Linda Ford by The Cowboy's Surprise Bride Page B

with Mrs. Godfrey this time, Grady.” He held the door open for Linette.
    She stepped out. The wind tore at her. She pulled her collar tight and laughed as the bottom of her coat whipped about her ankles.
    “Hang on to your coat.” Eddie bent into the wind and headed across the yard.
    She pushed after him, the wet snow heavy on her boots. Lifting her head, she sucked in air laden with promise. God had kept Eddie’s cows safe. He was faithful. She trusted Him to continue to provide the ways and means for her to avoid marriage to her father’s choice.
    Eddie paused at the bottom of the hill. “I don’t have a proper trail up to the house yet. Think you can manage the slope?”
    Snow covered whatever path had been there. In most places the snow was sticky as it melted. “I’ll be fine.” She put a foot forward, following in Eddie’s footprints, and discovered the ground was slippery where the snow had melted. She went down on one knee.
    “Here.” He held out his hand.
    She grabbed it and straightened, tipping her head back to meet his gaze. “Thank you.” Something flickered in his eyes as if seeing her for the first time. See me, she silently begged. Give me a chance .
    His grasp was firm, his hand strong and reassuring. His gaze, however, warned he had only one plan in mind and that plan did not include Linette staying permanently. He turned and resumed his climb.
    They reached the top and she looked back. “Oh, my. No wonder you picked this spot.” She looked down on the ranch buildings, on the snow-covered river wandering through the land and past red-painted buildings, past the ridge of dark green pine trees to a white-topped mountain, purple in the distance. Strong and powerful. “I could never get tired of this view.”
    “I can see the whole ranch at a glance from here.” He paused. “Not all the land, of course. Our lease is thousands of acres. It takes several days to ride it. Some areas are practically inaccessible on horseback.” For a moment, they both took in the view.
    Her breathing was ragged from the climb. His came loud and clear, matching her own. They breathed in and out in unison. She admired the landscape and knew he did as well, though he might be seeing his cows and his responsibilities while she saw the strength and beauty of God’s creation. Her hope and faith drew sustenance and renewal from the sight.
    They exchanged a glance of understanding then he turned away. “I’ll show you the house.” His brisk tone reminded her of his expectations—see the house, report on its fineness to Margaret.
    The feeling of sharing something special ended with his words.
    “It isn’t finished yet.” He sounded almost apologetic.
    She couldn’t imagine why. “It’s a big house. No doubt it’s required a great deal of work.”
    “Two stories.” He pointed. “A balcony off the main bedroom.” A stone chimney dominated the roof. Bay windows were capped by the round balcony he referred to. “Servants’ quarters at the back.”
    Did he intentionally emphasize the word servants as if to remind her he didn’t need or want a pioneer wife?
    She would not acknowledge the possibility.
    They climbed the steps to double doors and he threw them open to a large foyer. She could see through to another set of double doors at the far end with glass panes allowing light to flood through. Wide stairs rose to the second floor and curved toward a landing. Doors opened off the foyer to various rooms. Disappointment twisted through her.
    “It’s like...” A manor house.
    “The plans were drawn up in London, a replica of the manor house on the Gardiner estate.”
    Linette shook her head. “This is the West. Full of possibility for change. Why would you want to replicate the old ways?”
    His look was rife with disbelief. “The Gardiners are proud of their heritage.”
    The Gardiners? “What about you?”
    “I’m a Gardiner.” He seemed to think that said it all. He slid back the pocket doors to