Montana Cowboy Family

by Linda Ford

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I heard you sawing them all night long. I expect everyone did.”

  Sammy nodded. “I did.”

  Logan brought his gaze to Sadie. “Did you hear him?”

  Her eyes twinkled. “I heard a loud noise. Like the rumble of a wagon over a rough road. Was that him?”

  He fell into her warm look. He let himself believe she held nothing back as she met his gaze.

  “I’m not that loud,” Grandfather protested.

  Sadie turned to Grandfather and chuckled. “I might have been imagining it.”

  “Why do you think we make you sleep downstairs?” Logan asked.

  “You didn’t hear me, did you?” Grandfather looked to Beth for sympathy.

  Her face innocently blank, she looked around the room. Her gaze came to Logan and stalled there. “I honestly thought it was Logan.”

  “Me?”

  Grandfather was the first to realize Beth was teasing Logan, and he slapped his leg and laughed. “Oh, you are a sneaky one. You almost had us fooled.”

  Logan chuckled. “Beth, I see you’ve been taking lessons from Grandfather.”

  Beth’s eyes danced and she ducked her head.

  Logan wanted to hug the girl. He met Sadie’s eyes and saw she shared the same joy over Beth’s teasing. He wanted to hug Sadie, too. Instead, he hugged Jeannie. “Your sister is a tease, isn’t she?”

  Jeannie nodded.

  Breakfast was ready and they gathered around the table. Like a family.

  The thought jerked his head up and he looked from one place to another. Apart from the three children, and him and his grandfather, they weren’t a family. But a family didn’t have to be related by blood or marriage. Family was also formed by bonds of love.

  After breakfast dishes were done, Sadie insisted the two older children must do lessons.

  Sammy complained. “What’s Logan going to do?”

  “I’ll help you.” Soon they were around the table. Sadie and Beth worked together on an essay. Logan helped Sammy practice his sums, and Grandfather and Jeannie read a children’s book.

  Logan lifted his head to find Sadie’s gaze on him. A smile filled her eyes and tugged at the corners of her mouth. Joy warmed his heart. If not for the dangers of a spring storm and concern about the safety of his family members, Logan might like the storm to last for several days, keeping them shut in, safe from the outside world.

  But they had barely finished dinner when Sammy looked out the window. “It’s stopped snowing.” He rushed to open the door. The sun shone blindingly on the fresh snow that was several inches deep. Logan knew the warmth of the sun would soon melt the snow and mire the trail in mud.

  “We have to get home.” He pushed away from the table. “I’ll get the wagon.” He hurried from the house. He must get Grandfather home before the trail became impassible for the wagon.

  He returned as soon as he could and hurried to the door. Grandfather waited with his hat and coat on and his canes in his hands.

  Jeannie looked past Logan to the wagon. “You’re leaving?”

  “Yes. We have to get home.”

  “I don’t want you to go.” Wailing, she threw open the door leading to the classroom. Her shoes pitter-pattered across the floor.

  Logan stared after Jeannie. He left every day. Always had. Why did she now object? Or was it Grandfather’s leaving she objected to?

  “Better go see if you can calm her down,” Grandfather said.

  Sadie and Logan both headed for the door and crossed the bare floor to Jeannie, who sat in a huddle crying.

  They squatted at her side. “Honey, you know I have to go home,” Logan said.

  “No.” Jeannie clutched an arm about his neck. “I want you to stay.” She grabbed Sadie with her other arm and pulled her close. So close that Logan could feel her breath, watch the sadness in her eyes. He tipped his head so their foreheads touched.

  “I don’t want anyone to go,” Jeannie wailed.

  “Honey, I’ll be back tomorrow. But I have to get Grandfather home.”

  Jeannie’s cries deepened, tearing Logan’s heart to shreds. He reached for Sadie, clinging to her hand, feeling her sorrow as well as his own, like a raging storm blinding him to every bit of reason. He would stay if he could.

  Responsibilities and proper conduct made it impossible.

  Jeannie sniffed back a sob. “Nobody loves us.”

