Gentrys of Montana: Gentrys of Montana

by Hildie McQueen

  The words were meant to make her feel good, but for some reason the word lover felt almost like a slap. Is that what she wanted? To be his lover and nothing more? She loved Emerson, yet he’d not said anything that made her think he felt something akin to it. She forced a smile.

  When he kissed her this time she let out a sigh at the sensations of warmth and security. It was superficial if he didn’t care for her. Wasn’t it? Maddie tasked herself with collecting the blanket and untouched basket while Emerson went to see about the horses. He looked over at her and smiled and her chest expanded with so much love it was almost impossible to contain.

  They pulled into town and Emerson helped Maddie climb down from the wagon. She’d fixed her hair and wondered what she’d tell her sister when asked about Alder’s Gulch.

  When Jane opened the door and looked from her to Emerson, he removed his hat. “Miss Jane, I’m sorry to say we never made it to Alder’s Gulch. One of the horses lost a shoe and we had to return at an extremely slow pace. Perhaps next time I can take you both.”

  They said their goodnights, his naughty wink at her over Jane’s head. Maddie almost laughed when Jane thanked Emerson for taking such good care of her.

  If her sister only knew.

  Chapter Seven

  “Tell me again. What did my brother tell you?” Emerson questioned the prisoner once again. He’d have to release the man, since he had no proof of any wrongdoing. He’d kept him as long as he did on the off chance there was more information he’d yet to remember.

  “I done told you everything. Don’t know nothin’ else.”

  “I’m going to release you, Gilmore.” Emerson waited for the man’s reaction.

  He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t believe you. You’re lyin’ just to git my hopes up.”

  “Just tell me one thing, did he say why he was coming here?”

  Gilmore cocked his head. “If I tell you, you’ll release me?”

  “Yes.”

  He focused past Emerson toward the front area. “I reckon your pa took off with my horse.”

  “Your horse is outside. Along with your things. Rory, my deputy, got it for you.”

  “Look, Marshal, all I know is that your brother said he had a score to settle and was coming back to make things right. He didn’t say nothin’ else, and I didn’t give two shits what he was talking about either.”

  Linc would show up when he chose. Emerson hoped for this brother’s sake, it was with proof of his innocence and not with plans for revenge.

  At home that evening, Emerson paced between his bedroom and the front room. His thoughts on Maddie. She wanted him as a lover and as tempting as it was to continue the relationship, he wasn’t sure he could settle for less than marriage. What would happen on the day she decided another man would take his place?

  Grant was right. He had changed. His feelings for Maddie were deeper than he’d admitted even to himself until that moment.

  A knock on the door saved him from further musings. He opened it to find Rory. “There’s a fight at the saloon. I put one of them in a cell. Clyde.”

  “What about the other one?”

  “It’s Walker, he’s passed out in front of the saloon. He’ll be hurting in the morning. I think his arm’s broken.”

  The two men often brawled. They had an ongoing argument over gold. They’d been partners and as far as Emerson knew never found much, yet each time they argued, they swore the other was hiding tons of it.

  The Irishman studied him. “You need a drink?”

  Emerson waved him in. “I have some. Join me.”

  By the time the bottle was half empty Emerson had told Rory most of the situation with Maddie. He left off the part of making love, not wanting to tarnish her reputation.

  “Sounds to me like you’re in love. If you are, then propose to the girl before someone else does. She may say she just wants a friendship, but a lady won’t tell all. Not unless they are sure about how you feel first. At least that’s what my mother tells me.”

  “So glad we have your mother’s wisdom.” Emerson lifted his glass and toasted. “I’ll take her advice into consideration.”

  He stood and the room tilted. Rory roared with laughter when Emerson put both arms out in an attempt to gain his balance. What possessed him to drink so much, knowing well he had never been able to hold his liquor? He stumbled toward the bedroom. “I better lay down.”

  “Not yet.” Rory put his hand on Emerson’s shoulder and guided him to the stove. “Let’s get some coffee into ya.”

