Drawing herself up in the most regal manner she could muster, she glared at Bertie. “Sir, not only are you mistaken, you are impertinent. Step aside and let my daughter and me pass.”
The store clerk called, “You all right, Mrs. Kincaid?”
She brushed by Bertie, holding Iris’ hand. “Certainly, Mr. Jones. This man mistook me for someone he knows.”
Preston stepped inside the door “You about ready, Amanda?”
She didn’t know whether to be relieved or more frightened. “Yes, I just need to pay for these.” Quickly, she waited while the clerk tied up her purchases and handed them to her.
“Thank you, Mr. Jones.” She grabbed her package and joined her husband. Her neck prickled and she knew Bertie stared at her back.
Preston picked up Iris. “What about you, Princess Iris? Are you ready to go home?”
She nodded. “And see my kitties. I think they’ve missed me.”
As sedately as she could manage, Amanda held her head up and walked beside her husband to the wagon. Papa Kincaid waited there with the new plow.
She smiled at her father-in-law and then met her husband’s gaze. “The blacksmith do everything as you wished?”
Preston sat Iris on the seat. “He did, though I thought we’d never get the plow loaded. Did you have a nice visit with Mrs. Morgan?”
Amanda climbed into the wagon with her husband’s help. “She was very hospitable. Although I wasn’t there long, we discovered we have many things in common. She’s promised to come to the ranch soon for tea.”
Preston clicked the reins and they headed toward the ranch.
Iris asked, “Can I sit in back with Papa?”
“If he says you may.”
Papa helped her over the seat. “Come back here, Iris my girl. Tell me how your day’s been so far.”
“We had tea and cookies at that nice Mrs. Morgan’s house. Then we went to the store. There was a mean-looking man there who upset Mommy. See, he’s watching us now.”
Preston looked back where Bertie stood watching them as they drove away. Her husband sent her a questioning frown. “He bothered you?”
She waved a hand. “He mistook me for someone else and wouldn’t accept my explanation. Mr. Jones had just interceded. Fortunately, that’s when you came to my rescue.”
His lovely blue eyes hardened. “He insult you or put a hand on you?”
Schooling her features, she acted nonchalant. “Nothing like that. He was convinced I was someone he knew. Funny thing, the person he mistook me for was also from Georgia and had red hair. I suppose there’s no wonder he doubted my denial.”
“Probably describes a lot of women. Amanda, if anyone bothers you, tell me and I’ll take care of the matter soon enough.”
“That’s reassuring, Preston, but you needn’t worry now.” She didn’t want her husband and Bertie meeting. Dear Lord, she hoped Bertie was confused by the fact she had Iris and was using a different name. Preston was a head taller than Bertie and looked formidable when riled. What should she do?
He glanced at her. “You keep your gun handy. I’ll feel better if I know you can defend yourself.”
“I will.” She’d definitely keep her gun with her in defense of two-legged snakes.
Worry kept her silent for the rest of the short ride to the ranch. If Bertie hadn’t believed her, how long would it take him to contact Clyde? How long before Clyde showed up here?
Since coming here, she’d felt safe for the first time in her life. Seeing Bertie ruined everything. What was he even doing here?
As if he read her mind, Preston sent her a worried glance. “The mine attracts all sorts of men and goes all the time with twelve-hour shifts. Some of the men gave up mining on their own for a regular salary and a place to live.”
Fighting to appear carefree, she forced a smile. “I can certainly understand that. Seems to me searching for gold would be a lonely, hard existence.”
From behind her, Papa said. “I’ve always maintained the ones who profit from gold fever are the people selling food and equipment to miners.”
Preston glanced over his shoulder. “You’re right, Papa, but Mr. Morgan would disagree with us. He appears to be doing well from his venture.”
Papa harrumphed. “One out of how many searching?”
Amanda gazed back as they turned south to wind around back of the town then southeast toward home. The Morgan place was the most impressive building for miles and stood where the Sweetwater Springs Road ended at the mine road.
