Montana Cowboy

by Jillian Hart

  “True. It’s one of the perks of my job.”

  “What a perk.” Grass crunched beneath her sandals as they headed down the hill. “I’m an ocean girl. I love everything about it. The smell, the way it sweeps against the sand, the way it looks dark and roiling in a storm. But this is a close second. Hi, Betty.”

  The cow leaned against the fence, reaching out with her tongue.

  “No, pretty girl, you can’t have Honor’s hat.” Luke rubbed the outstretched nose as they ambled into the shade of a big white barn.

  Sunlight tumbled through the open, wide doors, gilding the barn’s main aisle with a fall of gold. Dust motes glittered in the air while stray bits of straw and hay fluttered in the hot summer breezes. Honor breathed in the pleasant scent of alfalfa, marveling how clean the concrete was beneath her sandals. Every surface she saw gleamed.

  A small, baleful moo sounded from one of the roomy pens.

  “That would be Barney.” Luke led the way toward the nearest roomy enclosure. Straw rustled and a tiny moo bleated out. “There she is lying down. Guess we woke her up.”

  “She’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” Her heart squeezed at the sight of the little black-and-white bundle curled up in soft straw. Faith lifted her little head, pricked her adorable ears and blinked her sleepy eyes. “Okay, now I’m wrapped around her hoof.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  Faith crawled onto her knees before scrambling awkwardly to a stand. Her knock-knees wobbled and she blinked big brown eyes. She ambled up to the rail and licked Honor’s hand with a rough, pink tongue

  “Hello, little one.” She marveled at the darling personality reflected in those melted-chocolate eyes. The calf gazed up at Honor with a curious expression that could have meant, are you my mama, too?

  Sweet. Her chest ached it felt so full. “This is how you spend your days? Taking care of darling little things like Faith?”

  “It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.”

  Footsteps echoed in the aisle behind them. Hunter swang into sight carrying two large plastic bottles. Behind him she caught a glimpse of what must be the milking parlor, empty and sparkling clean.

  “What do you mean? I feel like I do all the work around here.” Hunter winked at her, his jet-black hair tumbling over his forehead. He thrust the bottles at Luke and winked. “Get busy and earn your way, slacker.”

  “Speak for yourself,” he quipped, as Hunter headed back toward the milking parlor. Luke shook his head. “Would you like to help feed them?”

  “Try and stop me.” She accepted the bottle he handed her. The babies, spotting dinner, danced in place, crying with excitement. Warmth penetrated the plastic-like comfort as she watched Luke tuck the bottle in the crook of one arm. She did the same. Faith latched on with eager speed, emptying the bottle at a fast rate and swinging her tail with contentment. Nothing could be cuter than the little creature with her big baby eyes searching hers with loving adoration.

  Thump went her heart. For the calf, she told herself. Not for the man beside her.

  That was when she finally noticed the soft notes lulling from overhead speakers. “Is that Beethoven?”

  “One of his piano concertos, sounds like.” Luke nodded. “The cows also like audiobooks, but it depends on the book.”

  “Too bad they can’t post reviews on Good Books.”

  “It’s hard to type when you’ve got hooves.”

  She shook her head at him. “Bad. Totally bad.”

  His violet eyes twinkled back at her. Barney chose that moment to head-butt his bottle; it flew out of the crook of Luke’s arm and skidded across the aisle, empty. “Oops. Hold on to yours tight—”

  Wham! The bottle jumped out of her hands and clattered on the concrete. She laughed, she couldn’t help it.

  “We’re one stooge short,” Luke quipped as he grabbed her bottle, too.

  She had a soft spot for a man who could make her laugh. She hated that the feeding was over, that she had no excuse to stay a moment longer and spend time with the man she liked so well.

  Caring like this wasn’t what she’d signed up for. Affection warmed her heart against her will. She didn’t want to feel this way. Not so soon after ending another relationship. She simply wasn’t ready.

