Cole's Montana Bride
Montana Ranchers and Brides series
By
Maya Stirling
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CHAPTER ONE
Billings, Montana 1878
Victoria Carr stared across the opulently laid out sitting room of her most recent client's residence in disbelief and immediately considered the option of politely, but firmly, making her excuses and leaving.
It couldn't be him! Surely he couldn't be here, she thought.
Not him.
Her hand rose involuntarily to the collar of her expensive dress. She squinted her eyes, hoping that she was seeing things, that the man who was leaning so nonchalantly against the large wooden sideboard chatting casually with another woman wasn't Cole MacAllan.
But it was him. And, to make matters worse, he wasn't even looking at her, paying even the slightest attention to Victoria. Some things hadn't changed then, she thought. Some men never changed.
But, Victoria observed, Cole still looked as handsome and rugged as he ever had. In fact the years that had passed since she'd last seen him had added a layer of experience and dark strength to his appearance.
There was a sudden burst of laughter from the other corner of the room and a group of guests broke into a spontaneous round of applause. Victoria saw the smiling figures of the two people who were the real center of attention. Ruby and Marcus. The newly wed couple.
The wedding had gone so smoothly in the sitting room of the large, recently built home on the outskirts of town. The guests had crowded into the room to witness the culmination of all the hard work Victoria had put in to finding the perfect husband for Ruby.
Watching the happy couple exchange their vows had given Victoria an even more intense sensation of satisfaction than she usually felt with her clients. They just looked so perfect together. Ruby was the daughter of the owner of one of the town's mercantile stores. Her new husband, Marcus, was a lawyer. They were a lovely looking couple and Victoria was sure of thing. Ruby could look forward to a very happy and secure existence with her new husband, an important thing out here in Montana where life could be so precarious.
Everything Victoria had found out about Marcus in her research had reassured her that he was a good man with a fine character. And Victoria had hardly ever been wrong in her assessment of suitable marriage candidates. She'd learned a great deal in the last few years about how to assess the suitability of a man and woman for each other. Being a professional matchmaker wasn't an easy job, but it was a highly rewarding way to earn a living. And she'd become expert at analyzing and assessing the qualities of women as potential wives, and of men as potential husbands.
Victoria glanced across the room again. Yes, she thought to herself. She had developed a particular expertise at finding perfect matches. For everyone except herself.
Which made it all the more ironic that the only time she'd been wrong in her assessment of a man had been in her own appraisal of Cole MacAllan as a suitable match for Victoria herself. The very same man who was right now standing on the far side of the room. The man she had once been sweet on. The man she had once loved.
Sighing quietly, Victoria glanced across the room, past the assembled wedding guests. There were around thirty people squeezed into the large sitting room. Everyone was immaculately turned out in their finest gowns and smartest suits. She recognized some of the people attending the reception. Victoria had spent enough years living in Billings to know a fair number of the faces in the room.
But the one face which kept on drawing on her attention was steadfastly still paying Victoria no heed whatsoever. Surely Cole must have noticed her. Earlier, Victoria had been so enraptured by the wedding ceremony that she hadn't even seen him. Probably he'd hidden at the back of the room, out of her sight. Maybe he'd even been trying to avoid her.
An elegantly attired matronly woman with a warm grin on her even features edged past Victoria. Both woman exchanged polite nods. Victoria marvelled at how well Ruby's mother, Alice, had organized a wedding reception for so many people into what was, admittedly one of the largest houses in Billings.
Rather than marry in the local church the family had chosen their substantial home as the setting for the wedding. It had been a good choice. Home weddings were becoming more and more commonplace. The whole affair had been intimate and warm hearted. A family affair. And that was what Victoria loved so much about what she did for a profession. She was in the business of making families.
Ruby's family was well-to-do and that had helped a great deal when it had come to Victoria finding the right man for Ruby. The good reputation of the family had made the list of suitable candidates for a marriage blessedly short. That was always an advantage for anyone running a matchmaking agency, which had been Victoria's business for the last four years.
Victoria sipped on the glass of wine watching the figure of a fashionably dressed young woman push her way through the guests. Victoria recognized the woman as Lucy Carter, the daughter of Lucius Carter a prosperous cattle dealer who operated a business which spread throughout this part of Montana. Victoria knew that Lucy's family lived in a large sprawling mansion on the edge of town.
Lucy was a petite and pretty blonde woman with shining green eyes and an enthusiastic manner. In the years before Victoria had left Billings to set up her matchmaking business in nearby Helena, she had known Lucy Carter quite well. She and Lucy had gone to the same school, although they'd attended different classes, Victoria being two years older than Lucy's twenty one years. Victoria had fond memories of the vivacious and energetic younger woman whose zest for life had always been so impressive.
"Lucy! It's so lovely to see you," Victoria said laying a polite hand on the sleeve of Lucy's beautiful light green dress.
"Victoria. You're amazing," Lucy gasped. "It looks like you did a fine job bringing Ruby and Marcus together. I don't know how you do it."
