The Cowboy’s Frontier Courtship

by Maya Stirling

  Kirsty's heart was pounding furiously. She grasped the buckboard's reins. "I'll be moving on now, sir," she managed to say.

  The man tilted his head. "Will you, now? I was hoping you and I could have a little talk. About something close to your heart."

  Kirsty frowned, wondering what on earth the man was talking about. Just as Kirsty was about to flick the reins and try to make her escape from the stranger, she heard a sound from behind her. Turning, she looked northward back up the trail. She saw a buckboard hurtling down the trail toward her, dust flying up from the wheels. Kirsty narrowed her eyes and felt her heart lift as she recognized who was driving the buckboard. One large figure and two smaller figures sat on the buckboard seat.

  Logan and the children.

  The man straightened and peered at the advancing buckboard. Kirsty saw the man's jaw tighten with frustration.

  Moments later, Logan drew his buckboard alongside Kirsty's. Relief mixed with joy flooded through her body as she smiled across at Logan.

  Jack and Alice smiled at Kirsty. The cloud of dust from Logan's buckboard swirled around the rider. The man coughed and then glared at Logan.

  Logan stepped down quickly from his buckboard and came to Kirsty. Reaching out, he laid a hand gently on her arm. "Are you okay, Kirsty?" Logan seemed genuinely concerned. She had to admit she was glad to see him.

  She squinted at Logan. "Of course, Logan." Kirsty saw the other man glance from her to Logan. He seemed surprised that Kirsty and Logan knew one another. Kirsty saw Jack and Alice watching her and Logan.

  Logan turned to the rider and looked up at the man. "I'll be accompanying Miss MacAnliss from here," he declared. There was a sudden firmness in Logan's voice. He sounded like he'd just issued an order.

  Kirsty saw the rider stare at Logan for a long moment. Logan's shoulders tightened as he stood, defiantly facing up to the rider. Finally, the rider nodded. He touched the front brim of his hat. "Nice to have met you, Miss MacAnliss," he said. Then the rider glanced at Logan. "And you, sir. I hope to see you some other time." Those last words had been spoken with unmistakable menace, Kirsty told herself.

  Logan smiled coldly at the rider. "Sooner than you think," he replied.

  Kirsty frowned, wondering why Logan had said that. Did he and the rider already know one another?

  The man dug his heels into the side of his horse and rode away. Kirsty sighed with relief.

  Logan's brows furrowed. "What happened?" he asked.

  "Nothing. I just met him on the trail. He's a stranger." She wanted to ask Logan if he knew the man. But, looking across at the puzzled expression on the children's faces, Kirsty told herself this wasn't the time for that conversation.

  "Let's get to the Shaughnessy homestead," Kirsty said, taking hold of the buckboard reins.

  Logan looked like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he nodded. "You're right. We've got a barn to raise."

  "You're going to tell me you've done that before?" Kirsty asked lifting a brow.

  Logan grinned. "Sure I have. It'll be a piece of cake," he said. Glancing at the baskets stowed at the back of the buckboard he added: "Speaking of which, I hope you've brought those cakes the children love so much."

  Kirsty smiled at Alice and Jack. "Of course I have." The smiles of the faces of the children lifted her spirits. All the worries the stranger had just caused faded away when Kirsty saw the delight on the faces of Jack and Alice. "And I'm sure there'll be plenty more to eat when we get there. Bridget likes to cook."

  Glancing at the children, Logan said: "They've been talking about this all morning."

  "It's going to be a wonderful day," Kirsty said, determined to lighten her spirits.

  When Logan smiled at her, Kirsty felt her heart warm instantly. "It is already, Kirsty."

  He went back to his buckboard and soon they were all riding southward toward the Shaughnessy homestead. Kirsty tried to push what had happened to the back of her mind. But it proved impossible. She wondered who the stranger was. And what he wanted. When he and Logan had faced each other down, she had been convinced that Logan and the stranger were acquainted. She promised herself she would ask Logan later that day.

