by Sarah Silver
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Published: Steamyreads4u @September 2015
Warning
This book contains graphic content intended for readers 18+ years old.
If you are under 18 years old, or are not comfortable with adult content, please close this book now.
Chapter One
If Addie never rode another horse, it would be too soon for her. The only trouble was, she was in the wrong part of the world to be making that resolution. Big sky country. Wrong. She had no idea how Lewis and Clark made their way some seventy years before but if they could do it, she could do it.
At least she hoped and prayed she could. She had gotten herself in more fixes than moving half way across the universe was going to fix. But, if moving was her only option, so be it. By train, coaches and horses, Addie had to get as far away from a world of trouble as she possibly could.
When Addie’s daddy was lynched for selling the same farm twice – and the only home generations of her family had ever known – she knew she had to think fast. When the magistrate came to collect from her the amount of money that her father took from one of his victims (mercifully, at least one of the parties got to keep the farm so she only owed once), Addie had to find a way to come up with the cash.
She had never worked a day outside of the farm, in her life. And with her family once consisting only of her father and her – now just her – that was more than a full time occupation. But it seemed like the cause of her problem offered her a great solution. If her daddy could sell a farm twice, what said Addie couldn’t promise herself as a wife to two, or even more, unsuspecting cowboys hard up for a woman?
She saw more than one newspaper advertisement calling all available women. She didn’t know much about the mail order bride business, but this much she did know: the ads said men would send women cash to come West. That was all she had to read to know here problems would soon be solved. Solved by cold hard cash. Or cold hearted cash.
Addie quickly put herself up on the mail order bride auction block once, eager to put her plan to the test. And it worked. She chummed the mail order bride waters with dozens of responses. In no time, some unsuspecting romantic chap by the name of Emory Calhoun wrote her beautiful letters, putting his heart on the line.
His letters were so heart-felt, Addie was not sure how tough she could be. Emory said all the right things. His words were solace as she navigated the brutal reality that the magistrate posed. And she had just lost her father in the worst possible way.
While her romantic pen pal didn’t come right out and say that he was a handsome man, she could tell by his technical description he offered in lieu of a likeness, he was very handsome. Addie was more than tempted by Emory’s courting by correspondence but she had to draw a hard line. She entered the mail order bride business for just that -- business. While she was moved -- stirred -- by Emory’s love notes, love was not in her cards.
Emory lived outside of the city of Great Falls, Montana which he promised was an up-and-coming city like Chicago. Addie laughed; Mr. Calhoun had a sense of humor. Great Falls predicted to be connected to the railroad within the next few years!
Emory sent her tickets to take the Northern Pacific to Mullan Pass and from there, Mullan Road all the way into Great Falls. It was his plan to meet her at the train station himself and ride the road together. He sent her fare to travel the road anyway. And she kept every penny.
Addie could not afford to be sentimental. Having her heart broken over the loss of her father she had no intention of marry. She kept sweet Emory on the hook until he sent her enough money to keep a rope from around her neck. But pretty soon she figured out that the magistrate was just milking her for money. She more than paid the swindled sum back. Finally she stood up to the magistrate.
“I’m done,” she said. “I’m leaving. But I’m done.”
“You leave, you’re a wanted woman,” he said coolly.
“That’ll be a first,” she laughed. “'Cause no one ever wanted me before.”
“I’m warning you Adaline,” he said, butting up his doughy body to her doughy body.
“Give me some time to come up with another payment. I’ll revisit the situation then,” said Addie.
And before he could catch on to the fact that she had no intention of giving him another dime, Adaline Filcher was a ghost. She left for Great Falls which seemed like the furthest place from Chicago as she could afford to go. Even there she couldn’t say she never looked back; Addie was constantly looking over her shoulder.
Chapter Two
Adaline Filcher stepped off of the stage and nearly into the brawny arms of a great wall of a man named Galen Allen. He had not made any reference to his rugged good looks in their brief correspondence. Addie was more than pleasantly surprised. And then she had a moment of regret. She thought of Emory.
Addie herself was more than a handful. At twenty years old, she was a pleasantly plump woman, with pale blond hair. She had bright blue eyes and lips on the rosy side. Her face was round and fair. But next to the broad bull of a man who was her intended, Addie was almost diminutive. He was as hard and angular as she was soft and round.
“I hope your travel was tolerable,” said Galen evenly.
He did not exhibit too much emotion. He took her hand daintily but that was it. No kiss or embrace. He did take command of the few belongings she brought. Living on the run meant Addie packed light.
“It was thank you, Mr. Allen,” said Addie. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
In the background, once the mountain of a man stepped aside, was another man with vacant, scowl. Addie flinched. He was so mean looking.
“My brother,” smiled Galen. “Don’t mind him. He’s been a bitter pill for about a month. Kind of rubs him the wrong way I asked him to come and help me with your bags.”
Addie stuttered. She just left trouble. She didn’t want it twice.
