Montana Sky: Amanda's Rancher (Kindle Worlds) (Loving A Rancher Book 1)

by Caroline Clemmons

  Iris rushed to him. “Daddy, I’ve been playing with my horse and doll house.”

  He lifted Iris. “That’s good, Princess Iris. Can you do that for a while longer so I can teach Mommy to drive the wagon?”

  “Can’t I come?”

  “Not this time. When she learns how, then you can ride with her. Want me to move your horse onto the front porch?”

  “Yes, please, Daddy. Rex can watch me ride.”

  “Amanda, while I move Iris’ horse, grab a shawl or something because the breeze is cool. I’ll put Iris’ jacket on her.”

  Amanda removed her apron before she grabbed her green shawl and her straw hat. “I’m ready.”

  He came past her carrying the wooden horse, followed closely by Iris. He set the large toy on the porch well away from the edge. “There you go, Princess Iris. Your mighty steed is waiting with your trusty guard dog Rex.”

  When Iris was situated, he took Amanda by the hand. “You don’t have to harness the horses, but you should know the procedure in case you ever have an emergency and have a need to hitch them to the wagon.”

  Together they strolled to the barn where Preston kept up a running dialogue of every movement. She was convinced she wouldn’t remember each step, but she listened carefully. If someone were injured, she might need to take them to the Morgan’s Crossing for help.

  He helped her onto the wagon seat then climbed up beside her. “I’ll turn the wagon and then you can take over.”

  When the horses and wagon were lined up with the drive to the Sweetwater Springs – Morgan’s Crossing Road, he handed her the reins. “Hold the reins firmly in your hands.”

  She took them from him. He positioned them in her hands differently than she’d held them.

  He said, “Relax and hold them so there’s a little slack. The horses know what to do.”

  Amanda stared at him. “They’re not moving. What should I do?”

  “Release the brake first.” He showed her how, but he had to lean across her to do so.

  The heat of his body so near sent warmth shooting through her and pooling in places that surprised her.

  He straightened on the bench seat. “I start them off by snapping the reins. Doesn’t take much.”

  She tried and the horses moved slowly ahead. Their reaction to her action gave her a sensation of power.

  “When we get to the end of the drive, you’ll have to turn the team. To go left, you pull on this rein. To go right, you pull on the other rein. If you want them to stop, you pull firmly on both reins.”

  Driving a wagon team appeared to be easy enough so far. Overhead the sky was blue with a few cotton-like clouds. The breeze was just enough to refresh her. Maybe she should stop looking at the sky and focus on the road ahead.

  Their drive dead-ended at the Sweetwater Springs Road. “Can I turn left?”

  Preston had one hand on the seat’s edge and his other arm resting on the back of the seat. “Okay with me. We’ll see if you can manage a turn.”

  Cautiously she tugged on the left rein. “Look at this, they’re turning.”

  He grinned at her. “So I see. Allow for the length of the wagon before you straighten out of the turn.”

  “What do you mean? The horses are doing the turn.”

  “Don’t make the turn too short or the wagon will go off the road. You’re doing fine, now straighten up. Don’t pull on the left rein.”

  The horses settled into their routine. She glanced at her husband and he appeared relaxed. Thank goodness she’d managed that turn, but now what?

  She concentrated on keeping the horses centered on the road, but they seemed to do the work themselves. In a little while, she asked, “How much farther should we drive?”

  He grinned at her. “Tired already? There’s a wide place about a half mile ahead where we can turn around.”

  Would she be able to manage changing directions? Insecurity attacked her but she fought. If Prudence can drive a wagon, I can too.

  Preston laid his hand over hers. “Slow now by tugging gently on the reins. You see the wide place?”

  “I see a place that looks as if people have stopped there to camp.”

  “Many have spent a night here or just pulled over long enough to take a pi… to relieve themselves. You never want to park so you block the road.”

  “How can I turn? Maybe you should do this part.”

  “You’ll do fine. Just follow my directions. You begin the turn now by tugging on the right rein. That’s right. Now that we’re into the wide spot, tug on the left rein gently so we make the wide turn.”

