The Cowboy's Surprise Bride

She smiled across the table. “Mr. Gardiner, you have nothing to fear from me. I promise I will do all in my power to make this a most pleasant winter. In fact, you might decide you want us to stay.”

“Only until it’s safe for you to travel.”

She ducked her head, but not before he glimpsed the self-assured satisfaction in her expression.

What did she have in mind? Whatever it was, he could tell her she could do nothing to make him change his decision.

Besides, Margaret would reconsider becoming his wife when she heard about the fine house.

He glanced at Cassie, who sat staring at the stove. She had the look of someone lost in her thoughts. The woman was supposed to be Linette’s chaperone. As such, shouldn’t she be the one preparing the meal? Seems Linette couldn’t see when she was being taken advantage of. Allowing a father to thrust a child into her care, allowing a widow woman to sit idle while she did the chores.

If Cassie had been one of the cowboys, he would have whistled and tipped his head toward the work.

How did one order a woman to do her share?

Linette stood at the table, turning the hunk of bacon over and over. He watched her, wondering what her problem was.

She set aside the meat and lifted the towel from the bowl of cooked potatoes Cookie had sent over. She poked them with one finger. Her brow furrowed. Was she unfamiliar with basic cooking? His stomach growled at the thought.

Thanks to Cookie’s generosity, there were baking powder biscuits and some cold roast beef. Linette set the latter two out on a plate and put out butter and syrup, along with the tea she had made. She set the table carefully, arranging each piece of silverware as exactly as if she used a ruler. “It’s ready,” she said, indicating they should sit at the table.

Eddie pulled himself from the wall where he’d been alternately observing the newly arrived occupants of his house and studying the darkening sky out the window. He should be with the men, bringing the cows down from the hills, but the unexpected guests had delayed him and now the sun dipped toward the horizon. It would soon disappear behind the distant mountains.

Heavy clouds hung from the sky. It would be good if the snow held off a few more days. A few more weeks would be even better, but he didn’t like to sound greedy.

At Linette’s call, Cassie sighed and pushed heavily to her feet. She wasn’t as old as Eddie first judged. Life had been hard on her. He suspected a strong woman lay beneath the sharp exterior. Only a fighter would have survived what she’d been through.

The first step Eddie took had Grady scuttling toward the wall. Eddie stopped.

“I’ll feed him later,” Linette said.

It grated on Eddie’s nerves that his presence was unwelcome in his own home. But not nearly as much as it bothered him to be the cause of Grady’s fear. “We might as well start out the way we intend to continue. I eat my meals in a civilized fashion. I expect the same from my guests.” He made no threatening moves as he squatted to Grady’s level. “Grady, this is my house. You’re welcome here, but when we eat, we sit together at the table. Think you can do that?”

Grady shook his head and whimpered. His gaze brushed past Eddie, not quite connecting but allowing Eddie to see something in the boy’s eyes. Hurt. Insecurity. Rejection. He didn’t understand how he knew and recognized it, but he did as surely as he knew his name. This boy was filled with consuming fear and loneliness. He had every reason to feel that way. His own father had turned his back on him.

Eddie’s insides trembled and a pain shot through his jaw as he struggled to keep his expression from revealing what he thought of such a man. The boy did not deserve the hurt heaped on him by his father. No one did.

He ached to promise the boy he was safe now. But hurting and fearful animals—and little boys—needed lots of reassurance. “Aren’t you hungry?”

Grady glanced toward the table then he studied Eddie hard and solemnly.

Eddie didn’t move. Didn’t smile. He just waited, letting the child see he meant him no harm. Finally Grady edged away, keeping as much distance between himself and Eddie as possible. He hurried to Linette’s side and buried his face in her skirts.

Eddie pushed to his feet. “Grady, you will sit on a chair to eat.” Linette’s glare seared, while Cassie watched with indifference.

Grady climbed to a chair and sat, giving Eddie a look of defiance. Eddie could almost read his thoughts. I’m sitting on the outside, but I’m doing what I want on the inside.

Eddie struggled to keep from laughing.

Linette sat down with a huff of exasperation.