  As one, Sadie and Logan drew her closer. Logan shifted so his arms circled both of them. He couldn’t speak for the tightness in his throat. All he could do was hold them and promise himself he would somehow make things better for the children and for Sadie.

  That meant discovering the truth about all of them.

  The truth might hurt. He knew that. But without the truth, there was no future for any of them and especially not a future that included him.

  “Honey, I love you. And I promise I will return tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

  She nodded none too happily.

  “I love you, too,” Sadie said, her voice husky. “And I’ll be here.”

  “You have to go to school.”

  “Beth will be with you when I’m there and so will Logan.”

  “I know.” She grew thoughtful and turned to Logan. “Will you play with me when you get here?”

  “Of course I will.” Had he been so busy working that the poor child felt she didn’t matter? “Are you okay now?”

  “I’m okay.” She bounced to her feet and trotted back to the kitchen, where she announced to one and all that Logan was going to come and play with her tomorrow.

  Logan and Sadie sat shoulder to shoulder. He felt her sadness clear through and wrapped an arm about her and pulled her close.

  She shuddered. “I feel I’ve let them down.”

  He caught her chin with his free hand and turned her to face him. “You’ve given them security, safety and a good home. You’ve treated them well. What’s more, you love them.”

  Tears sheened in her eyes and she nodded. “I don’t want them to go, especially to a father who hurts them.”

  He caught a tear from each cheek and his heart cracked wide open, weeping silent, dry tears into his innermost being. He could not abide her pain and pulled her close to kiss her. She leaned into his embrace, returning the kiss. Whether offering comfort or seeking it or both, he could not say; nor did it matter.

  Their lips clung, their arms tightened. His heart would forever be changed.

  “Did you two get lost?” Grandfather called.

  They slowly parted, smiling into each other’s eyes. Logan rose, pulled her to her feet, and they crossed the schoolroom. He dropped her hand at the doorway and waited for her to enter the kitchen. Then he slowly closed the door behind them, feeling as if he closed the door to that part of their relationship, as well.

  He helped Grandfather to the wagon. The family crowded into the doorway to wave goodbye. Beth sucked in her bottom lip and blinked. She would never say so, but she didn’t want Grandfather to leave. It was reassuring to see the girl reveal some emotion besides resistance. It renewed his determination to find the children’s father and end their uncertainty.

  *

  Logan returned the next day as promised to be greeted by Jeannie, waiting eagerly to be played with. Sammy was still there, too, though Sadie had already gone to the classroom. Did she want to avoid him? Had his kisses made her uncomfortable?

  He grinned. Not because she didn’t enjoy them. He knew that. She had given as much as he.

  “What do you want to play?” he asked Jeannie.

  “Can’t catch me.” She took off running through the patches of snow, splashing the slush about her legs. She’d soon be wet to her knees.

  He ran after her, swept her off her feet and tickled her.

  “Can’t catch me,” Sammy said, and Logan chased him, Jeannie bouncing up and down on his hip. He snagged Sammy with his free arm and lifted him off his feet.

  “I got you both. What
am I going to do with you?”

  They wrapped their arms about his neck.

  “You could give us piggyback rides,” Sammy said.

  “Okay.” He shifted Sammy so the boy clung to his back and, still holding Jeannie, he galloped about the yard, giving Sammy a rough ride.

  Sammy hung on like a bronc rider, laughing all the way.

  “My turn,” Jeannie said when Logan stopped to catch his breath. He squatted so Sammy could dismount and shifted Jeannie to his back, giving her a less vigorous ride, Sammy yelling and chasing after them.

  Logan came to a halt in front of Beth, who watched them play. He lowered Jeannie to the ground and studied the older girl. Did he see a hint of mischief, perhaps even a yearning to play?

  One way to find out. “Let’s play tag. You’re it.” He touched Beth on the shoulder and darted away. The younger children ran away squealing.

  Beth hesitated then went in pursuit of Jeannie, easily overtaking her. “You’re it.”

  Logan danced about Jeannie, almost letting her tag him and then darting away. After a few tries, he let her catch him, then spun about and ran after Beth.

