’d done her best.

But her stubborn defiance couldn’t block the echo of her grandfather’s words.
Too slow. Sloppy. You forgot
—even when nothing had been forgotten. She pushed away the uncertainty the words brought. She was in charge now. She jumped for no one unless it pleased her to do so, but for a few seconds she let the weight of Roper’s arm on her shoulders anchor her to her land.

A dusty man with a ragged beard and equally ragged hat headed in their direction. She recognized Petey, the driver. Behind him came the two men then the woman clinging to the arm of the third man. Cassie could tell by the curl of the woman’s lips that she wasn’t pleased by her circumstances. Behind her strode the cowboy.

Cassie stepped forward, leaving Roper’s strengthening arm behind. “Welcome. The meal is ready. Seat yourself.” She waved toward the table. She and Macpherson had discussed a price for the meal and she’d accepted his advice on setting a fee. She held a tin can toward the guests and they each dropped in their coins.

“Where can I wash?” the woman asked, her voice demanding.

Cassie hesitated to point to the basin perched on the butt end of a log, a bucket of water beside it. She’d put out a stack of clean towels. It was the best she had to offer and totally adequate. “The washbasin is over there.”

The woman looked as if Cassie had offered swamp water in a slop bucket. Cassie knew that look, though it had normally come from above a mustache. She bristled.

“It’s perfectly clean.”

The woman sniffed. “I am not impressed with the wilderness.”

“Come along, dear.” The man, who must have been her long-suffering husband, urged her toward the basin. “You’ll feel better after you’ve washed the dust from your face.” He managed to edge her away.

“I’m covered with dust from head to toe. I need a full bath.”

Cassie resisted suggesting she could have one in the river and turned back to the others. Instead, she caught Roper’s gaze, full of laughter, and her spirits revived. How foolish to head out to the wilderness, then complain that it was wild. It was good to share her amusement with Roper. Then she snapped a mental door closed. She would not be involving Roper in the everyday aspects of her life.

The cowboy brought up the rear. He snatched off his battered hat to reveal a mane of blond hair that hadn’t seen a pair of scissors for many months if Cassie had her guess.

“Lane Brownley, ma’am. Got me a little place just over there.” He pointed in a vague northwest direction that could have been along the river, or toward the mountains or in the middle of nowhere. Not that Cassie cared for more specific directions. He dropped his coins in the can. That’s what mattered.

“I’ll gladly pay for a decent meal whenever I’m nearby, if you have no objections.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

His blue eyes matched the sky and shone as brightly as he grinned at her. “You and your husband got a good idea, setting up a stopping station here.”

She blustered an embarrassed reply. “He’s not my husband. He works for Eddie Gardiner at the Eden Valley Ranch.”

“My apologies but I’ve seen him here several times over the past few days.”

“It’s the kids.” She explained the orphaned children and how they had a business agreement to work together to care for them until their uncle could be reached.

Lane’s eyes brightened. “Then you’re planning to run this place on your own?”

She studied him without answering. Did he mean to take advantage of her situation?

Roper must have wondered the same thing. He stepped to her side and dropped his arm across her shoulder. “’Spect me or the boss or one of the boys will be stopping by mighty often.”

Lane suddenly realized how his words had been interpreted and red crept up his neck. “Didn’t mean it that way.” He scuffled off to wash up.

Roper didn’t step back but as soon as Lane bent to splash water over his face, Cassie ducked away and put a good six feet between them. From that distance she shot him a warning look. He needn’t think he could make a habit of being protective.

He returned her hard look and after a moment she shifted her attention to the children.

Neil sat on a log with Pansy and Billy and watched the visitors.

Cassie waited until the guests were seated then took the potatoes to the table. Daisy brought the roast venison. They returned for the rest of the dishes only to meet Roper part way carrying gravy and carrots.

Cassie reached for the bowls but Roper shook his head. “I got them.”

“But—” she sputtered.

Roper gave her a mocking grin. “Did you think I’d stand idly by and watch you and Daisy work? Nope.” He took a step, then paused to face her. “Ain’t gonna stand by and see some young upstart boy who thinks he’s a cowboy come stomping in to make a nuisance of himself, either.”

“He came to eat. He paid his money. I intend to serve him.”

“And next time?”

“He pays his money, I feed him. Every time.”

“Just make sure he isn’t after anything but meat and potatoes.”

Her nostrils flared. How dare he insinuate she would allow someone to take advantage of her? “You forget I can take care of myself.” She kept her voice low so those at the table wouldn’t hear but made no attempt to keep the defiance out of her words. Daisy had thankfully returned to the shack so didn’t overhear this conversation. When would he realize she didn’t need or want coddling? She grabbed the jug of gravy from him.

Roper put the carrots on the table, gave her a look full of judgment, then took the younger children and disappeared over the bank toward the river.

Cassie shrugged. Sooner or later he’d realize she didn’t need him watching over her shoulder. She turned her attention back to her guests. “Help yourself and enjoy the meal.”

The men dug in with gusto and if the way they hunkered over their plates indicated pleasure, then they enjoyed the meal.

The fine lady shivered as a fork scrapped against a tin plate. “I’d think a person charging for a meal would use real china.”

Cassie smiled but didn’t respond. China was fine in a restaurant but she wasn’t running a restaurant.

The lady held up her hands. “I could do with a napkin.”

Cassie fetched a small towel, which earned her an impatient sigh. Cassie glanced about trying to see the place as others would. The table was crude. The plates were tin. They ate outdoors. She’d been so pleased to get her business started that she hadn’t thought of the deficiencies. “Once I get my place built I’ll have things nicer.”

