Devlin's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers Brides series)

by Maya Stirling

It had been a long time before he'd managed to get to sleep, alone in the bed.

  Waking in the morning the only thing he could think of to do was throw himself into work as hard as he could. And that was what he'd done. The relief it had given his mind had been a welcome respite from the raging torrent of emotion and confusing thought that threatened to make him doubt his sanity.

  What had he been thinking? Getting married to a total stranger, even if she was so beautiful it was starting to make his heart ache just to look at her. But she was still a completely unknown quantity to him. How long would it take for them to get to know each other? Would he ever really get to know what was important to her?

  Right now he doubted he ever could.

  All that was reason enough for him to put some distance between him and Elise. He needed time to think. He figured it wouldn't be long before Caulfield would show his hand. He hadn't quite worked out what was going on between Jedediah Macleod and Bart Caulfield. But it looked like Caulfield had something over Macleod.

  Saving Elise from that marriage had probably been the most noble thing that Devlin would ever do in his life. But right now it didn't feel like it. At this exact moment it felt like he'd thrown himself into a flaming hot pit of trouble and he wasn't sure whether he was going to survive.

  Later in the afternoon Devlin reluctantly agreed to accompany some of his men back to the ranch house. He didn't know what was awaiting him there. Probably Mrs. Mildmay would have cooked up a hearty meal and he could escape to the bunk house with the hands and hunker down for a real man's meal. No women allowed.

  He tied up his horse in the stable and started to make his way toward the hand's bunkhouse. As he crossed the yard Elise came running out of the front door to the ranch house.

  The first thing he noticed about Elise was that she was dressed different. She wore an elegant blue gown and her hair had been tied back into a neat bun. She looked mighty nice, he thought. In the new dress Elise's movements were somehow more graceful and elegant than he'd seen in her before.

  Something stirred inside him at the sight of her. He tried to push it away but it wouldn't budge. He forced himself to think of the bunkhouse and his plans to eat with his employees. Was that what he really wanted to do? Look at my wife, he thought. She's so beautiful and I am thinking it would be better to eat with the men instead? What is wrong with me, he asked himself.

  Once again he pushed the feeling that was stirring inside him down as deep as he could.

  She smiled at him and he felt his mouth open at how delightful that smile was. "Where have you been hiding all day?" she asked.

  Devlin smiled vaguely and shook his head. "I haven't been hiding. There's a herd to brand. I've been busy with the men."

  Elise took a step closer. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."

  Devlin stood rooted to the spot. "Why would I do that?"

  "I don't know," Elise answered. "Anyway. I have a surprise for you?"

  "Really? What is it?"

  Elise quirked a brow at him "You'll have to come into the house to see."

  Devlin squinted at Elise. "You sure look nice in that outfit," he said.

  Elise grasped the sides of her dress and swayed it around. "Why, thank you. This came with the rest of my things. They were brought up this morning."

  Devlin shifted nervously on his heels. He was reluctant to go into the house. He didn't know what she had in mind but whatever it was she sure looked eager to please him.

  Elise came up close to him and smiled. Devlin felt his heart skip a beat and he swallowed nervously. Her closeness was putting him out of sorts. He glanced into her eyes, hesitant and tentative. He felt as if she was scrutinizing him, testing him. Devlin caught the scent of her perfume and it almost made him dizzy. He cleared his throat nervously.

  "Why don't you come with me. See what I've prepared for you," she said tugging at his shirt. She smiled up at him, her eyes shining, filled with emotion. She seemed so pleased to see him.

  Why was she being so nice to him? Especially after he'd been just plain mean to her the night before. What had changed her mind?

  Devlin looked toward the men's bunkhouse. "I need to see the men first. Got some stuff we need to discuss before anything else gets done," he said.

  Elise shook her head. "Forget about them. Come see what's waiting for you inside the house," she said her eyes widening. He noticed the color of her cheeks and how smooth her hair looked.

  Devlin felt completely put out by now. What could she mean? What, indeed had come over her since he'd left her that morning?

