Cowboy Father Read online

  Aunt Mary opened her eyes and smiled at the child. “A little.”

  Blossom touched Aunt Mary’s arm. “You get better?”

  “Yes, I shall.”

  Bruce watched his aunt. Was he imagining that this little breath of a girl had eased her suffering? He shook his head. How was that possible? And yet as the girl continued to stroke Aunt Mary’s arm, his aunt drew in a long inhalation…one without a shudder.

  Mrs. Norwood entered again, carrying snow-white bandages, a brown bottle, and a stubby jar. “Blossom. I wondered where you had gone. I hope she’s not being a bother.”

  “Not at all,” Bruce said at the same time as his aunt.

  “She usually keeps her distance from strangers.” She pulled a chair to the sofa, easing Blossom to the side, putting her closer to Bruce’s knees.

  Blossom looked up at him, her blue eyes as calm and still as a deep mountain lake.

  “Mrs. Kinsley is occupied at the moment. She’ll come as soon as she can to make sure the leg is properly set, but she has told me how to tend this burn.” She paused. “Perhaps you’d like to step outside while I do so.”

  Bruce was on his feet immediately. Of course, he didn’t want to be there while his aunt’s leg was exposed. Not that he hadn’t already seen it when he put out the fire but still, she would be embarrassed. Though likely not any more than he. He hoped his face was tanned enough to hide the heat rushing to his cheeks.

  “Come on, kids. Let’s wait in the hall.”

  Blossom took his hand, making him feel like he’d been offered a special prize. Donny skipped ahead of them, waited for them to reach the hall, then he pulled the door closed.

  “Ma will fix your aunt,” Donny said with complete certainty.

  Bruce knew the burns couldn’t be fixed with the application of ointment. They required time and care to heal. Her leg would take time to heal as well.

  He thought this journey would solve most of his problems. Instead, it had added to them. Or at least, given him a new set.

  For his aunt’s safety, he’d ripped her from the home she’d lived in most of her life. Her predicament was entirely his fault. All that mattered now was getting her to a safe place, away from the malicious gossip and threats they had faced back home. Her sister in Washington Territory offered his aunt a home with her. Bruce had promised to take her there. But how was he to provide the care his aunt needed as they crossed the mountains?

  How was he to keep his promise to his aunt to get her to a home like the one she’d had to abandon because of him?

  Now available!

  Dear Reader

  Thank you for reading COWBOY FATHER.

  I often choose books based on reviews. If you liked this book or have comments would you please go to Amazon and leave a review so others can find it?

  If you’ve enjoyed this story, and would like to read more of Linda’s books, you can learn more about upcoming releases by signing up for her newsletter. You will also be able to download a free book, Cowboy to the Rescue. Click here to sign up.

  * * *

  Connect with Linda online:

  Website | Facebook | Join my email newsletter

  Also by Linda Ford

  Contemporary Romance

  Montana Skies series

  Cry of My Heart

  Forever in My Heart

  Everlasting Love

  Inheritance of Love

  Historical Romance

  Glory, Montana - the Preacher’s Daughters

  Loving a Rebel

  A Love to Cherish

  Renewing Love

  A Love to Have and Hold

  * * *

  Love on the Santa Fe Trail

  Wagon Train Baby

  Wagon Train Wedding

  Wagon Train Matchmaker

  Wagon Train Christmas

  * * *

  Dakota Brides series

  Temporary Bride

  Abandoned Bride

  Second-Chance Bride

  Reluctant Bride

  * * *

  War Brides series

  Lizzie

  Maryelle

  Irene

  Grace

  * * *

  Wild Rose Country

  Crane’s Bride

  Hannah’s Dream

  Chastity’s Angel

  Cowboy Bodyguard

  Copyright © 2019 by Linda Ford

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.