Montana Cowboy's Baby

by Linda Ford

  *

  Kate wakened with a burst of joy the following Saturday. This was her wedding day. The ceremony was to be simple and small. Only the family and a few close friends.

  Thelma had insisted she must be awake and carried downstairs to the sitting room so she could witness the event.

  Kate helped her dress and did her hair, applied makeup to hide how pale she’d grown, then hurried to her own room, where Isabelle helped her prepare. She had planned to wear her best dress—a pale gray satin—but Father had pulled out a box and lifted a white lace dress from one of his trunks.

  “It’s your mother’s wedding dress.”

  “I didn’t know you even had it. Why have I never seen it before?”

  He grinned. “I kept it with my personal things. I guess I had a dream, too. One apart from you becoming a doctor. I hoped to one day see you married with a dozen children of your own.” He handed her the dress. “That’s why I kept this and why I didn’t tell you.”

  Tears had clogged her throat to finally realize Father wasn’t disappointed she had given up medical school.

  Isabelle did up the row of satin-covered buttons that ran down the back of the dress.

  “It’s like having Mother here,” Kate managed through her tight throat.

  Isabelle turned Kate to face her.

  “We’re best friends and now we’ll be sisters-in-law. I’m ecstatic.”

  Father waited for her outside her door. Isabelle preceded them down the stairs and into the sitting room.

  Thelma sat in Grandfather’s usual chair.

  The family stood together, Carly and Jesse among them.

  Conner waited by Preacher Hugh, his eyes so bright she blinked. But she did not turn away. She would never turn from the love blazing from his eyes.

  “Dearly beloved,” Hugh began.

  They exchanged vows to be faithful for the rest of their lives. Preacher Hugh had them sign the papers making them man and wife and then the lawyer who had prepared the documents beforehand had them sign papers making Kate Ellie’s legal mother. As soon as they finished, Annie handed Ellie to them.

  With a huge grin, Hugh lifted a hand toward them. “May I introduce for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Conner Marshall and their daughter, Elspeth.”

  The family surrounded them, hugging them and laughing.

  Annie, Isabelle and Sadie had secretly prepared a special tea, but before they joined the others in partaking, Conner carried Thelma back to her bed and Kate followed, with Ellie in her arms.

  “I can die happy,” Thelma said with a weary sigh.

  Conner and Kate tiptoed from the room. He pulled her close. “I’m glad we were able to ease her concerns.” He kissed her briefly before they went to join the others.

  A month later

  Kate let Conner lift her from the buggy and they looked at the cabin before them.

  “It’s nothing fancy,” Conner said.

  She chuckled at the mixture of regret and anticipation in his voice. “It’s perfect for our honeymoon.”

  “I’m sorry we had to delay it a month.”

  “I’m not. Now that things have settled down, we can relax without worrying about what’s going on at the ranch.”

  “That’s true.”

  She squeezed his arm. Two weeks ago, Thelma had passed away peacefully in her sleep. They had both sat by her bedside that last night, reassuring her that Ellie would always be loved and cared for.

  As she drew her final breath, they both wiped away tears. In the weeks of caring for her, Kate had grown fond of Thelma. Despite her behavior when she first arrived, Kate knew Conner was as grateful as she that the woman had given them Ellie.

  “I’ll miss her,” she said, wiping away tears.

  “Me, too. But no more suffering for her.”

  Thelma’s last request was for them to celebrate their marriage as they had not had a chance to do yet.

  “You’re always so busy taking care of me and Ellie.”

  Conner and Kate had promised they would do as she requested. It was a promise neither of them minded making and keeping.

  Conner suggested a line cabin that wasn’t being used. “We’ll be completely on our own.”

  Kate shivered in anticipation of this time alone.

  He swept her off her feet and carried her across the threshold. “It’s not home, but welcome anyway, my dear sweet wife.” He kissed her before setting her on her feet.

  She looked around. One room, a bed, a stove, a table and chairs. Plenty of supplies in the buggy. “It has everything we need.” She turned into Conner’s arms and kissed him thoroughly.

  Everything she needed was right here in the circle of his arms.

  *

  If you enjoyed this story, pick up the first two

  BIG SKY COUNTRY books,

  MONTANA COWBOY DADDY

  MONTANA COWBOY FAMILY

  and these other stories from Linda Ford:

  A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS

  A BABY FOR CHRISTMAS

  A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

  THE COWBOY’S READY-MADE FAMILY

  THE COWBOY’S BABY BOND

  THE COWBOY’S CITY GIRL

  Available now from Love Inspired Historical!

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  Dear Reader,

  As many of you know, my husband and I have adopted ten children. My goal and dream and wish for them has always been that they find healing and wholeness in the love and support of a large family. Psalm 68:6 says God sets the lonely in families. I believe strongly in the power of family. May this story help each one to see how important family is. If you don’t have a family unit like I am talking about, I pray you will find it either through the acceptance of a welcoming family such as the Marshalls or in the warmth of an accepting church.

