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

planned to capture some wild horses, too. But he died.” Instead of lightening the moment, Frank’s words descended on them like a dark cloud.
    Susanne blinked hard, determined not to give way to tears.
    â€œThat’s why he built that set of corrals,” Frank added.
    â€œThey look real sturdy,” Tanner said.
    â€œThey are. Pa said if you’re going to train horses, you need to be set up for it.”
    â€œThat’s a fact. I think he would wonder why I didn’t plan ahead before I trapped my horses.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you?”
    Tanner chuckled. At the sound, the children relaxed visibly, but tension mounted in Susanne. Be careful, little ones. Guard your hearts.
    â€œI should have,” Tanner said, “but when the horses were hanging about within easy capturing distance, I couldn’t resist grabbing the opportunity, trusting something would work out. And, look, it has. Your pa’s corrals are going to be used just as he intended they should.” With that, Tanner moved toward his horse.
    Susanne followed, torn between her need to exert her independence and gratitude to him for showing her a simple solution to her cow problem. “Thank you for your help with Daisy.”
    He slowed and faced her. “You’re welcome.”
    â€œAnd for being kind to little Janie. She’s very easily hurt at the moment.”
    She wondered at the way his expression grew hard, his eyes cool and distant.
    â€œMa’am, I assure you that both you and the little girls are perfectly safe from me. I would never take advantage of you.” His expression hardened like granite. “However, there are those who would not believe that. Who would criticize you, or worse, simply for your association with me...a half-breed.”
    She recalled his accusation that she’d asked him to leave yesterday based on that fact, something she had never cleared up. Now was the time. “Mr. Harding, it is not the blood of a man that means anything to me. It is his conduct that reveals if his heart is noble or base.”
    His eyebrows went up in a way that made her think he didn’t believe her, then he touched the brim of his hat. “I need to check the corrals and make sure they’re ready for use.” He strode away.
    She didn’t have any more faith in his words than he had in hers. Time alone would prove whether or not she was safe in his presence, but it wasn’t fear of him physically that made her shudder. No, it was the way the children looked at him. The way he had shown up to help when she floundered to manage on her own and the fact she’d been desperate enough to accept the agreement between them.
    She already regretted her decision. Was she to be forever at the mercy of other people’s handouts and thus under obligation to them, wondering what they would demand in return?

Chapter Three
    T he next morning Johnny and Levi accompanied Tanner to help move the horses. Pa had sent three of the hired cowboys to assist.
    They rode directly toward the canyon where the horses were penned.
    Tanner reined in at the hill closest to the Collins farm. “I’ll go warn the family to stay out of the way so they don’t spook the horses.”
    His brothers waved him away and he turned Scout toward the farm.
    Frank and Robbie saw him coming and raced down the trail to greet him, yelling about the horses.
    Smiling, he waited for them to reach him. “What’s all the noise for?”
    Frank caught his breath. “You’re bringing the horses here today?”
    â€œThat’s my plan.”
    â€œMy pa would be glad.”
    â€œThen I am, too.” He perceived he and Frank shared something special—a desire to please a dead parent.
    The two boys trotted by his side as he rode into the yard.
    â€œWhere’s your aunt? I need to talk to her.” He wished he could avoid it. All her fine talk yesterday of accepting a man based