The Cowboy's Unexpected Family

“Independence is good, especially when she has no one else.” Seems that should have been self-evident even to a man like Roper, determined to help everyone he met.

“But is that true?”

“Her father and mother are dead. Who knows what her uncle will decide about their future? Seems the best thing they can do is learn how to manage on their own, expect nothing from anyone else.”

“What about people who want to help?”

She couldn’t tell if it was hurt or warning that made his voice so low and decided it was safest to assume the latter. “I suppose she has reason to wonder what other people want in return.”

“I don’t want anything but to help. What do you want?”

Maybe she’d been talking more about herself than the children. “I expect nothing from them. I hope they understand that.”

“Your words are contradictory.”

“Maybe so. But it seems best to count on no one but yourself.” She had to change the direction of this conversation before she said more than she meant to...things she hadn’t even reasoned out yet. “How long do you think it will take to dig the cellar?”

He shrugged, his gaze lingering on her as he understood her attempt to avoid explaining herself. “Depends on how hard the ground is. And I don’t want to overwork young Neil. He’s determined to match me shovelful for shovelful. Besides, I don’t want him to think the only thing I want from him is work. In fact, I’ve decided to take a break for some play.” He paused. “If you have no objection.”

“Of course I don’t.” Did he think all she cared about was work? “The children should certainly be allowed a little fun.”

Maybe he was right. She seemed to know little about how to play.

“You’ll join us, won’t you?” Had he read her mind and determined to teach her?

“I have biscuits to deliver to Macpherson’s.”

“You might wake Pansy if you go into the shack.”

Cassie scrambled to find an excuse to avoid joining Roper and the children. Before she could, Roper waved to the boys.

“Who wants to play a game?”

Neil and Billy perked up and raced toward him. Daisy slipped from the shack and hesitated.

“You, too.” Roper waved to her. “Everyone’s going to play.” He shot Cassie a challenging look. “Play refreshes the soul.”

Cassie swallowed hard.

“Come on. We’ll go down by the river so we don’t wake Pansy.”

The boys ran after him, while Daisy followed more slowly, cautiously, as if uncertain she should let herself play.

It was Daisy’s hesitation that convinced Cassie to join the parade. Daisy was still young enough to enjoy a game or two. She shouldn’t let her responsibilities take away that pleasure. So Cassie linked arms with Daisy. “Let’s see what he’s up to.” She could feel the girl relax beneath her touch.

Roper glanced over his shoulder and grinned.

Cassie knew he’d heard her and, furthermore, she guessed he might have some inkling as to her motive. Though she felt a strong urge to wrinkle her nose at him, she hoped the toss of her head convinced him of her lack of concern for his opinion.

Roper waited until they all reached the bank of the river. “Who knows how to play Sneak Up on Granny?”

No one said they did.

“I’ll be granny. You line up there.” He drew a line in the sand. “I’ll stand here.” He went about twenty feet away. “When I turn my back, you try and sneak up on me. When I shout ‘stop,’ don’t move because when I turn around and see you moving, you go back to the start.”

“What’s the point of the game?” Cassie refrained from saying it sounded silly because she recognized the voice in the back of her head as that of her grandfather. Waste of precious time. For that reason alone she would play the game and waste as much time as she pleased.

“If you can sneak up on me and touch my shoulder without me catching you moving, you get to play granny.”

Cassie snorted. “Great. I’ve always had a hankering to play granny.” She drew her lips in, hunkered over like an old woman and smacked her gums loudly.

The three children giggled and Cassie knew a sense of satisfaction. Was this how Roper felt when he made others happy? She shot him a look, wondering if her surprise showed.

Their gazes caught and held, and the look of triumph in his eyes seared away something she couldn’t identify. Didn’t want to acknowledge. All she would admit was it felt good and right to make the children laugh. It seemed fitting to see them enjoy life.

She would not listen to the strident voice of her grandfather telling her to stop wasting time.

The children toed up to the line he’d scratched in the ground. She did the same as Roper took his place ahead of them.

“One, two, three.” He counted, turning his back.

Neil raced forward. Billy took a giant leap. Daisy tiptoed.

Cassie took one cautious step, and then another.

“Stop.”

Neil skidded but not in time. Billy was in midair and landed with a thud.

Roper chuckled. “Boys. Back to the start.”

Daisy and Cassie grinned at each other. He hadn’t caught them.

“One, two, three.” He turned away again.

Billy and Neil tried to make up for lost time but Cassie edged forward, knowing she must be ready to stop quickly.

“Stop.”

Again the two boys were sent back to the start amid groans.

Roper gave Cassie and Daisy a long stare as if daring them to waver. Neither of them did.

They continued. Cassie was within two feet but Roper called stop so often she daren’t move. She tensed. One step was all it would take. As soon as he began to turn away, she leaped forward and reached out to clap his shoulder. At the same time he hollered stop and turned to face her, and they collided.

She staggered, off balance and about to fall, until he caught her, his hands warm on her arms as he steadied her.

She looked deep into his hazel eyes, saw his concern over bumping her. Her heart beat a frantic tattoo against her breastbone. Longing rose up within her, a hunger to be valued and appreciated. To be cared for.