Montana Mountain Valley Bride (Western Romance)

by Maya Stirling

Bethany laughed quietly. “You don’t need to worry. This is mine.”

  Brodie took a bite and nodded. “That tastes good.”

  She did likewise and said: “I won’t tell you how Nate makes his jerky.”

  Brodie’s eyes widened. “I ate some of it yesterday.”

  She chuckled. “You’re still alive. Consider yourself lucky.”

  They both ate for a few minutes. Then they drank water from their tin cups. Her horse, the pack mule, and Brodie’s horse were picketed. The extra rope holding the wild horse was tied securely around a thick, and very heavy, fallen branch.

  Bethany peered up at the sky, which was clear and so blue it almost hurt her eyes to look at it. The plain stretched away across heavily-grassed fields. Behind her, the mountain loomed, its densely forested slopes stretching for miles in both directions. She felt a strange combination of emotions. It was a mixture of relief at being off the mountain, mingled with delight that she was sitting alongside Brodie.

  For his part, Brodie seemed considerably more relaxed, now that he was back in the territory which was his true home. If anything, though, that realization made her feel even more like an outsider. For that was what she was. She’d made her home in the heights of the mountain. These flatlands, upon which ranches had been built, were an alien land to her. All the ranches and towns in this territory made her feel like a stranger, an unwanted foreigner.

  “Your family must have been worried about you,” she said to Brodie. “You’ve been gone for days.”

  Brodie shrugged. “They’re used to me wandering off. I do it all the time.”

  “So you’re as wild and untamed as that horse,” she said jokingly.

  He looked sternly at her. “I reckon I’ve had enough days of wandering.” A sad expression darkened his eyes. “Being footloose ain’t what folks think it is.”

  Taken aback by his sudden seriousness, she asked. “How come?”

  “A man gets lonely when he’s away from home,” Brodie explained. “He misses the people he loves. Ain’t that what folks say? That love is the most important thing in life?”

  Bethany’s cheeks flamed with heat. “The Lord loves everyone,” she said instinctively. “And He wants all of us to love one another.” It was something she’d always believed. Something she would believe for the rest of her days.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Faith is important to you, isn’t it, Bethany.”

  “It’s everything to me.”

  Brodie eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “My parents brought my brother, my sister and me up to honor the Lord. Faith played an important part in our lives when we were growing up.”

  “Mine, too,” Bethany said thinking back to her younger days.

  “I’d be lying if I said I’ve always been the sensible type,” Brodie frowned. “I’ve seen my share of trouble. And I’m sure some folks used to think I was just plain ornery. But I’ve always tried to be good to folks, and treat them the way I’d want them to treat me. Just like my parents taught me.” He chuckled. “I suppose if you were to ask my older brother, Aiden, he’d tell you I was wild and reckless.”

  “You don’t seem like that to me,” she countered. “Not at all.”

  Brodie peered at her for a long moment. He was suddenly serious. Just like he’d been earlier, up at the cabin. “Maybe it’s time I settled down. Started a family of my own.” He nodded and smiled approvingly. “I think I’d like that.”

  A glint in his eyes, mischievous and challenging, made Bethany drag her gaze away from him. She stood and walked over to the horses. The white horse lifted its head from the creek and eyed Bethany. Here beneath the mountain range, at the edge of the massive forest, with plains stretching for miles, the horse seemed so small, so insignificant. But this was where it belonged. This was its natural home. An animal like this should be free to roam, she told herself.

  She folded her arms and turned to Brodie. “Maybe you’re right, Brodie. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time locked away in that valley.”

  Brodie straightened and gazed at Bethany.

  She gestured to the expanse of the wild, open country. “This is what I’ve been turning my back on. And it’s this that Noah has missed out on while he’s been up there in that valley.” Her voice quivered with emotion. “Noah has his whole life ahead of him. The last thing he needs is for me to trap him in the mountains. He’s young now. But it won’t take long for him to realize how much life he has missed out on.”

