Big Sky Cowboy (Montana Marriages #1)

by Linda Ford

  “Nah.”

  Rather a halfhearted response, but Wyatt let it go. He meant to make the most of this time with Cora otherwise occupied and he placed boards and nailed them in place as quickly as he could with Lonnie struggling to keep up.

  The young ladies and the Bell sisters spread quilts in the shade of the trees next to the house. He could have wished for them to go around the corner out of sight so they couldn’t all watch him, but such was not to be the case.

  Cora brought out a tray of glasses filled with lemonade and Rose passed around cookies.

  Eight heads tipped together and laughter reached Wyatt. He told himself it was normal girlish behavior, but he couldn’t help wondering if they found him amusing.

  Cora rose and crossed toward the barn.

  Wyatt watched her every step. His lungs tightened as she approached the barn. Had they sent her on an errand? He guessed they had, and guessed, as well, that it involved him in a way he might not like.

  Cora reached the bottom of the ladder. “Wyatt?”

  He slowly turned to look down at her. “Do you need something?”

  “Yes. You.”

  The girls giggled.

  Pink raced up her neck and pooled in Cora’s cheeks. “My visitors accuse me of having bad manners by not inviting you to join us. So would you both please join us?”

  He should refuse. There was the roof to finish. Besides, he had no desire to share the afternoon with a bevy of giggling females, but Cora appeared to need help in dealing with her friends. “Thank you. We accept your invitation.”

  She nodded and stepped back as Lonnie descended the ladder.

  Wyatt climbed down more slowly. At the bottom he whispered to her, “I’m hardly clean enough to join your friends.” Perspiration soaked his back. He swiped his arm across his face to dry it.

  “They’ll no doubt be impressed by your muscles and sweat.” She rolled her eyes.

  He grinned at her. “Is that what young ladies like?”

  “If so, you’re all set for success.”

  Their gazes locked. Did he read admiration? Reluctant, if so. But he also detected uncertainty. Why? Then it hit him. She thought he might enjoy the admiration of those young ladies.

  “Success if I want admiration, but not if I much prefer conversation and sharing of similar tastes.” He wished he could express himself better, explain to her that her honesty and hard work were a lot more appealing to him than giggling admiration.

  She smiled, the tension gone from her eyes. “Let’s see if you can’t enjoy a bit of each.”

  He accompanied her to the tea party where Lonnie hovered, waiting to be invited to sit down.

  “Ladies,” Cora said. “You remember Wyatt and Lonnie from church.” Ignoring their wide-eyed admiration, she introduced her friends. Besides the two he recognized there was a Miss Sally Jones, as well as a Miss Inez Burroughs and her younger sister, Ellen, who smiled sweetly at Lonnie.

  Cora indicated they should sit.

  Wyatt sat next to her and took the offered glass of lemonade and two cookies.

  “Where are you from, Mr. Wyatt?” one lady asked.

  “Kansas,” he said. They might want more information but he didn’t mean to provide it.

  “Are you planning to settle here?” Nancy asked.

  “Going north.” The same answer he’d given Mr. Bell.

  The questions continued to fly. Where north? Why? Did he have a wife and children waiting for him? Had he been in the army?

  “Army? No. Why would you think that?”

  Sally, who had asked the question, shrugged. “I thought the way you carry yourself, your short answers—” She shook her head. “It made me think of my uncle who was a soldier.”

  Lonnie’s hand halted half to his mouth with a cookie. His shoulders tensed.

  Wyatt didn’t want anyone to look at the boy and wonder at his reaction, but he struggled to control his own movements. Did something about the way he talked and moved provide clues that he’d been in jail? He’d hardly think it would be similar to being in the army.

  Cora, who’d watched in silence as he fielded the many questions, spoke to the young women. “Is there anything new in town?”

  The preacher’s daughter, Anna, bounced with eagerness. “Indeed, there is much news. Someone stole a bunch of stuff from Mr. Frank’s store.”

