Free Texas Cinderella by Winnie Griggs

care.”
    â€œGood.” Cassie Lynn couldn’t stop the happy bubble rising inside her. It would be nice to have some new faces around here—for both her and Mrs. Flanagan. “Just give me a little time to get some things moved around in the attic, and do a bit of sweeping and dusting, and it’ll be all ready for you to move in.”
    He shook his head. “You have enough to do around here, especially with all of us moving in on you. I can do any rearranging that’s needed up there.”
    Again she was surprised by his willingness to jump in and help her with her chores. “Very well. But first I need to collect the eggs from the henhouse and get breakfast started. Then get Mrs. Flanagan up and ready to face the day. Then we can tackle the attic together.”
    He stood. “I can gather the eggs while you take care of breakfast and Mrs. Flanagan. But first I want to look in on the kids.”
    Cassie Lynn nodded, figuring he needed to reassure himself that they were okay. “Thank you. Just try not to wake them. The more sleep they get, the better.” She moved toward the cupboard, then looked back at him. “And the newspaper should be on the front porch by the time you collect the eggs, if you don’t mind bringing it in.”
    With a nod, he moved toward the hall.
    She still couldn’t get over how eager he was to do his part, no matter that most of this was women’s work. Perhaps if her pa and brothers had had more of that attitude, she wouldn’t be so dead set against moving back home.
    * * *
    Thirty minutes later Mrs. Flanagan was seated at one end of the kitchen table, while Cassie Lynn worked on breakfast at the stove. Riley sat at the other end of the table, sipping his second cup of coffee.
    Mrs. Flanagan ignored the coffee in front of her as she rested her arms on the sides of her chair. “Cassie Lynn tells me you agreed to let the kids stay here and to move into the attic yourself.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. And I’m very grateful for the offer. I can pay you the same rate the hotel charges, if that’s agreeable.”
    The woman stiffened. “Young man, I invited you and those two young’uns to stay here out of the goodness of my heart. It is an insult for you to offer me money as if I were nothing more than an innkeeper.”
    Cassie Lynn did her best to hide a grin. No one could do righteous indignation better than Irene Flanagan.
    â€œI meant no disrespect,” Mr. Walker said quickly. “I just—”
    â€œApology accepted.” Mrs. Flanagan appeared to unbend. “So we’re agreed that you all will stay here as my guests and we’ll hear no more about payments.”
    Apparently considering the matter closed, the widow turned to Cassie Lynn. “I suppose you’re okay with cooking and cleaning for our guests.”
    Before she could answer, Mr. Walker spoke up. “That won’t be necessary, at least not the cleaning part. I can take care of my own cleaning—don’t want to make extra work for anyone.” He gave her a boyish grin. “The cooking, on the other hand...”
    Cassie Lynn returned his smile. “Don’t worry. It’s not any more work to cook for five than for four.”
    He lifted his coffee cup in salute.
    Just then, Noah came padding into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. “Is it time for breakfast yet?”
    Mrs. Flanagan gave him a stern look. “And good morning to you, too, young man.”
    â€œGood morning.” Noah didn’t appear at all intimidated by her tone. He turned back to Cassie. “Pru’s hungry, too. But she says she doesn’t feel like eating.” He shrugged. “That don’t make no sense to me.”
    Cassie Lynn smiled. “I think she means her mouth hurts—Dr. Pratt warned me that might be the case. Don’t worry, I have some broth simmering on the stove for her. And as for you, breakfast