Willow smiled. “So he’s growing like a very cute little weed, I’m sure.”
“There are no weeds in my garden, thank you very much. And don’t spill one word of your news, Willow Harrison, until I get out there,” Mrs. Sheridan warned. “I’ll bring a plate of the oatmeal cookies I baked this morning also.”
“I won’t. And I have more news than you can imagine,” Willow promised, smiling. “First, I can’t wait to see the baby. And where’s Iris?”
Mrs. Sheridan and Lily quieted and exchanged a look.
“She’s in town staying with Doc Bennett and his wife,” Lily replied. “She… she may lose her baby.”
Willow’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! This is all our fault. If we hadn’t taken Daniel with us to—”
“Nonsense. These things happen. I should know. I lost four babies myself. To this day, the doctors don’t know why. We’ll just pray for the best outcome.” Mrs. Sheridan headed for the house.
“She’s right, Willow.” Lily linked arms with her friend and walked toward the back of the house. “I’ve been praying every day that things will turn out all right, but it’s in God’s hands.”
“Oh, I hope Iris is all right and her baby, too.” Willow peeked into the bassinet and gasped. “Flying flapjacks, Lily, Edward is so big!”
“Growing much too quickly before my eyes,” Lily whispered. “How is it possible to love someone so much? I just want to eat him up.”
Willow laughed. “Let his uncles see him first. Then we’ll discuss the eating up part.”
“You’ll know what I mean once you have a baby of your own.” Lily met Willow’s eyes. “Has Adam proposed yet?”
Willow smiled. “I’m not saying anything until Mrs. Sheridan returns.”
“Does that mean—”
“Does what mean?” Mrs. Sheridan carried a large tray with the teapot, cups and saucers, and a small plate of cookies across the backyard. “What are you ladies discussing?” she ventured, setting the tray on a round metal table and then pouring tea into the three cups.
“I believe Willow has news for us,” Lily hedged.
“She’s been gone for weeks. I would imagine she does,” Mrs. Sheridan said, glancing from one young lady to the other. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I have some special news for you,” Willow whispered. “Adam proposed and I said yes.”
Lily grabbed Willow’s hand. “This is the best news you could bring home with you. Tell me everything. When did he propose and—”
“Goodness, Lily. Let Willow catch her breath.” Mrs. Sheridan clasped her hands together and smiled. “Congratulations, my dear girl. I couldn’t be happier for you. And this means you’ll be staying here with us forever.”
“I suppose it does,” Willow whispered, gazing about the yard. “My new home.”
“Thank goodness for that. With Iris in town, I’ve been bored to tears except when caring for Edward. And half the time Mrs. Sheridan rushes to tend to him when he cries.” She laughed. “We almost engage in a foot race to see who gets to bathe him every night.”
Willow laughed. “That I would love to see. If I had the first notion how to bath a baby, I’d join in the competition.”
Lily smiled and shook her head. “Goodness, I’ve missed you. And now we have another wedding to plan!”
* * *
Adam grinned at his brothers and his pa as they gathered in the parlor after supper to raise a glass in celebration of his engagement. After Willow spilled their news to Lily, word of their pending nuptials spread throughout the family and ranch hands like wildfire.
“Son, I couldn’t be happier for you.” His pa slapped Adam on the back. “Willow is a wonderful young lady and a welcome addition to the McLennon family.”
“Thanks, Pa.” Adam chuckled. “If someone had told me I’d be marrying one of my horse wranglers, I would have thought them daft. But she’s the girl for me.”
“Amanda is marrying Sawyer the first Saturday in September. And you and Willow will be tying the knot soon.” AJ laughed. “Might have to pick up a notebook at the mercantile next time I’m in Milestone. I’m not certain I can keep track of all these engagements and weddings and babies on the way.”
His sons enjoyed a chuckle.
“Well, you still have two sons who haven’t planned to get hitched. Maybe it’ll be awhile before Simon or Michael find that special lady,” Jackson observed.
