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He ached that Cassie refused to let him help in any way.
“Shoot. Best thing I can do is forget all about her.” Something else he’d grown good at—letting people go. He’d learned the hard way not to expect permanence. Still he’d be giving Eddie every excuse known to man to ride to town until he was certain she was well settled. In fact, he’d leave the job and stay in town if he could think of any reasonable excuse. After all, he had no particular ties to the ranch. To any place for that matter.
But he could think of no reason to hang about town other than to make sure Cassie was safe and happy. Seems she was only too happy to see him gone so maybe he’d accomplished one of his goals.
A dark shape on the trail ahead caught his eye and he blinked. He pulled the horse to a halt and stared. Rubbed his eyes and stared some more.
He’d seen mirages of trees and water but he’d never seen a mirage of kids. He squinted hard. Three kids. Four, if that squirming armload was another.
He called to them as he edged the wagon forward.
The huddle of young ’uns left the trail and ran toward the trees a distance away.
“Now hold up there.”
The kids picked up speed.
Roper quickly secured the reins and jumped to the ground, breaking into an awkward trot. His bowed legs weren’t made for running but he didn’t let that slow him much.
One of the kids hollered, “Hurry.”
Another started to cry.
He couldn’t bear to hear a kid crying and he slowed. But just for a moment. Kids didn’t belong out in the middle of nowhere all alone. It wasn’t a bit safe. He forced his legs to pump harder and closed the distance.
The biggest one turned and faced him, a scowl on her pretty little face. “Leave us alone!”
He skidded to a halt and took their measure. The girl looked about twelve, maybe a little older. She held a trembling younger girl maybe two years old. Roper couldn’t see anything of the little one but the fine golden hair and impossibly tiny shoulders. Then there was a boy a year or two younger than the older girl. And between them, face full of fear and defiance, a young lad of maybe six or seven. The look on each face held a familiar expression...one he had seen time and again in the orphanage that had been his only home. It spelled fear. And trouble.
He held up his hands knowing the bunch wasn’t ready to see the folly of their attitude. “I mean you no harm but I can’t help wondering what four young ’uns are doing out here halfway between nowhere and nothin’.”
The eldest two exchanged glances, and a silent message passed between them. The boy answered. “None of yer business.”
Roper backed off a step but rocked on the balls of his feet, ready to grab them if they tried to escape. “Long way from here to someplace.” They’d been headed away from Edendale so he guessed that wasn’t their destination of choice. “You might get a little hungry and thirsty.”
The girl glared at him. “We don’t need no help.”
He sighed. Where had he heard that before? And he didn’t like it any better from the lips of a young gal with nothing more than the company of three younger kids and a gut full of determination than he had hearing it from Cassie. “How about you let me give you a ride at least?”
Again that silent communication. The young lad signaled to the older girl and they lowered their heads to hold a confab.
He waited, letting them think they were in control but he had no intention of turning around and leaving them there.
They straightened, and the oldest answered, “We’ll accept a ride. For a little ways.”
“Best we introduce ourselves,” Roper said, and gave his name. “I work on a ranch over in the hills there.”
Three pairs of eyes followed the direction he indicated and he could see their interest. He turned to the kids. “Now tell me who you are.”
The big girl nodded. “I’m Daisy. This is Neil.” She indicated the older boy, then nudged the younger one. “Billy, and Pansy.”
“Suppose you got a last name.”
“Locke.”
“Well, howdy.” He held out a hand but they shrank back. He waited, wanting them to know he meant them nothing but kindness. Finally Neil grabbed his hand and gave a good-size squeeze. The boy had grit for sure. Guess they all did to be out here alone.
He led them to the wagon. They insisted on sitting together in the back. He climbed to the seat but didn’t move.
“Mister?” Daisy sounded scared.
He shifted to face them. “It might help if I had some idea where you want to go.”
Again a silent discussion then Daisy nodded. “We’re looking for our pa. He set out to get himself some land close to the mountains. Maybe you heard of him. Thaddeus Locke.”
He’d heard of the man. One of the only settlers in the area. Last time he’d been mentioned in Roper’s hearing was last fall. “Where’s your mother?”
“She died. Before she did, she made us promise to find our pa.” Daisy’s voice quivered but she held her head high.
“Well, let’s find him, then. Mr. Macpherson will know where his farm is.” Macpherson knew everything about everyone within a hundred miles. ’Course that didn’t mean more than a couple hundred people, not counting Indians. Roper turned the wagon about.
“You don’t know where our papa lives?” Neil asked.