  Thud. Thud. Thud. Each thump vibrated through Emerson’s head. He pried an eye open and looked up at the ceiling. Thud. Thud. Thud.

  Someone either knocked on the door or pounded on the wall outside. He turned to the doorway and a sledgehammer hit him on top of his head. “Ouch.”

  Another set of thumps sounded and he covered his ears. “Come in and shut up,” he moaned. Nothing happened, no one entered.

  Fifteen minutes later, he finally was able to make it to his door. He opened it enough to look outside. The preacher stood by waving his arms, while two men hammered at the makeshift stage and pulled it apart. In front of the saloon stood two working girls with hands on their hips watching and just a few feet away stood a pair of young boys holding the “Repent” banner.

  “I’ll get the marshal and he’ll put a stop to this.” The preacher pointed in Emerson’s direction and he closed the door and leaned on the wall. Waking up after too much whiskey had to be the worst thing next to waking up next to an ugly woman.

  He went to the stove and poured cold coffee into a cup and took several swallows. Thump. Thump. Thump. The wall next to the stove almost vibrated. The prisoner. Rory had left Clyde in the jailhouse overnight. Knowing Clyde, he’d sobered up and didn’t remember why he was in jail. Emerson slipped out the door and went around the back of his rooms to the jailhouse to avoid the people arguing over the stage breakdown. He went inside and closed the door. “I’m coming, Clyde.”

  After retrieving the key ring from his desk, he went to the cell.

  “I demand to know why I was thrown in here.” Clyde hollered and Emerson almost threw up at the noise. “It’s a damn shame how a citizen gets treated in this town.”

  Emerson grabbed the man by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him to the front door. He opened it and shoved the man through and then closed the door behind him.

  “I’ll speak to Higgenbottom about this.” He could still hear Clyde yelling, but thankfully it dimmed as the man walked away.

  An hour later, he finally felt well enough to go out and check on the commotion in front of the saloon. The preacher remained in place, a bible in one hand and with the other he motioned and spoke to whoever passed by. Most people hurried their pace or crossed the street to avoid him.

  Enough. Emerson fastened his gun belt around his hips and placed his hat on his head. As he walked out he ran into three women who’d gathered, their heads bent as they whispered. Behind them stood a farmer who lived near his father’s ranch.

  “I can’t believe that woman would do such a thing. To come here and roll around naked in the middle of the day where God and everybody could see her.” Mrs. Higgenbottom shook her head.

  One of the other women pressed a handkerchief to her forehead. “And that her sister is to teach our children. Do you think Miss Jane is aware of her sister’s activities?”

  The other woman, the preacher’s wife, tsked. “Can’t blame whoever the man was. After all men are ruled by their desires. A woman should be the one to control her actions.”

  Emerson stared at the farmer until he met his gaze. The man’s eyes widened and he turned and rushed away from the women. The women all stopped talking and waited for him to pass before continuing their conversation, barely paying him any mind.

  The man was about to duck into the seamstress’ shop when Emerson grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to a stop. “You brought gossip to these women who have nothing better to do tha
n rush to judgment. Why?”

  “I—I, well you see, Marshal, I happened to be out fishing over at Gentry’s creek and saw the woman naked. Riding a man. Out in broad daylight. A beauty she was…” He stopped talking when Emerson frowned. “What I mean is that I thought it was best for the ladies to know what type of woman that one is.”

  “What type do you think she is?” Emerson asked with a raised brow. “You seem to have made an assumption and brought news back here like a gossiping woman about our new school teacher’s sister.”

  The man swallowed visibly. Emerson knew the man, always skulking about peeking through windows. “I don’t think much of her.” He lifted his chin. “Not much at all.”

  To keep from punching the man, Emerson turned and walked away. It was best he spoke to Maddie without delay. The sooner she knew the better. It was a matter of hours before the local women would speak to Jane. He had an idea of how to offset their attack on Maddie’s reputation.

