The Montana Rancher's Bride (New Montana Brides)

by Susan Leigh Carlton

  She returned to the kitchen and found Case had gone outside to talk to his ranch hands. Unsure whether she should join them, she chose not to. Instead, she checked the pantry and found it to be nearly empty of food, and then she remembered he had been taking his meals in the bunkhouse. They would need to purchase some foodstuffs before coming home after the wedding.

  Coming home… I will be coming home. I will have a home of my own. I am going to the best wife I can be to Case. I intend to love him and to make him love me. Oh dear Lord, help me make it so.

  The screen door to the outside closed, and she turned to see Case walking in. “All finished?” he asked.

  “Yes, would you like to read it?”

  “I don’t think so. That should be private between you and your family.

  “About dinner. There isn’t much in the way of food here. It wouldn’t be seemly for you to eat in the bunkhouse, so the cook is going to bring some things over, and again in the morning. I believe I have the makings for coffee and we can gather some eggs for breakfast.

  “We have a root cellar where I keep things that need to be cool. There’s some food there,” he finished.

  “Case, I love it here. I’m going to make you a good wife, and I will make you happy. I’m so glad we found each other.”

  He embraced her, and then held her at arm’s length. He looked into the beautiful blue eyes. He rubbed the soft, smooth skin of her cheek with his callused hand. “I am too, Honey. It just feels right.

  “Since we’re not going back to Jack and Letty’s tonight, I’ll bring your things in and put them in the bedroom. You can sleep in there, and I’ll be upstairs.”

  She lowered her head, and said softly, “You can sleep in there too, if you want.” Her face colored. “I know that sounds wanton of me, but we will be husband and wife day after tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I want, but I’m not going to do that.” His large hand took her face and held it gently, and she put her arms around his neck and in one swift motion, she was in his arms. He pressed his lips to hers, caressing more than kissing. It set her body aflame. She quivered at his sweet tender touch, and felt as if she floated on a soft white cloud. She parted her lips to allow him to enter.

  When his tongue touched hers, waves of desire coursed through his body. He felt himself become aroused. She could feel it also. “Case, we had better stop, or I will not want to, or even be able to.”

  “It might be a good idea, if we returned to town,” he said.

  “It might,” she agreed, “but wouldn’t it be dark before we got there?”

  . . .

  After eating the food prepared by the cook, they were sitting in the living room, in separate chairs. “What did your mother do during the roundups?” Carrie asked

  “Sometimes, Papa would bring a wagon, with a canvas covering. Mama would sleep in it and would do the cooking. It was a lot better than when the cook did it. I can close my eyes, and smell the hot biscuits and coffee she would fix in the morning.”

  “Do you have a problem with people stealing your cattle?”

  “Our cattle,” he corrected. “It’s called rustling. Sometimes, the Sioux takes a few, but if it’s just one or two, we don’t mind. They do it for food. Cattle rustling is a hanging offense if they’re caught.”

  “That sounds terrible,” she said.

  “When someone takes your cattle, they’re taking food from your family. You have to stop it. Life is hard out here on the frontier.”

  Do you… Our cattle ever get mixed in with other ranches?”

  “Not often. There really isn’t another ranch close enough. Occasionally on a drive to the fort, they might get mixed, but we can sort them out by the brand. Each ranch has a different brand. Ours looks like this... He got a piece of paper and drew a figure on the paper.

  A light dawned for her. “I see it,” she said. “Since it’s on its side, it’s lazy.”

  “Exactly. We brand the calves in the spring.”

  “I sure have a lot to learn about living on a ranch.”

  It had begun to get dark as they talked. Case lit a lamp. Through the window, she could see flashes in the sky. “That must be lightning,” she said.

  “It is,” he replied. “Let’s go out on the porch. It can be spectacular.”

  They sat in the rocking chairs watching the lightning dance across the sky. “Could be a storm brewing,” Case said. “Good for the grass, but not so much for the cattle.”

