The Cowboy's Convenient Proposal. Linda Ford

months. Apart from when Thorton thought to take us out for a walk, and he made plenty sure to hold tight to her hand. So, no, she doesn’t do this often.”

      “I’m sorry. I never realized, though I suppose I should have.” He’d seen the little room, even noticed how the window was barred, allowing only slits of light to enter. “She’ll have lots of chance to roam free out here.”

      “Hope she doesn’t get lost.”

      Ward thought it best to not echo his worry along the same line. After a bit the stew bubbled, and he moved it down the spit to simmer while the potatoes cooked. The smell of food was enough to flood his mouth with saliva. He’d eaten a fair-sized breakfast but nothing since. He guessed Red hadn’t eaten since the day before, and who could guess when Belle had last eaten. He hoped the aromas floating from the pot should soon bring her in. “How’s your leg feeling?”

      “It’s fine.”

      “I suppose your head is fine, too?”

      “Yup.”

      “Would you admit if it hurt like fury and your leg pained clear to your eyeballs?”

      She laughed, a sound that startled him, expecting, as he was, another fierce argument. “I’ll admit it hurts some, but seeing as there’s nothing for it but to endure, doesn’t seem much point in bemoaning the fact.”

      He’d told himself the same thing many times so couldn’t argue. Somehow hearing her say it made him like her just a little. “You will keep an eye on your leg and make sure it doesn’t get infected? If you see any sign of it, let me know. Linette will have ways of treating it.”

      “I can manage on my own.”

      “I was only being helpful.” He felt her wariness and recalled her earlier words. “And I don’t expect any form of repayment in return.”

      “I would pay cash for the use of the cabin if I had any. I don’t. Nor do I aim to repay favors with favors.”

      He sighed loud and long. “I would not take either.” He tested the potatoes with a fork. They were cooked. He trotted back to the cabin for dishes, paused to fill a bucket of water at the well. Back at the fire, he handed her two plates, forks and cups.

      “Thank you,” she said.

      He chomped down on his teeth to keep from saying it was good to see she had a measure of manners. “Call out and tell Belle the food is ready.”

      “Belle. There’s food. It smells mighty good. Can you smell it?”

      They both waited silently for a sound of the little girl. To his right, the grass rustled.

      “She’s coming,” he whispered.

      “Ward made lots of stew and there’s baked potatoes. When was the last time you had a whole potato?”

      The grass rustled some more, then Belle hovered at the edge of the darkness.

      “Come on, honey,” Red urged.

      Belle darted glances at Ward as she made her way to Red’s side, going the long way around the fire to avoid having to pass him.

      He tried not to let it bother him and failed miserably. Instead, he had to be content with handing them a heaping plate of food. He handed Red a potato. She took it. But when he held out one toward Belle, she shrank back. Red reached for it but Ward withdrew. He wanted Belle to trust him enough to take it from him. After all, he had provided the food. Besides, he was getting tired of being treated like one of the bad guys.

      Belle’s fear was palpable, but so was her hunger. He offered her a towel. “It’s hot. Hold it with this.”

      She snatched the towel, took another moment to consider the potato carefully, then, doing her best not to touch his hand, took it.

      It was a start. Satisfied, he sat down with his own food. “I’ll say grace.”

      He didn’t need to look at Red to feel her resistance. But Belle met his eyes steadily a moment before she bowed her head.

      He prayed, and then they ate in silence. When he saw they’d cleaned their plate, he offered them another helping, which they didn’t refuse.

      The evening deepened. Despite the warmth of the fire, he felt coolness moving in. “I need to do my chores.” Though likely Slim or Roper had seen to them by now.

      Red sprang to her feet. “You go. We’ll be fine.”

      Ward picked up his hat from beside him and slammed it on his head. “What’s your hurry?”

      “I didn’t mean...”

      “Don’t bother backpeddling. But if you don’t mind, I’ll see that you’re settled in the cabin and the fire is dowsed before I leave.” He grabbed the lamp and strode back to the cabin. He set the lamp on the tiny table.

      Red slipped into the room. “Guess you can’t blame me for being leery. I want to make it on my own. Owe no man anything.”

      “I could carve it in the log by the table so you don’t forget.”

      “What are you talking about?”

      “Lady, my stepfather made no secret that my presence set his teeth on edge. So I walked away from my family because I figured if I left they’d be better off. But I’ve never known if it was so or not. Instead I wonder. And I regret leaving. My only reason for helping you is to make up for leaving my family. It’s nothing to do with you. So don’t think I plan to take advantage of you. You mention it again and I will carve ‘I want nothing in return’ in that there log.” He slapped the chosen place.

      “Well, fine then. Just so long as we understand each other.”

      “I’m pretty sure we do. There’s the bedroom.” He pointed toward the door. “There’s the stove. I can light it now if you think it’s too chilly in here, though likely you would then roast like trussed chickens. There’s food in the cupboard. Not much. I’ll be back with more in the morning. The place is yours.”

      He headed for the door, which was all of three steps away, and Red bolted out of his way. He stopped to give her a long, steady look.

      She lowered her head and mumbled something that sounded vaguely like “thank you.”

      He nodded briskly and stepped outside. “Call your sister. I’m going to put out the fire.”

      At her call, Belle dashed past him to join Red.

      He carried the dishes to the cabin and set them in a pot without any comment, then grabbed a shovel from the corner.

      Smacking out the lingering flames and covering the embers with dirt allowed him take care of most of his frustration.

      He wondered if rescuing this pair would in any way ease his guilt about having left his own family, or if he had bitten off more than he cared to chew.