Mail Order Bride - Westward Changes: A Clean Cowboy Romance Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 14)

by Linda Bridey

  “I love you, too.”

  Eddie kissed her briefly, mindful that they were in public, and then twirled her around as the band moved into a faster number again.

  *****

  Minx had put both children to bed and she sat in her room. If she didn’t think too much about it being square, she could almost believe she was in a tipi. Over the last several weeks, she’d acquired many of the things tipis contained and it made her feel better to have them around her.

  A week after she’d helped capture her rapist, Joe had informed her that all of the pieces belonging to the other people she’d robbed had been returned and though they’d been told that the culprit had been captured, they didn’t release the identity of the thief. The only pieces Dixon had sold were two rings, which ended up being recovered in Wolfe Point.

  Dixon had been court-martialed and thrown in the brig and wouldn’t be getting out anytime soon. Minx knew how lucky she was to have been spared the same fate as him and was determined to make it up to Joe and Lacey for the grief she had caused them. She missed her family and camp very much. She only went there once a week and only at night. It was hard to come back to Joe’s and say goodbye to everyone, but she did it.

  Minx couldn’t say she didn’t like it at the Dwyers’, because she did. There were many things they did that she didn’t understand, but they were good to her. The insistence on riding with a bridle and saddle irritated her, but since they weren’t her horses, she had to abide by Eddie’s rules.

  He was a good boss and the other hands were friendly and helpful. Especially Charlie. It was very apparent to her that he liked her. It was both amusing and annoying and she didn’t know what to do about it. She didn’t know anything about having a relationship with a white man and didn’t know if she wanted to at all. Sighing, she decided to talk to Deena about it. They had gotten close since she’d been there and Minx thought maybe she might have some advice for her.

  Minx checked on the children again and then lay down herself since it was getting late. She had trained herself to sleep lightly, much the same way a warrior did. Leaving her door open slightly so she could hear if the baby cried, Minx nodded off.

  *****

  It was as if Deena’s feet weren’t touching the ground that night as she came into the house and went to her room. Her dreams were coming true and it was surreal to her. Undressing, Deena put on a nightgown and brushed out her wavy blonde hair in front of her mirror. She thought about how much her life had changed and how happy Eddie made her.

  In all of the daydreams or actual dreams she’d ever had about him none could hold a candle to what it was really like be with him. Even when they were arguing it was fun and usually ended up with them kissing. Neither of them could keep their hands off the other and it was hard for her not to give in to him, but she stuck to her guns. Eddie never got angry with her about it. Frustrated, yes, but not angry. Their work relationship was mainly separate and he’d started calling her Abbott when they were on the job, since he called a lot of the other hands by their last names, too.

  Deena was just ready to slip into bed when someone knocked on her door. She put on a summer robe and opened the door a little. Minx stood on the other side of it.

  “I know it is late, but could I talk to you a little?”

  “Sure. C’mon in,” Deena said with a smile.

  Minx came in and sat on the floor near Deena’s bed. Deena smiled. The only time Minx sat on furniture was when they were eating and she was sure had Joe let her, Minx would have sat on the floor then, too.

  “What’s on your mind?” Deena asked.

  “If I tell you some things, will you keep them secret?”

  “Yes. Are you all right?” Deena asked as Minx looked like she might cry.

  “No. About two weeks before I came to live here, I was raped.”

  Deena was shocked and her gasp of surprise echoed off the walls. “Minx! That’s horrible! Does Mitch know? Do Joe and Lacey?”

  “Yes, the sheriff knows and the man was caught. Joe and Lacey know, too. Ever since it happened, I have been afraid I was pregnant. Something inside told me I was and I always listen to my inner voice. I have missed my cycle again. I am going to have a child that I do not want.”

  “Are you sure? Have you seen Ben or Marcus?”

  “No, but I have talked to my cousin Mike and even though it is too soon to know for certain, we agree that I most likely am,” Minx answered.

