Amanda’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s happening. It’s really happening.”
Jackson opened the door. “Come on, sis. Let’s go or you’ll have me all teary-eyed.”
Amanda swatted her brother’s arm, and the three of them headed for the law office.
* * *
At three o’clock, Lily entered the building she’d been informed was the Morgan horse barn, intending to meet with Jackson for the promised tour of the ranch. Since the moment he’d suggested it, Lily had looked forward to seeing more of the Double M and spending time with Jackson.
She paused for a few moments to allow her eyes to adjust to the darkened interior. Several horses shuffled their feet and the animal closest to her peered over his stall door, an expectant expression on its face. No doubt, the beast hoped she’d come to take him for a run.
“Hello, my lovely. I’m not certain if I’ll be riding you or not,” she whispered to the horse, rubbing its nose as she spoke. Her father kept a stable full of horses and she’d become an accomplished rider back East. She hadn’t been out riding since her mother’s passing, and she truly looked forward to being on a horse again.
Jackson appeared to be nowhere in sight.
She still couldn’t figure him out. One moment he seemed kind-hearted to a fault, going out of his way to do her a favor or lend a hand. The next thing she knew, he’d turned into a churlish fusspot complaining about everyone and everything and confusing her no end. Hopefully, kind-hearted Jackson was available to escort her on this tour. Otherwise, she might bow out of the entire plan.
“Sorry I’m late.” Jackson swept into the barn and hurried toward her. “Got tied up with Lawrence over a mix-up in a feed order.”
“You’re forgiven. I’ve only just arrived myself,” Lily explained.
Jackson stood beside the horse’s stall, grinning. “I see you’ve made acquaintances with old Mick. He’s a fine gelding and very spirited for a twelve-year-old. I’ve picked out a gentle mare for you to ride.”
“I’d much rather ride Mick. We’ve been getting on famously.” Lily continued rubbing the horse’s head and neck and she’d swear the gelding was smiling. Mick nickered as if he seconded the request.
“Are you certain he’s not too much horse for you?”
“I rode my father’s Thoroughbreds back in Boston. I doubt Mick has any tricks I haven’t seen. He and I will enjoy a lovely time together,” Lily informed him.
Jackson shook his head. “All right, then. I’ll have him saddled for you.”
“Oh, I can saddle him myself.”
“Do you ride English or Western?” Jackson’s eyebrows rose.
Lily realized there possibly wasn’t an English saddle within a hundred miles of the ranch. “Perhaps you’d best have him saddled for me. Do you have side saddles?”
“That we do. Ma rode side saddle and so does Amanda.”
Lily blew out her breath, not realizing she’d been holding it in hopes of receiving a favorable response regarding the saddle. She certainly didn’t want Jackson and every other male on the ranch viewing a scandalous amount of female leg if she was forced to ride astride in her day dress. “Thank you. That would be appreciated.”
“Ma loved a spirited horse, and she occasionally rode side saddle upon Mick,” Jackson said, opening the stall and leading Mick out. “I’ll saddle him up and we’ll be on our way.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jackson and Lily rode abreast across the valley and Lily hadn’t felt so exhilarated in ages. She inhaled the clear mountain air, the scent of sage filling her lungs. The stress of the past few months slipped away, replaced by pure elation. She’d certainly made the right decision coming to Montana.
“I cannot believe how beautiful it is here,” she gushed, as the horses climbed the steep hill leading out of the valley. Mick attempted to race off, but she tightened her grip on the reins and brought him back under control in no time. When his second attempt was equally unsuccessful, he realized he wasn’t in charge.
“Excellent horsemanship,” Jackson observed from his mount, a pure black gelding he’d called Dixon.
“Thank you. I’ve been riding since I turned six.” Lily caught herself beaming. “I love it. And I’m going to thoroughly enjoy this tour.”
“And it’s only begun.” Jackson patted Dixon’s neck. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I still marvel at the wonder of this ranch. I can’t see myself living or working anywhere but on the Double M.”
Lily glanced at him. “And you shouldn’t. It’s your birthright.”
