Montana Sky: Slater's Bride (Kindle Worlds)

by Patricia Thayer

  Paul shrugged. “He didn’t like being a miner any more than I did. That's the reason we partnered in the ranch. We both like the open spaces and the solitude. There’s a peacefulness about living outside a town.”

  She couldn’t believe Paul’s words. “Are we talking about Johnny McCreary Drennan?” With Paul’s nod, she said, “In Chicago, he had the reputation of being quite the ladies’ man. He loved the opera and cotillion dances.”

  Paul shook his head. “Well, that’s not the Johnny I know.” A big grin split his handsome face. “Boy, I’m never going let him live that down.”

  Letty put the kettle on the top of the stove to get it warm. “How tall is my brother?”

  “About my height. Six feet.”

  “As I recall, he was on the thin side.”

  “He’s got a lot of muscles now. We both worked in the gold mine. The pickaxe will strengthen you, or kill you.”

  “How long did you work as miners?”

  “Too long.” Paul pulled up another chair beside the stove, motioned for her to sit down, then he took the other chair.

  “When I met Johnny five years ago, we soon became friends and discovered we both wanted more from life than digging for someone else’s gold. So, once we saved enough to get a start on a herd and found some property that a rancher was eager to sell, we combined our money to buy it, then walked away from Morgan’s mine.”

  “Was the mine owner cruel to work for?”

  “Michael Morgan? No, but I didn’t plan to spend my days working inside a cold, damp cave. All my family are ranchers, and I want my own place, too. I’ve been breeding bulls that are hardier, and can withstand the rough winters in Montana. So I began breeding an Angus and Hereford mix.”

  “If my brother is helping you, it isn’t that far from our family business of meat packing.”

  Paul shook his head, unable to believe his friend’s birthright. “I still can’t believe Johnny was to run such an empire.” He looked at her. “And why have you come all this way without protection?”

  Letty turned away and hesitated.

  “Look, Letty, you have nothing to fear from me. I only want to help you. I can’t tell you how many times Johnny has saved my sorry hide. He does have a better mind for numbers with our business, anyway. He’s the reason why we got the grazing land so cheap. He does know how to negotiate.”

  Letty looked at him, her eyes dark and searching.

  A sudden punch in his gut caused him to lose his breath. She was beautiful.

  Letty began the story with her father’s death and her mother’s marriage and recent illness. “That is why Johnny is needed back in Chicago to take over the family business. Our stepfather will do anything to prevent him from taking his rightful place in the company, especially with our mother’s condition. Henry Jensen is an evil man. I know now that he’s been doing terrible things to my mother.” Letty brushed away a tear. “I should have stayed home with her.” She was ashamed that they’d been estranged for so many years. She’d been pouting about the situation, but despite having to work, she had a much better life than her mother. She should have come home to visit her more.

  Paul glanced her way. “Do you have proof she’s been mistreated?”

  She shook her head. “After my father’s death, I was sent away to a girl’s boarding school. It wasn’t far from our home in Chicago, but I was only allowed to leave the school for holidays. When I was home, I was never able to speak to my mother alone to discover what was going on. With Johnny gone…I hated going back to that house, especially when my mother and I didn’t see eye-to-eye over her marriage.”

  “You must have been very young when your father died.”

  “I was fifteen,” she said. “Johnny was twenty-one. He was to take over the business then, but Henry was the plant manager and stopped him at every turn. The man even went to our mother saying he was too young and immature.

  “A year later, somehow Henry convinced my mother to marry him, and Johnny left home. He didn’t even say goodbye to me. I finally learned the reason why my brother suddenly packed up and left so abruptly.”

  Paul had no business asking these questions. He told himself it was to pass the time, but he was curious about this woman, and more so about his friend and partner. And he saw her tears. “Hey, it’s going to be okay, Letty. Once Johnny hears of this, I’m sure he’ll help you.”

  She drew a shaky breath. “I hope so.”

