Western Winter Wedding Bells

by Cheryl St. John, Jenna Kernan

  “Here he is, Miss Rachel,” Mikey Ray said, appearing in the doorway with Johnny. “We had us a good time in the bunkhouse with the boys, didn’t we, Johnny?”

  Johnny bobbed his head up and down and ran to Rachel, clinging to her skirts. She patted his head and smiled into her son’s big loving eyes. “Did you mind Jess and Mikey Ray?”

  “I minded, Mama,” her boy said. At a little over eighteen months old, Johnny was especially bright and talkative for his age. On cold nights, Rachel would sit down with him before the fire and read to him. He loved to listen, to mimic words and before she knew it, he was making short sentences on his own. As smart as he was, he was also adventurous for a little one, and Rachel was forever trying to keep up with his antics.

  She often asked Jess or Mikey Ray to watch him for an hour or two whenever they could spare the time to give her son some male companionship. As a result, both the men had come to love Johnny as much as Johnny loved them.

  “How’s the stranger doing?” Mikey Ray asked, standing in the doorway, taking a quick glance at the curtain.

  “Come in outta the cold and have a warm biscuit and I’ll tell you so you can go back to report to Jess.” Rachel grinned, catching him, but Mikey Ray just shrugged it off. He never minded doing Jess’s biding. The two fought like cats and dogs at times, but they also cared about each other like father and son.

  Aside from one recent incident with a hired hand, Rachel considered herself fortunate in having a small but dedicated bunch of ranch hands.

  She buttered a biscuit and handed it to him. “The stranger’s name is Cooper Garnett and he doesn’t know who shot him. They robbed him of all his possessions and stole his horse. He came to, just a while ago. That’s all I know right now.”

  Mikey Ray dug into the biscuit and with a nod, he spoke with a full mouth. “I’ll tell Jess.” He swallowed then took another bite and waited this time to speak once he’d finished the biscuit. “Mighty good, Miss Rachel.”

  “I’ll send a batch to the bunkhouse.” Rachel set a dozen more biscuits into a basket and covered it with a checkered cloth. She had three other boys, the same age as Mikey Ray working for her that made up the whole of the Double J outfit. She was shorthanded and couldn’t afford to keep up with the bigger, more prosperous ranches in the area who paid their men better.

  “Here you go.” She handed the basket to him. “And be sure to share those biscuits.”

  “I will. Thank you.” Mikey Ray strode to the front door, then stopped and turned. “Do you feel safe in here, now that the stranger’s awake?”

  Rachel took a deep breath, remembering another time when she’d had to fend off the lurid advances of her foreman. Seemed that some men thought that widow meant willing. She’d never put herself in that position again. “I’m not in any danger. I sleep with my Winchester under the bed.”

  “I’ll tell Jess that, too.”

  Rachel watched Mikey Ray close the door and leave.

  “I won’t be giving you cause to use that Winchester.”

  Rachel spun around to find Cooper Garnett leaning against the curtained wall, his chest bare but for the bandage on his right shoulder, and filling out his long johns with a capacity that made her blink, then blink again.

  Heavens, the man gave her pause and palpitations at the same time.

  “Unless you refuse to give me my clothes, Miss Rachel.”

  Chapter Two

  Rachel stepped back, caught unaware by the stranger and bumped into Johnny. She bent to pick him up and held him close as they both looked at the man. “They’re not dry yet.” She pointed toward the hearth. “There’s such a chill in the air, it takes—”

  “I’ll take them anyway,” he said, his body bent as he moved with slow, measured steps toward the fireplace.

  “Wait! You can’t wear those. You’ll catch your death in them. I have some clothes that might fit.”

  He stopped and arched one brow.

  “They’re…” she muttered, and bit her lower lip. “They were my husband’s work clothes. I, uh, you can wear them.”

  Oh, God. The words just slipped from her mouth and now she had to follow through with her offer. She had a drawer full of her husband’s clothes just taking up space, but until now she hadn’t been able to part with Josh’s things. It was selfish of her—she should have given them to Mikey Ray and her other ranch hands. But she kept them as if…as if having them meant she still had a part of Josh with her. That she hadn’t lost him entirely. Some nights, she’d take out his shirt and lie down on the bed clinging to it, breathing in the scent and remembering until she was lulled to sleep.