  Devlin reached over and stroked her hair, savoring the feel of it. Elise smiled as he did that, searching his eyes for something. Devlin fixed his eyes on her hair, trying to avoid her intense gaze.

  He dared not look into those eyes. If he did he knew he would lose his resolve. He didn't know why but the need to get to the bunkhouse was suddenly overwhelming.

  Finally he tried to move away but she tugged even harder at his shirt. "I'll be over in a while."

  Elise frowned slightly and pulled at his shirt. "I went to a great deal of trouble to get everything ready. I knew you'd be tired and hungry," she said teasingly.

  Devlin sighed and cleared his throat. "I really do appreciate that. I promise I'll come into the house as soon as I've finished with the men," he said insistently.

  Elise's mouth tightened and her brows furrowed, this time with the beginning of real annoyance. Suddenly Elise thrust her clenched fists down by her side. "I'd like you to follow me now," she said firmly. It was less a request, more like a demand. It made him stiffen. He hadn't heard that tone of voice before. He didn't like it much.

  Devlin stepped away from her. "Just you wait Elise. I got some business to attend to and then I'll be right over."

  He saw the look in Elise's eyes and he quickly turned away. Best not to provoke her any further, he thought. I need to get to that bunkhouse.

  He started to walk away from Elise, relief flooding through him. He didn't dare look back. He knew that he would see Elise standing there, in the yard in front of the house, with a look on her face that would send shivers up his spine.

  "Devlin Cooper. You come back here right now!" he heard Elise call out from behind him. His footsteps faltered slightly at the sound of her voice, but he pressed on. He'd heard about her temper and he knew what he'd done would probably provoke her, but he kept on walking toward the bunkhouse.

  "Devlin! I went to so much trouble for you," she shouted. "This isn't fair!"

  Devlin raised a hand and waved back at her. "I'll be there soon Elise. Just hang on," he said as loud as he could.

  As he made it to the door of the bunkhouse he knew he'd managed to avoid one of the most awkward moments of his adult life. Or at least that was how it seemed as he accepted the noisy welcome of his employees and proceeded to join them at the long table set up in the center of the room.

  The chow was good, Devlin thought. It was plain food just right for working men. Chicken, potatoes and a few boiled vegetables. Devlin talked with the men about the work of the day, checking with them about what the concerns were with the herd. They were good men. Every one of them was like a trusted brother.

  The laughter and joking had reached a feverish intensity when the door to the bunkhouse was thrown open, slamming against the inside wall with loud crack.

  All heads whirled around and the laughter died in the throats of everyone in the room at the sight they saw.

  Elise stood at the open door with her arm behind her back. Her eyes were locked on Devlin and the look on her face made the blood drain from his face.

  Devlin stood. "Elise. I told you I'd be over soon," he said moving toward the door.

  He didn't want to get too close to her, but Elise seemed to sense his reluctance and took a few steps toward him.

  "You did Devlin. But I don't much like waiting. Especially when I went to so much trouble," she concluded bringing her arm out from behind her bac
k. In her hand she held what looked like a freshly baked pie.

  Devlin squinted. "Is that what I think it is?"

  Elise looked at the pie and frowned. "Why I guess it depends on what you think it might be, Devlin," she said, her voice thick with sarcasm.

  Behind him Devlin heard the shuffle of men's feet as they moved back away from him. They were starting to guess what was coming.

  Devlin stepped closer and inhaled. "It smells like a freshly baked apple pie," he said.

  Elise nodded. "Why how perceptive you can be Devlin. It's a pity you weren't so sensitive earlier when I asked you to come into the house," she said lifting the heavy looking pie up and down, as if weighing it in her hands.

  "I gave you my word I'd be in. I just wanted to spend a little time with these fine men," Devlin said turning around and wondering why his men had suddenly backed off so far.

  Just as he turned to say something to Elise he felt a sudden soft but firm blow against his face and everything went dark for a moment. He staggered back a step and wondered why his men had erupted into gales of laughter. Then he realized that the pie wasn't in Elise's hand any longer.

