The Outlaw Biker's Betrayal: A Bad Boy MC Romance

by Sienna Wiliiams

  Beyond that, you could see the green land stretched out for miles, and divided into several pastures. On one, Christopher could make out his longhorns, grazing contentedly and two ranch hands on horseback.

  “They look almost ready.” Mathew said, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.

  “Yes, just a few more weeks to go and I’ll be happy.” Christopher said.

  “We’ve had good years.” Mathew added.

  Christopher nodded. The last few years had been very good for most ranches in Montana with the prices of beef rising each year. Last year, he had made a sizeable profit and he expected a larger one this year. He was looking to add to his stock of two thousand and increase it to almost double. The only thing missing was a wife.

  Every evening after work, Christopher felt the loneliness of living as a bachelor. He longed for noises in the house and a warm fire when he got home. He hoped that his future wife would be willing to have a vegetable garden for the needs of the house. There was one, a rectangular patch that was now empty of any vegetables. Growing food was not for him.

  He preferred to breed animals and then when they were ready take them to the market. It was predictable unlike planting. He thought of a farmer west of Montana whose wheat farm had become crippled by debt. Christopher could never grow wheat. When the profits came, they were huge but he couldn’t bear the uncertainty that came with wheat farming. One depended so much on things beyond his control.

  “I better go, I’ll see you soon. Good luck with the bride.” Mathew called out and hopped onto his horse.

  He galloped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. Christopher chuckled. That was just like Mathew. He never did things normally. It was always with flare. However, behind the fun loving man, was a businessman of steel. Christopher knew that without Mathew’s guidance over the years, he would not have made it. He had taught him all the intricacies of ensuring that his cattle reached the desired weight and did not fall prone to illnesses.

  Christopher did not go back to the house. Instead, he went to the barn and took out his horse, a black huge energetic mare that could gallop untiring, at very fast speeds. Christopher tapped the horse’s side, and it took off, first a gentle trot, gradually adding its speed. The man and beast headed to the Northern pasture, where Christopher had been repairing fences in the morning. He tethered the horse and continued with his work.

  It was tiresome work but it had to be done. A broken fence could lead to the loss of a cow or even several and each was worth a significant amount of money. Sometimes the problem was the cattle getting mixed up. Each season’s cattle were kept separately from the rest of the herd and if they got mixed up, separating them was a task that took weeks.

  His mind went back to the letters. He thought of the two different people living in the same house who had written to him. The one who had sent a photograph was very beautiful. She had eyes that could melt anybody’s heart and a small, slim body. The other had sent no picture, but her personality shone through the page of her letter.

  He felt sorry for them at losing a father and then having a sickly mother. His heart twisted with pain when he remembered his own circumstances seven years ago. He had left home in search of greener pastures, but he had done so with a heavy heart. His mother had been sick and bedridden, and the main reason why he had left.

  His father had been a poor farmer, relying on handouts to feed his wife and three boys. At eighteen, Christopher could no longer sit helplessly watching his mother die. He had heard about the west, and how a hard working person had the chance to change their lives. He had scrimped and saved and finally bought a stage coach ticket.

  It wasn’t enough to get him to the west, but it was enough to land him in a thriving railway town where he had gotten by and saved further by working odd jobs. A few months later, Christopher took off again, this time reaching Montana. Despite having no experience riding horses, he had gotten a job as an apprentice ranch hand, and within a few months could ride as well as the best of them.

  He had saved and just as he was about to send money back home, he had gotten word that his mother had died. It had taken every ounce of willpower in him to keep going. In the quiet of the night he had often wondered what the purpose was, after all, his mother getting better had been his reason for working so hard. Over time, the grief had decreased and he had found a reason to keep going.

  Thanks to his hard work, his father and brothers now lived a comfortable life back home. He had sent money consistently and they had added to the small farm and bought a good breed of dairy cows. Christopher was still working on convincing one of his brothers to come west but so far none was willing.

  That evening, tired after a whole day mending fences, Christopher sat down to have his dinner-A huge chunk of bread and an unappetizing piece of cold beef. He longed for a hot meal but he himself lacked the time to prepare one. He came in tired in the evenings, and in the mornings he was eager to go off and start the day’s work.

  He chewed mechanically, not tasting the food or giving it much thought. When he finished, he got a writing pad and pen and prepared to write his letters. For Christopher, there was no time to waste. The more they communicated, the more he would know who was better suited to his sort of life.

  Christopher was used to taking well thought out risks, but this one was the biggest in that it would affect the rest of his life. There was no bigger catastrophe than choosing the wrong wife. A man could spend the rest of his days in regret. But there was no option if Christopher wanted a wife. He looked at the pen and willed the words to come which they did.

  He finished one and then started on the other. He asked questions and described his life in Montana. Would they still be willing to come despite the harsh life of a ranch? It was good in the sense that one never lacked basic needs; however everybody on a ranch had to pull their weight.

  Chapter Four

  “I got it, I got a letter!” Amanda yelled, running into the kitchen and waving a letter about.

