by Jillian Hart
The Cowboy Takes A Bride
Jillian Hart
Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Also by Jillian Hart
Copyright © 2020 by Jill Strickler
Cover Art by The Killion Group
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
1
Jada Shepherd took one last swipe with the mop across the newly cleaned wood floor and gave a sigh of satisfaction. The Alder Creek Bakery And Seamstress Shoppe was open for business, not that they were inundated with customers. No, business was nearly non-existent at best, but especially during this time of day when most folks were busy with their lives, businesses or out working their claims.
This was gold country, and her stomach still went trembly when she remembered the harrowing stagecoach ride here to this remote high rolling foothills region of Montana Territory, and how she'd hoped, along with her two sisters, to prosper and to keep her past far behind. Their errant father had moved here, so it seemed like a good place to start. He wasn't exactly the dependable type, but he was kind. So, it was a good thing they had started this business, not that they were doing more than limping along on a shoestring budget.
But maybe not for long. Maybe she could coax a little more than a scant amount of gold dust from the creekside gold claim Pa had staked when he'd come to town. And borrowed the money to file for it, which made it hers in truth.
Perhaps, she thought, some day she'd strike it rich, and if not rich, then maybe a little more comfortable. Folks did it often enough in these parts, finding gold. It would be interesting to see if it could happen to her. It wasn't as if she had a lot of other prospects at her age or with her ruined reputation.
"You're looking worried. Again. You worry too much!" Stella, the dear middle sister, rolled her eyes as she sailed through the swinging kitchen door of this little business they ran. Stella had an armload of the freshly washed and pressed calico fabric, ready to be laid out for a pattern and cut into dresses to sell. "Admit it. You think the tailor next door is going to report us for being too loud this morning, aren't you? Our landlady would not approve."
"I'm thinking about it now that you've mentioned it." Jada grabbed the mop and was no longer concerned about the floor and the tiny bit of mud she'd accidentally traipsed in on her shoe. There, now the place looked spotless and inviting to customers, should any happen along. "Don't remind me of the laughing fit that had us giggling so loud, he pounded on the wall and scared away the horse outside."
"No one has a sense of humor here. That man, whoever he was, eventually caught his horse."
"The tailor is sort of cute, isn't he? We could bring him over a cake."
"Good idea!" Stella lit up. "Perhaps he might become interested in you."
"In me? Oh, please don't wish that malady on me." Humor was always the best medicine and defense. "I'm no fool for love, and I figure at my age no man would tolerate me. I'm set in my ways."
Jada eyed her sister, cheerfully rosy-cheeked and adorable, who shook her head. "Any man would have to be both foolish and daft not to fall in love with you on sight. Heaven knows I always have."
"That's because I pay you to love me," Jada joked. It was a cozy feeling to be warm and laughing in the shop they'd spruced up with green gingham curtains and calico braid rugs and with the dainty armchairs and sofas in a friendly half circle around the potbellied stove. A faint stream of weak sunshine fell through the big front windows, despite the rain, and gave an interesting view of the street.
"Well, someone has got to love you," Stella grinned cheekily. "And I never turn down the chance to make an honest buck."
"Which reminds me, I haven't paid you yet today. I'll just add it to my account with you."
"Okay!" Stella teased back and gave a darling grin as her gaze strayed to the front door. "Oh! Just, uh oh!"
"What do you mean, uh oh?" Jada's gaze zipped to the front door a second too late. It door slammed open hard enough to hit the inside wall with a wham! The window glass rattled in their panes. Hooves clattered on the wood floor as two big nostrils flared and big yellow teeth bared.
A little boy's voice rang out. "No, Chester, no!"
But the pony, his defiant eyes trained on her, barreled forward and came right across the perfectly clean floor, pulled the clean folds of fabric out of Stella's arms with his teeth, swung his head toward the counter and clattered across the braid rug toward the tray of fresh apple cookies sitting on the display table, not yet put away. The silver tray hit the floor with a terrible series of crashes.
Jada shivered at the cool wind rushing into the warm store and blinked, not quite believing her eyes. The pony swung his tail, content as he snatched up a cookie from the floor and crunched into it. Crumbs and pieces crumbled to the ground.
"Oh, my!" Stella breathed behind her, as if frozen by either shock, horror or a combination of both, but Jada stumbled forward a few steps and saw all the damage in an instant. One of the curtains had a swipe of mud on it from the pony's tail. One of the little dining tables and a matching set of chairs had crashed onto their sides. The muddy prints all over her floor were not from the pony alone. A little boy tumbled in after the pony, covered from head to boot toe with mud from the street outside. Bits of it plopped onto the floor as he swiped mud out of his eyes.