  Miss Nancy interrupted. “The cash box was stolen from the feed store.”

  “Two houses were broken into, and silver and jewelry taken,” Miss Sally added.

  Cora looked shocked. “Really? There have never been robberies in Bar Crossing before that I know of.”

  “That’s what everyone is saying.”

  “No one in town would do something so awful,” Anna said. “My father says it must be a stranger doing it.”

  Wyatt kept his eyes lowered. Bad enough to be among those under suspicion because he was a stranger, but he’d be found guilty without evidence or a trial if anyone discovered his past.

  Fortunately, no one pointed out the fact that he and Lonnie were strangers, and the conversation moved to other things. Wyatt wanted to excuse himself and return to the barn, but when he pushed to his feet, the girls protested.

  “You aren’t leaving us?”

  “Please stay.” Cora’s tone revealed nothing. Did she want him to stay for her sake?

  He’d stay only because she asked him.

  The ladies remained for three hours, as if there was nothing more important in anyone’s life than sitting in the shade.

  Finally, Nancy, who seemed to be in charge, pushed to her feet. “It’s time for us to leave. It’s been so nice visiting with everyone.”

  Wyatt rose as soon as she moved and nodded to her and to the others as they left.

  Only after they rumbled from the yard, calling more goodbyes, did he let his gaze go to the barn. It waited patiently for boards to be nailed into place.

  Cora let out a long sigh. “Ma needs our help.” The girls gathered up quilts, glasses and the remnants of the afternoon and traipsed indoors.

  “Supper will be ready shortly.” Cora paused to inform him, then disappeared inside.

  Lonnie had already gone to see the pigs.

  Wyatt jammed his hands in his pockets. What was he to do with himself? It hardly seemed worthwhile to climb the ladder. He wouldn’t have time to fit a board into place.

  He barely finished the thought before Cora called out, “Supper.”

  Wyatt aimed to get his brother, but he saw the boy was already headed for the house.

  They joined the others.

  The meal was rushed, as everyone seemed eager to do the work that had been neglected over the afternoon, but they still took time for Bible reading. Wyatt enjoyed this pool of calm at the end of the day.

  Mr. Bell had barely said “amen” before Cora bolted to her feet.

  “The cows are getting impatient to be milked.”

  He realized they had been calling softly and followed her outside. “Do you need help with the milking?”

  Her eyes widened. “You can milk a cow? I didn’t think cowboys considered the chore manly enough for their status in life.”

  “I heard that somewhere, too, but I milked cows once upon a time.” Years ago, when his pa still had a prosperous farm, before he started selling off stock and moving around. “Don’t suppose I’ve forgotten how.”

  They brought the two cows in from the pasture and left the dry one. Each one went to a stall in the shed.

  “Well, let’s see if you remember.” Cora handed him a bucket and pointed him to the smaller cow. “You milk Maude, she’s the gentler of the two.”

  He grabbed a stool, and he and Cora sat at the haunches of the cows. The squish, squish of milk g
oing into the pail filled the silence. A motley-colored cat with a right-angle crook in its tail appeared, and Cora sent a stream of milk that it caught neatly.

  “Where’s Grub?” Seemed to Wyatt he should have been at the milking.

  “He’s mooching at the kitchen. Lilly will give him treats. Do you know she makes cookies for him?”

  Wyatt snorted a laugh. “Cookies for a dog?”

  “Not the kind you’d like. Believe me. I was once foolish enough to taste one. Ptooey. But Grub loves them.”

  She aimed another squirt of milk toward the cat. Wyatt made a smacking sound to get the cat’s attention and sent a squirt its way. He laughed when it was right on target.

  Cora stood, set the milk bucket to the side, let her cow out of the barn and returned to stand at his side. “Are you finished?”

  He wasn’t, but he wasted no time stripping the cow’s udder of the last of the milk and turning her out with the other. He followed Cora to the house.

