To Bed A Montana Man (Montana Men)

by KyAnn Waters

  “You should be asleep.”

  Allison jumped at the sound of Sandy’s voice. She hadn’t heard anyone approach. “Hi,” she said, unable to look at Sandy. She didn’t want to see pleasure in her sated smile. “I just made a fresh pot of coffee. I’m going to my room.” Allison hurried past.

  Sandy reached out and caught her by the arm. “Wait a minute.”

  Allison stopped but kept her eyes to the floor, focusing on a scuffmark. The glimpse she stole told her everything she needed to know. Sandy had the look of a woman who had been thoroughly ravished. After these weeks in the brothel, she recognized the telltale signs; untamed hair, swollen lips, and flushed cheeks. “I’m tired.”

  “No, I think it’s something else and I’d like to know what’s bothering you. A few hours ago, you were humming like a bird.” Sandy lifted Allison’s face by the chin. “I go to work, and you look like you’ve lost your puppy.”

  Allison shrugged and pulled away from Sandy. “I’m just tired.”

  “Listen little girl, I didn’t just fall off the back of a wagon. You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” Sandy laughed. “You’re giving me the cold shoulder. Oh, you are a breath of fresh air.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “Such an amusing notion. I am going to miss you.”

  Allison froze. She pushed too far and now Sandy intended to dismiss her. “I’m sorry. Marion warned me to mind my own business. I know I have no right to judge Mr. Bester.”

  “TJ?”

  “I know he’s a man and has needs. I should be used to seeing married men patronizing the Dusty Rose.” She took a deep breath, but continued her defense. “I’ve met Mr. Bester.”

  “I know,” Sandy said, but Allison wasn’t listening. Her dismissal rang too loudly in her ears.

  “And his children—he has the most extraordinary little girl. Smart, independent, all the qualities I admire in an adult in a sweet, sweet child. His son went to bed. I didn’t spend much time with him. His wife may not be the best housekeeper or mother.” She took a quick breath, but Sandy interrupted her.

  “He’s not married. Allison, you’re wrong. His wife has been gone more than a year now.”

  Suddenly it all made sense. How could she have been so imperceptive? The dirty house, Sissy in her mothering role, and TJ getting his little boy ready for bed, and most of all his brusqueness whenever she mentioned his wife should have told her she assumed incorrectly. If TJ’s proximity hadn’t unnerved her, maybe she would have paid more attention. It was hard enough remembering to breathe when he was in the room.

  Allison sat at the kitchen table while Sandy moved to the stove to pour each of them a cup of coffee. “TJ lost his wife just before last winter. He has his hands full with his ranch. You wouldn’t know it. He’s a devoted father. He shelters those children too much because he doesn’t want them hurt. Losing Janelle was hard on everyone. He started coming in here a couple of months after the funeral.” She set the cup of coffee in front of Allison. “I can make him forget his problems and remind him he’s a man for an hour. He talks, I listen and then he goes back to his hectic life.” Sandy sat. “He comes to me because he’s a private man. He appreciates that I don’t share his business with anyone.”

  Allison wrapped her hands around her coffee cup. “I’m so sorry.” She hesitantly met Sandy’s stare across the table. “I made a mistake. I’m not sure what to say. I shouldn’t have drawn conclusions. Please don’t make your decision final. I don’t want to lose my job. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  “You misunderstand. I’m not mad at you, just the opposite. And that is why you can’t stay.”

  “What have I done? I thought you were happy with my position here. It seems harsh to let me go now.”

  “Maybe it is.” Sandy took a sip of coffee and shrugged. “I’ve made my decision, and I’m not inclined to change it. I saw you tonight. You were uncomfortable even pretending to be a whore.”

  “I appreciate the time you’ve allowed me to stay.” Allison stood. In her haste, she bumped the table, causing her coffee to slosh out of her cup. “I’ll clean out my room and be on my way.”

  “Sit down, Allison. I’m not finished explaining myself.”

  Allison wiped tears from her cheek with the back of her hand.

