Montana Sky: Snare His Heart (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 5)

by Caroline Clemmons

Daisy rushed to clasp her sister’s arm. “Did you hear, Frannie? We get a surprise when we get home.” She clapped her hands. “Oh, I can hardly wait. I wonder what it is, don’t you?”

  Addie was surprised when Frances smiled at Daisy. She so hoped Frances would like the things she’d brought. More, she hoped she could make a difference in the little girl’s life that helped her speak again.

  Addie had noticed supplies in the wagon’s bed along with her trunks and the basket from Mrs. Norton. Rowdy must have picked up their order before she saw him at the depot. Good thing she’d shopped at home and when the train had a layover, for she hadn’t had a chance in Sweetwater Springs. If she’d known how late Forrest was going to be, she could have looked around the store.

  As they drew closer, Addie was surprised at the size of the log home. The house was nothing like those she’d been accustomed to seeing in Atlanta. Although the size matched that of luxurious Georgia homes, large logs formed this one’s walls.

  What an effort cutting, stripping and hauling all those logs must have been. How had they managed this large two-story home? She supposed the men had made the shingles for the steep roof, too.

  A huge barn and several other buildings were near the home. Biscuits and Rowdy milled around the grounds and turned toward the wagon. Biscuits shaded his eyes as if watching them.

  “That’s a beautiful home and large. How many bedrooms does it have?”

  “Two downstairs, one’s for a housekeeper if we can ever afford one. The other is for older guests, say if your parents wanted to visit or when we get too old to climb the stairs. On the second floor, there are seven including ours.”

  The number of rooms surprised her. “I suppose without a hotel, you have to provide for travelers in the area. Do you have guests frequently?”

  “Not since my wife died. Beg your pardon, I meant my first wife, Evie. Admit I’ve been a mite standoffish since the fire. Figure most folks won’t want to stay here bad enough to look at me in the bargain.”

  She laid a hand on his arm. “Trust me, Forrest, I know how petty a few people can be, but you underestimate the largest percentage. Mrs. Norton told me you’re a fine man and a hero, so don’t you think others will feel the same way?”

  He dipped his head. “No matter how they feel about my character, they won’t want to look at me. I don’t blame them. Shaving and combing my hair is a chore I’d like to avoid.”

  “You could grow a beard.” She smiled.

  His eyes sparkled with humor. “Pffft. On half my face? That’d look even weirder than now.”

  “I’m more interested in the person than the appearance. I should explain now that I was engaged to a handsome and charming man. He left me at the altar and eloped with my bridesmaid. She had been—after my sister Julie—my best friend.”

  “Ouch, that must have been a bitter pill to swallow.”

  “Not as much as it should have been. What drove me out of Atlanta were the gossips. I simply couldn’t take the pitying glances or the spiteful glee from some of my so-called friends.”

  “I certainly understand. Guess your bad luck was my good fortune.”

  She touched his arm before she caught herself. “Oh, how nice of you to say that, Forrest. I hope you mean it.”

  “I do. I’ve needed help and wanted a wife. Especially the girls need a woman to guide them but all three children need to be taught their lessons. I’ve tried but I’m so tired in the evening plus some days they’re in bed as soon as I come in and we eat. Winters I have more time indoors but chores have to be done year ’round.”

  “I hope life will be better for both of us now.” And she still had a good feeling about the success of this adventure.

  He pulled up even with the front door and set the brake. After wrapping the reins around it, he hopped down and came to help her. Noah and Frannie got down and Noah lifted Daisy to the ground. Biscuits and Rowdy unloaded supplies and took them inside.

  Biscuits nodded at her. “We’ll get them trunks soon as we get the food inside. You go on in and look around or sit on a more comfortable perch.”

  Daisy jumped up and down. “Get the trunks, Biscuits. Addie has a surprise in there for us.”

  Biscuits stopped to look at the little girl. “You’ll have to wait a bit, Missy. There’s an order to every job.”

  Forrest took Addie’s elbow and guided her, keeping his unscarred side toward her. “It’s not grand like some of the homes back east, but it’s a fine home for Montana Territory.”

