“No. It was all show for Bethany’s benefit.” Brodie drew himself up to his full height. “You don’t take to strangers in this valley. It’s that simple.”
For a long moment, Nate stared deep into Brodie’s eyes. Brodie saw calculation in the man’s penetrating gaze. He was sizing Brodie up. “Bethany likes you, so I guess I should, too.”
“That don’t sound too friendly.”
“Don’t reckon I owe you nothing.”
“Maybe you should tell Bethany how you feel about me.”
Brodie’s remark sparked an instant reaction from Nate. “Don’t you go bothering her. She’s got enough to deal with. Once you’re gone, things’ll get back to way they were.”
Nate thought Brodie was an intruder. It was as simple as that. “I won’t be going anywhere until that crevasse is cleared.”
Nate lifted his chin defiantly. “That day can’t come too soon, as far as I’m concerned. I’ll help you all I can to clear the path and wish you well when you leave.” Nate shrugged. “Can’t do more than that.”
Brodie peered at Nate, trying to understand the man’s animosity toward him. Maybe Nate was just being protective. Did the mountain man think that Brodie was nothing more than a renegade who’d tricked Bethany to reveal the hidden valley? That Brodie had no right to be here?
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in town, Nate,” Brodie said. “Why is that?”
“I never had call to go there.” Nate glanced up at the mountains towering above the valley. His eyes moistened and his voice cracked slightly when he said: “This has been my home for a long time. I can get by well enough. I don’t need nothing from town. Never have, and I never will.”
“But Bethany does,” Brodie countered. “That’s why she brings those horses to town. So she can trade them for whatever she needs.”
At the mention of horses, Nate’s lips tightened into a thin line. It was clear he didn’t want to talk about the wild horses. “That’s different.”
“She’s not going to stop coming to town,” Brodie stated.
Nate sighed. “I guess not.”
Brodie ran his gaze around the valley. “There’s one thing missing that I expected to find when I came here.”
“What’s that?”
“Wild horses.” Brodie peered at Nate, awaiting his reaction. It came instantly.
Nate’s features, normally animated and expressive, were transformed into an unreadable mask. His blank expression and tight lips confirmed what Brodie had guessed to be the truth about Nate. And it was perhaps the reason why Nate couldn’t wait for Brodie to leave the valley.
“I haven’t seen a single horse since I got here,” Brodie continued. He peered at Nate. “This is where Bethany gets the wild horses, isn’t it?”
As Nate turned away, Brodie took him by the arm. Nate froze and stared at Brodie’s hand. Nate’s features were grim and serious. “You just let me go, son. And we’ll forget what you said.”
Brodie released Nate’s arm. “Where are the horses?”
Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Are you that desperate to know?” He tilted his head and scowled at Brodie. “Maybe you want them for yourself, Cameron. Maybe that’s why you followed Bethany all the way up here.”
Now it was Brodie’s turn to feel indignant. “You saying I came here to steal from Bethany?” he could hardly believe that Nate would make such accusations.
“You’re just like all the rest in that town,” Nate said bitterly. “You don’t understand what it means to live up here in the mountains. Why someone like Bethany would choose to make a life for herself up here, away from the evil in that town.”
Brodie gasped. “Inspiration is not an evil place. In fact, it’s probably the most godly town in this territory. The people there are good-hearted. They’re decent folks. I know that for a fact, Nate.”
Nate peered back at Brodie. He didn’t seem convinced by Brodie’s words. Brodie wondered what hardships had caused Nate to believe that everyone who lived in a town was untrustworthy.
The door to the cabin opened and Bethany stepped outside. Brodie and Nate both went to her.
“How is he?” Nate asked with obvious anxiety in his voice.
Bethany looked tired as she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. “I think he’s going to be fine. It looks like he’s bruised his shoulder. It isn’t broken, so that’s good. He’s in pain, but he’s a brave little boy.” She smiled at Brodie. “You were right about that rifle having a kick that would knock him off his feet.”
