The Rancher Inherits A Family

He closed his eyes against the worrisome news of recovery time.

“You have ranch hands,” she said, as though she’d read his thoughts.

Yes, if he counted a full-grown boy who came after doing his own chores and an old man.

He attempted to sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. “What I have is a ranch to run.”

* * *

Marigold recognized the overwhelming apprehension on her rescuer’s face. She’d taken care of her sister and her niece for a long time, and she understood the weight of responsibility. Poor Mr. Halloway had just learned he had three more mouths to feed and was now unable to handle his chores for the unforeseen future.

“You’re not going to be doing any ranching for a while,” Dr. Mason told him, her voice and expression stern. “Do not use that arm for any reason.”

“I can’t lie around doing nothing.”

The doctor placed a gentle but firm hand on her agitated patient’s shoulder and eased him back to a prone position. “Rest now will spare you a future impediment. A brief respite only makes sense.”

He swiped a hand over his face in obvious frustration, causing Marigold to speak up.

“I will help Mr. Halloway get home when he’s ready,” she told the pretty lady doctor. “It’s the very least I can do after he’s saved our lives. He’s only just learned he has three boys to take home as well.” Belatedly, she thought about his situation. “Do you have a wife to help out, Mr. Halloway?”

“No,” he replied. “Just me and my mother.”

She truly hoped his mother was an understanding and capable woman. As a teacher, she knew full well how active these boys would be.

“I’ll need to find someone who knows what’s been done with the luggage. I was told I’d be living with the students’ families, so I’m not sure what to do with my clothing and personal belongings just yet. But books and supplies can be delivered to the school. It’s a fairly new building, I understand.”

Marlys nodded. “You can see it from the front windows of this office if you look northeast. It faces Lincoln Boulevard, so from here two sides of the yard and the south side of the school are visible. I hear the children when they’re at play.”

Marigold smiled. “I’m relieved to know you’re so close. I feared I’d be in a rural area with no neighbors or help if I needed it.”

“Not at all. The schoolhouse faces a growing neighborhood to the east, and it’s only a block from the main thoroughfare.”

Marigold stood. “I’ll take the children with me now, so they can see a bit of the town. Once we’ve located our belongings and I’ve arranged to have them moved, I’ll be back.”

“I had my wagon and team with me at the site of the wreck,” Seth told her. “My supplies should still be stacked in front of Booker & Son. Hopefully someone took care of my horses. Can you drive a team?”

“I’m sorry to say I cannot.”

“We’ll find someone to transport your supplies,” Marlys assured him. “Why don’t you plan on staying here tonight, Miss Brewster? There’s a room in the rear where I lived before I was married. I’ll be staying here to keep an eye on Seth and the other patients, so my husband will take the boys home for the night. We have a son, and he’ll be glad for the company. It won’t be a problem. Tomorrow, after everyone is rested, will be soon enough to take Seth and the children to the ranch and learn where you’re staying.”

“Will you send a rider to let my mother know what’s happened and that I’m all right?” Seth asked.

Marigold gave her rescuer what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “Yes, of course.”

“And one other thing, if you don’t mind. My brother was likely among the men helping at the wreck. If you could ask around to see if anyone knows his whereabouts and let him know I’m here? His name is Russ.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

She sensed his gaze on her back as she slipped from the room. She paused in the outer office area, collecting her senses. She’d made the decision to come to Cowboy Creek, hoping for a new start, but so far nothing had gone according to plan. She captured her thoughts. Just the fact that she was alive and her young traveling companions were unharmed was cause enough for thanksgiving.

“Thank You, Lord,” she breathed. “Give me strength and fortitude for the days ahead.”

Her gaze lit on the three towheaded boys in the waiting area, their wide, uncertain eyes focused on her. She hadn’t the vaguest idea what she was doing.

Chapter Two (#u684a7081-c780-59ca-84b2-388470446868)

After asking Dr. Mason if it was all right to leave Peony in her cage in the waiting room, Marigold led Tate, Harper and Little John out of the doctor’s office and glanced west.

“I think your kitty is hungry,” Harper, the five-year-old, said with concern in his dark eyes.

“Dr. Mason fed her,” Marigold assured him. “She’s still frightened from the train ride and the accident. All this is strange for her.” She glanced up and down the street, her attention lighting on the closest building, which bore a sign that read Bath House. “Once we find our luggage and have clean clothing, I think a trip to the bathing establishment is in order.”

Harper shook his sandy-colored hair and ran his fingers through it so dirt and bits of unidentifiable rubble fell out. “I don’t need no bath.”

“Harper don’t like baths,” Tate told her. At only seven, he took responsibility for seeing to his younger siblings’ needs and wishes. He was slender, with shaggy blond hair and a serious expression.

“I’m afraid baths are in order for everyone today,” she told the three of them. “After our journey and then lying under all that wreckage, none of us are presentable. And we probably don’t smell very good.”

Harper sniffed his arm and shrugged.

The three-year-old, Little John, stuck his thumb into his mouth and gazed up at her with wide brown eyes. The contrast of his large dark eyes and pale hair gave him a waiflike appearance. She took in his soft-looking round cheeks, his spiky dark lashes, and an ache knotted in her chest. He was so young—all of them were too young to be without their parents. Too young to be traveling across the country without supervision. Who put children on a train all alone? What if Seth Halloway hadn’t been in Cowboy Creek? What if he’d denied knowing their mother and turned them away?

She collected her thoughts and concerns. Mr. Halloway had been here. He had come to their rescue, and he was taking responsibility for the three of them.

“You all must be hungry. I know I am. Are you hungry, Little John?”

He nodded.

She drew herself up straight. “Let’s go find the mercantile and arrange for Mr. Halloway’s wagon to be found and his supplies delivered. We’ll figure out a meal.”

A touch at her wrist drew her attention down. Little John found her hand and grasped it securely. His fingers were small and damp. She clasped them back. An arrow of distress pierced her conscience at his trust. What was she doing? How had she found herself exactly where she’d planned never to be? She was not going to develop an attachment to someone else’s children, no matter how deserving. She’d come to Cowboy Creek to start over, to distance herself from her past, from the losses and the hurt. She was determined to choose her own path for the future. She refused to have circumstances thrust upon her.

Her uneasy conscience warred with self-preservation. It was her Christian duty to help these children. She owed Seth Halloway for rescuing them. Who knows how long they might have been trapped in that railcar if he hadn’t been persistent or intuitive, or led by the hand of God? A fire could have broken out. Anything might have happened. And he’d been injured in the process. The least she could do was help until they all got home. She took a deep breath and pushed back the sharp twinges of panic.

She spotted Booker & Son and led the boys across the street, where several people conversed. “I wonder if I might trouble one of you for some help?”

A short, stout woman separated herself from the group and hurried forward. “Land sakes, look at these little ones. And you. Are you one of the brides?”

“I’m Marigold Brewster, ma’am. I’m the new schoolteacher.”

The woman introduced herself as Aunt Mae and presented the others on the boardwalk. “We weren’t aware you were bringing children.”

“No, no, I didn’t bring them. I met them on the train.” Briefly, Marigold explained the situation with Seth and what was needed.

“I saw Russ leaving town on a train a day or two ago,” one of the younger men said. “I’ll watch for him to return and let him know Seth’s at Doc Mason’s.”

“Seth’s wagon is at the livery, and his horses are cared for,” another explained. “I’ll go for the rig and we’ll get these supplies loaded.”