  He wondered of her reaction.

  Instead of Maddie he found Jane at the schoolhouse. The woman moved with an elegant grace as she came closer to greet him. Her eyes searched his face for a moment after greeting him. “Something is amiss, isn’t it? You can barely look me in the eyes.” She had good instincts.

  Emerson nodded. “Is Mad…Madeline available? I must speak to her. It’s important.”

  “She will return shortly, just went to the house to gather more cleaning cloths.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “It may be best if you tell me. I am guessing it has something to do with the so called horseshoe.” Her stern look made him look at his boots.

  “Very well.”

  Just outside the schoolteacher’s cottage Maddie stopped and stretched her back. Her arms and back ached from all the work, but the pains were overshadowed by the constant ache in her chest. It was incredible that after achieving her goal of pursuing and having Emerson Gentry, she felt pain at the superficiality of their relationship. She could kick herself for allowing her heart to enter into the equation.

  “Miss Connor.” Mrs. Higgenbottom, Gertrude and Malvenia advanced. At their expressions of gloom, Maddie looked past them to see if the town was under attack or if someone had been run over by a buggy. “We’d like to have a word with you immediately.”

  Arms full of cleaning cloths, Maddie scooted back against the wall between her home and the schoolhouse. “Ladies, whatever is the matter? You seem unhappy.” She wondered if they were upset she did not help hold up the repent banner.

  Mrs. Higgenbottom huffed and peered down her nose at her. “Of course we’re not of a good mood, Miss Conner. We’ve received the most shocking report of your conduct.”

  Her stomach pitched. Without speaking she looked to each of them and waited.

  The women allowed the mayor’s wife to speak for them. “It was brought to our attention by a farmer that you were wallowing with abandon, with a man, outside in broad daylight where God and anyone could see.”

  “What?” She attempted to take another step but the wall behind her prevented it. Her heart sunk at seeing Jane and Emerson coming to stand behind her. Her sister’s menacing expression was surprisingly directed at the women, while Emerson looked more pained than anything.

  Mrs. Higgenbottom puffed her chest out and pointed at Jane. “I’m glad you are here and can be made aware of your sister’s activities.”

  “Ladies, I believe this is a matter that should be dealt with in private.” Emerson motioned for everyone to enter the schoolhouse. Jane entered first, followed by the three women and lastly Maddie went in after shooting him a questioning look. His only response was a shrug. Not helpful at all.

  Mrs. Higgenbottom started to speak, but Emerson stopped her. He cleared his throat and looked to them until they began to look at each other. “Let me begin by telling you that what occurred out in the field that is my land, by the way, is none of your business. I do believe spreading gossip is one of the things on the list your husband preaches so fervently against.” He looked to Malvenia, who nodded, her head bobbing up and down with quick movements. “I am the man who was out there with Maddie yesterday.”

  The women gasped in unison. Mrs. Higgenbottom fell into a chair and pulled a kerchief out to cover her mouth with. “I can’t believe you would confess to such a thing, Marshal.”

  “And I…” Emerson leaned over the women. “…cannot believe you would delve into what happens between a husband and his wife.”

  Maddie’s mouth fell open, but she closed it before any of the women could see it. Emerson continued without looking her way. “You see ladies, my wife and I were celebrating our honeymoon. We’d just wed that morning at Alder’s Gulch.”

  “Oh.” Mrs. Higgenbottom recovered first and stood. Although she seemed to waiver some, no one came to her aide. “I see.”

  Finally Maddie forced her gaze to Jane who met it with what most would confuse for a bored expression. It was not. It was her ‘we will talk later’ look.

  Malvenia spoke next. “Why didn’t you ask my husband to marry you?”

  “Because they wanted to keep it a secret. They haven’t known each other very long, but grew enamoured rather quickly,” Jane responded, her voice and manner perfect. “I thought it was best to wait before announcing it. But it seems whoever brought the news back took matters from our hands.”

