Big Sky Daddy

Lilly knew exactly what she was wondering. Why is a Caldwell cowboy here and why are you helping him? She backed up so Rose could step into the barn.

“Rose, you remember Caleb Craig and his son, Teddy?”

Rose snorted so softly Lilly hoped she was the only one to hear it. “The Caldwell cowboy from town. I’m not likely to forget.” Her piercing look said, But it seems you are.

Caleb set Teddy behind him and got to his feet to face Lilly and Rose. “Sorry to intrude on your fight about the Caldwells, but we found this dog and my son instantly claimed him. Your sister kindly offered to help.”

Rose met his gaze. Neither of them blinked as Lilly held her breath, wondering who would relent first.

Caleb spoke again. “She’s even offered to let us stay the night so Blossom here can rest.”

Oh, no. Now Rose would blurt out how much she disliked the Caldwells.

Rose blinked. “Blossom?”

“The dog.”

“Overnight?” She glared at Lilly.

Lilly smiled, not at all deterred by her sister’s shock. Rose would soon realize that Teddy and Blossom needed their help.

Caleb shifted his gaze to Lilly and gave her a smile full of gratitude. “Your sister is very generous.” Beyond the smile, Lilly glimpsed an ocean’s depth of sorrow.

She couldn’t look away. This man had every reason in the world to have a furrowed forehead. She shivered at the thought of everything that had happened to him.

If it had been possible, she would have applied one of Ma’s healing balms to this man’s heart.

“Oh, fine,” Rose grumbled, and moved toward Blossom and Teddy. “So this is the dog you found.”

“She’s mine,” Teddy said.

“Then I’d say she is very fortunate.”

Lilly smiled. Rose might have been one to fight and sputter, but she didn’t have an unkind bone in her body.

Caleb looked at the thin mixture Rose had made—oats cooked with meat broth—and shuddered. “I sure hope you mean that for Blossom.”

The twins laughed, though Rose did so with more abandon than Lilly, as if enjoying his suspicion.

“Yes, it’s for the dog,” Lilly murmured and knelt beside Teddy. Together they managed to get Blossom to lick up some of the concoction. Then she uncapped the tonic. “Teddy, I need to give her these drops. Think you can help?”

He nodded eagerly.

“That’s good. You hold her head while I put the drops in her mouth.”

Teddy did as instructed and Blossom swallowed the drops and drank more water. Wearily, the dog closed her eyes.

Teddy glanced from the dog to Lilly to Caleb and then did it again.

“Papa?”

“What is it?”

“Wasn’t that stuff supposed to make her better? She’s still just lying here.”

Lilly touched Teddy’s head and smiled at him, her heart brimming with sorrow and tenderness at his question. How many times had this child been promised something would make him better and then been disappointed? She pushed her lips together as Caleb’s words echoed in her head. The treatments the poor boy had endured. And his father along with him.

“Healing takes time. It can’t be rushed.”

Teddy gave Lilly a look of frank admiration. “You sure do know a lot about taking care of sick animals.”

Rose laughed again. “She’s had lots of experience. When we lived in town she rescued all sorts of dogs, cats, birds, chickens and even mice, and she nursed them. We were ten when we moved to this farm and she’s collected all sorts of critters since.”

“Like what?”

“Well, she raises sheep and pigs. People bring her animals that are doing poorly. Mostly she fixes them up and sends them back home, but sometimes we keep them. That’s how we got our horse, and we have a motley collection of cats she’s rescued. You should see this place at milking time. Say, I think you will. Lilly, when are you bringing in the cows?”

Ignoring the reminder of chores to be done, Lilly glowered at her sister. “Rose, please don’t tell them everything you know about me.”

Rose’s smile widened. “Only the interesting stuff.”

Lilly gave her a hard look. “That would be everything.”

Rose opened her mouth as if to argue and instead burst out laughing. “You almost had me that time. One of these days you are going to convince me with that deadpan way of yours.” Her expression grew thoughtful. “Maybe our first pa was a gambler. You might have learned that from him.”

Lilly shook her head. “You’ve had him be everything from a wild horse wrangler to a traveling preacher. And now a gambler.”

“I’m just curious, you know?”

“No, I don’t. Seems to me what’s in the past is best left in the past.” They had loving parents in the way of Ma and Pa Bell. That was enough for Lilly.

But it had never been enough for Rose. She constantly tried to discover something about their birth parents.

Lilly dismissed the direction of the discussion.

“I’ll bring in the cows,” she said. Rose left the barn to do her own chores.

“Can I go with you?” Teddy asked. Then he sagged. “I guess I should stay with Blossom.”

The dog was sleeping peacefully. “There’s not much to do for her right now but let her rest. You’re welcome to accompany me,” Lilly said. “Both of you.”

Teddy scrambled to get his crutches and hurried to her side. Caleb followed after.

Lilly didn’t know whether to be grateful for his company or annoyed he probably didn’t trust her alone with his son. Then again, she had invited him. And it really didn’t matter either way—her only interest was in seeing Blossom get better and helping Teddy if that was possible.

Lilly led the way past the house. Out of habit, she scanned the pasture and fields. The cows waited patiently. Beyond them, the white sheep dotted the faded green pasture. The yellow and gold leaves on the fruit trees and bushes flapped in the wind. The garden lay peaceful.

Everything seemed in order. She allowed her breath to ease out even though it was only a matter of time until the Caldwells would do something.