Big Sky Homecoming (Montana Marriages #3)

by Linda Ford

  “This is where Rose and her sisters lived with their ma and pa,” he told Billy. “I guess only Rose lives with her parents now.”

  “How many sisters she got?”

  “Two. You met them yesterday. Both of them are married and moved to their own places.”

  “Aww. So Rose is all alone.”

  “She’s still got her ma and pa.” He’d never considered that she might feel alone with her sisters gone. “She and Lilly are twins.”

  “I never knowed any twins before. It makes her extra special.” He hesitated a moment. “I guess she misses Lilly.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “She’ll be glad you’ve come to visit.”

  “We’ll see.” They continued toward the buildings.

  Rose stepped from the barn and shielded her eyes to watch them approach.

  As they passed the pigpen, his horse, King, snorted and sidestepped. “Settle down.”

  He rode up to Rose and she looked at King as he pranced nervously. “Your horse looks like it belongs on a closed racetrack, not out on the prairie.”

  “He’s a great horse.” Though a little high-spirited. Duke gripped the reins firmly. “I can handle him.” He waited for her to invite him to step down but when she didn’t, he swung off his horse and landed in front of her.

  “Rose, I have good news for you.”

  Her eyebrows rose.

  “The feud is over. You won’t be bothered again.”

  Her look went on and on, unblinking, steady and full of doubts.

  “Believe me. It’s over.”

  She nodded once, quickly, as if she meant only to acknowledge his words, not agree with them. “I’ll believe it when I see the evidence.”

  Chapter Two

  Rose sighed as Grub, their not-so-fine watchdog, suddenly realized there was company and let out a woof. Johnny-come-lately, as Caleb described him.

  At the doggie intrusion Duke’s horse reared and backed away, dragging Duke after him. “Whoa, there. Settle down.” Duke spoke firmly but the animal’s nostrils flared and he had his hands full controlling him.

  Rose watched, amused and at the same time annoyed because he chose to ride a horse that was so headstrong.

  Billy led his horse forward and caught her attention to him. He laughed as the floppy-eared dog trotted up, tripping over himself on the way. “What’s your doggie’s name?” He reached down to pat Grub and earned himself undying devotion.

  She’d been so distracted by Duke’s presence the other day that she’d neglected to inform Billy. “Grub.”

  Billy rubbed behind Grub’s ears. “You’re a good dog, ain’t ya? I can tell.” He straightened and sighed. “I wish I had a dog.”

  Three cats wandered from the barn, curious as to the disturbance.

  Billy cooed and scooped one up in his arms. “I wish I had a cat, too.”

  “You’re welcome to play with ours anytime.” She’d suggest he take one of them home with him but she had no idea if the Caldwells would take kindly to the idea. She wouldn’t let a cat go where she couldn’t be sure it would be treated properly.

  Billy studied Rose, his brown eyes wide. “You’re a nice person.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.” It was nice to be appreciated. “How’d you get to be friends with Duke?” It puzzled her no end that Duke would pick Billy for a sidekick. She’d expect a Caldwell to choose someone big and brawny. Perhaps Billy had done the choosing.

  Billy’s chest puffed out. “He saved me from drowning.”

  Rose stared. “He did?” She squinted at Duke a few feet away, his horse now reasonably calm.

  Billy hung his head. “I jumped in deep water.” He gulped. “On purpose.”

  His comments didn’t make sense, unless— “Can you swim?”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Then why did you jump in?”

  Billy hung his head and kicked at a lump on the ground until it dislodged and skittered away. “I wanted to die,” he whispered. “People always call me bad names.”

  “Oh, Billy.” She squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry people say unkind things and I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Billy’s eyes were awash with joy. “Me, too, ’cause now I get to meet you, and Duke is my best friend.”