  “You deserve better than cleaning up after whores. I’m not one to ask favors of the gentlemen who patronize my business. I made an exception tonight. I spoke with TJ. He might’ve been hesitant at first, but he’s agreed to employ you at the ranch.”

  Allison’s breath hitched. “I can’t.” Unmarried, young women didn’t live with widowed men. She supposed proper women didn’t work in brothels either. There was one enormous difference. The men in the brothel didn’t weaken her knees and make her breasts tingle. Her heartbeat escalated thinking of TJ alone in the big house on the hill. “Besides, I’ve already asked and he said no.”

  “He agreed when I asked him. He’s asleep in my bed. When he leaves, he is going to take you with him.” Sandy stood and pulled Allison into a hug. “We’ll miss you,” she said, stepping back. “Don’t think of this as goodbye. I’ll expect you to visit whenever you come to town.” Sandy placed her hand on Allison’s cheek. “I chose this profession. I’m educated, and I know how to make money. Children were never part of my plan. But I’d like to believe that if I would have had a daughter, she would’ve been like you.”

  “You’ve shown me more love than my mother ever did.” Her mother had only ever wanted her to marry for money and to take a step up the social ladder. Never had she concerned herself with Allison’s happiness. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”

  “Okay, enough of this sentimental fluff. Go get your belongings and say goodbye to your friends. They’ll all want to wish you luck.”

  * * *

  Allison perched next to TJ Bester on the bench of his buckboard. Her bag sat along with the supplies he’d come to town to purchase. The wagon pulled out of Copper City. They traveled in moonlit darkness. It would be another hour before first light, until then, they were alone with the moon, the stars, and the blackness of the forest around them.

  Allison had been on this journey once before. She knew how long she would be sitting next to this extremely quiet and private man. At least when she’d traveled with Train, there had been enjoyable conversation to help pass the time.

  “I’ll miss Sandy and the girls,” she said.

  TJ looked in her direction, but didn’t speak. His eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts. Curiosity nearly drove her to ask. Instead, she chewed the inside of her cheek.

  The horses kept a rhythm and each step on the hard ground made Allison’s bottom ache. Periodically, she’d look at TJ to see if he showed the same discomfort. His eyes never left the road, and he made no gestures to say he’d like to have a conversation. She wanted to ask him if this was how their working relationship would be. Before, when she’d seen him in his home with his children, he seemed relaxed and friendly. He’d been approachable. The tight line of his mouth now contradicted the man she’d met before.

  Another hour passed in silence. If Allison asked a question, TJ would respond with a nod or shake of his head. This was ridiculous. Sandy had assured her that he was agreeable to her employment. Yet, he hadn’t spoken to her.

  “Perhaps now would be a good time for us to discuss my responsibilities.”

  TJ growled low and his hands tightened on the reins. What before lacked any expression, now clearly looked annoyed. “I haven’t had much time to think about it.”

  “If you didn’t want to hire me, you could have said no.”

  “Sandy never asks for anything. Wasn’t about to say no the first time I could pay her back some for what she does for me.”

  “I thought you paid when services were rendered,” she mumbled.

  When TJ didn’t respond, she wondered if he heard her. He didn’t seem like a man of patience. If she wanted to stay at the Bester Ranch, she suspected she was going
to have to abide by certain rules. Train intimated as much on her first attempt at employment.

  TJ pulled the canteen from under his seat and took a large swallow before handing it to her.

  Allison took the canteen. She trembled from the touch of his hand when it brushed against hers. Apprehensive and at the same time desperate, she wanted to work for him. Just work, she reminded herself. She didn’t need him to see her eagerness to please, giving him the wrong idea. She did not intend to fill Sandy’s position. She closed her eyes. She didn’t even want to think about those positions. It caused an unwelcomed warming heat between her legs.

  Regardless of how the opportunity arose, she was determined to make the most of her new job. Without much experience in the kitchen, she knew that would be her biggest challenge. The children and the cleaning would be a snap. When she was through with the floors, they would shine. The windows would sparkle. When he came home for the day from whatever it was he did at the ranch, the children would be clean and fed.

