Montana Sky: An Unexpected Gift (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Jones's of Morgan's Crossing Book 3)

by Kit Morgan

It didn’t. Now she envisioned the four of them gathered around the dining room table, picnicking in soft meadow grass, putting up a Christmas tree … oh, confound it, Viola – get a hold of yourself! You are not the reason he came to Montana. He came here to work, not find a wife!

  Her eyes popped open. Wife?

  She realized this was the first time she’d taken notice of a man since Edward died. Come to think, it was the first time she’d even thought about marrying again. But what man would want her? She had two children – that was a lot to take on even if a man had the means, which as far as she knew Caleb White didn’t. Any fanciful thoughts she had about wedding him were ludicrous at best.

  With a heavy sigh, Viola closed her eyes again and hoped sleep would take her – or at the very least, take her silly thoughts of Mr. White away.

  Six

  Jess Jones sat in a chair at the small kitchen table in his cabin and watched his wife Lillie sleep. She’d taken a nap after lunch and was still slumbering. He should wake her up, but didn’t have the heart – she’d been so tired lately. Besides, he liked watching her. She was beautiful, and it was all he could do to keep from going over to their bed and brushing a finger across her cheek.

  They’d both been on edge lately and knew it. Yes, they’d fallen in love and gotten married in a short time, but so had his cousin Anson and his wife Zadie. The difference was that Anson and Zadie had a house big enough to get away from each other when they needed to. Jess and Lillie had no such luxury.

  Worse, both were the type that craved time to themselves now and then, no easy task in a one-room cabin. Anson and Zadie were more social and enjoyed each other’s company even in a cramped space. They’d been able to get along fine in the cabin until the house was built.

  Jess’s original plan had been to add on to the cabin once he and Lillie started having children. Now he knew that wouldn’t work – better to leave the cabin as is and build himself a house just as Anson had. Any hired help could use the tiny structure, and he and Anson wouldn’t have to build a bunkhouse right away, if things came to that. The ranch was successful and growing, but not enough to have more than one hireling as yet.

  “Jess?”

  He got up, went to bed, sat, then made sure she looked at him so she could read his lips. “Are you feeling all right? You don’t look good.”

  “I don’t feel well at all. I’m sorry I overslept.”

  “I made some coffee. Would you like some?”

  She wrinkled her nose, as if even the mention of coffee was disgusting. “No, not now.” She tried to sit up.

  Jess helped her, more than a little concerned at this point. “Best to stay in bed, then. I’ll take care of things.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “Do I need to fetch the doctor?”

  “No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest.” She suddenly looked panicked. “Did we miss the service today?”

  “No, Lillie – it’s not until afternoon, remember? Besides, it’s not the one you’re thinking of – Rev. Norton won’t be back until the Sunday after Christmas.” He studied her. She really didn’t look well. “And that’s a morning service.”

  “Christmas … that’s hardly a week away,” she said absently. “Zadie and I have so much to do.” Again, she tried to get out of bed.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You stay right where you are. When Anson and Zadie get back from town, I’ll have her make up a broth for you. Unless you trust my cooking.”

  “I can do it.” Then she stiffened and promptly retched onto the floor.

  “Lillie!” She was more ill than he’d thought. He ignored the mess for the moment and gripped her upper arms. “Lillie?”

  She spat and wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. “Oh, Jess, I’m so sorry …”

  He was about to speak when a knock sounded at the door. He stared at it, a blank look on his face. “Who in Sam Blazes could that be?”

  “Jess?” Lillie said.

  He turned to her. Of course, she hadn’t heard it. “We have company.” He stood, glanced at the floor and groaned.

  “I’m so very sorry,” she apologized again. Already she was lying back down.

  He smiled at her reassuringly as their mystery guest knocked again. “Hold your horses, I’m coming!” he yelled, then went to the table, grabbed a dishrag and quickly wiped up the mess with it. He’d have to scrub that spot later, but duty called. Maybe Anson hadn’t stayed in town as long as he’d planned.

  He swung the door open, expecting to see his cousin, but that’s not who he found. “Howdy, son!” Ryder said with a huge smile. “Surprise!”