  She raced away, ran around the schoolhouse. He pursued her and just before she reached the safety of the door where he knew she meant to run inside and slam the door in his face, he tagged her. “You’re it.”

  She turned and faced him, a dozen different things racing over her expression. Exhilaration at the thrill of the chase quickly faded to uncertainty. He watched her struggle with a desire to retreat and one to continue this game. Then determination darkened her eyes. He wished he knew if the latter meant she would allow herself to enjoy playing with him or if it meant she would retreat to her cautiousness.

  A bell rang.

  He jerked toward the sound.

  Beth’s eyes grew large. “Sammy is going to be late.”

  “I’m going.” Sammy ran for the store.

  “I better get to work, too.” Logan resumed the finishing details on the schoolroom. He would soon be done and have no more excuse to come to town every day.

  None but three children who looked forward to his visits and a lovely schoolteacher whom he’d promised to help with the children.

  He experienced a deep regret that he would not see them as frequently as he wanted.

  Chapter Eleven

  That week the children seemed to settle into a comfortable routine. Logan sensed a huge difference in them, as if they allowed themselves to believe this would be permanent and perhaps even that he could be trusted. Every day he continued putting the finishing touches on the schoolhouse. If Grandfather knew he spent almost as much time playing with the kids, there might have been a ruckus.

  Or maybe not. Every morning before Logan left and every evening when he returned, Grandfather required a report…but not on the work. He wanted to know about the children and about Sadie.

  “Bring them out Sunday,” Grandfather said. “I’d like to spend the afternoon with them.”

  Logan was glad Grandfather hadn’t asked to have them visit Saturday. He meant to spend the morning asking around Wolf Hollow again.

  Sammy begged to be able to help him, so Logan made the same arrangement as the previous week. He would be away for the morning and come to the school at noon, when he and Sammy would work on a project.

  “Join us for dinner,” Sadie said, her smile so welcoming Logan couldn’t have refused if a hundred reasons had appeared.

  “On one condition.” He kept his amusement to himself as three children and one schoolmarm looked both guarded and interested.

  “Depends on the condition,” Sadie said after some seconds of consideration.

  “Let’s make it a picnic.” He laughed at the relief on her face and knew without looking at Beth that she wore a matching expression. “The weather is sunny and warm. The flowers are blooming. Last week’s snowstorm was simply winter having one last fling.” The warm sunshine had melted every bit of snow and dried the ground. “I know a perfect spot just south of town.”

  Sadie nodded, a smile on her lips and a flash in her eyes that made Logan mighty pleased at his suggestion.

  “I’ll make a lunch while you’re gone.”

  “Great.” He sketched a goodbye wave and rode away, but his thoughts lingered back at the schoolhouse. Saturdays were busy for Sadie. Already she had laundry flapping on the line. He knew she would bake, clean the small living quarters and undertake likely a hundred other chores. But she deserved a little fun, too, and he meant to see that they all had an enjoyable afternoon. Even while helping Sammy on a project.

  He reached Wolf Hollow and again asked about Mr. Weiss. Again he received confusing messages. Two men thought they’d heard Mr. Weiss had died. Some had heard he’d taken his family and moved on to a more suitable place. At this answer, Logan tried to gain some information about the family to see if they spoke of the same Weisses, but, to his discouragement, he learned nothing of value. He again tried to find Mr. Weiss’s gold claim, but there was no mine in his name. He must have sold the claim.

  Frustration clawed at his insides as he returned to Bella Creek.

  Sammy stood at the back of the lot bouncing on the balls of his feet. “He’s here. He’s here,” he screamed loud enough to inform the entire town.

  Logan grinned. There was nothing like a welcoming child to drive away the feeling of failure from his morning. Sammy raced toward him and Logan reached down and pulled the boy up behind him to ride the last twenty feet to the house.

  Sadie came out and smiled up at him, the bright sun causing her to tent her hand over her eyes.

  He resisted an urge to jump from his horse, sweep her off her feet and kiss her until neither of them could remember why they shouldn’t. At the moment, he couldn’t think of a single reason.