  Deena knew that Mike was attending medical school and was already somewhat experienced in medical matters, so it was a good bet that he was right. That, combined with the fact that Minx hadn’t had her monthly twice certainly seemed to point toward pregnancy. She didn’t know what she would do if she’d been raped and was now pregnant with that man’s child.

  “Minx, I’m so sorry.”

  The Lakota girl nodded. “Me, too.” She made a face of annoyance and said, “Charlie likes me.”

  Deena laughed a little. “Well, we all like you, but why would it bother you that he does?”

  “He likes me the way a boy likes a girl.”

  Deena now saw why Minx’s emotions would be in turmoil and couldn’t believe that Minx was holding up as well as she was. “Are all Lakota women this strong?”

  “What?” Minx’s expression was confused.

  “If I were you, I’m not sure I would be sane right now. But you? You sit here talking calmly about it all.”

  “You would rather I scream and wail? I think not.”

  Minx’s statement struck Deena as funny. “You sound like your brother.”

  Minx smiled. “This could be good or bad. I do not want to tell Joe about the baby because he will make me stop riding horses and want me to do housework. I hate housework.”

  “You really shouldn’t ride the horses, Minx. If you are pregnant, you might lose the baby,” Deena said.

  Minx rolled her eyes. “You will not tell him,” she said fiercely.

  “No, it’s not my place to, but you really need to. Maybe you could still work with the horses, but not ride them,” Deena suggested.

  “Riding helps keep the memories away.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  “What am I supposed to tell Charlie? I think he would like to court me. He has tried to hold my hand,” Minx said.

  “Oh, boy. Just tell him that you shouldn’t because you work together.”

  Minx’s gaze shifted momentarily to Deena’s engagement ring and then back up into Deena’s eyes.

  Deena got her meaning. “You’re right. That won’t work.”

  “I cannot tell anyone the truth. Joe and Lacey know, and now you, but that is all. Do you see why I need advice?”

  “Yes, and I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to come to me. I would take things very slowly with Charlie. You’ve been through a lot and you’re going to have a lot of changes in the near future,” Deena said. “Do you feel anything for him?”

  “I do not know. Maybe.”

  “Well, take your time with it all. Don’t wait to tell Joe or Lacey about the baby.”

  Minx nodded. “Thank you for listening and giving me advice. Goodnight.”

  After Minx left, Deena got into bed and lay there thinking about her special night with Eddie and Minx’s dilemma. She shivered as she thought about the terrible thing Minx had been forced to endure and couldn’t imagine having something like that happen to her. Deena decided that she would do anything she could to help Minx. The girl was going to need help in the days ahead.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Saturday was a perfect day for Deena to go to Wolfe Point. Eddie had wanted to go with her, but Deena told him she had errands to run to do with their wedding. Lacey, Alice, and Gina had started helping her since they were planning to get married in mid-August. Deena had asked Minx if she wanted to help.

  “Thank you, but I know nothing about white people’s weddings and would not be much help,” she had told Deena.

  Douglas’ Tack and Leat
her was just as Deena had remembered it. She hadn’t been in it for close to five years. Like Eddie’s office, the scents of leather and saddle soap wafted in the air when she opened the door. She inhaled deeply and sighed. Haden Carter heard the bell over the door jingle and came into the main shop from a back room.

  “Well, my goodness! Deena? Is that you?” he said.

  Deena smiled at the thin, ruddy-faced man that rounded the counter to come greet her.

  “Hi, Mr. Douglas. It’s me, all right,” she said as Haden embraced her.

  He drew back and said, “Just look at ya! You’re even prettier than I remember.”

  “Thank you. There’s that famous Douglas charm,” Deena said.

  Haden shook his head as his gray eyes shone with happiness. “No charm, just tellin’ the truth. It’s a shame that Carter wasn’t smart enough to keep ahold of you. So, what brings you?”

  “Well, I would like to buy my fiancé a birthday present.”

  “Fiancé? Congratulations, Deena. He’s a lucky fella. So what can I get you?” Haden asked.