  Jess stood staring, his mouth open in shock.

  “Jess,” Lillie said weakly. “Who is it?”

  Jess’s mother’s eased past his father and drew him into a fierce hug. “Oh, my darling boy! It’s so good to … to …” She took a step back. “Good heavens, what is that smell?”

  Jess groaned again, louder this time, and realized he was still holding the rag.

  His mother stepped into the cabin, took one look at Lillie and put a hand to her mouth. “Oh my goodness, is she all right?”

  “No, Mother, she’s not,” Jess said numbly. “She’s ill. Hello, Father. What are you doing here, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Ryder came into the cabin and quickly closed the door, not bothering to bring in their luggage. “Best keep it warm in here.” He wrinkled his nose at the sickening smell and glanced around the cabin, his eyes settling on Jess. “Looks like we caught ya at a bad moment.”

  “Well … yes,” Jess said, still in shock. “But, you know, it happens …” He went to a bucket, dipped the dishrag in it and wrung it out.

  “We wanted to surprise you,” his mother said.

  Jess went to Lillie, noted the horrified look on her face and knelt next to the bed. “I’d say you succeeded.” He dabbed at Lillie’s face until it was clean, then started on the floor. “Why didn’t you write?”

  Jess’ mother turned to Lillie. “I do so apologize for the intrusion. We intended it to be a pleasant surprise.” She looked at Jess. “I’m sorry it isn’t.”

  “No, it is,” Lillie mumbled. “I’m sorry I’m not feeling well today.”

  Ryder, remembering his manners, took off his hat. “Is there a doctor in town? Do we need to fetch him?”

  “No, I’m sure it’ll pass. I don’t think I have a fever.” Slowly Lillie lifted her hand to her head to check.

  Constance went over to her, bent down and checked Lillie’s forehead herself. “You’re quite right, you’re not warm. Is it just your stomach, then?”

  “Yes. It comes and goes.”

  Constance straightened and arched an eyebrow at her husband. “Comes and goes, does it?” She looked at Jess. “And for how long has the coming and going been happening?”

  Jess’s eyes went wide. “What do you mean? This is the first time I’ve seen her this bad.”

  His mother turned back to his wife. “Tell me, dear, how long has this been happening?”

  Lillie swallowed hard. “I don’t know. A little over a week, maybe two?”

  “That long?” Jess said in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me?” followed by a confused, “And how did I not notice?”

  “Probably because she’s only been sick in the morning,” his mother surmised. “Isn’t that right, dear?”

  Lillie didn’t answer.

  Jess touched his mother on the arm. “You have to face her when you talk or she can’t read your lips. You’ll get used to it.”

  “Oh yes, of course,” his mother said in embarrassment. “But how else would you not know about it?” This time she turned to Lillie. “You’ve probably been feeling ill during the hours Jess is out working. By the time he comes in, you’re fine?”

  Lillie nodded. Jess’s jaw went slack.

  His mother bent at the waist and looked at Lillie again. “And
thoughts of certain food make you ill, correct? And you’ve been gaining a bit of weight?”

  Lillie’s jaw trembled as she quickly glanced between Jess and his mother. “Yes,” she said as a hand unconsciously went to her belly.

  Constance straightened and looked at her husband. “Well, looks like we’re going to get what we wanted for Christmas. Though my guess is it won’t arrive until summer.”

  “What?!” Jess blurted as he stared at Lillie. “Great jumping Jehoshaphat, Mother, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  Constance looked at Lillie again. Her new daughter-in-law stared back, eyes as wide as her husband’s. “Judging from the look on your wife’s face, my dearest, I’d say yes. Congratulations, Jess – you’re going to be a father.”

  * * *

  Caleb watched Ryder and Constance disappear into the tiny cabin, then went back to unloading the wagon. Seth and Eloise had gone to the bigger house and were still standing on the porch. Perhaps no one was home. He hefted their trunk onto one shoulder, carried it over and set it down. “Is there a problem?”

  “It seems Anson isn’t here,” Seth said.