  For now, though, she was happy. She, Logan and the children were together again. And that fact made the sun shine even brighter as they made their way down the trail.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  By late in the afternoon, the raising of the barn at the Shaughnessy place had almost been completed. Logan stood alongside three of the homesteader husbands, Gustav Schmitt, Karl Olson and Calum Shaughnessy, and examined the result of the last few hours of hard work. About a dozen other men were busy around the newly constructed barn. Over by the cabin, Logan saw a large gathering of women, all frantically busy laying plates out on the long table which had been set up in the yard. Kirsty was in amongst them. Logan noticed that she seemed to be making a determined effort not to look over to him.

  Right now, plates of food were being set out on the table. Dinner was about to be served. The excited squeals of children cut through the warm, late-afternoon air. Jack and Alice were busy playing with about a dozen of the other homesteader children. Logan smiled appreciatively. This entire afternoon had turned out to be a real gathering of homesteaders. There was a real sense of a community get-together. Everyone knew one another. They'd come from far and wide. He was the only outsider.

  The tall frame of the barn was completely raised. Now, all it needed was finishing touches of external walls, a roof and doors and the Shaughnessy family would have a beautiful new barn to replace the slightly dilapidated one near the homestead's cabin. Logan felt a sense of satisfaction. There was nothing like hard, physical work to clear the mind of worry. And he'd had plenty to worry about since seeing Kirsty on the trail talking with Haas. Logan hadn't been able to stop asking himself if Haas had spoken to Kirsty about ownership of the homestead. Judging by Kirsty's reaction, it looked like Logan had arrived in time to prevent that from happening.

  The slap of a hand across his shoulder dragged Logan's attention back to the present. Calum Shaughnessy grinned at Logan. "Thanks for helping, Logan." Calum glanced at Karl and Gustav. "And you, too. Many thanks."

  Karl Olson, tall, broad-shouldered and blonde-haired, smiled at Calum. "We are all in this together," he said. Karl's Norwegian accent was charmingly thick, Logan told himself.

  Gustav nodded. "Karl is right. We must help one another. It's the only way we will prosper." Gustav's German accent was heavy, too. In contrast to Karl, Gustav was short, but possessed a bull-like physique. Logan had witnessed Gustav's surprising strength during the last few hours. Those broad shoulders and thickly muscled arms had proven useful.

  A voice called out Calum's name. He looked toward the cabin. "I think my wife is calling me," Calum said and smiled. Logan saw Bridget waving to her husband. Calum glanced from Logan to Karl and Gustav. "I take it you're all staying for the celebration."

  "We sure are, Calum," Logan said.

  Calum nodded and then headed off toward the cabin.

  Once Calum had moved off, Logan turned to Karl and Gustav. "Can I ask you men a question? I need your opinion about something real important," he said.

  Karl and Gustav exchanged looks. Then Karl said. "Of course."

  "Do you think this is a good life for a family?" Logan asked. "I mean, are your families really happy living on the homesteads?"

  Karl's brows furrowed. "I don't understand the question."

  Gustav peered at Logan. "Are you asking if it is hard for our families to live this kind of life?"

  Logan nodded. "I guess I am."

  Gustav thought for a long moment. "My wife didn't always want to be a homesteader," he admitted. "When we came here, at first she wanted to settle in town. But, back home, our ancestors were farmers. This is what they were used to doing all their lives. So it seemed natural for us."

  "And the children?" Logan asked. He knew Gustav had four children. Karl had three.

&n
bsp; Gustav and Karl exchanged another long look.

  "My children are very happy on the homestead," Karl said. "They are learning new things all the time. My wife schools them at home. It is too far for them to go into the schoolhouse in town."

  Gustav nodded. "My children are happy. We've always been a God-fearing family. My wife and I feel that God has blessed us with this life. We are truly grateful." He shrugged. "It can be hard. Especially during the winter." He gestured toward the other men who were helping with the barn. "But these men are my friends. I always know I can rely upon them if I need something. Or if there is a crisis in our family."

  Karl grinned at Gustav. "How do say it in English? We stick together through thick and thin." Karl pronounced the words one by one, his accent making them sound almost funny.

  Gustav laughed and slapped Karl on the shoulder. "That we do, Karl," he said enthusiastically.

  Karl peered at Logan. "Now do you understand?"

