Montana Sky: Capture Her Heart (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 6)

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I don’t know what a soddie is.”

  “A house made from digging into the side of a hill and then using bricks of sod to finish the front of the house. Usually there’s a sod roof.”

  She leaned back aghast. “Didn’t you have bugs and other critters join you?”

  He laughed, apparently at her expression. “Sure did but it was warm enough. I was mighty glad to get this extra property with a house and barn.”

  “Does robbery like that of your neighbor’s go on often?”

  “Naw, we don’t have much trouble here. Clanahan had some a few weeks ago, but that turned out to be a family matter. This is a peaceful area for the most part. Great place to live.”

  “I’m glad you said your home is sturdy and warm in winter.”

  “Has to be. So is the bunk house now that we’ve remodeled it, but it’s still not as well-built as the house. On occasion, the men have moved into the house for a few nights at a time. The bunk house was originally the robbers’ house.”

  “Do your men eat with you?”

  “Sure do. Hope you won’t mind if that continues.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good.” He nodded to the right. “That’s the road to Clanahan’s ranch. Nice couple. His first wife died and he has three children and just remarried. Believe Dorie and Jack would enjoy playing with them.”

  Vanessa was relieved there would be children the same age as hers. “Is their house far from yours?”

  “Almost an hour by buggy. Half that by horseback. Not too far for visits.”

  “Longer than I’m used to traveling.”

  He slowed at a rock cairn that stood three feet high. “Here’s where my land starts.”

  “Should I wake the children?”

  “Not yet. Won’t be able to see the house for half an hour yet. I’ll give you the word when we’re closer.”

  “This land isn’t lush like Georgia, but it’s beautiful in its own way.”

  His grin rewarded her praise. “To my mind, nothing else compares. Gets into your soul and won’t let go. Don’t think I could be happy anywhere else.”

  “Holding on to your ranch must be difficult in the weather conditions you described. How do you manage?”

  “Irrigation is the only way. We dug ditches from the river to water our crops. I grow oats, corn, wheat, sorghum, and have a huge vegetable garden. You can see we have to provide for ourselves for most things. I sell my wheat to the mill and sell part of the sorghum. I trade the rest for syrup. The corn and oats feed my stock as well as us. I grow hay and we harvest that to store for winter.”

  “Do you ever have time to relax?” What a hard life he must lead.

  He laughed. “I relax plenty in the winter. Still have to feed the animals, but the crops are in and I have time to mend harnesses and saddles and to play cards or dominoes with Billy and Paco.”

  “And do you win much from them?” Her voice sounded sharper than she’d intended. Another gambler, but at least this one worked.

  “I keep a lot of matches and we each get twenty-five when we start a game and then put them back when we finish. So far, Paco’s ahead by about a million matches.”

  She was almost giddy with relief and couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled from her. “But you must have fun so that’s relaxing.”

  “We do.” He chuckled and looked at her, revealing mischief twinkling in his eyes. “Last Christmas, Billy and I bundled together two dozen boxes of matches and gave them to Paco as a gift. We had a real present for him, too, but we all got a big laugh out of those match boxes.”

  “Obviously you’re great friends as well as co-workers.”

  “We are, we’re like a family.” He reached behind him to gently shake Jack’s shoulder. “At the top of this next rise, you’ll be able to see the house.”

  Rubbing his eyes, Jack rose to his knees. “Dorie, wake up. We’re almost to our new home.”

  Dorie had an expression Vanessa knew all too well. “I need to relieve myself.”

  Vanessa touched his arm. “I apologize, Travis. When she says she needs to go, she means now.”

  He stopped the wagon and climbed down. As he helped Dorie to the ground, he said, “You’d better go with her. There are lots of varmints out here.”

  Vanessa let him assist her down and peered around the wagon. “Oh, dear. All right, that’s a good idea. Dorie, come over behind these bushes.”

  His next warning startled her. “Don’t get too close to the brush.”