  “What is wrong with your mother?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. Until four days ago, I had no idea she was sick.” She brushed a tear away, recalling her helpless mother lying in the bed. “She begged me to find Johnny and to give him a letter. Mother kissed me goodbye, and told me to hurry out the back before Henry Jensen could discover me there.” Letty glanced at him.

  Even in the dim lighting, he could see her pain. He wanted nothing more than to comfort her. “Are you afraid of the man?”

  “I hate him for what he’s done to her. I know I should have moved back in after I graduated school, but I couldn’t stand my stepfather, or his son, Hank Jr’s, improper advances. So I acquired a position at the same school, and that’s where I’ve been living.” She shivered. “Something bad is happening in that house, I know it.”

  Paul couldn’t stand it and took hold of her gloved hands. “Don’t you worry, Letty, I’m sure Johnny will handle this.”

  “What if Johnny is so upset with Mother he won’t return?”

  ***

  At the nearly deserted Rigsby’s Saloon in Morgan’s Crossing, Johnny McCreary took a drink of his coffee and looked out into the blowing snow. He frowned. They didn't need another storm.

  After he’d managed to drive some of the herd back to the corral beside the barn, laying out the last of the feed and praying it was enough, he was afraid that more of the herd would be lost. Already, he couldn’t account for a couple of dozen cows, along with two of Paul’s breeding bulls. With the bad conditions, he had to end his search.

  Discouraged, he'd rode into town. He hoped to find a telegram at the mining office from Paul, saying he was held up in Sweetwater Springs for the night. He did have a telegram waiting for him, but it said, On my way home. Bringing a surprise.

  What in the hell did that mean? Johnny didn’t care about any surprise, only the fact that Paul had taken off in another crazy storm. Wasn’t last January’s blizzard enough to convince him how deadly the weather could be?

  His friend should have stayed in Sweetwater Springs, because there was no possible way to get through this storm safely. For the past five hours, Johnny had been stuck in town. The bar was about the only place open.

  “Hey there, Johnny Mac. I haven’t seen you in town in a while.”

  He turned around to see one of the saloon girls. Despite the cold weather, Becky Lee had on a low-cut dress that showed far too many of her assets. Her face was done up with bright paint, making her look too harsh. The woman had a good heart but had ended up in bad circumstances. “I’ve been busy running a ranch.”

  She slipped her hand through his arm, pressing her chest against his side. Her soft curves should have stirred something, but they didn’t. Maybe he’d been living with cattle too long. Plus, he was filled with worry, wishing he’d hear some news about Paul. A feeling gnawed at his gut, telling him something wasn’t right.

  The brunette snuggled closer. “Well it’s a mighty cold night, maybe I can warm it up for you.”

  “I think I’ll just stay here and keep an eye on the storm.”

  Paul Slater, don’t make me come looking for you.

  ***

  Paul pulled one straw mattress off the bunk, dragged it across the floor, and placed it next to the stove. He went back for the second one and butted it beside the other.

  “What are you doing?” Letty asked.

  “Trying to keep us from freezing to death tonight. The snow stopped, and that means the temperature could drop even lower.”

  She
nodded to the bed. “So, are we both going to sleep there?”

  He nodded. “Unless you want to sit in the chair all night. I can’t leave the mattresses on the beds because the cabin walls have too many holes in the chinking, and I don’t have any materials to repair them with.”

  “But we have blankets.”

  “And a warm stove that produces the most heat. We should take advantage of it and sleep as close as possible to the fire.”

  She looked around nervously. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”

  He couldn’t say he had, either. “You’re Johnny’s sister. I respect my friend, and you, too much to ever force myself on you. You have my word I’ll be a perfect gentlemen.”

  This sweet-looking woman could tempt him, but he wasn’t going to let another woman turn his head until he had his ranch and herd grown into a larger spread. Maybe in a few years, he would consider a wife, but definitely not an Eastern woman. Although, she hadn’t complained at all, even when he insisted she wear long johns and a pair of men’s pants.

