Linda Ford - [Three Brides, Three Cowboys 02]

by The Cowboy Father

  Louisa couldn’t stop smiling. Neither, she guessed, could Emmet and Ellie. It was good to celebrate such a wonderful occasion with them.

  Doc and his nurse took them to a little room where they endured the nerve-racking ordeal of watching the cast being cut away.

  When it was off, Ellie sat up for the first time in weeks. She swayed a little.

  “Take your time,” Doc advised.

  But Ellie wasn’t about to waste a minute of her first hours of being free. She made to spring from the bed, but Doc caught her.

  “You have to use crutches for now.”

  The nurse helped her to the floor and showed her how to use the crutches. Ellie balanced on her crutches, her eyes bright.

  “You are to use these at all times, young lady,” the doctor warned. He stood to speak to Emmet. “She’ll need time to build up the muscles to support that bone.”

  “She’ll be careful.” Emmet meant he’d make sure she was.

  Louisa couldn’t stop smiling. She’d never seen Ellie standing. Never seen her without the bulky cast. Something inside Louisa glowed with an emotion she wouldn’t admit to. She looked at the thick mane of dark blond hair and thought how she’d like to brush it and fasten it back with a bow.

  A troubling thought pushed at her joy, but she refused to give it any attention. Today was a day for celebrating.

  Emmet guarded Ellie as she swung from the room. “Slow down.”

  Ellie sighed and rolled her eyes, which brought a tickle of laughter to Louisa’s throat.

  Emmet glowered at them both. “It’s my job to take care of you.”

  “I’m being careful.” Ellie slowed down measurably. “Can we go to the store and get a piece of candy? I want to go inside and pick my own.”

  “Seems reasonable.” Emmet helped Ellie into the truck, held the door for Louisa then ran around and climbed in behind the wheel.

  Louisa allowed her happiness at sharing this moment with them to balloon until it obliterated every other thought. This was a day to remember only with joy.

  She and Emmet stayed on each side of Ellie as she negotiated the steps into the store. Joanie stood behind the counter.

  “Hello, Louisa. Hi, Emmet. Guess you don’t remember me?”

  Emmet spared her a quick smile. “Last time I saw you, you had pigtails and a muddy face.”

  Joanie wrinkled her nose. “I was a tomboy, wasn’t I? This is your little girl. I heard about her.”

  “Ellie, this is Miss Sharp.”

  Joanie snorted. “It’s just plain Joanie. Nice to see you out of your cast, Ellie. How about a candy stick to celebrate? A treat.”

  “Thank you.” Ellie hobbled to the display of candy.

  Emmet angled against the counter, standing close to his daughter to guard her. Joanie stood by Louisa. “Tell Madge to come and see me. I’ve got some good news.”

  “Conrad has asked you to marry him? Finally?”

  Joanie shook her head. “Not so far. He’s a stubborn, stubborn man. I hope he doesn’t expect me to wait forever. One of these days I’m going to find me someone else.” She eyed Emmet up and down. “You looking for a wife, Emmet?”

  Poor Emmet. He glanced toward the door. Louisa figured the only thing that kept him from running was his concern for Ellie.

  Louisa chuckled. “She’s teasing. She’s only interested in one man. Conrad Burns. Only, his parents are both dead, and he’s raising four younger siblings.”

  Joanie snorted. “You think he’d be glad of my help, but no. The man says he doesn’t want to burden me with his responsibilities.” She huffed around the counter. “No, sir. He’d far rather burden me with loneliness and impatience.” She bent her head so low, it almost touched Ellie’s. “This is a new flavor—green apple. I like it. Want to try it?” She held it up and popped it in when Ellie opened her mouth. “Good, isn’t it?”

  Ellie’s eyes widened, and she nodded. “Can I have a licorice too?” She gave her father an appealing look. When he nodded, Joanie put one in a paper bag and handed it to Ellie.

  A few minutes later they departed.

  “I don’t want to go home,” Ellie said, craning her head from side to side to see everything. “Can we go by the school and pick up Leila?” School was almost over for the day.