  Duke led his horse back to them and Rose studied him out of the corner of her eye. He’d saved Billy’s life, which made him a good man. So could she believe him when he said the feud was over? But no matter what, he was still a Caldwell. If she didn’t remain cautious and alert as to the goings-on of the Caldwell cowboys, someone might get hurt. Worse than last time. She wasn’t about to let down her guard.

  Duke stood in front of her, his eyes watchful, as if he expected something from her.

  Perhaps he expected her to greet his announcement with unbridled joy. She studied him, his strong features and his blue, blue eyes that seemed to see clear through her.

  He smiled and his eyes danced with crystal light. “Have you decided you like what you see?”

  Heat rushed up her neck and she jerked away to stare toward the river, hoping he wouldn’t see her cheeks coloring. Never would she admit she thought him handsome and considered the blue in his eyes as vivid as any sunny Montana day.

  She shook her head. “I’m trying to decide if you truly believe the feud has ended or if you have some particular reason why you want me to believe it.” For years the Bells had hoped and prayed for this dispute to stop. She couldn’t believe it could end so easily—simply with his say-so. The doubts twisted through her thoughts.

  “What do you hope to gain by saying it’s over?” she asked him. Would he make such a claim if he simply wanted to spend time with her?

  Why would he?

  All he had to do was ask. Would she agree if he did? Her head said no. He was a Caldwell and, as such, not to be trusted on the Bell farm. In fact—her eyes narrowed—it seemed likely he was looking for a weakness, an opportunity to drive them off.

  But her heart pushed forward a protest. There was something about Duke that drew her like a moth to a flame. She’d always been attracted by his power, his energy, his happy spirit. Now, seeing Billy’s devotion, she was drawn even closer.

  Moths got burned if they got too close to the flames, she reminded herself.

  “Maybe I just want us to be friends and neighbors.” His voice carried a harsh note, as if her doubts offended him.

  “We’ve been neighbors for eight years,” she pointed out. “But the Caldwells have never wanted to be friends.”

  “Not all the Caldwells.” He spoke softly, but there was no mistaking the firmness in his words.

  They considered each other, neither blinking. The air between them shifted and shimmered like a summer mirage. It seemed full of possibility.

  With a great deal of effort she pulled her gaze away and stared into the distance. For the life of her she couldn’t explain what was happening between them. Nor could she pull a single word from her confused brain.

  After a minute Duke turned with a muffled sound. “We better go.” He swung up into his saddle.

  “Can I come and visit you again?” Billy asked.

  Her voice returned, though somewhat croaky. “You’re welcome anytime, Billy.”

  He cheered as if he’d won a goal as he trotted away on his horse.

  She continued toward the house, which had been her initial intention before Duke and Billy had ridden into the yard.

  He’d said the feud was over.

  She hoped it was so, but she meant to wait and see. In the meantime she’d keep her emotions firmly under control.

  She stepped inside to the welcome warmth, hung her coat on the nearest hook and turned to face her parents.

  Pa was curled up on the cot a
cross the room. She watched the covers rise and fall rhythmically. Her own breathing eased with relief.

  “He’s fine,” Ma said. “I wish you’d stop worrying.”

  But he hadn’t been fine since he’d caught a cold shortly after Lilly’s wedding. Ma figured his ribs had been hurt when the cows ran over him, which made it hard for him to cough and clear his lungs. Plumb wore him out, it did.

  Rose crossed to the cupboard where Ma prepared vegetables to add to the pot of meat stewing on the stove. She draped her arm across Ma’s shoulders. “I’ll never stop worrying about both of you. After all, you’re all I’ve got.”

  Ma patted Rose’s arm. “You’ve got Cora and Wyatt and Lilly and Caleb and a host of friends and neighbors.”

  Rose gave a laugh, half teasing, half serious. “And yet here you are, stuck with me.”

  “Not stuck, my dear. Blessed.” The look Ma gave her was so full of love that Rose had to blink back a sting of tears.

  “Speaking of neighbors...” Ma continued. “Wasn’t that young Caldwell I saw you with?”