  Right, left, not that hard, but she was nervous. She guided the horses in a perfect, or so she thought, turn. Her nerves must have affected her bladder—or it was her husband mentioning people chose to park here to relieve themselves.

  She pulled on the reins. “I have to… um, go behind a bush. I’ll only be a minute.” Clambering off the wagon, she hurried across the road to the bushes at the edge of the parking space.

  Preston strode after her. “I’d better come with you. I’ll stand on this side of the bushes. You yell if you need help.”

  “Thank you, but I’ve emptied my bladder without assistance since I was two.” She wrestled with her garments and squatted. Men certainly had an advantage over women at times like this.

  Amanda stood up and straightened her petticoat and dress. She heard a funny noise to her right, like a baby’s rattle. Slowly, she gazed at the source.

  Sure enough, there coiled to strike was a rattlesnake. Moving slowly, she pulled her Bulldog from her pocket and shot the snake. Even though she severed the serpent, there was enough body with his head to wriggle toward her. She shot again, this time hitting the head.

  When she was certain the snake wouldn’t be able to strike, she realized Preston was beside her.

  “You’re a rattler magnet, Mandy. They like to sun themselves in the afternoon. Good thing you’re such a great shot.” He held his arm around her and guided her toward the wagon.

  But there was no wagon. They raced to see the wagon disappearing down the road.

  He stared at her. “You didn’t set the brake.”

  “I guess not. I was in a hurry. Will the horses go home?”

  He put his hands on his hips and said, “Probably. I hope you’re in the mood to walk, Amanda, because now we have to.”

  They set out toward home. Embarrassed, she kept silent. He clenched and unclenched his hands and his jaw was set.

  After a few minutes, he threw up his hands. “Dadblame it, Amanda. How could you forget to set the brake? That’s the first thing I told you.”

  She didn’t intend to take all the blame. “You’re supposed to be teaching me. Why didn’t you notice I forgot to set the stupid brake?”

  “Because I thought you had sense enough to follow my instructions. We were parked in the durn road anyway, which I’d told you was a bad idea.”

  “Sorry I didn’t bring a chamber pot along. When I get nervous, I have to go.”

  “So I found out. And you had to frighten the horses with a couple of gunshots.”

  “Well, I sure wasn’t going to let that snake bite me. If you’d stayed in the wagon, you could have stopped the horses from running away.”

  Anger reddened his face. “I was protecting you in case there were strangers or wild animals in those bushes. You’re my wife and it’s my job to keep you safe.”

  “I told you there was no need for you to come with me.”

  He clenched his hands again. “Why did I bother?”

  She didn’t like arguing with him so she kept quiet. Why did he bother? She was the one who wanted to learn to drive the wagon. She was the one who wanted this one thing that gave her more independence.

  Her shoes were not made for walking long distances. She felt the start of a blister. “Slow down. I can’t walk as fast as you.”

  He obliged her but still didn’t say anything. Probably just as well.

  In a few
minutes, her foot was painful. “How much farther to you think we are from home?”

  His voice was terse. “Not far, counting our drive maybe a mile and a half.”

  Heavens, she would never make that far. Maybe she could take her shoe and stockings off and walk barefoot. As a child she went without shoes often.

  She scanned the ground. The road was littered with rocks that would hurt bare feet. A blister was better than having the bottoms of both feet injured.

  When the turn into their drive was barely visible in the distance, she almost swooned with relief. Then, turning onto the road, was the wagon with Papa driving. Amanda almost cried with gratitude and sat down in the dirt.

  Preston stopped and looked at her. “You’re just going to sit there and wait for Papa?”

  “Yes, I am. My left foot is killing me.”

  “You should have told me.”

  “What could you have done?”

  He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Waited with you, I guess, until someone came looking for us.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and one trickled down her cheek.

  He knelt in front of her. “Hey, Amanda honey, don’t cry. Papa or one of the hands will pick us up and you can ride home.”