"That was amazing!" This second boy gave a wide-cheeked grin, eyes shining bright with delight. "This is gonna be legendary!"
The pony helped himself to another cookie from the floor.
Jada blinked, still caught in the clutches of major shock. How had they done so much damage in such a short time? And wait—she narrowed her eyes at the boys. "Are you one of the local cowboy's sons?"
"Uh, sort of." The boy on foot looked down at the muddy mess dripping off him onto the floor and gave a chagrined shrug. "Maybe I don't like to admit it."
"I can see why." Disapproval speared through her. That cowboy. Was she angry? No, not at all, this didn't even begin to qualify as anger. It was a good deal more. She grabbed hold of one of the leather reins before the pony could step forward and rub his nose on the glass display case. He looked to have his eye on the carrot cake.
"Boys, what are you doing?" She still could not believe her eyes. "What were thinking? Look what you've done."
"Huh." One of the two identical little boys looked around at the mess from his perch on the pony's back. Sadness stood in his deep blue eyes. "I'm real sorry, Miss Shepherd. I don't know what happened."
"It's a complete mistake, Miss Shepherd, honest it is." The muddy boy looked a bit daunted by all the mud. "I'm real sorry."
"It's our first day
on our pony. It's not going well." The boy on horseback swiped at an unbidden tear with the cuff of his shirtsleeve. Sincerity shone in eyes that he blinked back emotion. "Do you think it would be all right if we don't tell Pa about this?"
His bottom lip trembled. He didn't seem cognizant of the fact that the pony grabbed hold of the fallen tablecloth on the floor and tried to eat it.
"Yeah, can we not tell Pa? Because we are real sorry." The muddy boy rubbed more mud off his face. "It hasn't been real easy saving Chester's life."
"Saving his life?" Jada asked weakly, her anger deflating. "What's wrong with Chester?"
"His old owner couldn't afford him anymore." The non-muddy twin tugged on the reins, turning the pony's head and Jada let go. The animal took a step, then turned his head just a little and tried to grab hold of her skirt. His big teeth snapped at the floral pattern but she stepped back just in time.
"He won't move." The boy riding astride shook the reins again. "What are we gonna do, Austin? We didn't mean to mess up your nice shop, lady."
"We're real sorry, and I really mean it. Honest as honest can be. How come he ain't movin', Aiden?" The muddy boy grabbed hold of one rein and tugged.
The pony shook his head, planted his front feet and refused to budge. He wasn't done looking around yet. He stretched his neck out to attempt to grab hold of the doily resting on the arm of the nearest armchair.
Well, this wasn't the worst situation in the world. Look at that sweet old pony having the time of his life. His eyes were bright, full of self accomplishment and pride as if he'd always wanted to get inside one of these types of barns for people. What a successful day he was having! But Jada was not surprised at all, not even a tiny bit, by the behavior of the two boys. And that responsibility rested squarely on the shoulders of their father. She had a poor opinion of the local cowboy suddenly, and that was his fault.
"You aren't gonna tell anyone, are you?" Aiden asked, his voice little sounding and vulnerable. Pain glimmered in his eyes, and he blinked back tears. "They were gonna sell Chester and send him to the glue factory. He doesn't deserve that, he's a good boy. So we pooled our money and bought him! It isn't his fault that he got scared and came into the shop."
"Or dragged you boys through the mud," Jada guessed.
"He reared and Austin fell off his back," Aiden explained.
I'm in trouble, Jada thought. The wrong person, a weak person, would just simply look into those big blue innocent eyes so caring and worried for Chester and give in completely, just be enamored by them, but she wasn't one of those people, nope, not her.
She steeled her spine and gave the rein she still had her hand wrapped around a tug. The pony gazed up her with bright, happy chocolate brown eyes, and it was hard not to give in entirely right then and there. But no, she refused to be a softy, melting on sight. The gelding took a step alongside her and startled when her other hand moved to grab hold of the rein too. Scared eyes blinked up at her behind long, curly lashes, and he quivered, likely expecting bad things.
"I'm not sure I'm happy with you terrorizing our shop." She led the pony toward the door and he didn't baulk. "Boys, let me guess. Your father knows nothing about your outrageous riding habits in this town?"
"He doesn't know we've got a pony." The muddy twin stepped forward, leading the way with a bit too much swaggering confidence. Just like his father, she'd wager, likely a chip off the old block. "He's sure gonna be surprised."
