He leaned against a post that held up part of the veranda and murmured, “Looks can be deceiving, Matty. It’s so pretty and peaceful. Problem is, this land is wild as can be.”
She took a sip of coffee and let silence swirl about them. “So you came from Chicago?”
He nodded. “Moved here in ‘62. Mama came because she loved Pa to distraction, but she rated the venture as pure folly. After one year, she sent my sister Annie back to a finishing school. Annie married within months. Pa, Luke, and I got the ranch started, but Pa fell off a hay wagon and got run over in ‘64.”
“Oh, Jim, I’m so sorry.”
“Accidents happen out here all of the time. It’s why you don’t belong. Women are too vulnerable.” He stared at her. “What about your mother?”
“Soon as Pa died, she went back to be with Annie. She couldn’t wait to ‘get back to civilization where a woman can be a lady.’ Luke and I decided we had a good start on things, so we’ve been here on our own for the past four years.”
Matty laughed briefly. “From what he said about your cooking, I suppose your survival is something akin to a miracle.”
“If you’re talking about marvels, explain to me why you’re not married yet.”
Matty gave him a weak smile. “Until I find a man who can hold me as dear as Papa held Mama, I don’t want to marry. I didn’t feel that special spark with any of the men in our church, but a handful of them turned out to be fine friends.”
“Come on, Matty—there wasn’t one special man?”
“No, but I played Cupid and matched a few of them up with my friends. I even introduced Corrie to her husband.”
Jim squatted down and tilted her chin upward. “Matty, why didn’t you marry one of those fellows? It was much safer than coming out here to a complete stranger.”
The concern in his voice and eyes made her breath hitch. “Ellis made our lives miserable. Bess and he got along about as well as Rhubarb and Ramon, and Corrie needed to get away from all of her memories.”
“Still, the man ought to be strung up for concocting the plan to send you here.”
She sighed. “It’s appalling. I’m not a husband-hunting kind of woman. I finally decided maybe it was a blessing in disguise—at least all four of us would still be together.”
The muscle in his jaw twitched. He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll be sure you’re all settled together, wherever I send you. Now go on inside.”
Oomph! Jim landed in the dust and nearly got the wind knocked out of him. Any man with the brains of a trout would know to keep his mind and eyes on the mustang, but Jim had gotten distracted. Amos and Keith had come from town and sat up on the patio, sipping cool drinks with Matty. He’d chased both of them off just two days ago. What were they doing back here again?
He stood, drew in a few steadying breaths, and decided to stomp over and demand the men leave and the woman stop acting like someone had hung a courting swing from his eaves.
“She’s about to do something foolish,” Lanky called to him.
Jim was ready to agree, but then he realized Lanky was talking about the horse—not Matty. Refusing to make a fool of himself in front of his hands and townsmen, Jim focused on the skittish mare. She danced sideways, pawed, and tossed her head.
“There now, darlin’, you got nothing to worry ’bout. I mean you no harm,” he singsonged.
“She don’t cotton much to being broke,” Lanky said from his perch on the corral’s split-rail fence.
Jim shot him a smile. “Not a female in the world who does.”
“You shore got yerself a nice passel of gals in the house. And I’m a-tellin’ you, the smells comin’ outta that kitchen are nuff to make me pea-green jealous over that dumb poodle dog for getting the scraps.”
“If I’m lucky, I’ll get them to take that stupid beast back home with them.” Jim murmured a few soft words to the mare and managed to stroke her.
“Pity you can’t find it in your heart to handle ’em with the same skill and kindness you show these here mustangs.” Lanky spat a wad of tobacco off to the side and sauntered away.
Jim concentrated on the mare, singing to her softly under his breath as he let her get accustomed to his touch again. He didn’t need to respond to Lanky’s comment, but it rankled.
He’d tried to be considerate of the women. Why, he’d worn his buckskins out here to break the mustangs so he wouldn’t cause more laundry and mending. Each day for the past week, he made sure he washed up properlike and put on a fresh shirt before he went to the supper table. Not only had he given up his bed, he’d made every effort to make life easy on Matty and her sisters.