  She guided her daughter away from a large bush. “Hurry, dear.”

  Dorie’s expression was indignant as she tugged off her gloves and shoved them into her coat pocket. “Where?”

  Vanessa pointed to the ground. “Right here.”

  Dorie’s eyes were wide. “Outside?”

  She shared her daughter’s repulsion for baring herself in the open but they had to adjust to their new life. She had never in her life relieved herself on the ground. Could she? There was no choice.

  Confusion made her voice sharper than she intended, “Do you see an outhouse or a bathroom? No. This is it, so don’t keep Travis and Jack waiting.”

  Frowning, Dorie battled her clothing and squatted. “All right, but this is not a very nice way to act in public.”

  “Things are different here and we’re hardly in public. We have to adjust.”

  “I’m ’justing, but this is just plain strange. Are you going to go here too?” Dorie’s little mouth formed a prim pout.

  Vanessa removed her own gloves and stuffed them in her pocket. “After the bouncing ride from town, I’d better.” Battling her coat, skirts, and petticoats to open the slit in her drawers was cumbersome, but she managed, amazingly without soiling herself.

  Dorie stood with her hands outstretched. “Where will I wash my hands?”

  “Put your gloves back on, dear. When we get to our new home, you can wash your hands before we eat.”

  Dorie put her hands on her hips. “Mother, I don’t understand why we’re breaking so many rules.”

  “I told you life in Montana Territory is much different from Atlanta. For now, just do as I say.” As soon as Vanessa and Dorie had donned their gloves, Vanessa took her daughter’s hand and led her to the wagon.

  Once they were back in the wagon, Jack leaned near. “We went, too, but we were faster. Mother, we stood right out in the open behind a bush. Papa said it was all right because no one could see us but I sure felt strange.”

  Vanessa leaned wearily against the bench’s back. So much change for the children as well as for her. Would they ever fit in with this life? Soon they’d be at their new home. Perhaps she could have a bath after dinner and then a short rest.

  They crested the hill and she spotted a tiny cabin. That must be where the cowboys lived. She craned her neck to see around the two large barns for a view of the ranch house.

  Travis gestured ahead. “There it is, your new home.” Pride tinged his voice.

  Dorie said, “But… it’s tiny.”

  “Dorothea, your manners, please.” Dear Lord, help me. The house was small and couldn’t have over three or four rooms. What was she going to do?

  Dorie tugged on Travis’ shirt sleeve. “I’m sorry, Papa.”

  “That’s all right, Dorie. I imagine you’re used to a large house. Come spring, I’ll add more rooms to this one. Until then, you and Jack have to share a room.”

  Jack patted Vanessa. “That’s all right, Papa. We don’t mind.”

  ***

  Vanessa was speechless. What should she say? She was in so much trouble.

  There would be no servants.

  He’d expected a real wife who knew how to cook.

  He thought he was getting one who did the household chores.

  Dear heavens, he would be so disappointed.

  She gulped down her panic and found her voice, “Travis, I-I have to explain something. When you said you had a large ranch and a sturdy home, I-I misunderstood. W
ith a large ranch, I expected a large home with servants.”

  His jaw tensed and he glanced at her then straight ahead. “I see.” The two words held great import.

  “I can cook a little but not enough to feed three hungry men daily.”

  Jack leaned over the seat. “She’s learning and Greta sent recipes. Mother will figure out cooking real fast, you’ll see.”

  Travis shot her a grim stare. “Who is Greta?”

  Jack answered before she could, “She’s our cook from home. Well, from when we had a home before we had to leave it. We stayed with her sister until we could come here because we had nowhere to go and no money.”

  Humiliated even further by Jack’s revelation, she looked over her shoulder. “Jack, this is a time for grownups to talk.”

  She faced her new husband. “Greta has been with me since I was four. When I married she became the housekeeper/cook for my new home. I couldn’t have survived the last nine years without her encouragement and moral support.”

  He sent her a pensive look. “Go on. I’m sure there’s more.”

