The Climax Montana Complete Collection

by Reece Butler

  Marci stomped out, leaving the door ajar. The hair at the back of Simon’s neck rose. He felt a cool breeze, though nothing moved. A black paw pushed at the door, widening the gap enough for Barney to trot in, white belly fur swaying. He leaped onto the desk and stared over Simon’s shoulder, purring like a Harley.

  “If you don’t turn around,” said a sultry voice behind him, “you won’t have to lie to your wife about seeing me.”

  “I don’t lie,” said Simon, recognizing the voice. So did Barney, who slowly blinked his eyes in feline adoration. “Was Marci right, that you had something to do with Katie coming to Climax?”

  “Of course, dear boy!” replied Beth Elliott. “Just as you are working to bring in new industries to keep the town going, I’m helping the next generation find partners to produce children. I think Katie will do those Elliott boys well. Though she’s a lot shorter, she reminds me of, well, me.”

  Beth paused for his expected chuckle, so he gave her one.

  “Sam’s a big stick in the mud,” she continued, “but he’ll change once Katie helps him realize a few things. I trained Trace, Simon, and Jack, and I have no doubt Katie will do the same to her men. Trey will provide the fun while Sam gives her stability.”

  “I can’t see how your trusty hatpin could have caused someone to steal everything but the clothes on her back.”

  “Haven’t used my hatpin yet,” she replied smugly. “I did, however, encourage the possibilities to help Katie sleep deeper than normal. She was exhausted, so it wasn’t difficult.”

  Simon’s chair squeaked its complaint as he turned around. Beth, this time in a pale blue satin gown with puffed sleeves, fluttered her silk fan at him. It did nothing to calm him.

  “You wanted Katie to lose everything?”

  He had to fight to keep his voice down. Beth closed her fan with an elegant flick of her hand. From the fire in her eyes she would have whacked him on the head with it if she could.

  “That cowboy was beyond desperate, Simon MacDougal! He got injured at a rodeo trying to raise money for his hungry family. His wife had paid the mortgage instead of buying food. The garden isn't producing yet. He used the last of his cash to get as far as he could on that bus because he couldn’t walk, or stand long enough to hitchhike. He hadn’t eaten in two days. He got off the bus with Katie’s money and went home to a hungry child and a pregnant wife who had barely enough food to keep her from fainting. Katie’s five hundred dollars will keep them alive until the crop comes in. He has her address and will repay the money as soon as he can.”

  Simon winced in sympathy. Tom said Katie came from a wealthy family. All she had to do was make one call and she could get money from her bank account. She was stubborn, though, and insisted on doing things herself. That attitude was appreciated by everyone in Climax. But the cowboy wouldn’t know she had access to money.

  “It’s still theft, Beth.”

  “He didn’t want to do it, Simon. I had to nudge him. Katie’s strong and healthy and can find work. His family would have been very hungry if he didn’t get home with some cash in time.” She raised her chin. “Katie would have handed over that money, and her ticket, if she’d known.”

  Beth flipped the fan open and did some tricks with it. Simon got the impression she was stalling.

  “Unfortunately, I did not anticipate the truck driver’s actions.” She snapped the fan shut, gripping it in her fist. “He will get what’s coming to him. In this life, and after.”

  “He’s the one you’re going to stick a pin in?” Simon didn’t hide his sarcasm.

  “Perhaps. Katie gave excellent information, which Tom passed on to Josh Gibson. The sheriff takes such things very seriously.”

  “Good,” said Simon grudgingly. “But I still don’t like what you did.”

  Beth pressed her lips together and gave him a glare that reminded him of his wife.

  “Why would such an excellent young woman come to Climax unless she was desperate?” demanded Beth.

  Simon had no good answer, so stayed quiet. They needed to bring in good people with new ideas or cash to start businesses. Otherwise, Climax could slowly die like so many other small towns in America. They needed adventurous spirits who knew how to work hard and be good neighbors. He had to admit that Jet and Houston, the men Beth had encouraged to marry Lila, were great additions to Climax and Tanner’s Ford Valley. He’d contacted Luke Chambers for the same reason, though the man had gotten the Deputy Sheriff job all on his own. Luke’s brother was a veterinarian looking for a place to settle. Simon hoped he’d take over the veterinary practice in town.