  They stepped up onto a wide covered porch where chairs and benches lined up along the wall. “You wrote you could watch sunrises and sunsets. Do you sit out here in the evening?”

  “We can see the sunlight play on the mountains from this porch.” He stopped to peer into the distance. “And sometimes we have coffee here. Too cold much of the year but I love watching the sun come up.”

  “I’ll look forward to that. You have a lovely view any time of day.”

  “Come inside and see the house. We have a little foyer so people can take off boots or overshoes without tracking on the wood. We found enough flat rocks over at the river to use for the floor in here. Rowdy was real good at laying them so they’re even and won’t cause anyone to stumble.”

  She met the young man’s gaze and smiled. “Impressive work, Rowdy.”

  He blushed and ducked his head. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

  Forrest continued to keep the unscarred side of his face toward her. “The parlor here is where we sit evenings unless we’re playing cards or helping the children with something. Then, we use the kitchen table.”

  She purposely shifted to his scarred side and stood in the doorway. Though not a huge room, the fireplace was centered on the outside wall and would provide warmth. Plenty of seating was provided for Forrest’s family plus for his hired men and one or two others to join them.

  “I suppose the fireplace was Rowdy’s work also.”

  “Turns out his father was a mason and taught him the skill. Rowdy’s not fond of laying rock but he pitched in anyway. The kitchen is behind you. We ordered the range from Chicago. I hope you like cooking on it.”

  Biscuits paused. “We got the coals going so there’d be hot water by the time you got here. Soon’s we get the horses unhitched and taken care of, we’ll be back.”

  She examined the large cookstove. “I’ve cooked on one similar, but this is newer. The reservoir is larger than on my family’s range.” She longed to use that heated water to have a long bath, but she was a mother and wife now and had to put others before herself.

  Forrest gave her a lopsided grin. “You’re thinking you’d like a hot bath, aren’t you? You can have one before bedtime.”

  “You read my mind? Right now I’ll set out Mrs. Norton’s food.” She chuckled. “I’m famished and we know Daisy is starving.”

  Daisy clapped her hands again and danced around. “I’m really hungry. What do we have to eat? I hope there’s dessert.”

  Addie removed the cloth from the basket. “Oh, this looks delicious. Fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, pickled beets, and peach cobbler. This must be cider Mrs. Norton sent for us to drink.” She set a large jar of apple juice on the table.

  “I’ll get the plates and silverware.” Forrest looked at her. “That’s an exaggeration because it’s not silver. The glasses are in the cupboard nearest you.”

  Addie set out seven, noticing that no more than two matched. A couple of them were Mason jars that had held canned food before being emptied and saved. She hoped her drink ware sets in one of her trunks hadn’t broken on the trip.

  Daisy climbed on a bench and balanced on her knees. Frannie sat beside her with Noah on her other side.

  Daisy said, “Hurry and let’s eat so we can get our surprise.”

  Addie took Frannie’s hand. “Let’s say grace before we eat.” On her other side, she extended a hand which Rowdy accepted.

  Forrest took Noah’s hand.

  Biscuits fr
owned and crossed his arms over his chest. “I ain’t holdin’ hands with no men and prayin’.”

  Addie sent him her sweetest smile. “Please, Biscuits, if you don’t want to join hands would you at least bow your head for the prayer?”

  He gave her a grumpy glance. “Okay, but just ’cause you asked real nice. Are we gonna do this ever’ meal?”

  “Of course. I’m grateful to be here and have this food provided for us and be in this fine company.”

  “Dadgummit, you women sure know how to work a man ’round your finger. Okay, but I hope you’re as good a cook as the preacher’s wife. Won’t be worth it otherwise.”

  Rowdy coughed to cover a laugh and Forrest grinned.

  She said, “I’m sure God will appreciate your prayers, Biscuits.”

  Forrest gave the blessing, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for our many blessings. We thank You for this food for the nourishment of our bodies. Go with us and guide us. Thank You, Lord, for Addie’s safe arrival. Bless this union and this home. Amen.”

