Linda Ford Read Online Free Page A

about the prospect of sleeping out in the open.” But there was something infectious about the laughter around her and she could no longer keep a straight face.
    They laughed until she was weak in the knees and had wiped tears from her face several times.
    As if guided by some silent signal they all grew quiet at once.
    “I’ll put up a temporary shelter,” Roper said. He headed toward the pile of lumber.
    Neil sprang after him. “I can help.”
    “’Preciate that. Let’s find something to build half walls with.”
    “Half walls?” Cassie asked.
    “Temporary but solid. I’ll get some canvas from Macpherson to cover the top. It will be warm and dry until we get the house done.”
    Neil grabbed the end of a board that Roper indicated.
    Cassie trotted over and reached for a second board.
    Roper caught her shoulder and stopped her. “I can handle this.”
    Did he think he could simply take over? “We need to discuss our arrangement.” She edged away from the children so they wouldn’t hear the conversation. “I want to be clear this is only while the children are here.”
    “Cassie, that’s all I expect.” Something about the way his eyes darkened made her think of retracting her words. But only for a quick second.
    “I don’t need or want help for my sake.”
    He lifted his gaze to the sky as if seeking divine help then grinned at her.
    She gave his amusement no mind. “I’d pay you if I could.”
    “You take care of the kids.” He tipped his head toward the quartet. Neil had joined the others and they regarded her warily. “I want nothing more.”
    “Good. So long as you understand completely.”
    “You’ve made yourself more than clear. Now about the children...”
    “Of course.” She had no idea how she could manage until they had some sort of shelter and a stove, but she’d keep her part of the bargain and care for them. She squared her shoulders as she joined them. “When was the last time you ate?”
    “We’re not hungry,” Daisy said but the way Billy’s eyes widened with hope and little Pansy stopped sucking her fingers, Cassie knew Daisy did not speak for the others. “I’ll make tea.” She headed for the tent to retrieve her stack of dishes. She lifted the canvas and crawled inside, fighting the billows of rough material. A moment later, she backed out with her hands full.
    Billy giggled.
    “Shh,” Daisy warned.
    He sobered but the way his lips trembled tickled the inside of Cassie’s stomach.
    “I feel like a bug crawling out from a hole.” She grinned and ran her hands over her hair.
    “Pretty big bug.” Billy’s smile flickered and sputtered to an end as Daisy poked him in the back.
    “He doesn’t mean anything bad. He just hasn’t learned to think before he speaks.” Daisy’s stare dared him to say anything more.
    “Have, too.”
    Cassie chuckled. Obviously the boy didn’t seem inclined to listen to Daisy’s warnings, silent or otherwise. To distract him, she said, “Billy, why don’t you gather up some firewood?” There was plenty of it lying about. Neil had gone back to helping Roper so she asked Daisy, “Could you help with these things?” She indicated the kettle and the box of supplies.
    Daisy jiggled Pansy farther up on her hip and grabbed the kettle.
    It was on the tip of Cassie’s tongue to suggest that Daisy put her sister down but she wondered if either of them were ready to be separated and decided to leave it be.
    It didn’t take long to get a fire going and hang the kettle over it. Roper paused from his work to drag logs close.
    “Benches,” he explained, and she thanked him.
    She took the biscuits and jam out of her provisions and when the tea was ready she called Roper and Neil. The other children hovered beside the fire, Pansy still riding Daisy’s hip.
    Roper hung the hammer over the board walls he had started and squatted to begin a mock fistfight with Neil. “You hungry, boy, or do you want to stay here working?”
    “I’m