Chapter 7
Shorty, the King’s longtime ranch hand and onetime trail cook, made supper for the family that night. None of the King brides were able to make it to the table, but their husbands were dispatched with steaming bowls of stew that Shorty swore would have them out of bed by morning, all except Ivy who would be staying in bed for the next few months. When the husbands returned from feeding their wives, they ate with PJ, Ethan, and Chrissy who had finally emerged from her room.
The four King brothers were exhausted and unshaven, but they did their best to make small talk with their guests. PJ was too busy feeding the twins for conversation, but Chrissy and Ethan kept up their end, parrying gentle questions back and forth while they ate Shorty’s stew.
“The stew is delicious, Shorty,” PJ commented as soon as she was able to get a bite.
“Thankee, girl,” he called, smiling delightedly while he scrubbed at a pan. No amount of inducement could get him to sit with the family and eat, but he hovered nearby as he cleaned up.
PJ smiled. She had known Shorty all her life. He had an opinion on everything but despite his bluster he had a tender heart. Though she was convinced he knew her name, he always called her “girl.” She had come to think of the moniker as an endearment, especially because he attended her father’s funeral and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he passed.
Don’t lose heart, girl. You’re going to make it through, he had said.
“Did you hunt this animal?” Chrissy asked PJ as she poked at her stew.
“This is beef,” PJ said. She could swear the King brothers hovered closer to their bowls to try and hide their laughter.
“Do you use your tracking skills when you hunt?” Chrissy asked.
“Tracking skills?” PJ asked, confused.
“You know, your people always have tracking skills.”
Even though no one else had been talking, a new kind of silence settled over the table. “My people?” PJ said.
“Indians,” Chrissy said, frowning into her bowl.
The silence deepened. PJ knew Cam was torn between wanting to be a courteous host and wanting to defend her from a painful topic. Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but PJ beat him to it. “The only thing I learned from my Native American relative was how to walk out on a family. Excuse me, I think Levi needs a diaper change.” She picked up the baby and carried him from the room. She went into the living room and laid Levi on the floor, wrangling him back into submission when he started to crawl away.
“The worst part is she still has no idea she said anything offensive.”
PJ turned from her spot on the floor to see Cade sitting in the doorway, Lexi on his lap. She smiled. “Ethan tells me she’s a journalist. Maybe you lose your ability to empathize after asking so many nosy questions.”
“Or maybe she was just born stupid,” Cade said.
PJ laughed. “The more I get to know her, the more likely that possibility seems.” When she finished attaching Levi’s diaper, he reached for Cade as Cade reached for him.
“I think I’m going to take these rascals home and put them to bed. Can you give me a push? I still haven’t mastered the art of holding both of them and wheeling myself.”
“Sure thing. How’s Layla doing?”
“Better. I think the stress of worrying about the kids was causing her to feel worse. Knowing they were in capable hands all day really took the pressure off both of us. Thanks a lot, PJ.”
“I loved it, Cade. Anytime you need me to watch them, just say the word. I have every intention of spending a lot of time with them while I’m here.”
Cade smiled. “That sounds great. I love my kids, but sometimes I miss just being with Layla. And it’s not like we can call a sitter, you know? Sam watches them for us a lot, but she’s been sick lately, even before this virus. We haven’t wanted the kids to get whatever she has.” They reached his house. PJ pushed him up the ramp and to the front door.
“Do you want me to tuck the kids in for you?”
“I think I can manage from here. You must be exhausted,” he said.
“Actually, I wanted to check on Ivy. I haven’t seen her all day.”
“She would love that,” Cade said. “She’s been kind of down and lonely, especially with all her sisters-in-law sick.”
They said their goodbyes, and PJ trotted across the yard to Coy and Ivy’s house. As the original settlement house, theirs was older than all the others. It had originally been a two-room cabin, but over time additions had been built until it was a mid-size house. Coy and Ivy had remodeled it until all the renovations flowed seamlessly together.
Since Coy was still at the main house and Ivy couldn’t get up to answer the door, PJ let herself in, knocking on the doorframe of their bedroom.
“Come in,” Ivy called. Her voice was weak, but she perked up considerably when she saw PJ.
“PJ!” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re here. How are you? How are Layla, Belle, and Sam? How are Lexi and Levi? Have you had a chance to check the horses? Is the weather bad? Did you have any trouble getting Belle’s guests from the airport? Is your room comfortable? Did you need anything?”