  Caleb glanced at the wagon where Mrs. Todd and her two children still sat huddled in the back. “Them younguns are mighty cold, Seth. Would yer kin mind if’n they waited inside one of the houses while we finish unloading?”

  “Of course they won’t,” Eloise said, trying the door. It opened. “Bring them in. I’m sure it’s warm in the kitchen.”

  Caleb nodded and went to fetch them. He felt responsible for the Todds, especially since there’d been no sign of Mrs. Todd’s brother. When they found him, Caleb had a few choice words for the man. He just needed to make sure Mrs. Todd wasn’t around when he delivered them.

  When he reached the wagon, Viola’s teeth were chattering like the day before. “Let’s get ya inside so ya can warm yerselves.”

  “I’m sure you appreciate … Mr. Davis bringing your party … st-t-traight to the ranch,” she said. “But won’t … he w-want to leave as … soon as the wagon’s unloaded?”

  “He’ll let the horses rest a spell ‘fore he heads out again. Besides, don’t ya wanna warm up?”

  “I do!” Wylie stood, crossed the wagon bed and practically jumped into Caleb’s arms.

  He helped the boy out, then held out his hands for Katie. “Yer next, darlin’.”

  Katie struggled to get up, but when she did she ran to him. He swung her out of the wagon and set her on her feet. “Thank you, Mr. White.”

  “Yer welcome. Now it’s yer ma’s turn.” He watched their mother get stiffly to her feet. “Ya poor thing. I’m gonna speak with Seth and Ryder about the three of ya spendin’ the night here.”

  She stopped and stared at him. “Oh no, we couldn’t. Morgan’s Crossing is only a couple of hours away …”

  “… where I can easily drive ya tomorrow if I need to. If ya don’t mind my sayin’ so, I think the three of ya have had enough, don’t you? Besides, it’ll be dark soon.”

  She looked at the house, the nearby cabin, then the sky. “I don’t know …”

  “Well, I do. The three of ya are stayin’ if I have any say. Let’s get ya inside.”

  She walked over to the edge of the wagon bed and let him help her down. “Really, Mr. White, you’ve done so much for us already.”

  He noticed how stiffly she moved. That was all the encouragement he needed. “No arguments. You and the younguns are stayin’ here tonight. I’ll take ya into town in the mornin’. Ya don’t want Mr. Davis droppin’ ya off somewhere in town, then discoverin’ ya can’t find yer brother.”

  She blanched. She obviously hadn’t thought of that. “Oh dear, you don’t think something’s happened to him, do you?”

  “I couldn’t say, but I know he left you and yer younguns in a fix as it is. I can understand a forgetful man missin’ your arrival by one day, but not two.”

  “Unfortunately, I can understand it. This is Clarence we’re talking about. But …”

  Caleb was past the point of arguing. “Seth’s son Anson and his wife live in the bigger house. I’m sure they got plenty of room.”

  She gave him a look between pleading and grateful. “All right, then,” she conceded. “Let’s go.”

  He grabbed a few more things out of the wagon and followed her to the house, Mr. Davis with a few more bags not far behind. Seth must’ve seen them coming, and opened the door as soon as they got to the porch. Warmth greeted them as they went inside and he heard a sigh escape Viola … er, Mrs. Todd. Viola, he thought. What a purty name.

  “Your children are in the kitchen by the stove,” Seth said. “My wife has started a pot of coffee. Why don’t you join them while I speak to my brother. I’m not even sure Jess is home.”

  “They are,” Caleb said. “I saw Ryder and Constance go in while you were headin’ up here.”

  “Good. I’ll be right back.” Seth headed for the door.

  Caleb set down the luggage in his hands and followed him. “I’ll go with ya.”

  “Very well, then, come along,” Seth said as he left the house.

  Caleb turned to Viola. Such a purty name. “I’ll be right back. Get yerself some coffee and get warm.”

  She gazed at him, her violet eyes now full of pure gratitude. “Thank you.”

  He smiled. “Ya might have to sleep on the floor again, but at least ya won’t be cold here.” He winked and headed out the door.

  Seven

  “Anson,” Zadie said with concern as her husband steered them into the barnyard. “Did you leave a fire burning in the parlor?”