  Cooper Garnett’s eyes narrowed and he stared at her. “You sure?”

  “Yes, I’ll get them right now, but you have to promise to get back into bed. You’re still weak.”

  His breath came with a heavy sigh. “I won’t be arguing that point.”

  He turned and walked back into Johnny’s room, and Rachel let out the breath she’d been holding when she saw him lie down on the small bed. He didn’t frighten her so much as made her jumpy and she couldn’t figure the why of it.

  She set Johnny down and took his hand. “Come with Mama.”

  A few minutes later, with an armful of clothes and Johnny playing with a toy in the other room, she strode across the house to face a resting Cooper Garnett. “These should make do.” She set them next to him on the bed.

  He gave her a slow nod. “Tell me, was there any sign of the man who shot me and left me for dead? My horse? My belongings?”

  “No, I’m sorry. One of my men alerted Sheriff O’Reilly of what happened, but maybe when you’re up to it, you can give him a better recollection.”

  Cooper leaned his head back. “I wish I had a better recollection. Fact is, I don’t remember much, other than being shot and thrown from my horse.”

  “So, you don’t know who might have done this?”

  He shook his head, his eyes darkened by frustration and anger. “Guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, is all. Someone wanted my horse and my gear.”

  “You’re not from around here,” she said, curious about the stranger.

  “I’m from Nevada. Have a ranch there.”

  Rachel waited for him to tell her more, but he remained silent. She needed more answers than that. “What brought you out here? You’re a long way from home.”

  Cooper took a deep breath and stared into her eyes. His hesitation made her think he wouldn’t answer her question. Finally, and after much thought, he responded in a hard cold voice, barely above a whisper. “I could lie to you. I could tell you I came on business, trying to expand my herd or buy some land here. But you saved my life and I owe you. Fact is, I’m tracking someone who stole from me. Been tracking him for months now and the search led me to these parts.”

  Rachel blinked. The vehemence in his voice made her nerves stand on edge. Whatever was stolen must have been valuable. “So maybe he was the one who shot you?”

  “There’s a slim to none chance of that. He doesn’t know I’m after him. I’ve been very careful. But if he was the one who shot me, he’d think I’m dead now, which would make my search easier. His guard would be down. I don’t believe that’s the case, though.”

  “Will you go to the sheriff?”

  “I plan to.”

  Rachel took a big swallow, and fear must have shown on her face because the minute he noticed, the hardness in his eyes softened. “You don’t have to fear me, Rachel. I’m just a man seeking justice. I meant it when I said I’d never give you cause to use that Winchester.”

  She’d never turn away an innocent victim, but she had Johnny to worry over and she needed assurances that this man wouldn’t bring harm to her family. She was glad to hear he wasn’t taking the law into his own hands, but seeking out the sheriff. Rachel’s mood lightened some and she smiled. “Unless I don’t give you back your clothes.”

  His lips lifted slightly. “You’ve been more than kind to m
e. I’ll find a way to repay you.”

  “There’s no need to repay me.”

  Cooper’s lips twisted and then he glanced at the clothes. “I’ll be needing to put those on now. Nature’s calling.”

  Heat crawled up her throat as she tried not to appear embarrassed. “I’ll leave it to you, then. There’s an outhouse in the back,” she managed, wanting to squirm right out of her skin at such an intimate conversation. “Do you need any—”

  “I’ll manage, Rachel.” He lifted up from the bed and took the clothes in his hands. “Appreciate this.”

  Rachel scurried out of the room, pulling the curtain closed but not before noting color draining from Cooper’s face as he lifted his arm to put on the shirt. She could almost feel his pain, but pride and a sense of decorum that she appreciated had him refusing her help.

  A short time later, Cooper emerged from the room, dressed in Josh’s clothes. The shirt fit him tight across the chest and the trousers belted at the right point on his waist. All in all, the fit was almost perfect and for a moment Rachel couldn’t breathe. Cooper didn’t look a lick like Josh, but seeing him in those clothes brought back memories that pained her heart.