“Mr. Allen?” she asked her intended for clarification.
Galen whispered. “He got stiffed by a bride. Sent money out to a gal, who lived out your way. She kept the money and said no thanks.”
Addie swallowed hard. That story hit a little too close to home. She knew her Emory was from Great Falls but he himself said the population was twelve hundred. Surely the world could not be that small.
“Yes, he begged me not to correspond with any Chicago gals but what was done is done,” he said practically. “Don’t worry. He’ll be alright. We both welcome you.”
But Addie wondered if she would be. It never occurred to her when she was stealing some man’s money just to save her own hide, that she would be ruining his life. But why wouldn’t it? Someone ruined her life by swindling. It would be too small a world if Galen’s brother was indeed the same fellow whose ticket money she gave to the blackmailing magistrate. But the odds of that happening in were too far-fetched. Montana was big sky country.
Up to now, it also never occurred to her she would have to come face to face with the kind of damage she might have done to someone. It just didn’t sit right with her. Now that she realized that somewhere out there, she might have hurt someone, she had no peace.
“You picked a good time of year to get hitched. This is some of our pleasantest weather,” said Galen pleasantly as he snapped the reins of the wagon to encourage the team.
Addie felt like blurting out, she didn’t pick the time; the time picked her. Travel and regret were catching up with her. She was already getting homesick.
He and his brother loaded their wagon and Addie along with it. They did not stop for a meal. They headed straight for home. Once they got outside the town proper, Great Falls was sprawling. It was like someone scatt
ered marbles across the prairie. Except for the road and the occasional house, there were no signs of life. Addie had chosen a place to relocate about as far out as she could have.
It was a long, quiet ride out to the brothers’ place. Addie didn’t know Galen had a brother. Of course there was only a quick exchange and not really any time to learn anything about one another. Finally, Galen said something.
“So I was really quite surprised that you accept my proposal so quickly,” he said.
“Well I am girl who knows what she wants, Mr. Allen,” she replied.
And that much about her was true. Addie liked what she saw in him. He was handsome without question. A girl could do worse but she could do no better. Galen Allen was dreamy. But if the living situation was not tolerable, Addie already planned her escape. She made note of the town while she could and of the route to and from, so that if she had to depart in the night, she could.
“Is that so?” he asked with a smirk curling his lip. “Just so you understand once we’re married, I am here to know your mind for you.”
That remark made Addie’s stomach churn. Her father, God rest his soul, had always given her free rein. The two of them connected at meal time but apparently she didn’t know any more about his goings on than he did hers. He didn’t pry or interfere. Life on the farm was pleasant.
As they meandered, there was a noise off in the distance. Soft and yet unmistakable.Maddening in a way. It sounded like applause and drums at the same time. Addie had to ask.
“That’s Black Eagle Falls,” he chuckled. “Can drive you crazy if you aren’t used to the sound. All the greenhorns complain. Are you a greenhorn, Miss Addie?”
It was the closest thing to a flirtation that they exchanged. And it was very effective. Addie’s stomach had butterflies. A new kind. She had never had a reaction to a man before. Mild attraction maybe. Strong attraction to Galen and even to his brother, whose name he had yet to disclose. But never had she had a reaction to a man in a pleasant way. This was the first pleasantry of the entire drama for Addie.
But then again Addie’s husband to be and his brother were bullish. Like muscled long horn cattle themselves. They both brought out an animal stirring in her that was both new and yet somehow recognizable. It was definitely welcome.
Until a fear gripped her. It was an element to her plan she had not counted on. If Addie developed genuine feelings for her husband to be it would make it so she couldn’t just pick up and leave if she needed or wanted to.
It was her plan that if things didn’t work out, she was going to rob and run. Feelings spoiled everything, especially the involuntary kind. She already learned that she had a tender heart. That personal element could really muck things up.
“You have a funny look on your face,” remarked Galen. “Careful, or you’ll freeze that way.”
“Mr. Allen, I come from Chicago. We laugh at freezing,” she said.
Galen nestled into her and in front of his brother said, “Then it will be warmth that’s your undoing.”
Again Addie shivered from the inside out. Just the mere contact from a handsome man, and she was putty. His touch was like fine whisky in her system. Made her feel drunk and warm. And she was pretty certain her britches were damp. She threw opened her eyes wide with embarrassment and shock.
Galen laughed out loud which was more than his brother did. The brother didn’t utter a sound or change his expression an iota. Galen’s laughter bounced over the prairie and was for a moment, louder than the menacing falls.
“Miss Addie you are going to be a joy to have around,” said Galen.
When they pulled up the rigGalen clarified the wedding arrangements.
“I know I should have the preacher out this evening but he just can’t make it and I figure you would want to be fresh on your wedding day. Therefore we will stay in the bunk house over yonder and you can have the house, until tomorrow that is,” he said. “But I fixed us some supper. We all can sit around the table.”
