Montana Sky: The Rancher And The Shepherdess (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I’ve heard of them. Sounds awful. Should be a law against the places.”

  “Pfft. The law mostly ignores the place I lived… The people who live there are immigrants and unvalued by those with money.” She finished off the piece of chicken and tossed the bone to the ground.

  He chuckled and watched her. “You were hungry to polish that off so quickly.”

  She brushed her hands together as if rubbing away crumbs. “Not ladylike, but I hadn’t eaten since early yesterday morning.”

  That made him angry. Did she think he would begrudge her a meal? “You should have said so when we were in town. We could have gone to the café.”

  She looked askance. “And ask you to spend even more of your money? I’d not be so bold.”

  Crazy woman. He wanted to yell at her but kept his voice carefully controlled. “While I’m trying to be frugal, I’m not in the poorhouse. We have enough money for all our needs. If you need something, speak up.”

  “What could I need after all we bought in the store? We have more than I’d ever dreamed.”

  He forked a thumb at the contents of the wagon. “This is more than you ever imagined? What did your husband do that you had such low expectations?”

  She emitted a harsh sound that could have been a choked laugh. “Mostly Conor drank, he and his bully of a brother, Denis. My father-in-law could keep them in line but he died on the ship coming to America. Their mother coddled them and thought they could do no wrong.”

  He didn’t like the picture he was getting of her life in New York. “How did you get by?”

  “Barely, is how. I worked in a shirt factory as a seamstress. Most of the time, I was the only one in the family employed.”

  “Sounds like you’ve had a hard life lately. I hope our marriage starts a new chapter with better experiences.”

  She gave him a beautiful smile that sent heat swirling through him. “Already I see things are better. I have new clothes and you have a house for us.” Her blue eyes sparkled. “Tell me more about your ranch.”

  “When I came here from Texas, I worked for Preston Kincaid as his foreman. He and his wife live only an hour from us. I saved as much as I could. In fact, I’d been saving before I came to Montana. Preston knew I wanted my own place. His wife had a friend who needed a job and I figured he could be foreman.”

  “So you left?”

  “Not abruptly. As soon as I heard the Pickens family was selling out to move to California, I rushed to put in my bid. Pickens was eager to leave and we made a deal on the spot.”

  The memory renewed the pride he’d experienced when he and Pickens concluded their bargain. Now he had a wife to cook and clean and keep him warm at night. Thinking of the nights with this beautiful woman heated his blood. He shifted uncomfortably on the bench, grateful the blanket covered his pants’ front.

  “So, you’re a man who has the willpower to save and plan ahead. ‘Tis happy I am to learn that about you.”

  He half turned to speak to her. “There’s something I should have gotten settled before we wed, but I was in a rush.”

  Chapter Three

  Garrett hadn’t intended to frighten his wife, but Gormlaith’s eyes widened and color drained from her face.

  She said, “You’re scaring me for your face turned solemn. Have I already offended you?”

  Taking a deep breath, he braced himself for a confrontation. “Of course not. I was married back in Texas and my wife died in childbirth. The baby also. I don’t intend to go through that heartbreak again.”

  He scrubbed a hand across his face, wishing he could wipe away the painful memories. “I couldn’t stand to live in that house alone with all the memories so I sold my ranch and came to Montana. What I’m saying is that I don’t want children, Gormlaith, and I hope you can abide by my decision.”

  She appeared sad and he hated that he’d caused her pain. “I wanted a houseful of happy boys and girls, but I seem to be barren. I was married to Conor for two years and never caught a baby. ‘Twas for the best I suppose. The small flat where we lived was no place to bring a child and he was not a man who would make a good father.”

  Garrett had expected tears or heated accusations and exhaled his relief. “Then that’s cleared up and we can move forward.”

  She looked straight ahead as if lost in thought. After ten minutes or so had passed, she asked, “Tell me, do you have many cows?”

