A Love of Her Own

by Maggie Brendan

  “Could be, Lenora,” she answered coyly.

  “Then it has to be a man! That’d be the only way you’d ever leave home, I’ll declare. I know that from experience—and by the look on your face.”

  April laughed and tossed her hair back off her shoulders. “That’s exactly what Tilly would say. You’ll get along well with her, if I can talk her into coming.”

  “I figure that man to be Wes,” Morgan said. “It’s no surprise to me. Leon and I knew it would happen because of the way you two quarreled and looked at each other.” His faced saddened when he mentioned Leon.

  April didn’t deny the observation. “I’ve agreed to stay awhile for now.”

  “Good thinking. We love having you around,” Morgan expressed with a serious face.

  April scurried over to give him a quick hug. “You may change your mind about that later. But you’ve treated me like a daughter, and I want you to know I appreciate yours and Lenora’s friendship. Between you and Miss Margaret, I didn’t have a chance.”

  Tears misted Morgan’s eyes, and he said, “Here now, you’re gonna make Lenora jealous!” But April knew he was pleased.

  April turned to leave. “I’d better go find Billy so we can ride out to the Rusty Spur.” She hurried out, anxious to see Wes.

  Watching April dash out the door, Lenora turned to look at her husband. “I really like that girl. She’s all right. At first I didn’t know how to take her.”

  Morgan narrowed his eyes, looked out the window, and watched April and Billy mount their horses then trot down the road. “I know what you mean, honey. I’ve seen changes in her, and I think besides Wes, Miss Margaret has been a positive influence on her.” Morgan said a silent prayer that God would watch over April and guide any decision where Wes was concerned. They would struggle, but the effort would be worth it in the long run.

  It pleased him the way April had treated Lenora from the beginning. Not everyone wanted to be friends with black folks, but it didn’t seem to matter one bit to her. He was grateful for the friends he had, especially Miss Margaret. I wonder what Josh will think about Wes courting April? I never dreamed a man like Wes could change so much. Change in the hearts of men comes slowly, so that has be the work of the good Lord.

  Morgan reached for Lenora’s hand. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

  Lenora let herself be pulled close and blinked her eyes. “Let’s see . . . this morning before we got out of bed. But I always want to hear it. I’ve missed you, and I’m so glad the robber was a bad shot.”

  Morgan gazed into his lovely wife’s dark eyes, appreciating the love he saw reflected there. A single tear rolled down his cheek and disappeared into his beard. He was a very happy man. Very happy indeed.

  “Morgan! You’re crying.” Lenora reached up, caressing his wet cheek.

  Morgan cleared his throat, embarrassed at his sudden emotional state. “Naw, I’m not . . . I’m just happy that you’re home at last. Right where you need to be.” He pulled her to his chest and kissed the top of her head. She released a deep, contented sigh. “Want to go back upstairs for a while?” he whispered in her ear.

  Will smiled from behind the ticket counter as the couple mounted the stairs, arm in arm.

  26

  “Billy, I’m glad you rode over today!” Jane was already on the back of Cinnamon when they arrived. Her face was flushed despite the chill in the air, and April figured it was more from the fact that Billy was nearby than from the riding lesson.

  “Hey, yourself! Morgan gave me a couple of hours off today.” Billy drew his horse up close to the corral where Jane was. “Nice horse you got there.”

  Wes stood inside the corral with Jane, leaning against the railing. He glanced up as April and Billy came into view. “Looks like this might call for a picnic down by the stream later. How are you two this morning?”

  “Good, Wes. How’s our star pupil?” April’s heart thumped when she saw Wes’s friendly smile and his gaze sweep over her. “A picnic might be just the thing today.” She smiled back.

  “I’ve packed us some sandwiches and fruit. Let’s all ride down to Big Spring Creek. What do you say?”

  Billy’s eyes gleamed with delight. “Wow, I’ve never been on a picnic before.”

  “You haven’t?” Jane gave him a dubious look. “It’s fun. Follow me and I’ll lead the way.” Billy fell in next to Jane, and soon they were chatting about the start of school.