  She said nothing as he made his way through the kitchen and out the door. She had no idea how on earth he managed to pull his boots on, but he had dressed himself and she was thankful for it. She didn’t have the gumption to dress a stranger in Josh’s clothes.

  But ten minutes later, when Cooper hadn’t returned, Rachel glanced out the kitchen window to find the sun lowering on the horizon creating dark shadows across the entire yard. She saw Cooper then, slowly making his way back to the house. He lost his footing at one point and stumbled, catching himself with his right arm against the branches of a tree to stay upright. Pain slashed across his face.

  “Lord above!” Rachel understood a man’s pride, but as the woman doctoring him back to health, she couldn’t abide him hurting himself further.

  She walked through the back door and strode over to him. His face was pale, his eyes bleak. Instantly, she put his arm around her shoulder and took some of his weight. “Lean on me, Mr. Garnett. We’ll walk slow.”

  He wasn’t in any shape to argue. Clearly, he’d taxed his strength by dressing himself and making the trip to the outhouse. “You’re a stubborn one,” he muttered quietly.

  “Only half as stubborn as you. And with a mite more sense.”

  She walked him up the steps and into the house. Their bodies brushed in intimate ways that would have made her blush fully, but for the weakness of the man beside her. He leaned more and more of his weight on her and she picked up her pace, fearful he might collapse before she got him into bed. He clung to her tight, and once they got to the bedroom, he gave up the fight entirely and landed on the bed, taking her with him.

  She found herself tangled in his arms, strewn across his body. “Oh!”

  He was hard as steel, but warm, too. His heat encompassed her and his labored breaths blew tendrils of her hair off her forehead.

  He groaned from deep in his throat.

  “Are you all right?” she whispered, twisting carefully off him so as not to injure his bad side. She felt a true measure of guilt that she’d actually enjoyed being in his arms for those brief seconds. It wasn’t Cooper Garnett that warranted those feelings in her, she surmised. It was that she’d been alone so long and that one moment of being held had reminded her of the woman she’d once been—a woman who’d had warmth and love in her life.

  “Depends,” he said quietly.

  “How so?” Rachel moved off the bed and stood above him.

  “On the one hand, my shoulder aches like the devil and I’m weak as a newborn pup, but on the other hand, I’ve got me the prettiest doctor in California tending my wounds and looking out for me.”

  Rachel didn’t miss the compliment nor did she acknowledge it. But it warmed her through and through. She straightened her dress and when she looked into his eyes, she found him staring at her. She felt a sizzle of awareness, having him look at her that way. But just seconds later, he closed his eyes and before she stepped out of the room, she heard snores that meant deep and much-needed sleep for her patient.

  The weather was cool after such a hard rain and light snow, but Rachel turned her cheeks up to the sun and let the penetrating rays fill her with warmth. It was a glorious, blue-sky day with clouds forming cotton puff patterns above. She swept the front porch as sunshine seeped into her bones. Johnny sat in the big oak chair watching.

  “Mama,” he said, his tiny voice a constant source of joy, especially when he spoke her name. He pointed to the corral. “Look, horses, horses.”

  “Yes, horses,” she said, for the umpteenth time this season. He loved to point at objects and say their name. It was a game she’d begun playing with him months ago…now she almost wished he wasn’t so astute. When he was awake, he’d barely let her have a quiet moment of thought to herself.

  “Barn.” He pointed. “Mik-key.”

  “Yes, that’s the barn. And that’s Mikey Ray.”

  Rachel waved to her ranch hand and he smiled, giving her a wave back.

  “Coooo-per,” her son said, pointing to the door at her back.

  She whirled around and found Cooper Garnett watching her. He leaned on the doorjamb, looking better than she’d seen him look since she’d taken him in. His eyes shone bright, the dark hue in them more vivid and clear. His stance was stronger and even though he favored his right shoulder, the favoring wasn’t as pronounced now. He’d lain low since she’d helped him inside from the outhouse, two days ago. He ate what she brought to him and slept most of the day, regaining his energy.

  “Mornin’,” he said, gazing at her intently.