Sobering instantly, he met her gaze. Did she find all rules and conventions to her dislike? “A man is ruler in his own house. Is that not from the scriptures?” At the flash in her eyes he wondered if she would defy the word of God.

The winter looked longer and colder with every passing hour.

Chapter Three

Why had God made woman to be subject to a man?

Linette knew the verse he referred to. It had mocked her on many occasions. She would never dispute God’s word, but some of it was hard to swallow. It made marriage most unappealing. She would avoid it altogether except it provided her only hope of escaping her father’s plans.

Eddie waited until she was settled. “I’ll say the blessing.”

She bowed her head. Although Eddie had insisted on Grady’s obedience, he’d at least been gentle with the boy. It wouldn’t be hard to be wife to a man who treated her with such kindness and respected her heart’s yearnings. But she feared she wanted more than she could hope for. More and more it looked as if she would not find freedom here any more than she had in England. Still, anything was better than marrying a lumpy, lecherous old man.

She waited until everyone had taken a biscuit or several. “I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook,” she murmured. “We had a cook at home who refused to let me in the kitchen.”

“This is fine.”

She’d done nothing but put stuff on the table. If she expected to prove her worth she would have to do much better. “I’m sure I’ll manage.” If only someone would explain what to do with the supplies. Surely Cassie knew. She sent the woman an imploring look. They had to learn to enjoy each other’s company. “This is your second winter on the ranch, isn’t it?”

Eddie looked relieved to have something to talk about. “It is.”

“Tell us what it’s like.”

“Unpredictable.”

She laughed at his tone—half regretful, half admiring. “How so?”

“It can snow four feet. The temperature can drop out of sight. Then we get a Chinook that melts the snow and makes us all foolishly think the worst is over.”

Cassie perked up. “A Chinook? What’s that?”

“A warm wind that blasts over the mountains. We can go from shivering under a heavy coat to working in our shirtsleeves all within an hour or less.”

“It’s a legend then?” Cassie said, sarcasm dripping from each word.

Linette silently prayed Eddie wouldn’t be offended. Was she destined to spend her days interceding on Cassie’s behalf?

Thankfully Eddie chuckled. “Part legend in that the Indians have all sorts of stories about what it is, but there’s nothing remotely imaginary about what happens.”

“I can hardly wait,” Linette said. “It’s going to be exciting to experience a wild Canadian winter.”

Eddie’s look challenged her before he pushed his plate away to indicate he was done. Did he think she had undertaken this trip solely for the sake of an adventure? She willingly admitted she enjoyed seeing new and exciting things. But no, the impetus behind her bold venture was twofold—escape the specter of a marriage with a man who made her skin crawl, and hopefully, God willing, find a place where she could obey the dictates of her conscience without regard to foolish social expectations.

The kettle steamed again and Linette prepared to do the washing up with the hot water. Cassie turned her chair and pushed it closer to the stove.

Eddie stood and piled up the dirty dishes. “Everyone does his share here.” He glanced toward Cassie.

Linette’s hands remained suspended over the washbasin. She could manage on her own and didn’t mind doing the work, but Eddie gave her a warning look. She ducked her head. Seems he was intent on establishing his rules and she was helpless to do anything but cooperate. Not that she didn’t think Cassie should help, but she didn’t know how far he meant this rule making to go. She kept her head down as she studied him, measuring him, wondering what would happen if she refused to obey one of his directives. His expression remained patient. On the other hand, how pleasurable to share goals and dreams with such a man.

Slowly it dawned on Cassie that Eddie expected her to help. She pushed her chair back so hard it banged into the table. “Don’t see how much help it will be for me to be stuck under Linette’s elbow. There’s not enough room for one, let alone two.”

Linette pulled the basin closer and handed Cassie a towel. She took it silently and dried the few dishes.

Eddie strode outside.

“He’s lord and master here, that’s for sure,” Cassie grumbled. “I’m sick of men controlling everything. Why don’t we pack up and leave?”