  Logan nodded. "I do, Karl. I've been a drifter for too long. I've reached a point where I have to make a decision."

  He sighed and gazed across at the cabin. He saw Kirsty pause for a moment and rest her hands on her hips. For the first time since he'd stood alongside Karl and Gustav, Kirsty looked in Logan's direction. She smiled. Logan felt his heart skip a beat.

  He glanced at Karl and Gustav. Both men were watching him carefully. It was Gustav who followed Logan's gaze. He nodded sagely when he saw Kirsty. When Gustav turned to look at Logan, he saw understanding in the German's eyes.

  Maybe he'd just shown his hand, Logan reflected. He didn't care about that. Didn't care how many people knew he had feelings for Kirsty. Because it was true, he was no longer prepared to pretend otherwise. The time had come to act.

  Haas wasn't going to wait past Monday. Logan knew that, if he didn't win Kirsty's heart with one final effort, then he might lose her forever.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  After the meal, Kirsty was helping out in the kitchen when Bridget came up to her and tugged on her sleeve.

  "Would you like to take some fresh air?" Bridget murmured.

  Wiping her hands on her apron, Kirsty nodded. "Sure."

  The small kitchen area was packed with homesteader wives, chatting excitedly, bumping shoulders as they cleaned up after the meal. Some children were causing controlled mayhem in the living area of the cabin. Through the kitchen window, Kirsty could see the men seated at the table in the yard. There was much laughter and good humor as the men relaxed after a long day of physical labor.

  Kirsty followed Bridget into the main living space of the Shaughnessy homestead. Bridget opened the door and gestured for Kirsty to follow her. Outside, the sky was darkening slightly as the sun headed toward the distant mountains. The air was clear and cool. Over at the table, Logan turned and saw Kirsty. His brows rose expectantly for a moment, and then dipped as he realized she wasn't coming to the table. Logan went back to attending to Jack and Alice who were sitting alongside him.

  Kirsty dragged her gaze away from Logan. She could feel the cool beginnings of evening against her skin as she followed Bridget around to the garden area at the rear of the cabin. A short distance from the cabin there was a creek and a grove of trees.

  From the other side of the cabin the laughter of men rang out in the air. Here, in the garden with Bridget, Kirsty felt a relief sweep through her. It was good to be able to share a quiet moment with her best friend. However, Bridget had a familiar look in her eye. One that put Kirsty on her guard.

  Kirsty was careful where she put her feet as she followed Bridget to the far end of the garden plot. Whatever Bridget planned to say to Kirsty, it was clearly meant to be private.

  "What do you want to say to me, Bridget?"

  Bridget folded her arms and peered at Kirsty. "It's about you and Logan."

  "What about us?"

  Bridget's brows shot up in a line. "Have you seen the way he's been looking at you today?"

  Kirsty clasped her hands at her middle. "I did notice once or twice."

  "Twice! A lot more than twice, I can tell you," Bridget exclaimed. "The man can't keep his eyes off you."

  Kirsty felt her cheeks flush with heat. "What of it?"

  Bridget groaned quietly and gave Kirsty a stern look. "I've been thinking about what we were saying a while back. About you and Logan being together."

  Kirsty sighed. "Bridget. I can't talk about that. Not now."

  "Why not? Logan Kincaid is a fine man. A changed man. Now that he has children to think of, he's become responsible. I saw him when he was in church. He's a God-fearing man." Now that she was warming to her task, Bridget's Irish brogue was getting heavier with every word. "You're not going to find a better man than Logan. I can tell you that for sure."

  Pausing for a long moment, Kirsty stared at Bridget. She could hardly believe that her friend had spoken in such an open and direct manner. Bridget was famous for getting straight to the point. And she had certainly done so this time.

  "I can tell you've been thinking about this for a while," Kirsty said.

  Bridget nodded emphatically. "I have. And I have been talking with Calum. He is of the same opinion as me."

  Kirsty's mouth dropped open. "Calum hasn't said a word to me about Logan when he's been at the homestead this week."

  "Calum is careful about expressing his opinions," Bridget reassured Kirsty. "But he is in full agreement with me."