“In the meantime—” The look on the woman’s face said just how lacking the present conditions were.

Petey lifted his head, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I remember you from last fall when I brought you out with Miss Edwards who was set on marrying Eddie. Glad they finally got hitched. You’re doing okay, too, with this setup. I’ll be back on a semi-regular basis and the bull trains will run until snow blocks the road. The drivers are always ready for a big feed. Once they hear about this place you’ll find yourself busy as two beavers.”

Cassie’s tension released. “Thank you.” It was hungry men who would make up the bulk of her business and they cared nothing for fancy tablecloths and napkins.

Lane leaned back with a sigh. “Best meal I’ve had since I left England three years ago.”

“Wait. I have coffee, tea and cake.” She bustled back to the shack and with Daisy’s help served each customer.

The fancy lady spoke not a word of appreciation even though she ate every crumb of the piece of cake Cassie served her.

Cassie determinedly ignored the woman’s constant sighs and furrowed brow. She’d grown adept at turning away such insignificant signs of displeasure. She glanced toward the river where she could hear the children playing and Roper’s laugh.

A few minutes later everyone left. All except Lane. He sat with his elbows on the table watching her as she and Daisy scraped the dishes and stacked them to be washed. His attention screeched along her nerves as much as the sound of metal scraping metal.

Neil and Billy climbed up from the river, with Roper following on their heels, Pansy perched adoringly in his arms.

Cassie stared. They fit like hand and glove. Why wasn’t Roper married with a baby of his own?

She choked back an unfamiliar emotion. Was it loneliness she felt? Impossible.

She shook her head to clear her confusion. It must remind her of her father and all she’d lost when he died.

Roper had been grinning down at Pansy but glanced up, saw Lane still at the table and instantly scowled. He shifted Pansy to one side and veered toward the table where he plunked down opposite Lane. “Where did you say you have this ranch?”

Lane barely pulled his gaze from Cassie and distractedly jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “That way.”

“You got livestock? Farmland? Family?”

“Small herd of cows. Half a dozen horses. A pig and some chickens. Broke some land and planted oats for feed.” He offered the answers in sharp bullets as if paying no attention to his words.

“Family?” Roper prodded.

“None this side of the ocean. I’m all alone.”

Daisy giggled at the mournful note in the cowboy’s voice and leaned close to murmur in Cassie’s ear. “Think he’s wanting to change that.”

Cassie gave her full attention to the pan of hot soapy water as she scrubbed the dishes. She didn’t know whether Daisy meant the cowboy was looking for a group of friends or if he had an eye on marriage. If the latter was his intention he’d soon learn Cassie had no such notion. But she certainly didn’t object to taking a bit of his money in exchange for a home-cooked meal.

Roper reached across the table, grabbed the man’s empty cup and put it among those to be washed. “Guess it’s time to get back to work.” But he sat at the table.

Daisy nudged Cassie but Cassie was already aware of the silent tug of war. In fact, Lane seemed the only one oblivious to Roper’s broad hint to leave.

The stagecoach rattled away.

Lane finally swung his legs over the bench and pushed to his feet. “I best get on home and see to the chores.” He paused at Cassie’s side. “Appreciate the fine meal. You can count on me returning.” He smiled.

She smiled back. To do otherwise would be rude. Besides, she didn’t object to him buying a meal. “I’ll be here serving meals.”

His gaze lingered then he jammed his hat on his head and sauntered back to the store. In a few minutes he came into sight astride his horse, gave a quick salute, reined around and rode away.

Roper pushed to his feet. “Thought I might have to shovel him off the bench.”

Neil laughed. “Maybe you should’ve given him a shovel and let him help dig the cellar.”

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” Daisy dried a plate as she talked.

“Me?” He rumbled his lips. “Not at all but I don’t see the use of a man sitting around watching everyone work.”

Cassie wanted to know who he’d watched apart from her and Daisy.

Roper put Pansy down. “Come on, Neil. Let’s get some more water.” He paused then, and faced Cassie. She saw the guardedness in his eyes. And something more. Something that made her uncertain.

Did he expect her to reassure him? About what? That she wasn’t interested in Lane? How could she be? She’d only met him a couple hours ago. She’d known Roper since last fall and constantly pushed him away. He should know it would be the same with Lane. She wasn’t interested in special attention from either of them. “I need to get these dishes washed so the children can prepare for bed.”

He grabbed the buckets. His strides ate up the ground until he dropped out of sight.

A few minutes later he returned with water and Pansy edged toward him. He lifted her to his knees as naturally as if they’d always been friends.

Cassie knew his naturalness came from his life in an orphanage. “Do you keep in touch with any of the children you grew up with?”

His hands grew still. He stared at the table. Then slowly he lifted his head and faced her.

She tried to read his expression. Was it wary? Pained? “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” Normally she would have added that it didn’t matter to her but she couldn’t say the words.

Then he smiled. Goodness, the man had a way of smiling that made her forget every cross word, every harsh thought, every determination to keep her distance.

“It pleased me tremendously to see many of the little ones taken into homes. Some of the older ones were put out to work.” His grin dipped crookedly. “Sometimes they were returned as unsatisfactory, which meant they didn’t work hard enough or...” He trailed off and didn’t finish. “Many times the kids weren’t treated kindly and found a way to leave. Sometimes they came back to the orphanage. Others simply disappeared.”

She held her breath waiting for him to continue, suspecting he wasn’t talking just about others. She sensed the sadness, saw the tiny telltale signs of tension in the narrow wrinkles about his eyes.

“Roper, you believe so strongly in family. It surprises me you don’t have your own.”