“Can’t say as I do.” The kids murmured behind him and he glanced over his shoulder. Little Pansy rested her head against Daisy’s shoulder, big blue eyes regarding him solemnly, unblinkingly. The kid had been aptly named with eyes as wide as the flower. “We’ll soon be at Macpherson’s store.” The collection of low buildings clung to the trail ahead, trees of various kinds clustered behind the buildings. His gaze sought the little area behind the store. As they drew closer he saw Cassie had almost managed to get the tent standing, but it swayed like a broken-down old mare. He chuckled. Wouldn’t take more than a cupful of rain to bring it down and soak everything inside, including her if it happened while she slept. The canvas flapped in the wind. Fact was she might not have to wait for rain to topple the tent. A breeze made by bird wings would do the trick.
“Whoa.” He jumped down and went to the back of the wagon.
Already Neil was on his feet with Pansy and he helped Daisy to the ground as Billy scampered down to join them. All four regarded him with wary eyes.
He pushed his hat farther back on his head and returned their study. “Your ma would be proud of you.” Where had that come from? The words must have been dropped to his tongue by the good Lord because the three older kids beamed, and Pansy gave him a shy smile that turned around in his heart and nestled there. “Now let’s find your pa.”
They trooped into the store. Macpherson leaned across the counter talking with another man. Roper recognized the North-West Mounted Police officer, Kipp Allen. “Howdy, Constable. Didn’t see your horse outside.”
The man nodded a greeting. Even though he lounged against the counter, he had a way of holding himself that let you know he saw clear through you. “He threw a shoe. He’s down at the smithy.” His eyes shifted to the young ’uns and he straightened, his gaze watchful.
Roper paid him no mind. “Macpherson, these here are the Locke kids looking for their pa, Thaddeus Locke. I’ll give them transport if you tell me where I can find him.”
Macpherson blinked. Just once but enough for Roper to wonder what secret the man had. “Best you be asking the constable.”
Roper shifted to meet Allen’s study. “I’m asking.”
The Mountie’s eyes softened and he faced the children. “I’m sorry to inform you that your pa passed away last winter. I buried him on his property.”
Neil and Daisy drew in a gasp.
Orphans. Just like him. Roger remembered well the loneliness, the discouragement of it. How many times had he held his breath and watched a man and woman come to the orphanage for a child? Waiting. Wanting. Hoping. Never chosen. The matron tried to comfort him. “People want to know your background.” But he had no background. No name. Only what someone had given him after he was discovered as a squalling infant on the doorstep. “You’d do well to forget about a home and family,” she’d said.
He tried to heed her advice and turned his attention to helping others. Making them laugh. Teaching them how to smile for strangers so they would be chosen. Helping others find a home helped him find his joy and satisfaction.
But as he grew older and left the orphanage he forgot the matron’s sound advice. Until it was too late. He learned the hard way that his background mattered more than who he was. After that experience he knew he would never belong in a forever family.
Small whimpers brought Roper’s attention back to the children. Billy’s eyes were wide as dishpans. Pansy stuck her fingers in her mouth and burrowed against Neil’s shoulder.
“What...how’d he die?” Neil squeaked out.
The Mountie closed the distance between himself and the children. Roper automatically stepped away, out of respect for the sorrow visibly carved on their faces.
“Son.” The man clasped Neil’s shoulder. “I regret to have to tell you that he froze to death. Near as I can figure he went out in a storm to check on his animals and got turned around trying to get back to his cabin.” He let the news sink in. “I have admiration for a man who is willing to face hard things rather than shirk his responsibilities. You kids can be proud of him.”
Although the kids seemed to welcome the praise, Roper couldn’t help wondering if staying safe for his family wouldn’t have been more responsible than worrying about a couple or three animals.
The Mountie straightened. “We’ll see you get back to your mother.”
“Mama’s dead.” Billy blurted out the announcement, then sobbed into Daisy’s dress.
“I see. What other family do you have?”
Daisy’s mouth worked silently for a moment. Life had dished out a lot of bad news for them. No doubt she reeled inside, making it difficult to recall things.
“Mama had a brother but we haven’t heard from him since I was Billy’s size.”
“Do you know where he was at the time?” The Mountie pulled out a little notepad, ready to jot down the information.
“We were living in Toronto then. It was before Papa decided we would do better to move West. He always wore a suit. I think I remember Mama saying he was a lawyer. Maybe. I can’t be certain.”
“Do you remember his name?”
“Jack. And Mama’s name before she married was Munro.”
“Can you spell it?”
Neil answered. “I can. I saw it in the Bible.” He spelled it.