  Emmet hesitated. “I don’t want you overdoing it.”

  “Please, Daddy, please.”

  Louisa turned to look out the side window to hide her amusement.

  “Can we take her on a picnic? It would be so much fun to celebrate. After all, this is a very special occasion for me.” Ellie’s voice grew shrill with excitement.

  Emmet groaned. “I don’t suppose I could say no?”

  Ellie quieted. “I suppose you could, but do you think it’s necessary?”

  Louisa grinned at Emmet across the child’s blond head.

  He shook his head in mock resignation, but his eyes glowed with joy. “Only if Louisa will join us.”

  “I’d love to.” How could she refuse a part in this joy? “If we go by the farm I’ll prepare food.” There was bread enough for sandwiches, and no doubt Sally would have made more cookies. Simple but adequate. After all, it wasn’t the food that was important, it was sharing this special occasion.

  So they went to the school, where Ellie insisted on getting out and standing by the car. Several children raced by her and waved, then Miss Ross spotted them and hurried over. “You are back on your feet. What good news. This means—”

  Leila saw Ellie and screeched, “You’re all better!” She danced around Ellie, sending them both into a fit of giggles.

  Adele stepped back. “You have two very happy little girls. Leila hasn’t stopped talking all day about the possibility of Ellie getting her cast off.” She beamed at both of them, then turned to Louisa. “Come by in the next day or two.”

  Louisa’s balloon deflated. She had been pushing away what this meant…she’d no longer need to tutor Ellie. The child could go to school. Emmet and Ellie would likely return to their ranch. Her temporary happiness had come to an end. Now was the time she had dreaded. Had tried to prepare for. Somehow she would hold her head high and make it through. If only she hadn’t agreed to accompany them on the picnic. But she had, and she wouldn’t disappoint Ellie by retracting her promise.

  Leila squeezed in beside Ellie in the truck and hugged her. “Now we can make a playhouse in the bushes like we talked about.”

  Louisa wanted to warn Leila that her days of enjoying Ellie’s company would soon end, when Emmet took his daughter back to the ranch. However, the facts would have to be faced soon enough. In the meantime, let the girls enjoy each other.

  The pair chattered away as they drove to the orphanage and received permission to take Leila for a few hours. Then they swung by the Morgan place so Louisa could pack a lunch.

  Emmet and the girls waited outside so they could play with Mouse.

  Mother was away visiting a friend, but Sally was home and helped Louisa prepare the food.

  “It’s nice to see Ellie up and about,” Sally said. “How do you feel about it?”

  “It’s a joyous occasion. That’s why we’re celebrating with a picnic.”

  Sally nudged her, forcing her to meet her look. “I asked how you feel.”

  She met her sister’s eyes without flinching. “Why, I’m happy, of course.”

  “You will be out of a job. More important, you will no longer have an excuse to see Emmet. Or Ellie, for that matter.”

  Louisa blinked away the sting in her eyes. “I’ve known from the beginning it was temporary.”

  “Does it have to be?” Although Sally’s voice was soft, it was also prodding.

  “You know it does.” She stubbornly concentrated on packing cookies into a basket.

  “Oh, Louisa. Stop running away.”

  “I have no intention of running anywhere.”

  “Except from your heart.”

  Let Sally think love could be enough. Let her believ
e other things didn’t matter. May she never experience the pain of knowing otherwise. “I will celebrate the good news with Emmet and the girls. Then I will say goodbye as I planned.” She grabbed the basket and marched for the door.

  Sally called after her. “I will pray you get over your stubborn denial.”

  Louisa ignored her words and handed the basket to Emmet, who stowed it in the back and called the girls to climb in the truck. They bounced forward on the edge of the seat.

  “Where are we going?” Leila demanded.

  “A long, long ways,” Ellie said. “I don’t want this day to ever end.”

  Louisa tried to keep her attention on the familiar scene out the front window, but when Emmet groaned, she couldn’t stop herself from turning toward him. His gaze caught hers and held it in a warm smile.

  “I think we’ll stay close to home. Don’t you think that’s wise, Louisa?”

