Montana Cowboy Family

Nevertheless, he listened to her silent call for help and shouldered the door open, the squawk of its rusted hinges rending the silence.

Sammy stepped back. An older girl pulled him close while, in her other arm, she held a smaller girl. The older girl wore shoes with the toes cut out to accommodate her feet. Her dress had a tear in the skirt and was almost colorless from frequent washings. The little one was barefoot and her faded pink dress was equally worn, yet they were both surprisingly clean.

In a glance Logan took in the room—a bed with no mattress and only a scattering of blankets. A narrow wooden table sagged to one side, and nearby was a single chair with rungs missing in the back. Again he was struck by how empty the place was of belongings. Or any sign of domesticity. Not a curtain. Not a dish. Nothing.

“Where’s your mother? Your father?” Sadie’s words were surprisingly gentle considering the state of the place and the children.

Logan remained at her side, stifling an urge to put an arm about her shoulders and protect her from the glaring truth. “You kids are alone, aren’t you?”

Sadie pressed a hand to her throat. “Alone? Is that possible?” She studied the silent trio. “I think you better explain what is going on.”

Sammy looked up at his older sibling, a slender girl with hair lighter than Sammy’s and the same dark eyes. She shook her head in answer to Sammy’s unasked question.

“We got nothing to say,” Sammy said.

Logan pulled forward the only chair, two rungs missing in its back, and indicated Sadie should sit. Her glance at Logan informed him that the misery of the children’s situation brought her pain. Sadie placed a package on the table and unwrapped a cake. Three pairs of eyes lingered on it, then eased away. It didn’t take more than a glance around the place to know they were likely hungry.

He wished he could erase the pain for Sadie and the children. But things like this couldn’t be undone...only resolved, and he prayed for wisdom. Lord, help us unravel this mystery.

Slowly, softly, Sadie began to speak. “Sammy, are these your sisters?”

Sammy nodded.

The older girl tightened her arm about Sammy’s shoulders. If Sadie noticed the warning gesture, she ignored it. “What are their names?”

“She’s Beth.” Sammy indicated the older girl. “And this here is baby Jeannie.”

Jeannie, the blondest of the three, with the same dark eyes, wasn’t a baby anymore, but Logan understood that the youngest child often got called the baby for a long time.

“How old are your sisters?” Sadie continued in her gentle voice.

“I’m thirteen,” Beth said. “And Jeannie is three. Why?”

Sadie managed a slight smile as she met Beth’s eyes. “It’s just something teachers ask children. Let me introduce ourselves. I’m Sammy’s teacher, Miss Young, and this is Logan Marshall.”

Beth nodded. “I know who you are. But why are you here? I—Sammy took a note asking you not to visit.”

Logan noted the hesitation, as if Beth had been about to say she had sent the note. He glanced at Sadie, saw by the flash in her eyes that she had heard the same thing.

Her gaze returned to the older girl. “Yes, he did. But I couldn’t help but be worried. Especially when I saw that his back hurt him.”

Both Sammy and Beth adopted impassive expressions.

“Sammy, who has been hurting you?”

“Not Beth.”

“I wasn’t accusing Beth.” She looked to Logan, seeking his opinion.

He gave her a slight nod to indicate she should continue questioning the children.

“Where’s your mama?” she asked them.

“Mama?” Little Jeannie spoke for the first time.

“Hush, baby.” Beth jostled the child.

“I want Mama.” Jeannie looked ready to cry.

“Hush, hush. Remember what I told you.”

Jeannie nodded. “Mama not coming back.”

So Logan’s uncle had been right.

“I’m sorry,” Sadie said. “You must all be very sad.”

Nothing but more unblinking stares from Sammy and Beth.

“Where is your father?” Logan asked. Though his deeper, more demanding voice jolted the pair, they quickly recovered and pressed their lips together.

“Where’s your papa?” he asked again, softer this time.

Little Jeannie, her eyes full of fear, whimpered and clung to Beth. Beth’s jaw muscles twitched as she clenched her teeth. Her eyes narrowed and she wrapped her arms about Jeannie in such a protective gesture that a shiver climbed Logan’s spine.