  Lilly pulled what looked like cookies from the oven. He was thankful he’d been warned and wouldn’t be sneaking any cookies from that tray.

  Cora nudged him. “Milk goes in the workroom.” He accompanied her there and poured the milk through the straining cloth.

  “Could I offer you a cookie when we’re done here?” Her innocent tone did not fool him.

  He barked a laugh.

  She grinned. “I guess you’ll check every cookie carefully from now on before you bite into it.”

  “I’ll make sure you take a bite first.” He smiled at her.

  The mischief in her eyes stirred his blood and made him wish for days and days of nothing but teasing and joy. His throat tightened. He couldn’t stay, no matter how enticing the idea seemed. He must get far enough away that his past would never catch up with him, someplace where no one knew him or cared a fig about him.

  Her hands stilled as the moment lengthened into something soft and alluring.

  He sucked in warm air laden with the smell of fresh milk, cheese and a heartbeat of sweetness from the woman before him. His resolve threatened to crumble like dust.

  “I need to take care of my horses.” He bolted from the room, calling a hasty “Thank you and good night,” and trotted to the campsite.

  Lonnie thundered after him. “What’s the hurry?”

  Wyatt slowed his steps. “The day got away, what with company all afternoon.”

  “Didn’t you enjoy it?”

  “I wanted to get the roof built.”

  Lonnie shrugged. “We’ve got lots of time. Didn’t you say it will be a month before Fanny and the foal can travel?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So what’s the harm in a little socializing?”

  Wyatt stared at his brother. “Is this the same person who wanted to leave a few days ago?”

  “That was two weeks ago. But now I got reason to stay.”

  “Like some young gal?”

  Lonnie blushed. “I have to earn enough to buy two pigs. Remember?”

  “Oh, right. That. You didn’t get much done toward that today, what with all the socializing.”

  “I’ll make up for it.” Lonnie trotted on ahead.

  Wyatt thought to warn the boy of the dangers they faced by staying. Not only to themselves but to the Bells and anyone else associated with them. They needed to put more distance between them and their past. But he couldn’t ruin Lonnie’s mood. It was the first time he’d seen him so content about staying and so ready to associate with others. Another reason to be grateful for the delay in their travels.

  Before he caught up to Lonnie, alarm bells filled Wyatt’s brain. Every delay increased the risk. But even worse was all this socializing. People would grow more demanding about his past. Lonnie might let something slip.

  He’d simply have to excuse himself from any more of it.

  It should be simple enough. From what he’d observed, it wasn’t as though the Bells entertained a lot or visited others. He had no call to go to town on Saturday and could find some excuse to miss church.

  How hard could it be?

  * * *

  The next morning, Cora put on her oldest dress and headed for the barn as soon as the chores were done. Wyatt and Lonnie had arrived a few minutes ago and were nailing boards to the rafters.

  At her approach, Wyatt came down the ladder. “Cora, for my peace of mind, please stay off the roof.”

  The pleading look in his eyes caused her determination to waver. “But I have to help.” Even to her own ears, she sounded less than convincing.

  “It’s far too dangerous with those long skirts.”

  She looked down at her dress. “I could borrow a pair of Pa’s trousers.”

  Wyatt hooted. “Can I listen while you ask him?”

  She grinned in acknowledgment. “Pa would have a fit, wouldn’t he?”

  “I expect so.”

  “That leaves me little choice, then.” She took a step toward the ladder.

  “Cora, please reconsider.” He caught her arm, sending a jolt through her nerves and making it hard to remember why it mattered that she worked on the barn if he cared so much.

  “Hey, Wyatt, I need another board,” Lonnie called.

  His words were all the reminder she needed. They were working to pay for feed for their horses and the meals the Bells provided. However, building the barn was not their responsibility. They’d be moving on. North somewhere. She’d be here with an unfinished barn if she didn’t do her share.

