The Cowboy's Ready-Made Family Read Free Page B

this must be an answer to my prayer.”
    He was an answer to someone’s prayer? He kind of liked that. Maybe he should pray that God would make Himself plain to him. He’d sure like the answer to that prayer, as well.
    â€œSo I agree to your plan.” Her eyes flashed a warning. “With a few conditions.”
    He stiffened, guarding his heart against the words he expected. Stay away from the children. Don’t think you can make yourself at home. Don’t forget you’re a half-breed. She might not use those exact words but the message would be the same.
    â€œThe children must be treated kindly at all times. And I don’t want them getting hurt because of the horses.”
    His mouth fell slack. He was lost for words. Nothing about his heritage? Nothing at all?
    â€œMa’am, there is no need for such conditions. I would never be unkind to a child. Or an adult. Or an animal. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. And I would never put anyone in danger. For any reason.”
    She studied him for several heartbeats. She seemed to be searching beyond the obvious, but for what?
    He met her look.
    His mouth grew dry. He blinked and shifted away. He saw depths of need and a breadth of longings that left him both hungry to learn more and wishing he saw less.
    â€œThen we have a deal.” She held her hand out.
    He took it before she remembered he was a half-breed, and marveled at her firm grip despite the smallness of her hand.
    Inside his heart, buried deep, pressed down hard beneath a world of caution, there bubbled to the surface a desire to protect.
    The one thing he meant to protect was his heart. No one, especially a fragile blonde woman, would be allowed near it.
    â€œWe have a deal,” he said.
    Their agreement would certainly solve two problems. But he wondered if it would create a whole lot more to take their place.

Chapter Two
    A little later, Tanner rode into the yard at Sundown Ranch. His brothers trotted over to the barn as he led Scout in. Though they were close in age—Johnny was twenty, a year younger than Tanner, and Levi two years younger—his brothers were as different from Tanner as was possible. Johnny lived to please his father and to prove he was part of the white world. Levi didn’t much care what anyone except Maisie thought.
    â€œYou get them?” Johnny asked.
    â€œI sure did. Ten in all. And all three of Ma’s horses. I have them in that little box canyon over the hill.”
    Big Sam ambled into the barn. “Howdy, boys.”
    â€œHi, Pa,” they replied.
    â€œYou capture them horses?” he asked Tanner.
    â€œTen. Now all I got to do is break them.”
    â€œSure wish I could help you out, but you know my feelings.”
    Tanner did. They all did. He could hardly wait to see their surprise when he announced his good news.
    The supper bell rang and the four of them crossed to the house. It was a one-story structure, nothing fancy, but, as Big Sam often said with a great deal of pride, it was solid.
    Maisie waited at the door to greet them. As part of her many rituals, she got a kiss on the cheek from each man as he passed. Not that Tanner was complaining. She was a good, loving mama to Big Sam’s boys and had never let their mixed heritage influence her affections for them.
    They washed up, sat at the table and automatically reached for one another’s hands as Big Sam asked the blessing. Holding hands was another of Maisie’s rituals. He’d found the gesture comforting when he was eight and still found it comforting at twenty-one. There was one place he knew he belonged. Right here in this house.
    They passed the food and then began another of Maisie’s rituals.
    â€œSam, did you get the cows moved up to summer pasture?” Over the evening meal, Maisie asked each of them about their day, starting with Pa and then proceeding in descending age.
    â€œSure did. Grass is looking good already.