“I’m just funning with you. I’m happy as all get out you boys are finding a wife to keep life interesting.” AJ poured a couple fingers of whiskey for each of his sons and then handed each one a glass. “To your future, Adam. And to all our good health.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Adam saluted his pa with his glass and then downed the contents.
The other brothers followed suit.
“Have you decided on a date for the wedding?” Daniel inquired, leaning against the stone fireplace.
“The engagement happened moments before we boarded the train to come home.” Adam shrugged. “We really haven’t talked about it yet. Maybe end of October after roundup or early November or whenever Leonard can attend.”
“Perhaps Sawyer and Amanda should postpone their nuptials and you could have a double wedding in late October,” Simon speculated. “That way I only need to get into my fancy duds once.”
AJ chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know as I’d suggest postponing that wedding. Might ruffle more than a few female feathers. Your sister has talked about nothing else since Sawyer left.”
Simon held up his hands. “Just a thought. Don’t bring up the idea if you figure it would upset Amanda. Lord knows that girl’s in love.”
“Now that Sawyer’s back, I figure Amanda is counting the days till the ‘I dos’.” Daniel set his glass on the tray for empties. “I’m heading back to town to check on Iris. Doc seemed to think things were settling down, and she and the baby were going to be all right after all.”
“Say hello to her, son. Must have been a shock when you returned home, learning the little one might be in trouble.” AJ rested a hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
“Say hello for me, too,” Michael, his youngest brother, chimed in.
“And tell Iris we’re eager to see her back here at home,” AJ added.
“I will.” Daniel nodded. “I’m staying in town and checking into the hotel for the night if Doc doesn’t allow me to stay with Iris. I’ll talk to you all in the morning.”
“We’re heading out to the barns for a final check on things before we turn in,” Simon informed them and Michael followed him out of the parlor.
“Say hello to Sawyer for me,” AJ added. “I imagine he spends evenings at Amanda’s store. Remind him no funny business until after the ‘I dos’ are spoken.”
Daniel chuckled. “All right. Can’t promise he’ll listen.”
“Shotgun’s right above the fireplace,” AJ muttered. “If’n he don’t fancy a behind full of buckshot, he’d best mind the warning.”
Adam swung one arm around his father’s shoulders. “Pa, Sawyer’s a retired Pinkerton and he wouldn’t disrespect our sister in any way. You’ve nothing to worry about. He’s a good man.”
“I reckon you’re right.” AJ nodded. “No harm in reminding the boy though.”
“No warning for me?” Adam winked at his pa.
“You’re a McLennon. No need to remind you about anything of the sort.” AJ smiled. “I raised you boys to respect womenfolk, and I know you’ve all learned the lesson well.”
“That we did, Pa,” Jackson agreed. “Any McLennon steps out of line with a female, especially their betrothed, and there’ll be four brothers with fists raised to remind him of his misbehavior.”
AJ chuckled. “You boys do look out for each other. During good times and bad. And I couldn’t count the times you’ve resorted to fisticuffs to settle a disagreement between yourselves.”
“Nothing like a good fist-pounding by a brother to set a fellow back on
the straight and narrow.” Adam winked at Jackson. “Especially if he’s an older brother.”
“Ha! There are five of us. Being outnumbered, Pa required a bit of help with the disciplining on a few occasions. I came to his rescue is all,” Jackson claimed, winking at his father.
“What kind of cockamamie reasoning is that?” Adam shook his head. “You probably were the instigator behind the whole thing.”
“What Pa doesn’t know…” Jackson left the thought hanging, grinning ear to ear.
“I’ll bring up the subject of a wedding date tomorrow and I’ll let you know what Willow and I decide,” Adam offered. “Don’t imagine it’ll be before roundup finishes though.”
“Sounds good, son.” AJ headed for the door. “I’m plumb tuckered out from all the excitement of you boys returning home and Willow joining the family. I’ll see everyone in the morning.”