  Elsa felt a crush of disappointment. Even she had known that her chances were slim, she had still harbored hope that the cowboy would choose her.

  “What does he say?” Elsa said.

  “Let me read it first.” Amanda said, and plopped down on the chair.

  Elsa turned her attention back to washing their breakfast utensils. Her forehead was covered with creases of worry. Their mother was getting worse. She could feel it. In the last two days she had not had one moment where she was lucid. She spoke as though in a dream and did not seem to recognize her. Elsa was deeply scared. How would they cope without their mother?

  When she finished the washing, she dried her hands on her dress and sat down next to Amanda. Her face had lost its earlier animation and she looked thoughtful.

  “What does he say?” Elsa said unable to bear the waiting any longer.

  “Christopher says we should get to know each other better and then goes on to describe the ranch. It’s big; he has two thousand heads of cattle and about to double that number. I wonder then why he has no servants.” Amanda said.

  “Servants? Amanda we’ve never ever had servants, so why would you want a servant?” Elsa said.

  “I mean to start at the ranch how I will continue. I have no intentions of spending the rest of my life on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor.” Amanda said.

  Elsa was shocked into silence. Her sister never ceased to surprise her, but today she had shocked Elsa? Why would somebody who had never had servants long for them? She almost felt sorry for Christopher. He had been taken in by a photograph of a pretty girl. Amanda had confessed to her that she had slipped a photograph into the letter.

  “I will not go to Montana before he employs the services of a housekeeper.” Amanda declared.

  Elsa looked at Amanda in wonder; had her sister lost her marbles?

  “Are you mad? Mama is sick, we can do with all the help that we need, yet your biggest worry is servants?”

  “I will
send you money to take mama to a doctor when I settle down.” Amanda said.

  “Amanda. Mama may not make it? If you visited her often, you’d notice how much she has deteriorated. I’m afraid if she doesn’t see a doctor in the next few days, we’ll lose her.” Elsa said, wiping off the tears from her cheeks.

  Amanda hated talking about their mother, but not talking would not wish the illness away.

  “I’m sure you exaggerate.” Amanda said breezily.

  “Stop it!” Elsa shouted, surprising both of them. “Can’t you see beyond yourself for once? Mama is dying.”

  “So what do you want me to do?” Amanda shouted back.

  “What is it girls?” a weak voice said from the kitchen door.

  “Mama what are you doing awake?” Elsa cried out and ran to their mother’s side.

  Walking from her bedroom to the kitchen had exhausted her and she leaned weakly on the door frame. She tried to smile but instead it came out as a grimace. Elsa held her waist, and lifted her arm to go over her shoulder. Gently she turned her mother round and walked her gently back. She could feel her bones, and looking at her body in her night dress, Elsa wanted to sob.

  She looked like a child, so small and with no meat on her. The good thing however was that she had spoken. That meant that she was getting better surely? She tucked her back in her bed and before Elsa took a step out of the room, she was fast asleep. The short walk had wiped out her little energy. She tip-toed to the door and stood watching her mother.

  Then her thoughts returned to Christopher. She had not known his name before Amanda told her. Elsa knew that her motives for writing to him had not been completely genuine but she had told him, in not so many words. Sure, she liked the idea of marrying a cowboy, it was so romantic. However the main reason marriage had sounded so attractive was so that she could get help for their mother.

  Elsa returned to the kitchen to find Amanda engrossed in replying the letter.

  “You should mention that mum is sick. He might want to help.” Elsa said, feeling foolish as she said the words.

  Why would a stranger be interested in knowing whether Amanda’s mother was sick or not, and even more, why would he want to help?

  Amanda threw her a dark look. “You want me to spoil my chances by mentioning a sick mother? He’ll see me as a burden.” Realization dawned on her then and her eyes widened. “You told him about mother?”

  Elsa nodded. “That’s part of the reason why I wrote to him. I sort of made it a condition of my acceptance of going to Montana. Mama has to see a doctor first.”

  To Elsa’s surprise, Amanda dropped her pen and broke into laughter. She laughed so hard that tears fell from her eyes.

  “You really are an innocent to the ways of the world sister. Which man would take on the burden of a sick mother?”

  When Amanda put it like that, Elsa felt foolish at the letter she had written. Clearly men preferred a woman who covered up things rather than one who was forthright about her situation. Since Christopher was that kind of man, they did not belong together. Elsa preferred honesty, however bad the situation was.

  Amanda left for the post office later in the morning and Elsa cleaned up the barn and let out their lone cow to graze on the remaining grass. The following morning, Elsa had the sound of hooves as a horse approached the house. She hurried to the front door wondering who on earth it could be. They rarely received visitors; it was as if the townsfolk were worried that their misfortunes were catching.

  It was the postman and with a smile he handed a letter to Elsa. Her heart pounded faster when she saw that the letter was addressed to her. She went to the kitchen and with trembling fingers slit open the letter. When she unfolded, a few notes fell out, and Elsa’s jaw dropped. She read the letter with tears streaming down her eyes.