  Jeannie crowded to Sadie’s side. “We goin’ on picnic?”

  Logan jumped to the ground to swing Jeannie up in the air. “You think it sounds like a good idea?”

  She nodded, her eyes shining with anticipation.

  Beth sat at the table, a full basket covered with a checkered cloth in front of her. She kept her attention on the window across the room but didn’t succeed in hiding a twitch of a smile.

  Today, Logan decided, was going to be a good day. “Is everyone ready?”

  Sadie nodded and Sammy yelled he was.

  “Let me take care of my horse and then we’ll be on our way.”

  “We’re not riding?” Sammy conveyed shock and disappointment.

  “I only have one horse,” Logan pointed out. “Besides, it’s close enough we can walk.” Only half a mile and if he could do it, so could those more used to walking than he.

  “I’ll carry the basket,” he said.

  Sadie reached for a lacy shawl. “Sammy and Beth, will you each carry a blanket?”

  With Sadie at his side, the girls following and Sammy racing ahead, they marched down the alley.

  Kate stepped out of the doctor’s house. “It looks to me like you are going somewhere.”

  “On a picnic,” Sammy told her.

  She smiled. “Have fun.”

  Logan waved. “Thanks. We intend to.” He winked at Sadie, bringing a splash of color to her cheeks and making Kate laugh.

  “It’s for the children,” Sadie protested.

  “Of course it is.” Kate grinned widely. “I didn’t hear anyone suggest differently.” She waved and returned inside as Logan and his little army marched onward.

  “You needn’t have given her the wrong idea.” Sadie kept her voice soft, but there was no mistaking the warning in her words.

  He pretended injury. “I only said we meant to have fun.” He chuckled. “And I do. Don’t you think the children deserve it?” And so do we. The atmosphere in the home was strained so much of the time. “The children are finally starting to relax.”

  “It’s good to see.”

  Contentment made him swing the basket in one hand and take her hand on his other side a
nd swing it, too. “It’s a great day for a picnic.” The sun was warm overhead and the sky, a cloudless blue. They reached the pathway leading through the trees. The pines were dark and shadowy, the aspen and willow heavy with buds.

  Sadie slowed and sucked in a deep breath. “It smells so fresh.”

  “It smells green.” Beth’s voice was round with awe, and no one corrected her that green was a color not a smell.

  They followed the narrow path in single file, the sound of the creek growing louder. They broke through the trees to a grassy slope. The creek rushed over smooth rocks on its way to join Wolf River some miles away.

  Sammy immediately started throwing rocks in the water.

  Jeannie squatted down and examined the rocks, exclaiming how pretty they were.

  Beth and Sadie stood near the creek watching and listening to the sounds of nature while Logan watched them, pleased to see them enjoying the moment. However, he couldn’t remain an observer any longer and went to Sadie’s side, close enough that her shawl brushed his arm. She smiled up at him and he congratulated himself on having had this good idea.

  Sammy raced up to them. “We gonna eat? I’m hungry.”

  “Me, too.” Jeannie gave them a sweet, begging look that made both Sadie and Logan chuckle.

  “Now that you mention it, I’m kind of hungry too.” Sadie went back to where the blankets and basket had been left.

  Logan hurried after her and spread the blankets while she smoothed the checked tablecloth on the ground and soon had the food set out. Logan’s mouth watered at the bounty—thick sandwiches, a dish of dill pickle spears, and little biscuits with butter and jam.

  “Beth?” Sadie called softly.

  The girl turned from watching the water gurgle by and joined them, her gaze thoughtful. “Mama loved picnics. Remember that, Sammy?”

  Sammy’s normal exuberance quieted. “I liked it best when we went away from town and it was just us.”

  Beth turned to Jeannie. “Do you remember our picnics?”

  “Mama put a blanket on the floor and we ate like this.” Jeannie looked around at the five of them sitting in a circle.

  Beth nodded. “That was our winter picnics.”

  Sadie glanced to each child. “Do you think she might like you to keep having picnics and remembering her?” Her gaze rested on Beth.