Having women around was a mix of heaven and hardship. Their soft voices, laughter, and good cooking surely did make for pleasant evenings. Though he’d never confess it, he looked forward to those last-thing-in-the-evening chats with Matty out on the porch. Fact was, little Matty managed to put her hand to work out in the stable without anyone mentioning what needed to be done. When something came up that she didn’t know about, she was downright eager to learn. Jim hated to admit it to himself, but he’d actually started looking around for her.
Then, there were times he wished she and her sisters had never stepped off that train. He’d died about ten deaths when a stallion tried to kick down a corral fence, and a splintered board went sailing toward Matty. How in the world was he supposed to keep her and her sisters safe? He’d gotten a nasty telegram from Ellis Stack, demanding money for these women. On top of all of that, playing the role of guard dog and chasing away all of the randy bachelors of Lickwind wore thin on his nerves.
No, the women shouldn’t stay. He needed to send them off. Regardless of how sweet Matty smelled or how interesting her conversations were, she didn’t belong out here.
The whole time he reasoned through the need to send Matty away, Jim kept pampering the horse and shooting wary gazes at the guys on the porch with her. To his everlasting relief, she stood and the men took their leave. It wasn’t until Jim headed toward the gate that he realized what he’d been singing. “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen….”
Bertie stepped on the lowest rung of the fence. The toe of her scuffed boot caught in the hem, and she impatiently yanked the skirts to the side. Her battered brown felt hat tumbled into the dust, revealing that her strawberry blond bun sat askew on her head. As usual, she looked like she’d slept in her rumpled clothes. From the expression on her face, Jim expected her to shout out her thoughts. Instead, she extended her hand toward the horse and spoke in a low tone. “Mr. James, have you seen Rhubarb?”
To his amazement, the edgy mare walked over and nosed Bertie’s hand. “Careful,” he warned. “She’s feral. I’ve been working to break her.”
“You’re a beauty, aren’t you?” Bertie caressed her muzzle and forelock, and the mare stood still for it. The girl then flashed him a smile that faded just as quickly. “Looks like you’re doing a fine job with her. Have you seen Rhubarb?”
“Can’t say as I have. Better keep her away from Ramon.”
Bertie nodded, got off the fence, and continued her search. As she left, he thought about what her sister had said. Poor kid—she truly loved that creature. He hoped it hadn’t gone missing. He worked a bit more with the mare, but his heart wasn’t in it. After a few more minutes, he turned her over to a hand so she would be groomed and watered, then he went in search of the cat.
A short while later, he stared in disbelief at the sight before him. Rhubarb lay in the corner of his stall with three mewling still-wet kittens … on top of his favorite wool bedroll.
“Matilda, get Bertie.”
Matty looked up from the shirt she’d been mending and gave Jim a startled look. “Is something wrong?”
Bertie peeked around the kitchen door. “Did I hear my name?”
“Yup. You two come along with me.”
Matty exchanged a nervous look with her youngest sister and followed Jim out the door. He headed across th
e yard, straight toward the stable. Both of them had to pick up their skirts and half run to keep up with him.
“Where’re you all headed to in such an all-fired hurry?” Buckwheat called.
“Leave the women be and go chop logs for the stove,” Jim growled as he charged ahead.
Shafts of sunlight filtered into the stable. Silvery motes danced on them, and the smell of horses and hay filled the air. To one side, a mare nickered to her newborn foal. Matty jumped when Jim curled his hand around her arm and started leading her along the wide center aisle. He’d taken hold of Bertie’s arm, too.
They went clear to the end, and he stopped. Pulling them both in front of himself, he settled a hand on Matty’s shoulder and leaned forward so his breath brushed her cheek. “Look in the corner.”
“Rhubarb!” Bertie cried with delight.
“Whoa now.” Jim wouldn’t let them go. “She’s a new mama. She might not want anyone to bother her right now.”
Matty spun around and tilted her head back to see his face. “Oh, Jim. On your blankets?”