  Dear Elsa,

  I read your frank letter with a heavy heart and felt for you and your sister. Many years ago I was in a similar situation and that’s why I feel obliged to help. I hope that your outcome turns out better than mine did. Please put aside your agreement, the money that I have enclosed is not binding, it’s simply a gift from one country man to another.

  That aside, I’m still interested in knowing more about you. Tell me about yourself, and do let me know how your mother progresses, I’m eager to know if she regains her health. I will not write much, knowing that it is of utmost urgency that you take your mother to a doctor. However when everything settles down, I’d be most eager to hear from you.

  Respectfully,

  Christopher.

  Elsa dropped her head and cried like she would never stop. Never in her whole life had she ever experienced kindness from a stranger- Nothing of this magnitude. Did such people really exist? Her mind was everywhere and she needed time to compose her thoughts and think about where to begin. She looked at the notes and the gingerly picked them. Three whole dollars.

  Suddenly, Elsa jumped up and went to their room.

  “I’m off to get a buggy; we’re taking mama to the doctors.” Elsa announced to Amanda.

  “How, do you have money?” she said.

  “Yes, lots. Go to the kitchen and read the letter on the table. You’ll understand everything. Then get mama ready. Give a wiping and dress her. There’s no time to waste. I’m off.” Elsa said and ran out, pausing only to open the front door.

  “How do you do Elsa, how’s your mama?” Mrs. Potter shouted at her.

  Elsa waved, and shouted back. “Not good, we’re taking her to the doctors.”

  She never stopped running.

  “All the best child.” Mrs. Potter’s voice floated to her ears.

  Elsa ran all the way to town and to the railway station where the buggies for hire waited for passengers. She got one, negotiated a price, and soon, she was bouncing at the back on the way to get Amanda and their mother. She gripped the rail at the front tightly and said a silent prayer. Please let it not be too late. Now that help was so close, Elsa felt taut with nerves.

  Chapter Five

  Dear Christopher,

  I don’t know where to start? So much has happened since I received your letter and money. I will never tire of telling you thank you no matter what happens or doesn’t between us. You would not believe the powers of medicine. Mama is up and about although she still tires easily, but the doctor said that soon, that will be a thing of the past.

  Thank you so much. That sounds so inadequate. There are no words to express my gratitude to you. Nobody has ever shown me such kindness. Mama passes her gratitude too and she wishes she could express it in person. Yesterday she even cooked us a meal, the first time in so many months. Her skin has gotten its color back, and she’s able to converse as she used to.

  I’m overwhelmed by joy. You told me in your last letter to tell you a little about myself. Well, first of all, I can hardly describe myself as pretty. I’m a bit on the heavy side as I had the misfortune of inheriting my father’s big bones. I have brown hair that never listens to my instructions on how I want it to stay.

  Looks aside, I believe that I have a kind heart and a good disposition. I believe that people who disagree should seat down and talk out their problems. There’s nothing that cannot be resolved when two people are willing to compromise. My parents had a good solid marriage, founded on love and kindness and that is what I wish for myself.

  I wouldn’t describe myself as talkative, but as you can see, I do have a tendency to go on when I do open my mouth. So I’ll stop there and await your reply.

  With gratitude,

  Elsa

  Reading Elsa’s letter confirmed Christopher’s instincts. This was the woman he wanted to marry. Unlike Mathew, his attraction for the fairer sex did not come from physical attributes, though he did like a woman with some curves on her. Rather, he looked at character first. He knew that a woman could be as beautiful as Cleopatra, yet with a weak and nasty character.

  He compared Elsa’s letters to her sister’s. Amanda had never once mentioned her sis
ter or that her mother was sick. Her expectations of the ranch were also unrealistic. That’s not how people here lived. Amanda expected to have servants at her back and call. She expected parties and going to theatres and that kind of life. She would be perfect for Mathew, Christopher thought with a chuckle.

  His mind made up, he got prepared to pen down a reply. This was the big one. The letter where he would invite her to the ranch. With a sinking heart, Christopher knew that he would have to write to Amanda as well. It would not be fair to just drop her like hot coal, without telling her. Already from her letter, he could tell that she was a woman of a volatile temperament. He imagined her green eyes dark with rage and shrugged.

  The choice was his and as far as he was concerned, there was no competition. Elsa would be perfect for him.

  Elsa sat at the steps of the front door and opened her letter. Two tickets and some money fell out. One was a train ticket and the other for a stage coach. She read the letter in disbelief. He had picked her. Christopher was inviting her to Montana. Elsa finished reading the letter and hugged it to her chest. She felt happier than she had in a long time.

  It seemed so unreal, that somebody actually wanted to marry her. She felt a panicky feeling coming on. What if Christopher got disappointed when he saw her? Then she remembered that she had tried to describe herself fully. That and he had seen a photograph of Amanda. Yet he wanted her, Elsa! She read the letter again to be sure that she wasn’t imagining things.

  “Elsa?” her mother’s voice called out.

  “I’m here mama.” Elsa replied.

  Her mother came out and sat down on the steps next to her.

  “Mama, Christopher has invited me to Montana. He wants to marry me.” Elsa cried.