The Convict and the Cattleman Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’ll be along shortly.”
    Mr. Andrus flicked the reins over the horse’s back again and it set off at a trot down the rocky road. Bridgit was flummoxed by this turn of events. He hadn’t mentioned they would be staying with anyone. She thought he meant to go straight back to his station. Bad enough Mr. Andrus saw her dirty and unkempt, but greeting his friends the same way was unthinkable.
    A small wooden structure rose out of the bush. Chickens ran through the yard, chased by a girl no more than four or five years old. She, in turn, was chased by a girl in her teens. The older girl seemed frustrated over the child’s escape. A rangy boy with Natty’s red hair swept the area in front of the house. The children stopped their activity as the gig approached.
    A woman’s voice drifted out of the house. “Bitty, you caught Margie yet? You bring her in so I can clean her up before we eat.”
    The children stared, eyes wandering between Mr. Andrus and Bridgit. She smiled nervously, hating the attention, although she hoped to make a good impression on the family.
    When the woman received no response, she came outside, wiping her hands on her apron. “God’s hair,” she said, staring. “If it ain’t the grazier as I live and breathe. And he’s brought a woman along, too.”
    Bridgit reckoned this was Natty’s Bess. She was short and plump. Streaks of gray wound through the messy knot of hair at the back of her head. Her wide smile encouraged Bridgit to relax.
    “Evening, Bess. Natty’s on his way.” Jonah stepped out of the gig, passing the reins to the boy.
    “Jonah Andrus, who is this young woman? Have you finally settled down?” Bess came closer, inspecting Bridgit in much the same manner as her husband had.
    For the first time, Bridgit heard Mr. Andrus’s full name and she forgot about the curious woman. Jonah . She wanted to say it out loud, feel the name on her lips, but she knew they would question her strange behavior. Instead, she offered Bess a small smile.
    With a burst of boldness, she blurted, “I’m Mr. Andrus’s convict woman. He’s hired me to watch after the baby.”
    Bess looked between Bridgit and Mr. Andrus.
    Had she given something away? He didn’t offer much of a reaction, just a slight inclination of his head. She should have waited for him to say something instead of coming out with it.
    “Don’t just sit there, lass. Come down and we’ll go inside. We can have a cuppa before I start on feeding this mob. That is if Mr. Andrus doesn’t object.” The older woman’s eyes twinkled merrily.
    He smiled at her. “I know you’re starved for female company, Bess. Be my guest.”
    “Hmph. Anyone besides that dreadful Martha,” Bess muttered.
    Bridgit climbed down, mindful of her ankle, and followed Bess, dodging a chicken as she went. Bess disappeared through the doorway.
    “Bridgit.”
    She faced Mr. Andrus. His arms folded over his broad chest, but he smiled. Her heart fluttered at the sight. With the frown gone, he looked magnificent.
    “Leg feel better?”
    “I think so. Only a bit sore.”
    He nodded. “Good. Enjoy yourself then. Bess is a kind woman. When the notion strikes her.”
    She pondered his statement. Turning away, she nearly tripped on the same chicken, pecking around her feet. Mr. Andrus’s smile stuck in her mind. How could she earn another?
     

 
    5
     
    Bridgit entered the house, feeling shy. The interior wasn’t much better than the ramshackle building where her mother had died. A rough wooden table with four chairs pushed around it took up the center of the room. Two shelves were bolted to the wall and stacked with tins and containers. Checkered curtains and rag rugs on the floor showed Bess’s attempt to make the cabin homey.
    Bess poured water from a kettle into two tin mugs. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am that Jonah brought you. Have a seat. Been ages since I talked with another woman. Excluding me oldest daughter, Bitty, of course. She’s a