Victoria shrugged her shoulders. "It's my job, Lucy.
"They are so lucky they had you helping them find each other."
Victoria waved a hand and smiled. "Stop. You're going to make me blush."
Lucy carried on. "No. Honestly. The way things are these days, it's hard to find a suitable man that is even worth considering as a potential husband."
"I don't know about that," Victoria said. "Billings has some very fine men. And some extremely prosperous ones at that."
Lucy sighed. "I don't care a fig about that. My father takes care of the prosperity side of things in our family.
"And he seems to be doing a fine job of that, from what I hear."
Lucy shrugged. "I suppose so. But still, the men of this town just seem to be so reluctant to consider marriage. Even to a family like ours."
"Maybe the young men think your father has standards they can't measure up to."
Lucy frowned. "Fiddlesticks to that. I've had a few beaus who were sweet on me. Every one of them took off running the minute they met with my father. He just plain scared them to death."
"I think your father just loves you and wants the best for you. There's no harm in that, Lucy."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "I guess not. I know I am lucky in that respect. But it just makes it so darned difficult to find a beau. And my father is so busy with his work, I have the feeling that if I don't take matters into my own hands, I'll never find anyone who might consider me as a wife."
Victoria scoffed. "Nonsense
. You are beautiful and come from a fine family. Any decent young man would feel himself privileged to be considered as a suitable husband for you."
"Well I might have my eye on a couple of young men, but my father seems to have other ideas."
"What do you mean?" Victoria asked.
Lucy glanced around the room and leaned in closer to Victoria.
"When I said that my father hadn't been giving the subject of my marriage much thought, it seems I wasn't quite correct in my assessment."
Victoria frowned. "In what way, Lucy?"
The younger woman's eyes glanced around the assembled guests. "It seems he does indeed have two young men in mind who he believes would be acceptable and suitable as potential husbands for me. Well, one of them more than the other."
Victoria leaned in closer. "Are you telling me that your father wants to arrange a marriage for you with someone in town?" she asked.
Lucy nodded. "They are two young men who are the finest possible husband material."
Victoria frowned. "Really, Lucy! That's not the kind of language to use when referring to any young man who might become your husband. They are human beings. Not cattle."
Lucy sighed. "I'm sorry. I know that kind of language is inappropriate. But isn't that what arranged marriages amount to. Finding a gentleman with the right qualities. You should know. That's the business you are engaged in every day. How many weddings have you been responsible for these last few years?"
Victoria knew the exact number and didn't have to pause before giving Lucy the answer to her question. "Thirty five weddings."
"That's simply amazing," Lucy said with a shake of her head. "I don't know how you do it."
"I just love bringing people together. I feel as if every time I bring a couple together I have increased the happiness in Montana."
Lucy's eyes widened in agreement. "And I'm sure you have. Every time. But how do you do it? What's the method you use?"
Victoria paused. She'd been asked many times to describe her method. Her response was well honed and concise. "Well, I meet with a client, which can be a young man, or a young woman like yourself, or even with a family who are in need of my services. I ascertain the needs of that individual or their family. I find out what kind of person they believe would be suitable for the arrangement. After that I investigate and assess the potential suitors and then, after some deliberation, I deliver my recommendations. Once those recommendations have been considered then meetings are arranged. Chaperoned, of course. And, in most cases, things move along at a pretty pace and, before I know it, I find myself standing at a wedding ceremony, delighting in a job well done."
Lucy's eyes widened and she blew out a puff of air. "Phew. That just seems like so much work. When you put it like that, it's a wonder anyone ever gets married without the aid of a matchmaking service."
"People get married all the time. And most of them don't choose to use a service like mine," Victoria said.
Lucy gazed earnestly at Victoria. There was an urgent question burning in the depths of that piercing look. Victoria could see that Lucy was battling with some powerful emotions. There was suddenly a pensive expression on the young woman's face.
"What's the matter, Lucy. You look so worried all of a sudden," Victoria asked.
Lucy swallowed and Victoria saw the color of Lucy's cheeks pale. "I have a very important favor to ask you, Victoria. But I don't know quite how to ask it of you."
Victoria laid a hand on Lucy's arm. "Just ask me. Whatever it is, I'll do my best to help you."
Lucy nodded. "I knew you would say that," she said with a relieved smile. "The thing is, I know that my father will be doing something to try and arrange a marriage for me. I've thought about this and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be involved in this whole thing than you," Lucy said looking intently at Victoria.
"If you're asking me to help you find a husband here in Billings, then it would be my pleasure to help," Victoria said.
Lucy's shoulders sagged in relief and she reached out and hugged Victoria. The young woman's reaction to Victoria's reassurance was at once impulsive and genuine.
"Thank you, Victoria. I knew you wouldn't let me down."
"What will your father say when he finds out you've sought out my services to find a husband?"
Lucy cocked her head. "Oh, he'll be furious at first but then he'll come round. He always does."