  You can learn more about my upcoming books and how to contact me at www.lindaford.org. I love to hear from my readers.

  Blessings,

  Linda Ford

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE ENGAGEMENT CHARADE by Karen Kirst.

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  The Engagement Charade

  by Karen Kirst

  Chapter One

  Gatlinburg, Tennessee

  September 1887

  Alexander Copeland’s one goal in life was to be left alone. Not an easy task for a café owner, but he’d managed just fine until Ellie Jameson entered his life uninvited. He hadn’t hired the new cook. She had been hired for him without his permission. And because of her skills
in the kitchen, he wasn’t prepared to fire her. Yet.

  If only the woman would accept that he didn’t wish to be involved in the daily operations. He didn’t care whether she was serving roast duck or chicken livers, boiled potatoes or sautéed squash, apple pie or pumpkin fritters. Nor did it matter if she embellished the menu board with dainty little chalk flower drawings and arranged late-summer bouquets in Mason jars to use as centerpieces. Nothing mattered save passing the hours until he could retire upstairs and shut out the world.

  At 10:15 a.m., her succinct rap sounded on his office door. He could say this about her—she was punctual and persistent. Snapping the ledger closed, he sank against the leather chair and considered ignoring her.

  “Mr. Copeland?” She knocked again, and the burning in his gut spread to his entire abdomen.

  Stalking to the door, Alexander wrenched it open and leveled her with a formidable glare. “Must we do this again today, Mrs. Jameson?”

  “I’m afraid we must.” The young widow—she couldn’t be more than twenty—smiled in the face of his annoyance. Not a tremulous, placating smile, but a sunny one that brightened her gamine features and made her coffee-brown eyes shine. “As the proprietor of the Plum Café, you should be informed as to what I’m serving your customers.”

  “My other cook didn’t share your opinion. He did his job and left me out of it.”

  “Perhaps that’s why this place earned the nickname the Rotten Plum,” she countered.

  “Excuse me?”

  Twin brows raised a notch. “You didn’t know?”

  He winced. How could he? He made a point not to interact with the locals, and his employees were hardly going to tell him that to his face.

  “No.”

  Mrs. Jameson’s gaze lowered to where he cradled his midsection. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew.” She held a glass of frothy milk out to him. “Here you are.”

  “I’ve already had my breakfast, Mrs. Jameson.” A bland one of lukewarm oatmeal, toast and weak tea, just as the doctor had prescribed.

  “Please, call me Ellie,” she said, not for the first time. “Trust me, this will help soothe the fire in your belly.”

  Pressing the cold glass into his hand, she slipped past him and, after crossing to the windows, proceeded to tie back the thick brocade draperies. Bright light filtered through the windowpane, dispelling the ever-present gloom and revealing multiple layers of dust coating the bookshelves along the right wall and the carved wood furniture crowding the room. The once-vibrant Oriental rug covering the plank floorboards had faded to dull reds and browns, and multiple threads had snapped and frayed.

  “Might I remind you this is my office? If I’d wanted the draperies open, I would’ve opened them myself.”

  She sneezed. “If you choose to ruin your eyesight, that’s your business. But I need light to see my list.” Pulling out a slim pad and pencil from her apron pocket, she perched on one of the chairs facing his desk, her posture straight and proper, and began to read through the menu items for today’s noon and supper meals.

  Alexander remained in the doorway. Instead of attending her words, his mind wrestled with the puzzle before him. Few people in this quaint mountain town dared approach him. Since the day of his arrival, he’d discouraged interaction. He wasn’t interested in making friends. Most folks respected his wishes. Why couldn’t Ellie Jameson?

  He contemplated the glass in his hand. This wasn’t the first time she’d tried to soothe his ailing stomach. It was as if she studied him for signs of discomfort. Was it some nurturing instinct that spurred her to ignore his unspoken but very clear desire to be left alone? He thought it very likely considering the circumstances of her employment. Several weeks ago, the same day his former cook quit, Alexander had suffered one of his worst episodes since developing an ulcer and had become an unwilling patient of Dr. Owens. Deputy Ben MacGregor and several others had taken it upon themselves to hold cooking auditions without his knowledge. They’d pinned the blue ribbon on Ellie Jameson.

  He didn’t recall seeing her before she came to work here—not that he took the time to acquaint himself with his patrons. He’d overheard her tell his waitress, Sally, that she’d moved to Tennessee in May, only four months ago. Beyond that, he knew she was an excellent cook, a dependable and conscientious employee, and far too cheerful for his tastes.

  While she continued her recitation, he took the time to study her.

  Her hair, worn in a high, girlish ponytail, spilled over her shoulder in nondescript brown waves. Of medium height, she possessed an average, almost boyish build draped in unbecoming gray. Her dove-colored blouse was ill fitting and nearly worn through at the shoulders and elbows. Her skirt was of a darker, charcoal gray and several inches too long, so that the hem skimmed the toes of her old black boots. Her only piece of jewelry was a slim gold wedding band.