  Truthfully, she didn’t have much exposure to country life. Living in Copper City was rural compared to life in Boston.

  “You’ll have the room you slept in when you were at the house before,” he said. “I’m concerned about Sissy. She likes to take care of me, and I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be to another woman moving into the house. She’s not over the loss of her mother, and I don’t want her hurting.”

  “I promise I’ll be careful with her feelings. Until she lets me know differently, I won’t attempt to take over any of her duties.”

  “Including Michael. We call him Tiger. She’s taken over the mothering. Don’t push her to give that up.” He growled again and ran his hand through his hair. “I wish I could’ve prepared her for this.”

  She clenched her hands in her lap. “A few weeks ago, my employment wasn’t an option. Are you changing your mind just for Sandy?”

  “Yep. I wouldn’t have brought you out to the ranch. It’s going to be disruptive. Too disruptive,” he mumbled. “So yes, Sandy is the only reason you’ve got the job. Whether or not you keep it, is up to you. As long as you know and follow my rules, we’ll get along fine.”

  She knew it. There were bound to be lots of rules. Nothing new there. Her mother reigned as queen of rules. It seemed TJ intended to be king. She’d learn to be a loyal subject, unless she wanted a life in a brothel.

  TJ watched her face. She was an oddity. He didn’t have to ask what she was thinking. It clearly expressed in the tilt of her eyebrows and the curve of her mouth. He had no business thinking about her mouth. Lips like velvet, soft in appearance.

  TJ had never seen a woman like Allison before. When she had shown up on his doorstep, he’d wondered if he’d ever see her again. He hadn’t liked the look of her then and he liked it even less now.

  Life was comfortable with his visits to Sandy and the memory of his wife keeping him warm at night. His wife had been the only woman who’d ever stirred him. He neither pined for nor wanted another woman crashing into his life. But like a head-on collision between two trains, he could feel the tension tightening between him and his new hire.

  TJ was a good judge of people, just one of the reasons contributing to his success. He recognized a trustworthy individual. Ms. Lake, he decided, was just the kind of woman he could find himself in trouble with. The last thing he wanted was an entanglement.

  “Do you need a rest?” TJ asked. The sun blazed directly above them. Good weather promised around the corner. Afternoons finally felt the warmth of the sun. Trees budded and spring green bloomed where snow melted. In the mountain passes, the wind still whipped and the snow still sparkled, but there was definite evidence that the time for change had come.

  Allison nodded and TJ pulled the rig into a clearing. She excused herself into the nearby trees. When she returned, TJ had built a fire and heated water for coffee.

  “Have you always lived in Montana?”

  He liked the way she tucked her legs underneath her skirt when she sat near him on the ground. “I’ve lived my whole life in this valley.” He returned her smile. “It’s my home.”

  They talked about life in Montana while they sipped coffee and ate. “We’ll be home for supper. Cake does all the cooking for the help.”

  “Cake? Does anyone have a traditional name at your ranch?”

  “Ranch life is lonely. Most of the men don’t have families and of the ones that do, some live on the property and others go home on Sunday. We’re a family and naturally everyone earns a nickname. Wouldn’t surprise me if they give you one on the first day.”

  Allison raised her eyebrows, and her mouth slowly spread into a smile. “And what name do you think they’ll give me?”

  TJ’s neck grew hot. He could feel the red racing into his cheeks. He liked the twinkle in her eye. He needed to stop acknowledging the parts he liked, and refocus on the fact that he didn’t want her at the ranch. He ought to stop trying to convince himself. If he didn’t want her at the ranch, she wouldn’t be going, favor to Sandy be damned.

  Allison laughed. “I don’t care if the world knows I worked in a brothel. I wasn’t a whore. So, I don’t have anything to be ashamed of.”