She gasped when a deer leapt out of the trees several feet ahead of them before bounding down into the valley. The well-trained horses continued on as if nothing had happened. “My goodness. What a beautiful animal. I’ve never seen a deer so close up before.”
“Pretty tasty, too,” Jackson teased. “Venison is a favorite of mine.”
“You’re a cattle rancher! Shouldn’t you love beef?”
“I do, but I enjoy a change once in a while.” Jackson pointed to his left. “That’s the Jefferson River running through our land. Being so close to the water source is wonderful for the cattle. I’m certain Mr. Miller, the original owner, chose this piece of land for his ranch due in large part to its proximity to the river.”
“Smart fellow, that Mr. Miller.”
“Pa’s just as savvy about ranching. He told us his family ranched in Texas, but he set out for Montana looking for adventure.”
Lily figured AJ’s past love of adventure helped him understand her desire to start anew by traveling halfway across the country on her own to secure her safety and independence. Proposal or no proposal. “Does AJ still have family in Texas?”
“I doubt it. He’s never mentioned anyone.”
For the next few hours, they rode throughout some of the vast ranch boundaries enjoying companionable conversation while Jackson informed her of the names of certain trees and other vegetation she found unfamiliar. They waved to a group of ranch hands herding a large number of what she learned were shorthorn cattle to a different area of the ranch, allowing the grass to recover from recent grazing. Lily found all of it extremely interesting and hated to see the sun moving lower in the sky, knowing it would soon be time to head back to the barn.
“I’ve got one more thing to show you,” Jackson announced. “Want to race?”
Lily grinned at him. “Lead the way.”
Jackson kneed Dixon and the horse leapt ahead of her and Mick. Not to be outdone, Mick covered the distance between them in no time and the riders and mounts flew across the valley. Soon, they halted outside a small wooden shack that had no doubt seen better days.
“It ain’t pretty to look at, but this decrepit old place has saved a lot of lives. Ranch hands caught out in a sudden storm while working the cattle or heading home from Milestone. We insist folks leave it as they find it: stocked with wood for the fire and tidied up. Sourdough Sammy restocks the shelves with canned goods and changes out the blankets for clean ones on a regular schedule.”
They entered the rundown shack, illuminated by late afternoon light filtered through the grime-covered glass windows. She could discern two built-in cots along the far wall, an old woodstove in one corner, and a decrepit wooden table and four mismatched chairs. Shelves held canned goods and chipped plates and crockery. An old kettle and cast iron frying pan sat on the woodstove. The wood box overflowed with wood and a box of kindling stood beside it. A box of warm work gloves and woolen mittens sat on the floor underneath several heavy coats and woolen hats that hung on hooks by the door, all ready when needed.
Lily chuckled. “You’re right. It’s not pretty. But if caught in a blizzard, it would look like a palace to a weary, half-frozen and frightened traveler.”
Jackson grinned. “About sums it up.”
After the quick walk through the old cabin, Jackson pointed out the large lean-to used to shelter horses from a storm, and Lily spotted a privy out back of the cabin. As the sun dro
pped nearer to the horizon, they mounted up again and headed for home. Not having been riding in ages, Lily ached in places she didn’t care to mention aloud, but thankfully, a hot bath awaited her back at the house.
“I wouldn’t have traded this day for anything,” she said, stifling a yawn. “Thank you so much. I understand why you love this land.”
“You’re welcome, Lily. Maybe someday you’ll come to love it, too.”
“It wouldn’t take long,” she whispered. Seeing a whole new side to him today—relaxed, content, joking—she might come to love his ranch and him just as quickly.
She jolted in the saddle.
Now where had that thought come from?
She’d just met him!
Of course, she’d arrived here intending to marry his father, a man she hadn’t laid eyes on before. At least, she could take her time and see where things might lead with Jackson. She could see herself falling in love with a Montana rancher. Stranger things had happened.