  Two little girls turned to her, silently imploring. She forced herself to turn from Emmet’s gaze and consider the children. “I think Ellie should take it easy for a day or two. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  Ellie looked ready to deny the need, but Leila nodded. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her. We’ll be happy anywhere.” She turned to Ellie and took her hand. “Won’t we?”

  Ellie studied the younger girl, and her expression softened. “Uh-huh.”

  Startled by how connected the two seemed, Louisa shifted her attention to Emmet. Was he aware of how close the girls had grown? From the speculative way he considered them, she thought he was starting to notice. She turned away. How could any of them escape this situation without pain? She could tolerate it, but the girls? It didn’t seem fair. But hadn’t she learned life wasn’t always fair, if one judged it from an earthly view? She could only pray they would all be better and stronger for the experience.

  In the meantime, she meant to do everything in her power to help the girls have an afternoon they would not forget.

  “There.” She pointed toward a little grove of trees. “That’s a nice place for a picnic.”

  Emmet pulled to the side of the road and came around to help Louisa out. Her heart burst with longing as he took her hand and waited for her to gain her feet. Thankfully he didn’t seem inclined to prolong the moment, and turned to lift Leila down then edged Ellie out. But he kept her in his arms.

  “I think I better carry you across the field.”

  “I’ll take her crutches.” Leila gladly carried the burden.

  Louisa grabbed the picnic basket and followed them. Ellie proudly clung to her father, while Leila bounced happily at his side.

  “Stop. Shh.” Emmet halted and held his finger to his lips.

  “What?” Ellie whispered.

  “A baby antelope. See it?” He pointed.

  Louisa followed the direction he indicated and saw nothing but yellowed grass and gray rocks, then she noticed the shape of a tawny-colored rock. A little animal no bigger than a jackrabbit curled into a ball.

  “Where? I can’t see it.” Leila wavered on tiptoes.

  “You aren’t tall enough.” Emmet scooped her up in his free arm. Two little heads pressed to each side of Emmet’s face.

  At the sight, Louisa’s mouth went dry as the grass at her feet. He deserved to have his arms…his home…his heart full of children.

  Leila saw the baby antelope at last. “Ohh. Can we touch it?”

  “Best we leave it be.”

  “But he’s all alone. I bet he’s afraid.”

  Louisa heard a note of longing that ached clear through her. This child knew about being alone.

  Emmet’s arms tightened around both girls, and she guessed he’d felt the same tug of loneliness in Leila’s words. “The mommy will come back and get him after she’s found her lunch.”

  Leila touched his cheek and turned his face so she could stare into his eyes. “You sure?”

  He grew very sober. “I promise.”

  The two considered each other for several seconds. Then Emmet drew in a shuddering breath.

  Louisa couldn’t begin to understand what he felt. Disappointment that he had only one child when he ached for more? Pain that Leila had lost her family? She wasn’t sure she even wanted to know, but she did want to help him and moved to his side. “Who’s hungry?”

  “I am,” three voices chorused.

  Leila did not ask to be put down, nor did Emmet make any indication he wanted to release her, so Louisa scooped up the crutches and followed them to the trees. They sat on the patch of green grass in the shade. Leila scampered to Ellie’s side, and they were soon engaged in play that involved creating a family and a home from twigs and leaves.

  Emmet kept his gaze on the distant horizon. Louisa wondered what he thought but was content to give her attention to the girls. She passed around the sandwiches and settled back with a sigh of contentment. Yet this would soon be over. She would not be spending quiet afternoons with Emmet and the girls. But for today, for this moment, she would not let the future steal from her joy.

  Emmet chewed thoughtfully. “Good sandwiches. Thanks.”

  She chuckled. “They’re only peanut butter and syrup.”

  His grin teased. “Maybe so, but the situation makes them special.”

  She nodded. “It’s so good to see Ellie up and about.”

  “It’s a huge weight off my shoulders, I can tell you.” He grew somber as he watched the girls, and again she wondered what he thought. She squelched her curiosity. Before long, before she was ready to accept it, she would no longer be aware of his shifting expressions, have cause to wonder about his reactions or be aware of him watching her as he was now. She tried to keep her attention on rearranging the contents of the picnic basket, but forbidden, her gaze went to his. And her heart stalled at the insistent way he studied her.

