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

by Caroline Clemmons

  He gently pulled her back so her head was on his shoulder. “You’re borrowing trouble, Gormlaith. Of course I’ll go with you if it comes to that. First, trust the sheriff to get some answers. He said he’d send wires so he must know someone there he trusts.”

  “Pfft. There’s no one there I trust. Maybe the girl who told me about the matchmaker and maybe the matchmaker, but what good is that? By now Moira and Denis have poisoned the minds of all the others in the tenement.”

  “Perhaps they’ve tried but I don’t imagine either of them is that popular. Not everyone is susceptible to bullying. Leave it for now. I guarantee you will not be sentenced for a crime you did not commit. If I have to sell this ranch and everything on it, I will.”

  Her tears started again. “You love this ranch and you’ve worked so hard to get it and make it a success.”

  “I love you, wife. I didn’t mean to, but I’m afraid you captured my heart.”

  She raised on her elbow again to study his face. “Can you mean it? Oh, Garrett, I’ve loved you almost since I arrived.” She smoothed her hand along his jaw. “You’re such a good man, strong but never using your power to make another feel small. I’ve never known anyone as good as you. I didn’t even know your kind of man existed. I thank God every day that you rescued me from Mrs. Murphy’s home.”

  He chuckled and cuddled her to him. “Got a bargain didn’t I? Higgins paid your fare and I got you for free.”

  She smoothed her hand across his broad chest. “Not when you consider all you’ve given me. No wonder I love you.”

  “I love you, Mrs. McDonald. I thought I’d never love again, but you proved me wrong by thawing my frozen heart. I’m grateful to you. I feel like a whole man again.” He caught her hand. “You’re flirting with trouble by caressing me like that.”

  She pulled away and continued her hand’s path with a chuckle. “I’ve never run from trouble. If there’s a problem, I’ll have the sheriff arrest you.”

  With a growl, he flipped her on her back and kissed her fervently.

  Later, after their lovemaking, she lay awake. Worry still consumed her. She couldn’t let Garrett risk his ranch and everything he’d worked so hard to achieve. Knowing he was willing to do so meant more than she could express.

  To be assured he valued her more than his personal wealth staggered her. No one had ever thought so highly of her. Even her own parents had fobbed her off on Conor.

  Dear Lord, I ask for your help in proving my innocence, but protect Garrett McDonald above all else. He’s one of your angels here on earth.

  ***

  The next morning, Gormlaith rose early in order to prepare a large breakfast for her husband and their guest. Garrett tried to pull her back into bed, but she escaped him with a giggle.

  “If you’re getting up, I might as well also.” He pulled on his pants and stomped into his boots. “By the way, these new socks are the most comfortable I’ve ever worn.” He reached for his shirt.

  She handed him the green sweater. “Add this over your flannel shirt for another layer of warmth.” She hurried downstairs to start the coffee and biscuits.

  Either they woke the sheriff or he was waiting until he heard them because he followed right behind them. “Sure appreciate that nice warm room and bed. Like you said, the water was still warm this morning. Felt good.”

  “You’re welcome, Sheriff. We’ve had a couple of visitors, but you’re the first overnight guest we’ve had. ‘Tis pleased I am to have someone share our home no matter what the reason.”

  “I’ve been thinking about your story. I know a man in New York who’ll check on that for me. Sort of independent of the police in case they’ve been bribed. I hate to accuse another lawman, but I understand there’s a lot of corruption in the poor parts of that city.”

  “Aye, and that’s the truth. Seldom would the police even come into the tenement where I lived. So much went on there—wife beatings, fights, brawls, theft, women assaulted, children abused and abandoned. Police only came because Denis phoned them from the box at the street corner and told them there’d been a murder.”

  “Sounds like you’re well away from there. City life never appealed to me. Once lived in St. Louis, but prefer right where I am. Winters are hard, but other conditions sure make up for the weather.” He reached for his hat. “Wait up, McDonald, and I’ll help with the animals while your wife is cooking our breakfast.”