  Chapter Five

  Addie was overcome with emotion by his simple grace. To her knowledge, no one had ever given thanks aloud for her presence and safety. She knew her parents appreciated and loved her and had no doubt they included her in their private prayers, but they hadn’t said so aloud at grace. His words reassured her that coming here had been the right choice.

  Everyone dug into the meal. Glancing at her lapel watch, she saw that the time was fifteen minutes after one.

  “What time did you leave home this morning?”

  Forrest rested his fork on his plate. “About six. We’d have been early to meet the train if the wheel hadn’t caused trouble. Sorry I didn’t ask before we left town. I hope you ate breakfast on the train.”

  “I had a bowl of oatmeal to steady my nerves.”

  Biscuits met her gaze with mischief sparkling in his brown eyes. “Thought folks took a drink of whisky to do that.”

  “So I’ve heard, but the cereal worked for me. My mother always said it’s a good food to stick to your ribs and soak up your worries.”

  Forrest set down his glass of cider. “We do have whisky on hand, but it’s for medicinal purposes.”

  Rowdy grinned and nodded toward Biscuits. “He needs his medicine every payday.”

  Biscuits held a drumstick and pointed at his coworker. “Now listen here, you young whippersnapper. Ain’t nothin’ under your hat but hair. I ain’t never drunk and you know it. Might be there’s times I’m feelin’ awful good, but I can still mount a horse and ride home.”

  Noah giggled. “Remember the time you sang so loud Papa had to go see about you? That sure was a funny song.”

  Forrest speared his son with a look. “You will not repeat that song, Noah Clanahan. In fact, forget you ever heard that tune. Biscuits had a bit too much medicine that night.”

  “Aw, I don’t ’member many of the words anyway. I like it more when you sing, Papa.” Noah looked at Addie. “Addie, do you sing?”

  “I sang in our church choir, but never a solo. My sister and I sang duets at church and at home.”

  Daisy said, “I’m through eating. Now can we open the trunks?”

  Addie looked at the girl’s plate. “I don’t think you ate enough, Daisy. Have another piece of chicken.”

  The little girl sighed. “All right, but I sure do want to see my surprise. When I finish this, can I be through?”

  “Don’t forget we have peach cobbler for dessert. Then I’ll have to clean up the dishes.” She was pleased there was enough food left for supper. Mrs. Norton must have fried up four chickens.

  Frannie made cleaning motions with her hands.

  “Thank you, dear. I’ll appreciate your help. Daisy, you can help, too. Many hands make light work.”

  Daisy frowned at her. “What does that mean?”

  “If we work together, we get finished sooner and the chore is not as tiresome.”

  Daisy clapped her hands. “And we get our surprise sooner.”

  After the meal was finished, the men went outside to check on the stock. Noah and the girls helped Addie wash, dry, and put away the dishes. She had a few minutes to inspect the kitchen and get familiar with what supplies there were and where to find them.

  When the kitchen was tidy, Addie dried her hands and hung her apron on a peg. “All right, children. Now we can look in my trunks.”

  Daisy and Noah cried, “Yay!” Frannie’s face shone with an eager expression but she said nothing.

  Addie opened a trunk and took off the top tray.

  Daisy jumped up and down. “A doll, I see a doll.”

  Addie handed each girl a doll. She’d tried to match them in quality but chose different color hair and costumes. The heads, legs, and arms were china but the bodies were cloth.

  She was rewarded with the pleasure reflected in Frannie’s face. Frannie held the doll as if she’d received something precious. She hugged Addie before sitting on the floor to examine her prize.

  Addie almost cried from the silent child’s display of emotion. What a gift.

  Daisy hugged her doll close. “I love her. I’m naming her Sally. Frannie, you’ve got to name your doll, too.”

  Addie dug into the trunk. “Don’t think I forgot you, Noah. I brought you this locomotive, caboose, and two rail cars.”