  “Luke!” Hunter’s boots hammered in the aisle, the alarm in his stride shattering the merriment.

  “What’s wrong?” Luke straightened up, instantly solemn.

  “We’ve got to get up to the house. There’s a problem with Lil.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She’s not feeling well.” Worry slashed across Hunter’s

  face as he slid his cell into his pocket. “It’s serious. Colbie’s called an ambulance.”

  “What?” Stricken, Luke shoved the empty bottles onto the top of a grain barrel lid. “No, this isn’t some kind of a joke, is it?”

  “You know I wouldn’t joke about this.” Strain snapped along Hunter’s jaw. “Go on, get up to the house and be with her. I’ll stay here and finish feeding.”

  “Then you’ll be up?”

  “Count on it. I’ll do what needs to be done.” Grim, Hunter grabbed a pitchfork. “Go on, you two. Colbie may need help.”

  “We’re on it.” He hated leaving his brother behind. He reached for Honor’s hand, grateful for the warmth of her fingers against his. A comfort he hadn’t even known he needed. Lil was like a mom to him.

  “An ambulance? That worries me. Colbie isn’t one to overreact. Let Lil be okay.” The words were more prayer than a wish as he hurried outside.

  “I’m praying as hard as I can,” Honor told him.

  They weren’t halfway to the house when tires crunched on the gravel driveway behind them. The ambulance barreled up the lane and he stepped aside, standing with Honor as the vehicle hurried by. Poor Lil. This was serious, whatever had happened. Colbie dashed into sight on the front lawn, waving to the driver. Her look of desperation made his eyes burn.

  He didn’t remember dashing up the hill or crossing the lawn, all he knew was the kick of fear seeing the medics surrounding Lil. She lay on a gurney, trying to answer questions in a slurring voice. He spotted Colbie hovering over her mom, carefully watching the medics, reciting the list of medications Lil used to help control her MS symptoms.

  “She looks so tiny lying here.” He hated being helpless. That slurred speech troubled him. Was she going to be okay? He needed to do something. Save her. Fix her. Help her. Just something. He felt useless standing there.

  “God is with her no matter what.” Honor squeezed his hand, holding on, offering him comfort.

  That about broke him. He gritted his teeth, determined not to lean on her. Knowing she was offering him her friendship, not her heart.

  That was a great comfort. Father, please watch over Lil. We can’t lose her.

  “They’re taking her to Bozeman.” Brooke hurried over, tears damp on her face. “Liam’s driving Colbie’s car, so she can ride in the ambulance with her mom.”

  “Mac’s called ahead. He knows a lot of the hospital staff.” Bree scampered over. “Brandi and I are going to lock up here, so you can go to Bozeman.”

  Honor’s hand tightened around his, holding on, reassuring him, letting him know she was there for him.

  It wasn’t smart, but his fingers tightened around hers right back, needing her more than was wise to admit.

  * * *

  “You can go home, you know.” Luke leaned closer in his waiting room chair, his voice rumbling low against Honor’s ear. “It might be a long wait, and you have a long drive ahead of you. You might want to get home before dark falls.”

  “True.” It didn’t feel right to up and leave the worried family behind, these people she cared about. “I’m staying. I’m a little sweet on
Lil. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

  “Me, too. Waiting is the worst. Not knowing.”

  “Fearing things are worse than they are.”

  “It’s killing me.” Luke’s face twisted with agony. “There’s Hunter.”

  Sure enough, the tall, dark-haired man strode through the automated doors and into the crowded waiting room. His gaze locked on Luke’s, their brotherly bond obvious. Luke stood, released her hand and met Hunter halfway across the crowded room. Their heads bent together as they spoke. Impossible to hear what they said.

  “I just wish there was something we could do,” Brooke spoke up, seated on Honor’s other side. “I feel so useless.”

