Gentrys of Montana: Gentrys of Montana

by Hildie McQueen

  “Grant can’t tell us how many there were. This one could have killed Lincoln.” Kyle turned to leave. “I’ll be damned if I help get him any medical care. Get someone else to go.” The sound of his spurs was followed by the door’s slam.

  Emerson sat again. Where was Linc? Perhaps the man in the cell had news. If his father had tracked him down, it was possible he was connected in some way. Looked like he’d not talked. He was sure the injuries were part of the questioning.

  His father had no mercy when it came to finding the truth. It mattered little to Kyle Gentry if he had to come close to killing someone to find Linc. He wasn’t so sure his father would go so far if it weren’t for the fact that Linc was branded a coward and sullied the Gentry name.

  “Where am I?” The man came to. Emerson went to the cell and found him sitting on the bunk. His left eye was swollen shut, the rest of his face bruised and purpling. He studied Emerson with his open eye.

  Talking made his lip bleed and Emerson watched the red trickle down his chin. “In Rutgers Ridge. Why did they bring you here?” He kept his expression neutral.

  “The bastards who beat me are the ones who belong in jail. Took me in my sleep from a whore’s bed. I never saw them before.” He wiped at the blood with his hand and glared at Emerson. “Release me.”

  “I was told you confessed to killing a man. Gutting him. They have witnesses.”

  The man grimaced and lay back. “It was just talk. I ain’t kilt nobody.”

  “What is your name?”

  “John Gilmore.”

  “Do you know anything about an attack on five men northeast of here? At night not too far from Alder’s Gulch?”

  “No.”

  “Tell me the truth and I will release you.”

  The man turned to him. “If I were to tell you I gutted a man by the moonlight while his screams echoed into the trees, you would release me? If I also tell you I still remember the smell of shit and piss while pilfering through dead men’s pockets, will you still release me?”

  Emerson stared down at the man. “You spout a lot of shit for a man who claims to be innocent.”

  When the man didn’t reply, Emerson opened the cell door and went inside. Grabbing the man’s shirt, he jerked him up to his feet. “Were you there or not?”

  “Not that night. But I know what happened ’cause I ran into one of their victims.” The man began to laugh. “I ain’t sayin’ no more until I get something to eat.”

  Emerson threw him back onto the cot and the man landed on his side. He grimaced in pain. “How about if I let you live?”

  “You won’t kill me.” The man lifted to sit. “I know where the outlaw that man who brought me in is looking for may be headed.”

  He was bluffing. At least that’s what Emerson believed. But on the off chance the man wasn’t just spouting nonsense, after being questioned, he decided to play along. “What will it take to get you to talk?”

  “A warm meal for starters.”

  He moved back and leaned against the bars. His arms crossed, he gave the impression of nonchalance. “Tell me Gilmore, where did you last see this man?”

  The prisoner took him in. His eye darted to the open cell door and then he let out a breath. “Wyoming, at Silver Cross Station. Had a bad limp.”

  “What makes you think it’s who we’re looking for?”

  “Both you and the whore’s son who brought me in favor him. That boy back in Silver Cross could be your twin.” Gilmore coughed and lifted to one elbow. “That’s all I’ll say. I need something to drink. Whiskey would be nice.”

  “Where was he headed?” Emerson didn’t budge. “Answer me.”

  “Here.”

  * * * *

  Emerson leaned back from the table and looked to his brother. “Grant, promise me, if he shows up, hold him and send me word.”

  He sopped up the last of the gravy with a piece of bread and nodded to Julia. “The dinner was very good, I’m obliged for the food you packed for me to take. Thank you.” His sister-in-law beamed at his praise. He knew she’d been learning to cook. Her aunts the Sullivan sisters had been teaching her.

  Grant drank from his cup. “The only reason he’s coming back is because he must have proof of his innocence.”

  Emerson figured Grant’s worried expression mirrored his own. “In that case, he’ll probably come to you first.”

  Grant shrugged. “He should be here by now.”

  “Taking his time to be sure no one sees him.”