  “When my late husband lost all our money and the business our fathers had founded, he shot himself. I didn’t know he’d lost our home as well. The property had been in his family for four generations. We had six hours’ notice to vacate. Greta packed while I wrote letters of reference for the staff in case the banker didn’t retain them.”

  His expression was incredulous. “Six hours? Where did you go?”

  “To the home of Greta’s sister. Hilda’s son had just moved out and she let us have his former room. I suspect Greta paid her. I had no money except for a couple of dollars in my coin purse. Hilda told me about the matrimonial agency and that’s where I saw your letter.”

  His face was inscrutable. “Was I the only groom available or did I win the prize?”

  She straightened her back and raised her chin. “You needn’t be sarcastic. There were three others who said a woman with children was acceptable. The other men didn’t sound as nice as you.” Which was true, but he’d also sent the ticket and she could leave immediately.

  He tilted his head when he looked at her. “So, I did win and now we’re married. All right, but you should be aware I expected a wife in all things.”

  Panic still claimed her. “I wouldn’t blame you if you took me back to Sweetwater Springs and asked for an annulment.” She raised her chin to meet his gaze. “I hope you won’t, but I won’t blame you if you do.”

  Dear Lord, please don’t let him send me away.

  What would she do? Where would she go? How could she care for her children?

  His expression was solemn. “We made vows before God, Vanessa. You’ll learn I always keep my word.”

  He touched her hand. “Don’t look as if you’ve been condemned to prison. We’ll take this as it comes.”

  She closed her eyes with relief then opened them. “Thank you, Travis. You won’t be sorry. Well, you may be temporarily, but I promise I’ll do my best to learn quickly. I’ll work as hard as I can.”

  He focused forward. “Your best is all anyone can give. I see the men have a fire going so the place will be warm when we arrive.”

  For the first time, she observed the trail of smoke rising from the chimney. A thinner trail rose from the other end of the house, she supposed from a range. In a corral, several horses nickered and pranced. Two dogs barked and ran their way.

  Jack waved at Billy and Paco. “Look at the horses. Oh, Mother, there’re dogs.” Excitement filled his voice.

  Dorie tugged on Travis’ collar. “I love dogs. Are there kitties too?”

  He patted her hand then pried it loose from the fabric and stray locks of his hair. “There are several cats in the barn.”

  She kept her hand on his shoulder. “Please, Papa, can one be mine?”

  “They can all be yours and Jack’s, but they have to live inside the barn. They keep the mice from stealing the animals’ food.”

  Dorie clapped her hands. “I’ve always wanted a kitty. Do they have names?”

  “The grown ones do. You can name the kittens.”

  Her little face beamed even more. “I can? Oh, Papa, make the horses go faster so I can see the kitties.”

  He lifted the little girl forward to sit between him and Vanessa. “Dorie, this is as fast as is safe with your trunks and our supplies loaded on the wagon. Be patient and we’ll be there in a minute or two.”

  Vanessa’s embarrassment over her lack of skills was overcome by the excitement her children displayed. She couldn’t recall seeing them this animated in years. Maybe ever.

  She was grateful for Travis’ patience with Dorie and Jack. Already he’d won her son’s devotion. Apparently, Dorie was charmed as well.

  He nodded toward the canines racing toward them. “Jack, the dog with the brown is Nipper and Sport has black in his coat. They’re trained to help round up the cattle as well as sound an alarm if anyone is prowling on our homestead.”

  Jack leaned over the side to watch the animals cavorting and yipping with the wagon. “I’ve always wanted a dog but we weren’t allowed to have pets.”

  “Careful you don’t fall.” Travis pulled him back. “Every boy should have a dog and now you’ll have two. Can I depend on you to make sure these two have water and food?”

  His face was solemn. “Yes, Papa, I promise.”

  “Then you have two dogs.”

  Jack’s eyes widened to resemble saucers. “You mean Nipper and Sport will be mine? My very own? Yippee! Did you hear, Mother? I have two dogs.”

