Wild Western Women Mistletoe, Montana: Sweet Western Historical Holiday Box Set

by Caroline Clemmons

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  About the Author

  Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling and award winning author of historical and contemporary western romances. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel. Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys family, reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, and getting together with friends. Find her on her

  @carolinclemmons

  authorcarolineclemmons

  www.carolineclemmons.com

  Mistletoe Scandal

  Sylvia McDaniel

  Copyright © 2016 by Sylvia McDaniel

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Mistletoe, Montana Where Kisses Lead to Happily Ever After.

  Introduction

  Everleigh Walsh’s uncle insists she come to Mistletoe, Montana to celebrate Christmas after a devastating tragedy. Trying to deal with the horrible events she has just left behind, she is stunned to discover her uncle's neighbor, Seth Ketchum, waiting for her at the train station. Just when Everleigh decides life can't get any more complicated, an unexpected blizzard forces her and Seth to seek shelter in the most unlikely place - his home!

  Seth moved to Mistletoe, Montana to escape after he was left at the altar. His plans to avoid women are waylaid when an unexpected accident forces him to make a promise to help his friend and neighbor, James Walsh. He quickly curses his chivalrous offer to escort Walsh's niece back to his ranch when they are caught in a wintry storm.

  The weather quickly seals them together in Seth’s warm, cozy cabin, causing sparks to fly between him and the lovely Everleigh. Two broken lives are thrust together, caught in a winter wonderland where they must decide if they can build a new future together or choose a different path. Can the magic of a mistletoe kiss change their minds? Find out in Mistletoe Scandal.

  Chapter 1

  Mistletoe, Montana, December 12, 1890

  Confirmed bachelor Seth Ketchum stood waiting at the train station for a woman he didn't know--had no intention of knowing--whose train was two hours late in the small town of Mistletoe. All because James Walsh, a friend, had been gored by Seth's bull. One thing was certain: you didn't want to get between a bovine and his heifer.

  Maybe Seth should feel grateful. He'd gotten three new calves because of the twelve hundred pounds of horny beef, but that came at the price of being chased out of his own pasture more than once. And now James was laid up because he'd helped Seth. Picking up his niece from the train station was the least he could do to make it up to his neighbor.

  Glancing around at the small town, the ten buildings that made up the little village, he couldn't help but think about his own brothers and sisters and wonder how they were all getting along. He missed them, but not enough to return to Oregon.

  "Seth," the preacher Bart Nichols called, waving at him from across the street. Dodging wagons and horses, he crossed the snow covered lane, shivering in his suit coat and tie. "Good morning, son. I was wondering if you were picking up Miss Walsh?"

  Seth eyed the man and nodded. He'd been raised in the church. His mother was the daughter of a preacher who had traveled to Oregon. Unfortunately, his grandfather had been killed by Indians along the way.

  "Yes, sir. I told James not to worry. I'd meet her train and get her out to his place."

  "That's awfully good of you," he said. "I know James has been worried about her. This is her first holiday without her family."

  "He told me," Seth said, looking off to the north watching the sky. "I just wish her train would get here so we could get going. I don't like the looks of those clouds."

  The preacher glanced in that direction. "Yes, and the temperature seems to be dropping. Maybe both of you should stay in town. I'd hate for you to get stranded on the road somewhere."

  "Can't. I have stock out at the ranch that need tending."

  Winter was upon them and he wouldn't let his animals starve while he sat in a hotel waiting for the roads to clear enough to get home. No, he wanted to leave now, but would wait another thirty minutes and then he would have no choice but to return home.

  "Understand, son. Just be careful," he said. "Getting home is not worth freezing to death."

  Montana winters had already schooled him once on the severity of the cold and snow. The very first year, he learned quickly that when the sky darkened, it was best to make certain you had a rope tied to the barn, because a man could get turned around quickly when he couldn't see anything but swirling snowflakes. It was why he wished that train would arrive.

  "Here comes the train," the preacher said. "Now, let me introduce her to you since she doesn't know you."

  "She doesn't know you either," he said, staring at him like he'd lost his mind.

  The owner of the newspaper, Tom Stuart, walked up beside them. "Preacher, Seth, is this the train Miss Walsh is arriving on?"

  "We hope so," Seth said, wondering about the contraption hanging around his neck. He thought it was a camera, but he wasn't sure. He'd never seen one that wasn't on a stand.

  "Great, I want to interview her for the paper," he said smiling. "It's not every day we get visitors from New York City here in Mistletoe. And besides, I need some holiday news."

  The wind suddenly gusted, sending ice and snow blowing, stinging Seth's face. "We don't have time for an interview. I've got to get her out to her aunt and uncle’s before the weather turns bad."

  He was feeling as nervous as a cat, right now. His stomach clenched with anxiety and pressure to get on the road. They'd already had snow several times this winter and being the start of the second week of December, the weather could change in no time from sunny to snowy.