  “Maybe.” Grant studied him for a bit. “You see that woman again? Madeline?”

  “Why do you ask?” He stiffened. Did he look different?

  “You look changed.” Grant’s lips curved into the teasing smile that reminded him of the ten year old prankster. “Something’s changed about you.”

  “You’re crazy.” Heat travelled from Emerson’s neck up and he picked up his cup and drank from it. “To answer your question yes I have seen her, but only in passing.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  If he did look different, Emerson had no idea what caused it. He didn’t feel any different. Other than constantly wondering what Maddie did or where she was, he’d not given her much thought. If anything, he’d made sure to avoid the area near the schoolhouse and he’d even gone to great lengths to remain inside when she and her sister took their afternoon walks at five o’clock sharp. His brother only said what he did to get a rise out of him. Emerson narrowed his eyes at his brother.

  The look that would have made the seven-year-old Grant confess to any mischievousness only earned him a grin this time.

  “It’s best I head on home. Keep an eye out.” Emerson stood, picked up the small bundle and looked toward Julia, who stood with her back to them in the kitchen. “Thank you again, Julia.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him and cocked her head to the side. “Grant’s right, you do seem more relaxed, more…approachable.”

  Emerson took a deep breath. “Good night.” He went to the door and lifted his hat from the hook. “Grant. You don’t think Linc would come back to turn himself in? Maybe face the hangman’s noose rather than be on the run?”

  “No. Linc is not going to come back unless he has something or knows who killed that card cheat.”

  He hoped so.

  * * * *

  “Emerson?” Maddie poked her head into the jailhouse, her eyes scanning the room until finding him. He stood at the corner of the room with a cup in his hand. Her heart skipped a beat when his eyes met hers.

  “Is something wrong?” He didn’t move, actually seemed frozen to where he stood. Maddie was impressed and disappointed. Since she’d told him to stay away, he’d more than complied. Of course this was a proud man, one who would not grovel or beg for anything. Now she’d come up with a feeble excuse to talk to him and felt foolish at admitting how much she missed him.

  “You offered to escort us to Alder’s Gulch. My sister and I would like to know if the offer still stands. We’d like to go this afternoon if you are able. We were told the mercantile there has a larger selection of fabrics and such.” Her throat became dry at his perusal. His eyes never left her face. “Of course we understand if you are busy.”

  He looked to his left to where she imagined the cells were. “I have a prisoner. I’ll have to see if I can get someone to come sit with him.”

  “If it’s too much trouble we can wait for another day.” Maddie wanted to jump with joy. If he agreed, she’d have to find a way to first tell Jane she was going for a ride with the marshal and secondly, keep Jane from going along.

  “Would you walk with me to ask Rory? Then I’ll have an answer for you.” He went to a sturdy worn desk and retrieved his hat. “Miss Connor.” He put his arm out and she threaded hers through.

  A few minutes later, she was settled next to Emerson as he guided a cart down a long road.

  It was a beautiful afternoon. Maddie didn’t care where they went as long as she was out and away from town with
Emerson. She’d told Jane he’d asked her out for a short ride and managed to rush out of the house before he and Jane could talk.

  After convincing her sister the marshal and she were just going out for a ride and fresh air, she’d grabbed a blanket and a small basket she’d already prepared with bread, cheese and two apples.

  Now after about half an hour on the road, she had to come up with a reason to stop. Maddie looked around. The area was beautiful with trees, meadow clearings replete with wildflowers and several glistening ponds. In the distance a large farmhouse was centered between a barn and corrals filled with horses. She wondered if she’d ever live in a grand home like that.

  Her family home in Virginia was of a good size, the three story brownstone not much different than most of the homes the other families of middle affluence lived in. Although her father was not rich, they never wanted for anything.

  “Where exactly did you grow up?” Maddie studied the man beside her who concentrated on the horses.

  He motioned with his head to the large ranch. “That’s my family home. I own most of the land from the end of this fencing here,” he pointed to the end of the fence. “for another five miles or so, is what’s mine.” Emerson maintained a nonchalant tone not noticing her raised eyebrows.