  “Why so,” Carrie asked.

  “If there is a lot of thunder, the loud noises can spook them into a stampede, and scatter them.”

  They sat and watched the show for a few minutes, and Carrie said, “I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll go to bed.” She pecked him lightly on the cheek and went inside and on to the bedroom. She could hear Case as he tromped up the stairs, then she fell asleep.

  chapter fifteen

  The Thunderstorm

  Startled by a loud clap of thunder, Carrie sat up in bed. More thunder, and she lay back and pulled the pillow over her head and fell asleep again.

  A banging sound awoke her. Confused by the unfamiliar surroundings, she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. Case was dripping wet. He was sitting in one of the chairs wrestling with his soaked boots. He managed to get them off and stood. “What happened? Where have you been?” she asked.

  “It got pretty loud, so we had to go out and keep them calm. We got lucky. They were spooked, but didn’t stampede. When the storm passed, we got them quieted down.

  “Case, you’re shivering. You need to get out of those wet clothes. You go upstairs right now, and get out of them.”

  “You sound just like Mama,” he said.

  “I take that as a compliment. Now go,” Carrie said.

  He went.

  She decided to check on him. Taking the lamp, she went upstairs and into his room. His clothes lay in a sodden mess on the floor. He was still shivering. “Move over,” she said. “You’re going to catch your death and make me a widow before I even get married. Now scoot.”

  He moved over. She found another blanket and spread it over him. She peeled back the covers and crawled in beside him. “Now turn over.” He did as she said. She molded her body against his. He put his arms around her. She held him until his shivering stopped, and he fell asleep in her arms.

  She felt him stir, and looked at him, anxiously. His eyes were open. “Hello,” she said.

  A panicked look crossed his face. “Did I… did we…?”

  “Hush, and hold me.”

  “Carrie, I…”

  “No, we didn’t. At least, not yet.” She looked at his face, and rubbed her hand over the stubble on his face.

  “I’m going back downstairs now. You gave me a fright the way you were shaking.”

  She gathered the wet clothes and took them with her. Downstairs, not knowing what else to do, she took them to the front porch and draped them over the swing and chairs to dry.

  When he came downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee welcomed him. Carrie had built a fire in the stove, and brewed coffee. The cook had brought over biscuits, scrambled eggs, and steak. “Good morning,” he said. “How long have you been up?”

  “An hour maybe. How do you feel this morning? Any signs of a cold?”

  “I feel fine,” he said. “You sure were bossy last night.”

  “I was afraid you might get sick. I didn’t want you to miss the wedding. I want you to be there.”

  “I intend to be,” he said.

  After he ate, he said, “I’m going to check on things. “I’ll be back in an hour or two, if they didn’t scatter too much after I left.”

  “You said y’all calmed them down. How do you do that?”

  “Oh, we sing or talk to them in a low voice. We move real slow, too. They’ll be settled after a bit. It’ll be all right.” He put his battered hat on and walked to the barn. She stood at the door and watched until he went inside.

  He came back in
. “It’s all quiet now. Come outside and take a deep breath. It always smells so clean and fresh after a storm and the grass is even greener.”

  On the porch, she could feel a gentle breeze making its way through the trees, landing on her face. “It does smell good,” she said. “You know what? I want to get some seed and have flowers here, like your mother had. This is such a beautiful place, it’s a shame to have those dead flowers there. I also want to talk to the cook about a garden. I’ve always liked vegetables. Fresh ones would give us a little variety in our meals. I can find out from Letty or some of the church members about canning some and we will have them during the winter.”

  “Let’s get ready and go on into town, you can mail your letter, we can give Silas a list of what we need. Then let’s take Jack and Letty to dinner at the hotel. How does that sound?”

  “It works for me, she said.

  Case helped Jack get the church ready for the next day’s services. He gave him the marriage license, “Just so I don’t forget it”.

  In the kitchen, Letty asked Carrie, “What are you going to wear tomorrow?”

