The Rancher's Southern Belle

by Leanne Burroughs

  Curse his ornery hide! She bristled and placed her hands on her hips. “I helped Father deliver many babies. Often women had problems, but Father always explained exactly what he was doing and why. Told me what the problems were. He was not one of the narrow-minded men that believed women should have no opinions at all. It appears, however, that you might be one that does.”

  Luke shook his head, lifted his hand to forestall her argument. “Maddie! Let us drop this subject and go have dinner. It is not an appropriate topic for discussion in the middle of the road in town any more than it was in the middle of Swede’s mercantile.”

  She glowered at him and again threw a hand in the air in frustration. “You mean it is not an appropriate topic for a woman like me.”

  “I did not say that. Do not put words in my mouth.”

  “But it is what you meant. Do not tell me it isn’t. You go eat. I have lost my appetite. I will wait in the wagon.”

  “Don’t be childish.”

  She turned her back on him and walked away.

  “Confound it, woman, do not walk away from me. Come back here. Maddie!” He made her name a warning.

  She spun on him. The scowl on his face matched his displeasure. “Why? So you can call me childish? How dare you! Just because you do not understand what I am talking about does not make me childish. It makes you stubborn, mule-headed and—”

  He huffed a breath. “Prideful woman!”

  “Arrogant man!” Shaking with fury, she stomped her booted foot.

  Amid their flurry of accusations and counter-accusations, a bark of laughter erupted behind them.

  “So I take it this is the new wife I have heard tell about.”

  They whirled in concert and came face to face with a very large man.

  The captain made a visible effort to rein in his anger. “Matthew!”

  “Good to see you,” both men said as one.

  The man pulled her husband into a quick, bone-crunching hug, squeezing hard enough that the captain probably couldn’t breathe. Then again, that just might serve him right.

  Emotion drew her throat tight. So she’d married into a family of huggers. How different it was from how she was raised. She shook off the thought.

  Matthew studied her, clearly taking her measure, a twinkle lurking in his eyes. Even if she hadn’t recognized the name from the captain’s list of brothers, there was no mistaking the two were related. They looked so much alike, surely they could have been twins. Except Matthew was taller, bigger. A bear of a man. His face was slightly older, too. More weathered. Same brown hair. Same brilliant blue eyes. Kind, soulful eyes.

  Just what she needed—more family.

  Probably one that would agree with everything her mulish husband had just said.

  Her composure wavered for a few seconds in the face of the huge man standing before her, then just as quickly recovered. And she’d thought the captain was tall!

  The cotton shirt, worn denims, and scuffed boots the brother wore looked like he’d had them on a while. His brown hair touched the top of his shoulders. Despite his mussed appearance, the man was strikingly handsome. There was no disputing that. She wondered what the other brothers looked like since these two were so good-looking.

  The captain moved toward her and wrapped his arm around her proprietarily. She tried to shrug it away, but the oaf tightened it. She was still too angry with him at this point to speak.

  “Matt, yep, you heard right. I would like you to meet my wife, Maddie. Maddie, this is my brother Matthew. He is the sheriff of this town. Does a bang-up job of it.”

  Matthew tipped his hat. “How do, ma’am. From what I just overheard, pretty much sounds like you know my brother well. You were summing up his attributes quite eloquently.” The corner of his lips tipped up.

  Trying to compose her anger and her embarrassment at being caught arguing in public, Madelyn finally calmed herself enough to speak evenly. “I am sorry you had to walk up on that. It was just a…slight disagreement. Nothing of…consequence.” She closed her eyes in resignation and imagined her cheeks were turning red. She’d never let him know how much that argument hurt. She was an outsider. Always would be.

  “Oh, I am not sorry. Did my heart good to have this lug taken down a peg or two.” He winked. “Missed him, though.”

  “Do not tease her, Matt. The dadblamed woman does not need the encouragement. She speaks up well enough for herself.”