  Vanessa smiled at her son. “I’m glad you’ll both have cats and dogs. But, just as I would never let you or your sister go without food or water, you have to provide for the pets in the same way.”

  Jack laughed. “You mean we’re your pets?”

  She caressed his cheek that was reddened by the cold. “You’re my precious, adorable, rascally, little animals that I treasure.”

  The wagon drew up in front of the house and Travis set the brake before he looped the reins around it. He came around to help Vanessa to the ground. His gaze met hers as he held her so close she slid slowly down his body.

  The blue of his eyes was dark with unleashed passion. She gasped and sensed the heat of a blush creep across her cheeks. He laughed and released her.

  How silly for a woman who’d been married for nine years to blush like that. He must think her ridiculous. Some ranch wife she made—no housekeeping skills and acting like a silly schoolgirl.

  Billy helped Dorie down and Jack climbed to the ground on his own. Jack played with the dogs, laughing when they licked his face.

  Dorie looked at the barn. “May I see the kitties now?”

  “Later.” Vanessa nudged her daughter toward the house.

  Then Paco and Billy unloaded the wagon, carrying most of the supplies into the house.

  Travis cupped Vanessa’s elbow. “Let me show you around before we see the house, small as it is.”

  Solemn, she pleaded, “Travis, please don’t be offended.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not, Vanessa. I’ve worked hard for what I have and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

  At the porch, she touched the house’s wall. “I expected round logs, but these have been squared.”

  “They fit tightly together, but also have chinking. Makes the walls a foot thick. We cut the logs and dragged them from the forest you saw. Had to get permission, of course.”

  “How did you get them square?”

  “We set up a saw mill powered by mules. Took two years to make all the improvements, working around our other duties.” He gestured to the barns. “You can see that the two barns are different, at least I can. They might look the same to you.”

  “No, the one on this side appears much sturdier.”

  He smiled broadly. “Right, it is. The other one was here when I bought this place. We use it for hay and straw storage now that we have it waterproofed. The one we built is where w
e keep our animals.”

  “What’s the difference between hay and straw?”

  “We grow hay as a crop and harvest it. Straw is the stalk left after we cut the wheat and oats. We cut them to put down in the mucked out stalls and to feed the swine. There’s a half wall between the two in the barn.”

  “What are the other buildings?”

  “To the right of the barns is the original shack for this spread and it’s now the bunkhouse. We beefed it up to withstand the weather. Continuing to the right, you see the smokehouse where we cure and store our meat.”

  For the first time, she noticed the faint smoke seeping upward from a small building. “I doubt you get ice delivered to the ranch. Where do you keep milk and butter cool?”

  “Just under the kitchen is a stream we created, rather we diverted, to keep cold water flowing unless the temperature’s freezing.” He swept her into his arms. “Now let me carry you across the threshold.”

  Jack and Dorie squealed and clapped.

  Billy grinned. “Right way to welcome your bride, Travis.”

  Paco stood aside to let them pass. “Sí, this is proper.”

  Vanessa couldn’t keep from laughing. She didn’t care if she was acting like a schoolish miss. This was her new life with a man who vowed he kept his word. Hope blossomed like a flower in the sun.

  Chapter Four

  When her husband set her down, Vanessa surveyed the rooms. Actually, the parlor and kitchen were one long room with a fireplace in the parlor area and a range in the kitchen. The planking floor appeared thick and sturdy.

  Furnishings were sparse. The kitchen table had six chairs, two of which appeared new. Although the home didn’t compare to her former one, this one was welcoming and friendlier.

  “This looks pleasant and cozy. A place where we can invite your friends and enjoy our time together. Oh, I’m so pleased to see you have water in the kitchen.”

  His posture relaxed. He must have been worried about what she’d say.

  “Glad to hear you say something nice about the place. We need more furniture, but I plan to buy some from Gideon Walker. He makes the finest I’ve ever seen. I showed you the turnoff to their place.”