  Garrett had donned his coat and gloves and now shoved his hat on his head. “Never turned away good help, Sheriff.”

  While they were gone, Gormlaith cooked the best breakfast she could imagine. When they returned, she had oatmeal, ham steaks, scrambled eggs, potatoes fried with onions, and biscuits. She’d set out the honey and molasses and a surprise she’d purchased from Prudence—butter.

  “Soon we’ll have our own butter. That is, if we have a churn.” She looked at Garrett. “I never thought of that yesterday. Do we have one?”

  “No, but I guarantee we will have soon. I’ll take some fresh milk to the Hensen family. Perhaps they have a churn to loan.”

  This morning, the lawman was cheerful and full of funny anecdotes. She knew he was trying to ease her worry, but she couldn’t stop thinking of him coming to arrest her. Mayhap next time she saw him, he’d send her to New York for trial.

  After the sheriff had gone, Garrett took a container of milk to the neighbors. She willed herself to think of other things. Working like a whirlwind to keep busy, she scrubbed the house. She even rearranged the cellar’s fruit and vegetables according to the alphabet and discovered some apples she hadn’t known were there.

  When Garrett came in that evening, her hands were red and nails broken. Her arms and shoulders and back ached until she could hardly move.

  He stood in the kitchen and looked around. “The house smells like soap. You’ve scrubbed the floor again.” He walked into the parlor. “This is the same. Did you scrub the entire house?”

  “And the privy. I was so worried I couldn’t be still.”

  “Honey, you can’t do this every day until the sheriff lets us know what he learns.” He took her hands in his. “Your poor hands. Gormlaith, sit down while I get the bathtub.”

  He brought in their copper tub and filled it with hot water from the range reservoir. Adding cold water, he tested the temperature. When he was satisfied, he undressed her and helped her climb into the bath.

  “Ahh, that’s heaven.” With a sigh, she sank to her shoulders.

  He fetched a bar of the French soap he’d purchased for her the day they’d met and wed and used it to lather her arms, hands, feet, and legs. As he spread the suds, he massaged. Her bones melted and she gave herself over to his care.

  “Sit up and I’ll do your back.”

  She did and he treated her to a back, neck, and shoulder massage. “I’ve never had such royal treatment.”

  “My error. You will in the future on a regular basis. Do you want your hair washed?”

  “Yes, please.” She leaned back to allow him access.

  “You have beautiful hair. The first time I saw you with it all in disarray, I wanted so much to touch these locks.” He massaged her scalp.

  “I must have looked a hoyden. Mrs. Murphy woke me suddenly and told me to hurry. I thought there was an emergency and didn’t even comb my hair or put on my shoes.”

  He rinsed her hair with warm water. “I remember the stocking feet and trim ankles coming down the stairs. And then the rest of you appeared and captured me right there.”

  “I stared like a frightened doe at the handsomest man I’d ever laid eyes on and I almost lost my voice. Thank goodness you were there.”

  “You lie there and I’ll add some warm water. I’m going to piece together a meal. I’ll be careful and not drip food on the clean range or table.”

  She flicked her wrist in dismissal. “Don’t bother about such things. I’ll have to do something tomorrow.”

  “Relax. No questioning, no speculating
, no worrying at all.”

  By the time he brought her a towel for her hair and one to dry herself, she had almost fallen asleep. She stood and dried off most of her, then stepped from the tub.

  He held her pitiful wrap for her to don. “The next time we go to any store, you’re getting a new robe. Buy a warm flannel robe for now and a thin cotton one for summer and slippers for anytime. Got that?”

  She sat down and dried her legs and feet. “Mr. Moneybags you are. I dress as soon as I’m up so I’ve no need for a bunch of new things I’d rarely use.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He gestured to her. “Wrap your feet in that while we eat. Then you can dry your hair by the fire while I tidy my mess. I’ll wait until morning to empty the tub.”