Chapter 8
Jackson peered into his father’s bedroom, having heard him suffering another coughing bout a few minutes ago. AJ sat upright in bed, covers to his chin, sipping steaming hot tea. He handed the teacup to Lily. “Thank you. The hot liquid seems to help.”
“Rubbing your chest with the liniment should help also.” Lily fluffed the pillows at his back as she spoke. “Hopefully, this is only the affects from taking a chill in that cold rain yesterday, and not the beginning of something more serious.”
Jackson’s breath caught and his hands fisted at his side. What the heck was going on? Why was Lily in Pa’s bedroom? Shouldn’t Amanda be tending to their father’s needs?
Lily placed her hand on AJ’s forehead. “You’re very warm. I don’t doubt you have a fever.”
Jackson almost stormed into the room and demanded Lily leave. If she was touching anyone so gently and lovingly, he wanted it to be him.
AJ patted her hand. “Now, you’re fussing, Lily. You’re as bad as Amanda.”
“Your daughter is busy finishing a dress and I volunteered to help her out by watching over you.” Lily seated herself on a small chair beside AJ’s bed. “Shall I read to you for a while? It might help you fall asleep.”
Jackson gaped. For the love of all things holy. He couldn’t take any more of this. He wasn’t certain of the effect her ministrations were making on his father. But if she’d been tending to Jackson so lovingly, there’d be a wedding by the weekend!
“Lily, how is your patient doing?” Jackson stepped into the room and met her eyes. “I wasn’t aware you were trained as a nurse?”
Lily laughed and Jackson had never heard a more lovely sound.
“Goodness, no. But I tended Mother before her passing. Of course, I can never remember Father being ill a day in life.”
Jackson’s heart melted every time she smiled at him. He forgot how annoyed with her he’d been a minute ago, watching her tending to his pa.
“There’s no need for all this to-do over a bit of fever. I’ve probably nothing more than the beginnings of a head cold from the chill. I’ll be good as new a week from now,” AJ predicted, yawning.
“There you have it!” Jackson declared. “No need for all this pampering. You’ll have Pa spoiled rotten. Let him get some sleep. Best medicine there is.”
“Thank you, Doctor McLennon,” Lily teased, swatting Jackson’s arm. “I feel so much better about my patient as you called him.”
“Out of here, both of you. Leave a man to his rest,” AJ muttered, slipping farther under the covers and heaving a sigh. “Take the lamp with you and close the door behind yourselves.”
“Will do, Pa. Sleep well.” Jackson guided Lily and her tray of medicines and teacup out the door.
“Goodnight, AJ,” Lily called as Jackson closed the door. She immediately turned and whispered, “That bordered on rude. Your father is not feeling well at all. He’s running a fever and I certainly don’t like the sound of that cough.”
Jackson stood feet slightly apart, hand on hip. “Rude? Shall I read to you for a while? Laying it on a little thick, wouldn’t you say? The man’s not an invalid.”
Lily gasped. “Were you eavesdropping?”
“Not intentionally. I heard Pa coughing and I came to check on him,” he replied, in his own defense.
“But I’m not allowed to do the same on your sister’s behalf?”
“If all that arguing is your idea of courtship, would the two of you please do it somewhere else so I can sleep?” AJ called through the door from his bed.
Jackson burst into laughter.
Lily’s mouth fell open and she glared at him. “Courtship? Not on your life.” She turned on her heel and strode toward the staircase.
“Night, Pa!” Jackson headed back to his own room.
Courtship? The idea held merit. But he’d wait until those feathers his father just ruffled settled back into place. Then he just might initiate that courtship his father suggested.
* * *
A week later, Jackson entered the barn, looking for the foreman. One of the hands mentioned seeing Lawrence in the horse barn talking to Miss Lily a few minutes ago. What in the world would Lily be doing in the horse barn? Surely, she hadn’t taken it into her head to go riding by herself. If she lost her way back to the barn, they could be searching for days on a ranch this size before finding her.
He paused after stepping inside. Soft, soothing words carried to his ears and he smiled. No matter how long he lived, he would never tire of listening to the lovely lilt to her voice.
“Lily,” he called softly, not wanting to startle her.
