Lassoing A Montana Heart

by Flightner, Ramona

  Cailean gripped his shoulder. “Hopefully you won’t. He leaves on the train tomorrow. And none of us will be stupid enough to tell you where he’s going.”

  Ewan looked at his brothers. “No one should be stupid enough to tell any of us where he’s goin’,” he snapped. “Did ye hear how he criticized all of us in there?”

  Jessie looped her arm through Ewan’s. “Never fear. He’s given me the most entertaining material for an article that I’ve had in months. I’m quite looking forward to writing it.” Her beautiful eyes sparkled with mischief. For once, no one was urging her to temper her wit, which could be savage.

  As Slims suspected, the MacKinnon men relaxed and laughed. However, Slims remained tense. “I can’t abide that he spoke against her in such a way.”

  Helen squeezed his arm. “You know he heard the rumors from my mother, who was only too happy to spread her lies.” Her gaze glowed with regret and embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Slims. I’m sorry she continues to hurt those I care about.”

  “You have nothin’ to apologize for, Miss Helen,” Slims murmured, the tension finally seeping away from him, as he saw how his anger was affecting those he cared about.

  Cailean motioned for them to walk across the street to his home. “Come. I don’t want to be here when the congregants leave.” He slung an arm over Harold’s shoulder. “Besides, ’tis time to raise a glass to Harold. Who would have thought he’d speak out in church against the pastor?”

  Harold laughed and shook his head. “I fear you will think me a fool,” he muttered to his wife.

  Irene, who walked beside him, squeezed his arm. “I will not. I couldn’t be prouder,” she said. “It wasn’t a young whippersnapper who put that man in his place, but you, you irascible old goat.” Her eyes shone with pride.

  Slims smiled at the older couple he’d known since he was a young man. He’d arrived in Fort Benton, penniless and broken in every way. For some reason, Harold had taken him under his wing, and, when they left Fort Benton to homestead land in Bear Grass Springs, Slims had traveled with them. He’d learned everything he knew about ranching and horses from Harold and his son. More important, Slims had been accepted into their family and had learned to believe in loyalty again. “Thank you, sir,” he murmured to Harold, as he walked on Harold’s other side.

  “Don’t you sir me, Slims,” Harold muttered. “You’re as much family as any of ’em.” He nodded to the MacKinnon brothers, laughing and tossing snowballs at each other. “And I know you’ll do what must be done.”

  Slims sighed and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Harold paused outside of Cailean’s house and spoke in a low, sincere voice. “And you’ll refrain from any violence as Pastor Cruikshank performs the ceremony.” He waited with blatant amusement glowing in his gaze, as Slims swore silently.

  “Yes, Mr. Harold. I will.”

  “There’s a good lad,” Harold said. “Come. Miss Annabelle makes the best coffee.” He gasped as Irene belted him on his arm. “Well, she does, Ireney. I can’t help but speak the truth.”

  “Don’t let your success with the pastor go to your head, you old coot,” she muttered. “Or you’ll be sleeping on a cot.”

  Slims chuckled, following them into Cailean’s house. He wished he was as free of worry as they were. For he had to find a way to convince Davina to marry again. Tonight.

  * * *

  Davina sat in the kitchen with the women, while the men lounged in the living room. Annabelle, Leticia, and Fidelia fluttered around the stove, while Jessamine, Helen, and she sat with a child on their laps. Davina held Catriona, Alistair and Leticia’s daughter, who was a little over one year old. Helen held Jack, Fidelia and Bears’s baby boy, and Jessamine held her daughter, Aileana.

  Conversation flowed around her, as the women told Fidelia what had occurred in church that morning. Once Fidelia was up to date with the morning’s adventure, Davina attempted to join the conversation or to pay attention to learn more about town, but she sat in a dazed stupor as the pastor’s words continued to ring in her ears.

  “Davina?” Annabelle asked again. She had sat beside her and now held her three-year-old daughter, Skye, in her lap. “Are you well?”

  Davina shook her head and shrugged. “I dinna ken.” She saw Fidelia and Leticia share a smile and frowned. “What did I say that was humorous?”

