Carrie's Montana Love: New Montana Brides (New Montana Bride Series)

by Susan Leigh Carlton

  Elizabeth said Lucy was going to try to make it. Letty hasn’t said anything about Carrie.”

  “Lucy said the same thing in her last letter. She was trying to rearrange her schedule in the hospital so she could make it, but just didn’t know.”

  “Pop, did you go on the drive this year?” he asked his father, referring to the fall roundup and drive.

  “You know I did,” Case answered. “I wouldn’t miss it, but I don’t think there’s going to be much more of that.”

  “Why not,” CP asked.

  “Well, part of our contract when we sold the railroad the right-of-way across the ranch, was they agreed to put in a spur for us. We’ll be building pens and loading the cattle on the train right here on the ranch. It’s going to give us a big edge over the others, and we won’t have the loss of weight off the cattle, that we would get on a drive.

  “I’ve been thinking about running some sheep. What do you know about them? Some of the neighbors are talking about running some.

  “I know they smell,” he said. “It’s funny you should ask. I had a class that covered some of that. People think the market for wool is going to explode. A problem is you can’t graze cattle and sheep in the same area. The sheep eat the grass too close to the ground, and there’s nothing left for the cattle.”

  “We have enough pasture where that wouldn’t be a problem. We’d have to put up fencing. I think the days of open range are coming to an end,” Case said.

  “I agree with you there, Pop.”

  chapter Six

  Old Friends

  Sunday morning before church…

  “Mrs. Palmer, “How have you been? Since I didn’t get home for Thanksgiving, it’s been a while. Is Lucy going to be able to make it home?” CP asked.

  “Hello, CP, I’m well, and thank you for asking. She should be here Wednesday or Thursday.”

  “She told me you’ve been writing. Thank you. Being so far from home, it can get lonely no matter how busy you are. I know she really enjoys your letters because she mentions them to me when she writes. It’s nice of you to keep in touch,” she said.

  “She’s my friend, and besides, I like her. I know what it’s like to be away from home. I could hardly wait to get back to the Lazy J. I’m glad she’s coming.”

  Mrs. Owens began playing the call to worship music so CP took his seat by his mother. She looked up, and smiled, and patted his hand.

  “Do you mind if I sit here?” the girl in the aisle asked.

  CP slid over on the seat, and said, “Hello, Carrie. I don’t mind.”

  Her warm breath tickled his ear when she leaned over and whispered, “I’m glad you’re home. I was hoping you would be here this morning.”

  Her father strode to the altar and raised his hands, “Let us pray.” There was a stir as the members bowed their heads.

  “Can you meet me after church?” she whispered.

  “Why,” he answered.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said.

  “Why?” he asked again.

  “I just need to talk to you,” she said.

  “Shh,” someone behind them hissed.

  CP turned his attention to her father’s sermon. After the service, he followed his parents down the aisle where Jack Owens, the preacher, also Carrie’s father, greeted him, and welcomed him home. “Your father told me you were going to be here. It’s good to see you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Owens. I enjoyed the sermon.” He moved on past so others could be greeted.

  “CP, please, I need to talk to you,” Carrie repeated.

  “I have to get back to the ranch. I promised Luke I would help him this afternoon.”

  “Why are you being this way? Why don’t you want to talk to me?” she asked. “You weren’t like this before.”

  He looked into the green eyes he had always liked so much and said, “That was when I cared; now I’ve got to go.” he said.

  The incredible green eyes filled with tears, and she turned and walked quickly around the church toward her home in behind.

  Letty walked into her daughter’s bedroom and found her crying. “What’s wrong, dear?”

  “I tried to talk to CP,” she said, between sobs. “He won’t talk to me.”

  “Are you really surprised?” her mother asked. “After all, you treated them rather shabbily, don’t you think.”

  “Yes, but that was before, Mama. I won’t do that again.”

  “You hurt them, Carrie. Especially CP. He’s loved you for a long time, and you insulted him. His mother told me what you said. She said he was pretty upset, and I don’t blame him.”

  “We were just friends, Mama.”

  “That maybe the way you saw it. Everyone else could see he loved you. Besides, you don’t treat your friends that way, not if you want to keep them.”

  Still crying, she asked, “What do I do?”

  “You have to earn his trust.”

  “If he won’t talk to me, how do I do that?” she asked.

  “That’s something you have to work out for yourself. I can’t help you there.”

  Since the railroad had come to Helena, it made Lucy’s trip home a lot easier and faster. When the train came puffing into the new depot, billowing steam from beneath, and filling the air with black smoke and cinders, CP was standing with Carter Palmer and Elizabeth to meet their daughter. When she stepped from the train, she embraced her mother for a long time, and then hugged her father.

  “It is so good to be home,” she said. “I’ve missed it more than I thought possible.

  “CP, thank you for being here. I’ve missed you.”

  “Thank you, Lucy; I’ve been looking forward to seeing you. Your letters were one of my bright spots in Bozeman.”

  “Did Carrie come home?” she asked.

  “Yes, she’s here,” he said

  Lucy looked at him strangely. “Did you talk to her,” she asked.

  “No, I saw her at church, that’s all.”