  The pie was stuck on his face.

  Devlin tried to open his eyes but he couldn't see past the pie. He lifted up a hand to wipe away the pastry and the fruit which had started sliding down his face.

  Behind him the howls of laughter just kept getting louder.

  Devlin thrust his fingers into what was stuck on his face and finally managed to clear a view. He saw Elise standing in front of him with a wide, satisfied grin on her face.

  "What in tarnation'd you do that for, Elise?" Devlin managed to blurt out through a mouthful of pie. He could hardly believe what she'd done. What was wrong with the woman?

  "I told you I had a surprise waiting for you in the house. I spent darned near the whole afternoon baking that thing for you, only it seems you weren't interested."

  Devlin scraped even more of the pie away, letting the pieces drop to the floor. He took one lump of it on a finger and tasted it.

  "Mmmm. Tastes real good, Elise. You got a way with pies, I can tell you," he said, trying to smile.

  Elise stamped a foot on the wooden floor. "Well Devlin Cooper. It's going to be a while before you get any more home cooking out of me," she said and turned her back on him, heading for the door.

  The whooping and hollering of the cowboys behind him almost deafened Devlin as he watched his wife storm off leaving him with pie on his face. As the door slammed behind her, he realized he had a whole lot of thinking to do if he was going to have any chance of figuring out his new wife.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  How dare he treat her like that! Elise was overcome with rage and she realized she'd utterly failed to follow her mother's advice. But it served him right. Who did he think he was?

  Well, she knew the answer to that question. He was her husband, and she obviously hadn't gotten used to the idea yet, otherwise that wouldn't have happened.

  Elise headed back to the kitchen cursing her misfortune to have such an ornery man for a husband.

  Why, he'd just ignored her as if she was nothing! All she'd wanted to do was show him that she could be a good wife, starting with that most basic of things, cooking food for her man coming home from a hard day's work.

  He'd thrown her offer back in her face. So she'd thrown the pie in his. That seemed fair.

  Elise tried to contain a smile as she strode into the kitchen, but it proved to be too hard. Mrs. Mildmay turned as she entered. "Well? What did he say?"

  Elise stopped, looked at the housekeeper and sighed. For a moment both women looked at each other. Mrs.Mildmay looked at Elise's empty hands.

  "Did he like his pie?" she asked with a wry smile.

  Elise's lips tightened and she nodded, saying nothing, her eyes widening.

  Mrs. Mildmay looked at Elise. "You didn't!" she said incredulously. "Did you?"

  Elise nodded. "I did. Right in his face!"

  Mrs. Mildmay threw her head back and roared with laughter. Elise joined in, laughing so hard that she had to take a seat at the kitchen table to recover.

  "What did Devlin say?" Mrs.Mildmay asked, barely able to contain herself.

  "He couldn't say anything at first. Not with the pie all over his face."

  "Well at least the pie didn't go completely to waste," the elderly housekeeper said with a grin. "Men! What are they like?"

  Elise looked at the food on the table. She'd spent a long time preparing the loveliest possible meal for them. On the table were plates of beefsteak, potatoes, root vegetables. There was even a bottle of wine from Devlin's small collection which she'd found in a store room.

  "Don't you worry, Elise," Mrs. Mildmay said. "He'll come crawling back once he realizes he did wrong. He ain't going to ignore you again in a hurry."

  Elise frowned. "That wasn't the point, Mrs. Mildmay. It was the way he did it. It was like he just didn't want to be close to me at all."

  Mrs. Mildmay grinned. "Once he's cleaned himself up and survived the ribbing of those men in the bunkhouse, he'll be over here soon enough. You mark my words," Mrs. Mildmay said.

  "In the meantime what are we going to do with all that food?" Elise asked.

  Elise heard the sound of horse's hooves out in the yard.

  Mrs. Mildmay stood and glanced out the kitchen window. "I think a couple of men have just arrived who might help eat that food," she said.