  Fidelia pulled out a chair and sat with a sigh of relief. “Nothing, and it was rude of me. But you remind me so much of Sorcha, and I miss her desperately. Hearing you speak eases that ache.”

  Davina stared at the women seated around her in wonder. “I dinna understand ye, any of ye.” She rubbed at her head. “The pastor warned ye to stay away from me. That I’m a … a ….” Her voice broke as she was unable to even whisper the word Jezebel.

  Leticia laughed, accepting a squirming Catriona, and settled her on her lap as she sat down too. “If you’re one, so are we all.” She nodded as Davina gaped at her. “Belle was caught kissing Cailean and had to marry him or face the town’s wrath, even though she could barely stand him. I broke Alistair’s heart as my not-dead first husband interrupted our first wedding and nearly ruined our relationship. Jessamine’s father almost tore off the church door in an attempt to prevent her wedding to Ewan.”

  “Would have only been an improvement for the church,” Jessamine muttered as she made faces at Aileana.

  Leticia raised an eyebrow at her sister-in-law, as she continued to tick off all the ways the women of the family had had unconventional marriages or wedding ceremonies. “Helen was forced to marry Warren after spending time on the ranch.”

  “I wasn’t forced. I chose to,” Helen interjected. “Although there was the matter of the virgin auction at the Boudoir.”

  All of the women laughed as Davina leaned forward, as though eager to hear that story. When Helen whispered, “I’ll tell you later,” Davina sighed with frustration.

  Leticia continued. “Leena’s marriage wasn’t a scandal, more’s the pity. But Sorcha’s was, having to marry after two men slept in her bedroom, when she was bedbound at the ranch after she broke her leg.”

  “What?” Davina asked, her gaze widening in astonishment.

  Annabelle laughed. “Yes, you should have seen our husbands.” That sent the women into gales of laughter.

  When they had calmed down, Fidelia smiled smugly. “Bears and my marriage wasn’t scandalous. Everyone in town was excited for our marriage.”

  “Everyone but the Madam,” Jessamine muttered, earning a gasp from Davina.

  Fidelia flushed and then shrugged. “Yes, there’s the small matter that I used to work at the Boudoir.”

  “And finally there’s Jane. Who had to marry Ben because her brother had bet her in a gambling match,” Leticia said triumphantly. “You’d be following a wonderful family tradition.”

  Davina gaped at the women and then paled, her eyes rounded with shock and horror. “Ye think I’m marryin’? No, never again.”

  “Never’s a long time, and I hear the pastor is to call tonight. It would be a delicious irony if he were to marry you after today’s sermon,” Jessamine said, as she took a sip of tea. “A perfect ending to my story.” She paused as she saw the true panic in Davina’s gaze. “Although we had unconventional courtships and marriages, we all found love, Davina. Slims is a good man.”

  Davina sat frozen in her chair. She closed her eyes in despair. “I did no’ want to marry out of duty or desperation. I wanted more,” she whispered. “Why could that man no’ let us be?” She sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief to swipe at her nose. “Why did I have to say anythin’ to that horrid woman yesterday?”

  Helen flushed and ducked her head. “I’m sorry, Davina. My mother thrives on causing discord and unhappiness.”

  “She’s yer mother?” Davina asked. “How is that possible?” She looked at the other women. “Ye astound me.”

  Annabelle kissed Skye’s head. “Why? Because we accept Helen so readily into our group
?” Annabelle shook her head, arching her head away as Skye tried to pull at an earring. “Helen’s one of us, and she shouldn’t have to suffer for the sins of her mother any more than Aileana should.”

  “Or Sorcha,” Fidelia said.

  “No,” Davina agreed. “Auntie Mairi was a good woman. A wonderful aunt.” She met their intense gazes, filled with interest. “She was my favorite, of anyone in my family. The best storyteller an’ she taught me the most beautiful songs.” Davina looked down. “I miss her still.”

  Annabelle smiled. “So you understand. Not everyone in our family can be as we wish they were.” She shared a look with her sister, Fidelia. “Our father was a miserly, miserable man, who thrived on making everyone around him as unhappy as he was.”