  “I’m tired, so I’m going to bunk down for the night. Don’t sit up all night. We’re safe inside here.” He checked the canvas cover on the door and the shutters at the windows before he sat down on the mattress and pulled off his boots. Leaving on his coat, he pulled the wool blankets over him. He patted the space next to him. “Come to bed, Miss Loretta. It’s a lot warmer here next to the stove.”

  She walked to him then sat down. “I guess I’m being foolish, acting like this. You’ve been a perfect gentleman, Paul Slater, and I very much appreciate it.” She laid down on the mattress.

  Paul could feel her shivering. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Letty.” He reached out and pulled her against his big frame.

  She gasped and stiffened.

  “We need to share body heat,” he whispered against her ear.

  It took a few moments, but she finally relaxed and placed her head on his shoulder. He pulled both blankets over them. “Now isn’t this better?”

  “I don’t know. I’m warmer, but…”

  “It’s okay, Letty. We’re not doing anything wrong, just staying warm the best we can. Besides, no one will find out about this.”

  Letty wasn’t experienced when it came to men. “I’m sorry to be such a burden to you.”

  “You’re not a burden, Letty Drennan. You are cautious. And I don’t blame you. You lost your father, and then your brother left when you were so young.”

  She felt tears threaten. “After my father’s death, I didn’t want anything to do with social functions, and we were in mourning. I just didn’t have the desire to meet men.”

  “I don’t blame you.” He had to agree. “Most of us aren’t worth the effort.”

  She couldn’t help but giggle, muffling the sound in his jacket.

  “I bet you were a daddy’s girl.”

  “Oh, yes. He spoiled me, though not with material gifts so much. He always spent time with both me and Johnny, no matter how busy he was with work.” She got brave and began to share secrets in the dark. “When he died in the accident at the plant, I was devastated. My world ended.”

  “And I’m sure your family was, as well. I’m also sure your mother relied on you for support.”

  Letty raised her head and looked at him in the dim light. “Yes, until she turned to Henry Jensen.”

  Paul recalled one night three years ago when Johnny got drunk and began to talk about his father’s death. How his mother fell apart. He had no idea then his friend was talking about the Drennan family. He shrugged. “Women seem to share with other women.”

  “Johnny helped, too. But then our stepfather made sure he didn’t stay around long.”

  “And Johnny ended up here?”

  She nodded. “If I’d known he was leaving, I might have come with him.”

  “The Montana territory isn’t a place for a young teenage girl. Johnny could barely take care of himself working in the mines.”

  His voice was soft and low in the secluded cabin, with only the sound of the wind howling outside. It was as if they were the only two people in the world. “You never said how you met Johnny.”

  Good, he needed a distraction from the feel of a beautiful woman in his arms. “About five years ago, right here in Morgan’s Crossing. We both answered an ad in the Butte Paper to work in Morgan’s gold mine. They were long, hard days, and the work was dirty and backbreaking. The pay wasn’t bad. Like I said, after a while, we decided there wasn’t a future in it, not when the owner, Michael Morgan, got all the profit.

  “Still, we had to work until we saved every bit of our wages to buy a ranch just west of Morgan’s Crossing. Johnny came up with a financial plan, we pooled our money, and the rest is history.”

  Letty was silent for a long time.

  He looked down to see her eyes were closed, her breathing even. She was sound asleep. Good.

  It was easier not to think about how much he wanted to kiss her. Her soft body against his was torture, but in the best kind of way possible. Too bad he wasn’t in the market for a relationship, because she was an eye-catcher. More than likely, once in Morgan’s Crossing, she’d have several suitors. He just couldn’t be one of them. He first had to have money enough for a wife, and with the loss of his livestock, that was long into the future. He glanced down at the beauty in his arms, and he doubted he could afford Loretta Drennan.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Paul woke with a start. He opened his eyes to see it was still dark, and the strong wind was blowing. He shivered. The fire was nearly out.

