Linda Ford Read Online Free

same. The need to be accepted, to feel secure.
    Before she could reason past the emotion, she turned to Roper. “It’s a deal.” She held out her hand, and they shook. He held her hand a moment longer than the shake required, his eyes warm and thankful. She clamped her lips together and tried to deny the feeling that the two of them had stepped across an invisible line and entered strange new territory.
    He released her hand and turned to the children. “Come on, kids. You’re staying here.”
    They scrambled from the wagon and edged their way over to face Cassie. She felt their uncertainty like a heat wave.
    She wanted to ease that fear. “You’ll be safe here as long as you need.”
    The oldest girl teared up. “Thank you. Thank you.”
    The oldest boy’s expression remained guarded. Cassie knew he wouldn’t easily accept words; he’d have to see for himself they were more than empty promises.
    Roper introduced them all and at Cassie’s request they gave their ages: Daisy, thirteen; Neil, twelve; Billy, six; and Pansy, two.
    Cassie quickly assessed them. They seemed weary and afraid but not defeated, especially Daisy who appeared competent in her role as mother, her watchful brown eyes never leaving her siblings.
    Neil, too, seemed strong though not yet grown past childhood. His brown hair was in need of a cut, she noted as he stared at Cassie with the same deep brown eyes as Daisy.
    The two younger children were both fair-haired, like their older sister, and blue-eyed and clung to their older siblings.
    They all shuffled their feet and grew exceedingly quiet as the Mountie crossed from Macpherson’s store.
    “You kids ready to go?”
    Cassie shot Roper a look full of hot accusation. He had neglected to say anything about the NWMP having a claim to these children. What else had he not told her?
    “Constable, they’ll be staying here with us.” Roper included Cassie in his announcement.
    The Mountie looked about slowly, taking in the pile of lumber, the tiny sagging tent and likely a whole lot more. His gaze stopped at Cassie. “Are you in agreement with sheltering these children temporarily?”
    She nodded, too nervous to speak as he studied her. His look seemed to see a whole lot more than the tight smile she gave him.
    His gaze again went to the tent.
    Roper stepped forward. “I guarantee they’ll be as safe and dry as any kids setting out with their folks in a wagon.”
    He might as well have said things would be a little rough.
    The Mountie didn’t answer for several minutes then shook his head. “This is most unusual. Two unmarried people caring for a family. However, I’ve had reports about a group of Indians stirring up trouble and I need to check on them before I head back to the fort. Should be gone a few days. I’ll leave the children in your care until then. When I get back, I’ll make my decision.” He donned his Stetson to indicate the interview was over and headed back to the store.
    Tension filled the air after he left. Cassie searched for something to ease the moment, but as she glanced about, the enormity of the situation hit her.
    “Where is everyone going to sleep?” She waved her hand toward her tent that grew more bowed with each puff of wind. Obviously that wouldn’t be sufficient.
    The kids considered the tent. As if the thought of so many inside was too much for it to contemplate, the tent collapsed with a heavy sigh.
    Billy giggled. “It got tired and laid down.”
    For some reason his words tickled his brother and older sister and they pressed their hands to their mouths, trying to contain errant giggles. They failed miserably and stopped trying.
    Pansy’s eyes widened and she gurgled at their amusement—a sweet pleasing sound that brought a smile to Cassie’s mouth.
    Their reaction was likely the result of all the emotion of the past few hours, Cassie reasoned. She glanced toward Roper. As he met her gaze, he started to chuckle.
    “I don’t see what’s so funny