  Looking properly chastised, the women departed and Maddie collapsed into a chair. Emerson took her chin and lifted her face. “We’ll get married at my brother’s house in a few days. I’m leaving now to find out if the preacher from Alder’s Gulch can meet us there.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips and left.

  “Don’t say it.” Maddie closed her eyes and fought not to cry. “You were right. I made a mess of things and now Emerson is forced to marry me.”

  “I don’t think he minds much at all.” Jane neared and pulled Maddie’s head against her side. “What I am unhappy about is losing you so quickly. I’ll be living alone now.”

  Jane would be alone in the little cottage. Her sister told her she’d always dreamed of her own little home where she could while away the hours reading and writing poetry. She’d always enjoyed time alone with her books and pet cat. But now in a strange town perhaps it wasn’t as cozy as she’d expected.

  “I’m sorry, Jane.”

  Her sister lowered and smiled. “Don’t be sorry. I want you to be happy. Do you think you will be?”

  “I don’t know. We’re certainly suited physically.” Maddie couldn’t help the upward curve to her lips.

  * * * *

  “Help me.” Maddie waited for Jane to pin the small flowers into her hair. Her sister looked lovely with her hair already up in a hairstyle she often wore for society functions back in Virginia.

  Julia, Grant’s wife, walked in and glanced at her. “You look beautiful, Maddie.” They’d immediately liked each other, the three women having spent countless hours up sewing to make Maddie’s dress in a record three days.

  She’d not caught but a glance of Emerson since she and her sister came to stay with Grant and Julia to prepare for the small wedding. She missed him so much. At the same time she was nervous about once again marrying a man who didn’t love her. It seemed her lot to make a mistake when it came to marriage.

  “It’s time to head out. The preacher is here.” Julia left, seeming to understand she and Jane needed a moment.

  “I won’t cry.” Jane announced, her eyes already misting. “But let me tell you that I’m convinced Emerson Gentry is the one. He will make you very happy dear sister.” They hugged and Maddie sniffed, wanting to believe her.

  There was a second knock on the door. Jane opened it and turned to Maddie. “I love you.”

  Emerson walked in. His eyes widened at seeing her and Maddie was glad for the extra effort they’d put into her appearance. “You’re breath-taking.” She believed him and felt happiness inch in. “I would like to tell you something before we say our vows.” Her stomach twisted. She wasn’t sure w
hat to think, so instead of a reply, she could only nod.

  With each step that he took toward her, her breath became shallower. “Maddie.” He took her hands and lifted them to his lips. He kissed each knuckle and she bit her bottom lip to keep from making an embarrassing noise. His beautiful dark eyes met hers. “I want you to understand that when I say my vows, I will mean every single word. Especially when I promise to love you. It will be the easiest vow, since I already do.”

  “You do?” Maddie grinned like a mad woman, and flung herself against him. “How did that happen?”

  He laughed. “I love you with all my heart and I am not entirely sure when it happened. Perhaps when you came to my home and took advantage of me.”

  “I did no such thing.” She looked up at him and saw it. Love radiated from his eyes and she blinked away tears of joy. “I love you, Emerson Gentry.”

  His face lowered until his mouth hovered over hers when the door opened again, Jane peeked in. “You are not allowed to kiss her until after you are pronounced husband and wife.”

  Emerson was pulled from her and she let him go. Only because after this day, she’d never let him go again.

  *The End*

  THE OUTLAW

  Gentrys of Montana 3

  Hildie McQueen

  Chapter One

  By the looks of the small graveyard, no one had been there in a while to see about clearing the growth of weeds. Surprising since it had only been a few months since his brother’s death. Lincoln Gentry yanked a tall weed and crouched in front of his mother’s tombstone. Emma Gentry, beloved wife and mother. He bowed his head and prayed she’d help him in the quest to clear his name. The seemingly impossible task of proving he did not kill a man loomed.