  Wes reached through the fence and touched April’s hand. “I’ll go get the lunch and be right out. Don’t go away.”

  “I promise I’ll be right here. You’d better hurry, they’re leaving us behind. Seems Jane’s in very happy spirits. You’ll have to tell me what happened.” April’s tone was hushed so Jane couldn’t hear. Her eyes slid over Wes’s lean body in approval. He was dressed in worn but clean jeans, a green plaid shirt that set off his hazel eyes, a coffee-colored leather vest, and a matching leather hat. One thing she knew for certain, besides a love of horses, they both loved leather outfittings. She’d have to ask Tilly to bring her another pair of boots and a belt if she came to Montana. After her bargaining for Sassy with her good boots and belt, April hadn’t found a way to replace anything as fine as those, but she’d try. She didn’t begrudge Jane having them now. Wearing them made Jane seem happy and look like a real horsewoman.

  Wes hurried inside, and true to his word, he was back in a flash carrying a basket with a blue-checkered cloth, which he handed to her. It thrilled April that he would be so romantic to think of doing something like that. He got on his horse, then edged Dakota up next to her, close enough to talk.

  The earlier winds had died down, and the hawthorn blazed deep red along the thick wooded trail on the way to Big Spring Creek. It was a perfect day in April’s mind—peaceful, with only the sound of the horses’ hoofbeats clomping on the packed trail, an occasional crow cawing overhead, and the distant sound of the young people’s chatter. All was right with the world, and she felt a contentment she’d never had before. Was it because of the man riding next to her?

  “Wes, what was the outcome of Jane’s walking?’ April kept her eyes focused on the trail before her.

  “She told the truth to her mother, which was what I was hoping for. But sadly, not walking or standing for months did take its toll on her leg muscles. It’ll take awhile before they’re strong again, so she’s somewhat shaky when she walks.” Wes flicked a bug off his arm absentmindedly. “I think it’s best we suggest that the riding and passing of time is making her legs stronger, which is partially true. Cynthia agreed to save her from embarrassment. I felt sure she would.”

  “You must have been very persuasive to be able to convince Jane to be truthful.”

  Wes shrugged. “I don’t know. I did try to help by sharing my own mistakes. Jane’s a good kid, she’s going through a hard time.” When April raised an eyebrow, he added, “She just happened to make a wrong decision based on her feelings. I think it all stems from losing her dad in a mining explosion.”

  “I think she has a new friend in Billy. They played board games together when he didn’t know she could walk. But was Cynthia angry with her?”

  “She didn’t say too much about it. I think she’s just happy that Jane can walk. She loves her daughter, although she admitted Jane is a little spoiled.” Wes glanced over at her. “Do you see much of Cynthia with Mark at the boardinghouse?”

  “Not really. She comes right after lunch to help in the kitchen and leaves by supper time. I believe she and Mark were brought together in friendship because of Jane. He’s beginning to court Louise now, or didn’t you notice the other night at Miss Margaret’s?”

  Wes nodded. “I wondered about that. It looked to me like they were enjoying their time together in the parlor before we left on our walk. Louise looked different . . . prettier and not as stiff.” He wrinkled his nose in thought.

  April giggled. “I may have had something to do with that.”

  Wes
’s laughter reverberated throughout the wooded glen, causing Jane and Billy to glance back at them. “I have no doubt you did.”

  The scenery before them was spectacular. The autumn purple ash trees splashed brilliant red to tinges of purple, which would later become deep purple. The trail opened wide as they approached Big Spring Creek. They could hear its rushing water, and the pungent smell of spruce was fragrant in the air. Long willow limbs trailed to the ground, and huge cottonwoods flourished near the creek.

  Wes yelled at the kids, “This is a good place to stop for lunch.” He slid off Dakota and held Sassy’s reins while April dismounted. “Billy, there’s a blanket rolled up on the back of Cinnamon. Could you fetch it?”