  “I haven’t given it much thought. Since we’ll be attending church, I thought I would wear one of my nice dresses,” she said.

  Letty grinned a conspiratorial grin. “Let’s knock Case’s socks off. Are you up for surprising him?”

  “Absolutely,” Carrie said. “What do you have in mind?”

  “We’re about the same size, don’t you think?”

  “I guess so. We look to be,” Carrie said.

  “I want to show you something. When Jack and I got married, Mother went all out. She had a gown made for me. It hasn’t been worn since. Want to try it on?”

  “Sounds like fun,” Carrie said.

  Letty got a box from a shelf in the closet. She wiped the dust from the top before removing it, and took out a pale green gown. “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful. Are you sure? I would hate to have anything happen to it.”

  “Nonsense,” said Letty. “You saw the lid. It’s just gathering dust. Try it on.”

  Carrie removed her outer layer of clothing and pulled the dress over her head. Letty looked at it critically. “The length is good.” She pointed to Carrie’s breasts, and said, “You’re a little fuller up here than I am, but I think it will be okay. Do you want to do it?”

  “Yes. I do. How do we keep it a secret?” Carrie asked.

  “That part will be easy. I’ll just ask Jack to announce the wedding will begin an hour after services. I’ll distract Case and you can slip back to the house and change. After you’re gone, I’ll cover for you, and tell Case you’ll come in when the music starts. This is going to be fun.”

  The four of them walked to the International Hotel, and had dinner. “This is a treat for me,” Letty said. “This the first time I’ve been inside.”

  Walking back to the Owens home, Carrie said, “Isn’t the full moon pretty? Very romantic.” She took a tighter grip on Case’s arm to emphasize her point.

  A coyote took that moment to add his mournful mating call to the scene. “What was that,” she asked. “It sure sounded sad.”

  The other three laughed. Jack said, “Unlike you, he hasn’t found his mate yet, so he’s calling her.”

  “I hope his luck is as good as mine was,” Carrie said.

  chapter Sixteen

  The Wedding

  The congregation was seated. The opening hymn had been sung. Jack concluded his opening prayer, and moved on to the announcements, the last announcement of which generated the most interest.

  “It will be my very great pleasure to conduct the ceremony of Holy Matrimony this afternoon, one hour after our worship services. Our good friend and member, Case Jamison and Miss Carrie Robbins will be joined in marriage.”

  The worship service ended. A refreshment table had been set up under the trees behind the church. The day was a typical Montana day. Sunny, mild, and with a cool breeze coming from the direction of the mountains. The members staying for the wedding, and it included nearly all who had been at the earlier services, milled around, and chatted with each other.

  Case was thumped on the back, by several, shook hands with others. “How did you meet this Carrie, Case?” was the question most asked.

  “We’d like to meet her, but I don’t see her,” said the wife of one of his neighbors.

  “She’ around here somewhere,” he said.

  “Maybe she wised up and changed her mind, Case,” said one of his oldest friends.

  The sounds of the piano came wafting through the grove and his friends, and neighbors made their way back inside. Straining, Case didn’t see Carrie or Letty. Jack grabbed his arm and led him to the altar area. “Where’s Carrie and Letty?” a nervous Case whispered to Jack.

  “They’ll be here,” Jack said. They turned to face the congregation. The first few notes of the Wedding March sounded. With his back to the piano, Case didn’t see that Letty had quietly, and unnoticed, taken over the piano. All eyes turned to the front of the church, anxious for a first look.

  Jack was watching Case’s face when Carrie appeared in the doorway. She was a vision of loveliness, in the flowing, pale green dress Jack had last seen on the day he wed Letty.

  Case’s jaw dropped. With a brilliant smile, the radiant vision that was his bride to be, made her way down the aisle to join him at the altar. Case took her hand and stood by her side. Carrie was warmed by the tender touch of the hand holding hers. She looked into his face and smiled.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together…” Jack said, and the wedding began. The couple exchanged vows of devotion, and Jack said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. “You may kiss your bride, Case.”

