“I don’t want you to wear yourself out.” Letty rested her hand on his chest. Now that she had experienced the physical side of love, especially with her wonderful husband, she was glad he didn’t work eighteen-hour days. She enjoyed having more time together, especially with the baby. She couldn’t wait to get home and share the news. “Just slow down, cowboy. There’s plenty of work to do when you get home.”
Paul looked at her, and her breath caught when she saw the excitement in those startling blue eyes.
“I love you, Mrs. Slater. I’m sure glad I chose the seat across from you that day you arrived in Montana Territory.”
“Oh, so am I,” she breathed.
Suddenly, the train jerked, and Paul gripped Letty tight as he glanced out the window. “Looks like we’re coming into Sweetwater Springs.” He checked his watch. “And we’re early by an hour. That’s good, because we can get started for home sooner.”
The train came to a stop at the station. The sharp sound of steam being released muffled all conversation.
Paul stood and reached for their travel bag, along with the bright yellow parasol he’d given Letty on her birthday. He handed it to his wife. “It sure is eye-catching, isn’t it?” He winked, recalling the day she saw the umbrella in the company store.
“I thought so.” She took her husband's arm, and they walked to the back of the train.
Paul got off first then helped Letty down the steps and onto the platform.
She opened her parasol against the sun, slipped her arm through his, and they walk along Main Street toward the livery.
Paul harnessed the team to the buckboard, and they made a quick stop at the mercantile. After getting their few supplies loaded, Paul pulled out of town, eager to get to their first stop. He hoped Hector had everything ready for them.
He snapped the reins. “Come on, Duke and Simon, the missus wants to go home.”
***
Seven hours later, darkness had fallen when Paul pulled the team up to the way station.
“Isn’t nearly as cold as the last time we stopped here,” Letty said as she helped Paul with the horses. She walked Duke to the shed, and her husband made sure they had water and some grain. She made a much-needed stop at the outhouse.
Paul took her hand and escorted her back to the cabin door. He grabbed their bags from the wagon but stopped her from going inside. “I need to check for critters.”
“I’m not afraid,” she said bravely, but she allowed him to go in while she stayed on the porch. That was when she noticed that someone had made repairs to the rotted floor, and at a second glance, she saw the new posts holding up the roof.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Paul gave a sweeping motion for her to come inside the dimly lit room.
Once inside, she couldn't hold back a gasp as she looked around the space. The room had been cleaned, and the log walls repaired and were whitewashed. In the windows hung new curtains. A large area rug covered the floor, and there was a new table and four chairs. The shelves were stocked with canned goods along with more plates and utensils. “Oh, Paul. What did you do?”
“You like it?”
Her gaze went to the biggest change of all, the beds. The top bunk was the same, but the bottom bed was replaced with a larger mattress, covered by a quilt. “It’s beautiful. But why?”
He came to her. “It was Johnny’s idea, mostly because so many travelers take this route, including your mother in the spring. We’re also hanging a list of rules by the door, hoping that visitors will treat this place respectfully.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “This place is special to me.” His gaze met hers. “I remember so many things about getting stranded here with you. I was so afraid I couldn’t keep my hands off the tempting woman that suddenly was in my charge.”
Letty smiled and rose up on her toes, putting her arms around his neck. “I’ll always be partial to this place, too, because I was starting to have feelings for you even back then.”
Paul’s forehead rested against hers. “Maybe I should just hang a shingle outside the door that says, ‘Letty and Paul’s special place, please take care of the cabin where we fell in love.”
Letty was about ready to burst with happiness. “When you tell this story to our child, you make sure you tell him or her how brave I was during the worst blizzard in history.”
“Of course, but it was because you were brave…” He paused and looked at his wife. “Child?” He froze, then swallowed hard as tears filled his eyes. “You’re with child?”
She nodded. “I only found out right before we left Chicago. I was going to tell you, but there were so many people around. I thought I’d wait until we got to the ranch.”
He hugged her tight. “Oh, sweetheart. I love you, Letty Slater, and I already love our baby.” He kissed her, then he suddenly broke away. “Are you sure you’re all right? Darn, I let you take care of Duke. No more. And you can’t ride until the baby comes.”
“Honey, honey,” Letty interrupted his rambling. “I’m fine, really. Calm down, we have to make it through the next six and a half months.”
“Well, I’ll be there, too.” His voice softened. “I’ll be right beside you.”
She touched his cheek. “I know you will.” Oh, how she loved this man. “Thank you for not giving up on me.” He paused and stared at her with his brilliant blue eyes. How she hoped this child would inherit them.
Her husband took her hand and kissed it. “I never could, I love you.”
Letty knew back in Chicago her family was wondering if she was happy living out here. How could she not be? She had Paul, and their child growing inside her. There was nowhere else she truly belonged. Montana was her home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Thayer was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, the second in a family of eight children. She attended Ball State University, before heading west, where she has called Southern California, home for many years. There she’s been a member of the Orange County Chapter of RWA. It’s a sisterhood like no other.
Patricia has written over fifty books. She’s also had the honor of being nominated for both the National Reader’s Choice Award and the prestigious RITA award, and seeing her book ‘Nothing Short of a Miracle’ win a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award.
When not working on a story, she might be found traveling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying time with my husband, Steve. Together, we have three grown sons and four grandsons and one granddaughter. She calls them my own true life heroes. On rare days off from writing, you might catch her at Disneyland spoiling those grandkids rotten!
When she wants some quiet time with her guy, they escape to their little cabin in the mountains and park themselves out on the deck and let the world race by.
Other Books by Patricia Thayer:
—Slater Sisters’ Series—
The Cowboy She Couldn’t Forget
Proposal At The Lazy S Ranch
The Colton Creek Cowboy
Picture Perfect Cowboy
Love Struck Cowboy - Lucia and Colt’s story
—Rocky Mountain Brides series—
Raising the Ranchers Family
The Sheriff’s Pregnant Wife
A Mother for the Tycoon's Child
Single Dads Holiday Wedding
Her Rocky Mountain Protector
—Rocky Mountain Twin Series—
Counting on the Cowboy 4/2016
Second Chance Rancher 7/2016
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