He sighed and the left side of his mouth crooked upward in a rakish smile. “Never can predict the behavior of a female.”
Unable to help herself, Matty started to laugh. He did as well, and the rich, deep sound of his chuckle warmed her as nothing ever had.
Bertie tiptoed over and knelt by the blanket. “Three, Matty—all gray-and-black striped like their mama.”
“We’ll be careful to keep the stall door shut so nothing can get in here to rile her—specially Ramon,” Jim promised. “Anytime you want to come check on her during the daytime, you feel free. She’s a fine mama—grooming them already, and they’re feeding well. Not a runt among them.”
Matty listened to the gentle way he spoke to her sister. He must have taken Bess’s words to heart about how much Bertie loved her pet. Instead of kicking up a fuss over the way the mess spoiled his bed, he squatted there, praising Rhubarb as if she’d won a prize at the county fair. Who would have ever guessed that beneath his gruff exterior, Jim Collingswood was gifted with compassion and mercy?
“James, could you wait a minute, please?”
Jim stopped but didn’t turn around. He didn’t know why Matty whispered to him, but he figured he’d stay silent. She closed the door so quietly, he barely heard it latch.
“I have something for you.” She pressed a bottle into his hand.
As he looked down, the muscles in his neck spasmed. He gritted his teeth against the pain. “What is it?”
“You’re stiff. Bertie told me you were breaking an especially ornery mustang today, and when we went out to see the kittens, you grimaced when you knelt. I figured this might help out.”
“I’m not a man to drown a few paltry aches in whiskey.”
She covered her mouth, but he could still see her shoulders shake in silent laughter. Moonlight glowed on her fair hair and sparkled in her big blue eyes. When she lowered her hands, she whispered, “It’s liniment.”
Hmm. Later, when I hit the hay, I’ll ponder on the fact that she’s discussing my activities and watching me. For now, he lifted the bottle a bit higher. “It’s red. It doesn’t smell all flowery or girlie, does it?”
“No. Some of the hands back home tried it and claimed it worked well. Doc Timmons even said it’s so good, he stopped mixing his own. If that’s not enough, the company promises if you are dissatisfied with the results and only use it down to the ‘Trial Mark,’ you can return the bottle for a full refund.”
“Who ever heard of a company promising to give you your money back?”
“I guess there’s a first time for everything. The ingredients are sound—camphor, extract of capsicum, oil of spruce—”
Jim squinted and read, “ ‘J. R. Watkins Medical Company Red Liniment.’ If they’re as right about the effects as they are the color, it ought to do the trick just fine.”
“You’re a hardworking man, James Collingswood. I don’t doubt your abilities for a minute, but I do hope you’re being cautious.”
Her concern warmed him, but he didn’t want to feel that way. “Fretting doesn’t get a job done.”
“I suppose not.”
His hand fisted around the bottle. “Don’t think some good meals, cleaning, and a bit of doctoring are some kind of test like this try-it-for-a-bit cure-all, Matilda Craig. Sure as a coon has stripes, I’m not wife shopping. No matter what you do, you’re not staying.”
Chapter 6
The very next morning, Matty sat on the porch steps, humming and stitching. Jim thought about sauntering by to get a drink at the pump—maybe even tell her the liniment worked well—but before he could blink, Harvey and Mike ambled over to her. They stood there, jawing with her as if they had all day to talk and not a thing in the world to do. As a matter of fact, all of his hands were displaying the same bad habit. Every single time Jim turned around, one of them hovered over Matty.
It was her own fault, too. The woman was puppy-dog friendly. Why, she’d learn a man’s name and greet him whenever he happened by. She could converse intelligently about important, interesting subjects—weather, livestock, repair work, and essential duties. She didn’t fuss over fashions and simper silly things that left a man shuffling uncomfortably.
Luke nudged him out of his musings. “What are you scowling at?” Jim nodded toward her. “That. The hands act like this is a Sunday picnic instead of a workday. That woman’s setting out to find her a man, and I told her not to look for romance here. Bad enough I have to ride our own men, but half of Lickwind keeps roaming here to try to court, too.”