  “It was.”

  “His parents will no doubt be pleased to have him back.”

  “Not so pleased they didn’t take the first train to Helena.”

  Ma nodded. “I suppose they’re anxious to take part in some of the celebrations of Montana achieving statehood. Perhaps Mr. Caldwell will become a politician.”

  Rose stared at her mother. “Would that mean he would live in Helena?” Her brain raced. Would he leave Duke in charge? Would that truly mean the feud was over? She could barely contain the hope bubbling inside her.

  “Why, I don’t know. I suppose it would depend on the sort of position he fills.” Ma turned her attention back to the simmering pot. “But who knows? It’s pure speculation on my part.”

  “It does seem the sort of thing Mr. Caldwell would do.” He could rule an even bigger portion of the world. Maybe thinking of it made him realize how small and petty a feud with the Bells was. If only it could be so.

  “Who was the young man with Duke?”

  “Billy Taylor. A sweet young man who seems a little simpleminded. He says Douglas saved his life.” She repeated Billy’s story.

  “What did they want?”

  “Just being neighborly.” She didn’t see any point in repeating Duke’s proclamation that the feud was over. Not until she could be sure.

  Pa stirred at that moment and sat up. “Smells good in here.”

  Ma hurried to fill the kettle. “I’ll make you some tea.”

  Pa rose and stretched.

  Rose took note of the fact his arms barely rose above shoulder height and that he clenched his teeth as if holding back a groan.

  She turned her back to stare out the window. If the harassment from the Caldwells ended, she would be most grateful. Please, God, make it so. Perhaps Duke would take it a step further. Hadn’t he said he wanted them to be friends?

  Her cheeks warmed. She tried to dismiss the idea but it had developed tenacious roots. Seeing him on that big horse, hearing Billy talk of being rescued by Duke, recalling the way he’d teased her when they were kids—

  Enough. He was a Caldwell. Even without the feud between them, they were a whole universe apart. A rich rancher and an adopted daughter of dirt farmers—no one would ever imagine them together. But the idea dogged her as she helped serve the meal and later as she went to her room.

  Two empty beds stood side by side next to hers. Cora and Lilly were married. She still found it hard to believe. For some reason, she thought they’d always be together.

  Her earliest memory was of the three of them standing on the dusty prairie watching a wagon drive away and waving bye-bye to their papa. Then she and Lilly had each clutched one of Cora’s hands, their big sister who had promised to take care of them.

  That’s where Ma Bell had found them. Lilly had gone eagerly into Ma’s outstretched arms but Cora had hung back. Rose had stuck firmly to Cora’s side.

  “My papa is coming back. He said to wait,” Cora had insisted.

  “Your little sisters are tired and hungry,” Ma had said. “Come with me and let me feed all of you. We’ll be in town. Your papa will know to look for you there when he comes back.”

  Thinking of that day, Rose smiled as she prepared for bed.

  “Ise not tired ’n’ hungry,” she’d stoutly insisted, standing bravely at Cora’s side and knowing that if Ma Bell had mentioned milk or bread or cheese, she would have faltered. Instead, Cora had nodded and allowed Ma Bell to lead them home.

  Fifteen years later and their birth father had never returned. Rose could remember nothing more about her father and nothing at all about her birth mother. Cora had told her that their mother had died and Cora had promised to take care of the twins.

  Rose wished her sisters were still there. They could have discussed what Duke had said. Though she knew they were likely to trust his words. Her sisters had certainly mellowed since meeting their husbands. Was that what love did to a person?

  Rose hadn’t changed. Except to finally accept that they would never learn anything more about their birth parents. She was happy enough, but inside, a hole remained. A lack. She knew Ma and Pa loved her and she loved them and was happy they had adopted the three little girls abandoned on the prairie, yet somehow, when Rose looked within, a hungry emptiness clawed at her insides. It wasn’t a large hole but it went deep and persistently made itself known. She had no family history. No knowledge of her real background. No assurance there wasn’t something mighty strange about a man who’d abandoned three little girls in the middle of nowhere. The few times she’d let a boy escort her someplace, they had acted as though her lack of background allowed them to take liberties with her. She’d soon set them straight on that score.

