“Yes, and I have you to thank for that.” She thought about his strong arms holding her against his heated body. A blush rushed to her cheeks at the thought of how intimate they had been. She glanced away. “And for the warm long johns and the denim pants.”
“The temperature is much warmer today.”
“So, are we going to leave for Morgan’s Crossing?”
“There is quite a lot of snow on the road, and pulling a wagon could still be treacherous.”
She tried to hide her disappointment, but he must have seen it.
“We’ll see how the weather holds.”
“How are the horses?”
“Duke and Simon are fine. Next time I go out, I’ll tell them you asked about them.”
She smiled. “Maybe I’ll tell them myself.”
“How about we eat some breakfast first?”
“Of course,” she gasped and rushed to the sink. “We could start with some coffee.” Finding the metal pot of water heating on the stove, she added the grounds, then unwrapped the pork. “May I borrow your knife?”
He drew a leather-encased blade from his pocket and set it down on the table.
She sliced strips of bacon and placed them in the iron skillet. Soon a sizzling sound, along with the wonderful aroma, filled the cabin. Minutes later, she took out the bacon, then cracked eggs into the grease and quickly cooked them.
Paul brought her the tin plates, and she transferred the food onto it. After the coffee was poured, they sat down at the table.
He took a bite of his eggs and, after swallowing, he said, “This is very good, but I can’t wait to try one of your meals that doesn’t include eggs or bacon.”
“Since you and my brother seem to have an abundance of beef, I can make a nice roast, maybe some potatoes and carrots. That is, if you can get vegetables this time of year.”
Paul’s eyebrows drew together. “It’s the beef that’s hard to come by. Cows are scarce these days.” He sighed. “We’ve had our share of blizzards this year. Many herds didn’t survive the freezing cold, or lack of food.”
“I know, I saw all the carcasses along the train route. It was awful to look at. What about your ranch?”
He tensed. “We’ll see when we get there. Johnny hopefully moved the herd closer to the corral and was able to get some feed to them. I have mostly worried about my breeding bulls, Rusty Lad, Wrangler and Sonny Boy.”
Letty looked down at his nearly empty plate. “Then I’d say we’re blessed to have eggs and bacon.”
“And it’s pretty filling.” He leaned back and patted his stomach. “For a growing boy.”
She giggled. “You’re not a boy; you are a man.” An intense look appeared on Paul’s face, and she glanced away. “I mean, you’re twenty-three, twenty-four.”
“Twenty-five,” he verified. “And I did stop growing until about sixteen, tall and skinny as a rail. Thank goodness, I put on some bulk.”
Bravely, she made eye contact again. “I would think you need that in your line of work on the ranch.”
“And it comes in handy on cold nights.”
She blushed again, recalling how he shared that heat with her.
Paul quickly reached for her hand. “I’m sorry, Letty. That was uncalled for. We needed to share heat to stay alive. I would never do anything to harm your virtue. We did nothing wrong. So there is nothing to tell.”
“You are a gentleman, Paul. Thank you.”
“I want you to feel safe with me, Letty. So when you go back to Chicago and find a suitable husband, he’ll be your first and only.”
She was surprised at Paul’s understanding. “That is a very kind thing to say.”
Paul shrugged. “I have a younger sister, Kathryn. It’s important to me that she finds a man who will honor her, too.”
Letty sat back, holding the tin cup between her hands to warm them. “Tell me about your family, Paul.”
“Not much to tell. My parents own a small ranch outside of Butte where I was raised with my older brother, Sam, and a younger sister, Katie.”
“Why are you here in Morgan’s Crossing, and not in Butte?”
“My brother will inherit the ranch, since he’s the oldest, so I went out on my own and ended up working the mine.”
“Is there a special woman in your life?”
He shook his head. “No, there isn’t anyone.”
She caught the pain in his eyes, but didn’t take it any farther. It was none of her business. Besides, she had her own troubles. “I apologize for being a nosy nellie. I was just trying to make conversation.”