  “It’s a specialty item that I’d like to order right away so it gets here in time,” she said.

  “All right. Let’s get to it then,” Haden said and led her over to the counter.

  *****

  “I can’t believe you didn’t like Helena,” Deena said to Carter as they started eating dessert. “You always wanted to live somewhere bigger with a lot more to do than around here.”

  Carter laughed a little. “I grew up, I guess. There’s only so much drinking, gambling, and womanizing you can do before it gets boring.”

  “I’m glad you’re finally realizing that.”

  “Seems like I’m not the only one. I can’t believe Joe Dwyer is married with two kids and he’s a mayor? Times sure do change, huh?”

  “Yes. And people sometimes change, too,” Deena said and took a bite of carrot cake.

  “Yeah, but Joe? What’s he like as mayor? I mean, you’re living at his place. Has he really settled down that much?” Carter asked.

  “Joe is completely in love with his wife and children. He’s home almost every night for supper and has done a lot for Dawson over the years he’s been mayor,” Deena told him.

  Carter laughed a little. “Did that Indian tribe really help get him elected?”

  “Yeah, they did. They’re very nice people. I know a couple and I like them a lot.”

  “How was it legal, though?”

  Deena said, “From what I understand, the Lakota have voting rights, so they were able to vote. That’s really all I know about it.”

  “I saw that one fella working for Joe at the bar. He seems fierce, huh?”

  “Only when he has to be. He’s actually a very nice guy. Very funny. So who’s this woman over in Brayford you’re seeing?” Deena said. “I’ll bet she’s beautiful.”

  “You have no idea. Red hair, big blue eyes, and a very comely figure, too. Her name is Audrey Templeton. About your height, I guess. Her pa works at the gristmill there and she’s a teacher.”

  “So she’s smart,” Deena said. “What’s she doing with you then?”

  Carter laughed at her jibe. “I missed that smart mouth of yours. Does Eddie know about it?”

  “Yes and he likes it.”

  “I’m not surprised. I’m glad he makes you happy,” Carter said sobering. “You were too good for the likes of me. He seems like the perfect guy for you.”

  Deena beamed. “He is. Smart, dependable, sweet, handsome. You get the idea.”

  “Yes, I get the idea. Hey, sometime you and Eddie should meet me and Audrey for dinner here. I think we’d have a good time,” Carter said.

  “That would be nice,” Deena said. “I’ll see what Eddie thinks about it.”

  “Good. I’m glad Pa was able to help you out with that present,” Carter said. “I’m sure Eddie will like it.”

  “I hope so.” Deena finished her dessert and said, “Carter, this was fun. Thank you for lunch. I’ll see what Eddie thinks about getting together with you and Audrey. I’m very curious about her.”

  “I’ll bet you are.” Carter rose when she did and placed some money on the table. He kissed her cheek. “Take care, Deena.”

  “You, too.” Deena gave him a little wave and went along her way.

  *****

  As they sat in Eddie’s office after work, Deena gaped at her fiancé when he told her about how he had run into Scotty a few days before that and had punched him again for telling lies to Tom about him and Deena. Scotty hadn’t been around for a while, so Eddie had taken the opportunity to do it while he had the chance.

  “I can’t believe you did that when I wasn’t around to see it!”

  Eddie laughed. “Sorry. I don’t think he would have waited for me to come get you and then come back so I could wallop him.”

  Deena laughed. “No. I guess not. I wondered where he’d gotten too. I kept hoping to run into him, but I never did.” As she sat on his lap, she laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

  “Well, after what I did to him, I don’t think he’ll want to run into either of us anymore.”

  Deena said, “Serves him right.”

  “Mmm hmm. Are you sure you won’t give me a hint about what your dress is gonna look like?” Eddie said as he kissed Deena’s palm.

  “No. I’m not going to tell you one little thing other than it’s white,” she answered.

  “C’mon, we’re gettin’ married in two days, anyway,” he said.

  “That doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you anything about my dress.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the dress.”