“Cassie, where would we go?” She’d gladly leave if she could find an alternative that wouldn’t bring her father’s wrath about her head. Except—an errant thought surfaced—this was where she wanted to be. She’d dreamed of it for weeks as she prepared to leave home and as she crossed the ocean and the country. She pictured herself sharing life with a man who honored her heart’s desire, and the dream refused to die in spite of Eddie’s insistence that she go back home. She forced her mind back to Cassie’s question. “It’s not like there are hundreds of homes around here that would welcome us.”

“What about that ranch where those men were going? They seemed like nice gentlemen.”

“They were very polite but no doubt would expect to rule their home as well.”

“I’m sure we could throw ourselves on their mercy.”

Linette grabbed Cassie by the shoulders. “I don’t intend to beg any man to keep me.” She’d prove her worth to Eddie. She’d make him want her to stay. “Wherever I go, whatever happens, I will do my share. In return, I will expect freedom to make a few decisions on my own.”

Cassie shook Linette’s hands off. “Mr. Gardiner told you he expects obedience.”

“Surely a woman can please a man and still be allowed to express her opinion and choices.”

Cassie rocked her head back and forth. “He could make life miserable for us.”

“I pray it won’t be so.”

“You were prepared to marry him.”

“I thought I knew a bit about him from Margaret’s letters.” Now she wasn’t so sure. In fact, nothing seemed so simple anymore.

Cassie plucked at her sleeve. “He could take advantage of us if he wants. Both of us. Look at how small this place is. We have no hope of escaping him.”

Linette smiled. “The closeness is our protection. If you feel threatened, you only have to call out. But I think we have nothing to fear from him. Does he not strike you as a man of strong morals?” He seemed intent on doing things the right way. Just how far that went, they would no doubt see in the following weeks as they shared this tiny cabin.

Eddie strode through the door with a length of lumber and a hammer in hand.

Cassie watched with undisguised wariness as he fastened a shelf across one side of the room.

“This should serve as a pantry for now.”

“Thank you.” Linette truly appreciated his efforts. She hoped it meant he intended to make the best of the situation—a thought that buoyed her heart.

Now that she’d finished the clean-up, Linette called Grady to her and washed him in preparation for the night. “Cassie, do you want to put Grady to bed?”

Cassie jerked her gaze away from studying Eddie, relief filling her eyes. “I’ll lie down with him.” Linette understood she was grateful for escape from the close quarters.

Linette soon had the shelf neatly organized with their kitchen supplies. Cassie and Grady were only a few steps away in the bedroom, but suddenly she was alone with Eddie. Neither of them spoke and the quietness crowded every corner of the room.

“Tell me about Grady.”

His question shattered the stillness and made her nerves twitch. Then she drew in a deep breath, grateful he had initiated conversation. “You mean besides the fact he is an orphan?”

“He has a father, so technically he is not an orphan. No other relatives?”

Was he hoping he could send the child away? “Apparently not.”

“And what if the father changes his mind and wants him back?”

“It would be wonderful if he did. I pray he will.”

“In the meantime, you have his care, but who is his legal guardian?”

“I am.”

“By whose authority?”

“His father signed the papers naming me such.”

Eddie quirked an eyebrow, perhaps in disbelief. “It surprises me he cared enough to do so.”

“He didn’t. I asked him to do it.”

Both his eyebrows rose and Linette allowed herself a little smugness at having surprised him.

“You seem to have thought this through.”

“You might be surprised at how carefully I consider my choices.”

His pause filled the air with quivering tension. “And yet you still do them.”

She ignored the slight sarcasm.

“Cassie has no family she could appeal to?”

“What is this? Trying to find alternate arrangements for your guests?”

He looked at her with annoyance. “No need to be rude. I’m only trying to learn as much as I can.”

For a moment she silently challenged him. But he was right. The man deserved to be treated better. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. To answer your question, Cassie has no family she’s willing to admit to. I know she complains a lot and Grady is still afraid of everything, but I promise I will do my best to—”

“I’m not trying to get rid of you. I said you’re welcome until spring. Rest assured, I won’t withdraw my word.”

She wondered when the deadline had shifted from improved weather to spring but wasn’t about to question God’s good favor. “It’s good to know I can count on it.” There was so much more she wanted to say. How much she’d enjoyed seeing the vast plains of the Northwest. How she’d felt free for the first time in her life. How she didn’t mind the crowded conditions of the cabin because it felt cozy. How she couldn’t keep from wanting to help those in distress. Instead, she turned the conversation to less controversial topics. “You said you met Kootenai Brown. He sounds like an interesting man. Tell me about him.”

