Read Online The Shepherd's Betrothal by Lynn A. Coleman - Free Book Online

man would be proud to have her as his wife. Give her safe journeys tonight, Lord.
    Hope bent down and kissed each dog, whispered in their ears. For the first time in his life, he was jealous of his dogs.
    â€œGood night, Mr. McGrae. I’ll be back tomorrow to see how Tara and Conall are doing. Can I bring you anything? I can’t see you leaving the ranch for a couple of days.”
    â€œAye, that be true. I’ll be needing some eggs and bread.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it. You try and get some rest.”
    â€œThank ye, Miss Lang.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Ian watched as Hope went to her carriage.
    How much better it would have been to have her by his side as his wife right now. Ian wagged his head then turned his attention on his dogs. “Come inside, there be a bit of a chill in the air tonight.”
    Conall whimpered but obeyed. Thankfully, he was walking all right. Ian lifted the linen with the pups and Tara followed behind, keeping her eyes on her pups. Ian looked down at his sweat- and bloodstained shirt. He poured some water into the basin and cleaned his hands and arms. Then he put his shirt in the water to soak out Conall’s blood.
    He was grateful the Lord had spared the dog. Florida seemed to have quite a variety of predators. As soon as the dogs were fit he’d recheck the fence. Bringing fifty sheep into the area must be like offering a fresh steak dinner to the bobcat. He rubbed his chin. He’d better consult with Jackson Hastings and William Sanders again about the threats to his livestock.
    Ian went back out onto the porch, watched his sheep and sat long into the night. Thoughts of Hope danced in his head. She was remarkable, kind, loving… Was there any way he could court her after all that had happened?

Chapter 6
    H ope stopped by Ian’s every day for a week to help him with errands. Today Conall’s stitches would be coming out. He had been subdued every visit, but Hope could tell the dog wanted to be out running about.
    She liked the way Ian doted on his dogs. Would he be the same way with children? But why would she wonder about that?
    Ian had been herding the sheep back and forth each day without his dogs while Conall was recovering and Tara was nursing. Tara had six adorable pups, four male and two female. Hope fell in love with all the pups but especially the runt of the litter, whom she named Clare. She sported two brown patches, one over each eye. The tip of her muzzle was white.
    Hope placed Ian’s supplies on the table and went to Tara’s bed, where all six pups were actively nursing. “How are you doing, Tara?”
    Tara opened her eye but didn’t lift her head. Hope reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of beef jerky she’d brought. “Here you go, girl, a special treat.”
    Tara took the treat but stayed in place for the sake of her puppies.
    â€œAnd how are you, boy?” Hope asked Conall. She flicked her wrist—the signal Ian had shown her—and ordered, “Come.”
    Conall wagged his tail and ambled to her side. Hope looked at his healing wound. Ian had made and applied an ointment to keep the infection level down. “It’s looking good, boy. Would you like me to take them out?”
    Conall woofed.
    Hope sat back. It was the first time the dog had ever barked in response to a question from her. “Do you understand me, boy?”
    â€œNo, he saw me.”
    Hope jumped up and spun around. Ian leaned against the doorjamb, displaying his joyous grin. “But he does trust ye.”
    â€œMr. McGrae, you startled me.”
    â€œAye, ye were quite attentive to me dogs. I came to take Conall to work the sheep for a little bit.”
    â€œIs he ready?”
    â€œAbsolutely. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t keep that wound covered for another couple of days.”
    Hope wiped her hands on the apron of her skirt. “You’ll find the items you