  “Sure thing.” Billy hopped down and untied the blanket. Walking over to them, he handed the blanket to April, who unrolled it and placed it on the grassy meadow. “Wes, how do we get Jane down?”

  Wes clapped the boy on his back. “Easier than you think.” They walked back to where Jane was with Cinnamon. She stared down and chewed her lip.

  “Wes, if you’ll give me a hand, I’m pretty sure I can do this,” Jane said.

  April walked up and stood behind them to watch.

  “Billy, hold on to Cinnamon’s reins to keep her steady.” Wes reached up to lift Jane’s right leg across the horse’s back, and she half slid down the side of the horse. She stood with wobbly legs, then held out her hand to take Billy’s while still holding on to Wes with her other hand.

  Billy stared in disbelief as she took a small step in the direction of the blanket. “Jane! You’re moving your legs!”

  Jane took another tentative step, her face beaming pink. “I can walk some, Billy. I’m just shaky.”

  “You’re doing fine, Jane. This is wonderful!” April clapped her hands.

  “But why didn’t you tell me?” Billy’s look was mystified. “How’d this happen?”

  Jane took a few more steps, and her walking became steadier. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “We think it’s a combination of passing time and the horseback riding somehow,” Wes added.

  “Well, whatever it is, I’m mighty happy for you! Now you’ll be able to attend school with the rest of us instead of doing your lessons at home.”

  After they tied their mounts close enough to the stream for drinking, they settled down on the blanket. April reached inside the basket and found roast beef sandwiches and McIntosh apples. Wes had even remembered to pack napkins. She handed the sandwiches around, and Billy was nearly finished with his before she took her second bite.

  “It’s a good thing I packed two for us, Billy. I think you have a hollow leg.” Wes laughed and the rest joined in.

  “Lenora is a good cook, but I can always eat,” Billy said, patting his stomach.

  They ate the shiny red apples for dessert and enjoyed the pleasant fall weather while chatting. Wes asked April if she’d like to walk along the creek, and when she said yes, he pulled her up from the blanket with both hands. Billy lazed back with his arms under his head while Jane propped up on one arm talking with him.

  When they were out of earshot, April said, “Thank you for doing this today. Jane seems a changed girl, and I think she and Billy will become great friends.”

  “Like us?” Wes asked, his arm firmly planted around April’s waist.

  “Yes, like us. I have a good feeling about them. This has been good for Jane and no doubt for Cynthia.” They continued walking until they got to the water’s edge and found a seat on the fallen trunk of a ponderosa pine. April tucked her arms around her legs, and Wes scooted closer to her. He smelled of shaving cream and the outdoors, and his leather vest gave off a pleasant smell that was becoming familiar to her. His spurs gave a light jingle at the slightest movement. She loved the manliness of him all the way down to the tops of his leather boots.

  Wes lifted her hair and took a deep breath. “You smell so good. If you were a glass of water, I’d drink you up.”

  “Wes, you’re getting to be a poet, I declare.” April felt heat rising in her cheeks.

  “I’m not totally uneducated, you know,” he said, still playing with her hair.

  “You never told me so.” It seemed there was another side to him that she didn’t know, and she was secretly pleased that he may have had more schooling than she’d first thought. “It hadn’t come up yet. I attended Montana State College of Agriculture in Bozeman, and I have a degree in agriculture, but I do minimal farming. I’d rather be handling horses. I never know how much money I’ll make from month to month with farming.” He paused and gave her a level stare. “I may have an order coming up soon for several horses for a rancher in Bozeman, but the deal’s not firm yet. Do you think you could be happy with that kind of uncertainty?”

  “I think as long as we’re doing what we like together, I can be.” She reached over and clasped his hand. “I’ll have some of my own money from my father. Who knows, perhaps we could open up a business. I think there’s a need for a good leather or tack shop here, instead of always ordering from a catalog. Maybe things made by hand and such.”

  “You have done some thinking.” He squeezed her hand hard, then gave it a swift kiss. His eyes smoldered with love for her, and April’s heart did a somersault.