  “Did you ever hear from her,” she asked.

  “Not one word, and could we change the subject, please?” he said. “I need to be getting back. I just wanted to be here for your return. I missed you.”

  “It was kind of you to be here,” she said.

  “That’s what friends do,” he said simply

  * * *

  “It’s so good to see you, Luce. I want to tell you how much I appreciated your keeping in touch.”

  “It’s what friends do, Carrie,” she said.

  “I guess I haven’t been very good at that, have I?”

  “I’m sure you were busy and had a lot on your mind,” Lucy said. “Have you talked to CP since you got back?”

  “I tried, but he won’t talk to me.” Carrie said.

  “He told me he wrote to you, but you didn’t answer.”

  “No, I should have, but never got to it. Did he write to you, ” Carrie asked.

  “Yes, we exchanged letters regularly.”

  “I asked why he wouldn’t talk to me like he used to, and he said ‘that was when I cared’.”

  “You don’t know do you?” Lucy asked.

  “Know what?”

  “Carrie, CP loved you since we first went to high school. Everyone knew it but you.”

  “I never saw it. What an idiot I’ve been.

  The next Sunday…

  “Hello, Uncle Carter, Aunt Elizabeth. Lucy. Mind if I sit here?” CP asked, indicating the space next to her.

  “Of course not. Are they keeping you busy at the ranch?” she asked.

  He laughed. “That’s the thing about a ranch. Always something that needs doing.”

  “How’s the doctoring business?” he asked her father.

  “It’s kind of slow. I haven’t treated a gunshot wound this month. I think your father’s arrow was the last one of those I had.”

  “Want me to see if I can drum up some business for you?” CP asked.

  Carter laughed. “No thank you, but thanks fo
r asking.”

  “Anytime. If you change your mind, let me know.”

  “I will do that. How do you like animal husbandry?”

  “It’s fascinating. There’s something new discovered every day.”

  “It’s the same in medicine. We live in wonderful times,” Carter said.

  Letty and Carrie walked in, Letty went to the piano. Carrie came over to where the Palmer’s and CP were sitting. “May I join you?” she asked.

  “The more the merrier,” Mrs. Palmer said.

  Lucy scooted over; making space between herself and CP. Carrie sat, and asked how the Palmers were doing. Then, “How are you, CP?”

  “I’m fine,” he answered, and turned his attention to the hymn identified by her father.

  After church…

  Once again, Carrie asked him to talk to her. “Look,” he said. “I’m just a rancher, that’s all I’m ever going to be. It’s not your cup of tea.

  “I’m sorry, CP. I hurt you, and I want to make it right. I just want to be your friend.”

  “You were my friend.”

  “And that’s it? That’s all you’re going to say.”

  “What do you want from me?” he asked. “You’ll be going back to Chicago in a few weeks, and I’ll be going to Bozeman. Just let it go.”

  “I’m not going back to Chicago. I’m going to school in Bozeman. I learned a hard lesson in Chicago.

  Surprised, CP asked, “When did you make that decision?”

  “When I realized I…”

  chapter Seven

  Mending Fences

  “… was hurting the people that were important to me, And hurting myself in the bargain.” Carrie said.

  “I must say, I am surprised. I thought you liked Chicago.”

  “I did,” she said, “but for all of the wrong reasons. I was attracted to a football player, who was one of the most popular boys in school. I let my school work slide and almost got kicked out of school. I had to put everything I had into studying to prevent being dropped. He didn’t understand, and resented it.

  “Then I received a letter from Lucy made me realize the value of my real friends. She kept writing, even though I didn’t write back. I did the same to you.

  “She told me what happened with your study partner. You haven’t had good experiences with girls, have you?”

  “She shouldn’t have told you that. It was personal. And it’s not something I want to talk about..”

  “Lucy has forgiven me. Will you?”

  “So your boyfriend dumped you, and you thought I would step right in.

  “I forgive you, Carrie. I’m glad you realized what you did. I learned a hard lesson myself, I let myself care for someone that… never mind. It’s behind me now. I won’t make that kind of mistake again.

  “I have my future pretty well planned out. I’m going to learn all I can, then come back to the Lazy J and learn all Pop can teach me. I hope that will be enough for me to be successful with the Lazy J. “

  “I didn’t know you felt that way,” she said. “You never told me.”

  “I shouldn’t have had to tell you. Even if you only wanted to be friends, you had no reason saying what you did.

  “Mama and Pop are ready to go. Bozeman is a small campus. “I’m sure I’ll see you there.

  Carrie stood there, the tears once again spilling from her eyes, as she watched him make his way to the Palmers. He chatted only a short time, until he hugged, Lucy and bade her mother and father goodbye. He then joined his parents as they prepared to leave for home.

  At dinner, her mother said, “I saw you sitting with CP and talking afterward. Is everything all right between you now?”

  “No,: she answered. He still won’t talk to me. He’s got everything planned and made it plain, there’s no place for me.”

  “I don’t know what to say, dear. If it is meant to be, it will be. You just have to keep the faith.”

  “You make it seem so simple. I only wish it were so,”

  * * *

  The holidays came and went. Lucy’s parents had a party for her on the Saturday afternoon, before she was to return to Washington, and invited all of her friends.