  Great, just great. How many people would know about her mistake? She was too embarrassed to speak. Instead, she swiped at the moisture on her face.

  He exhaled and took her hands in his. His gorgeous blue eyes gazed at her. “I apologize for yelling at you. You’re right, I should have made sure the brake was set and the reins were looped around the rail.”

  She sniffed and reached for the handkerchief in her cuff. “I can’t milk a cow. I can’t drive a wagon. I keep finding those rotten snakes. I want so much to be a good ranch wife, but I’m a failure.”

  “How can you say that? You’ve done so much for us in the short time you’ve been here. You’re one great cook and generous enough to send desserts to the hands. We have bedroom and kitchen curtains, tablecloths, napkins and all the touches that make a house a home.”

  The jingle of harness and sound of wheels stopped. Amanda looked up to see Papa waiting patiently on the seat and Ben climbing from the seat to the back where Iris sat.

  Papa smiled at her. “Figured you folks decided to walk home, but it’s getting toward suppertime and I’m hungry.”

  Preston stood and helped her to her feet. “I knew you wouldn’t miss a meal now that we have a good cook.” He set her beside Papa and clambered up beside her.

  Papa turned the wagon and headed home.

  She looked at her father-in-law. “I thought the road was too narrow to turn. We went to the wide space further along.”

  “I’ve been doing this a long time, Amanda. Had to turn around in some mighty tight places.”

  Preston said, “I’m sorry you had to come after us, Papa. Were the horses all right?”

  “They were lathered and scared. Ben and I changed teams and I started out looking for you two. Couldn’t leave our Iris there alone. Glad there wasn’t an accident.”

  She confessed, “I forgot to set the brake and then I saw a rattlesnake and shot him twice.”

  Papa shook his head. “Ordinarily, that wouldn’t have upset the horses that much, but they sure were scared. Maybe they saw another rattler near the wagon when you fired.”

  She slumped on the bench. “I never knew there were so many rattlesnakes in Montana. I’ll have to make sure Iris and look carefully when we’re outside.”

  Preston squeezed her hand. “They’re just coming out from hibernation. Might have been a nest of them back there. Normally, we don’t see over one or two all year. They don’t like people any more than we like them.”

  “Then they hate us because that’s the way I feel toward them.”

  His arm around her shoulders tugged her close. “Don’t forget that you did a fine job driving and turning. I doubt you’ll forget the brake after this episode.”

  Surprised, she looked up to meet his gaze. “You mean you’ll let me try again?”

  He kissed her nose. “Sure. Next time, we’ll go to Morgan’s Crossing.”

  She nuzzled against his shoulder. “Thank you, Preston.”

  Once again she marveled at her husband’s patience. His burst of anger didn’t last and he forgave her mistake. In turn, she had railed at him, and now her anger had disappeared because of his kindness.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Amanda removed a cake from the oven. “In a few minutes, I’ll turn this onto a towel and wrap it for Prudence. Then I’ll be ready to go.”

  “You look hurried. Take a deep breath. That plow won’t go anywhere until I get there with the wagon.”

  “I know, but I’m worried the Morgans won’t like my cake. I’ve prepared a jar of whipping cream. I couldn’t think what else to include.” She’d fretted until her nerves were in a state.

  “You’re a great cook, so they’ll appreciate the cake as well as the gesture. We’re lucky you know what to do to be a good neighbor. Guess being a society gal pays off in the long run.”

  “I hope that’s not how you see me, Preston. I believe I’m practical and not focused on social events. I assure you my forays into Morgan Crossing society are only to get acquainted with our neighbors.”

  Papa snorted. “Wouldn’t call anything about the town society, but I see what you mean. Nobody could call you one of them social butterflies who live only for parties and gossips. You’re a good wife and Preston’s lucky to have found you.” He chuckled. “Which means I’m lucky, too.”

  She turned to meet his gaze. “Thank you, Papa. You can’t know how much your saying that thrills me. I do want us to be a happy family.”

  Preston reached over and squeezed her hand. “Looks like we’re on the way to being a family just like you hoped.” His beautiful eyes conveyed his yearning for her.

