A Love of Her Own

by Maggie Brendan

  It was exactly what April wanted to hear. But should she believe him? Lord, I want to believe him. Her hand felt small in his large, calloused one, and April felt sad that his childhood had been so hard. Her own had been such a happy one. “Wes, I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain.” Her voice shook. “And I’m sorry that your father mistreated you. My life was so different from yours.”

  Wes shrugged. “It wasn’t all bad. I had a wonderful mother, but after she died, I learned to be independent and look after myself, and I stayed out of my father’s way. As I said before, that was her dress you were wearing, and I might add, you looked beautiful in it.”

  “You’ll have to show me her photograph sometime. You must really miss her.” April paused, thinking about what his mother must have been like. Perhaps she had been a lot like her own mother. “I guess I should leave now, so Miss Margaret won’t worry,” she said, pursing her lips together. “It’ll be dark soon.”

  “Can you come back tomorrow? Jane will be here for another lesson, and I think she really likes you. Cynthia is bringing her.” Wes rose from his chair. He pulled April to her feet, and they stood nose to nose.

  “I guess I could . . . if you really want me to,” she answered softly. A bird landed on the porch railing and warbled, but they paid it no mind, lost in each other’s eyes.

  “I do want you to,” he whispered.

  Her arms prickled with goose bumps as she gazed at his lips, her hands still in his.

  “Are you cold?”

  “No, it’s just that . . . I . . . will you hold me close again?”

  Wes enveloped her in his arms. “It’d be my greatest pleasure, sweet thing.”

  She snuggled underneath his chin, breathing in his scent of the outdoors mingled with horses and leather, and sighed contentedly. How had she let go of her heart like this? She could feel the rhythmic beat of his heart against her ear.

  “April.” Wes’s lips touched her hair, and he ran his fingers through the silky strands. “It feels so right holding you like this. I’m in love with you, you know, and I don’t want you to go back to Colorado.”

  She relaxed into his arms. Somehow she knew it before he’d said the words. She knew she loved him too, but could she stay? She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Wes . . . I don’t know what to say . . .”

  “Say you’ll stay awhile longer. I won’t pressure you. You can think about whether you can live here or not. I don’t want you to stay unless that’s what you really want. Unless there’s another man waiting on you in Colorado?” His brows furrowed.

  She gave a lighthearted laugh. “No, there’s no one, but there was once. I don’t want my heart broken again, Wes. I couldn’t take that.”

  “So that’s why you don’t want to trust me. I’m not like whoever broke your heart. Just give me a chance to prove it to you. I’ll never hurt you intentionally. I want us to grow old together on this porch . . . well, maybe on a new and improved one.” He chuckled. “One that’ll meet your standards.”

  She loved how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Looking around the yard, she muttered, “Mmm . . . we’d have to work on that, wouldn’t we? Is that why you started repairing the shingles?”

  He gave her waist a tight squeeze. “Yes, among other things. I’ve bought new paint to spruce the place up too.” His hazel eyes twinkled, and his smile was endearing.

  “I did notice you cleaned up around the house. That’s a good start.”

  “You approve then?” he asked.

  She stood on tiptoe and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “I approve, but now I really need to go.”

  Wes stopped her with a kiss, capturing her face with both of his hands, and April felt a flash of heat sweep over her. She swallowed hard, and he kissed her again. “I could kiss you until the cows come home, April McBride, but I guess this’ll have to hold me for now.” He touched the tip of her nose with his finger, and emotion flickered in his eyes.

  She laughed, and he released her from his grip. “Do you have any cows?”

  “No, but that can be arranged, if you want them.” He laughed heartily, exposing the dimple in one cheek.

  “For now, I’ll settle for just you. Eventually cows would be nice.” April started down the steps.

  “I’ll ride back with you.” Wes lifted his hat from the porch’s fence post. “It’ll get dark soon, and you can’t be too careful around here with bears and such. I don’t want you out there alone.”