Victoria wasn't sure how to respond to the prospect of one of the most influential men in Billings being furious that his only daughter had sought out the services of a professional matchmaker. But she figured she'd deal with that when she had to. It wouldn't be the first time that one of the people involved in the process of finding a husband had reservations about using Victoria's expertise. She'd just have to make sure she did the best possible job.
"So tell me. Who are the two lucky men your father approves of?"
Lucy glanced around the room. "Well, actually. One of them is already here," she said conspiratorially.
Victoria smiled. "Really?"
Lucy turned and gazed downwards, suddenly intent on the drink in her hand. "I don't want to look at him. In case he thinks we're talking about him."
"Why wouldn't you want him to know you're talking about him?"
"Because he doesn't know that my father already approves of him as a husband. They know each other through business dealings and all."
Victoria felt something deep within her shift, a vague sense of unease suddenly turning inside her. "Oh, really," she said hesitantly.
Lucy nodded. "He and I have known each other for quite a while. We've never really been sweet on each other. But we've been friends for years."
Victoria felt her heart beat faster. "So who's the one not at the wedding?"
Lucy's eyes rolled. "Oh, he's so sweet too. Just the handsomest man. They both are. I am so lucky I guess, that I've known both of them, growing up here and all.
"Well, having a choice is something most young ladies don't usually have, Lucy," Victoria suggested.
"I know. I'm so lucky," Lucy agreed. "Well. The one who's not at the wedding today is Paul Edwards. He's the son of one of the town bankers."
"Good family," Victoria observed.
Lucy nodded and took a sip from her drink. "Very good. And Paul is such a sweet man. Divinely handsome. Dark haired and with the loveliest disposition you can find."
"Banking is a secure profession," Victoria stated. She glanced across the room. She couldn't see Cole anywhere amongst the guests. A quick scan around the room failed to locate him amongst. Victoria figured he must have stepped out the room.
Lucy's eager tone drew Victoria's attention back to the conversation. "But the other young man has an equally secure profession," she said breathlessly. "And, he is easily the most handsome of the two."
"Really?" Victoria said with a raising of her brows. "Two devastatingly handsome men to choose from? You really are giving me a tough job, Lucy," she said with a smile that felt ever so slightly forced.
Lucy's eyes widened. "I know you will do your best, Victoria. I have complete confidence in you."
"That's such a nice thing for you to say. Thank you, Lucy," Victoria said. "Now. Tell me. Who is your other prospective husband?"
Lucy whirled quickly around. "Oh. He seems to have left the room for the moment. Darn it. I so wanted you to see him."
And in that moment Victoria Carr knew that she had her work cut out for her. She knew that in agreeing to help Lucy Carter choose between two of the most eligible young men in Billings, she was accepting the toughest job she'd ever had in the years since she'd set herself up as a professional matchmaker.
Lucy turned and peered excitedly into Victoria's eyes. "He's a rancher you see. Maybe he was called back to his ranch to do what ranchers do, I guess."
Victoria hesitated. "So what's his name, Lucy?"
The bright eyed young woman looked at Victoria and said the words that made Victoria's heart sink and her legs
begin to feel weak beneath her.
When Lucy spoke it was in hushed, conspiratorial tones. "His name is Cole MacAllan."
CHAPTER TWO
Cole MacAllan guided his horse along the trail that led from his ranch into the town of Billings and wondered how on earth he'd agreed to the ridiculous meeting he was on his way to. From the minute he'd seen Victoria Carr the day before at the wedding of Ruby and Marcus, he'd known trouble had come back to Billings. And he'd been right.
He gazed around at the rolling fields, taking in the splendor of the land he loved so much. This was his place, the country that filled his soul, that made him feel complete. He'd just left his ranch in the safe keeping of his trusted foreman, Lou. There was nothing that he should feel concerned about. The ranch would run quite nicely without his presence. That was the way he'd organized things these past few years. The same years he'd spent thinking about Victoria Carr almost every single day.
And now, she was back.
The horse beneath him tossed it's head from side to side as if sensing the tension of it's rider. Cole tugged at the reins and peered ahead. He'd be in town in a short time and he still hadn't figured out what he was going to say to Victoria. The meeting had been set up in a neutral place, and that was probably just as well. The restaurant was a public place and there were too many private things that needed to be kept well and truly in check. Chief amongst them was the question that was burning a hole in Cole's mind.
Why had Victoria asked him to come and see her?
Surely she didn't want to go back to the past. The painful past which Cole had spent so much effort trying to keep under wraps. The advantage of a man owning a prosperous and growing ranch was that it served many purposes. It put food on the table and kept a roof over his head.
But it also let a man forget. And Cole MacAllan wanted to forget. He needed to continue the forward momentum he'd spent so much effort establishing for himself. Hard work had seen to his memories, had buried them beneath exhaustion. He'd truly believed that he'd forgotten her. Whether that was a good thing or not, he wasn't sure. But he'd tried.
Cole's Montana Bride (Sweet,clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series Book 7) Page 1