The overflow of questions was a sure sign that Ivy was lonely and bored out of her mind. PJ made a mental note to visit her every day, possibly even bringing Lexi and Levi for a few minutes to entertain their aunt. She sat in the chair beside the bed and began to talk, trying hard to add as many details as possible to make Ivy feel involved and entertained.
When PJ had first met Ivy five years ago, she had been slightly jealous of the woman who finally captured Coy’s heart. And she had been intimidated by Ivy’s cool beauty. But the intimidation and jealousy quickly dissipated when she realized how warm and sweet Ivy was, and also how much they had in common—namely their mutual love of horses. Ivy had grown up on a horse farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky. Her family had been breeding horses for as many generations as the Kings had been ranching cattle. PJ had never actually owned a horse, but she loved them nonetheless. She had grown up around them because she had always traveled with her father while he worked. He had patiently taught her everything he knew, and he also taught her to love horses.
Despite the fact that PJ was friends with all the Kings, Ivy was the reason she was here. Since she was down for the next few months, she wouldn’t be able to tend to her herd of purebred horses. Normally some of the ranch hands would be able to help out, but recently the horses had broken in to a feed stall and overindulged. As a result, a few of them were suffering with laminitis, a painful hoof inflammation that was incredibly serious, especially in horses as valuable as Ivy’s. Laminitis, if left untreated, could lead to death. And death of these horses could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The vet was being very attentive, but PJ knew Ivy would feel better if she was there to oversee their hoof care on a daily basis. For that reason, she had agreed to the invitation to stay, even though it fell over such an important family holiday.
“I haven’t had a chance to check the horses yet today,” PJ told her.
“No, of course not,” Ivy said.
“But I’ll check them tonight,” she promised. “They’re going to be okay, Ivy. Don’t worry about it. My dad taught me some special techniques to deal with laminitis. I’ve never personally lost a horse to it yet.”
Ivy sagged in relief. “That makes me feel so much better, PJ. You have no idea how much I appreciate you being here.” She paused and bit her lip. “I’m afraid the news isn’t all good, though. My family is upset about my confinement.”
PJ leaned forward and clasped Ivy’s hand, clutching at it. “Don’t tell me your brothers are coming.”
Ivy’s brothers were horrible. Their antics were notorious. The stress of having them visit would no doubt be enough to send Ivy over the edge.
“Just one of them. It’s not so bad when it’s just one,” Ivy assured her. “It’s when they’re all together that the trouble starts. And it’s Grant; he’
s the most reasonable, if such a thing could be said about any of my brothers. He’s going to help you with the horses.”
PJ was still uncertain, but she didn’t relay her fears. Ivy had enough to worry about.
Satisfied that business was taken care of, Ivy relaxed into her pillows with a smile. “So tell me more about Ethan.”
“You’ve met him, haven’t you?” PJ asked.
“I’ve met him, but I don’t think he made as much of an impression on me as he did on you.”
PJ’s cheeks pinked. “It’s not like that, Ivy.”
“Isn’t it?” Ivy asked.
“He lives in New York.”
“So did Belle,” Ivy pointed out.
“He’s dating someone.”
“So was I,” Ivy said. “Cam, in fact. What other paltry excuses can you give me to try and deny the way you’re feeling?”
PJ threw up her hands in surrender. “Am I that transparent?”
“Only to someone who knows you so well. I’ve never heard you mention a man so many times in one sentence before.”
“Fine, I’ll admit I find him attractive, but it’s hopeless, Ivy.”
“Nothing is hopeless, PJ.”
PJ disagreed, but she didn’t want to burst Ivy’s bubble.
“Promise me something,” Ivy said.
“Anything,” PJ agreed.
“Even though it’s horribly nosy and I have no right to ask, please keep me updated on what’s happening with you and Ethan. There’s no drama like ranch drama.”
“I’ll keep you updated,” PJ promised. “But I don’t think anything is going to come of it. I don’t think there’s going to be any drama.”
“Wait and see,” Ivy said sagely.
Just then, Coy entered the room. “How’s my girl?” he asked, giving Ivy a loving smile.
“Better now that I’ve had some entertainment,” Ivy replied, smiling at PJ.
“Hey, I’m entertaining,” Coy said, offended.
“Of course you are,” Ivy soothed. “But I needed some girl time.”
“I have no idea what that means,” Coy replied. “But it reminds me that Ethan is waiting outside to talk to PJ.” He turned to PJ with a smile.
“And so it begins,” Ivy said.
PJ shook her head and left the room as Ivy and Coy’s happy chatter followed her down the hallway.
Christmas With the Kings, Kings of Montana Bonus Book Page 7