Eddie relaxed, stretching his legs out and angling back in the chair. “Kootenai Brown has been in the western territories for twenty years or more. In that time, he has established quite a reputation, if one were to believe all the stories told about him. Soldier, gold miner, police constable, wolfer, whiskey trader. Tales say that he was captured by Sitting Bull and escaped. Another says he murdered a man in Fort Benton. Still another claims he was shot in the back by a Blackfoot arrow, pulled it out himself and treated the wound with turpentine.”

Linette watched Eddie as he spun tale after tale of a man larger than life. Some of the stories were undoubtedly exaggerated. Eddie’s eyes flashed with humor as he talked. His mouth gentled and his voice carried a rich timbre. And as she listened, she came to a firm conviction. “I can’t go back.”

Eddie blinked and seemed to pull his thoughts toward her words. “Are you really Linette Edwards?”

Her chin came up and her eyes stung with defiant challenge. “Of course I am Linette Edwards. Why would you doubt it? Who do you think I am?”

He took his time answering. “You aren’t dressed like the daughter of wealthy man.”

She laughed. She’d managed to confound him and it pleased her to no end. “I traded my fine dresses for practical ones at Fort Benton.”

He didn’t seem to care that his eyes revealed doubt.

She smiled. “I’m grateful for the few months I’ll be able to enjoy this vast country.”

The door rattled as if a person sought entrance.

She turned. “Is someone there?”

Eddie chuckled. “You might have cause to hate the country before the winter is out. That, Miss Edwards, is the wind knocking at the door.”

He looked a totally different man when he relaxed and smiled. Handsome, kindly and appealing. She caught her thoughts and pushed them into submission. Yet one lingered long enough to be heard. Sharing his company throughout the winter might be pleasant enough.

His smile deepened and his eyes darkened.

She ducked away, pretending to examine an imaginary spot on her skirt.

“Hear the snow against the window?” he asked.

Glad to leave the awkward moment, she turned toward the window. Wet white flakes plopped against the glass with a definite platt sound.

“Come have a look.” Eddie pulled himself into action with the grace of a young kitten.

She followed him to the door. When he slipped a coat over his shoulders, she did the same. As they stepped out into the night air, she was glad she’d traded her gold locket for the heavy coat even though it was too large. She pulled it tight around her neck and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Large flakes of snow, driven by the wind, stuck to the side of the cabin. She lifted her face and let flakes land on her cheeks. Cold and refreshing. She put out her tongue and laughed at how the snow tasted.

Eddie chuckled.

She closed her mouth and swallowed. “It’s so clean and fresh.”

“If it keeps up all night, it will be deep and dangerous.”

“But we are safe and warm.”

“My cattle aren’t.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be selfish. What will happen to them?”

“The wind will drive them, hopefully, into a place of shelter. Then we’ll have to find them and push them out.”

“Why can’t you leave them there?”

“We can if the snow isn’t deep, but if it is, cattle can’t dig through it. They’ll starve. We’ve been moving them down, but this snow is earlier than expected.”

“Then I will pray you’ll be able to get your cows to a safe place.”

“I will pray the same.”

It made her feel as if he valued her offer. It made her feel as if they were partners in some small way. Linette wished she could see him better and gauge if he felt even a fraction of the same connection.

“It’s cold. We better go inside.”

His words were her answer. He obviously did not wish to prolong the moment.

* * *

Eddie rolled up in his buffalo robe and got comfortable on the floor. He’d slept on the ground many times, often out in the cold. In comparison, this was warm and pleasant. If the temperature dropped too low, he would put more wood on the fire during the night.

He lay on his back listening to the women murmur. He could make out enough to follow their conversation.

“Where did you go?” Cassie’s voice carried its perennial sharpness.

“Just outside the door.”

“What for? You two got secrets?”

Eddie groaned. Cassie seemed bent on seeing evil and inconvenience at every turn. He wondered if Linette would scold her.