  “So do I.” She thought of the gentle, sweet woman being wheeled into the ambulance. A reminder that just like that, life could change. You never knew what might lie ahead. The future was always a mystery. Only God knew. “I wonder how Colbie is doing.”

  “She’s got to be falling apart on the inside, although she’d never show it. She’s a rock in a crisis.” Brooke’s voice armed with affection for her sister.

  “She takes amazing care of Lil,” Bree leaned across the aisle to chime in. “I don’t know how she does it.”

  “She blows me away,” Brandi agreed. “Everything she does for her mom? Her whole life is devoted to Lil.”

  “It’s why she doesn’t date,” Brooke sympathized. “She has no time and big responsibilities.”

  Honor felt a tingle against her cheek, looked up and the din of the waiting room silenced. Luke’s gaze met hers and she could read his look like a book. Unaware of getting out of her chair, she found herself walking toward him, laying her hand against his outstretched palm and understanding what he needed most. So, she held on tight.

  “Colbie!” Brooke called out. “How is she?”

  The rest of the McKaslins flocked toward the tall, slim woman standing by the admitting desk. Tears had dried on Colbie’s cheeks. “Mom’s done with her CT scan and they are giving her an IV. It’s supposed to break up the clot in her brain. We’re praying it works.”

  “It will. Positive thinking, positive praying.” Brandi wrapped her arms around Colbie.

  “That’s right. We’ll pray as hard as we can.” Brooke joined the pair, hugging them both.

  “Good, because I’m not ready to lose her.” Colbie blinked away tears, leaning on her sisters as Bree moved in, completing the circle of sisters, clinging to one another. “Mom will just have to get better and that medicine will just have to work. I’m not accepting any other outcome.”

  “Neither am I,” Honor added. Brandi drew her in and she joined the hug. She clung to them, remembering how frail Lil had looked before they’d closed the ambulance doors. Lil, who had a smile and a kind word for everyone and her indomitable cheer. Honor blinked, surprised to find tears in her eyes, too.

  “Hang in there, Colbie.” Hunter’s gruff baritone grated with emotion. “She’ll be okay.”

  “She better be.” Luke swallowed hard and squared his shoulders. “She’s the best Friday night date I’ve ever had.”

  “Mom is sweet on you.” Colbie smiled through her tears.

  “Tell her I expect to spend more Friday nights with her watching Jeopardy! She beats me every time.” He cleared his throat, leaving so much unspoken, like always. He loved Lil. She was the mom he didn’t have. “Tell her I intend to win next time. My ego is on the line.”

  “I’ll tell her.” Tears tracked down Colbie’s cheeks. She understood the words he couldn’t say.

  Honor did, too. Her touch on his arm made his throat ache. He held in a lot of truth about his feelings for her. Not sure what he could do about that, but now wasn’t the time or place to worry about it.

  “I’d better get back to her.” Colbie swiped at her tears. “Thanks, guys, for being here.”

  “Where else would we be?” Hunter asked, giving her a hug.

  “We’re here for as long as it takes.” Luke thought of the cows at home and the responsibilities there. He and Hunter would take turns going back to the ranch at milking and feeding times, and there was always Milton, the foreman of the neighboring ranch who would pitch in. They could make it work.

  “We’re going on a cafeteria run.” Brandi rubbed the last of her tears from her eyes. “Tea all around?”

  “Make mine coffee,” Hunter said, reaching into his back pocket.

  “I got it.” Luke beat him to the punch, handing over a twenty. “Tea for me. Honor?”

  “Peppermint.” She blinked her damp lashes. He liked her more for that. That she was here, when she could have left. That she cared. She stayed at his side, and when he slipped an arm around her shoulder, she moved in, snuggling against him, stealing his heart a little more.

  * * *

  “Mom’s settled in her room.” In the waiting room, Colbie hugged her sisters one by one. “She’s resting comfortably. I wish visiting hours weren’t over, but you can see her in the morning. Honor, why are you still here?”