  Was she doing the right thing? She couldn’t wait to talk to Josh. She couldn’t believe she was already considering moving here. “I wired my maid Tilly to see if she’d come to Montana. That’s how serious I am.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, but he grabbed her arms.

  “Oh no you don’t . . . you can’t tease me that way and get away with it. I need the real thing.”

  Wes placed his hand behind her neck beneath her silky hair, pulled her closer, and kissed her pouting mouth. He never knew that a kiss could taste so good. A flash of desire like a fire hit him in his belly, surprising him. He never wanted to let her out of his sight. She returned his kiss with a passionate one of her own that only ignited his craving for her. Wes pulled back, touched his fingertip to the end of her nose, and drew it down to her mouth, where she kissed it tenderly.

  “Ever since you rode into town dressed like a man, and when I saw you at the wedding in that crumpled yellow gown, I knew there was something different about you. You’re feisty, determined, and sometimes downright exasperating, but you are the woman I want to share my life with.”

  “I may make you wish you could take that back in a few months,” she teased, then batted her eyelids.

  “Sweet thing, you will be a pleasure to fight with.”

  “I don’t—”

  Wes crushed her mouth with his to silence her protestations and felt her ragged breathing. “No need to say more.” His hands were trembling, and he decided that he’d better stop now, or heaven help him, he wouldn’t be responsible for what he might do. “It’s time to go.” He puffed out a breath of air. “The kids will wonder what happened to us.”

  He searched her dreamy blue irises, and she huffed in exasperation. “You’re right, but it’s so nice being in your arms. I never want to leave them.” She pulled away and stood up, her chest heaving in and out, and Wes thought she couldn’t look any more desirable than she did at that moment.

  “I feel the same way, but one of us needs to stay in control, or Miss Margaret or Morgan will skin us alive. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to have to face either of them . . . or Josh.” He took her hand and led her back to the picnic area, his heart full of this incredibly beautiful woman from Colorado. She might drive him crazy sometimes, but that was worth the risk to have her enduring love.

  27

  Miss Margaret sat with her chair pulled up close to the window so she could see outside. She wanted to be on the front porch in her rocker, but earlier there had been a sharp wind, and though it had died to a gentle breeze, she still found it chilly. Better to be inside with a fire in the grate, she decided. She’d been making notes in the journal she kept with her Bible, and she penciled a big check mark of p
raise next to Wes’s name. God, You’re always faithful to me. All that I have and all that I need has come from You, Lord. Thank You for Your tremendous love and sacrifice. As soon as her quick prayer was offered, Margaret felt a warmth flood her heart.

  She closed the leather journal, recalling her conversation with April, whom she’d grown to love. She hoped that she’d been able to instill more confidence in April. She should be returning any moment from her trip out to the Rusty Spur, and Margaret wanted to know how things went. Cynthia had confided Jane’s lie to her when she had come to work yesterday. Over the last few months, Cynthia and Margaret had prayed about Jane’s healing together. And indeed, that prayer had been answered. As Margaret had pointed out to Cynthia, Jane’s truth was a type of healing. Now, the two of them knew the truth, and the truth would set them free. Already she noticed that Cynthia stepped lighter, and her shoulders weren’t hunched over from the burden of caring for a crippled child alone. Margaret hadn’t said anything to a soul about Jane being able to walk, but she was sure that Jane would say something today.

  She saw April and Sassy appear next to the side of the house, heading to the barn. She’d go make a pot of hot tea and slice some pound cake for a little snack before supper. Louise and Natalie should be through with their chores by now. She rapped on the Wingates’ door with her cane to invite them to join her as well, but there was no answer. May and Willard had spent the day with their daughter, but she guessed they hadn’t come back yet. So she moved on to the kitchen to make the tea.

  Delicious smells of beef stew tickled her nostrils. Margaret loved the smell of supper cooking in the afternoon, permeating her household with its homey aroma when guests arrived. Natalie, in her apron, her hair tied back with a kerchief, turned from the sink with soap suds on her hands as her mother entered the kitchen. “I thought you were resting.”