  She enjoyed being cosseted as one highly valued. What had she done to deserve such treatment?

  They dined on ham sandwiches served with pickles and steaming mugs of coffee.

  Afterward, he carried her to her parlor chair. “Let me dry your hair. I’ve never seen such gorgeous strands. Red and gold dance in the auburn as you move.”

  She was limp from her lovely bath and she simply leaned back in her chair while he rubbed her hair with a towel, intermittently running his fingers through her locks. When she was warm and dry, he left her briefly.

  “I’ve put away the food that will spoil. The heck with the rest of the mess. I’m taking you up and tucking you into bed.”

  When he started to scoop her up, she stopped him. His back was hardly well enough to carry her up the stairs and down the long hallway. “And will you be joining me?”

  “Darn right, I will. While you were first in the tub, I started the fire in our room. Ought to be nice and warm now.”

  She dashed into the kitchen and grabbed her shoes and clothes then raced up the stairs with him at her heels. In their room, she sat on the bed and reached for her nightgown.

  He stopped her. “You won’t be needing that for a while. I have designs on your virtue.”

  “Thank goodness.” Laughing, she tossed aside her robe and climbed under the covers.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Garrett watched his wife pretend she’d forgotten the threat dogging her. He tried to cheer her, cajole her, and coax her to leave the details to the sheriff.

  She faced him across the dinner table. “We should have heard something by now.”

  “He’ll let you know when there’s something to tell. At least you’ve had a letter from your mother.”

  “Aye, and she was that surprised with all I’d told her. Turns out she never liked Moira and hadn’t approved of me marrying Conor.” Her voice was bitter. “She waited long enough to mention that, didn’t she?”

  “I’m sorry you had such a hard time in New York, my love, but grateful you came to Montana. What would I do without you?”

  She brushed at tears. “You’ll find out when I’m sent to prison or hanged.”

  He grabbed her shoulders. “Stop that talk! I’m ordering you to be positive and optimistic or I’m telling Father Frederick you’ve not been obeying me.”

  Her lovely blue eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare? Aye, I see you would for ‘tis in your eyes. Okay, I’ll be careful of my words from now on.” She sent him a saucy glance. “You won’t know my thoughts, now will you?”

  He raised his brows at her. “Yes I will because they show on your face.” He kissed her nose. “Don’t ever try playing poker, my love. You’d lose.”

  “Pfft. I don’t hold with playing cards. ‘Tis only another way to throw away money. I prefer to save for worthwhile things.”

  He held her in a loose embrace. “I know you do. And I appreciate your thrift. You’re a good wife if only you’ll obey me about casting away your bad thoughts. Some people think dwelling on bad things causes more to happen. Think good things and good things happen.”

  She tilted her head at him. “When did you become Mary Sunshine? But I am trying, truly I am. Did I not start a rag rug? That will take me a long while to complete so I’m counting on being around to finish the job.”

  “We need a dozen rag rugs, my dear.” He twirled her around. “But, I’m the job you have to concentrate on. You can’t abandon me until I’m an old man. Old, old, old man.”

  “Listen to you, prattling on when it sounds as if we’ve a visitor.” She spun away from him and went to the front door.

  She turned back toward him with fear written on her face. “Garrett, ‘tis the sheriff.”

  He strode to put an arm around her. “I’m right here with you and nothing bad will happen. Let’s open the door and greet our guest.” He did and stood aside for the sheriff to enter. “Come in, Sheriff, and have a seat.”

  When they were in the parlor, Sheriff Mather said, “I’ve come to bring you an early Christmas gift. I’ve heard from my contact and he discovered the problem.”

  Garrett asked, “What happened?”

  “A man named Denis McGowan,” he looked at Gormlaith, “your brother in-law, I believe, bribed a policeman to see that the warrant was issued. Although I’ve heard that the New York Police Department is rife with corruption, that policeman was fired.”

  Gormlaith leaned forward. “How does this change the warrant for my arrest?”