Logan crossed the floor to the cupboards and threw open the only remaining door. Empty. He touched the stove. Cold. He confronted the children. Sadie was right, both in thinking things weren’t as they should be and coming here to check on them.

He stilled his raging heart. “There is nothing in the house to eat.”

No response from any of them.

He circled the room, hating every inch of it as a place for children to live. He stopped behind Sadie’s chair and gripped the back. “When is your father returning?”

Jeannie whimpered and buried her face against her sister’s shoulder.

Beth glowered.

Sammy trembled. What was he afraid of?

“He’s gone, but he’ll be back.” Beth tried to look as if that was all that mattered.

“Where is he?” He’d find the man and make him look after these kids. And he’d make it clear that he must treat them kindly.

“Said he’d bring us something to eat,” Sammy blurted out.

“Hush,” Beth warned.

Sammy hung his head.

Logan assessed the little information the children had provided. One thing was clear—they couldn’t stay here.

“I’ll take you to the ranch, where you’ll all be well taken care of.”

At the same time, Sadie said, “Children, I am taking you home with me. I’ll make sure you are well taken care of and that no one will hurt you.”

Logan gave Sadie a hard look. “You live in tiny quarters.”

“You live with a houseful of people who, apart from your grandfather, are all busy, and he can’t take care of the children.”

He rocked his head back and forth. Did she realize she would be absent as much as anyone at the ranch? Somehow, he knew that little truth wouldn’t change her mind. “Who will look after Jeannie when you’re teaching?”

The stubbornness slid from her face.

“I look after Jeannie,” Beth said. “But we aren’t going with either of you.”

Logan and Sadie forgot their argument as they confronted the children.

“You can’t stay here,” Sadie said. “It’s not...” She glanced about and seemed to struggle to find the appropriate word. “Safe.” A heavy beat passed as everyone stood poised to argue. “It’s only until we can locate your father,” Sadie added.

A look passed between Sammy and Beth. Logan could not interpret it except to know it put him on edge.

Jeannie struggled to get down, and Beth could not hold the squirming child. The little girl went to the table and stared at the cake.

“Who would like some?” Sadie asked, her look including all the children.

Sammy surged forward, but Beth pulled him back.

Ignoring their response, Sadie took a knife from her bag and cut a piece. “Jeannie, would you like some cake?”

She nodded and took the offered morsel. “Thank you,” she said before she devoured the treat.

Sadie cut two more pieces and indicated Sammy and Beth should each take one. Beth shook her head and gripped Sammy’s shoulder, but the boy slipped away and took the cake, making short work of it.

“When did your father leave?” Logan demanded, his voice more sharp than he intended, but to see the way the children ate...

“He left Friday and good rid—” Sammy’s words were cut short as Beth poked him.

Sammy jumped and gave his sister a glaring look. “What?”

“How many times do I have to tell you we keep our business to ourselves?”

“Lots, I guess,” he mumbled. “Want your cake?”

“I’m not hungry,” she said, although her eyes practically devoured the treat.

“Can I have some more?” Sammy asked Sadie.

“Certainly.” She handed him another piece, then turned to Logan. “Can I speak to you outside?”

Three pairs of eyes followed them to the door. She went to the far side of the buggy and waited, her eyes flashing green shards. “These children cannot stay here.”

“I agree.”

Her fierce expression didn’t falter. “Good. We agree on that point, at least. Now would you mind helping me get them to my place?”

“Your place? Where is everyone going to sleep? Do you even have enough bedding for four people?”

“I’m sure I can get what I need at your uncle’s store.”

“That’s so.” But still, it seemed just plain wrong for her to take them home. “At the ranch, they would be surrounded by many loving people.”

“Is it fair to ask Annie to take on more?”

He almost gave up at that. “Annie can manage. After all, she doesn’t have Dawson and Mattie to look after anymore.”

Sadie sighed as if he missed the whole point.

“Shall we let the children make the choice?” he said. Of course, they would choose the ranch. What child doesn’t want to live on a ranch with lots of adults to dote on them? “Besides, we know what it’s like to lose a mother.”

She looked past him, far past him. “Maybe I understand them better than you and your kin can.”

“Now why would you say such a thing?”