  “When are you leaving?” CP asked.

  “I’ll be on the afternoon train on Tuesday. That will get me back to Washington Sunday afternoon, and classes start back on Monday,” she said. “When are you leaving?”

  “Monday, and I’ll be there Monday afternoon. I don’t envy you the long trip. Is it worth it?”

  “Absolutely,” she said. My family and friends are worth it. It will keep me going until the end of the semester.”

  “I’ll miss you. It’s been good to see you. Keep up with the letters. I promise to answer.”

  “I’m going to miss you too. I want you to promise something. Talk to Carrie. She is miserable.”

  “Good,” he said.

  “CP Jamison! I can’t believe you said that. It is so unlike you. She was your best friend forever. So she made a mistake. Are you so perfect, you can’t get past that?

  “You are being cruel. I hope I never disappoint you in anything.”

  Stunned by the emotion in her outburst, his cheeks flushed, he stood there, looking at the tips of his boots. It was time to go, before it got any colder outside. He pulled on his heavy coat and started out the door. Instead of continuing, he turned, and went to where Carrie was talking to Mrs. Palmer.

  “Carrie, if you’re about ready to leave, I’ll walk you home,” he said.

  “I’d like that. Let me say goodbye to Lucy, and I’ll get my coat.”

  She returned, holding her coat. He took it and held it while she put her arms into the sleeves. “I’m ready,” she said.

  The vapor in their breath hung like a fog, as they walked along. It was definitely getting colder. “It’s getting pretty raw out here,” CP said. “I need to be getting on the road.”

  “You could stay here if you’re worried.” Carrie said.

  “I’ll be fine,” he said.

  “Thanks for walking me home. It means a lot, just your asking,” she said.

  “I owed it to you. “It’s been called to my attention that, I’ve been a bit of a jerk,” he said.

  “Thank you, CP. I’ve missed you.” She turned to face him; He took her gloved hand and pulled her into his arms, and hugged her.

  “I’ll see you Sunday,” he said. Once down the steps, he set off at a brisk pace to claim his horse and get on home.

  Carrie went inside, grateful for the warmth of the kitchen. It had been cold outside. “Who was that with you,” her mother asked.

  “CP. He walked me home.”

  “Why didn’t you ask him in?”

  “I did, in fact I said he could stay the night here if he was concerned about the weather. He just wanted to get on home,” Carrie said.

  “I’m glad things are better between you.”

  “I suspect Lucy had something to do with it. What ever the reason I’m glad.” She shed her coat, and poured a cup of the ever-present hot tea her mother kept. “This feels good,” she said, as she took her first few sips.

  * * *

  It was cold in the saddle, as CP set a brisk pace home. It was a big relief when he rounded the ridge and caught his first glimpse of the big white ranch house. He could see smoke rising from the two chimneys. It’s going to feel good in there,” he thought.

  Just as any cowboy would, he took care of his horse, brushing it down after removing the bridle, saddle and blanket. He gave it grain and water.

  He stamped his boots on the porch floor before entering the kitchen. “How was the party?” his mother asked.

  “It was okay, everyone is sorry to see Lucy leave, knowing we won’t see her until summer.”

  “Who was there?” she asked.

  “Our ex-classmates,” he said. “And, before you ask, Carrie was there. And, I walked her home.”

  She came over and kissed him on the forehead.

  “Good.�
��

  chapter Eight

  Back To School

  The conductor had called his final “Allll aboooaaaarrrd” CP had not seen Carrie. He lingered on the platform, watching for her. He was sure she had said she was going to Bozeman today and enroll. Was she doing it again? Had she heard from her football player and he wanted her back in Chicago?” I should have known better, he thought.

  That does it for me. I was an idiot. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

  The big steam engine chuffed, steam shot from beneath the engine as the pressure was released. Black sooty smoke darkened the sky. Cinders were blown out of the smoke stack. The eight steel wheels spun, sparks shot out from where the steel wheels met the steel of the tracks. The train began to move. Helena began to move past the window as he peered out of the window.

  He leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes. “May I sit here?” the soft voice asked. He opened his eyes. It was Carrie.

  “I didn’t see you at the station,” he said.

  “I was early, and my seat is in the next car. I saw you get in this car, so I batted my eyelashes at the conductor, and he said I could move back here.”

  I owe you an apology. I thought maybe you had changed your mind and was going back to Chicago.”

  “I have never lied to you CP, even in my old self.”

  “All the same,” he said. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

  “Well, I’m here,” she said, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

  “Mmmm, you smell good. You didn’t buy that from Silas.”

  “No, it came from Chicago,” she said. “You like?”

  “I like it very much,” He leaned closer, and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I think we were six or seven the last time you kissed me,” she said.

  “I didn’t kiss you, you were the one doing the kissing then.” He laughed.

  “What’s funny?” she asked.

  “I was just thinking, somehow, you and Lucy were like my sisters, and I just kissed my sister.”

  “CP. Do me a favor would you, please?”

  “If I can,”

  “Don’t think of me as your sister.”

  I won’t… I don’t,” he said.