  “I’ve wired the officials that the case is closed. I didn’t say how it had occurred, just that it was settled. That should resolve the affair once and for all, but I’ve retained all my friend sent me on file in the event your in-laws pursue this. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve nothing to worry about any longer.”

  Gormlaith launched herself at the sheriff and hugged his neck. “Thank you, thank you for believing me.”

  She backed away from the embarrassed lawman. “Oh, ‘tis sorry I am for losing myself. I’ve been so worried, but Garrett kept telling me to trust you.”

  Garrett shook the sheriff’s hand. “We sure appreciate you seeing this through, Sheriff. A less reasonable man wouldn’t have investigated.”

  “All part of my job.”

  “You’ll be spending the night with us before your long ride back, won’t you, Sheriff?”

  He grinned. “Don’t mind if I do. Can’t beat the service here and the food is the best around.”

  After they’d retired for the evening, Gormlaith’s head rested on Garrett’s shoulder. “I’m so relieved. The worry has kept my stomach that upset. I’ve tried to be positive, honest I have. I just kept thinking about how evil Denis and Moira are and how he could bully people into doing things they shouldn’t.”

  “No more talk of it, my precious wife. We’ve weathered this storm. I know there’ll be others, but together we can meet them and they won’t defeat us.”

  “If you’re with me, I can face anything. And I’m so in love with you. I never knew I could love anyone this much. I understand now what people mean when they say ‘my other half’ for you are mine.”

  “And you’re mine. I’ll love you forever.”

  Epilogue

  August, 1888

  Iris Kincaid ran into the McDonald’s parlor. “You got a baby too. Do you need me to show you how to hold him?”

  Gormlaith smiled at the girl as she cradled Garrett William McDonald Jr. in her arms. This was Gormlaith’s first day downstairs since the birth five days ago. Sharing with friends made the day even more special.

  “Thank you, Iris, but remember you showed me with Trey so now I know how.”

  Following her daughter, Amanda Kincaid carried baby Preston Thomas Vernon Kincaid, Trey for short. “She’s almost as excited as when Trey was born.”

  “I still can’t believe I’m so lucky.” Gormlaith grinned at her friend. “No offense meant, but isn’t this the loveliest baby you’ve ever seen?”

  “Pretty good for a woman who thought she was barren.”Amanda leaned over to look at the red-faced infant. “Do you suppose all mothers feel what we do?”

  “I hope so.” But Gormlaith remembered that for some, another mouth to feed was too much of a burden fo
r joy. “I’m grateful for this big boy.”

  Preston asked, “What will you call him?”

  Garrett sent her a loving glance. “We’re using Will to avoid confusion with me. Sure wouldn’t want anyone to stick him with the name Junior.”

  Both men stood at the parlor entrance. Garrett was proud enough to bust his buttons over his son and Preston appeared just as proud of his own boy. In spite of that, they both decided to go look at the horses.

  Several hours later, when the Kincaid family had gone, Gormlaith and her husband went up to their room. She carried Will and placed him in the crib they’d purchased from Gideon Walker. For now, it was in their room, but in a few months they’d move it to the room next door, already decorated as a child’s room with more furniture from Gideon.

  After they were in their bed, Gormlaith leaned against her husband. “Aren’t we lucky?”

  “Luck of the Irish?” he asked as he cuddled her gently.

  “No, ‘tis in my mind the luck of the McDonalds is much better, especially for this McDonald. You’ve made all my dreams come true.”

  “I love you Gormlaith McDonald. I never dreamed I could be this happy. You’ve proved I can be a father without losing you. You’ve given me a beautiful son. I couldn’t love you more than I do at this moment.”

  “Garrett McDonald, your love has made me a new person. Don’t be afraid, love, but I want to fill this house with children.”

  “Childbirth still scares me but I’ll give you anything you want that’s within my power.”

  “Thank you, husband. Truth be told, though, all I’ve ever really needed is you. How could I be any happier than I am at this very moment?”

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