Читать книгу Falling for the Rancher Father - Linda Ford - Страница 13

Chapter Five

Abel led Sam in the general direction he planned to go but, before he ventured farther, he left the horse waiting as he scouted around the cabin. If some crazy man hung about in the vicinity he wanted to know about it. Heavy gray clouds hung low in the sky. Dampness filled the air. At least the twins would be safe and dry in Mercy’s care.

Mercy! The woman seemed destined to fill his mind with confusion.

Shoot! He was crazier than any wild man. He’d hugged Mercy. Only because he was so all-fired relieved to see Ladd safe and sound. Or at least that’s the excuse he gave himself and initially it had driven his actions. But he’d felt a whole lot more than relief as soon as his arms closed around her. He’d noted a number of things—how she fit just below his chin, how small yet strong she felt, how her hair filled with the scent of summer flowers and fresh-mowed hay.

Momentarily, without forethought, his arms had tightened around her and then she’d stepped back, no doubt as shocked by his actions as he’d been.

A thorough search around the cabin yielded no evidence of anyone lingering in the area. So Abel returned to Sam and left to find firewood and good logs, though building a bigger cabin before winter seemed a distant possibility.

He worked steadily all day, grateful the rain held off. Shadows filled the hollows and hung around the trees as he returned to the cabin with logs. Rather than unload immediately, he headed for the cabin, driven by far more than concern for the children. All day his thoughts had tortured him with memories of Mercy in his arms. Yet only the day before he’d considered her a menace to his children’s safety.

Likely she still was, and he needed to keep that in mind. A woman interested in pursuing a wild life in a show, a woman who ignored his warnings about involving the children in her activities, a woman who rode like a man and...

He reached the cabin door and paused to listen. Laughter came from inside and he forgot to list the other things against Mercy.

Ducking his head, he stepped inside and ground to a halt. Flour covered half the surfaces in the cabin and if he wasn’t mistaken, dough spatters decorated the surfaces that had been spared the flour dusting. The children wore generous amounts of both and Mercy’s hair had turned gray. When had he ever seen such a mess? Was this her idea of looking after the twins? “What exploded?”

The three looked up, saw his expression and glanced around. Their gaze returned to him, guardedness replacing the laughter.

“We made cookies,” Ladd said, his words solid.

“Mercy helped us.” Allie sounded a little more conciliatory.

Mercy didn’t say anything and her gaze dared him to object.

He swallowed hard, the aroma of cookies from the oven overwhelming his annoyance. “Cookies, huh?”

“Want some?” Allie asked.

“They smell good.” He’d overlook the mess in order to enjoy the cookies. And the company of those who had baked them. Tonight he’d clean the mess. At least he’d be too busy to be bored and lonely.

He sat at the table and tried not to look too surprised at the cookies set before him. One was small and slightly black around the edges, another was the size of a saucer, several were balls and one had been shaped into— He peered more closely at it.

“It’s a horse,” Ladd said. “Allie made it.”

Allie stood at Abel’s side waiting for his approval. Who’d have thought to make a horse out of cookie dough? Probably Mercy. “It’s looks very nice.”

Allie beamed her approval.

Mercy handed him a cup of coffee although she didn’t join him and the children at the table.

He studied her out of the corner of his eyes. Was she uncomfortable around him? He had no one but himself to blame if she was. Nor could she find this any more awkward than did he.

He downed his coffee and ate two cookies—one each child had made—pronounced them delicious, then hurried back outside to deal with the load of firewood.

A couple of hours later, he returned to the cabin. When he stepped inside, he blinked at the transformation. The flour and dough had been cleaned up and the vegetable soup Allie craved simmered on the stove. The table had been set for three. No reason he should be disappointed, he told himself. Mercy had to get going if she planned to get back while she could see the trail.

She grabbed her jacket and he followed her out the door.

“Keep alert. I don’t like to think what a man is doing out in the woods.”

She chuckled. “I’ll keep my gun and rope ready and, if need be, use them both.”

He didn’t ask how she’d use them both but, no doubt, she could.

She swung into the saddle and sat there. “I don’t know if you were aware that there are church services at the ranch every Sunday. There’s a service tomorrow, in the cookhouse. Everyone is welcome. If you’re interested.”

“I’d love to come. I want the children to realize that Sunday means church. What time?”

“We meet right after breakfast.” She gave the time. “See you then.”