  “So you played here as a child?” She noticed a crop of trees that surrounded a pond. “Can we go there?”

  His eyes jerked to hers with eyebrows lowered. “Why would you want to stop? It’s over an hour to Alder’s Gulch and once we head back, it will be dark if we don’t keep going.”

  Maddie wanted to hit him. She let out a breath and turned to him on the bench. “Emerson, we are not going to Alder’s Gulch.”

  She knew the moment her words sunk in because he turned to her, eyebrows raised, eyes immediately darkened, his nostrils slightly flared. In a manner of seconds he schooled to a neutral expression. “What do you have in mind instead?” The huskiness of his tone told her he knew exactly what she wanted, but he’d not make a move until she explained.

  The meadow beckoned and Maddie pointed to it. “That’s a nice place over there. How about you and I make use of the blanket I brought along?” Her pulse quickened because in her mind she already saw Emerson nude on the blanket. She lowered her lashes and slid a look at him wondering if he’d turn her down.

  He maneuvered the horses toward the meadow without speaking. In a few minutes he pulled them to a stop. Emerson climbed down and helped her down. “I’ll unhitch them and tether them near the water’s edge.”

  Maddie retrieved the blanket and the basket. Once she spread the covering and placed the basket down on it, she sank onto the soft ground.

  Emerson returned and lowered to sit beside her. He rested his elbows on his knees, his eyes toward the stream. “I thought you didn’t want to pursue a relationship with me. What changed?”

  “I allowed others’ ideals and opinions to make me second guess what I want.”

  He turned to her, his intense gaze focused on her. “All right. So I take it you want me.”

  “Yes.” Her breathless answer was rewarded with Emerson taking her by the shoulders and pulling her down to the blanket with him. His mouth covered hers. The kiss was hard and unforgiving, as if he made her pay for waiting too long to come to him. She accepted what he took, already her body responding with an infusion of heat and want. She ran her hands from his shoulders down his back, enjoying the feel of his hard body.

  When his mouth travelled from her mouth to her jawline, she dug her fingernails into his shoulders and fought the urge to drag him to cover her completely. More than anything she wanted him over her, his weight pressing into her body.

  Emerson stopped at the crook of her neck, his tongue darted forming circles on her skin.

  “Oh. Mmmmm.” The sensations from the simple touch took the air from her lungs and she parted her lips to breathe easier. “I missed you. Did you think about me at all?”

  He lifted his head and peered down at her with hooded eyes. “Every minute.”

  Emerson rose and pulled Maddie to her feet. “Don’t move, I’ll undress you.” His lips pressed against the front of her neck and trailed kisses as he slowly unfastened the buttons down the front of her dress. When he reached her waist, she could barely stand. But he continued not allowing for a respite. His large hands pushed the dress from her shoulders. It, along with her chemise, dropped to the ground around her feet.

  “There’s another article that must be removed immediately.” He lowered to his knees his fingers untying the string that held her pantaloons in place. They were dispensed of and Maddie fidgeted when he fixated on her sex. “Part your legs for me, beauty.”

  When he leaned forward and his tongue darted out, sensations like she’d never experienced slammed into her until all she could do was hold on to his shoulders and let her head fall back. Incomprehensible words flowed from her mouth between moans and gasps, while Emerson continued on until she climaxed with so much force her knees buckled.

  Maddie floated to lower onto the blanket. She knew he’d laid her down, but it felt as if she was outside of her body. Through the fogginess she watched him remove his clothing until he stood as bare as she. She lifted her arms and welcomed him to her.

  “I’ve thought of little else than to be with you again.” Emerson spoke into her ear, his hard member already nudging at her sex. “I wondered if we’d ever be together again.”

  “I want you Emerson, all of you.” Maddie grasped at his hips and pulled him forward.

  “I want you.” Emerson thrust forward, filling her completely. “You feel so good, Maddie.”