“Because you come from a loving, supportive, forgiving family. How can you begin to understand what these kids are dealing with?”

He wished he could see what her past held that made her eyes seem lifeless as she brought her gaze back to his.

“Let’s go ask the children.” She took half a step and stopped. “What if they keep insisting they will stay here?”

He considered the possibility and suddenly chuckled. “Guess we could tell them there’s a nice hot meal waiting for them with cake to follow.”

The heaviness left her face and she grinned. “I heard the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I suppose it applies equally to children.”

He took her arm and led her back to the shack. “We’ll soon find out.”

The children stood lined up waiting for them to enter. He wondered how much of the conversation they’d been able to hear through the thin walls and barely-there window.

Side by side, he and Sadie stood before them. He and Sadie hadn’t decided what to say to persuade the children they must leave, but while he mulled over possibilities, Sadie spoke.

“Children, I think you can see as plainly as we can that you can’t remain here. I’d like you to come stay with me while we sort things out. You might enjoy sharing the stew I have planned for supper.”

“Or you could come with me to the ranch.” That didn’t sound very enticing. “We always have lots to eat.”

“We’ll go with the teacher,” Beth said with finality.

Logan had agreed to let them make the choice. So that’s how it would be. He glanced at Sadie, who didn’t look like she was enjoying this victory. In fact, her eyes were dark. Was she regretting her offer?

She clapped her hands just like a schoolteacher should. “Very well. Let’s get your things gathered up.”

The children’s belongings were pitifully few—three threadbare blankets, a change of clothes, well-worn jackets. Beth’s and Sammy’s were too small, while the arms of Jeannie’s jacket hung past her hands.

Jeannie clutched a rag in her arms.

“What’s that, honey?” Sadie asked.

“My comfie.” She wrapped both arms about it, looking defensive.

“It’s an old sweater of Ma’s that she sleeps with.” Beth looked ready to go to battle.

“Then, by all means, you must bring it.”

Beth’s shoulders dropped as she realized she wouldn’t have to argue with Sadie about the rag.

They all headed for the door. Beth hesitated and turned about to look around the room.

“What is it?” Sadie asked.

“What will he do when he comes back and we’re gone?” Her voice quivered.

“Why don’t I leave a note explaining where you are?” Sadie had pencil and paper out of her bag before she finished speaking, then waited, allowing Beth to make up her mind.

“I guess that would be best.”

Sadie wrote the note.

Logan glanced over her shoulder to read it: “The children are safe in Bella Creek.”

She couldn’t have given less information. He was about to protest when she turned to Sammy.

“Would you get me a rock?” The boy ran to do so.

Sadie took the rock, placed it over the paper in the middle of the table and stepped back. How long would the paper stay there before a mouse used it to build a nest?

They arrived at the schoolhouse and he helped them alight. “I’ll ride out to the ranch and gather up some stuff for you and the children.” He climbed back into the buggy and drove away before she could voice any arguments. He would assist with the children whether or not she welcomed it. In fact, he quite looked forward to doing so.

With a start he realized it would mean spending time with the schoolmarm. How had he managed to get himself tangled in a situation that had him helping a woman? Hadn’t he learned his lesson? And why, in the back corner of his brain, had a little thought surfaced and left him wondering if this time things would be different?

He tightened the grip on the reins of his heart. He would not feel free to care about a woman until he knew everything about her—her present situation, her plans for the future and, especially, her past.

Chapter Three

Sadie stood in the doorway and faced three forlorn children huddled together in the middle of the floor. Her quarters had seemed roomy until now. As Logan had said, they would be crowded here. But they would be safe.

Without appearing to do so, she studied Beth. Was there a reason she’d chosen to come with Sadie? Was it because there were no men at the teacher’s house?

With a shake of her head, she warned herself she too easily equated the children’s situation with her own and she had no reason to do so. They wouldn’t know the truth about things until they located the father. Perhaps he had been injured. But providing an excuse did not erase the way her nerves tingled with certainty there was more involved than a missing father and a deceased mother.

“Children, I will get beds arranged after Logan comes back.” She’d ask him to help her bring cots she would purchase from his uncle’s store. “In the meantime, let’s put your things in the bedroom.”

She led the way to the second room.