  “Good morning.” Why would the sight of him looking healthy and on his way to a full mend make her tingle?

  “You’re looking well. I’ve got biscuits and eggs heating on the stove if you’re hungry.” She put up the broom and shook out her apron. “I can—”

  “Don’t, Rachel.” He stopped her abruptly, his voice harsh. He took a look at Johnny, who seemed mesmerized by him, and turned away instantly, his eyes cold. “You don’t need to serve me.”

  Rachel slumped her shoulders. “You sure are grouchy this morning.”

  He blinked and rubbed his beard several times, eyeing her. “I’ve got to—

  But a commotion in the corral interrupted him. Horses whinnied wildly and backed up against the fence, herding together in a fit of panic. Mikey Ray had just entered the pen to pick his mount today and he yowled as he got caught in the frenzy. Rachel saw him get sandwiched in between two mares. He was in danger of getting crushed. She cried out when she saw a frightened mare buck and knock the boy down.

  “Get me your rifle, Rachel. Now!” Cooper took off toward the corral.

  Rachel didn’t hesitate. The command in Cooper’s voice had her running into the house and grabbing the Winchester she kept under her bed. She raced back outside and found him pulling Mikey Ray out of the corral to safety. “He’s hurt!”

  He grabbed the Winchester from her hand. “Looks like a mountain lion,” he said, leaving her with her ranch hand and striding around the corral with a steady sure-footed gate. He spotted the stalking animal and it took off running.

  Rachel, bent over Mikey Ray, jumped when a shot rang out. She jumped a second time when another shot fired. “It’s okay, Mikey,” she said, smoothing his hair from his face. She touched the spot cautiously where she’d seen the horse kick him.

  “Ow!”

  “Sorry. I have to open up your shirt and see your injury.” Working with care, she unbuttoned his vest and then his red shirt. There was no blood on his undershirt, which was a good sign. But as she pushed it up gently, she saw bruising already appearing on his skin, angry red splotches on his youthful chest. She touched him gingerly and he flinched each time. “I’m sorry, Mikey Ray,” she said, her heart aching to see him in so much pain and obviously trying hard not to
show it.

  “What’s…it…look like?” he muttered? “Am…I…gonna…live?”

  Rachel hid her smile. The boy was scared. “Of course. I think you’ve got broken ribs. Does it hurt to breathe?”

  “Everything…hurts,” he managed quietly, “when…I breathe.”

  Cooper appeared, holding the Winchester. She was thankful for him being there. All the others, Jess included, had ridden out on the range already. He didn’t make mention of it, but she knew he’d killed the mountain lion. “How’s the boy?”

  “I think he’s got a few broken ribs.”

  “He’s lucky then. Could have been worse.”

  Mikey Ray peered up at Cooper, his blue eyes fading into oblivion. “Would have been…” he huffed out, not finishing his thought. His eyes closed.

  “Mama…Mikey.”

  Rachel turned to find her son by her side, gazing with big frightened eyes at Mikey Ray. “He’s going to be okay, Johnny.” She hugged him around his little waist. “Mikey needs to rest.”

  “Where do you want him?” Cooper asked.

  “In the bunkhouse. I’ll wrap his chest and then ride into town to get the doctor, but do you think you should—”

  Before she got the words out, Cooper Garnett had picked up Mikey Ray and carried him through the bunkhouse door. Rachel lifted up her son and followed, hurrying her steps to keep up with Cooper. To her amazement, he showed no signs of weakness now, though he had to be taxed after chasing down the mountain lion and then carrying Mikey indoors.

  “Thank you,” she said, once he’d settled the boy down on one of the four beds. “Mikey, I’ll be back. I’ve got to gather a few things to take care of you.”

  The boy nodded, his eyes still closed, his face twisted in pain.

  “Johnny, you stay in here with Cooper.” She set her boy down and glanced at Cooper. He took a look at Johnny, his eyes unreadable, before nodding. She’d never left Johnny alone with Cooper, not for a second, but she wouldn’t be gone long and Cooper had just risked his own well-being to save a stranger and her horses. He was a decent man. “I’ll be right back.”