“He probably got a shock when he fired the rifle,” Brodie commented.
“I’m sorry, Bethany,” Nate said urgently. The man sounded genuinely contrite. Nate lowered his head and sighed heavily.
Bethany took both of Nate’s hands. “Don’t go blaming yourself, Nate. There was a perfectly good reason why Noah did what he did.”
Nate looked quizzically at Bethany. “What do you mean?” Brodie examined Bethany’s relieved expression.
“Noah saw a mountain lion behind the cabin,” Bethany informed them.
“What!” Nate exclaimed. The man’s eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
“He was firing at a mountain lion?” Brodie was as shocked as Nate.
“I didn’t see anything,” Nate objected.
Bethany smiled. “But Noah did. He said you had your back to him, Nate. And when Noah saw the mountain lion heading your way, he grabbed the gun and fired it.”
Nate gasped and ran a hand through his long, white hair. “I can’t believe it.”
“There’s no sign of the animal back there,” Brodie said.
“I’m going to take a look,” Nate announced and strode off around the corner of the cabin.
Bethany lifted a brow and smiled up at Brodie. “Looks like Noah saved Nate from being attacked.”
Brodie nodded. “Noah’s a brave young man.”
A loud howl echoed from the rear of the cabin. “Sounds like Nate’s found something.”
Brodie and Bethany made their way to the area at the back of the cabin. There was no sign of a dead mountain lion. Nate was standing a few yards off and pointing to the ground. “Here! There’s blood on the ground, right here.”
Brodie and Bethany reached the place where Nate was pointing at the ground. Sure enough, Brodie could see traces of blood mixed in with the snow and grass. He walked a few steps toward the sheer cliff which stretched up for hundreds of feet. Amongst the overhangs and escarpments there were outcrops which only an animal could use to move across the cliff. There, on a ledge which no man could possibly reach was another trace of blood. “Looks like the lion went this way,” he said. “Probably went all the way up.”
Nate and Bethany came to Brodie and examined the place to which he was pointing. “You’re right,” Bethany admitted.
Now that the mystery had been solved, Nate was even more astonished. “Well, I’ll be gosh-darned,” he muttered. He squinted at Bethany. “If you ask me, that boy of yours has the courage of a mountain lion. He shot at that animal, wounded it, and scared it way back up the mountain. All because he wanted to save me from a mauling.” Nate shook his head, still quivering with disbelief.
“I have to get back to the cabin,” Bethany said urgently.
Brodie followed her, leaving Nate at the base of the cliff. “Do you need my help?” Brodie asked Bethany.
Reaching the front door she halted. “I’ve put Noah’s shoulder in a sling. He’s going to rest a while in bed.”
“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.”
She frowned. “When I heard that shot, I thought the worst had happened.” Her shoulders sank and the brightness in her eyes dimmed. “If anything had happened to Noah, I don’t know what I would have done.”
“He did the right thing,” Brodie suggested. “That lion might’ve gone for him instead of Nate.”
Bethany shuddered. “I suppose you’re right,” There was pain her eyes. Seeing how affected she was by the
events, Brodie felt the impulse to reach out and gently rest his hand on her shoulder. Anything to calm her nerves. But he resisted the urge, telling himself that it might make her feel uneasy.
From inside the cabin, Noah yelled for Bethany. Concern flared in her eyes. Then she rushed into the cabin and closed the door behind Brodie. Standing there he heard Bethany ask Noah if something was wrong. Noah told her he was thirsty and wanted some water. The concern Brodie had felt waned. Nate came around the corner of the cabin.
“Seems like I owe you an apology, Nate.”
Nate frowned. “What for?”
“Those things I said to you,” Brodie replied. “They weren’t exactly fair.”
Nate waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about it. You only said what you thought was right.” He grunted. “I should have seen that cat coming.”
“You had your back turned. Noah saw it and took the shot as best he could.”
Nate looked genuinely unhappy now. “I must be getting soft. There was a time when I would’ve known that mountain lion was there.” He sighed. “The years are catching up with me. Maybe I’ve been in these mountains too long.”