Beth looked around. “Where are we going to sleep?”

“We’ll figure out something. After all, I’m the teacher.” She wasn’t sure why that should make the children trust her, but she smiled as Beth relaxed enough to set her squirming little sister down.

Jeannie hurried over to the bed and touched the bright quilt that Aunt Sarah had helped her make, insisting handwork was relaxing. If only her aunt knew how much pain had gone into every stitch as Sadie had made the quilt. She’d told herself that she would start a new life, she would be independent, she would help those in dire circumstances, she would be a teacher and find what she needed in that profession.

Jeannie patted the quilt. “Pretty, pretty.”

“Don’t touch,” Beth warned.

“It’s okay. You can certainly touch it. This is your home now.” At least until the situation could be sorted out, though, if her intuition was correct, she’d make sure the children were never returned to a man who not only neglected the children but hurt them. “I made that quilt when I was eighteen. My aunt helped me.”

“Where was your mother? Had she passed on?” Beth asked, her eyes full of sympathy.

“No, both my parents are alive, but I lived with my aunt for a few years. That’s where I took my teacher’s training.”

“Oh,” both Sammy and Beth said.

She cleared out a drawer in her dresser. “Beth, you can put the girls’ things in here.”

By shoving her books together on one shelf, she made room on another for Sammy’s things. They had so little, but soon she hoped she could provide them with clothes and jackets that fit properly.

The enormity of the task she’d taken on weighed on her shoulders. A teacher’s salary would not extend to feeding and clothing three children. Dear Father God, please provide for us. “I’m sure you’re all hungry. Would you like a snack? Afterward you can help me prepare supper.”

“Yes, please,” Jeannie said. “I hungry.”

“Me, too,” Sammy said. “That cake was really good.”

Beth hung back, not ready to admit she couldn’t manage on her own.

“There’s some cake left. Let’s save it for dessert. But how does bread and jam sound?” Logan’s aunt Mary baked bread and sold it through the store.

“Yes, please.” Jeannie hurried into the kitchen and parked herself at the table. Her brother and sister followed.

Thankfully, those who had furnished Sadie’s rooms had provided four chairs, so there was room for all of them. And no more. She wouldn’t think that it meant she couldn’t invite Logan to share their meals. Or simply come for tea. It was not like she longed for his company. But he had offered to help. Insisted on it.

She sliced bread, spread butter and jam, and placed some before each child. They thanked her and ate neatly. Almost too neatly, as if concerned she would scold them—or worse?—if they dropped a crumb.

Again she was overreacting. She had no reason to think they were being anything but polite, and if she cared to acknowledge what it really meant she would have to say the parents had trained them well. But her gut insisted there was more to the situation than either she or Logan understood.

The children finished and carried their dishes to the dishpan. “I’ll clean up,” Beth said, handing Sammy a tea towel so he could dry.

“I appreciate that.” She would not take away their independence. While the children did dishes, she got out vegetables and the leftover meat to make into stew.

“We can help with that, too,” Beth said.

So she parked the children in a row beside her. Beth diced meat, Sammy peeled the carrots, and Sadie gave Jeannie a basin of water and let her wash the potatoes. Satisfaction filled her insides. This could be her family for a few days.

She stiffened at the pain that grabbed her insides. This might well be the only family she would ever have, and knowing it would be temporary filled her with stinging regret.

Once the vegetables and meat were prepared, she tossed it all into the biggest pot she had and set it to stew. In minutes a succulent aroma filled the room.

They cleaned up. Jeannie played happily with a handful of peelings she’d rescued. Beth and Sammy stood by the cupboard, looking about as if searching for something to do.

Sadie would have no trouble keeping them busy in the classroom, but what would she have them do in their new home?

Before she could come up with an answer, the rattle of a wagon pulling up to the door drew them to the window.

“It’s Logan,” Sammy announced.

“Indeed, it is.”

“He’s got stuff with him.”

Logan jumped down, hurried around the back and lifted out a wooden box.

Sammy rushed to open the door.

Logan entered and looked about, giving each of them a smile. “Sure smells good in here.”

“What’s in the box?” Sammy asked.

“Sammy.” Beth sounded horrified at her brother’s question.

