Dakota Father Read Online Free PDF Page A

a predicament, did you? Didn’t check out the situation before you made your bold decision?”
    Bold. The word clawed through her mind. How often had Pa said she was too bold? How often had Ma said it would get her into trouble?
    Boots thudded on the wooden floor outside and Mr. Zach appeared, carrying her luggage. “Thought I’d carry your bags inside.”
    â€œNot too late to change your mind and go back with Zach.”
    Burke’s voice was low, insistent, as if he not onlythought she should do so, but felt an urgency she should.
    Meggie in her arms, she pushed to her feet and faced him knowing her determination blared across her face. “If I can take Meggie.”
    â€œâ€™Fraid I can’t let you do that.”
    Slowly she nodded. “Then I’m afraid I must stay with her until you get married.”
    Ignoring Burke’s sputter of protest, she thanked Mr. Zach, who hesitated then slowly retreated. As she listened to the buggy rattle from the yard she knew she was irrevocably committed to this decision.
    She stared hard at Burke, each of them taking stock of the other’s reserve of stubbornness. She narrowed her eyes, hoped he would see she would not back down. Not now. Not ever. Not until arrangements were up to what Lena would expect.
    The look he gave her might have made her shiver if she had been the quiet, refined lady her parents hoped for instead of one who acted first, thought later, afraid of nothing and no one. She remembered Ma’s admonition to moderate her boldness and lowered her gaze. “I hope we can arrange a suitable living arrangement.”
    Burke snorted. “And what do you intend to do if we can’t? Shouldn’t you have thought of that before you sent Zach away?” He sighed. “It’s too late to ride with him but I’ll take you back.”
    â€œWhy are you so determined to get rid of me?”
    â€œBecause you don’t belong. Better you accept it right now before you get in over your head.”
    Little did he know that she was already in that situation, but it would not cause her to abandon Meggie whose warm arms clung around Jenny’s neck, her face buried against Jenny’s shoulder.
    â€œIt’s not too late to change your mind.”
    â€œI’ll let you know when I’m ready to leave. But I can assure you it won’t be until I’m satisfied Meggie will be properly taken care of.”
    His gaze darkened. “I don’t think that’s your call to make.”
    â€œI disagree. Lena and Mark trusted me with seeing Meggie properly settled. I intend to do just that. Now—” she glanced about “—if you would be kind enough to show me where we might clean up.”
    He didn’t move a muscle or give any indication he would help in any way.
    Jenny shot a glance toward Paquette who met her gaze with what Jenny could only take as a mixture of pity and compassion.
    â€œBoss, she and baby use room next mine. It be big ’nough.”
    Burke groaned. “This is a mistake we’ll all live to regret.”
    Jenny didn’t know if he addressed her or Paquette but she understood her decision to stay was themistake he referred to, and it undid all her efforts at being reserved. “I fail to see why you should view this as a disaster in the making. I simply have a job to do—see Meggie is settled.” She refrained from adding she would insist on several other changes, too—but a glance around revealed a hundred things that would be dangerous to a toddler. And it didn’t require more than a fleeting acquaintance with the setup to realize there was no one in the present company who could care for Meggie. Until she solved that problem she would be staying. “I think if we all cooperate things should go swimmingly.”
    He looked at the roof as if hoping for divine help.
    Exactly what she needed. My Father in heaven, guide me and protect me as I