  Matthew’s brow rose and he elbowed Luke in the ribs. “Tease her? A purty little thing like her that is full of spit and vinegar?” He winked at Maddie as a chuckle reverberated from deep in his chest. “Not on your life. I was agreeing with her. Like I said, she had you pegged dead on.”

  He glanced up the street. “Are you in town for a while? I was just headin’ over to the hotel restaurant. Want to join me? Been a spell since I saw you.”

  “Shore ‘nuff,” Luke said. “I had planned to eat there while we were in town today.”

  “When did you get back?”

  “A few days ago. Well, right at a week now.”

  “And you are just now coming into town? Didn’t think there would be many supplies left at the house. Figgered Kat got them all or Cookie raided them for the bunkhouse.”

  “Planned to come earlier, but Maddie got sick. Doc’s been comin’ out every day to care for her. And the aunts brought a few things out with them.”

  “Oh, that is right. Heard about that from old Bill Simmons who lives a mile or two out of town. You know how quickly word travels around here. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. Sorry I didn’t get out to see you earlier. Been busier than normal this week. I take it you are feeling better now, ma’am?”

  “I am. Thank you.”

  Two men. Both blue bellies. Just what she needed. Now there was no way she’d get out of eating with her obstinate husband. She’d be lucky if she could keep the food down.

  It was good to see Matthew again. He’d planned to stop in and see him and introduce Madelyn, but having dinner with him would work out even better.

  He wasn’t quite sure why he was introducing Madelyn as Maddie to everyone. But when the time came to say her name, what Kat had been calling her just seemed to fit. In truth, he just feared the name ‘Madelyn’ would sound too proper and he didn’t want people mocking her. Besides, he kind of liked the name Maddie. It suited her.

  “Everything okay out at the ranch?”

  “Yep. Will take some work to get everythin’ whipped back into shape the way I want it, but I don’t see any problems. The men have been doin’ a good job, but things always get a little lax when there’s no one there daily to watch over them. Plus I have a few ideas about changin’ some things from the way Pa did them. I had mentioned what I thought would be solid improvements to him years ago, but he never saw the need to do them.”

  “Probably because they were not his ideas. He always was pretty set in his ways.”

  “Boy howdy, ain’t that the truth?” His lips pulled up in a lazy grin. “By the way, Sam said to tell you howdy.”

  “Still cain’t believe that young’un up and got hisself hitched. I will miss having him around here. You think he will like it in St. Louis? Never really saw him for the city type.”

  “I do. At least for a while. Then he might get homesick. Would not surprise me none if he eventually talked his wife into comin’ here. Although she sure was citified.” He glanced at Maddie, but didn’t say a word.

  “What will you do if Sam does come home?”

  “Same thing Pa did when Kat got hitched. Give him a portion of the land. It is what I would hope you would do for me if you were the one runnin’ it.”

  Matt rubbed the backs of his fingers below his chin. “You know I would. But I really do not want any of the ranch itself, even though you know I will always do what I can to help you with it and I appreciate you always including me in the business side of it. Being included with the cattle arrangements is enough for me.

  �
��The ranch suits you, while I on the other hand, like living in town and being sheriff.”

  “But what about if you get married? You cannot live in the jail. Cain’t think of too many women that would like that.”

  “Been thinking about buildin’ a house somewhere in town or right on the outskirts. I want to be close in case anyone needs me. And I can keep an eye on both aunts that way, too, without being over-obvious about it. You know how they like their independence.

  “Besides, doubt I will ever get married.” He lowered his eyes for a moment before looking at Luke again. “Guess I am just not the type.”

  Luke chuckled. “That is what you say now. Just wait until some woman knocks you off your feet.”

  “Fat chance of that happening.”

  Luke shifted his attention to Maddie. Her eyes were still blazing mad. Maybe she’d cool down by the time they left Matt.

  “Matt is good at what he does. He was sheriff here before he joined the army.” He turned back to Matt. “Glad your job was waitin’ for you when you got out.”