“Why don’t you look and see.” Logan set it down and waved them all forward.

Beth hesitated, which was enough impetus for Sadie to move closer and have a look.

Sammy lifted out a jar of canned meat. And then another of peaches. “It’s food.”

“Yup.” Logan looked pleased with himself. “When I told my family about you children coming to live with Miss Young, they said they would help.” He brought his gaze to Sadie, his eyes bright with pleasure.

She wasn’t about to refuse the offering. “Thank you to you and your family.” There were potatoes, carrots and turnips, canned goods and—she lifted out a cloth-wrapped bundle—two loaves of fresh bread.

“I have a few more things in the wagon. Sammy, give me a hand.” He trotted back outside.

Grinning at being asked, Sammy joined Logan and they brought in a small cot. “There are two of them. Where do you want them set up?”

Her relief was palpable. “This will solve the sleeping situation. Put this one in the bedroom.” They shuffled the furniture around to make room for the cot. “I’ll sleep here and the girls can have the bigger bed.”

“Oh no, miss.” Beth blinked and fluttered her hands. “We wouldn’t think of putting you out. Me and Jeannie can sleep on the cot.”

“Nonsense.” She draped an arm across the girl’s shoulders, feeling them tense. Did the father beat her, too? She would certainly be keeping an eye out for any evidence. “It only makes sense for the two of you to take the bigger bed.”

“What about me?” Sammy demanded. “Where am I sleeping?”

“Ma always said you could sleep standing up, so we’ll just prop you in a corner somewhere.” The room silenced at Beth’s comment.

Logan was the first to realize she was teasing her brother and chuckled. “Looks like that problem is solved.”

Beth’s pleased smile was fleeting but beautiful. Sadie and Logan glanced at each other. Seems he was as relieved as she to see this lighter side of the girl.

Sammy shuffled his feet. “Aw, I can’t really sleep standing.”

“No?” Logan grinned at the boy. “Then maybe you can help me bring in the other cot while Miss Sadie decides where she wants it.”

Sammy followed Logan, trying his best to match the man’s longer strides.

Beth watched with a thoughtful, guarded expression. She turned, caught Sadie watching her and blinked away any telltale emotion.

Logan and Sammy returned and stood in the room, holding the cot. “Where do you want it?” Logan asked.

Sadie sprang into action. “I’ll shove this armchair to the side and the cot can go along this wall.”

Logan and Sammy set it up and stood back to study it. “How does that look to you?” Logan asked Sammy.

“Looks better’n standing in the corner.”

The boy earned a chuckle from both adults and a fleeting smile from Beth. Jeannie climbed to the cot and sat down on the metal slats. “Sammy sleep here?”

“Seems he thinks it will do.” Logan patted Sammy’s back.

The boy flinched so sharply that Logan’s hand fell away.

The boy’s pain was obvious. Sadie’s jaw tightened. Her nostrils flared as she fought back tears. Had Logan seen it? She widened her eyes to stop the threatening tears and looked at Logan.

His eyes had grown stormy. His expression had hardened. He’d noticed. Would he begin to share her suspicions regarding the father or would he blame it on the falls of an active boy?

He turned back to Sammy. “Shall we get the rest of the things?”

The pair went back out and returned with a mattress for each cot.

Then he brought in a box of clothing. “Annie thought you could use this. It’s mostly stuff either she or Mattie have outgrown.”

* * *

Logan couldn’t miss the way Sammy had flinched when he’d touched his back. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask the boy how he got hurt, but he didn’t want to make the children more defensive and guarded than they were already.

Annie had sent a stack of bedding, and he handed some to Sammy to carry in while he filled his arms with the rest.

“I’ll make the beds.” Beth hurried to do so. “Come on, Sammy. You can help.”

“Aw, that’s girls work.”

“We do our share.” Beth waited at the bedroom doorway. “I’m not doing it without you.”

Sammy followed, taking his time.

Jeannie trotted after them. “I help, too.”

Sadie let them handle the job on their own. She stood by Logan’s side. “I appreciate all this, though I fully expected to buy what I need at the store.”

“I’m prepared to help in any way I can.” So was the rest of his family, but he wanted her to acknowledge his support.