  Tom ignored him and stood staring at the incoming train.

  The train pulled to a halt in front of the depot and they watched as the passengers disembarked, one by one. Finally, a beautiful woman with silky dark auburn hair alighted, laughing and flirting with a man who held out his hand for her to disembark. Seth rolled his eyes.

  That had to be her.

  His chest tightened at the sight of the gorgeous woman with long limbs, a small waist, and curvaceous breasts. He knew what every man here was thinking as she looked around the station for her uncle. They all wanted to rescue her, save her, and keep her for themselves, but he had the responsibility of making certain she arrived safely at her uncle's house.

  "Miss Walsh," the preacher said, hurrying toward her, his short, fat legs scrambling to reach the beauty.

  She turned toward him and smiled. "Yes?"

  "I'm Bart Nichols, the preacher here in Mistletoe, and we'd like to welcome you to our little town. Unfortunately, your uncle couldn't make it. He was gored by a bull last week."

  "Oh no. Is he going to be all right?" she said, her large green eyes widening with concern. "Everleigh Walsh," she said, sticking out her hand. "How is my uncle doing?"

  "He'll be fine. He was lucky the bull got him in the thigh.”

  Guilt flooded Seth, gripping his stomach. The damn fool animal was mean and ornery and only good for making baby cows. If he didn't need the animal, he would shoot him for being so contrary.

  Seth shook his head a
t the spectacle the preacher was making of himself fawning all over a pretty young woman. Sure, women were in high demand in the new state of Montana, but he was a married man. A man of the cloth. A holy man.

  "How will I get out to his place? He told me it's an hour from town," she asked, her eyes growing large in her beautiful, round face with high cheekbones and full, ripe lips ready to be kissed.

  "Seth has agreed to see you to your uncle's," he said, taking her by the arm and walking her down the steps of the depot to the street where they waited.

  Leaning against his sled with his arms folded across his chest, he watched the woman coming toward him. He knew her type. She was fanciful and bold and knew the effect she had on men. He'd seen women like her use their control of men and even experienced their effects himself. After all, he'd been left waiting at the altar by a woman like her. The very reason he'd moved to Montana.

  He would deliver Miss Walsh and then drive home to the safety of his ranch. Staying away from James and his family until his niece left town.

  "Miss Walsh," the newspaper man said, hurrying toward her. "Welcome to Mistletoe. May I take your picture for the newspaper?"

  "Why, of course," she said.

  The preacher posed with Miss Walsh, smiling into the camera as the newspaper man lifted the fancy gadget around his neck to his face. With a pop and a flash, the camera took the photo.

  Seth glanced uneasily at the sky. They didn't have time for this nonsense. They needed to get on the road or face a very cold, snowy drive.

  "How long are you visiting your uncle?" Tom asked.

  "I have to return to New York after the first of the year," she said.

  Seth chuckled. Had anyone ever told this woman that sometimes the trains didn't run because of snow on the tracks? She'd be doing good to get a train out of here in January.

  "What about your parents?" the reporter asked. "Why didn't they accompany you to Mistletoe?"

  Seth watched as her face seemed to freeze, her body visibly tightening. She swallowed and tried to smile, but her eyes filled with pain, and he wanted to hit that stupid newspaper man. James had warned him not to discuss her parents as their deaths were recent and now this idiot was asking about her family. He needed to get her out of here.

  The preacher was glaring at Tom like he was the biggest fool.

  "My parents were killed, six months ago. My uncle invited me to spend the holidays with his family so I wouldn't be alone," she said. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need to collect my trunk."

  "I'll get it," Seth said, stepping away from the sled. He walked up to her. "Seth Ketchum, ma'am. I'll take you to your uncle's."

  "Thank you," she said, her voice a throaty softness, almost a purr that sent a tingle to the base of his spine. Oh no, he wasn't letting this beauty get to him. "Everleigh Walsh."

  "We best be going. That blue cloud, I fear, is a blizzard and we need to get on the road."

  She hesitated. "All right, Mr. Ketchum. My trunk is the brown one sitting on the dock."

  After he walked away, he heard her ask the preacher, "Is it safe to ride alone with him? I mean it's almost an hour there."

  The preacher patted her on the arm. "Seth is a fine young man. He'll protect your honor."

  The woman didn't want to be alone with him anymore than he wanted to drive her to her uncle's. But he felt obligated since he was the reason her uncle was hurt and it was only for an hour. Then the deed would be done.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Seth watched her nervously bite her lip, watching him as he lifted her trunk off the dock and carried it to the sleigh he'd driven into town. Dropping it into the back, he glanced at the newspaper man scribbling notes on a piece of paper.

  "Miss Walsh, what are your plans while you're visiting Mistletoe," he asked.

  "To visit with my aunt and uncle."

  The newspaper man's questions were ridiculous and wasting time. It was time to go.

  "What about the future? What are your plans after you leave here?" he asked.