  Brodie’s brows furrowed. He remained seated on the fallen tree trunk, rooted to it like a statue. “You only did what you thought was right, Bethany,” he said with utter sincerity.

  “I kept telling myself I had no other choice,” she said. “But you’ve made me realize that there is another choice.”

  Brodie’s features brightened. “And what’s that?”

  “Freedom,” she murmured, hardly believing she was saying the word. “For me and for Noah.”

  Brodie nodded and gazed with visible curiosity at Bethany. Maybe he was wondering why the conversation had taken this turn, she told herself.

  She knew why.

  Bethany turned and looked at the white horse; the horse she had taken captive; the animal whose liberty she had stolen.

  Now it was time to make a new choice. It was time to make a fresh start.

  Bending quickly, she grasped the rope which was attached to the white horse. She tugged on the rope with all her might, loosening it from the tree trunk.

  “Bethany! What are you doing?” Brodie cried out from behind her.

  “What I should have done a long time ago,” she declared.

  And with that, she took one step toward the horse and let the rope drop from her fingers. The white horse, sensing its sudden freedom, reared and whinnied. Bethany stepped back quickly, trying to keep her distance from the horse which was pawing the ground.

  The heel of Bethany’s boot caught in the grass and she stumbled backwards. She cried out and thrust her arms out wide, readying herself for the impact. But then she felt arms embrace her, catching her. Looking up she saw Brodie gazing down at her.

  The horse cried out one last time, an exultant shriek of liberation. Both her and Brodie watched as the white horse plunged away from them, crossing the creek. The horse raced across the grassland, hooves pounding, and the attached rope trailing along behind it.

  Brodie lifted Bethany up to her feet. She and Brodie stood silent for almost a minute, simply watching the liberated horse as it ran across the grassland at the edge of the mountainside forest. Then, with one explosive movement, the horse twisted its body and ran into the depths of the forest.

  Bethany exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath since Brodie had helped her up. The horse was free again. Bethany felt joy sweep through her. She hadn’t felt this alive for a very long time.

  Coming back to the present moment she felt Brodie’s arms enfolding her. Before now, she would have instantly torn herself away from him, seeking polite distance. For some reason she could not understand, she allowed herself to rest in his embrace. Her heart was pounding as fast as the horse’s hooves.

  Then Brodie shifted, turning her to face him. His eyes were wide with astonishment. And not only that. There was a look in his eyes the likes of which she had never seen before. It was a look of the deepest affection.

  Her pulse racing, Bethany let Brodie ease himself closer. Then he dipped his head and his lips settled upon hers. The kiss ignited a cascade of delight. Bethany gasped as Brodie drew her closer, enveloping her in his arms. His lips tasted sweet. She felt the power of his body, the fervent need which had prompted the kiss. For a moment the world faded from her mind. All she felt was the tender joys of his kiss. The ground seemed to shift beneath her feet. The kiss lasted an eternity.

  Then Brodie lifted his head back, ending the kiss. He gazed into her eyes with wonder and something else which she told herself she dare not name.

  “Bethany,” he murmured. Brodie’s voice shook with e
motion. His gaze ran across her features with obvious appreciation. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time.

  Brodie glanced in the direction of the forest. “Why did you do that?” He was talking about the white horse, but all she could think of was that kiss.

  Her emotions still shaken by his kiss, she replied: “I could ask you the exact same question, Brodie.”

  He continued to hold her close to him. “Are you sorry about it?”

  “No.” She ran a hand down the side of his face, feeling the stubble on his chin. “Of course I’m not sorry. And I don’t regret releasing the horse. Not for a moment.”

  She felt transfixed by his affectionate gaze. It was as if he hadn’t heard what she’d said; as if he’d already forgotten about the horse. Being in his arms like this, she felt that, for the briefest moment, all her worries had faded. Now she understood every one of Brodie’s appreciative glances over the last couple of days. Something had been simmering inside him and now he’d shown his true feelings.