The Mountie wrote it down, closed his notepad and stuffed it into his breast pocket. “Fine. We’ll locate him for you. In the meantime, we’ll have to find a place for you to live.” He turned to Roper. “I expect Mrs. Gardiner would take them in.”
“Normally, yes.” His boss’s wife shared her home with anyone who needed it. “But she’s been awfully sick. The boss has been plenty worried about her. I ’spect he’d say no to the idea.”
“Then I’ll have to take them back to the fort.”
“And then what?”
“No one will likely take four but we’ll split them up between willing families. Or...” He didn’t finish the thought.
But Roper knew.
Send them to an orphanage.
Daisy stepped back, Neil at her side. They pressed Billy behind them and Pansy between them both holding her tight.
“We aren’t going,” Daisy said.
“We’re sticking together,” Neil added.
And then Roper heard himself say, “I’ll look after them.”
The kids relaxed so quickly he was surprised Pansy didn’t drop to the floor.
Billy poked his head out between his older brother and sister. “You will?”
“Now wait a minute.” The Mountie held up his hands. “You live in a bunkhouse when you’re not out on the range. You expect to bunk these children with you or carry them on horseback across the mountains?”
“Well, no.” Put that way it sounded pretty dumb. But something about their predicament forced him to speak and act on their behalf. “But I’ll think of something.” Eddie wouldn’t object to giving him some time off. If he did, there were other ranches that could use another cowhand. His smile tightened. Eddie was a good boss. Roper liked working for him. But he wouldn’t let these kids be sent someplace they weren’t wanted. No siree.
The sound of a pounding hammer came from behind the store. The corners of his mouth lifted. “I know a young woman who will help me care for them.” If he could make her see what a good arrangement this was for all concerned. It was perfect. God sent. He could help Cassie get set up. In return, she could help care for the kids until the uncle came. Then he’d be at ease about moving on and letting her run her business.
The assurance in his voice caused the Mountie to study him carefully. Then he shook his head. “’Fraid I can’t simply take your word for it.” He turned to the kids. “I’ll find a wagon and be right back for you.” He headed for the door.
The kids pressed tight to each other, fear vibrating from them.
Roper leaped forward, catching the Mountie before he could open the door. “Constable, there’s no need for that. Give me a chance to make arrangements.” He bored his eyes into the Mountie’s but the man had more experience staring down people and Roper thought he’d blink before the Mountie finally relented.
“Tell you what. I’ve got to check on my horse and finish my business here. That’d give you enough time to arrange things?”
What he meant was that was how much time he’d allow Roper and his silly idea. “It’s all I need.”
“I’ll be back shortly.” The Mountie pushed past him, and strode down the street.
Roper wanted to holler at him to take his time but knew the Mountie would do as he chose. Instead, he turned to contemplate the kids and his predicament. All he needed was a convincing argument. But if Cassie got all independent and resisted the idea, what would he do? He needed help from the good Lord and he uttered a silent prayer. “Come on, kids. I think I know just the place for you.” As he shepherded them out the door, he prayed some more. If ever he needed God’s help—and he had many times in his life—it was now.
Chapter Two
Cassie had heard a wagon stop at the store but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts were on other things.
She pulled out a length of wood and dragged it to the site she’d chosen for the house and laid it alongside the other three she’d put there. She still had no idea how to proceed. Did she build the floor and put the walls on top? Did she make the walls and build the floor inside? How did she put in the windows?
She sat down on the stack of lumber and stared at the four pieces of wood. If she had the money she’d hire someone to do this. Someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who would expect nothing in return but his wages. But she was out of funds. Roper’s offer to help flashed across her mind but she dismissed the idea. She did not want to be owing a man for any reason. She bolted to her feet. She’d ask Macpherson what to do, and she’d do it. By herself.
Her mind set, her back stiff, she turned and staggered to a stop as a wagon drew up before her property.
Roper jumped down, leaving a boy on the seat. She thought she glimpsed two or three more kids in the wagon but she must be dreaming. Why would Roper have kids with him? She supposed the boy could be headed out to work at the ranch, though he looked too young to have to earn his way in life. But if Roper took him to the ranch Eddie and Linette would see he was properly treated. He could be a companion for Grady, the four-year-old boy Linette had rescued on her ocean voyage from England.
Roper crossed the grassy property and stopped two feet from her. “See you’re about ready to move into your house.” His grin mocked her.
“Check back in a week or so and your grin won’t be so wide.”
He glanced at the lumber on the ground. “Guess you know what you’re doing.”
What he meant was, You’re lost in the fog. “I was about to ask advice from Macpherson. Who are those kids?” Three pairs of eyes peered at her over the edge of the wagon and the boy on the seat watched with unusual interest.