  “Cattle. The cows on a ranch are referred to as cattle. Not yet. Pickens left ten and Preston Kincaid gave me ten. I purchased fifty. Not many to call myself a rancher, but the herd will grow and then I can sell some.”

  He noted the sky grew more and more stormy. They were in for bad weather soon and he hoped they could get inside the cabin before the storm hit.

  She wiggled on the seat. “You’ll be upset with me, but I must relieve myself.”

  Well, hell. Was something wrong with her? “Again? If we don’t hurry, we’ll be caught in the coming storm. You sure you can’t wait?”

  Her voice sharpened with temper. “Would I ask you to stop if I could wait? ‘Tis necessary.”

  He pulled on the reins and set the brake. “Be as fast as you can.”

  She glared at him as she climbed down. “I wasn’t planning on going for a stroll about the countryside.”

  He grinned at her temper. No doubt the day would come when he’d catch the sharp side of her tongue as she told him his faults.

  She climbed back onto the seat and settled herself with the blanket over her legs. “That didn’t take long, now did it? Women don’t have the advantage of men when it comes to some things.”

  He’d been watching the sky. “We’re racing against the clock. That storm is going to hit soon and I want to be inside the cabin when that happens.”

  “How far away is this cabin?”

  “Not too much longer, maybe an hour.”

  “Good heavens, but everything is spread out in Montana. Now, you were telling me about your ranch. How many milk cows and pigs do you have?” She licked her rosy lips and he wished he could taste them.

  “None. Later, I might be able to buy from someone in Morgan’s Crossing, but we can’t go there for a while. I bought cans of milk for now and I have a couple of hams and rashers of bacon in the back.”

  “I see. I know I’ve created problems and unexpected expenses. ‘Tis lucky for me you came to my rescue.”

  He didn’t know what to say to her. To his mind, she was lucky he’d come to town today. Perhaps the arrangement would prove lucky for him, too. They traveled in companionable silence, though he noticed her glancing at the menacing sky as he did.

  The wind kicked up and grew colder. Thunder rumbled and he saw lightning in the distance.

  “Being out in the open like this when there’s lightning is dangerous. I warned you if we stopped we’d get caught in the storm.”

  Her wide blue eyes sparked with anger. “Don’t blame me if we get wet. When nature calls, a body must answer. I’m not a baby wearing a nappy.”

  The sky opened and cold rain poured over them. He adjusted his hat and clicked the reins to urge the horses faster. Hoping the rain didn’t turn to sleet, he peered into the distance.

  Gormlaith set the food on the floor and huddled close to him under the blanket. “Sure and this is the coldest rain ever.”

  “Here we are at the cabin. Don’t be put off by the place. Since the distances between towns are so great, cabins like this provide shelter for travelers.” He halted the horses in front of the small log structure and set the brake.

  She didn’t wait for him to help her but climbed down by herself and bolted for the door. He followed right behind her. Inside, she hung her scarf on a peg.

  “Is this like your home?”

  “There are some things in common but my… our house is built much better and is considerably larger.” He set the basket of food on the table.

  She ran her hand over the log’s surface. “But is your home of these lo
gs?”

  Kneeling in front of the fireplace, he started a fire. “Yes, and so is the barn. But those at the ranch are larger and better chinked.”

  She sent him a puzzled glance.

  He stood and tapped the wall between two logs. “Chinking is that concrete-mud-like mortar between the logs to keep out the cold and wind. If you’ll set out our food, I’ll go take care of the horses and get them under the shelter and give your chickens some water and feed.”

  She slapped a hand to her forehead. “Ack, I should have started the fire and saved you time.”

  “No matter. I’ll not be long. The privy is behind the cabin. ” He retreated and closed the door behind him.

  Gormlaith’s mind was a whirl of new information. She hated to go back into the storm but she grabbed her scarf and hurried to relieve herself then return to the cabin. They’d ridden miles and miles and hadn’t seen another person. Occasionally there had been a house or barn in the distance, but there had been no other wagons or riders on the road they’d traveled.