  “Town told me it would be, but you never know. Just glad Bob meant it when he said he only took the job temporary-like while I was gone. I would have hated having to move to another town. I like it here.”

  “It’s peaceable enough.”

  “For the most part. Gets a bit rowdy when the sun goes down and people drink too much. Evening brawls are a common event.” He reached up and scratched the side of his head. “I imagine there will be a formal election in a few weeks to finalize everything.” He tore off a chunk of his biscuit. “Where did you grow up, Maddie? I hear a Southern accent in your voice. Are you from St. Louis, too, like Sam’s wife?”

  “No. I am from Atlanta.”

  Luke fought against a groan, wondering what Matthew would say. The last thing he needed was a reenactment of the war between the states within his family.

  “Nice town. Sorry about what happened to it during the war. Far too many places suffered—needlessly if you ask me. Kansas and Missouri almost tore each other apart. Was rough living through that. And that was before the war officially broke out. I am just glad the recent unpleasantness is over and hope people can put all their resentments behind them. People need to make an effort to rebuild our country now. Sadly, the horrors of war reach far beyond the trenches, and injuries inflicted—both physical and mental—can be long lasting. It is often difficult for folks to move on with their lives after intense pain like war can inflict, but sadly, unless people find the strength to deal with that pain, nothing can get better.”

  Madelyn didn’t answer. Merely watched his brother.

  Thank God for small favors! Luke could imagine her embarking on some tirade about those who fought for the Union. Although the memory of her hurt expression when she’d described how the war had affected her life stayed with him.

  And when had Matthew gotten so philosophical? He’d always been generous and helpful, but his words today had probably been exactly what Maddie needed to hear. Had Matt somehow sensed that in her? He certainly had hit the nail on the head with his statement.

  He’d already told her all his brothers had fought for the Union with the exception of John. Well, and Daniel who had already moved much farther west. She would have liked John. In some things they were like two peas in a pod. In others they were as different as vinegar and oil. She’d grown up in Atlanta. It was all she knew.

  That wasn’t why John had fought for the Confederacy. He wasn’t fighting to keep slavery. He just didn’t like people being told what they could and couldn’t do. To him, what people chose to do and the way they wanted to live their lives was between them and God. He didn’t think the government had the right to dictate. He’d always been the most soft-hearted of the Guylenhall brothers.

  He missed his brother. They’d had harsh words before they’d joined opposing sides. Words he could never take back. He imagined far too many families daily lived through that same situation.

  Matt wiped his lips and placed his red-checkered napkin on the table just as someone rushed into the restaurant. “Sheriff, need you over at the saloon. Old Pete’s had too much to drink again. And Beauregard’s there, drunk as a skunk. They would probably be killin’ each other if either of them could actually stand to fight.”

  The interruption reminded Luke of the day Maddie’s father had been shot. From the look on her face, she remembered it as well. Too bad things hadn’t worked out differently.

  “Confound it.” Matt met Luke’s gaze. “What were you just saying about peaceable?”

  Matt rose and set his hat back on his head. “Well, I had best skedaddle. Got work to do. I will just mosey on over there and see what is going on. Although with Pete and Beauregard, it is always just too much alcohol. Nice meeting you, ma’am. Welcome to the family.” He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “I will wait a tad until you are feelin’ better, then I owe you a welcome to the family hug.”

  As her eyes widened, he laughed. “Not quite the bear hug I gave your husband. Promise.” A smile covered his face and he winked.

  He reached out to shake Luke’s hand. “Luke, good to have you back. Tell the aunts I miss having them in town. Miss their good old home cooking.” Tossing some coins on the table, he left the room.

  Luke rose, too. “We had best be gettin’ back, too, Maddie. Let’s go by the mercantile. You can make sure those buttons you wanted are in the order.” His sigh came from the recesses of his heart. “I am sorry I fussed at you. I just did not want Birgit hurt. And I did not want anyone thinkin’ poorly of you for discussin’ a subject they thought indelicate. Forgive me?”

