Montana Cowboy Daddy

“We are going to take the doctor and the ladies out to the ranch for supper.”

“Oh, goodie.” She did a happy skip and jump. “Miss Isabelle, too? Right?”

Grandfather would accept no excuse if Dawson showed up without her. “Somebody will have to feed them. There’s no food in the house yet.” He’d meant to have the pantry stocked by now but had fallen behind in that task. He’d left a notice at the store for people to contribute if they cared to. In the meantime, he would have to give in to Grandfather’s plans despite his better judgment. At least, the part of the old man’s plan where Dawson invited the newcomers to the ranch. Not the part where he tried to win the heart of one of them. And, for some reason, Grandfather had chosen Isabelle as the one Dawson should pursue. Dawson simply wasn’t interested. “Let’s invite them for the meal.”

They looked to the right and the left but he saw no sign of the fancy city lady.

“You said she wouldn’t disappear.” Mattie’s words accused him of being responsible for the lady’s absence. “Now I’ll never get to feel her soft scarf again.” She tsked. “Hardly think losing someone is going to meet with Grandfather’s approval.”

Mattie had been surrounded by adults all her life, except for the few months she’d spent in school before it burned to the ground. It had turned her into a small adult. But she was correct about Grandfather’s opinion. Dawson had unfinished business to attend to.

“Let’s go find the schoolteacher.” After that they’d look for Isabelle. She couldn’t have gone far. Probably in Uncle George’s general store being dismayed at the array of farm tools and the smell of turpentine.

Mattie marched along at his side as they stepped into the hotel lobby.

“She’s here,” Mattie whispered and hid behind him.

Indeed, Isabelle stood before a window as if studying the scene. He could tell her that what she saw was as exciting as life got around here. “I thought you couldn’t wait to find her.”

“I couldn’t.”

He had to bend to catch her whisper. “So why are you hiding?”

“’Cause she’s so pretty.”

He caught Mattie’s chin and tipped her face upward, waiting for her eyes to meet his. “You are pretty, too. Don’t ever forget it.”

She brushed her gray pinafore, giving it a mighty frown, and kicked out one scuffed black boot. “I’m not pretty. Look at this old dress.”

Dawson’s heart rent at yet another pain his daughter endured. She’d known far too many for one so young. But as to her clothes...well, she ran about freely at the ranch and wore clothes that allowed her to do so. The last thing Annie needed was more laundry and fancy dresses to take care of.

He squatted to Mattie’s eye level and caught her by the shoulders. “Honey, never let anyone judge you by the clothes you wear, how much money you have or what you do. Those are outward things. Remember the verse Grandpa Bud says so often. ‘Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ It isn’t the outside that matters. It’s who you are on the inside.” He tapped her chest.

Mattie’s eyes widened as she looked at him. “Who am I?”

He stroked her cheek. “A sweet, kind, cheerful little girl who likes to make others happy.” When she smiled, he would have hugged her right then and there, but she’d warned him she was too big to be hugged in public.

He straightened. “Now let’s take care of those invites.” He held out his hand to her and she took it, squeezing it as hard as her little fingers allowed.

They crossed to where Miss Isabelle stood looking out a window.

“Miss.”

She turned.

He swallowed hard. The miner was right. They didn’t often see such beautiful ladies. Nor one with such patient eyes. They revealed no sign of restlessness. That would come later. “You and the others are invited to join us at the ranch this evening for supper.”

She tipped her head in acknowledgment. “Thank you but I cannot accept or decline until I consult with Dr. Baker and Kate as to a method of conveyance.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll take you all there.”

She nodded. “Then if it suits the others, I accept. Thank you.” She stood before him, her hands folded, that silly scarf caught between her palms. Smooth as a kitten’s fur. Though he wasn’t sure if he meant the scarf. Or her manners. Or something else entirely.

He slid his gaze past her shoulder. “Where might I find Miss Young?”

The schoolteacher descended the stairs. “Are you seeking me?”

He extended the same invitation to her then hurried outside, where he filled his lungs with cool mountain air.

“Are you okay, Papa?” Mattie asked.

He settled his mind. Of course he was fine. Never again would a beautiful unsuitable woman be allowed to upset his world. He would ignore Grandfather’s matchmaking plans because he didn’t need or want a wife, and despite Mattie’s fascination with Isabelle, he knew she would be most unsuitable.

Chapter Two (#ulink_2485c3b8-e33d-5a3f-9889-deade4d8b618)

Isabelle couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Marshall and his daughter. Not that she tried very hard to ignore them. There was something appealing about the big man bending over his little girl. She was such a pretty thing and yet it seemed she wasn’t certain of it. How sweet to hear him remind her it was her inner qualities that mattered.

Those words made her press her lips together as a great yearning emptied her insides of every rational thought. Her mother and father had likewise doted on her. Cousin Augusta was genuinely fond and caring. Why couldn’t it be enough? Oh, Father God, why do I search for more when I have Your love? If only she could persuade herself it was all she needed.

Dawson Marshall and little Mattie left the hotel. Isabelle watched them standing on the sidewalk outside. He bent low to hear something Mattie said. And Isabelle’s chest grew tight. She rubbed at her breastbone.

Sadie joined her at the window. “Does that man frighten you as much as he frightens me?”

What an odd thing to say. “Frighten isn’t the word I’d use.” Intrigue? Confuse? How silly. Of course he didn’t confuse her.

“Really?” Sadie continued as they watched the man and his daughter. “He’s so big and I get the feeling he’ll tolerate no nonsense.”

“Maybe.” Isabelle didn’t see that as a negative. “He’s certainly fond of his little girl.”

Sadie agreed. “I wouldn’t want to do anything he might construe as harmful to her.”

“But you surely wouldn’t.”

“Not intentionally. But I have learned that parents often have a different view of things than a lowly teacher.”

At least Sadie had a place in society as a teacher. Though Isabelle did, too—as the heiress. Not a position she cared for. Her resolve returned. She intended to find for herself a role that proved her usefulness. A sigh eased past her lips at the enormity of the task.

Across the street, Mattie and her father stepped into the doctor’s house and Isabelle shuddered. She must conquer her feelings about sickrooms if she meant to help Kate and her father. Unless...

She turned back to Sadie. “When will you start teaching?”

Sadie wrinkled her nose. “I have no idea. The school isn’t built yet. The clerk over there—” she indicated the man at the desk watching them curiously “—says the town plans to start work on the new school next week. Says it won’t take long to complete with many hands on deck.” The way Sadie said it, Isabelle knew she quoted the man. “I don’t know what I’m expected to do while I wait.”

The poor girl rocked her head back and forth.

“I’m sorry.” So much for thinking she could help with the teaching. Lord, there must be something I can do to prove my usefulness. She’d keep her eyes and ears open. In the meantime...

“Supper. The evening meal.” She’d learned the correct terminology in the days it took to arrive at Bella Creek. “What does one wear?”