Brodie went to Nate and rested a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I don’t think Bethany would agree with that. Seems to me like she relies on you, Nate.”
Nate’s brows lifted. His smile looked weary, but Brodie could tell his words had encouraged Nate. “Maybe you’re right about that. Her husband was a good man. Richard didn’t always know how to live in these mountains. He didn’t know the rules, like I do. But he had a good heart.” Nate’s gaze moistened. “Bethany was real cut up when Richard passed. I’ll never forget how she cried in the middle of the night. You could hear those cries all the way down the valley.” Nate swallowed back his emotion. “It was terrible.”
Brodie felt his throat tighten. Just thinking about how hard it had been for Bethany, and the bravery she’d shown in facing up to the hard life she lived in the valley, triggered a powerful wish to make sure she was safe. But was that wish motivated by more than just a sense of what was right? Every moment he spent in Bethany’s company made him feel like a new man, as if the future promised something exciting and wonderful.
Quickly, and forcefully, he pushed those thoughts away. Brodie glanced out across the snow-covered terrain of the valley. He could see melting snow dripping from the branches of the nearby trees. “I reckon that snow is melting fast, Nate. We might be able to start clearing that pass soon.”
Nate nodded. “I think you’re right. You’ll need help doing that.” He touched his upper arm. “These muscles might not be as strong as they were when I came to these mountains, but I’ll do my best.” Nate patted Brodie’s upper arm with an exaggerated strength. “I’m going to see how Noah is doing.”
“I’ll join you,” Brodie said and followed Nate to the cabin.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Once she’d checked Noah’s shoulder in the makeshift sling, Bethany left the room and found Brodie and Nate seated at the table.
“He ready to see us?” Nate asked.
Bethany looked at Brodie and saw him smile at her. “He’s got something to tell you,” Bethany admitted. “Although I think we already know what that is.”
Nate winked Brodie. “We’ll make like we don’t know about the mountain lion.”
Bethany laughed quietly. Nate always did know how to cheer her up. This time was no exception.
Both men stood. Brodie seemed hesitant. “Noah wants to see you, too, Brodie.”
“Guess I’ll have to go in there, then.”
“Come on,” Nate grunted.
Bethany stood with her arms wrapped around herself as the two men headed into Noah’s room. It was going to be crowded in there, she told herself. The room was barely big enough for Noah’s bed. She reckoned Nate and Brodie would lift Noah’s spirits. Noah had wanted to get up from bed, but Bethany had been firm with him. He needed to rest. And she wanted to make sure he suffered no ill-effects from the rifle slamming into his shoulder. The shoulder would recover. Over the years, Richard had taught Bethany plenty of ways to fix wounds and all kinds of injuries. She had no intention of ever getting involved in medicine. The memories of Richard would always be too painful to allow that to happen. But she could still take care of her son, no matter what misfortune befell him.
Loud laughter, from men and boy, came from inside the room. Noah’s excited voice battled with Nate’s gruff assurances that the mountain lion had turned tail and run all the way back up the mountain. Noah sounded real happy about that.
Exhaustion swept through Bethany’s body. She was tempted to sit down at the table. Anything to rest a while. She knew if she did that she might fall asleep. It would be better to start preparing some food, she told herself.
So, for the next couple of hours, that was exactly what she did. As she worked in the tiny corner which passed for her kitchen, Bethany listened to the talk from Noah’s bedroom. Every time laughter rang out, Bethany smiled. It was good to hear laughter in the cabin again. Although Nate did his best to cheer her up, these days she didn’t always feel like laughing. She couldn’t imagine what life would be like without the presence of Noah and Nate. And now there was another person who’d made a huge difference to the way she felt.
Brodie Cameron had come into her life in the most unexpected way. And, with him being trapped in the valley, at least for a while, she had a chance to get to know the handsome rancher. That single thought made Bethany feel a secret delight. Wasn’t it scandalous that she would think about Brodie in that way? Sure it was, she reflected. But it was true.