  “Where else would I be?” She hugged Colbie, too. The poor woman looked exhausted with stress and worry. It was clear how much she loved her mother.

  “You’re a keeper. I’m so glad we’re friends.” Colbie gave her an extra squeeze. “Thank you.”

  Honor stepped back so the twins could move in and hug their sister good-night. Her family wasn’t a touchy-feely kind. When her dad had been rushed to the hospital for a minor heart attack three years ago, everyone had waited stoically and pragmatically. Tears were held back in her family.

  So was affection. Feelings were held in at all costs. She rather liked the way the McKaslins did it. Tears and hugs and messages of love were relayed to Colbie to be given to Lil when she woke up. Promises to call if Colbie needed anything—anything—and Luke moseying up to make sure there wasn’t more he could do.

  “Mac and I will drop by and pick up a change of clothes for you,” Bree offered, reaching for her tall, strapping fiancé’s hand. “We’ll close the curtains and bring in the mail.”

  “I’ll come by early and bring you breakfast,” Brooke offered.

  After their goodbyes, the family broke apart. Colbie hurried to her mother’s bedside. Honor joined the rest of the family heading toward the exit. In silence from exhaustion and worry, they pushed through the doors and spilled into the warm summer night.

  “I can’t believe it’s after midnight.” Luke’s baritone rumbled near her ear. “Are you going to be okay driving back?”

  “Sure. I’ll be fine.” Except for the yawn she had to stifle. Oops. Exhaustion weighed on her. “I’ll find a drive-thru and order a cup of strong coffee. That’s all I need.”

  “Or you could come home with us,” Brandi offered.

  “She can have my bed,” Bree offered. “I’ll take the couch.”

  “No way am I kicking you out of your bed.” She knew the twins shared an apartment. “I’ll take the couch.”

  “Forget it. You’re a guest,” Bree said sweetly as she headed in the direction of Mac’s gleaming pickup. “We’ll make it work.”

  “Thanks, guys.” A good solution. It was better not to drive when she was this tired, and she’d be here tomorrow to help out as much as she could. Since it was Sunday, she would have the whole day free to lend a hand.

  “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” Luke walked her to her car, parked next to his truck.

  “Guess so.”

  He brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. A dangerous move and she knew it, but did she stop him? No way. Not even a little bit. At the gentle sweep of his fingertips against her forehead and the caring dark in his eyes, what did her feelings do? They tumbled long and slow.

  Okay, maybe it was time to admit this might be more than a little crush, but nothing to worry about, right? At least that was what sh
e hoped as Luke opened her door for her. She was so not ready to feel this way. “Good night, Luke.”

  “’Night.” He closed her door as soon as she was settled behind the wheel. She watched him circle toward his truck, his silhouette striking against the background of a velvet black sky and twinkling stars.

  If only he didn’t take a piece of her heart with him.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been hard to leave the hospital that morning, and the weight of it felt heavy on Luke’s heart as he climbed the church steps. The early service was over, the doors flung wide and worshippers began streaming out. Lots of folks stopped him to ask about Lil, and it was a comfort to know so many of their church family were praying for her swift recovery.

  She’d been still and pale when he’d left her side. He’d come early to do what he could for her, to sit with Lil so Colbie could shower and change. Lil wasn’t able to speak and it broke his heart. Bleary-eyed, he struggled down the aisle against the current, searching for the one face he longed to see.

  There she was, seated alongside his sisters with her head bowed in prayer, oblivious to the clamor and clatter surrounding her. The soft jeweled light from the stained glass windows tumbled over her, and the sight brought peace to his heart. Honor did that to him.

  He waited until her prayer ended and she lifted her head. He knelt in the aisle so he was eye level with her. “Hey there, stranger.”

  “You missed the service.”

  “The early service,” he corrected. “I took the first shift at the hospital so Colbie could…”

  “…catch the service, I know.” Honor nodded to Colbie, who sat next to her, still praying hard. “Is Hunter with Lil?”