The Gift Of Family: Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“You know that for a fact?”

“Certainly.” She faltered. “I always thought so.”

“Maybe you thought wrong.”

She stared at him, not really seeing him. Rather, seeing the accusations she’d flung at herself. Had they been unfounded? No one had ever said Ma should stay and get more treatment. No one had ever suggested she might get better if she stayed in Toronto. Had she blamed herself needlessly? How could Colt have seen it so quickly? Yet she wasn’t sure she believed it. If only she hadn’t cried to return home.

Time to change the subject before she was forced to examine her opinions more closely.

“Tell me about your parents.”

He jolted as if shot and turned away, staring at Ma’s picture. “Ain’t nothing to tell.”

“How can that be?” Had they been so cold and uncaring he didn’t allow himself to mention them?

“I don’t know who they are. Never met them.”

“Never?” Shock rattled her thoughts. “Colt, how dreadful.”

He shrugged and turned away. “It’s neither here nor there.”

“But—” Of course it was. No wonder he carried a wounded look.

“How long do you think the kids will sleep?”

She understood what he didn’t say. As far as he was concerned, the subject was closed. But she ached for him and wished she could say something to comfort him, although words could not adequately convey her sympathy any more than they could erase the pain of not knowing who his parents were. She wanted to ask who had raised him. Had he known happiness as a child? But she sensed he wouldn’t welcome any probing.

“I really can’t say.” If the kids slept an hour or better, it would give her a chance to question Colt further. Perhaps he guessed at her curiosity, for he crossed the room.

“I’ll check the stove in the store.” The door closed behind him.

She sighed, suspecting an equally solid door had closed in his mind. He clearly did not want to talk about his parents. She sensed the depth of his pain and wished she could help him.

A little while later, Marie stood in the door, Little Joe at her side.

“We’re awake.” She glanced around the room. “Where’s Colt?”

Little Joe, seeing his friend missing, opened his mouth and let out a wail that threatened to lift the roof from the building.

“He’s in the store.” Becca pointed, knowing they likely couldn’t hear her.

Marie headed that direction, a yowling Little Joe in her grasp.

The door swung open and Colt stepped in. He swept Little Joe into his arms and let the boy burrow his head against his shoulder. The crying ended in a couple of relieved sobs.

How on earth did he expect her to pry these children from him and take them to the fort when they wouldn’t let him out of their sight for a moment?

But she had a few days over Christmas and intended to use it to give these kids a chance to adjust to the truth: their parents were dead, but there were still people who would care for them and love them.

Pa stepped from his room, stretching and yawning. He shook the kettle. “Anyone care for tea?”

“Me, me,” Little Joe crowed.

Becca would put her few days to the best use possible. She pulled cookies out of the pantry and made tea, weakening the children’s with canned milk.

Pa downed his before it had a chance to cool, and grabbed a couple of cookies. “Might have customers show up.” He headed for the store.

When Colt shoved his chair back, the sound reverberated through Becca like thunder.

“I’ll go see if your pa needs help. I heard him say something about shelves.” He headed for the door.

Little Joe scrambled after him.

Colt stopped and squatted to the boy’s level. “You stay here with Marie. I’ll be right there.” He pointed toward the door.

Marie joined them and took Little Joe’s hand. “I’ll look after him.” Her voice trembled.

Becca guessed Marie hated to let Colt out of her sight as much as her brother did, but intended to be brave for Little Joe’s sake.

Colt straightened slowly, his gaze finding a place on the floor to study. Then he lifted his eyes to Becca, and she saw regret and resignation. He clearly understood the children’s fear. And no doubt knew better than most what their future held.

He squatted before them and pulled them both to his chest. “I won’t ever leave without telling you first, so if I say I’m going to help Mr. Macpherson, you can count on me coming back. Okay?”

“Okay.” Marie straightened and pulled Little Joe to her side. “You go help. We’ll help Becca.”

Colt chuckled. “There you go. We all have something to do.”

Becca’s throat tightened with emotion. If only she had the power to change what the future held for these children.

* * *

Colt had no trouble getting Macpherson to let him tackle making shelves in the storeroom. He concentrated on sawing lumber to the right length and affixing sturdy shelving to hold a dizzying array of goods.

“The country is opening up,” Macpherson said as he moved crates and adjusted boxes. “The Gardiners have a lease and are establishing a large ranching operation. I expect I will get the most of their business.” He held the end of a board while Colt nailed it to the supports. When it was in place, Macpherson shook it hard.

“Needs to be good and solid.” He nodded with satisfaction when the shelf didn’t budge. “The OK Ranch was here first, but they’ve had some problems with managers. The Gardiner place won’t be having any such problems. Not with Eddie Gardiner himself running it. Calls the place Eden Valley Ranch.”

Colt measured and cut another board, but curiosity overtook his normal silence. “Why is Eddie Gardiner so important?”

“He’s the son of some rich lord, or something fancy like that, back in England. I hear they’re rolling in money.”

A fine rich man. The sort who would look down his nose at half-breeds, and likely kick them in passing.

Macpherson continued talking. “I rode out that way during the summer. Impressive place, indeed. Those buildings will stand for a hundred years or more.” He looked about the storeroom. “They have a supply shed as big as this room. The whole place is laid out like a little town. Very impressive. You ought to go have a look.”

Colt gave a noncommittal grunt.

“Say.” Macpherson studied Colt as if seeing him for the first time. “You any good with horses?”