Brodie was incredibly handsome. And, although she’d only recently met him, she could tell that he had a good heart; a kind heart. He seemed to understand the life she had here in the valley. Brodie seemed to appreciate all her hard work. He’d shown great sympathy toward her when she’d spoken about Richard. And Noah clearly liked Brodie. As if to confirm that thought, she heard Noah laugh loudly when Brodie joked about bears taking one look at what Noah had done to the mountain lion, and deciding they’d never come anywhere near the valley ever again.
There was one other thing which had taken her completely by surprise. And this she found almost shocking. But it was also incredibly important to Bethany, particularly after losing Richard to the fever.
She felt comfortable around Brodie. He was easy to like; easy to talk with.
Of course it went without saying that she and Brodie had gotten off on the wrong foot. Back in town, on that first meeting in the mercantile, she’d thought him rude and presumptuous. At his ranch he’d been courteous, but she’d never considered the possibility that she’d see him again.
Then, later on the mountainside, he’d literally saved her from a terrible fate. For that she’d be eternally grateful to the Lord for bringing Brodie into her life. Since childhood, Bethany had always believed there was a reason why people were brought into her life. Richard had been a precious blessing, just as Noah was. Both had given her indescribable happiness.
So why had the Lord brought Brodie to her at this exact moment?
Later, at dinnertime, Bethany allowed Noah to get out of bed. She, Nate, Brodie and Noah took their places at the table. “I’d like to say grace,” Bethany announced.
Everyone lowered their head. “Lord, we thank you for the blessings You have granted us today. For keeping us safe; for bringing us all together under one roof; for the food with which You strengthen and maintain us. Amen.”
When she lifted her head and opened her eyes she saw Brodie looking across at her. There was a warm smile on his face. He didn’t say anything, but she could tell he’d been moved by her words.
For the next hour, everyone ate. Being right-handed, and that hand thrust into a sling made of folded cloth, Noah needed some help with cutting his food. His efforts at lifting the fork with his left hand and trying not to spill his food made everyone laugh, including Noah.
Darkness had fallen by the time
they finished the meal. At the table, Nate was reading Noah from a battered copy of a dime novel. Brodie had helped Bethany clear up after dinner. He was standing alongside her when Bethany heard a distant sound. She was drying a dish when she heard the sound and immediately froze. Brodie was leaning against a table. His brows furrowed. “What was that?” he asked.
Bethany glanced toward the table. Nate had stopped reading aloud, and was looking right at her. Noah’s eyes widened. No one uttered a word. The silence in the cabin seemed to last an eternity.
Then Bethany heard the thundering of hooves, and the neighing of horses. This time the sound was louder and sliced through the silence in the cabin.
“That can’t be our horses,” Brodie said. “They’re tied up in the corral.” Understanding brightened his eyes. Brodie rushed across the room, threw open the door and stepped outside. Bethany met Nate’s steady gaze and smiled weakly.
She placed the plate down and crossed the room. “Stay here,” she said to Noah and Nate. Noah tried to object but one look from Bethany made his lips form a thin, obedient line.
Outside, Brodie had moved a few yards away from the cabin and was peering across the valley which was bathed in silvery moonlight. A few hundred yards away, moving like a herd of ghosts across the snow-covered grassland, occasionally whinnying and nickering, sometimes crashing against each other, were the horses. Bethany counted twenty or so. Maybe thirty. This time the herd was smaller than the last to have come to the valley.
Bethany moved to Brodie’s side. She looked up at him and saw that he was transfixed. He glanced down at her. He was speechless, overtaken by the wondrous sight of the herd of wild horses weaving its way through the groves of trees. The horses collided with one another as the herd moved, following a lead horse.
“This is your secret,” Brodie said quietly to Bethany.
She nodded and watched the horses move in the direction of the pool of water which shimmered in the moonlight.
Montana Mountain Valley Bride (Western Romance) Page 10
