Free The Cowboy's Baby Bond by Linda Ford Page A

evaluate the scene, as it did those ahead of them on the road. It might be to the advantage of both, since surprises generally weren’t advisable.
    â€œHowdy,” he called, as soon as he was close enough to be heard. “Looks like you’ve had a bit of trouble.” He lowered his voice so only Willow heard him. “Just a family with a broken wagon. But be careful.”
    The man straightened and waved. “Could use some help here.”
    They drew up behind the goods scattered about. Johnny set the brake. “Stay here,” he murmured to Willow.
    She nodded, pulling Adam tightly to her side, ignoring the way he reached out for Johnny.
    â€œMan. Man.”
    â€œThe man has something to do,” Willow said. “We’ll wait here.”
    Johnny saw at a glance that the wheel had come loose and the wagon had tipped over. The mister was well sweated up, as if he’d been trying to lift the wagon on his own. The youngsters, boys of about ten and twelve, wore strained looks, understandably worried about how they were going to get home.
    The missus twisted her hands together as her gaze darted from her husband to her boys to the supplies on the ground.
    â€œI’m Johnny Harding. I’ll lend you a hand.”
    â€œMerv Lowland, and my wife and boys.”
    Johnny wondered at the way the wife flinched, but set to work helping Merv. They found a sturdy branch and rolled a boulder close enough to form a fulcrum. Then, while he and Merv pried the wagon up, the two boys rolled the wheel in place. They didn’t get it quite right the first time and Merv cussed at them.
    Johnny’s lips tightened. That was no way to train boys, but he didn’t have the right to say so and interfering might make it worse for them once Johnny was out of sight. Instead, he gave calm directions to the lads. “We’ll try again. Boys, make sure the bottom is in farther this time.”
    He and Merv lifted and the boys scurried to get the wheel in place.
    â€œThere. You’ve done it.” Johnny patted both boys on their backs as their father secured the wheel.
    â€œWhy are the lot of you standing around?” Merv roared. “Gather up those things and get them back in the wagon. Do I have to tell you everything?”
    The boys and their mother hurried to obey.
    Johnny, with no fear and a whole lot of anger, helped them pick up their belongings.
    â€œThank you so much, mister,” Mrs. Lowland said. “I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t come along.”
    â€œThey’s all as useless as winter rain,” Merv groused.
    Johnny was growing to dislike the man more every time he opened his mouth. Once the scattered goods were all back in the wagon, he straightened, gave Merv a look of disfavor, then spoke to them all. “I’ll be on my way now.” Johnny strode back to the wagon.
    â€œHello to your missus,” Mrs. Lowland called, in a half friendly, half lonesome tone.
    He climbed up beside Willow and Adam. “Put him between us so we can keep him safe.” He felt the need to protect the boy from the ugliness of life—of which they had just had a glimpse.
    Willow did so and they drove away, Johnny’s fists knotted about the reins. As they left the other wagon behind, his tension eased and he patted Adam’s little knee. “I will never understand the need to talk to people that way. Especially people a man is supposed to love and care for.”
    Willow had also reached for her son and their hands met in the middle. Though their fingers brushed, neither of them pulled away. Johnny slowly raised his head and met her eyes. Saw the fierceness in them.
    â€œThe poor woman and children are trapped,” she whispered.
    â€œI know.” He could barely speak for the tightness in his throat. “I wonder if he showed any sign of his cruelty before they married.”
    â€œSometimes a woman is trapped into marriage