“The Morgan’s house is beautiful and I enjoyed my visit there. The ranch house makes me feel more comfortable and welcome so you can understand why I prefer ours.”
From the broad smile he sent her way, she’d said the right thing. “We can always add on if we need more room.”
She blushed, knowing he meant when they had children. With a start, she realized she’d touched her abdomen.
Dear Lord, don’t let Clyde Snyder harm me or my family. I promised to raise Iris and to remain with Preston until death parts us. With your blessings, that will be a long, long time.
She exhaled a sigh of relief when they crossed the plank bridge over Morgan’s River. The trees along the bank separating the town from view of the ranch reassured her. If Bertie worked at the mine, he’d be heading northwest and wouldn’t have occasion to come by their ranch.
When the wagon turned onto their drive, she relaxed more. Soon they’d be home. Could she reclaim her sense of security that seeing Bertie had destroyed? She didn’t think so, but she’d be on guard and keep her gun with her. But what would she tell Preston?
She went about her day as usual, but she couldn’t put Bertie Snyder out of her mind. She’d learned there was a telegraph line to the mine’s headquarters. He could already have wired Clyde his suspicions about her.
Now she couldn’t think only of herself. Besides precious Iris, she had Preston, Papa Kincaid, and the ranch hands to consider. If Clyde came for her, everyone was in danger.
She visualized Preston trying to protect her and being gunned down. He kept a rifle handy but didn’t wear a sidearm, though she’d seen one when she cleaned the bedroom. Like a good father, he’d placed it on top of the armoire out of Iris’ reach.
After the supper dishes were clean and put away, she took Iris’ hand. “Mommy needs to talk to Daddy about grown-up things. Please go play in your room.”
Papa looked up from his chair by the fireplace. “Reckon I’d better turn in, too.”
She extended her hand toward him. “No, Papa, please stay. This concerns you, too. I have something important to tell both of you.” She looked at her husband. “Please let me get through the story without stalking off or anything.”
Preston moved to the settee near her. “This have anything to do with the man at the mercantile?”
“Yes, but it’s a long, involved story. I’ll start with why I’m here.” She told them about discovering her sister and taking her place.
Preston’s jaw clenched and his expression grew frosty as he leaped to his feet. “You’ve lied to me all this time. How could you hope to build a future based on lies?”
Papa stretched out a hand palm outward. “Son, she asked you to let her tell the whole story.”
Preston muttered under his breath, but returned to his seat on the sofa.
“I thought I could simply become Amanda. She didn’t know how to cook or clean and I did. She preferred living in the city and I love the ranch. I believed I could be the wife you’d thought you were getting.”
Her lips trembling, she told them about her life growing up in the brothel, her job at the mercantile, and how Sheriff Vern Baxter looked out for her like a favorite uncle. Then she explained about the bank robbery, testifying at the trial, and the gang killing a guard in their breakout.
“I grew up around these men and they’re vicious. They have no conscience, no sense of right and wrong. As soon as he got the wire they’d escaped, the sheriff helped me fl
ee in the middle of the night. He even rode with me and put me on the train in Atlanta to be sure I was safe.”
She looked at her husband and brushed tears from her face. “W-When I took over Amanda’s identity, I thought I was secure. Meeting her on the train, her entrusting me with Iris and asking me to take her place… well, it seemed like divine intervention. I thought I truly had a fresh start.”
Preston leapt to his feet again and glared down at her. “You brought trouble to my door and risked the lives of my father, our ranch hands, and me. How could you think that was all right?”
She fought to prevent cringing before him. “I told you I believed I was out of harm’s way. Who would think to look for a Georgia woman in a tiny Montana town that doesn’t even have a railroad? But there is no safety now that Bertie Snyder has seen me.”
Preston paced back and forth in the parlor, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “You think he’s going to contact his cousin?”
She twisted her handkerchief. “I imagine he already has at the mine’s telegraph. I have no idea where Clyde and his gang are, but the family is clannish and stays in touch. Bertie mentioned wondering where I’d gone, so he knew I’d left Georgia and that Clyde was looking for me.”