  Anson looked at the main house. Sure enough, smoke curled out of the parlor chimney. “No, I did not.” He brought the wagon to a stop, set the brake and climbed down. “Maybe Jess and Lillie built one so it would be warm when we got home. They’ve done it before.”

  “Oh yes, I suppose you’re right.”

  He reached up to help her. “Careful now. Do you need anything?”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake, calm yourself. I’m not going to break.”

  “When should we tell Jess and Lillie?” he asked with a huge grin.

  “Soon. Because you, for one, can’t keep a secret!”

  He laughed and, once her feet touched the ground, hugged her. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, you know that?”

  “No, I didn’t. Doc Rawlins did. He’s the one who confirmed my suspicions.”

  “I’m not hugging Doc Rawlins, no matter what he’s done.”

  “I’m sure the dear doctor will appreciate knowing that,” she quipped.

  “What do you think we’ll have?” he asked excitedly. He grabbed a large basket out the back of the wagon and, an arm around his wife, headed for the house.

  “How should I know? Please, calm down. Let me get used to the idea that we’re having a child!”

  Anson laughed, kissed her on the nose, escorted her into the house …

  “SURPRIIISE!”

  … and dropped the basket.

  “Oh my dear, dear, boy!” his mother cried as she sprang up from the parlor sofa and rushed to him. “We’ve been waiting forever!”

  “M-mother?!”

  Eloise loosened her hold. “Well, who did you think I was, Queen Victoria?”

  He gulped as he saw the parlor was full of unexpected guests. “Father? Uncle Ryder?” he squeaked. “What are you doing here?”

  “Delivering your Christmas present, of course.” His father pointed to a wingchair in the corner. A man stood, and it took Anson a moment to recognize him. “Caleb White.”

  “Howdy, Anson. It’s been awhile.”

  Anson crossed the room and shook his hand. “That it has!” He then spied a pretty young woman with two children sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace. “And you have a family now!”

  The woman quickly climbed to her feet. “No. Er … I’m Mrs. Todd.”

  “Who?” Anson said confused.

  “Her party didn’
t show up to meet her at the train station. So she traveled out here with us,” Caleb explained. “I’ll take her to her kin in Morgan’s Crossin’ tomorrow. Yer pa and uncle said that’d be all right with ya.”

  “Yes, well,” said Zadie. “We know all about that, don’t we, Anson?”

  Anson rolled his eyes.

  “What’s this?” asked his mother.

  Zadie gave Anson the tiniest of smirks. “Your son failed to pick me up at the train station too.”

  “Did he forget you were coming?” asked the small boy at Mrs. Todd’s feet.

  “No. He didn’t know I was coming.”

  Anson’s mother laughed. “Oh yes, of course, now I remember. What I wouldn’t give to have seen the look on his face that day!”

  Anson sighed, returned to Zadie and put an arm around her, resisting the temptation to put a hand over her mouth besides. “When did you get in? And where’s Aunt Constance?”

  “She’s in the cabin with Jess and Lillie,” his mother explained. “Poor thing is … well … not feeling herself.” She glanced at Anson’s father with a smile.

  “That’s not good,” Zadie said. “I’d better go check on her.”

  “No!” Anson blurted. “What if she’s contagious?”

  “Anson, please,” Zadie pleaded, then whispered, “and don’t you dare say a word!”

  He gestured helplessly. “I wasn’t going to.”

  Unfortunately, everyone heard him say that. “Wasn’t going to what?” his mother asked.

  “Doesn’t matter, since I’m not going to.” He shooed Zadie toward the door.

  Eloise eyed him. “I know that look, Anson Jones. What are you up to?”

  “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, Mother. By my wife. You know better than to ask me to break that.”

  Eloise sighed. “Oh bother.”

  Anson tried his best to get his balance. “Well, all of you here … I’m afraid we’re hardly prepared for visitors.”

  “Nonsense,” said his father. “Your mother and aunt have already agreed to make supper for all of us. It’s the least we can do, surprising you like this.”

  Anson managed to smile. “Yes. You surprised Jess too, I take it?”