Luke shoved his hat back on his head and absently rubbed his jaw—a shaven jaw, Jim noticed. He used to shave every third day or so when the itch started to bug him. Now he did it every day.
“Seems to me you said you’re not interested. You don’t have any right to keep others from courting her.”
“I’m paying them to work—not woo women. And as long as she’s under my roof, she can good and well follow my orders not to flirt!”
“She doesn’t flirt. Matty doesn’t have wiles like that. She’s like a butterfly—she flits. She doesn’t show any favoritism, and she’s been good for morale.”
Jim jabbed his forefinger into Luke’s chest. “If you’re all that sold, then go claim her.”
“She’s not for me.”
“Then ride into town and make arrangements for them to be on the next train. Take the money out of the bank and buy the tickets now. I want this settled.”
“I’ll be going into town tomorrow,” Luke announced after saying grace over supper. “I’m going with you.” Bess passed the corn bread to Luke.
“No need,” Jim said as he snagged a pair of thick slices of tender roast. “We’ll buy your train tickets. It’s the least we can do.”
“No need,” Bess echoed back. She squared her shoulders. “We’re not leaving.”
Matty watched Jim’s eyes widen in surprise then narrow. Before he could speak, she shoved the butter at him and said, “We’ve decided to settle in town, but we’ve appreciated your hospitality.”
He stuck the butter plate on the table with a thump. “There’s no place in town.”
“There’s the jail,” Bertie chimed in.
“The jail!”
“We can sew and do laundry. Maybe cook or bake a bit,” Corrie said with resolve.
“There’s a laundry in town—not that it gets used much,” Jim growled. “And what makes you think men want you to sew? We all buy ready-made clothes.”
“There’s been plenty of mending,” Bess cut in. “Furthermore, there isn’t a decent place for anyone to get a nice meal.”
“The jail isn’t big enough for the four of you to turn around in. You can’t live there, let alone live and run a business out of it.”
“I can’t bear to get on the train again,” Corrie said quietly.
“None of us can,” Matty whispered to her. She looked Jim straight in the eye. “We’ve disc
ussed it. This is the way it’s going to be. We’ll settle here in Lickwind.”
“Luke,” Jim barked, “explain to these women so it’ll make sense.”
Luke swallowed a bite and grinned. “Good roast beef. What’re we having for dessert?”
The next morning, Jim demanded his brother buy the train tickets; the women stubbornly asserted they were going to rent the jailhouse. The breakfast table crackled with tension.
Bess rose and ordered, “Bertie, no going out to the stable to see the kittens until you’ve helped Corrie with the dishes. Don’t pester Scotty either. And for pity’s sake, don’t take advantage of our absence to go gallivanting off to who-knows-where again. We all have enough on our minds without worrying where you’ve disappeared to. Corrie, after dishes, you lie down and nap awhile. Matty, get your reticule. We’re leaving.”
“Lickwind is not a town for ladies. I don’t know where you came up with this absurd notion, but I’ll not be party to it.” Jim stood and tossed his napkin onto the table. “Luke, ride on in. The ladies won’t be going.”
Luke casually spread freshly churned butter on a fluffy biscuit and didn’t even bother to look up. “Matty and I already hitched the buckboard.”
Jim gawked at Matty. “You did what?”
She shrugged. “We’re not frail flowers, James. Just as your telegram ordered, we’re sturdy, dependable, hardworking, and plain. My father had no sons. We all learned to do what was necessary.”
Jim glowered at her. “Three of you are sturdy. Dependable? The only thing I can depend on is that you’re stubborn and vexatious. Hardworking? You can work hard someplace where you won’t have every man for miles around trailing after you like a moonstruck calf. As for plain—” He shook his finger at her. “You can just forget blinking those great big blue eyes at me and trying to tell that ridiculous tale. I know a pretty woman when I see one.” He slapped his hat on his head and stomped out the door.
Bartered Bride Romance Collection Page 22