“I don’t mind. There isn’t much to do to pass the time. Easy to get cabin fever in these close quarters. There was a woman a while back, but no longer.” Before she could comment, he stood and carried his plate to the sink.
“Don’t you dare, Paul Slater. I will clean the dishes. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done, taking care of the horses and making sure I was warm.” She tried to push his large frame away, but he wouldn’t budge. She began to laugh. “You are like a tree trunk.”
He turned and picked her up as easily as if she weighed nothing. “This isn’t about who does the most, we both can help.” A grin appeared. “Or we can go outside and check out the road conditions.”
She smiled. “I’d like that. And I’d rather walk than have you carry me.”
Paul shifted her in his arms, loving the feel of her against him. To be honest, he wasn’t ready to let her go. These last hours made him realize how lonely his life had been. He started for the door, pulled it open and stepped into the bright sunlight.
“Oh, my gosh. It’s so beautiful.”
He set her down on the porch, under the overhang. He enjoyed watching her reaction. The wonder in her eyes was contagious as she looked around. He did the same, from the snow-covered mountains to the trees along the road heavy with snow.
“The snow in Chicago is beautiful, too, but too soon, it becomes dirty from the streetcars and trains and soot from the factories.” She spread her arms wide. “This is a wonderland.”
This picture-perfect scene could be deadly, too. Memories of last January's storms and the deadly loss of half their herd had him worrying about a repeat. “With the sun shining, the air is about twenty degrees warmer.” He wanted to ease her mind about staying here with him another night. “If the sun gets brighter and snow continues to melt, maybe we can start for Morgan’s Crossing.”
Her eyes grew wide and bright.
Suddenly he wanted to make all her troubles go away. “I said if. I have to think about the horses. I wouldn’t want them hurt. If they slip and fall…”
She faced him. “Paul, I know you’re doing the best you can. I don’t want to lose the horses, either.”
She looked so beautiful in the light. Her face was flawless and her eyes a rich chocolate brown. “I’m thinking about Johnny, too,” Paul said. “I telegrammed him before we left Sweetwater Springs, but I didn’t tell him I was bringing you with me.”
“That’s probably a good thing. He won’t worry about you and me.” She shivered, thinking about last night again.
“We should go inside. You’re getting cold.”
She hesitated. “I…I need to use the outhouse. Is it behind the cabin?”
He nodded and took her by the hand.
Once off the porch, she could see how much deeper the snow was.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the small structure. “I’ll just check on Duke and Simon.” He walked backwards to the lean-to.
“Thank you for being so considerate.”
He smiled. “It’s my pleasure.”
***
As the day went on, the sky stayed clear, but the snow didn’t melt fast enough for Paul. He hated that he couldn’t chance taking the horses out in this. Luckily, he had enough food for the animals and for them, and another night. They were fortunate that the temperature hadn’t dropped like the previous night. But, he left the mattre
sses on the floor. After a meal of canned beans and bacon, Paul stocked the cabin with extra wood so he could keep the fire going during the night.
Finally, right before the sun set, they made a trip to the outhouse. Letty had kept her skirt off during the day and told him she liked not having the bulk of the fabric to slow her down.
Paul found himself watching her every move. She’d distracted him all day. To see her in those jeans that fit over her curves, her nicely shaped hips and long legs. Several times he had to stop himself from any thoughts of…No, he couldn’t think about Letty like that, though that was hard not to do.
Letty yawned. “I can’t believe I’m tired, since I didn’t do much today.” She got under the blankets but didn’t turn toward Paul.
He wanted to open his arms to her, but he stayed on his side and tried to think about something else. “You said you work at a girl’s school. What do you do there? Teach?”
“Yes. I teach a class in etiquette.” She giggled. “If the sisters could see me now…I also live at the school, so I’m in charge of one of the dormitories. The girls range from twelve to seventeen.”
“Seems like you have your hands full.”