  “No one will comment about your previous employment.” TJ’s stern voice brooked no argument. “Sandy told me as much as I need to know of your history. Boston, young, alone, and as far as she is concerned, you’re too good for a whorehouse. She doesn’t warm up to strangers the way she did to you. I admit I’m intrigued to discover the fascination.” With that TJ stood. He took the canteen, dumped the water, extinguishing the fire. “Time to go.”

  Allison gathered her skirts. TJ held his hand out, helping her onto the buckboard. The calloused touch of his fingers against the tender flesh of her arm caused her to stumble with her footing.

  “Careful.” The subtleness of his voice, close to her ear, made her shiver with awareness.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking her seat. TJ vaulted to the buckboard and sat beside her.

  They continued to the ranch. Like a watercolor painting, the dusky sky was streaked with hues of copper and pink. The ranch house appeared majestic on the canvas of colors. On the other hand, TJ’s posture stiffened and eyes darkened like the approach of a winter storm.

  “I’ll explain your presence to Sissy tomorrow. Tonight let her believe you’re visiting.”

  “Do you really think she’ll be upset?” Allison asked. Sissy was just a child. Adults made decisions and children obeyed. At least, when she was growing up her mother dictated the movements of the home.

  “I honestly don’t know what she’ll say. I figure she’ll be easier to talk to if I take her for a horseback ride in the morning. Get Tiger his breakfast, and we’ll meet up with you midday.”

  Allison followed TJ into the house. Lamps blazed. A man Allison hadn’t met before sat in the living room with the children. When Sissy saw her father, she squealed and ran into his arms. She had a smile for Allison and a nod of acknowledgement.

  “I remember you,” Sissy said.

  “I remember you, too. It’s nice to see you again.”

  TJ went to his son. He picked him up and gave him a hug. “Ms. Lake decided to come for a visit.”

  The man who’d been watching the children looked amused as he excused himself. “See you in the morning, Boss.”

  “Thanks, Charlie.”

  TJ and Allison took the children into the kitchen. Supper warmed on the stove and the house smelled of beef stew. Allison could imagine evenings like this every night. TJ coming home from work, only she would have prepared the meal, and the house would be neat and tidy instead of dusty and in need of cleaning.

  “Are you hungry,” he asked coming up behind her.

  If she expected to remain unflustered in TJ’s company, she had to get over the butterflies flitting about in her stomach. Otherwise, she was going to find it difficult to carry a conversation. “Yes,” she said, managing not to squeak. “Starving, actually.”
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  Chapter Five

  The sound of a rooster roused Allison from a fitful slumber. Granted, she hadn’t had long to adjust to the brothel, nonetheless, it had become home. Sleeping in a strange bed without the bustle of town nightlife outside her window made her strangely uncomfortable—isolated.

  The Bester Ranch had been her dream, but nothing thus far had gone as she imagined. She wasn’t exactly sure what the day would bring, but she was determined to be ready.

  Rugs lined the wood floor. Her feet crushed the soft texture as she made her way to the dresser. Her body shook uncontrollably in the chilled room.

  Fumbling for the matches, she finally lit the lamp. She quickly dressed in a plain brown dress that served well for cleaning. She stood at the window and watched the sun peak over the mountains on the horizon as she pulled her hair into a bun. She turned at a soft knocking on the door.

  “Come in.” She stood straight and smoothed the folds of her skirt knowing it would be TJ. Breathing in, she prepared to face the man who’d invaded her dreams most of the night.

  “Good morning.” The scent of wood and flannel followed him into the room. It mingled with the smell of rose lotion she wore. “How did you sleep?”

  “It always takes a few days to adjust to new surroundings. I’m sure it’ll improve.”

  TJ slid his hands into the front pockets of his work jeans. “We’ve got a problem with one of the irrigation canals. I’ll be in the fields most of the day.” Why did he suddenly feel the need to explain his whereabouts?

  She looked at him with a smile on her lips, almost as if she knew the images in his mind. But of course, that wasn’t the case because if she could, he was sure to feel the sting of her hand across his face. The dress she wore clung to her small frame and gave a graceful swell to her hips. He wondered how he could have ever thought she was a well-fed girl. Her feminine figure was not as he remembered.