  Alexander thought of his own ring, hidden in his dresser drawer upstairs. Wearing it would invite questions he wasn’t prepared to answer. He didn’t need to see it every day to be reminded of what he’d lost. Not lost, he thought bitterly. No, it had been ripped away from him.

  She finished speaking, and her expectant gaze met his. “Does that sound agreeable?”

  “Uh, sure. Yes, very agreeable.” He rubbed the stubble along his jaw. “Now, if that will be all, I’ve got work to do.”

  Tilting her head to one side, she arched a single brow in a way that dispelled the illusion of youth. She clearly suspected he hadn’t heard one word. “It’s been a while since we’ve offered fish. Would you have time today to catch us some? I could fry it up tomorrow and serve it with corn bread, snap beans and coleslaw.”

  She’d requested his input before, but nothing that required action. “You want me to go fishing?”

  “I think folks will enjoy a fish fry, don’t you?”

  He shrugged and, leaving the drink on his desk, wandered over to the window. Using his handkerchief, he rubbed clean a saucer-sized circle. The alley between his establishment and the post office didn’t see much foot traffic. The other building’s exterior log wall dominated much of the view. Above the roofline, a brilliant blue strip of sky was visible.

  “It’s a gorgeous day,” she enthused. “There’s a consistent breeze that eases the sun’s heat and carries with it the remnants of summer. The humidity is low. Doesn’t feel like rain, either. I—”

  “Fine. You’ll have your fish.”

  At her silence, Alexander turned in hopes she’d quit the room. Instead, she’d abandoned her chair to take up position in the middle of his office, her person a study in grays and browns broken only by faint strokes of pink on the apple of her cheeks and a rosebud mouth that was, in its delicate perfection, her one intriguing feature.

  Startled by the thought, he said in clipped tones, “We’re finished here, are we not?”

  “Before I start on the noon meal, I’d like to show you something in the dining room.”

  Emitting a resigned sigh, he gestured with an impatient flick of his fingers for her to lead the way. The sooner he listened to her concerns, the sooner he’d be rid of her.

  *

  To most folks, Alexander Copeland was an irascible recluse who couldn’t be bothered with his customers’ needs or wants. In the brief time Ellie had worked for him, she’d come to the conclusion that he was a hurting soul who desperately needed a friend. Someone to gently nudge him from the nest like a baby bird.

  In the spacious dining room, she watched him pace restlessly from one window to the next, his remote blue gaze surveying the various aspects of Main Street. The café was currently closed for the two-hour break between breakfast and the noon meal, an opportune time to broach the subject of sprucing up the place.

  He ceased his restless movements and directed his full attention to her. Despite his recent health problems, Alexander Copeland cut a commanding figure. Over six feet tall, he favored austere, formal clothing at odds with his tousled, collar-length raven hair and habit of sh
aving every third or fourth day. His features were classically handsome. His light blue eyes were ringed with darker blue and fringed with lush black lashes any girl would envy. Noting how his black vest shot through with silver threads over an ice-blue shirt complemented his coloring, she recalled the gauntness of his appearance upon his return from the doctor’s not so long ago. Sensitive to others’ suffering, she was grateful he was following his prescribed diet. While he could stand to gain a bit more weight, he was well on the way to complete recovery—physically, anyway. Whatever tormented his mind remained—that much was obvious.

  “What is it that requires my personal attention?”

  Arms stiff at his sides, he looked around the room, his gaze snagging on the back wall and the large blackboard where she’d written the day’s menu. Did he disapprove of her drawings? Or perhaps it was the Bible verse she’d included? According to her assistant, Flo Olufsen, Mr. Copeland hadn’t darkened the doorstep of the church since his arrival.

  “It’s the curtains, sir.” Ellie indicated the maroon draperies that should’ve been replaced years ago. “They’re in bad shape, as are the tablecloths. Their appearance gives a poor impression of the state of the restaurant.”

  There were twelve tables in total, all rectangular in shape. Four windows overlooked the street and two windows flanked the fireplace on the alley side. Alexander inspected the cloth on the table closest to him. When his finger pierced the worn material and opened up a hole, his face puckered in bewilderment. Ellie couldn’t squelch a giggle.

  He straightened immediately, his mouth tightening.

  Feeling chastened without him ever speaking a word, Ellie hurried to cover the gaffe. “I was thinking we should choose material of a lighter, neutral hue that would brighten the room,” she said. “Nothing too feminine, of course. And it would have to be sturdy. You won’t want to be replacing them every year.”

  “You’ve given this a great deal of thought.”

  “I want the Plum to be a place where folks feel comfortable. Somewhere they can be assured of a fresh, hot meal in an inviting environment.”

  He skimmed his fingers along the mantel and inspected them. “Are you responsible for the cinder-free fireplaces?”