  Deena pulled her hand from his grasp and laughed. “And you’re not getting…that, either!”

  Eddie laughed and said, “I knew that would be your answer, but you can’t blame a guy for trying. You just like playin’ hard to get.”

  Deena giggled and said, “No, I don’t.”

  Eddie planted a kiss on her cheek and said, “Get out of here, Abbott. I got work to do so I can marry the most beautiful woman in the world on Saturday.”

  “Aren’t you sweet? Ok, boss. See you tomorrow.”

  “Have fun with all the girls tonight,” he called after her as she left the barn.

  Deena was having dinner at Alice’s house along with Lacey and Gina for a last minute check on everything. She was so excited about the wedding that she could barely eat or sleep. As she walked up to the house to change, Minx caught up to her.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked the girl.

  “Ok. How are you feeling?”

  “Nervous, excited, happy, scared. That’s not what I meant though,” Deena said.

  Minx smiled. “I know. Do not worry about me.”

  They went in the sunroom door and the subject was dropped. Deena said hello to everyone at the table and then went back to her room to clean up and change.

  Minx greeted the group and started piling food on her plate. “I am starving.”

  Joe watched her attack her spaghetti with zest. Addie cooked Italian one night a week. Minx had never eaten Italian before coming to live with the Dwyers and now she couldn’t get enough of it. She had asked Addie to make extra so she could have some the next day, too.

  Randall exchanged an amused glance with Joe as Minx took a huge bite of garlic bread and closed her eyes in appreciation of the food. Joe looked over at Charlie who gazed at Minx with a look near worship. Joe sighed and knew that the situation was going to have to be resolved, but he had no idea how to go about it.

  Emily giggled as Minx sucked up a long piece of spaghetti. The bravette wiped her mouth as Lacey had taught her and smiled at Emily. She drank down half of her water and then went back to eating.

  “Minx, I think you could out-eat your cousin, Jack,” Joe said.

  Minx shook her head. “I do not think it is possible for anyone to eat more than him.”

  “Well, you’re givin’ it a good shot there,” Joe
said with a laugh. “Of course, other than him and Luke, I’ve only ever seen pregnant women eat like that. Lacey could eat three plates to my one when she was carryin’ Emily. Remember, Randy?”

  “Oh, yes, sir. It’s not something you forget.”

  Suddenly Minx said, “I am done. Tell Addie it was very good.” Then she left the table and trotted back the hallway.

  Randall asked, “Was it something I said?”

  “Nah. You know Minx. It’s hard to follow her Lakota thought process sometimes,” Joe said.

  Emily asked, “Did Mama get fat when she was gonna have me, Daddy?”

  Joe answered his daughter, but his mind was working on other things. Like Minx’s sudden departure.

  *****

  Minx sat playing solitaire by firelight when someone knocked on her door.

  “Come,” she said.

  The door opened and Joe stepped inside. He shut the door behind him and looked at her.

  Leaning against it, he asked, “So when were you gonna tell me?”

  Minx’s hand stilled as she was about to put a card down.

  Joe sighed and sat down cross-legged on the floor near her. “Minx, why is it like pullin’ teeth to get you to talk to me?”

  “I did not want to tell you because you would make me stop riding,” she said.

  “You’re right, so as of this minute, no more on a horse for you.”

  She looked at him, her dark eyes flashing anger. “I am not some white woman to be pampered. Lakota women ride horses all the time while they are pregnant.”

  Joe’s own temper rose. “Yeah, but are they running races on those horses?”

  “No, but they are not me, either,” she countered.

  “No, they’re not, but I mean it. No more riding. I’ll switch you to driving some of

  Lacey’s horses,” Joe said.

  Minx pounded the floor with a fist. “What will you tell everyone?”

  “The truth, Minx. They’re gonna know before too awful long anyway. Does anyone else know?”

  “Deena and Mike.”

  Joe stared at her. “Mike knows?”

  “Yes. He has been keeping an eye on it,” Minx said.

  “Why not your uncle?”