  The thought of such isolation frightened her, yet surely protected her too. When her in-laws sent the law after her, if they hadn’t already done so, finding her would be difficult. They’d vowed to make her pay for Conor’s death—as if him dying had been her fault.

  She’d packed her few things and left amid shouts and accusations, even though she’d left Conor’s mother half her last pay packet. Then, she’d disappeared from the McGowans’ lives. Thank heavens the matchmaker had a letter from a man who wanted a wife right away and she hadn’t had to wait to leave New York.

  She had the three dollars and fifty centsd from the shirt factory hidden in her bag as emergency money. What a foolish idea, for what could she do with that small sum? Still, having a bit of cash created a sense of safety.

  That plus the money left from Mr. Higgins made her feel a wealthy woman. With all her new clothes, she was well-to-do indeed. Never in her life had she owned so many possessions. Perhaps she’d write to Ma and tell her of her new situation.

  Quickly she readied their meal. The minister’s wife had sent fried chicken and jars of vegetables. Also included was a jar of what appeared to be apple cider. Other than the piece of chicken, she hadn’t eaten a bite in well over twenty-four hours and she was eager to get food inside her.

  In addition to hunger, Gormlaith couldn’t help worrying about the night to come. There were four bunks along the walls. A mattress was rolled up on each of them and there were no blankets or bedding.

  Thunder rumbled and lightning struck near enough to shake the cabin. Garrett came inside shaking rain from his body and dropped a bundle and her carpet bag onto the floor. “I brought your clothes in case you’d gotten wet. Can’t have either of us catching pneumonia. That rain is cold as ice. Sure hope it doesn’t turn to sleet.”

  “Aye, that would be unwelcome. Come sit so we can eat. I moved the table closer to the fireplace. Mrs. Norton sent us a feast.”

  “Yes, I heard her say she does that for every couple who wed at the church. Guess I should have paid the reverend more for performing the ceremony. We can return the basket the next time we go to town.

  “Please sit down so we can eat.”

  He smiled at her as he took a seat. “I’ll admit I’m hungry.”

  “Let’s begin for ‘tis starving I am.”

  She had found tin plates and cups. There was no water for washing, but she’d scrubbed at them with a napkin. Now she served her husband’s plate and poured him a cup of the cider then served her plate.

  Apparently he caught her staring at the bunks. “Don’t worry about the sleeping arrangements. We won’t count tonight as our wedding night. This is hardly a spot to begin a marriage.”

  She exhaled a sigh. “Thank you. I couldn’t help wondering. I notice there’s no bedding. I think we’ll be sleeping cold.”

  “I have a bedroll and you can have that on a mattress. If the blanket’s not too wet, I’ll roll up in that by the fire.”

  Soon, they’d completed their meal and readied for bed. He moved the table back to the center of the small cabin and unrolled two mattresses on the floor near the fireplace.

  She kicked at one then bent to examine a hole in the ticking. “Look at this hole where a mouse made a nest. What if the mouse is still inside?”

  He shrugged. “What if it is? You think a mouse is going to attack you?”

  She kicked at it again but no mouse ran out. “I don’t mind killing them quickly but I don’t want to squish the poor thing and have it suffering.”

  He threw up his hands. “Fine. I’ll get you another mattress.” He rolled up the bad one and returned it to a bunk. The next one he brought had no holes.

  After he’d spread the bedroll on one, he gestured to the arrangement. “Take off your coat and boots then crawl in. I’ll spread the coat over you.”

  She did as he asked. “The blanket is damp. There’s my old cloak in the bag and you can spread it on yourself with your coat.”

  “I’ll spread the blanket near the fire so it will dry for tomorrow.” He moved a couple of chairs nearby and tented the blanket over them.

  After her time on the train and then the rough wagon ride today, she was exhausted. She knew she should help tend the fire, should ask for water to clean the dishes, but she simply couldn’t stay awake another minute.