Addie was delighted with the appearance of the brothers’ home. Their property was small - a new fence marked the perimeter around a few buildings and a pen. The house itself was very neat and tidy and sweetly appointed for not having a woman’s touch. There was blue gingham on the windows and matching oil cloth. The floor was swept. Everything was squared and it is place.
There were two bedrooms. One that was clearly the master bedroom and a smaller room that was probably the brother’s. She felt a little guilty kicking them out of their rooms since they looked so comfortable and inviting.
But Addie was relieved. The house was wonderful. She would have no choice otherwise, since she was on the lam from a greedy magistrate in Chicago. It was a mercy that both her husband and their place were so lovely.
So far.
It did stick in her craw she had not been introduced to the brother. She was going to work her nerve up to ask but since the entire ride out to the house from the stage elapsed before she did so, it was more than a little awkward now. And the brother didn’t look to receptive to questions.
She heard the noise of dishes being set out on the table. She rushed to her husband to be to take over the chore.
“That’s my job,” she said, brushing his body.
He looked at her like he was going to eat her in a single bite.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “Mighty pleasant to have around.”
He let her take the bowls from him and Addie finished up. Galen ladled chicken and dumplings into the bowls all around. A stack of biscuits set in the middle of the table. Addie was famished. And even if she were not, the cooking could not have been better had she prepared it herself.
“Which one of you is the cook here?” she said preparing to compliment.
“That would be me,” said Galen.
The brother didn’t even stir. What was he even there for? thought Addie getting a little steamed at his lifeless act. It was hard to get him to talk and it was hard to avoid him. She hoped this changed. She thought she would help this along.
After most of the supper had been eaten, Addie rose to clear the table.
“Mr. Allen, may I take your dish?” she asked Galen’s brother.
He didn’t respond. Galen boisterously intervened.
“Now now, let me help you with those dishes. It’s nigh on sun down. We will leave you alone for come tomorrow you will be my bride,” he said.
Galen’s hand touched hers as he took the plate from her. Their connection sent ticklish streamers of pleasure through her body. It stunned her. Heat rose from deep within and burned her cheeks.
“Are you alright there, Addie?” he asked.
His voice was smooth like honey. It made her want to open herself up and let him have his way. It made her want to press her body to his. Addie had no idea where this was coming from. Perhaps the wear of the travel was catching up to her and taking its toll. Addie watched herself.
As quickly as the three of them filled the main room of the Montana ranch house, they dispersed. The two giant brothers left, Galen parting with a chaste kiss on Addie’s lips. She closed the door and readied herself for bed realizing that despite all the chances in the world, Galen and his brother avoided a decent introduction.
It sort of felt like they had planned that on purpose. But exhaustion pulled Addie against the eiderdown until she could no longer keep her eyes open or worry.
Chapter Three
Despite the gravity of being completely worn out, Addie Filcher sat straight up in her strange new bed. There were shadows outside her window where there ought not to be. She was terrified. There was no man within earshot. She had no weapon. At the moment she had no voice. Fear constricted her throat and wouldn’t let any out.
She made some noise that was a cross between a moan and whine. It came out like something of a chant. Whatever it was she was not communicating to anyone for help. She was doing nothing but give herself away.
Indians she thought. They didn’t have that problem i
n Chicago. She was going to scalped or whatever they did to blond women. Or worse.Sold into slavery. Addie was going to be an Indian slave. Her body would be used to appease military men and traders.
She hid her face in the calico spread and willed either Galen or Emory to come to her. To know her plight and to save her.
But what if it was the magistrate? What if he tracked her all the way out to Great Falls? What if he discovered that she swiped the money of a marriage prospect and jilted him? Addie wondered if such a thing was a crime. It did not matter. She paid off her father’s debt. She had proof of that.
Addie heard a rifle report. It cracked the sky as loud as thunder. People were rushing the house. Addie crawled under the covers and didn’t breathe. She didn’t move. She prayed. Someone rustled her foot.
“I know you’re in there,” came Galen’s soft voice. “You can come out now.”
Addie sobbed beneath the quilt. It was the best she could do. Galen peeled back the covers.
“Shhhh,” he said pulling her shoulders up to his massive ones. “It’s over now.”
“What was it?” she howled.
Then she asked in a low whisper. “Was it an Indian?”
“No it was not an Injun,” he hugged her a little tighter.
“How do you know?” she stuttered.
“Well because the Black Feet and I have an understanding and for two, I caught him. Rustler,” he said.
“Is he dead?” she asked not lifting her face from his iron hard shoulder.
“No. But he’s wishing he was. This feller does not want to be caught. Does not sound like he’s from around here. We’ll send him back to town with the preacher,” he said.
“What were they rustling?” she sniffled.
Galen laughed.
“I have a thousand head of cattle,” he said. “Did I fail to mention I was a rancher?”
“I wasn’t sure what that meant exactly. The fence was small and I didn’t see any animals except the horses,” said Addie.