  “Katie deserves a few good men,” continued Beth, “just as my great-whatever grandsons deserve a good woman. She won’t even admit it to herself, but she’s desperate for a loving home and children. That’s not going to happen if she returns to that family of hers.” Beth made a face that resembled Emily’s when she got too near the pigpen. “Katie should fall in love, stay here where she’s appreciated, and make babies. And,” Beth added before Simon could comment on her old-fashioned ideas, “Katie’s training and education is exactly what the Tanner’s Ford Valley Association needs in a business manager. And since her family company makes wooden furniture, I bet she could give Keith and his buddies a hand in that kinky company they’re starting.”

  Simon narrowed his eyes at her. The need for someone trained in management techniques, especially a person with a background in marketing, had come up at the recent executive meeting. Only he as secretary, Keith Adams as chair, Sandra Gibson as treasurer, and Tom White, who provided security and hospitality, had been there. He might have to bring Barney to the next meeting. The cat knew whenever Beth was around, even before she showed herself.

  “Shouldn’t Katie have a choice in her future?”

  Beth reached out to rap him on the head with her fan. Though he knew he couldn’t feel anything, he still ducked. She snickered.

  “Of course it will be Katie’s choice, with maybe a nudge or two from me.”

  “How do you know they’re right for each other?” he demanded.

  “Experience and intuition, dear boy.”

  “In other words, you don’t know,” he replied, holding back a far more sarcastic comment. He wasn’t going to enrage a ghost with a very sharp hatpin. She was likely to stab him in the rear—or worse—at a very important time. Lance insisted Beth, and other spirits, had been banned from their bedroom, bath, and playroom, but Simon wasn’t going to take chances. “Katie could be all wrong for them, and vice versa.”

  “Not likely, but just in case, you’re going to watch over Sam and Trey. Just like you have since their fathers died,” she added before he could jump in. “Katie’s a lot like Marci. They both get joy from taking care of people. She’s also a lot like my sister-in-law, Jessie Elliott Langford. Once she knows more, Katie will push her men in order to get spanked, just like Aggie now, and Jessie back then.”

  Simon had enjoyed Beth’s journal entries about Jessie, who’d been a tough ranch gal during a time when fathers and husbands owned their children and wives under the law. They could beat them to near death and the law wouldn’t touch them for doing so. Jessie had been set up by five of her six brothers and three cousins. Well compromised, she’d grudgingly married the three English aristocrats she’d bedded, but only because her horse was part of the marriage settlement. A small cask of gold nuggets had also changed hands. Henry, one of her husbands, had buried it somewhere within a half hour walk of the cabin. Simon was still trying to work out where. Beth dangled hints but refused to help him outright.

  “You think Katie wants to submit to Sam and Trey?” asked Simon.

  “Yes, though she doesn’t know it yet.” Beth tossed her fan, which disappeared. “You might want to be at the Roadhouse this evening.”

  “Why?”

  “Remember Marci’s bright green dress?”

  He sat up. “The tight one she says she’s too old to wear?”

  “Katie�
�s putting it on as we speak. Lila and Jane are bringing her to karaoke night.”

  “Marci said Katie can really sing.”

  “She can. I’m sure all the cousins, aunts, and uncles will enjoy it.” Beth reached out and suddenly held a parasol. She rested it on her shoulder and twirled it, simpering. “By the time Sam and Trey arrive Katie will be having a fine time dancing with every hunky cowboy in the room. Say hello to Marci for me.”

  “What about—” Beth winked and disappeared. “Damn! I wish she wouldn’t do that!”

  Simon found Marci in the kitchen with Lance. She was bent over, taking biscuits from the ancient black stove. He joined his twin in admiring the sight of her bottom, telling himself he didn’t want to distract her in case she startled and burned her fingers.

