Linda Ford (14 page)

Cassie sat down and sobbed. “What’s happened to him?”

Roper sat beside her, and pulled her to his chest. “We’ll find him.” But his words were hollow. A thousand scenarios raced through his mind. The cold waters of the river. A body being carried along by the stream, bashed against rocks. Or a bear interrupted at her fishing expedition. A band of marauding men...

He slammed the door to such terrors.

“The Mountie will never let us keep the children now,” Cassie wailed.

“Probably not. But what matters is they are all safe.” He put a slight emphasis on the word
all.

Her tears dried instantly. “Yes. We must find him.” She leaped to her feet. “Maybe someone else has.” She reached for his hand to help him to his feet.

He would never admit holding her hand made getting to his feet more awkward than if he’d done it on his own. Any more than he’d point out that if someone had found Billy they would have heard gunshots. Instead, hand in hand, they ran back toward the campsite, pausing often to make sure they didn’t overlook any place Billy might hide...or fall.

The rest of the men had assembled—only a handful but every bit of help was appreciated.

The Mountie remained in charge. “At this point we must assume Billy has found an ally to help him get farther away. Macpherson, who’s been by in the past couple of hours?”

“A freighter headed to Fort Edmonton. And a cowboy from the OK Ranch.”

Two men were sent after them.

“The rest of you continue looking around here. The boy might be avoiding us.” The Mountie headed for his horse. “I’m going to ride out toward a group of Indians that were hunting west of here. They might help us.”

Cassie and Roper were alone. He realized they still held hands. She sent him a look full of desperate fear and he pulled her close and pressed her head to the hollow of his shoulder.

“Pray,” she murmured against his shirtfront. “Pray he is safe and we’ll find him before dark.”

The shadows grew long and leggy. They didn’t have much daylight left. Glad of the practice he’d had in praying aloud, Roper lifted his face toward heaven.

“Our Father in heaven. You see everything. You see Billy right now. Keep him safe and help us to find him. Please. Amen.”

Cassie sighed softly and slowly straightened. “I’ll let the kids know we’re still trying to find him.” She seemed reluctant to leave the shelter of his arms. A trembling smile caught her lips before she ducked her head and hurried to the shack.

Ten seconds later a cry rent the air. “Roper.”

* * *

They were all gone. Cassie couldn’t believe it. “How could four children vanish into thin air?” She hung on to Roper’s arms afraid if she let go she would collapse into a sobbing pile of bones and flesh.

“They can’t.” Roper had lifted every blanket, moved every box as if they had shrunk enough to hide in such tiny places. “I need to think.”

“They have no place to go.” Every word tore from her throat leaving behind an aching trail.

“They’d go back to where they came from.”

“Back to where their ma died?”

“I found them on their way to find their pa.”

She reared back and stared at him. “He’s dead.”

“But he had a house of some sort. A bit of land. They might try and get there.”

She shuddered to think of them alone. “Do they even know where it is?”

“They might. Or at least think they do.” He broke from her grasp and headed for the door. “I’m going to hitch up the wagon.”

“I’m coming.”

A few minutes later they were driving from town.

Cassie perched on the edge of the seat, alert for any sign of them. “Wouldn’t someone have spotted them?”

His laugh was mirthless. “Not if they didn’t want them to.”

She tipped her head in acknowledgment. “How are they keeping Pansy quiet, though?”

“Maybe they aren’t.” He stopped the wagon and they strained to catch any sound above the creak of wood and leather and the huff of the horse.

“Nothing.” Roper flicked the reins and they continued on. He stopped twice more and they listened intently. “This is where I picked them up.” He pointed toward a grassy spot. They listened.

They heard the sound at the same time. His eyes glowed with victory. “If I’m not mistaken that is Miss Pansy protesting.”

He turned the wagon from the trail.

She kept her eyes wide for a glimpse of them. “There.” She pointed at a flash of blue in some nearby trees.

And then they saw the children dashing from tree to tree, trying to get away.

“They’re all there.” She could finally get a full breath for the first time since Billy disappeared.

“This is just like last time.” Roper pulled the wagon to a halt, set the brake and took off after the children, Cassie on his heels.