  She sat on the edge of her bed and, as was her practice, read a chapter in her Bible and then said her prayers, adding a special request. God, show me what to believe about Duke. I don’t want to trust his every word out of loneliness and weakness. Yet, if the feud is over, well, I’ll thank You wholeheartedly.

  * * *

  She wakened with a jolt the next morning, her heart pounding as she bolted from her bed. Something had startled her from her sleep. Hopping on the cold floor, she rushed to look out the kitchen window into the gray, predawn light. Cows, pigs, sheep and chickens milled across the yard. The cows mooed. The sheep baaed and ran around in crazy circles, making the chickens fly up with startled squawks. The pigs rooted through the spot where she occasionally emptied the slop bucket.

  She hurried back to her room and donned warm clothes, then grabbed her coat and headed outside to again corral all the animals.

  Only once did she stop to stare in the direction of the Caldwell buildings. So much for ending the feud.

  Duke had not told her the truth. What else was false? His claim that he wanted to be her friend?

  A cold wind whistled down the hill, stinging her eyes, causing them to water. There was no other reason for the tears she dashed from her eyes.

  * * *

  Duke’s emotions tangled as if they’d been caught in the wind. Disappointment, anger and helpless hope formed a rope that twisted tighter with every breath.

  He’d ridden over to the Bells’ so certain Rose would be overjoyed at his announcement. Instead she had questioned his sincerity. She suspected his motives.

  Come to think of it, she’d always been on the suspicious side. If he took her an apple, she’d check it for worms. If he found a pretty rock and gave it to her, she’d toss it aside wondering aloud if he meant to insult her.

  Mrs. Humphrey had noted his distraction when he’d returned yesterday. “Who you mooning over, Duke?”

  Duke had forced a boisterous laugh to his lips. “I’d never moon over anyone. You ought to know that.”
/>   He tried to hold on to that sense of injustice this morning.

  Over breakfast Mrs. Humphrey considered him in her motherly way.

  He met her doubtful look without blinking as he had last night. “Good breakfast,” he said after a moment of measuring each other.

  “Duke, I hope you can manage on your own a few days. I want to visit my son.”

  “By all means.” It would be a relief not to have to endure her probing looks. “We can certainly manage.” He included Billy, who sat across from him at the table.

  “You can always go to the cookhouse and eat with the men if you get hungry.”

  Billy made a sound of distress. It hadn’t taken him long to discover how harsh the cowboys’ teasing could be.

  “We’ll be fine.”

  Not long after breakfast, when she was ready, he arranged for one of the men to take her to town in the wagon.

  He wandered through the house; stood in his father’s office. He was in charge now, but it didn’t seem all that exciting. He returned to the kitchen where Billy sat with his papers and pencil.

  “Billy, let’s go visit Rose.”

  Billy cheered. “She said I could visit the cats anytime I wanted.” He gave Duke a sideways look. “I like cats.”

  Was Billy asking to have a pet? Duke had no objection but would wait to check with Rose before he said anything.

  They saddled up and were soon on their way.

  It had grown colder in the past couple of days. Winter could not be avoided. Father was away and Duke wondered if there was something he needed to be taking care of. Though Father had assured him Ebner knew what to do.

  Duke wanted to help. He wanted to work. But when he’d asked Ebner what to do, the foreman had waved him away.

  “I got it under control. I always got it under control. I don’t need some young buck messin’ things up.”

  Duke had stared after the man. Young buck? Is that how Ebner saw him? Duke shouldn’t be surprised. Ebner had never been all that friendly to him.

  Forget Ebner. Sooner or later he’d learn to respect Duke.

  His thoughts flitted ahead to this visit with Rose.