  A worrying thought came to Kirsty. "You don't mean Calum's been talking with Logan, do you?"

  To Kirsty's relief, Bridget shook her head. "Calum would never interfere in a courtship."

  "Who said Logan and I are involved in a courtship?" Kirsty countered.

  Bridget's response was exactly as Kirsty would have expected. She said nothing, clasped her hands at her middle, lifted a querying brow, and gave Kirsty a long look.

  "Okay. I admit Logan has been courting me." Kirsty stated.

  Bridget smiled. "There. I told you. That wasn't so difficult, was it?" She sounded triumphant and pleased.

  Kirsty raised a hand. "But nothing has come of it. And nothing will."

  Bridget scoffed. "Tush and nonsense, Kirsty. Don't go pretending to yourself that Logan is only a friend. You can't fool me. He's much more than that. And you know it."

  Once again, Kirsty was taken aback by Bridget's honesty. Deep down, Kirsty knew that Bridget was right. Logan was more than just a friend.

  So much more, she told herself.

  There was no sense in denying it. She only had to think about how she'd felt when he'd driven up to her buckboard earlier that day out on the trail. She'd felt like she was being rescued from trouble. Protected.

  But one other emotion had stirred in her heart. It had been impossible to deny. Kirsty knew she couldn't deny it any longer.

  She'd felt genuine love when she'd seen Logan leap from his buckboard and stride toward her.

  Love.

  Not just the affection for a good friend. But, love.

  She'd seen the look of concern in Logan's eyes. And, once the dark-eyed stranger had been banished, she'd seen Logan's gaze transform into the deepest affection. At that moment, something had awakened in Kirsty's heart. And there was no sense in pretending otherwise.

  All throughout the day, she hadn't been able to get Logan out of her mind.

  She'd taken secret delight watching him work with the other men as they'd thrown themselves whole-heartedly into the raising of the barn. And, while Logan had been busy working on the barn, Kirsty had spent time with Jack and Alice. She'd enjoyed wonderful moments with them, sharing in their excitement at this gathering of homesteaders.

  It had been a prefect day. A day of joy and surprising delights. It felt good to spend the day with godly people, all of whom were determined to build a decent life for themselves. It had made her realize that this was where she belonged. This was where God had placed her. She was sure of that now. Now that she had this life, no-one was going to take it away from
her.

  Kirsty looked at Bridget. "You're right, Bridget," she said. "Logan makes me feel happy."

  Bridget lifted a brow. "Just happy, Kirsty?"

  Kirsty shook her head. "Much more than that." She still couldn't say the word that rested in her heart. But she was sure Bridget knew exactly what she meant. "From the first moment he walked back into my life, I haven't stopped thinking about what life would be like with Logan." It felt good to be honest with Bridget.

  Bridget's gaze softened. "You and Logan belong together, Kirsty. And those children deserve a good life. A family life, complete with mother and father."

  The thought of being mother to Jack and Alice awakened a warm sensation in Kirsty's heart. A growing certainty blossomed into life. For the first time ever, she thought it could become a reality.

  "Do you think its possible, Bridget?"

  Bridget smiled. "I think its what God has planned for you,"

  Mingled in with the heart-warming promise of a life with Logan and the children, Kirsty still sensed uncertainty in herself. "But I don't know for sure if that's what Logan wants."

  Bridget shook her head. "There's only one way to find out." Bridget reached out a hand and rested it against Kirsty's cheek. "Tell him how you feel. Give him a chance to open up to you. He'll soon tell you how he feels about you. I think you can trust him to tell you the truth."

  Kirsty's heartbeat began to race at the prospect of declaring her feelings to Logan. But there were dangers in doing so. If they opened up to one another like that, wasn't there a chance it could all go wrong? He'd been distant with her recently. What if he'd changed his mind about her?

  Her attention was caught by the sound of a child's laughter. Looking across at the cabin she saw Jack starting to race across the field. Stumbling occasionally, he was heading toward the creek and the grove of trees. As he ran, giggling excitedly, Jack turned his head and looked behind him, back toward the cabin. Then Kirsty saw the reason why Jack was looking that way.