Dakota Father

While she slept, Jenny quickly changed into a dark skirt and a wrinkled shirtwaist. It could do with ironing but at least it was clean and considerably cooler than her traveling outfit. Then she surveyed the room. There was nothing she enjoyed more than a task of significance and this was a big one. She tackled the job with vigor, singing softly as she worked.

Burke rode for half an hour, a leisurely, enjoy-the-quiet type ride. Out here he found peace and solitude—something he feared he would not find at home in the future.

He reached the spring Mac had expressed concern about, took his shovel and attacked it, tossing out heaps of dirt. The work did its job—releasing the tension that started at the first sight of Jenny in his house, and built steadily throughout her announcement that Lena and Mark had died until it peaked when she informed him she would stay. He should have insisted she leave. Before this country sent her screaming into the distance.

He paused to suck in air. Lena was dead. Her husband, too. He let sorrow drench his pores, let it ease out in the sweaty drops beading his skin. He would miss her.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

He would not finish the sentence…blessed be the name of the Lord. The taking held no blessing in his opinion. Only regret and sorrow. Deep sorrow.

He returned to digging out the hole until water broke loose and flowed freely into the shallow pit he’d fashioned last year. At the scent and sound of water, a nearby cow bellowed and headed toward him. The call echoed across the short grass and was picked up and passed along by other cows until he could see them running like a living, shrinking circle.

The first cow saw him and balked. A human on foot made her nervous.

He obligingly swung into the saddle.

The cow tossed her head and raced onward, her calf skipping at her side.

The herd neared. As they crowded in for water, he smiled. A man could forget his troubles out here.

And just like cows heading for water his thoughts headed for home. What was he going to do about Jenny? She didn’t belong out in this country. But he couldn’t seem to persuade her otherwise. And until he did, he was stuck with her.

How could he best prove to her he didn’t need her?

He thought of little Meggie crying and struggling in his arms and amended his question—he didn’t need her for long.

He considered his options. First, he didn’t want any pretty young woman languishing out here in order to care for Meggie. He would manage her care. All he had to do was give her a few days to get used to him and then he would simply take her with him as he worked. She’d grow up as his sidekick.

Someone to share his life with. The idea gave him a jolt of pleasure.

Carefully, he laid out his plan. A few days for her to get to know him, and then they’d ride and work together.

And Jenny could return to her safe home back east. Before it was too late.

That settled, he reined around and headed back to the ranch. Paquette would wonder at him returning before suppertime but he figured the sooner he got working on his plan, the sooner it would be fulfilled.

A few minutes later, he strode toward the house, trying to think how he should start getting to know Meggie. Only two years old. No doubt shy. Certainly frightened. Like a barn kitten seeing a human up close for the first time. He’d tame Meggie the same way…slow, patient and with…he laughed. Doubted she would like milk straight from the cow in a warm stream. What did a child like? Perhaps Paquette would know.

He slipped inside. The kitchen was empty but sounds came from the far side of the house. He followed the voices around the house and stopped short at what he saw.

Jenny stood before a stack of boards and blankets, boots and saws all in a heap fifty feet from the house. She’d taken off the ridiculously impractical thing she wore on her arrival and wore an ordinary shirt and skirt. Not that he thought it changed who she really was.

She spoke to Paquette. “I’m sure it can be arranged for someone to haul this stuff away where it will pose no threat to a small child.”

Paquette stood on the veranda shaking her head and making disapproving noises. “Boss not like stuff throw out like dis.”

“Meggie and I can’t sleep in the midst of debris and dirt. She’s a baby. She needs a safe, clean environment.”

Burke sighed and filled in the other things Jenny no doubt figured Meggie needed—things like neighbors, church, town activities, pretty clothes. He’d heard it all. Tried to convince Flora those things weren’t necessary but it was the land itself that defeated him. Flora thought the prairies desolate; the wind haunting. She swore they would drive her mad.

She was right in the end.

But he would teach Meggie to be different.

He could only do it without some city gal filling her mind with frivolities.

He cleared his throat to announce his presence.

“I finish de supper,” Paquette said and shuffled indoors.

Jenny dusted her hands. “I’m cleaning out the room you’ve allotted me.”

“So I see. Is all this necessary?”

She smiled. “I guess only you could say. But necessary or not, it won’t be sharing my quarters.”

He knew from the way her eyes flashed that she had purposely misunderstood him. He meant was it necessary to move everything out to the middle of the yard. But he let it pass. “Where’s Meggie?”

“Sleeping. I better check on her.” She would have slipped past him except he moved to block her path.

“I think you better accept that we have different agendas here.”

Her eyebrows headed for the sky. “Really? I thought we both had Meggie’s best interests in mind. Her health and safety and happiness. Am I mistaken in thinking so?”

Her quiet challenge edged through his arguments and completely disarmed him. “On Meggie’s behalf, we are agreed. But you won’t be staying any longer than it takes for me and Meggie to make friends.”

Her eyes clear as the sky above, she stared at him. “I’ll leave when I decide everything is as it ought to be for Meggie.” She swung away then turned back. “Unless you figure to have me bodily removed.”

The idea tickled his insides. Somehow he suspected it would require three strong men and a long length of sturdy rope. His amusement trickled into his eyes. He felt them crinkle. Then it caught his mouth and filled his throat and he laughed. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

She blinked at his laughter then her stubbornness seemed to melt away. “I do tend to get all bristly, don’t I? I’m here to see Meggie is settled. We should be able to tolerate each other long enough to accomplish that.” And she marched away.

He scrubbed his chin with one finger. Tolerate her? Now why should she think that? But perhaps she’d been thinking she would tolerate him. Ah well. He had nothing to offer a fine lady. He knew it. His life consisted of the vast lonely prairie and the company of cows and cowboys. He’d teach Meggie to appreciate it all but he had no such misconceptions regarding any young woman. He’d put up with her tolerance only as long as he needed.

Mac and Dug rode to the bunkhouse and Burke sauntered over to see how things were.

“Good to have you back, boss.”

“Good to be back.” He better warn them before they stomped into the house for supper. “There’s company up at the house.”

“Yeah?”

He could almost feel their ears perk up with interest. The last time he’d had company…no point in thinking about that. It was history. A lesson well learned for them all.

Lucky joined them. Burke felt their cautious curiosity but it was Mac who broke the barrier of silence. “Flora?” His voice was courteous, revealing nothing though Burke knew they likely all hoped to never put up with her dramatics again.

“Flora won’t be back. Ever.”