  “Really? Have you seen one?” April hadn’t thought of that possibility, and a tingle of fear went down her spine. “I’ve only glimpsed a grizzly from a distance back home.”

  “I’ve seen one a time or two. But I keep my distance. If it’s a mother and her cubs, it could be dangerous. Let’s go get Sassy and Dakota saddled up.” He clasped her hand, directing her toward the barn. “I’ll need to put the rest of the horses in the barn before we leave.”

  “I can help with that,” she said, following his long strides.

  They pushed their horses, now saddled, in the direction of Lewistown and chatted along the way. Wes told her he’d discovered by sheer accident that Jane could walk.

  “What? You can’t be serious.” April knew Jane could be a little manipulative, but that was going a bit too far. April had been guilty of being calculating more than once as a child, and now she was embarrassed by her actions. “Why would she do that?”

  Wes tried his best to explain what Jane had told him. “I told her she’d have to confess eventually and gave her a couple of options. I don’t know what she decided, but we’ll find out tomorrow. Just don’t mention it or let on that you know. She feels badly enough about lying all these months.”

  “Mum’s the word.” April held her finger to her lips in agreement.

  Wes rode all the way to the boardinghouse with her as darkness fell. When they stopped outside the house, lights from the windows gave a welcoming invitation. Wes followed April to the barn and helped her unsaddle Sassy. He volunteered to give her a quick rubdown, but April wouldn’t let him.

  “I appreciate it, Wes, but you have a long ride back home,” she said, brushing Sassy’s shiny coat while he put away her saddle. Sassy nudged April’s shoulder, looking for a treat. “You spoiled lady,” she cooed, but dug a sugar cube out of her pocket. “I shouldn’t let you have this before your dinner.” April patted Sassy’s nose affectionately. The glow from a lantern Wes had lit gave the barn’s interior an intimate feel, and April felt right at home amid the horse smells and fodder.

  Wes stepped around the horse to stand next to her, placing a bucket of oats down in front of Sassy. Straightening, he said in a low voice, “Then I’ll say good night until tomorrow afternoon.” He reached out to lift a lock of her hair that lay across her shoulder, caressing it between his fingers. His eyes smoldered.

  “Good night, Wes,” April whispered.

  He took a step closer and lightly brushed her lips, then kissed her brow. “Sleep well, my sweet one,” he said tenderly, then left.

  When April finished grooming Sassy, she dreamily sauntered inside, her feet barely touching the ground. She started up the stairs, her mind on Wes. Natalie was carrying clean towels and paused on the stairs to peer down at her. “You’re back!” she called, her voice echoing throughout the foyer. “Mama was getting worried. You missed supper. Did you have dinner with Nellie and Andy?” Her impulsive chatter reflected the personality of a younger woman, and her smile was so bright that April had to smile.

  “No, I had lunch with them but supper with Wes,” she answered, going up the stairs to where Natalie leaned against the railing. Instantly Natalie’s bright countenance fell.

  “Oh. I see.” She shifted the pile of towels that she carried to her side.

  “Natalie—” April felt like she had to apologize.

  “It’s okay, April.” Natalie drew her shoulders up and took a deep breath. “I’ve worked it out in my heart. Honest. Did you have fun? Tell me abo
ut your afternoon.”

  “Yes. Wes cooked us a steak—well, we divided it. He wasn’t expecting someone for supper, least of all me.” April tread carefully, not wanting to rub Natalie’s nose in her wonderful afternoon. “He’s a pretty good cook. Good thing, because I’m not.”

  Natalie blinked. “Sounds serious.”

  April pursed her lips. “I think maybe it is, Natalie.”

  “Does that mean you’ll be staying here?” Her dark eyes twinkled.

  “I’m not certain yet, but it’s a strong possibility—”

  Natalie rushed over and gave her a hug. They banged foreheads, laughing as Natalie dropped the stack of clean towels in her enthusiasm. Her eyes shone with tears. “Oh, I hope so, no matter what the reason. You’ve become like a sister to me and Louise!”