  The nickering sound of her own horse, dragged her attention back to the moment. The reality of what had happened slammed into her. She felt the blood drain from her face.

  This should not be happening, she told herself.

  Instantly, emotion evaporated. She felt Brodie’s arms tighten.

  She stepped away from Brodie, breaking the embrace. Abruptly, the truth of what had just taken place came crashing in like a stagecoach racing along a trail. Her throat tightened with emotion and she turned away from Brodie.

  What had she done?

  Bethany stepped across the grass, almost stumbling, and began to busy herself with the pack mule. Her mind was filled with warring thoughts, none of which made sense. Moments ago she’d been submerged in the most wonderful sensations. Now, though, she was overwhelmed by the sense that she’d made a terrible mistake.

  “Bethany.” Brodie came to her side. His eyes were filled with concern.

  Bethany moved to her horse and started fussing distractedly with the cinches of the saddle.

  Brodie called out her name again, this time more firmly. She kept her gaze from him. Seeing him would only weaken her growing resolve to put this right, wouldn’t it?

  Finally, knowing what she had to do, Bethany turned to Brodie. “I’m going back.”

  Brodie’s brows rose in a line. “To the valley?”

  “Yes. To my home. Noah needs me.”

  “I know that, but don’t you need to get some supplies in town.”

  “We have enough for a few weeks,” she retorted.

  Brodie’s features darkened with concern. “What will you do when you run out?”

  She peered at Brodie. “I’ll figure something out. You saw what I just did. I’ve had enough of trading horses for food. I’m not going to do that any longer.” Her voice quivered with feeling. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was get on her horse and lead it and the pack mule back up the mountainside, all the way to the valley. Only then would she be able to make sense of what had happened.

  Bethany mounted her horse. Brodie said nothing. His face was pale with shock. Bethany grasped her reins and gave Brodie one last look. She wanted to say at least something kind to him. He had given her so much, she felt she had a duty to at least be courteous to him.

  But the emotion caused by his kiss had shaken her. She swallowed and forced one last smile across her features. Brodie peered up at her, disbelief on his face.

  Bethany dug her heels into her horse’s sides and started to ride as fast as she could toward the mountain and the protection of the forest.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Brodie stood, frozen to the spot, as he watched Bethany ride away from him. Her departure had been so sudden, he hadn’t been able to react. The only thing he’d been able to do was watch in horror as she’d readied herself and ridden off.

  His heart sank into the pit of his stomach. Had the kiss been a mistake? Of course it had been a foolish and impulsive act, he told himself. But he’d been seized by the moment. When she’d released the white horse, he’d been genuinely shocked. And, when she’d taken a tumble, all he’d thought to do was catch her and protect her from injury.

  Then, he had been overtaken by an irresistible impulse, one that under normal circumstances he would have been able to control. But when it came to Bethany, all thoughts of self-control were impossible. She was so incredibly beautiful that he’d succumbed to the desire to kiss her.

  And now what was he going to do? She was heading for the mountains, intent on escaping him. Did she expect him to go racing after her? He didn’t think so. The way she’d looked at him, it was clear she needed to be alone. She was going back to the valley. And she didn’t want him coming with her.

  Brodie groaned, realizing that the kiss had succeeded in doing the last thing he would have wanted.

  It had driven Bethany away from him.

  There was nothing he could do. He felt powerless.

  As Brodie got his horse ready he glanced from time to time at the rapidly receding figure of the woman he’d just kissed. The woman whose life he had saved. Now she was a woman whose life he had turned upside down. Would he ever see her again?

  Rising up into the saddle, Brodie shook his head and started to ride in the direction of the ranch. It was a long ride. Thankfully, the weather was mild. Brodie needed the fresh air and he needed time on his own to think about the last few days. He was glad to be on the move again. A tornado of thoughts whirled around inside his mind.

  What would Bethany do? The answer to that question lay in what she’d done for the white horse. Releasing the horse had been an act of acceptance on Bethany’s part. Brodie believed that Bethany had reached an important turning point in her life. He believed she had listened to him back at the valley when he’d tried to persuade her that she and Noah deserved a better life than the one they had there.