  There was little talking for the next minutes, not that their bodies stopped communicating. The whispers of endearment continued amongst sounds of encouragement and loss of abandon. They climbed to high crests and fell, only to begin the climb again.

  Emerson drove in and out, his narrow hips fitting perfectly between her legs. Maddie arched and grabbed his buttocks, encouraging him to move faster, to go deeper until he rocked in the perfect rhythm, taking her to crying out and raking her nails down his back. While he slammed into her harder they began the ascent to higher peaks before descending to a saturated place of fulfillment and pleasure.

  Languid with lovemaking, Maddie rested over Emerson. Sometime during their lovemaking she’d climbed over him, teased him until he’d hardened again and then taken him. She’d rocked over him while he’d kneaded her breasts a myriad of sensations overtook them.

  She’d enjoyed the stunning view of his corded neck and muscular shoulders straining when he’d thrown his head back and lost all control.

  He pulled a corner of the blanket over them in a protective manner that made Maddie smile.

  “You are a prolific lover, Emerson Gentry.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “I’m almost afraid to ask where you learned to please a woman so well.”

  An arm under his head, she’d never seen him more relaxed. He looked up at the sky. “It’s best not to answer that question. You’d be surprised at the low number of lovers I’ve had.”

  “Five?” Maddie rose up and straddled him. She leaned forward and studied his face. “Six?”

  He smiled and rolled his eyes. “Nope.”

  She pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. “Ten?”

  “You’re going in the wrong direction.” He pulled her down and kissed her, his tongue darting between her lips.

  “Oh really.” Maddie pressed kisses to his jawline. “One?”

  He rolled her off and pulled her against him. “What difference does it make? I could ask you how many you’ve had, but I’d rather not know.”

  “One besides you.” Maddie replied with a saucy grin. “You are my second lover besides my husband.”

  “You’re married.” Emerson frowned. “I’d forgotten.”

  Maddie watched him swallow. He didn’t like to have relations with another man’s wife. That said good things about him. “I’m no longer married. My hus
band fell in love with another.”

  Dark brown eyes met hers. “I’m sorry.”

  Maddie shrugged. “It’s not like they planned it. I believe they fought it for a long time.”

  “You’re not angry? Hurt?”

  “Oh I was. Terribly hurt. Not because I loved Byron, but because it left me in a terrible state. I was no longer invited to be part of our social circles. He, however, was still very much a part of society. It’s so unfair.”

  “Is that why you came out west then?”

  “In part. My parents were beside themselves with worry at Jane’s decision, so it helped for me to come along.”

  He lifted to his side. “I’m glad you did.” Emerson looked to the sky. “It’s best if we head back. I don’t want to keep you out too late.”

  “Yes. It’s best.” Maddie allowed her gaze to travel down from his face to his midsection. “You are a very handsome man, Emerson. Why have you not married?”

  “There isn’t an overabundance of women here, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  Maddie didn’t let him get away without another answer. “I heard you had a correspondence going with a lady. What happened?”

  He came over her and pulled her hands up over her head, taking her left nipple into his mouth. He suckled until she squirmed. “Oh no you don’t. Emerson Gentry, answer my questions.”

  Finally he released her hands, the cool breeze replacing his warm mouth. Maddie shivered. Emerson reached for her clothes and handed them to her.

  As they dressed he spoke. “I was in love. At least I thought I was. At sixteen who knows what it was? After she moved, there was no one. The letter writing was something I did when I felt a yearning for a wife. But I stopped it. Couldn’t see being tied for life to someone I’d meet on my wedding day.”

  She pulled on her boots and began to lace one. “That makes sense. So you want a wife and children?” Maddie wasn’t sure what she’d do if he said yes. She’d not considered a man would yearn for those things.

  “I would like that.” Emerson shrugged. “I suppose if that’s what’s in store for me, then it’ll happen.” He took Maddie’s hand. “I need to get you home before it gets too late.” His arms wrapped around her and he looked down into her eyes. “I am a lucky man that you chose me to be your lover, Miss Connor.”