  April was stunned. “Really?” She looked hard into Natalie’s dark eyes. “I’ve never had a sister, and I’m honored to hear you say that, Natalie.”

  Natalie shook her head. “I’m not at all angry with you. I mean that. It’s not your fault he loves you instead of me. What kind of person would I be if I got in the way of that? No, no, no. I must have my man devoted to me entirely.” She winked and smiled. “Whenever I find him!”

  “What’s going on up there, girls?” Miss Margaret stood at the end of the hallway with Louise right behind her. “A celebration?”

  “Something like that,” Natalie answered.

  “What are we celebrating?” Louise asked.

  April felt a little uncomfortable now that they knew about Wes. “She and Wes are seriously courting!” Natalie said.

  Miss Margaret clapped her hands. “Oh, goodness! So you were with Wes.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” April responded with a shy smile.

  Louise touched her sleeve. “Will you be staying longer, or will this be a long-distance romance?”

  April laughed. “We haven’t talked about all that yet.”

  Louise hooked her arm through April’s and started downstairs. “I have no doubt that you will. Let’s all go downstairs for a dish of huckleberry cobbler,” she called over her shoulder to Natalie and her mother.

  “Sounds good to me,” April agreed. “You’re all becoming like my family, you know.”

  Louise beamed at her. “Good! Maybe that’ll help convince you to stay.” The others chimed in their agreement with loud chatter and laughter.

  They all trooped back to the kitchen, and Louise dipped up the cobbler. Sitting around the kitchen table, April looked around at their familiar faces and surmised that she hadn’t really thought of home or missed anyone there since she’d arrived in Montana. Well . . . maybe Tilly. Tonight she would write Tilly and try to talk her into coming out here. She could just see her now, rolling her big eyes in her round black face and fussing, saying “Lawsy!” at the quick turn of events.

  25

  Cooler temperatures crept in while the community of Lewistown slept. A light frost lay on the ground and covered the sidewalks while north winds blew across the Judith Mountains, making it feel colder than the thermometer’s reading. As usual every fall, the fabulous weather energized folks with fervor to prepare for the coming winter. The streets were congested with wagons and carriages, street vendors, and people shopping by the time April completed her self-imposed chores and saddled her horse. She wanted to stop by and check on Morgan and find out how he was doing since Lenora had brought him home. Billy must be running the stage line, but who was driving the stage? Billy wasn’t old enough.

  She wondered how they were doing without Leon around. Sheriff Wilson had a posse out looking for the robbers, but nothing had turned up yet on their trail as far as she knew.

  She let Sassy take her time clopping down the couple of blocks to the depot. When she spotted the mercantile store, a thought struck her, so she turned Sassy toward the store, and Earl waved to her. He was wiping down the glass display window.

  “How are you, Earl?” April said as she slipped off the horse and looped the reins over the hitching post.

  “Just fine. A beautiful day. And you?” He paused with his rag, hands on his hips.

  “I have an idea for a gift for Wes.” April saw his eyebrows lift in question, but she hurried on before he could ask her anything. “Can we go inside? I don’t want to talk on the sidewalk.”

  Her mysterious request moved him into action, so he swung the door open and, with a sweep of his hand, motioned her inside. “I’ll see what I can do for you.”

  Fifteen minutes later, April emerged with a smile on her face and a package underneath her arm. She couldn’t wait to give it to Wes. It was only a little something, but she hoped he’d be pleased.

  When she entered the depot, she was surprised to see Morgan talking with Billy. Lenora was serving coffee while they sat at a small table, and all three looked up as she entered.

  “Howdy, Miss April,” Billy said warmly with his usual bright smile.

  “Hello, everyone. I wanted to stop in and see how you’re doing, Morgan.” April approached the passengers’ waiting area. “From the looks of it, I’d say you’re doing well.”

  “I’m doing great, and grateful to be alive.” He stood up, moving a little stiffly from his seat. “I owe you my thanks. Here, please have a seat.” He pulled out a wooden chair.