  Happiness bloomed in Amanda and she was as light as the fluffy white clouds overhead. Her life had become the very thing she’d dreamed of for most of her life. No longer did she have to live in fear or dread.

  She had a wonderful husband who was good to Iris, a kind father-in-law, a sturdy home, a profitable ranch, and new friends in the community. She was the luckiest of women. Nothing in her life was lacking—except intimacy with her husband followed by pregnancy. That would come in time.

  Soon they were in the wagon and she was driving toward Morgan’s Crossing. She made the turn onto the main road without a problem.

  Encouraged, she said, “What a lovely day. I love the air here, so clean and fresh.”

  Preston laughed at her and teased, “Don’t they have air in Atlanta?”

  “Not like this, they don’t. Lots of smells from trains and factories and things built too close together. You can smell what your neighbors are having for dinner if the wind is right.”

  Papa said, “You won’t be bothered by that on the ranch unless Monty burns the hands’ food.”

  Amanda stopped the wagon in front of the Morgan home and set the brake. Preston helped her and Iris from the wagon but held on to her waist longer than necessary.

  “I’ll pick up the plow Thorpe’s made for me and call for you up at the mercantile. Likely take me half an hour or more.”

  She smiled at him, basking in being desired. “We’ll be ready. I won’t stay long at Prudence’s.” Amanda carried the cake to the Morgan’s front door.

  Prudence answered. “Amanda, how nice to see you. Please come in.”

  “I know you’re a fabulous cook, so I hope this offering is palatable compared to yours.”

  The other woman held the cake high enough to sniff. “Mmm, it smells wonderful. I smell vanilla.”

  “Yes, Preston and his father have a small apple orchard, so we have apples. Because of that, I usually bake some kind of apple dessert like I did for the trip to Sweetwater Springs, but this cake is Iris’ favorite.”

  After a brief but pleasant visit with the Mayor’s wife, Amanda and Iris walked the short d
istance to the mercantile. She was pleased to see two new buildings whose appearance indicated the town was growing.

  At the store, Amanda told her daughter, “We might find ribbon to match each of your new dresses.” She opened the store’s door and strolled inside, pleased to be greeted by the familiar scents of spices, produce, and the peculiar blend of new goods.

  Ralph Jones, the clerk, greeted her with a nod. “How are you, Mrs. Kincaid? And how are you Miss Iris?”

  Amanda smiled her thanks for acknowledging her daughter. “We’ve come to browse through your fabric, ribbons, and trims.”

  “You’re in luck. Mrs. Morgan’s latest order arrived and I put the items out this morning. You’ll have first choice.”

  Amanda was busy looking at ribbon and lace when the bell over the door rang to signal a customer entering.

  Mr. Jones said, “Hello, can I help you with something?”

  “I’ll take tobacco and rolling papers soon as I look around a bit.”

  That voice! She glanced at the newcomer and almost passed out. Bertie Snyder, Clyde’s cousin. Turning so he couldn’t see her face, she kept her back to him. She heard him moving through the store while she pretended to examine a hideous hat for sale.

  Closer, slowly he came closer. Her nerves taut as banjo strings, she moved the opposite direction to look at men’s shirts. His pace increased and he was beside her.

  “Need me one of these shirts.” He reached for one but paused with his hand on the stack. “Well, as I live and breathe, Mara O’Sullivan. Everyone wondered what happened to you.”

  Careful to pretend confusion, she asked, “Are you speaking to me?”

  His familiar smirk annoyed hers. “No other Mara here, is there?”

  “Sir, you’ve confused me with someone else. I’m Mrs. Kincaid.”

  “Naw, I’d know that red hair anywhere. You even sound like you’re from Georgia.”

  “I am from Georgia, but I am not the person you think.”

  Iris tugged on her skirt. “Mommy, who is that man?”

  Ignoring Bertie, she took Iris’ hand. “No one we know, Dear. Let’s pay for our selections and go.”

  Bertie stepped in front of her. “I know what I see. Can’t be two women who look like you.”