As he gained on them, the children split up. He veered after Neil, snagged the boy and dragged him after Billy.

Billy darted behind a tree, waited for Roper to approach, then sped off in a different direction.

Roper had his hands full holding on to Neil who yelled and tried to pull away.

Roper turned to Cassie. “Go find the girls.”

Cassie went in the opposite direction and in short order she found them huddled behind a bush, Pansy pressed to Daisy’s shoulder. Both of them sobbed so hard it threatened to tear Cassie’s heart from her chest. She pulled them into her arms. “Shush. Don’t cry.” From somewhere came a lullaby and she sang it softly.

Daisy stopped crying. Pansy fell asleep. Poor baby was so tired.

“We aren’t going back.” Daisy hiccuped the words. “We won’t let him take us.”

“We were so worried about you. What if something happened to one of you?” The words stuck in her throat. “What if you run away and hide from everyone and something happens?” She recalled Roper’s words. “Isn’t it better to know that everyone is safe?”

Daisy sat up and dried her eyes. “You’re saying it’s better to let them take us away?” She hung her head.

Cassie stroked her head. “Honey, I don’t want him to take you. But it might be a little hard to prove we can take care of you after you ran away.”

Daisy gave a shaky smile. “But we don’t want to run away from you.”

“Then let’s go back and tell the Mountie.” Their only hope was to convince him of the fact.

She helped Daisy to her feet, little Pansy still asleep on her sister’s shoulder. Daisy covered the baby’s ears and called, “Billy, Neil. It’s okay. We’re going back.”

“I’m not.” Billy’s voice came from deep in the grove of trees. And then a little squeal.

“Yes, he is,” Roper called.

A short time later they were back at the campsite. Dusk filled in the hollows and stole the green from the leaves.

Roper had fired off three shots at the wagon and he did it again. “I expect everyone is too far away to hear but just in case.”

The children trooped to bed without comment but could be heard whispering inside the shack.

Cassie sank to the bench. “I am suddenly exhausted.”

Roper sat across from her and took her hands, cradling them between his. “Go to bed. I’ll keep watch.”

To make sure they don’t run away again. He didn’t have to say the words; she knew. “We have to convince the Mountie to let them stay.”

“We can try.”

His words provided little comfort and she stifled a cry.

“It’s late. Nothing will be decided tonight. Go to bed and get some rest.” But he held her hands as if he didn’t really want her to go.

She knew she wouldn’t sleep. Not until she knew the children’s future. Would they be allowed to stay? But there was no point in sitting in the growing darkness wishing things could be different.

“Good night, then.” She eased her hands free and stood.

Roper stood, too. He came to her side, caught her by the shoulder. “We’ll do our best.”

“That’s never been enough.”

“It is for me. It should be for you.”

She stared at him. Did he really mean it? Could she believe it? She always seemed to measure herself by her grandfather’s standards. How foolish. She knew now it was time to stop it.

He lowered his head, caught her lips with his before she had time to think. Or protest. Would she have protested given the chance?

No, she wouldn’t have.

She welcomed Roper’s kiss. Found comfort and encouragement in it.

And more.

She wasn’t prepared to deal with anything more. Not right now. The children were what mattered now.

She hurried to the shack.

“I’ll be right outside the door,” he murmured just before she ducked inside to crawl into bed fully dressed. She didn’t sleep, aware that Daisy and Neil lay awake as if waiting for a chance to run again.

“Roper is right outside the door,” she whispered. “You’ll never get past him if that’s what you have in mind.”

No one answered but covers rustled as if they adjusted themselves. A few minutes later she heard deep breathing and wondered if they’d fallen asleep.

Or were they only pretending?

* * *

Roper jerked away at first light. He’d slept in front of the shack door. No one would have left without waking him.

Hoof beats sounded on the nearby road. Likely that’s what had wakened him.

He sat up, stretched and scratched his head.

The Mountie rode up to the place and dismounted.

Roper hurried to his side. “The kids are all here. Safe and sound.”

“So Billy returned?”

That’s right. The Mountie didn’t know the others had run away, too. Perhaps Roper wouldn’t tell him and give him any more reason to judge them inadequate to care for the children.