  “You don’t owe me a thing. I’ll think of it as my first Montana adventure! But I’m sorry about Leon. He was very kind to me.”

  Lenora gave April a big smile. An apron was tied neatly at her back, and she carried a cookie sheet. Placing the cookies on the table, Lenora got another cup and poured coffee for April. “I have some warm oatmeal cookies. Would you care for one?”

  “I’d love to sample one,” she said, lifting a cookie off the tray and taking a bite. “Delightful, Lenora. Billy, how have you been?”

  Billy stood straighter and pushed back his shoulders. “Just fine, Miss April. I’ve been helping Morgan around here as much as I’m able.”

  Morgan cocked his head to look at the boy. “You’ve been a great help. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you around here.” Morgan smiled broadly, exposing his mouthful of white teeth.

  Billy looked as though his chest might burst, and April was happy he’d found a place to live and work. “He’s a quick learner, and soon he’ll be driving that stage for you, Morgan.”

  “I can hardly wait until you’re better, Boss, so you can teach me.” Billy smiled broadly.

  “Don’t you worry none, Billy, it’ll be sooner than you think,” Morgan said, giving him a clap on the back.

  “How’s Jane and the riding lessons?” Billy asked April with a sheepish look.

  “Wes tells me she’s doing much better.” April tilted her head as a thought formed. “Why don’t you come with me? I’m going out there, and I know she’d be glad to have someone close to her age to ride with. You can see for yourself how she’s doing. That is, if Morgan can spare you for a couple of hours.”

  “You go, Billy. You haven’t had any free time since all this started.”

  “I can?”

  Morgan nodded, smiling back at the boy. “Finish your cookies and saddle up Star. Will and I can handle things this afternoon.”

  “I’ll be outside waiting for you, Miss April.” Billy took off like the room was on fire.

  “Don’t go off without your jacket,” Lenora called after him. “It’s colder this morning.” The three of them laughed at Billy’s excitement and Lenora’s motherly advice.

  “Is Will around?” April asked. “I need to send a telegram.”

  “I’m here.” Will appeared from the office in his usual white shirt and black suspenders, looking like a true office clerk. “What can I do for you?”

  “Oh, I didn’t see you back there, Will. I have a telegram to send back home.” April turned to Morgan and Lenora. “If you will excuse me.” She walked over to where Will stood with his tablet in hand, awaiting her instructions. She gave him the particulars and paid for the telegram,
fully aware that Lenora and Morgan could hear their conversation.

  “I’ll let you know if you get a gram back, or I’ll run it over to you,” Will said as he closed the cash drawer.

  She thanked him, then went back to the waiting area. “Morgan, who’s going to drive the stage next week?” she asked while watching Lenora pick up the coffee cups and napkins. “I saw your sign in the window that your route was postponed.”

  “Oh, are you offering?” He chortled and winked at Lenora.

  “Hardly. I was just curious . . . but if you really needed me to, I suppose I could.”

  “I’m a little sore and stiff, but the doc says I can get back on the road Monday, and I’ll take Billy with me. Now that Lenora’s here, she can help Will out with tickets or anything else that needs seeing to.”

  “I’ll be cooking dinner for the passengers who’d like to buy a meal. I love meeting new people,” Lenora said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Then I can’t wait to taste some of your Southern cooking. I just sent a wire to my maid, Tilly, back in Colorado. I want to see if she’ll make a trip out here.”

  Lenora gave her a strange look, but Morgan teased, “Guess you need a maid to dress you with all those new frocks you bought out here. But I thought you were leaving soon.”

  “It looks as though I might be here awhile, and you’ll get a chance to get to know me even better,” she teased back, knowing she’d been a bit of a thorn in his flesh. “I know you’re just dying to do that.”

  “Won’t matter to me. I can always use a hand with the team,” Morgan said.

  “You don’t mean stay permanently, do you?” Lenora asked. She wiped the crumbs from the table, then paused to wait for April’s response, her hands on her hips.