  Careful not to disturb Letty, he took his arm from under her head and slid out of the blankets. He opened the door to the stove, grabbed some pieces of wood, and tossed them in. He used the poker to stir the embers. After a few minutes, the flames began to glow again.

  “Paul…”

  A shiver shot through him at the sound of Letty’s husky voice saying his name.

  “Where are you?”

  With the fire blazing once again, he shut the stove door and went back to the makeshift bed. “I’m right here. The fire had gone out.” He slipped under the shared blankets.

  Without hesitation, Letty moved back into his arms, as natural as could be.

  Even with all the bulky clothing between them, he had no trouble knowing that he was holding a woman next to him. Not just any woman, but the beautiful sister of his best friend he’d only met forty-eight hours ago. He felt Letty’s small body shift on the mattress. “Is something the matter?”

  “Cold. My hands.”

  “Then let’s warm them.” He sat up, taking her with him so she was in front of him facing the stove. Arranging the blankets over them, he helped her pull off her gloves and held them up to the fire. After a few seconds, he asked, “Is that better?”

  “Much.” She sighed and leaned back against his chest. He found he liked her close and braced his back against the table leg. “You’re right, it is much warmer here,” he agreed and wrapped his arms around her, then shut his eyes.

  “Thank you, Paul.” Her voice was sleepy and soft. “Thank you for being here with me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Hell, he’d been the one who stranded her here. And he'd better get her out of here safely, or Johnny would…He didn’t want to think about what his friend would do to him after Paul had put Letty in harm’s way.

  Who was Johnny Mac? He was supposed to be his so-called friend, yet he'd never told Paul who he truly was. John Drennan from Drennan Meat Packing. He had to be worth a lot of money, yet he had worked in the mine, mucked out stalls and herded cattle.

  Letty shifted in his arms and made a soft purring sound.

  Suddenly, his body stirred with desire. He tried thinking about his cattle, his breeding stock--. No, not breeding. Snow. Icy, cold snow.

  Yet, nothing stopped him from thinking about Letty lying in his arms. Miss Loretta Drennan was different than any woman he’d met. He thoug
ht back to another time, and another woman, Millie. Her betrayal had driven him from his home, and what would have been his birthright, once he married. But they never made it to the preacher, because she ran off with his cousin, George.

  No, he wasn’t a man Miss Drennan would ever look twice at. He was a rancher with a dream.

  She was an heiress, and when she reunited with Johnny, they would go back to Chicago. And she’d be taking his best friend, too.

  ***

  The next morning, Letty shivered and rolled over, trying to find some heat. She opened her eyes and memories came flooding back. Montana territory, the cabin, and she needed to find Johnny.

  She looked around the small room, but Paul wasn’t there. She managed to get to her feet, went to the window and looked outside to see Paul was attending to the horses. Although the area was a sea of white as far as you could see, at least it had stopped snowing. “Thank God.”

  She turned around, quickly removed her bulky skirt and made use of the chamber pot under the bed. She had just finished cleaning up when she heard Paul’s boots stomp on the wooden porch. She grabbed her skirt but couldn’t get dressed before the door opened.

  Carrying a stack of wood, Paul looked at her. “Sorry, you want me to leave?”

  “No, it’s not necessary.” She held the skirt out in front of her. “I guess I don’t need this.”

  She tossed the heavy fabric on the bunk, leaving her standing there in a pair of men’s trousers. If the sisters of St. Mary’s could see her now, they’d relieve her of her duties at the school. A true lady would never be caught wearing men’s trousers. She pulled her long coat together, hiding her improper attire.

  A big grin crossed his handsome face. “I think you look fine. We’re in Montana, and many women wear trousers, mainly because it’s practical when they help their husbands with the farms and ranches.”

  “I’m from the city, and my mother would banish me to my room if she saw me dressed in these…pants.”

  Paul crossed the room and stacked the wood beside the stove. “I think your mother would be happy her daughter survived the below-freezing night.”