  Taking her in his arms, he embraced her and lowered his head. His lips caressed hers in a soft, tender kiss that was returned in kind. Their hands joined, they walked back down the aisle together. The audience was standing and applauding. Once outside, they were descended upon by well wishers. Hands were shaken, and welcomes were offered. Case did not let go of Carrie’s hand. During a lull, Carrie asked, “Were you surprised?”

  “I’ll say. I have never seen anything or anybody as beautiful as you are right now.”

  “Thank you,” Carrie said softly. “This was Letty’s wedding dress and her idea. Of course I was a willing conspirator,”

  Jack and Letty came up. Letty hugged him tightly, and said, “Isn’t she gorgeous? We surprised you, huh?”

  “You surprised me too. I haven’t seen that dress since our wedding.”

  “What are your plans now,” Letty asked.

  “It doesn’t sound very romantic, but we have to pick up some things from Silas, and then we are going home to the Lazy J,” Case said.

  “On the contrary, I think it sounds very nice and the most sensible thing to do.”

  Carrie said, “Letty, I would be honored if you and Jack could be our first guests. Would you?”

  “We would be delighted,” Letty said.

  “I think I will go change, and give you your beautiful dress back, and I will be ready to go home.

  “Home… that sounds so wonderful. I had begun to despair of ever being a wife.” She turned, threw her arms around Case’s neck and kissed him fully on the lips. “Come on, Case, let’s get this marriage started.”

  “I’ll get the wagon, and get it loaded and come back for you,” he said.

  “Don’t forget me,” she teased.

  * * *

  The wagon was loaded. Carrie’s arm was linked with Case’s as they left Helena for the Lazy J. After fifteen minutes, Carrie asked “Would you stop under the tree over there?” With a little pressure on the reins, he did as she requested. “I would like for you to kiss me now, and don’t hold back.”

  “It will be my pleasure,” he said, as he took her into his arms.

  “Mine too,” she murmured, and tilted her head in anticipation. Their lips met, his massaged hers tenderly. She parted her
s slightly. His tongue traced the contour of her lips and entered the inner recesses. When his tongue met hers, the fireworks lit the sky. Twisting her head back and forth, she demanded more. The kiss deepened. Case felt his desire growing. He moved his hand to cup her breast.

  “Ohh,” she moaned softly and placed her hand atop his, squeezing, massaging her breast. They broke the kiss.

  “Whew,” Carrie said. “That made me feel warm all over. It took my breath away.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Case said. He picked up the reins, and moved his team toward home at a brisk pace.

  All of the ranch hands gathered when they stopped in front of the barn. “Did you get hitched, boss.”

  “We sure did, Case said. “We now have a new boss on the Lazy J.”

  “She’s a lot prettier than you,” one man called out.

  “Thank goodness for that,” Case said.

  He helped Carrie, from the wagon. Gathering an arm load of supplies, they headed for the kitchen, The rest of the things were carried in by the men. Inside, he turned to her, and said, “Welcome home, Mrs. Jamison.”

  “Why thank you, sir,” and curtsied.

  “You haven’t moved your things to the other bedroom, have you?” she asked.

  “Not yet,” he said.

  “Why don’t you do that, and I’ll start dinner,” she suggested.

  After dinner, sitting in the swing watching the clear, star studded sky, Carrie pointed to the northwestern sky, and said, “Look! It’s a shooting star. That is supposed to be a lucky sign.” They watched until it disappeared beyond the horizon. She stood, and said, “It’s been a long day, I’m going to get ready for bed.”

  “I’ll give you a few minutes, and I’ll be in,” Case said.

  She tugged at his arm. “I’m going to get ready for bed,” she said. “You’re part of it. Come on.”

  “I get your hint.” He followed her in and down the hall to their bedroom. At the door, he said, “Wait.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her in and deposited her beside the bed.

  “Well, aren’t you something?” she said.