  Fidelia shivered. “I’ll never mourn that he’s dead.”

  Jessamine tapped the table. “You’re moving away from the issue at hand. Davina must marry. And she needs to marry Slims.”

  “I dinna want to marry due to the preacher’s bullyin’ from his pulpit,” Davina protested.

  Helen reached forward and gripped her hand. “Don’t you like Slims? He was always one of my favorites at the ranch.” She smiled when she saw a flash of jealousy in Davina’s gaze. “I lived at the ranch for a little over a month, after Warren and I fought. Warren didn’t realize I was a midwife and didn’t understand why I would disappear at night. Frederick offered me a place to go.”

  “How are ye all so good?” Davina blurted out.

  Fidelia’s gaze was filled with compassion. “I too had trouble believing our friends and family could be so generous, with no hope for a favor in the future. But that’s who they are, Davina. Who we are.” She reached forward and took Davina’s other hand. “Who you are too.”

  “Marry Slims and be one of us,” Leticia urged, before grimacing. “I know you are already because you’re Sorcha’s cousin, but, if you marry Slims, you’ll live on the ranch, and we’ll see you at town dances. You’ll never have a reason to leave.”

  Davina sat in silence, fighting tears. “I dinna ken. I have to speak with Slims first.”

  Annabelle nodded. “As you should. Every woman wants a proper proposal.”

  * * *

  Slims entered the kitchen, pausing as he saw the women seated around the table, laughing and talking. His breath caught at the sight of Davina giggling at something Jessamine said, Skye on her lap, her cheeks flushed and her eyes filled with joy. He stood, staring his fill, wanting to remember this moment forever. For he knew, in this moment, that he would never doubt wanting her to be his wife.

  He was fond of her, yearned for her to always be safe, and desired her. His mind instinctively shied away from the word love, but he knew he had never cared for a woman as he did her, not since he was a young man. He smiled as the conversation stilled as his presence was noted. Disappointment and nerves filled him when he saw trepidation in Davina’s gaze.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt your gathering,” he said in his deep baritone, “but I had hoped I could speak with Davina.”

  Davina watched him wide-eyed, not saying anything.

  “The house is near bursting with family,” he continued. “I thought I could show Davina the livery and introduce her to my favorite horses here.”

  “Yes, just what a woman wants. To meet more horses,” Jessamine muttered. Someone else snickered, but Davina rose.

  “Yes, Slims, thank ye.” After she’d bundled into her coat, they walked the short distance from the house to the livery. Inside, it was comfortably warm, although not nearly as warm as the inviting kitchen with the stove pumping out heat. Davina strode ahead of him, walking toward the first horse that had its head sticking out of a stall.

  “That’s Brindle,” Slims said. “He’s as docile as they come.” He watched as she patted the horse, giving him a good scratch behind his ears. “He’s Alistair’s horse.”

  She made a noncommittal sound, moving farther into the livery. When she reached the tack room, she poked her head inside. “I’ve never seen one so organized.”

  Slims chuckled. “That would be Bears. He’s a genius with horses and likes to keep the tack room tidy.” He walked toward her, pausing when he saw her tense as he neared. “Davina, ignore what the preacher said. Remember last night.”

  Her brown eyes glowed in the lantern light, like the richest of chocolates, as the stiffness in her shoulders eased the longer she stared into his eyes. “Thank ye for soothin’ my nerves.”

  He took a step toward her. “Is that all it was to you?” His gaze searched hers. “Me soothing your nerves?”

  She took a deep breath and stepped nearer to him. “Of course no’.” She reached up, her hand cupping his cheek, as her eyes filled with tears. “I wanted time, Slims.”

  His eyes closed at her soft touch. “Time?” he whispered, as he rested his hands on her hips, holding her close, but still giving her the freedom to back away from his embrace at any moment.

  “Time to feel free,” she choked out.

  He opened his eyes. “I would never mean for you to feel caged by me,” he whispered.

  “Whether you mean it or not, ’twill happen.” She traced a finger down an oiled piece of leather. “I know almost nothin’ about you. How can we marry?”

  Slims saw a stool in the corner and pulled it out, sitting down, so he no longer towered over her. “What would you know?”

