Frontier Wife Read Online Free

stood, looking hesitant.
    “Come on.” He lifted the boy into the saddle, swung up behind him, and they set off. The child slumped against his chest, and as Adam glanced down at the golden head, he felt a strange softening towards the little fellow. Emotion welled up in his chest and a longing, so great it almost overwhelmed him, caused his eyes to moisten. He had been about the same age as this boy when his mother died.
    He could still remember her softness, her tenderness. The lullabies she sung to him each night. She always sprinkled lavender water on her handkerchief. For months after she died he had hidden a handkerchief under his pillow when he went to sleep each night, so he might smell the perfume and feel her presence.
    Hell, stop acting like a maudlin idiot. Glancing over one shoulder he saw the faithful Touser trotting along after them.
    “I like you.” A grubby little hand patted his arm. “You can be my friend. Tommy says everyone needs friends.”
    Tommy again. He bit back an oath, turning his thoughts instead to meeting him. What a pleasure it would be to ram his fist right down Tommy Lindsay's throat. It would take little provocation for him to do so.
    “You can have some tea at our place.”
    “I don't think Tommy would serve me anything.” Except rat poison .
    “Tommy will cook you something if I ask. You're my friend. In England Tommy had lots of friends.”
    “I'm Adam Munro.”
    The child jerked upright. “Tommy said…”
    “You've already told me what Tommy thinks of me.” Damn Tommy, he could become fond of this little fellow, given half a chance.
    Jamie’s body stiffened momentarily, before relaxing again. He patted Adam’s hand. “I still like you. You aren’t bad, are you?”
    “No, I’m not bad.”
    Adam saw smoke curling from the chimney first. As they broke out of the trees, the homestead came into view, nestled against heavily timbered mountains. For a moment he debated about setting the boy down here, but when a figure appeared on the verandah, curiosity got the better of him. When they got closer, he realized the slim young man was as fair as Jamie.
    “David, David,” Jamie yelled. “Come on, Mr. Munro, hurry up.”
    Adam dismounted to lift the boy down. He got a surprise when the child grabbed his hand to urge him forward.
    David Lindsay nodded and Adam did likewise. “Where have you been, Jamie?”
    “I went for a walk with Touser.” The dog announced his presence with a couple of joyous barks.
    “Thank you for bringing him home, I'm David Lindsay.”
    The young man spoke with an upper class English accent. He had the same blond hair and blue eyes as Jamie, but his face looked white and sick. He dragged his leg when he walked. Adam could not explain it even to himself, but he felt a sudden distaste for his actions in town just a short time ago. They were nothing short of disgraceful, but he had starving stock to consider.
    “I'm Adam Munro.”
    David Lindsay went rigid with shock. “You're Adam Munro? We assumed you were, er, older.”
    “Land hungry old despot, were Tommy's words I believe.” He watched with satisfaction as an embarrassed red flush stained the young Englishman's cheeks, then receded, leaving him deathly pale.
    “Would you care to come inside? The least we can do is offer you a drink.”
    Adam hesitated, but with Jamie tugging at his hand convinced himself it was easier to accept. Once inside the parlor he glanced around with interest. He had only been inside the homestead on a couple of occasions. Originally it had just been a bark hut, built by his father and grandfather when they first settled the area. With the mere stroke of a pen some corrupt government official handed this prime land over to old man Lindsay. No compensation for all the blood, sweat and tears the Munro’s expended on the place. His grandfather and two uncles died trying to tame what had once been a savage wilderness. The injustice of it all left a bitter taste in his