LITMIR.BIZ

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to reassure him.

      Pa wandered about the store, paused to adjust the cans of tomatoes, and secured the lid on the barrel of crackers. “I hope this doesn’t last too long.”

      “We’re all safe, Pa.”

      He sat on a chair by the fire. “The stagecoach won’t run if this keeps up. You won’t make it to Toronto as we planned.”

      “I’ll be safe here. I can go later.” She didn’t object to a delay in her travel plans—although Pa insisted that the sooner she went, the better. But she hated to leave before Christmas.

      “I promised your mother you’d leave when you turned eighteen.”

      “I’ll be eighteen for a whole year.” She smiled encouragement at her father, then glanced at Colt to see his reaction to the conversation.

      He watched them with guarded interest.

      Deciding to change the topic, she asked him, “What are your plans for the children?”

      He paused as if to measure his words. “I thought the children should go to Fort Macleod. I hear there’s a teacher there who takes in orphan children without any regard for their race.”

      Suddenly, the first leg of her journey didn’t seem so lonely and frightening. With Colt and the children along, she’d barely have time to think about all she was leaving behind.

      Colt fixed his dark eyes on her, bringing her thoughts to a crashing halt.

      “Miss Macpherson, seeing as you plan to take the stagecoach, I hope you’ll agree to take them with you and turn them over to the teacher.”

      “Me?” She couldn’t tear her gaze from his.

      “Makes sense,” Pa said.

      Becca did not think it made any sense whatsoever. She saw herself clutching two sad children, tears flowing silently from three pairs of eyes, as they huddled alone and cold in a stagecoach racing farther and farther away from everything familiar. Though perhaps the tears wouldn’t be silent on Little Joe’s behalf. She blinked, reminded herself of her promise to her mother, and managed a soft answer.

      “Of course.”

      “So much depends on the weather.” Pa again wandered about the store, poking at supplies.

      Marie shifted to look into Colt’s face. “You not take care of us?”

      “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

      His reply satisfied Marie, and she snuggled against his chest.

      Colt had the most peculiar expression on his face. As if unsure how to handle the children, and yet he was so gentle and natural with them.

      Becca couldn’t stop watching him.

      Pa cleared his throat, and guilty heat burned across her cheeks. Pa always guarded her closely, making sure she didn’t spend too much time in the company of the men who visited the store. Not that he’d ever had to run interference before.

      “It will soon be supper time,” Pa said.

      “Of course. I’ll see to it.” She hurried into the living quarters, grateful to escape the three visitors. She stared around the kitchen. What was she to prepare for them? Would they enjoy clustering around the table? When had she ever been so disturbed by unexpected guests? It wasn’t as if they hadn’t had occasional visitors over the few years they’d been here. But none that stirred her heart the way this man did.

      The innocent children, too, of course. Only it wasn’t the idea of the children sitting at the table that had her thoughts all aflutter.

      She grabbed her apron, tied it about her waist and put a pot on the stove.

      Tomorrow she would depart on the stage. She glanced toward the window. If the storm let up. Otherwise—she sucked in air that seemed strangely empty—they would be stranded until such time as the weather improved. No doubt she should be somewhat dismayed at the idea of a delay. But she smiled as she browned bacon, peeled potatoes and cubed them into the pot for thick, nourishing potato soup. She turned to get a can of milk from the shelf. Out of habit, her glance slid to the picture of Ma on the small side table beside the burgundy armchair where she’d so often sat to read or knit.

      “Ma,” she whispered. “It’s only a delay.” And only if the storm lasted. “I haven’t forgotten my promise.”

      Yet her insides felt as tangled as a sheet left too long on the line. Yes, she’d go to Toronto because she’d promised to do so. Her mother had wanted her to enjoy more opportunities than the frontier provided. More social life, more suitable acquaintances. But she wouldn’t regret a delay in her travel plans. Surely Ma would understand that some things couldn’t be helped—like the weather.

      And if her heart welcomed the delay, who was to know and judge?

      The soup was about ready and the table set when Becca heard a scream that caused her to drop a handful of spoons.

      Clutching her skirts, she dashed for the doorway to the store. “What’s wrong?”

      The two children stood before the outer door. Marie held the blanket out to her brother, but he tossed his arms about, refusing her efforts to comfort him.

      Pa stood by his chair, looking as startled and confused as Becca.

      She glanced about. “Where’s Colt?” Had he walked out on these children? If so, he wasn’t the man she’d judged him to be.

      Her question made Little Joe scream louder. She closed her eyes and grimaced. “He’s so loud.”

      Pa shook his head. “I can’t hear you.”

      At least, that’s what she guessed he said. She moved closer to him and shouted, “Where’s Colt?”

      “Said he had to take care of his horse. I told him to put the animal in our barn.”

      “He’s coming back, isn’t he?”

      Pa nodded. “Don’t think he has much choice. He wouldn’t get far in this weather.” He escaped into the living quarters where the din of Little Joe’s crying would be softer.

      There must be a way to calm the boy. Before she could think what to do, the door swung open and shut again. A cold wind blasted through the room, carrying a generous dose of snow.

      They all turned to look at Colt as he brushed himself off.

      Little Joe let out a wail and ran to him as fast as his little legs allowed. He didn’t slow down when he reached the man, but crashed into his legs.

      Colt swung the boy up in his arms. “Young man, you are going to have to learn to stop without using my legs as brakes.”

      Little Joe buried his face against Colt’s chest and peeked out from the corners of his eyes.

      No mistaking the gleam of victory.

      Becca laughed. “You little scamp. You’re just pretending.”

      Colt quirked a black eyebrow. “What’s he pretending?”

      She fell into Colt’s gaze and had no idea how to answer him.

      Colt shifted to consider Little Joe. “What have you been up to, young fella?”

      At the grin on Little Joe’s face, Becca laughed and smoothed his hair. “You’re going to do just fine.” So long as he found somewhere he felt safe and loved.

      Little Joe wriggled to be put down, and Colt released him. The boy darted from one thing to another in the store, touching gently but never pulling at anything.

      Becca remained at Colt’s side, watching. “They seem like fine kids.”

      “I think Zeke had been warning them to be good. If they misbehave, people will say it’s because they’re savages.” His voice deepened as he

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