“You have no idea. My only saving grace is that I know most of the tricks the girls try, because I went to the same school. Not much gets by me. Since their parents have entrusted their daughters to us, it is important that I keep them safe.”
Paul listened to a few of her colorful stories and laughed along with her over the antics. Finally, the room grew silent except for the crackling of fire.
Then she said, “Paul, tell me about the girl you loved?”
He froze, feeling his chest tighten.
She raised her head to look at him in the firelight. “I know you must have loved her very much, and she hurt you. I can’t imagine loving someone, and not having him return my love.”
He swallowed back the dryness in his throat. “It was a long time ago. She decided she didn’t love me and married someone else. My cousin.”
Her mesmerizing gaze never left his face. “She’s the one who lost, Paul.” Her hand touched his chest. “You are a wonderful man.”
“Thank you.” He worked hard to keep his feelings in check, but this woman made it damn difficult. “What about you? I’m sure there are several broken hearts back in Chicago.”
She smiled at him.
He felt more armor begin to chip away from his heart. “I lived with nuns and teenage girls. That leaves no social life to speak of.” She sighed. “And Father died before I was a debutante and presented to society. I’ve never had the opportunity to meet someone and to fall in love.”
He stared at her. “Surely, you had men ask to court you?”
She shook her head. “I was too young at fifteen, so I wasn’t allowed to accept any invitations from gentlemen callers. My mother forbade it. That was when I was sent away to boarding school.”
“Probably a good thing. Your beauty could turn a lot of heads, making them do stupid things.”
She blinked at him, her voice low and husky. “What things do you want to do?”
He was getting into dangerous territory, but he couldn’t back away from her. “Like this,” he whispered as his head lowered to hers, and his lips brushed against hers.
Paul held himself in check, telling himself she was innocent and he only wanted to ease her curiosity. Yet, he desired her more than he realized, and he didn’t want the kiss to end.
Then Letty gripped the front of his shirt, leaned into him and released a sigh.
He groaned, drew her closer and deepened the kiss. Suddenly, he realized where this kiss was leading and tore his mouth away. With the last ounce of willpower, he held her close against him. “Go to sleep, Letty, before we get into any more trouble.”
He began to pray that he could get through one more night, and he would turn her over to her brother. Then he could go on and chase his dream. He closed his eyes as sleep overtook him.
Paul felt something poking him in the back. He ignored it. He was too content and wanted to sleep on, but the annoyance continued until he jerked awake to find his friend.
John had his arms folded over his chest, the toe of his boot poised for another kick. Finally, his friend spoke. “Here I was, worried about you freezing to death in this weather, and you’re snuggled up all cozy like. At least you were smart enough to find a…friend to keep you warm.”
“No, Johnny, it’s not what you think. We got stuck in the blizzard. We had to stop here during the snowstorm.”
That was when Letty rolled over and opened her eyes. She blinked up at her brother.
John looked down at her.
“Johnny!” she cried as she jumped to her feet and into his arms.
John looked perplexed at the woman hugging him.
Paul stood, too. “John, this is your sister, Letty.”
CHAPTER SIX
Johnny Drennan looked at the beautiful woman with the familiar big brown eyes and honey-blond hair.
“Letty?”
She smiled.
He saw the resemblance to their mother.
“Yes, it’s me, your sister.”
John hugged her again, trying to hold back the tears. He never thought he’d ever see her again. Now, she was here in the middle of nowhere. “Why the hell are you here?”
He looked down at the mattresses lying on the floor. “And as soon as I hear your explanation--” he shot an angry look across the room to Paul. “--I’m going to have a few choice words for you, my friend.”
“It’s not what you think, Johnny,” Letty began. “We got caught in the blizzard and had to stop for two nights. We put the mattresses on the floor next to the fire so we wouldn’t freeze. Paul took care of me.”
He glared at his friend. “I just bet he did.”
Paul looked him in the eye, but didn’t speak.
Letty waved her hand. “No, Paul didn’t take advantage of me. He was a perfect gentleman.”