  “Beth just stopped by,” he said when Marci straightened. “She thinks Katie will be good for the Elliott brothers. And she says hello.”

  Marci set the pan of biscuits on a cooling rack on the counter. She slowly turned to face Simon.

  “Is that all Beth said? Nothing about bringing Katie here?”

  “She says Lila and Jane are bringing Katie to the Roadhouse tonight. Katie’s wearing your green dress. Beth said something about all the cousins dancing with her before Sam and Trey show up.”

  “I remember that dress,” said Lance. He flicked his eyes over their wife. “I didn’t give you permission to pass it on.”

  “Too late,” said Marci, taunting him. “Considering how it must stretch to cover Katie’s chest, I’d say the cousins will enjoy this evening.”

  Lance moved closer to Marci. She inhaled a gasp when his hand slid over her flank. He patted her lightly, his intention plain.

  “I intend to enjoy this evening as well, Mrs. MacDougal. Put on your new dress. Nothing but boots below your waist.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sam pulled into the yard, strangely disappointed Katie wasn’t on the porch to greet them. He’d had a few fantasies during the silent drive home. His favorite had Katie wearing nothing but black stilettos, a bowtie, and a smile. And she was looking at him, not Trey.

  “Let me handle this,” said Trey.

  He was out of the truck, heading full speed for the kitchen before Sam killed the engine. They’d been coming home to an empty house for years. How could a woman sharing the ranch for one day change everything? What didn’t change was the work. There was always more than they had time to complete. He heaved himself out of the truck and was halfway to the barn when he heard a roar. Troy stood on the porch in sock feet, rattling a paper over his head.

  “She’s gone!”

  Sam’s heart fell into his gut. Katie couldn’t be gone! He ran to the porch and snatched the paper out of Trey’s hand.

  Gone out. Back before breakfast.

  It took a few seconds for the words to sink in. He slumped, his lungs emptying. A moment later fury hit. He grabbed Trey by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. It shook the windows.

  “She’s not gone, you idiot! She’s gone out!”

  He ducked a punch in return and released Trey, who cleared his throat, adjusting his collar.

  “So,” said Trey smugly, “big brother’s more interested in the lady than he pretended.” He tilted his head, hand cupped behind his ear. “Do I hear wedding bells?”

  “Shut up and get your boots on. We’ve got chores to do.”

  Sam crumpled the paper as he turned away. He tossed it at Trey. The sun burned his eyes as he walked to the barn. He waited until he got into the welcoming dark before brushing at the wetness with his forearm. He exhaled heavily, set both hands on an empty stall and leaned over, dropping his head like an exhausted horse.

  He had to get Katie Winterbourne out of his system. She was a danger to his concentration, and more. The scrape of a boot had him straightening. He grabbed a rake, keeping his back to his brother as he worked. Trey’s cheerful whistling had him grinding his teeth.

  “Say what you have to and shut up,” he finally said to Trey between clenched teeth.

  “Ain’t got nothin’ to say, big brother. Figure you do, though.”

  Sam set the rake down before he smashed it against his brother’s smirk.

  “I thought she might have hitchhiked somewhere to look for a better paying job,” said Sam.

  “Bullshit. You thought Katie left us and you freaked. You don’t want to admit you want her for more than your bed. Or her bed, since she has the California king.”

  They stared at each other. He didn’t like Trey’s look of disgust and disappointment. For so many years he’d pushed away memories of when they were kids. Somehow having Katie around had jolted some loose.

  Trey had tried so hard to keep up with him. Even when pint-sized, Trey was always getting into things. He was such a fun-loving kid that, unless it was something important safety-wise, their dads would grin and just give him a swat, or a noogie to the head. They’d always had a dog or two around to help them get in trouble.

  “When was the last time we had a dog?” he asked.

  “Where the hell did that come from?”

  “Will you just answer the damn question?”

  Trey crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels to lecture.

  “Dad and Mom were talking about getting a puppy for Blue Two to start training when Dad was killed. That put the kibosh on it. Blue died after mom moved out. You refused to let me get another. You said a puppy would be dangerous as it would be underfoot."