  Elise went to the window and looked out to the yard. Two men were getting off their horses and tying them up to the rail. They both looked the same age as Devlin and she thought she recognized them, but she couldn't place their names. She thought maybe she'd seen them around town.

  "Trent and Nathan," Mrs. Mildmay said as if reading Elise's mind. "They're Devlin's best friends in these parts. Guess they wanted to come over and meet the new bride," she said.

  Elise hurriedly fixed her hair and started to straighten her dress. "Oh my! How do I look?" she asked. She scanned he front of her dress for any remnants of pie that might have landed there. She was relieved to find none.

  Mrs. Mildmay's eyes narrowed and then she smiled. "You look beautiful my dear. Even after spending hours in this kitchen. It isn't fair really," she said.

  Elise waved a dismissive hand at the housekeeper. "You sure know how to flatter a girl," she said.

  "I don't get much chance on this ranch with all these men."

  Elise looked out the window and saw the two men walk toward the house. Before they reached the front porch Devlin appeared. She couldn't hear what they were saying but they sure looked pleased to see each other.

  Elise stood at the window for a moment. She was reluctant to go and meet the men. There would be introductions and explanations and she wasn't sure she was ready to be sociable. The incident with Devlin had left her with mixed feelings despite the hilarity with Mrs. Mildmay.

  Elise watched Devlin with his friends. He still had some pie on his face and she saw he was having a hard time explaining it to his smiling friends. Elise suddenly felt more than a bit guilty and foolish about what she'd done. Her sister had always warned Elise about her short temper and it seemed like she still had some growing up to do, in spite of her own high opinion of herself.

  Devlin looked so at ease with his two friends as they stood in the yard. She was pleased that he had good friends, and she was sure they'd helped him through the tough times he'd obviously had this year.

  Friends were so important. Elise hadn't had many close friends in recent years. Her burning sense of independence and fiery spirit had meant that not many people had felt comfortable being too close to Elise.

  She sighed as she watched her husband enjoying the company of his companions. Then the conversation seemed to change. The faces of all three men became serious. One of the men took Devlin's arm and spoke with real intensity to Devlin, who simply nodded at everything the other man told him.

  Devlin suddenly frowned and looked at the oth
er man in disbelief. Devlin shook his head violently, but was soon calmed by the other man.

  Something was wrong, Elise thought. She would have to get out there and find out what it was.

  Devlin sighed. What Trent had told him couldn't possibly be true. Could it? He shook his head and looked at his friend. Trent McIntyre was slightly taller than Devlin. In fact he was the taller of all three friends. All three men were ranchers and all three were considered by women around these parts to be equally eligible and handsome. The other man, Nathan Grantly, had just married a mail order bride from Boston. He stood casually to one side letting Trent do all the explaining.

  Devlin trusted these two men implicitly. If what Trent had just told him was true, then things were bad.

  "Are you sure that's what you heard?" he asked Trent.

  The rancher's green eyes narrowed and he nodded slowly. "Yup. Apparently he's already got someone looking into it. Some lawyer creep in town."

  "Which one would that be," Devlin said sarcastically. "There're so many of those around."

  "Whoever it is, your marriage could be in trouble even before it's gotten started," Trent said quietly.

  Nathan shook his head. "That idiot just doesn't know when to quit."

  "Caulfield didn't get where he is by being an idiot, Nathan. If what Trent says is true then I've got to think something up real fast to stop him," said Devlin.

  Devlin paused and tried to rack his brains. He'd have to think of something fast. And it would have to be so convincing that there would be no argument against it.

  The door to the ranch house swung open quickly and Elise appeared. Devlin stiffened. "Don't say a word to Elise, boys. Not right now. In any case she's in a bit of a mood." He wiped some apple from his forehead. "As you can see, the lady has spirit."

  Trent and Nathan smiled and tried to adopt a more casual demeanor than the seriousness of the moment called for.

  Elise walked slowly toward the men. Devlin stepped forward. "Trent. Nathan. May I present my beautiful wife, Elise."