  “Where are ye from? Who are yer people?” She stared deeply into his brown eyes. “Why have ye no’ married? Ye must be in yer forties.” Her brows crinkled, as though flummoxed that he was unwed.

  Rather than laugh her off or attempt to make light of her questions, he gazed at her with a sober introspection. He tugged over another stool and motioned for her to sit. “If you want to know, then listen.” At her nod, he let out a deep breath. “I was born in Kansas, and, like most from that fine state, I worked on a farm with my parents and siblings. We knew hard times, but my parents were good people. Intent on providing a better life for their children. But hard times were coming for us. Kansas was a violent place when I was a young man. My pa wanted peace. Didn’t want to take sides in the debate of the day.” He sighed and rubbed his head. “But, in the end, he had to.”

  “I dinna understand,” Davina whispered.

  “Kansas was a territory, like Montana, and the people were votin’ to decide if it would be a state that supported slavery or not. My pa finally made his opinion known—that he was against slavery—and he was killed for it.”

  “Oh, Simon,” she whispered.

  He stared in the distance. “I was young and a fool. I’d taken a shine to a young woman, and I had trusted her with my pa’s belief. With my own.” He shook his head and sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds that of the horses shifting in their stalls. “Damn fool.” His muscles tautened under his shirt. “She told her father, a proslavery man, and a mob came to the house.”

  “What happened?” she whispered, holding his large hand between her two smaller ones.

  His gaze was distant for a moment, before he focused on her again, this time filled with shame. “Even though I was such a young man, I was a good fighter. And my pa knew few would challenge us, as long as I was nearby. I was a giant of a man, even then.” He sighed. “But I was also a young man, desirous of love and affection.”

  He shook his head at his folly. “A woman about my age caught my eye. She was demure in what she wore but had the boldness to meet my gaze. Few did, as my size intimidated them. Soon we talked and sent letters. Secret messages. Secret meetings near the house. One night I was a fool and allowed her to entice me away from the house.” He flushed. “Little did I know her task had been to waylay me and to attempt to kill me. She failed on the killing-me part.”

  He let out a raspy breath. “When I returned home, my family was dead. All of them. Even little Johnny, only two years old. Killed by the mob who came while I was away from the house.” He stared into space, as though reliving that hor
rific night. “Her people wanted to make sure no one against slavery held property or lived in the area. And they wanted our land. They had connections with the sheriff, who approved of slavery, so no charges were ever filed.”

  Bitterness twisted his mouth. “Turns out, she was praised for not killin’ me. As I was the only living member of my family, suspicion fell to me, and I was shunned by everyone who I had thought friend. Overnight I had no family, an’ I was an outsider in the only place that had ever been home. The sheriff advised me to leave and to forfeit my family’s land or to suffer as they had.” He swiped a palm over his mouth and ducked his head. “I was a coward, Davina. I ran. As far as I could. I drifted for years. And found the Tompkins family in Fort Benton.”

  “Oh, Simon,” she whispered. “It was no’ your fault. Ye have to ken, if ye’d been home, the mob would have killed ye too. That is the nature of mobs, aye? No matter what yer da said, yer presence could no’ have saved anyone, not even ye.” She stared into his eyes but saw the futility of her argument.

  He stared at her with impotent fury and self-hatred. “I was a fool for a woman, and my family paid the price. Tell me. Who else is to blame?” He bit his lip. “I swore, on everything and everyone I ever loved, I would never repeat that mistake again. I would never allow a woman to mar my judgment and to threaten all I love.” He paused for a long moment, as his gaze roved over her. “I worried I had, with you.”

  She took a deep breath, her hand dropping from his, shock and hurt in her gaze. “I’d never do such a thing.” Her gaze darted in the direction of the house, where her family laughed and told stories. “I’d never harm them.”

  “I believe you now. I wasn’t so certain when you arrived, with your secrets and your unwillingness to tell the whole truth.” He half smiled, as though he were a young man, embarrassed at sitting so near the woman he fancied. “No woman intent on wreaking havoc would have fought as hard as you did to keep me alive and warm.”