  Everleigh smiled and the men around her stared in adoration. "I'm going to work for the New York Times."

  Seth looked at her. Oh yeah, she was exactly what he thought. A highfalutin woman who wanted a career.

  "Let's go," he said, waiting to help her into the sleigh.

  She continued to talk to the newspaper man while the sun was being obliterated by clouds rolling across the sky. Most definitely, a storm.

  They should have been on the road an hour ago. "Let's go."

  She ignored him. He walked around to his side of the sleigh, got in, and snapped the reins. The sleigh started to pull away.

  "Wait," she called, suddenly springing into action hurrying after him.

  That had gotten her attention. He stopped the sleigh. "You ready to leave now?"

  Frowning at him, she climbed into the sleigh. "Shut up and let's go."

  Everleigh couldn't believe the audacity of this man. He was going off without her. Leaving her behind because she'd been busy talking to the nice man from the newspaper. A woman could never be too sure of a man's temperament. Men were known for their carnal natures. They liked to be in control of everyone and everything and when he'd started off without her, it was just another example of men and their attempt to discipline a woman.

  "As soon as my conversation was finished, I was going to leave with you," she said in a snit.

  The man was insufferable. He would have left her. The other two men had seemed so nice and sincere while Mr. Smarty Pants had been standing off, distant and aloof, and handsome as sin on a stick. So sure of himself and how he was going to dominate everything like he was king of the new state of Montana with his coal black hair and big blue eyes that seemed so doubtless and confident.

  "Do you see those dark clouds in the distance?" he said coolly, not even turning to glance at her.

  "Yes, it looks like rain. What has that got to do with anything?"

  "Honey, this time of year, we don't get rain. We get snow. If we're going to make it to your aunt and uncle's, we should have been on the road over an hour ago."

  The way he said honey was not an endearment, but more sarcastic and arrogant. Like he thought she was the stupidest female in the area.

  "The train was late."

  "Understood. But the time for chitchatting about nothing was over. It was time to get on the road," he said, his eyes never leaving the snow-covered path.

  The man must not have a heart or a soul as she could see. He was cold and authoritative. Just what she didn't need or want in any man.

  Turning away from him, she concentrated on the route they traveled. Pine trees loaded with snow lined the winding road, reminding her of home. Soon, she'd be with the only family she had left, missing her mother and father more than before. How Mr. Smarty Pants knew where he was going, she didn't know except for maybe the tracks of other sleds and horses’ hooves.

  "There's a fur pelt in the back. I suggest you pull it up and wrap it around you. It's going to get cold," he told her.

  Since they'd left the train station, she'd felt the wind whipping about her, making her wish she'd worn more layers of clothing.

  "Even colder than it already is? I can't feel my toes."

  "Wrap the pelt around you."

  She glared at him. Was he always so bossy? She wanted to ignore him, but her feet were frigid and the wind was picking up and it was already blowing briskly against her in the sleigh. Her toes were starting to numb, and any kind of warmth, right now, would feel really good. Reluctantly, like she wasn't feeling the piercing wind a bit, she reached back and nonchalantly pulled the pelt from the back. An animal fur. She shivered at this point wondering what poor animal gave up his skin for them to have warmth. Turning back, snowflakes hit her cheek.

  He cursed.

  "Excuse me," she said to let him know she'd heard his foul language.

  He glanced at her. "I was hoping we'd make it to your uncle's before the snow started. But we're only ten minu
tes out of town and already the flakes are flying. We could be in trouble."

  What was he talking about? It was snow. They had snow in New York. Even heavy snowfall that paralyzed the city at least once a year. Right now, the sight of white flakes falling gently from the sky was beautiful. She stuck out her tongue and grabbed one with a giggle. With the pine trees already glistening white, the new flakes just made the world look like an ice palace, all bright pearly and gleaming.

  "Why do you think we're in trouble?"

  He glanced at her and grimaced. "We're heading into a blizzard, lady. A frigid, snowy storm that is going to make the road harder and harder to see. Where I can't tell where the road stops and starts. Where we could get lost and wander around until we're frozen."

  The man was an alarmist. A person who liked to prophesy gloom and doom and calamities. And she was going to spend the next hour on pins and needles wondering if they were going to make it to her uncle’s. Of course, they would arrive.

  Shaking her head, she glanced at him. "And how long have you lived in Montana?"

  "Three years. Long enough to know a blizzard when I see one and realize the danger."

  Opening her reticule, she pulled out her father's pocket watch and glanced at the time. He'd given it to her so she wouldn't be late the night she'd left the apartment to meet her fiancé for dinner. It was the night her father died. The night she should have died if not for her disastrous dinner date. A date that went from bad to worse in a matter of moments.

  "Look, Mr..."

  "Seth Ketchum."

  "Look, Seth, I didn't escape an explosion in New York City to come to Montana to die. So stop acting like the end is near and get this sleigh to my uncle's."