  Trey looked away for a moment, then swung back.

  “I hated you for that. There was nothing for me on the ranch except work and your sour face. That’s why I took off so much. I had to be with people who wanted to live. You acted like you already had one foot in the grave.”

  Sam grimaced. He couldn’t remember anything for months before his mother moved out. The months after were a blur as well. Having her leave like that, abandoning him as both fathers had done, took a lot to get over. He and his mom had finally come together one night when they got a phone call. Someone had seen Trey’s truck heading out of town just before they heard a crash. Shortly after a fireball had erupted. They’d rushed to the scene, terrified he was dead. Turned out Trey came along right after the crash and got everyone out before the gas tank exploded.

  He’d been so messed up he’d had to think his brother was dead before he’d accept his mother’s hugs. They’d hugged a lot that night. And shed a few tears, and hugged again.

  “The grief counselor said you decided not to care about anyone or anything but the ranch so you wouldn’t be hurt again.” Trey narrowed his eyes at Sam. “From what just happened, it looks like you care about someone else now.”

  Sam was still thinking about that night. How good it felt to hold his mother and brother. He’d carried Katie yesterday, twice. She’d felt even better.

  “I care about her,” Sam acknowledged reluctantly. “Damn woman needs a minder to keep her out of trouble.”

  “You might be ready for a dog, but not a wife.” Trey’s expression warned Sam he was working up to something. “A dog will adore you no matter how you treat it. It will learn to obey, and won’t talk back.” Trey nodded knowingly. “Yep. You might just have worked your way all the way up to caring for a dog.” He snorted a laugh. “Thing is, Katie’s human, and she’s not going to take your bullshit lying down.” He grinned wickedly, eyes twinkling in the way that had gotten him out of too much trouble over the years. “I bet I can convince her to take my kisses lying down.” He winked, pushing it as usual. “And want my mouth on her other lips. Again.”

  Yeah, Sam wanted to sink into her heat. But even more he wanted to see her mouth open in a silent scream, her skin flushing as he gave her a third orgasm.

  His cock throbbed, demanding action. He gritted his teeth, forcing his libido back by will alone. Where was that place of calm safety where he was in control? A safe, unending, monotonous, gray fog without flashes of red hair, blue-green eyes, or enticing pi
nk flesh? He’d been enveloped in that fog for over a decade, feeling safe because he was in control and nothing affected him.

  Then Katie hauled off her jacket at the Roadhouse and blasted his protection away.

  His precious control had not stopped his mother’s injury. No matter what he did, he could not protect everyone. Katie’s shot to his nose proved he couldn’t even protect himself all the time.

  He’d believed an illusion, that his family was safe if he kept his emotions under tight control. By doing that he’d shut down and shoved away the people he loved. He exhaled, absently rubbing the aching left side of his ribs with his knuckles. The sharp pain was caused by caring for a woman he thought had walked out on him. Hell, he knew she was leaving in a few days anyway, so why did it hurt so much?

  That was easy to answer. Just knowing she was on the ranch, singing as she worked, made him feel good. He could say he just wanted Katie as a housekeeper and bedmate, but it would be a lie. Trey shifted his feet, drawing Sam’s attention. The smirk was gone.

  “Reality hurts like a son of a bitch, don’t it, big brother?”

  Sam grunted his agreement.

  “So, you want to be a kid and get a puppy? Or are you going to be a man like me and go after our woman?”

  “I want Katie.”

  “For how long?”

  Sam grimaced. “I don’t know. Depends on what she wants.”

  “I want her to stick around for a while. A long, long while.”

  “Why?”

  “As soon as I opened the door I knew something was wrong. The place felt…empty.”

  “It’s been empty since Mom left.”

  Trey moved his head side to side in thoughtful denial. “This felt different. Wrong.”

  “Any ideas where she went?”

  “I bet she’s visiting with Lila or Jane. They could be helping her get all spiffed up for tonight.” He scowled. “Damn. I wanted Katie on my arm when we walked in. Get the cousins all jealous when we do some boot scooting.”