  “Yipee! Like the one you rode to get here. Thank you.” He crawled on his knees and made chugging sounds as he pushed the locomotive around the floor.

  In the other trunk there were more toys but she planned to save them for Christmas and birthdays. She hadn’t known how often she’d be able to get to town or what would be available.

  Forrest had returned and cupped her elbow. “Thank you for thinking of the children. Would you like a tour of your new home?”

  “I’d love one.”

  “Several rooms are empty.” He opened a door off the kitchen. “This is for a housekeeper if we can ever afford one.”

  The large room contained a bed, a chair, and a washstand but nothing else. “A nice size for a woman’s home. I believe there’s space for a little sitting area.”

  “That’s the plan.” He pointed behind them. “The other kitchen door goes outside and would be the way to the privy. Rowdy laid stones so we can get there without wading in mud when there’s rain or melted snow. Next room is the one for older folks—or us when we can’t make it up the stairs any longer.” This room had a bed and a washstand but nothing else but it too had room for a small sitting area.

  “You’re clever to plan ahead.”

  “Let’s go upstairs.” He guided her toward the stairs.

  “I’m glad there’s a landing. Not so steep and much safer with children.”

  “With this house, I tried to think of everything that was wrong with the one that burned. I loved that house because it’s where my parents and I lived and where I brought Evie and where the children were born. But, through the years, I noticed several things that could have been improved.”

  They reached the second floor. A long hall greeted her with numerous doors.

  “These first two are unused. We can furnish them gradually. Here’s Noah’s room.” The bed was made but shelves held only a couple of toys and three books.

  “He’s very neat, isn’t he?” She thought he needed a floor covering to make play more comfortable. She hoped one of the women she’d meet knew how to make rag rugs and would show her.

  “Reckon he is at that. Next is Frannie’s but she sleeps in with Daisy.” He opened the door to a room devoid of personal touches.

  “Here’s Daisy’s and I apologize. You can tell which side of the room she uses.”

  “Oh, my. I suppose she’s never still long enough to clean or put away her clothes.”

  “A few weeks ago I told Frannie to stop cleaning both sides of the room. Daisy will have to learn to tidy after herself.”

  “The next one is vacant, but I thought it would make a good nursery.” They bypassed that on
e.

  Addie’s stomach churned with the remaining door. He opened it and waited for her to go inside the room.

  She gasped in pleasant surprise. “How lovely.” She ran her hand over the armoire. “Everything matches and is expertly crafted.” The bed was oversized with an ugly brown coverlet that was too small. A dull gray blanket showed. She would make a new quilt and matching curtains. This could be a beautiful room.

  Pride tinged Forrest’s voice. “Gideon Walker donated it to us after the fire. I was laid up at the time and didn’t see it until later. His generosity shocked me. I’m indebted to him and Darcy, his wife.”

  “They sound like fine people. Certainly he’s gifted with wood.”

  “Wait until you see their house. The first one burned and he built the new one similar but larger. Darcy has more books than a library and is generous about loaning them.”

  “I suppose since he’d endured a fire’s loss he understood and wanted to give what he could to help you.”

  “Darcy’s half-brother set the fire to get the family’s inheritance. Apparently there was a large estate involved.”

  “How horrid for her.”

  “Well, he’s not in the picture now. She and Gideon are a perfect couple. There are other nice families you’ll meet at church. Everyone is spread out, but we get together for church socials.”

  He shrugged. “At least I used to. Guess I can again if you want to attend.”

  “Thank you, Forrest. That means a lot to me. I’m not someone who has to have an active social life, but I would enjoy having friends, especially if they were our friends and not just mine.”

  He rewarded her with his unusual smile. “There are several women who were mail-order brides, so you have that in common. Other women ended up here one way or another. You’ve probably guessed we have a shortage of females in the Territory.”

  Her valise sat at one side of the bed. “One of my trunks should come up here. The other two contain household goods and Christmas gifts for the children. I didn’t know how accessible a store would be and tried to come prepared.”

  “Shall we go down and you can show me which one comes up here? Rowdy will help me get it up the stairs.”