  When Gormlaith woke she was snuggled inside the bedroll with her coat over her. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the shutters. Her husband had brought in a pail of water and poured some into a pan for washing the dishes. Embarrassed to have left such things to him, she hastily put on her boots.

  She grabbed a napkin and used it to dry a plate. “I should do the washing up and prepare our breakfast.”

  “You looked worn out yesterday so I thought you needed sleep. We’re just over a half day from the ranch.”

  They snacked on the picnic food then soon had the cabin restored to the way they’d found it. Garrett hitched up the horses and brought the wagon to the door. She climbed up on the bench and they were on their way.

  Morning sunlight shone on them and the sky was a bright blue. She had never smelled air this crisp and clean. Today’s breeze was still cold, but nothing like yesterday’s frigid wind. She had the blanket over her legs and was snug in her new coat and boots and gloves.

  After gazing around them for a while, she asked, “Who is looking after your place while you’re gone?”

  “I stopped by the house closest to mine… ours, that of the Hensen family, and told them I’d be gone a few days. They’ll keep an eye out for trouble. Their son Billy helps me out sometimes and he’ll have come by each day to see the horses in the barn have feed and water.”

  “But, they cannot see your house from theirs, can they? How will they know if there’s trouble?”

  “They ride their range same as I ride mine. Also, they might go into Morgan’s Crossing for something and ride by the ranch. Billy will look around while he’s taking care of the horses and make sure no one’s tampered with anything.”

  “If you were to walk to the Henson house from yours, how far would that be?”

  He appeared to consider for a few seconds. “Reckon about three miles.”

  The distances here were hard for her to understand. At home in Ireland, it was less than that to the village shops. “And they’re your closest neighbors?”

  He met her gaze with a frown and his voice was sharp. “Does that scare you? I warned you this is isolated.”

  She waved away his concern with a flick of her wrist. “Not a’tall. I’m simply trying to get things sorted in my mind. To learn, for instance, if you were hurt where I should go for help.”

  He nodded and returned his gaze to the road. “Guess that’s a good idea. If it makes you feel more comfortable, I’ll draw you a map when we get home.”

  “Yes, that will be good. We must be prepared for anything that might happen.”

  “Can you shoot a gun?”

>   “No. I’d never even seen one up close until I met the sheriff. He wore a sidearm. I notice you have a rifle in the wagon.”

  “I’ll teach you to use the rifle. Out here, everyone needs to know how to defend himself. We have wolves, coyotes, bears, and snakes.” He looked at her and raised his eyebrows. “The most dangerous critters are the two-legged varmints.”

  She shuddered at the thought of confronting any kind of trouble on her own. “I think that’s true anywhere. And no one close enough to call for help. Is the sheriff I met the one who takes care of the county?”

  He nodded. “Mostly he stays in town unless there’s trouble. He knows all the people in the county, though, and somehow keeps track of them.”

  “Is there a lawman in this Morgan’s Crossing?”

  “Not exactly. Mr. Morgan has guards at his gold mine. Preston Kincaid’s new foreman, Vern Baxter, used to be a lawman and is a smart one at that. He and Preston would be who I’d call if I needed help.”

  “These are things I must know. If you have paper to spare, I’ll make a list of these people and put them with the map you draw for me.”

  “Glad to learn you’re organized. I hadn’t thought about such things, but you’re right, you do need to know them.” He rubbed a hand along his jaw. “I’d forgotten having a wife sure changes the way a man thinks.”

  “Is this good or bad?”

  He grinned at her. “Probably a little of both.”

  She tilted her head and gave him a saucy glance. “So, it’s a mixed blessing I am, but a blessing just the same, is that true?”

  He shrugged and guided the horses around what looked like a muddy quagmire. “So far, I see nothing bad from being wed other than wondering if I purchased enough supplies to feed another person this winter. I admit this trip from Sweetwater Springs has been less a chore with you talking to me.”

  “Aye, companionship is something I’d hoped for in marriage. I don’t know if we’ll ever come to love one another, but we can grow a fondness as we share our lives and build for the future.”