  “I’ll see that the barn is built.” She’d promised herself the day Pa fell from the ladder. She’d drive every nail by herself if she couldn’t get help. “I thank God He sent you to help, but it’s still my job.”

  “Why not trust Him to provide enough help that you don’t need to take risks?”

  She met his gaze. Was he asking her to trust God? Or him? She tried to read past the appeal in his dark eyes, but he had closed his thoughts to her probing. Disappointed, she turned away. How could she trust a man who shut himself off from her? As to trusting God... “I trust God to protect me.” And give her strength.

  Wyatt let out a long sigh as if she taxed his patience. He muttered something under his breath. Sounded as if he said, “How hard can it be to convince her?” Then his gaze slid by her and his eyes widened. “Looks as though you’ve got more company coming.”

  She turned to shade her eyes and watch three wagons approach. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ll let you figure it out.” He climbed up the ladder and started hammering furiously.

  “Wyatt?” What was wrong? He should be happy that more visitors had descended on them. Wouldn’t it ensure she couldn’t help?

  The wagons drew closer. Ma and Pa and the twins lined up to watch.

  “Why, Pastor Rawley,” Pa said, stepping forward as the first wagon drew to a halt. “What brings you our way?”

  Mrs. Rawley sat beside him in the wagon. Anna and two men rode in the back. The second wagon had four men in it, and the third two women and two men. Some of the people were from nearby farms; the rest were from town.

  Cora could not think what they wanted.

  Pastor Rawley jumped to the ground. “My Anna came home yesterday to say you were putting up a barn by yourselves. Now, we all know that isn’t a job for a family to do alone. So we decided to do the neighborly thing. We’ve come to help.”

  The others stepped to the ground, each man carrying the tools they’d need.

  Mrs. Rawley and the other women approached Ma. “Now, we know you weren’t expecting a crew, so we brought along food for the noon meal.”

  “Bless you,” Ma said. “Bless you all.”

  “I see you’ve done a great deal already,” Pastor Rawley said.

  The m
en moved to the barn and Wyatt slowly turned to greet them.

  Cora couldn’t figure him out. For a man who thought she should trust God to provide help to get the barn done, he certainly seemed reluctant when all this help appeared.

  Anna caught Cora’s hand and dragged her away. “Isn’t this wonderful?”

  “Indeed.” Cora gave her friend a little squeeze. The barn would be finished in no time. Wonderful news.

  So why did she feel as if she’d been robbed of something special?

  She would not answer the question.

  But as the sound of hammers on nails and saws through wood filled the air, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

  She helped move two tables under the trees and set out the food.

  “Stop staring at him,” Anna said.

  Cora jerked her attention back to filling a dish with bread-and-butter pickles. “I’m watching the progress on the barn. I can’t believe how fast it’s going.” The roof was almost finished.

  “Uh-huh. But I have to say, he is worth taking a long look at.”

  “Who?” Though there was only one person to be considered.

  “Why, your Wyatt Williams, of course.”

  “He’s not my—”

  Anna patted her arm. “If you say so.”

  Rose and Lilly joined them.

  Cora hoped they were too late to overhear Anna’s silly comments. But she forgot to hope Anna wouldn’t repeat them.

  “She’s not staring at Wyatt,” Anna said.

  “Of course she is. Just like the rest of us.”

  “Rose.” Cora couldn’t believe her younger sister. “Have you no shame? If Ma heard your comments she’d confine you to your room.”

  Rose laughed. “Do you suppose she looked at Pa that way once upon a time?”

  They all looked toward Pa. Ma sat with the other women, shelling peas as she watched the progress.

  “I expect she did,” Lilly said.

  A little later, Ma called out for everyone to come eat. The men gathered around the table. Wyatt, Cora noted, came last.

  Pastor Rawley said grace and then, one by one, the crowd filed past the table, filling their plates with a wide variety of food. The ladies must have planned this the previous evening, as they’d brought fried chicken and potato salad, along with several kinds of vegetables.