But Linette laughed softly. “I wanted to see the snow.”

“You’re twenty years old. Surely you’ve seen snow before.”

“Not like this. It was so quiet you could hear each flake hit the ground. And the wind sighed as if carrying the snow had become too much of an effort.”

Eddie clasped his hands under his head and listened unashamedly. Linette made it sound magical. Perhaps it was. He hadn’t put it into words, but there was something about the country. Maybe its newness. How many times did he wonder if he was the first white man to set foot on a certain spot?

“I told Eddie I would pray his cows are safe.”

Eddie. She said his name as if it was as special as the new-falling snow. Yet face-to-face, he was Mr. Gardiner, all formal and stiff. But then, that was proper.

Somehow proper didn’t sound as pleasant as Eddie.

“Who cares about cows?” Cassie obviously didn’t. “I don’t know how I’m going to endure this for an entire winter.”

Linette chuckled again.

Eddie smiled just hearing her.

“Cassie, my friend, you don’t have to endure. You can enjoy.”

Cassie snorted so loud Grady whimpered. When she spoke again, Eddie couldn’t catch her whispered words. He strained to hear Linette’s response.

“God gives us each day to enjoy.”

Cassie made a sound so full of doubt that Eddie choked back a chuckle.

Linette spoke into the darkness. “I had a nurse who taught me many scripture verses. One in Psalm 118 says, ‘This is the day the Lord hath made... Let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ She said it’s a choice. An act of our will to rejoice. And she would sing the verse.” Linette softly sang a song putting the words of the verse to music, repeating it several times.

She’d had a privileged upbringing. Despite Mr. Edwards’s dubious background, he’d expect his daughter to be treated as aristocracy. Eddie would have to be careful. He wouldn’t give her father a chance to ruin the Gardiner good name.

Cassie didn’t say anything. Perhaps she’d fallen asleep, comforted by the lullaby of the song.

Eddie turned to his side and listened to Linette sing. Even after the voices in the other room had grown quiet, the lyrics played over and over in his head. He fell asleep to the tune.

He woke next morning, started a fire and put the coffee to boil. It had settled in to snow seriously. He wanted to head out and look for his cows, but doing so would be foolhardy in this weather. He had good men, experienced cowboys. They knew enough to circle the cows and keep them from drifting. He didn’t need to be there helping them. Yet it was his responsibility—and his alone—to insure the herd was safe. The future of the ranch depended on it. But he was stuck here, away from the action, doing nothing to protect his investment. Or more accurately, his father’s investment.

Noises from the next room informed him the others were up. He slowly turned from the window and poured a cup of coffee. He’d make sure the guests were safe. Later, he’d head out to the barn. At least he could check on the stock that was there.

The three other occupants of the storm-wrapped cabin stepped into view. Cassie’s expression was enough to stop a train and send the occupants dashing for safety. Grady fussed for no reason. But Linette smiled and hummed. He immediately recognized the tune. It was the same one playing over and over in his head. “‘This is the day that the Lord hath made... Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”’ She seemed intent on enjoying the day. She went immediately to the window. “It’s beautiful. Snow covers everything like piles of whipped cream.”

She turned, and her smile flattened and she frowned. “I’m sorry. This is not what you need, is it?”

“I would have preferred to have the cows closer before this hit.”

She nodded, looked thoughtful a moment longer then turned to the others with a beaming smile. “Cassie, Grady, look. There’s snow everywhere.” She lifted Grady to the window to look out.

He laughed. “I play in it?”

Eddie stared at the boy. It was the first time he’d heard anything but a cry from his lips.

“I don’t think—” Linette looked at Eddie. “It doesn’t look safe out there.”

“Not while it’s coming down so hard.” He lowered his gaze to Grady. “You’ll have to wait for a little while.”

In his excitement over the snow, Grady had forgotten Eddie. Now he clung to Linette’s neck. His lips quivered.

Eddie sighed inwardly. He couldn’t bear the idea of more fussing and crying. “If you don’t cry I’ll take you to see the horses as soon as it’s safe. But only big boys can come.”

Grady swallowed hard and blinked half a dozen times. “I not cry.”