“Night, Pa,” Adam called, smiling at the idea his father still considered five grown sons his boys.
“Goodnight, Pa. See you in the morning,” Jackson added. “I’m heading up to bed also. Got a baby son needing a kiss and a wife waiting for me.”
Adam waved them both off. Someday he’d be heading to bed and looking forward to snuggling up with his wife after kissing his child on the forehead. He definitely needed to discuss wedding plans with Willow tomorrow morning. They needed to set a date. And the sooner the better.
Chapter 34
Next morning, Adam strode downstairs at five a.m. and wandered into the kitchen.
“Good morning, Mrs. Sheridan.” He poured himself a cup of coffee.
The housekeeper removed a batch of biscuits from the oven as a blast of hot air clouded her glasses. “Mmm… smells so good,” she muttered to herself.
“And they’ll taste delicious.” Adam reached for one and received a swat on his hand. “Mind those. Let them cool a bit or you’ll burn yourself.”
“All right, I’ll wait for Willow.” He seated himself at the kitchen table.
Mrs. Sheridan stared at him, one hand on her hip. “You’ll have a bit of a wait. She charged in here a half hour ago, downed a cup of coffee, and headed out to the barn. I don’t expect her back until eight o’clock for breakfast. Or she might decide to eat with the other hands in the cookshack.”
Adam almost choked on his coffee. “What the dickens is she doing in the barns?”
“I expect same thing the rest of the hands are doing… tending to the animals,” the housekeeper speculated.
“She doesn’t…” Adam found himself at a loss for words. He leapt off the chair and charged out the back door. A few minutes later, he located her working in the far stall of the Thoroughbred barn, brushing Sunrise and talking to the mare.
“… cannot tell you how much I missed caring for you. Your filly has grown into such a little beauty while I was away.” Willow brushed the magnificent mare while the horse munched on her feed.
Adam noticed Willow was wearing a pair of denims, faded shirt and boots. She must have borrowed a set of ranch clothing from Amanda or Lily since she’d left everything behind in Texas, and he’d only purchased dresses and the like for her during the train ride home. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun but several strands of her beautiful locks stuck out in all directions. Despite his annoyance with her, he still appreciated how beautiful she looked.
“You must be so proud of your baby.” Willow soothingly talked to the mare while thoroughly involved in her work and unaware of his presence.
Adam heaved a sigh. “What are you doing in here? You shouldn’t be in the barns,” he admonished her.
Willow swung around and a broad smile appeared on her face. “Isn’t this mare wonderful? And where else would your horse wranglers be this time of day?”
“Yes, Sunrise is a beautiful horse. But you are no longer one of the horse wranglers,” Adam explained.
“Of course I am. You hired me to work with the Thoroughbreds and that’s what I intend to do.” She tossed the brush into one bucket and grabbed another empty one.
“Where are you going now?”
“I’m getting water for Sunrise.” Willow strode down the aisle and stepped outside with Adam on her heels. He attempted to take the bucket from her but she pulled it out of his grasp. “What are you doing?”
“I was going to—”
“Well, don’t,” she said, interrupting him, and then threw a murderous glare his way. “I’m perfectly capable of watering a horse.”
Adam shook his head. “But you don’t need to work in the barns. You should be planning our wedding. Buying a wedding dress. Doing whatever brides do.”
“We haven’t even set a date yet.” Willow dunked the bucket into the horse trough and hauled it out again. She headed back inside through the barn door.
“And that’s another thing,” he continued following her. “We should talk about a date. We could plan something before roundup, but that’s only a few weeks away. And it might interfere with Amanda’s wedding. Or we could plan a Christmas wedding in mid-December if you prefer. Of course, it would be more difficult for your brother to travel to Montana in December.”
“Either is fine with me,” she muttered.
Adam halted in his tracks. “You don’t care when we marry or what date we choose?”