  “Louisa—”

  Whatever he’d meant to say was cut off by Ellie’s shriek. “Ants! Everywhere!” She flapped her hands over her legs and chest.

  Leila sobbed quietly and stared at them crawling up her legs.

  Emmet bolted to his feet, grabbed both girls and swiped his hands over their bodies until he was certain all the ants were gone. “You were sitting practically on top of an anthill. Why didn’t I notice? You could have been bitten.” He pressed both girls to his sides and hugged them.

  Louisa wasn’t sure who was more upset—the girls or Emmet. He blamed himself for being careless. She gathered up the rest of the picnic. “Seems you can’t have a picnic without uninvited guests showing up.”

  Leila giggled. “Ants like picnics too.”

  Ellie sniffled, then seeing Leila’s reaction, she straightened. “I’d say they do. Here’s your old picnic.” She tossed a bread crust at the ants. The girls laughed as ants clamored over it.

  Emmet straightened. Seeing the harshness in his expression, Louisa touched his arm. “No harm done.”

  “I should have been watching more carefully.” He scooped up both girls. “Let’s get out of here.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Can you manage?”

  She nodded. Yes, she would manage. Somehow.

  Ellie glanced back over her dad’s shoulder. “I thought there were cookies.”

  Emmet chuckled. “I guess even ants can’t dim your appetite.”

  “Nope.”

  Louisa’s tension released. “We’ll share them in the truck.”

  They ate cookies then drove back toward the Morgan place. Emmet stopped at the house. Louisa hopped out before he could climb from the truck and open the door. She hugged each of the little girls. Let her glance breeze by Emmet without meeting his eyes, then headed for the house.

  “See you tomorrow.” Emmet stood with one foot on the ground, the other still in the truck.

  “Yes.” Would she be saying her final goodbye then?

  Her legs feeling much too long and decidedly wooden, she walked calmly indoors. Sally must have understood how fragile Louisa felt, for she squeezed her shoulder but kept her comme
nts to herself. Somehow she made it through supper, helped with the dishes, carried water to the garden—said normal things, did normal things. But inside she was as lifeless as last year’s brown, crackly grass.

  She finally retreated to bed. Opened her Bible and read a few verses, as she had promised Father she would do. But nothing reached her soul. She had fallen in love with a man against her better judgment—and his little girl.

  She must hold herself together until it was over.

  The morning sun seemed weak. Or was it too bright? Louisa wanted to pull the covers over her head and ignore it. Ignore life. But she knew if she didn’t show up at the breakfast table Mother would fret. Are you sick? Should I call the doctor? I was afraid this would happen. I told you not to try and work.

  And if she let any of her emotions show, Sally would comment. I told you it was impossible to lock your feelings up. Why don’t you tell him how you feel? Once he knows the truth he won’t care. Love is more than enough. Sally was such a romantic.

  So she rose, dressed, put on her happy face and went downstairs. Her smile was still firmly in place when she drove up to the Hamilton house. It faltered only slightly when she entered the house and heard voices in the kitchen.

  “Come join us,” Auntie May called.

  Louisa trudged across the crowded living room to the kitchen. The three of them sat around the table. As usual, cats sat on the unoccupied chairs and crowded around Louisa’s ankles.

  “No more eating in bed,” Ellie crowed.

  “Coffee?” Auntie May asked.

  Louisa politely refused.

  “Have a chair.” Emmet shooed a cat off the chair next to him and swept aside the hairs.

  Louisa sat. How was she to say goodbye when everything in her called to say “I want to stay”?

  Ellie rambled on about Leila and the games they could play now that she wasn’t in a cast. Auntie May scolded a couple of cats for being too inquisitive about what was on the table. More than once, Louisa had wondered if she let them eat off the table like guests when she was alone. The clock over the table ticked loudly. Across the street a child called goodbye as he headed off to school.

  Emmet looked at the clock. “I suppose it’s time to start lessons.”