“We’re over here in this stall,” she replied.
We? Jackson’s breath caught. Who the heck was with her? If someone dared to harm her or compromise her virtue, he’d beat the man to within an inch of his life. Jackson charged down the aisle to the far end of the barn where he heard her continuing to speak in gentle terms. When he looked over the stall door, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Is that the old dog that showed up here a few days ago?”
Lily nodded. “We thought she was just a fat old stray with a dirty, matted coat. But I’ve given her a bath and named her Maudie. And I’ve discovered that Maudie was not fat, she’s a new mother.”
Lily shuffled to the side in the straw providing him with a clearer view. Jackson stared in disbelief at the six black and white puppies—no doubt, Floyd was their father—hungrily nursing as the dog lay on her side on an old horse blanket, relaxed and completely content in her new role of motherhood.
“I don’t believe it.” Jackson noticed Lily’s disheveled condition: day dress streaked with blood, face smeared with dirt, and straw sticking out of her hair. Smiling from ear to ear, she’d never looked more lovely. “Did you help with the births?” he asked, incredulously.
“Well, Maudie did most of the work. I just lent a bit of assistance a couple of times. I don’t believe she’s done this before, and at first, she appeared a bit confused and frantic about it. But all of her babies arrived healthy and well. And Maudie has gotten the idea now.”
Jackson shook his head, recalling the night he’d discovered Lily tending to his father. Jackson had calmed down when he returned to his room. In hindsight, he’d considered Lily kind-hearted and without ulterior motives. Simply caring for his father on Amanda’s behalf, as she’d claimed, when his pa had come down with the bad head cold. But seeing her here, lovingly caring for a stray dog and her puppies, he realized Lily would make a wonderful mother herself someday.
And he wanted Lily’s babies to be his!
He shook his head again. Where had that thought come from? Not once in his entire life had he entertained the idea of marriage and babies. Not until this lovely Easterner appeared in town and entered his family’s life. Then worked her way under his skin and into his heart.
Dang it anyway. His best friend, Sam Perkins, had told him the woman who became his wife had knocked him senseless the first time t
hey met. Said he’d fallen in love with the new schoolteacher the first time she spoke to him when the preacher introduced them after Sunday services. That was five years ago. Now Sam and Colleen were married with one child and another due any day.
Jackson suspected something similar had happened to him. His days as a bachelor rancher were numbered and it was all due to Lily.
One day that woman would be his wife.
She just didn’t know it yet.
Chapter 9
May
AJ sipped his third cup of coffee for the day, seated at the kitchen table. He clasped the warm cup in his hands and gazed out the window, fully recovered from the head cold he suffered with a couple weeks ago.
He’d caught himself lost in his own thoughts too frequently of late. Sooner or later, either a family member or a friend would notice his distractedness and question it. But catching a glimpse of the old familiar face from his other lifetime, the fellow sitting alone at a table in the Copper Nugget Saloon, had sent his memories and emotions into a tailspin. He hadn’t seen or heard from Ben Walker in decades. He’d considered him a friend back then, but he couldn’t imagine what the man was doing in Milestone. Had his sentiments toward AJ changed over the years?
AJ planned to hightail it out of the saloon before making eye contact with the stranger in town. But the dang fool got into a tussle with Jackson and got himself arrested. The sheriff sent Jackson home with a warning, and AJ hadn’t stuck around to learn Ben’s fate. Had he left town yet? Or was he hanging around for a reason? After almost four decades living in anonymity, had AJ’s past finally caught up with him? Was Ben here to warn him about it? Or for something else?
Ben was a stranger to the citizens of Milestone but certainly not to him. He hadn’t seen his former coworker in years. Always trusted the man, though. Liked him, too. His feelings on that hadn’t changed. AJ hoped the man’s presence in Milestone had been nothing more than coincidence. AJ prayed the moment Ben was released from the local jail, Carl Robertson had suggested the fellow move on. And that Ben had listened.
Canceled-Order Bride (Sons Of A Gun Book 1) Page 7