“I haven’t any family coming, except Leonard. And if he’s too busy with the Circle H or the weather is too miserable, then we needn’t worry. But we must accommodate your family, and roundup, and anything else they’ve previously scheduled. Like Amanda’s wedding.” Willow set the pail of water down for Sunrise. She turned and met his eyes. “When do you want to tie the knot?”
“Providing Reverend Fitzpatrick isn’t busy, tomorrow would do nicely.”
“Send someone to town and ask him then.” Willow played along.
Adam shook his head. “Aren’t you the funny one.”
“You suggested it.” Willow grinned.
“Seriously, come up to the house and we’ll talk about this.” Adam reached for her hand and guided her out of the barn. “Breakfast should be ready soon and we can ask the others if they have a preference.”
Willow tugged off her work gloves and tossed them onto a nearby bench before Adam closed the barn door behind them. “All right. I’m starving. Working out in the fresh air again really works up an appetite,” she said, beaming.
Adam couldn’t deny how much she loved working with horses. His horses. Any horses.
“When will roundup start?”
“Usually by mid-September. Lasts up to a month depending on how many head we find, brand and sort for sale, or decide to winter over,” Adam muttered and then turned to her. “Why? Because the dates might interfere with our wedding plans?”
“No. So I can make preparations.”
“Preparations?”
She threw up her hands. “For the horses. Every hand will require two horses to trade off so they won’t be overworked. I need to work with Davie and the others to ensure there are enough—”
“What? You’re not coming with us on the roundup.”
“Of course I am.” She stood hands on hips.
“No. You’re not.”
“And why would I not come along to tend the stock?”
“Because… because you’re…”
“Don’t you dare say a girl,” she blurted, glaring at him.
“No. Yes. No.” Adam dragged his hand down his face. “You’re my fiancée. You’re going to be my wife. You don’t need to work. You can spend your days in the house. In the garden. Doing needlepoint or whatever wives do.”
Willow burst into laughter. “Needlepoint? With needles and scissors and sharp objects? I’d stick myself so often, I’d bleed to death.”
“So, needlepoint isn’t to your liking. Then… read books. Have Mrs. Sheridan teach you to cook or bake or—”
“No!” Willow shook her head, emphatically. “I’m working with the horses. Today. Tomorrow. Every single day that I live on this ra
nch.”
Adam stared at her.
“And if you have a problem with my decision about that, then maybe we should reconsider things.” Willow glared at him. “If being your wife means I’m no longer permitted to work with the Double M horses, then perhaps I should forgo the ‘marriage’ part.”
“You cannot be serious?”
“Very. I’ve tended horses since I could walk.” Willow headed for the house, calling, “I’m not about to stop now.”
* * *
The grandfather clock in the hallway struck seven o’clock, and Adam still hadn’t recovered from Willow’s ultimatum earlier today. If being your wife means I’m no longer permitted to work with the Double M horses, then perhaps I should forgo the ‘marriage’ part.
He’d sat through three meals today, seated beside Willow while his fiancée totally ignored him. He couldn’t tell if she’d been teasing him or if she seriously would refuse to marry him in order to work with her beloved horses.
“Let me get this right,” his pa muttered, joining Adam for a whiskey in the study. “Either Willow continues to work in the barns or she won’t marry you.”
“About sums it up.”
His father chuckled. “Prefers the horses’ company to yours?”
“Not seeing the humor in this,” Adam muttered. “At first, I thought she was teasing, but she refuses to talk to me. I believe she’s actually serious.”
“Probably is.”
“What am I going to do to convince her I’m right?”
“Adam, are you certain you’re right? Willow knows more about Thoroughbreds than anyone else on this ranch. Us included.” AJ leaned back in his chair. “I agree with Willow. She’s not the afternoon tea and cookies in the parlor with the church ladies type of gal. She’s a special, talented, extraordinary woman, and she should be allowed to utilize her knowledge in the best ways possible.”
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