  She nodded, but he could still see he’d hurt her. Guilt stabbed through him. Drat, it was the last thing he wanted to do. She had so much to learn about life in this area, and he didn’t want her hurt by things others might say while she was learning those differences.

  Instead, he’d been the one to hurt her.

  ~ Chapter Nine ~

  As soon as daylight appeared, Kat arrived. “Ready to go milk Old Bossie? We can fetch the eggs while we are outside, too. Then I thought we had get some bread ready to bake. The dough can be rising while we start working on cutting down one of your dresses. Have you decided which one you want to start with?”

  Madelyn placed a hand over her mouth, making a poor attempt to hide her laughter. “Good morning to you, too, Kat. Good to see you.”

  Kat blushed. “Oh, sorry. Guess I forget about the niceties sometimes when I get focused on something.” She pointed to her two young children. “That is Johnny and Rebekah. I could not keep them away another day. They have been champing at the bit to come see their Uncle Luke. Rebekah’s still little, but she has heard so much about him from me and the aunts, it is like she actually remembers him.”

  She rolled up her dress sleeves. “Aunt Lola told me she and Aunt Mary were heading home for two or three days and would come back out after that. So I thought you and I could get a head start on doing things before you have both of them here again. I love them to death—we all do—but sometimes they have so much energy, especially for their age, they can wear a body out. And you already learned how much Aunt Mary talks.” Kat chuckled. “If you know some things before they come back, maybe they will not be in full-out teaching mode. Although Aunt Lola was a fine schoolmarm in her day.”

  She nodded to Luke as he came out of the guest bedroom. “Mornin’, Luke.”

  The moment Johnny saw his uncle he ran to him, wrapping his arms around Luke’s legs. “Uncle Luke!”

  A smile filled the captain’s face. “I see you brought my little helper with you today.” He ruffled his nephew’s hair, then sat at the wood scarred table. “Want to come out and help me in the barn, buddy?”

  The boy’s eyes widened. “Yep.” He made a face at his sister. “Rebekah, you stay here with Ma while I go help Uncle Luke.”

  “Why can’t I come, too?” Her lower lip pooched out in a classical pout.

  “Cause
you are a girl, that’s why.” He gaze moved to Luke. “We don’t want no girls with us today, do we Uncle Luke?”

  Luke ran his fingers over his chin. “Well, your sister is probably a mighty big help, so I will bet the womenfolk can use her help more than us today.” He glanced out the window. “Plus, it looks like it is gonna rain. We need to get the chores done early.”

  He held out his arms to his niece. “Come here, little’un.”

  Rebekah ran into his arms and gave him a hug, her chin wobbled and tears pooled in her eyes.

  “Now, now. None of that.” He smoothed her hair and crooned until she stopped crying. “I will bet your ma needs your help makin’ biscuits. Did you know I love biscuits? How ‘bout you help with that and save one or two you make just for me?”

  “Weally, Uncca Luke? You will eat just the ones I make?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He pulled her pigtail. “I will bet you are almost as good a cook as your ma is.” He looked over at his sister. “She helped our ma cook when she was your age.”

  Wiping the last tear from her face with the back of her fingers, Rebekah shot a glare at Johnny. “So there! Uncca Luke’s gonna eat just the biscuits I make for him. Not the ones Ma and Aunt Maddie are gonna make.”

  Madelyn started. Aunt Maddie? Yes, she liked the sound of that. Maybe having a family was going to be fun. She caught the wink Luke shot her.

  Rebekah wasn’t finished with her brother. “And I ain’t makin’ none for you. So there.” She stuck her tongue out at him before Luke and Johnny left to clean out the barn.

  “Rebekah, that is not nice. Mind your manners.” Kat corrected her daughter with a tolerant smile and moved to light the stove.

  Madelyn squinted against the morning sun and gathered up her skirt as she stepped outside and down the porch steps to head toward the barn. In the distance she saw the dark clouds her husband spoke about.