The Cowboy's Baby Bond by Linda Ford Page A

if unaffected by her accusation. “I confess I have struggled with those very thoughts. I suppose one good thing about it all is I learned the truth about her before I married her.”
    â€œBut you got hurt in the process. What’s good about that?”
    â€œI don’t know.” He’d been staring down the road and slowly brought his gaze to hers.
    She blinked at the force of his look.
    â€œBut I pray I will someday find out.”
    His faith shook her. “If you do, will it make you able to trust again?” Where had those words come from? She answered her own question. From a place of longing and emptiness deep inside. Was it possible to let go of the past and see a bright future? Or was she simply looking for something that came with a price she wasn’t willing to pay?
    She reached for one of Adam’s hands and held on. One price she would never, ever pay? Anything that would jeopardize her son’s happiness.
    â€œI’ll pray the same for you.”
    â€œFor me?” She didn’t need or want him to pray for her. Or did she? “My parents said they prayed for each of us daily even before we were born. That ended two years ago.”
    â€œTheir prayers will not go unanswered.”
    She couldn’t decide if his assurance annoyed her or encouraged her. Though thinking of her parents’ prayers made her realize they would be disappointed in how she’d pushed God out of her life. She said as much to Johnny.
    â€œDo you think that’s possible?” he asked her.
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œDo you really think you can push God anywhere?” He pointed to the mountains. “Don’t suppose you could shift those a fraction of an inch. God is the Maker of heaven and earth. Seems it would take more than one measly man or woman to make God do anything.”
    The picture Johnny’s words produced so surprised her, she laughed.
    He grinned at her. “Seems pretty silly to think you might have pushed God out of your life, doesn’t it?”
    She nodded.
    He turned his attention back to the road and pointed. “There’s where we’ll spend the night.”
    She made out a few buildings ahead. “Doesn’t look like much.”
    â€œIt will have to do.”
    Willow settled back, content to believe the place was suitable. Something about Johnny’s acceptance of things he couldn’t change eased a whole load of worry from her shoulders. She couldn’t make the horse go any faster, couldn’t put her sisters back on the train, couldn’t undo her sinful actions with Adam’s father, couldn’t stop her parents’ accident. But she could rest at this way station and let God take care of her sisters. For now, she’d ignore her doubts as to whether or not He cared about her.
    They turned off the road and stopped in front of the wide veranda of an unpainted, weathered building.
    The door opened. “How do. You’re welcome as sunshine. Put your horses in the barn. Ma’am, come right in.”
    Willow blinked and tried not to stare at the speaker, whom she’d taken for a man at first sight. But as soon as she spoke, Willow realized it was a woman dressed like a man, her hair stuffed under a hat.
    Johnny helped Willow from the wagon and handed Adam to her, then drove toward the barn. His departure left Willow feeling alone and vulnerable. She shook it off. She would not allow herself to be dependent on anyone.
    â€œHow do,” the woman said again. “Name’s Esther. Esther Owen.”
    Willow gave her name and Adam’s.
    â€œThat there is my pa.” Esther jabbed her finger toward the tree line.
    At first, Willow did not see anyone, then she made out a man hunched down on the butt end of a log, staring into the nearby trees. She wanted to ask why he was there, but it would be rude.
    â€œHe sits there every day, all day, since my ma died. Says he’s regretful