“You two looked pretty cozy when I walked in here.”
“It was very cold last night. We were staying warm.” She looked down at her clothing. “As you can see, I’m fully dressed.”
“In men’s trousers.”
Letty bit her lip to keep from laughing. Her brother looked so enraged. She missed his protecting her. “Stop worrying. Aren’t you happy to see me?” She looked her handsome brother over, taking in every detail. His sandy colored hair was nearly to his shoulders, and those same brown eyes they’d inherited from their father were dark and brooding.
“Yes, and no. I figure if you came all this way, you have to have bad news. So, spit it out.”
Paul headed for the door. “I’ll hitch up the horses and give you both some privacy to talk.”
After the door closed, Letty looked at her brother. “Mother sent me.”
Johnny cursed. “I don’t want to hear anything from her. She didn’t give a damn about me five years ago, why should I care now?”
“Because she could be dying.” Letty saw a sudden flash of emotion in his eyes. He wasn’t totally unaffected by the news, as he led on to be. “She realizes that Henry—“
Johnny raised his hand. “Don’t speak the man’s name to me.”
She shut her mouth, knowing he was too upset to listen just yet. “Then I won’t, but would you mind taking me to your home, so at least we can visit?”
He reached out and pulled her close. “Of course.”
Suddenly, Letty realized the struggle of the past few days was worth it. She'd found her lost brother.
He released her. “I’ll help Paul with the team, if you’ll gather the things in here.” He looked over at the supply of food. “You ate nearly all my fatback.”
“We had no choice, rather than to starve. Paul was right, you need to invest in a few pigs.”
Johnny arched an eyebrow. “Seems you and Paul learned a lot about each other.”
She willed herself not to blush, but it did no good. “We h
ad a lot of time to talk.”
“I sure as hell hope that’s all you did.” He stormed out the door, leaving Letty wishing just the opposite.
***
Letty tidied up the cabin. Paul moved a new supply of wood from the back of the building to the porch for the next travelers. They loaded the wagon, then Johnny helped her up into the seat. Paul knew that was to let him know that he was to keep his hands to himself.
Once Paul settled into the driver’s seat, he waited for Johnny. His friend climbed on his stallion and rode up ahead, leading the way the last twenty miles of the trip.
“I’m sorry for the way Johnny is acting. He shouldn’t blame you for what happened at the cabin,” Letty said in a quiet voice.
“He’s your brother, he’s just protecting your virtue. If you were my sister, then I’d do the same thing.” His gaze left the road to look at her. “I apologize, Letty. I never should have taken liberties with you.”
She straightened her back. “Well, you can stop worrying, because I won’t get close to you again. Johnny will see to that.”
Paul didn’t mean for his words to be so harsh, but he wasn’t going to correct the misunderstanding. It was better if Letty didn’t know how much he desired her. If Johnny was leaving, then Paul needed to figure out how to handle the ranch on his own. Would Johnny want to sell out? Paul knew he couldn’t afford to buy out Johnny’s half of the S Bar D just yet. But, he’d figure out a way. “It’s for the best, Letty. You’ll see. You’ll be leaving for Chicago soon. You need to get back to your mother.”
“I’m not convinced that I can get Johnny to go with me. You saw how bitter he is. And he has every right to be.”
“If you only knew our father, all he ever talked about was how he was building the business for his children to carry on after he was gone. It was all for us. Plus, we had a responsibility to provide many jobs for the town.”
Paul kept his eyes on the snowy trail, but he could hear the sadness in her voice.
“When our mother remarried, she was barely out of her mourning period for our father. Then Henry and his son moved into the house. He treated Johnny and me awful. I couldn’t speak to my mother without him right there. Johnny had it worse at the plant. He had worked for our father and knew the business. John Drennan had groomed his son to take over, but Henry Jensen had other ideas. He was promoting his own son, Hank Jr.
Montana Sky: Slater's Bride (Kindle Worlds) Page 5