Page 38 of Montana Groom of Convenience
“Aye, little one, ye might as well get used to me. I can’t help myself ’cause I love mornings so much. Now, up to the table, and let’s enjoy the meal Carly has prepared.”
She poured coffee for the men and milk for herself and Jill. She served toasted bread, fried eggs, and bacon. It was plenty enough food for her and Father and likely for Jill. But maybe not for Sawyer. “Would you like griddle cakes as well with your breakfast?”
His eyes lit. “I love griddle cakes. But only if it’s not too much work.”
She chuckled. “I think I can manage to fry up a few. Starting tomorrow.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Their gazes held, and Carlyfelt the pleasure of knowing she could please this man by preparing good meals.
Sawyer and Jill helped her do the dishes.
“I’ll run out and take care of the chickens,” she said when they were done. She milked the cow and hurried through the rest of the morning chores. She gathered the eggs and took them to the house, pausing to toss some leftover biscuits into a sack to take with her. Jill sat at the table with Father, a checkerboard between them. Father would be pleased to teach another little girl to play the game.
She glanced about but didn’t see Sawyer. Perhaps he was in his room. Or had gone outside for something. “I’ll be back later,” she told Father and Jill. “There’s bread and cheese for sandwiches if I don’t get back by noon.”
“Where are ye off to, lass?” Father asked.
“I need to check the north side of the ranch and push back any cows wandering too far.”
“Aye, you do that.”
She wondered at the amusement in his eyes. Then shrugged. Perhaps he was simply enjoying a little girl to keep him company. “How is your leg?”
“It gets better every day.” He made a move in the game. “Your turn,” he said to Jill.
Carly left the pair to their fun and headed for the barn. She was about to step inside to saddle Sunny when Sawyer led his saddled horse out.
“You aren’t riding away, are you?” Did he intend toleave her alone with Jill to take care of?
His eyebrows did a little dance. “I’m a man of my word.”
“Then where are you going?”
“To check the cows.”
She couldn’t have been more stunned if he’d pulled a gun on her. “I’m going to check on the cows.” How could he—“You don’t even know where they are.”
“Your father told me how to identify the boundaries and what cows were yours.” He reached for the reins, intending to mount.
“Checking the cows is my job.” She crowded his horse back into the barn, scooped up her saddle and blanket, and tossed them on Sunny’s back.
Sawyer left his horse and followed her. “What about Jill?”
She reached under for the cinch.
He persisted. “Our agreement was for you to provide a home for Jill.”
She didn’t even look at him to see if his expression had changed. She heard the warning note in his voice, and that was enough.
He tried again. “She needs a real home.”
Carly slowly straightened, keeping her back to Sawyer. She’d heard Jill cry out in her sleep last night. Had seen the almost hidden uncertainty in her face throughout the day.
More than that, she recalled the days after her own mother’s death when she felt so alone and afraid. That’s when she’d begun riding the range, and soon after, began taking care of the cows. She’d found solace and purpose and so much else there. She loved the wide-open spaces, the heat of the sun, and the scents on the breeze. She loved seeing the wild animals—big and small—and the birds.
She came round to face Sawyer. “I can’t give it up.”
He watched her calmly.