“Found him in some trees down the road a spell.”

“I see.” The Mountie gave Roper a hard look but Roper was prepared and held his gaze without blinking.

Cassie stepped from the shack, the children at her heels. They all skidded to a halt and stared at the Mountie.

Cassie’s expression grew hard. “Come along, children. Let’s get breakfast ready.”

The meal was strained. Roper almost decided to forego the usual Bible reading but the children waited, so he pulled out the Bible and read a chapter then prayed, though it felt awkward with the Mountie sitting next to Neil. Neil refused to extend his hand to the man. Instead, he reached across the table to take Daisy’s.

As soon as Roper said, “Amen,” the Mountie cleared his throat.

“I think it’s time to think about the future.”

Was he aware of three rebellious expressions turned toward him? Five counting Roper and Cassie?

The Mountie turned to Daisy. “Are you happy here?”

She nodded.

He turned to Neil. “And you?”

Neil pursed his lips and glowered at the man.

The Mountie smiled. “Is that yes or no? I can’t tell.”

“Yes.” It was plain Neil didn’t intend to say more.

“Billy, you ran away. That doesn’t sound like you want to stay here.”

The look on Billy’s face should have made the Mountie cringe but the man looked unimpressed.

“You can’t make me leave. I won’t go.”

The Mountie turned to Roper and Cassie. “Are you two prepared to continue doing this until the uncle comes?”

They both nodded.

“Very well. You two obviously know how to create a family environment.” He pushed to his feet and leaned close to Billy. “If I say you can stay, will you promise not to run away?”

Billy glowered at the man then gave a slight nod.

“Then I’ll be on my way. I’ll let you know as soon as I contact the uncle.” He turned to the children. “You kids be good.”

“Yes, sir,” three voice chorused.

As a postscript, Pansy echoed them.

He clamped his wide-brimmed Stetson on his head and returned to Macpherson’s store.

Silence followed his departure until he was out of sight then Neil whooped. “Yahoo!”

Billy raced away to run mindless circles. The others headed toward the river and Billy followed. Happy sounds came from the direction they’d gone.

Cassie rose and gathered up the dirty dishes.

Roper didn’t move.

“Roper? Is something wrong?”

He shook himself. “Did you hear what the Mountie said?”

“Of course. I was right here. He said the children could stay until their uncle comes for them.”

“He said we knew how to be a family. How can that be? I’ve never been in a family. Not once.”

Chuckling softly, she sat down beside him and patted his arm. “You seem to know how to be a family better than I do. Maybe because you’ve never seen the unfortunate side of family life.”

In her words there were a thousand sad stories. Would she ever tell him any of them? He turned to study her face in the bright morning light. Regrets mingled with joy. He expected the regrets were from her memories, her joy from knowing the children could stay together.

Then she swallowed hard, and worry filled her eyes. “Roper,” she whispered. “What if the uncle doesn’t want the children? What if he refuses to come?”

It wasn’t something he’d considered. “It’s not possible. He’s family. He’ll come.”

“See how you view family as an ideal? I can tell you that being family doesn’t guarantee love.”

He stroked her cheek. “Oh, sweet Cassie. Who has hurt you? Will you ever tell me?”

Her eyes grew so wide, filled with such longing that he thought the crackling of his heart would break the silence. He wanted to kiss away her pain. He lowered his head, paused in anticipation then claimed her lips. He felt her little sigh of relief and his heart righted itself. All that mattered was easing her distress, making her happy.

She leaned into him. Her hand crept up his arm, halted at his shoulder.

He lingered on the kiss, hoping she would put her arms about him but she continued to cling to his arm. It was enough. For now. But he wanted more. He wanted her to hold him like he’d never been held before.

She broke away, withdrew her hand but stayed in the shelter of his arms. “If the uncle doesn’t want them, will they end up in a foundling home...or worse, as servant—slaves—in someone’s house?”

“We won’t let that happen.”

“The Mountie won’t let them stay here indefinitely. It wouldn’t be right.”

He knew what she meant. They weren’t married. Come winter he couldn’t continue camping by the river. But there was a solution. “There is a way we can keep the children.”