  Bethany had set the horse free. In doing so, had she finally admitted to herself that the time for her own freedom had come? Brodie figured that was as good an explanation as he could come up with.

  Bethany had seemed joyous about her decision to let the horse go free. As he’d held her in his arms, Brodie had seen the delight on her face. And, at that moment, he had made his fateful choice.

  Brodie grasped the reins tightly and shook his head, unable to believe his own foolishness. His brother Aiden had predicted many times in the past that, one day, Brodie’s impulsive tendencies would get the better of him. Aiden had been right. That day had come. Nausea settled in Brodie stomach.

  He needed to stop thinking. Driving his mount to a gallop, Brodie sped across the rangeland. The concentration needed to ride his horse at such a pace relieved his mind.

  Soon after midday he saw the Cameron ranch house. Simply laying eyes on his home made Brodie feel better. He drew rein in the yard, stepped down and tied his mount to the hitch rail.

  The front door flew open and his sister, Mara came running out. “Brodie. Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick.”

  Brodie hugged Mara. “It’s a long story.”

  His aunt, Edith came to the door. “Brodie Cameron. I’ve got something to tell you.”

  “Uncle Brodie,” a small voice called out. Grace, Mara’s adopted daughter sprinted out of the ranch house and ran to Brodie. Being only young, Grace wrapped her arms around Brodie’s waist.

  Brodie grinned at Mara and Edith. “I didn’t figure you’d all miss me so much.”

  “Are you hungry?” Edith asked.

  “If you’ve got some chicken, I’d sure take a plate of it.”

  They all made their way inside. In the kitchen, Brodie took a seat at the table. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of home cooking. After the simple living up at the valley, it felt good to be surrounded by home comforts.

  “Tell us where you’ve been,” Mara said as she helped Edith ladle out some steaming hot soup.

  “I’ll fill you in later,” he said.

  Mara gave Brodie a
quizzical look. “That sounds mysterious.”

  “Have you been getting into trouble?” Edith demanded.

  “Not this time,” Brodie replied. He told himself that wasn’t exactly true. Kissing Bethany might just have given him a whole heap of trouble.

  “Where’s Aiden and Paton,” Brodie asked.

  “They’ll be here soon enough,” Mara said. “They don’t miss feeding time too often. Not unless there’s a problem with the herd.”

  While he waited for his food to be set down on the table, Brodie chatted with Mara, catching up on what had happened around the ranch during his absence. It seemed Paton and Aiden had been doing some branding; a cow had got stuck the mud when the snow had melted; and some fencing had needed mending. It all sounded ordinary and very wonderful to Brodie’s ears. Everything up in the valley had been so unusual it was good to come back to his ordinary life.

  The food was laid out in front of Brodie. Before he could start eating, the front door opened. Aiden and Paton strode into the kitchen. They were both surprised and pleased to see Brodie home. As Mara and Edith had done, Aiden probed Brodie for an explanation for his prolonged absence. And, just as he’d insisted with his sister and aunt, Brodie told Aiden he would fill him in on the details after they all got some food in their bellies.

  Later, in the parlor, Brodie stood by the roaring fire while Aiden took his place by the window. Paton lounged on the sofa. In the kitchen, Edith, Mara and Grace were cleaning up after lunch.

  Aiden peered at Brodie. “So, tell us. Where did you get too?”

  Paton, Mara’s husband and father to Grace from his previous marriage, stared expectantly at Brodie. “We were worried about you.”

  Brodie scoffed. “You know me. I like to wander off from time to time.”

  “This time it was serious, though, wasn’t it?” Aiden said. Brodie knew his brother could always see through his every attempt at hiding the truth. It had been like that since he and Aiden had been young.

  Brodie nodded. He proceeded to tell Aiden and Paton all about what had happened from the time when he’d saved Bethany from Tyrell and Rufus. When Brodie described finding the hidden valley both mens’ eyes widened.