“First thing tomorrow, we let the hands know. From now on, each of us will have to wear a sidearm as well as carry his rifle. We’ll only go out in twos or threes. I’d better ride to Sweetwater Springs and alert their sheriff. Guess I’d better let Morgan know so he can alert his guards and watch this Bertie.”
She closed her eyes in despair. So, Prudence and her new friends would have to know. There went any chance of friendship she had with them. She raised her head and gazed at Preston. “Y-You’re not sending me away?”
He almost shouted, “You’re my wife.” Taking a deep breath, he softened his voice. “I stand by my word. But right now, I’m too angry to talk rationally about this. I’m going to bed.”
Chapter Seventeen
Amanda spent a sleepless night worrying about the situation she’d helped create. She hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. When dawn crept through the window, she’d hardly closed her eyes.
Rising as if she were several times her age, she went about her morning ritual.
Iris sat up in bed and clutched her doll. “Mommy, is Daddy mad at me?”
“No, Dear, how could he be angry with his princess? Mommy and Daddy just had a few problems to talk over. That happens with mommies and daddies sometimes and there’s nothing to worry you.”
“I’m glad. I like this Daddy and this Papa best. They talk to me and let me play. And you’re nicer to me than my old mama.”
Poor child had never had the attention she deserved. “Because we love you very much, Iris, and want you to be happy. Remember not to talk about your other mama when anyone but me can hear. You get dressed now and I’ll go make our breakfast.”
Preston was silent during their meal. He didn’t even look at Amanda. She concentrated on Iris, or tried to. Her gaze kept straying to her husband.
Papa set down his coffee mug. “Son, we need to come up with a story to explain our vigilance.”
Hands flat on the table, Preston stared at his father. “You want me to lie?”
He raised a hand to stay his son’s protest. “Now that’s not what I said. Tell the truth, but only as much as necessary. No one needs to know this is not the real Amanda.” He sent her a smile. “She is to me.” Turning back to his son, he added, “Let’s keep explanations to a minimum.”
Her husband exhaled and leaned his head back. “We did not need this danger, but here it is. We’ll come up with a plan.” He turned his head to meet her gaze. “Don’t think I’m not angry with you for your deception. I can see how the masquerade all fell in place for you and how you took that as a sign. Still, you should have told me the first night.”
“I was afraid you’d send Iris and me away. I had to think of her first, Preston, can you understand that? I gave her mother a deathbed promise.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I reckon I can see that, but I’m still angry, Amanda…” He stared at her. “Hell, I don’t even know what to call you.”
“Please call me Amanda. That’s who I am now. Mara O’Sullivan is buried in South Dakota, complete with a headstone.”
“Your reward is all gone?”
She shrugged. “Except for a few coins.”
He appeared incredulous. “You’ve gone through two hundred dollars in such a short time? Good heavens, woman.”
She met his angry gaze. “There was my train fare, hotel, doctor, extra food, funeral, and headstone. All of that added up and took most of what I had left. I assure you I didn’t fritter money away on frivolous things.”
Iris watched them, her face growing more and more frightened.
Apparently Preston noticed her being upset. “Come here, Princess Iris, and sit on my lap.”
She did, but she appeared about to burst into tears. “Sometimes a mommy and daddy get mad at one another. Don’t worry, though, because they still love you just as much. You understand that?”
She shook her head. “When my old daddy yelled at my old mama, she would cry and he would slam the door and not come back for a day or two. My old papa did the same.”
“Papa and I aren’t going away, and we’re not going to slam doors. Mommy isn’t crying either.”
Iris laid her hand on his face and gazed into his eyes. “She did last night. Dolly and I heard her when she thought I was asleep. I don’t want Mommy to cry.”
He exhaled and kissed her forehead. “I don’t either. Go tidy your room and put on your jacket and you can go look at the kittens when I go out to the barn.”
She hopped down and hurried to her room.
Amanda smiled at him. “Thank you for calming her.”
He glanced at her without speaking then looked at his father. “Did you and Mama argue?”
Papa said, “Of course we did. We always kept our disagreements in private. No point everyone knowing our business.”
“I see. Something to remember. Of course, you shared the same bedroom.” He sent Amanda a pointed glare.
“Now that you know I’m a virgin, we can share the same room. I-I was worried about how to explain that to you.”
Agape, he shook his head. “You mean that all this time your virginity is why we haven’t shared a bed?” He broke into laughter. “If that doesn’t beat all.”
Papa smiled. “Nice to know, Amanda. I knew you were a good woman.”
“Knowing I was raised in a brothel, no one would believe that.”
Papa shook his head. “All the more reason to place a high value on your innocence. Preston’s a lucky man.”
Preston sobered. “Yeah, if I live through this, I reckon I am.”
Iris came in wearing her jacket and heard his reply. She hurried to him and tugged on his sleeve. “You promised you wouldn’t get dead.”
He rose. “I promised to try not to ‘get dead’, Princess Iris, and I assure you I meant what I said. You ready to go see the kittens?”
She clapped her hands. “Yay, I want to see them. I like Blackie best, but don’t tell the others.”
He grabbed his hat and they went out.
Papa stood and hugged Amanda. “Don’t fret, Daughter. Things have a way of working out if you give ’em time.” He clamped his hat on his head and followed his son.
Did they? So far, she wasn’t sure. The safety she’d experienced before eluded her now. She worried about Clyde and his gang showing up bent on revenge.
After cleaning the kitchen, she readied to go feed the hens and collect eggs. If she’d been stomped by a horse, she didn’t think she’d hurt any worse than now. At least her husband wasn’t sending her away.
Thank you, Lord. Please protect my new family.
***
Preston rounded up his four ranch hands. Remembering what his father had suggested, he intended to tell the truth, but only as much as neces
sary.
“My wife testified against a gang of four bank robbers back in Georgia and they threatened to kill her and now they’ve escaped prison. We figure they’re on their way here to take their revenge. Yesterday at the Morgan’s Crossroads store, one of their cousins who works at the mine recognized Amanda.
The men muttered their support of his wife and the ranch.
“We figure this Bertie Snyder wired his cousin and the men are on their way here. From now on, everyone needs to wear a sidearm and keep his rifle handy. If you don’t have both, let me know.”
Ben’s face reddened. “I don’t have a sidearm, Boss. I’ve saved near enough to get one, though.”
Preston nodded at the boy. “I’ll see you have one.”
Papa handed Preston a slip of paper. “Amanda gave me this on her way to feed the chickens and gather eggs. You saw the one in town yesterday. This is the description of the others.”
Preston read the list and then held up his hand. “Listen up, men. The leader of the gang is Clyde Snyder. He’s twenty-six, brown hair, an inch or so under six feet, hazel eyes. Last seen with a mustache but he may have rid himself of that. Walks with a swagger. Has no conscience.”
He continued, “Then there’s Clyde’s younger brother, Brett, who looks a lot like him. He idolizes his brother and will do anything the man tells him. A cousin, Darrell Corinth, is my height, rail thin, dark blond hair, blue eyes, mid-twenties. Willie Yarnell is the fourth man, also a cousin, but around thirty. He has a long scar on his cheek up to his eye, is just under six feet, and has light brown hair and eyes.”
Monty asked, “What do we do if we see ’em?”
“Unless they fire at you, come get me. Be on the lookout so they don’t surprise you. They killed a guard in their escape. Amanda thinks they’ve killed others even though her testimony was because she saw them rob the bank. No one goes out alone on our range. Stick together.”
He folded the paper and stuck it in his pocket. “I’m going to Morgan’s Crossing to alert Morgan and then to Sweetwater Springs to warn the sheriff there.”
He watched the men head for the bunkhouse, except Ben who milked the cow.
Montana Sky: Amanda's Rancher (Kindle Worlds) (Loving A Rancher Book 1) Page 14