"And real happy," the horseback boy answered, giving a little sniffle. His emotional moment seemed to be over, but he felt deeply for his pony. "You aren't gonna tell him what happened here, will you? Please?"
"Oh, I don't think I can keep this secret from anyone." She led the pony through the door and onto the boardwalk. Chester gave her a horsey smile, as if he found this the perfect place to be walking. Just like everyone else.
Still, she couldn’t let herself be charmed despite the animal's sweetness or the boys' cuteness. Look at what they've done to her shop! And all that mud! They'd caused far too much trouble to trust them to keep that pony from coming back through that door a second time.
"Jada, where are you going?" Stella called after her. She stood in the doorway, wide-eyed at the sight. "And what will our landlady say? There's a pony on our section of the boardwalk."
"I'll try to get him off," she explained. "Can you hold down the fort while I'm gone?"
The cool wind blowing hard snatched away Stella's answer. Frustrated and shivering, Jada wished she'd had a chance to grab a sweater or at least her coat. "What were you boys thinking?" she asked. "You can't take a pony into town until he's used to having you in charge."
"I didn't know that." Little Aiden blew out a frustrated breath. "I don't know anything about ponies."
"We're just guessing," Austin explained. "We don't know what we're doing. We've never owned a pony before."
"I'm not surprised." Jada's side ached from holding in a giggle that was entirely wrong, absolutely inappropriate. They'd ridden Chester into her store! She glanced over her shoulder to see the tailor from next door chatting with Stella. He must have spotted her through his window and popped out onto the boardwalk.
Why am I not surprised? And mostly relieved. She waggled her eyebrows at her sister, who gave her a big shrug as if to say, I have no clue! How do I escape the man? With a smile, Jada shrugged back before turning her attention to keeping the pony from sticking his nose into the barber shop's window and leaving a nose print. She thought of her poor sister, too shy, just like her. Oh, there was a reason they were all single, the three of them. Not that she was looking. Not at all!
"I know what you're thinking, Miss, that we are despicable." The muddy boy plodded along on the other side of the horse, leaving a muddy trail. "Our grandmama says we're deplorable."
"She's not wrong." Jada tugged the pony to a stop.
"Maybe we could wash the floor for you?" Muddy Austin gave an adorable eye roll upward, as if attempting to make his brain kickstart into thinking. "Yes, that would be the right solution. I'm real good with a scrub brush."
"He's got lots of experience," Aiden added. "Me, too."
"We'll see." She caught the door as it was opening. "I have a few choice words to tell your father, whoever he is."
"Oh." Aiden winced, hanging his head adorably. His cowboy hat stayed on, tied beneath this chin, as someone emerged from the gun shop down the way.
"Hey, hello, there, Jada." It was her youngest sister, pleasantly slender, apple-cheeked and cute as a button, with a small package in one slim hand. She broke out into an amused grin. "What's going on? Is that your pony, little boy? And Jada, what are these boys doing here? Who are they? It's hard to tell behind all that mud."
"That mud is also in our shop, glad to see you got Pa's bullets. At least you're making good use of yourself running a few of his errands." Jada held the pony tightly so he didn't grab hold of the fur trim on Mindy's cloak hem. "I owe you an extra cookie."
"I love it when you reward me with treats. Right now you seem to have your hands full."
"I can't deny it!" She gave the pony's rein a tug and thanked her little sister for giving the right of way to them. They trudged by with a clomp of hooves, the squish of mud beneath boots and the whisper of the wind. "Keep going, boys, step down carefully and cross the street right here."
"Can't we go back home instead?" The youngest one glanced over his shoulder where Mindy had stepped to one side, let the door close and had picked her skirts up several inches so she could tiptoe across the muddy trail on the boardwalk. Her things were just too nice to sully.
"Pa's gonna get real mad," Aiden explained from beneath his cowboy hat's brim. "It's best to go real slow, maybe we'll miss him, and have to go home to our grandmother."
"Something to have considered before your pony let himself into my shop." Jada steered the boys and pony across the street. Right there, coming their way on the opposing boardwalk was a stranger, reprehensible man who closely resemb
led the boys she had in tow.
"Howdy there, Miss." Horse trainer Frisco Hayden knuckled his Stetson back, planted his boots on the dirt street and surveyed the woman standing in front of him. Jada felt the impact of his sardonic and inscrutable gaze, as well as the impact of his frown. "What are you doing with my boys, Miss Shepherd? I recognize you from your shop. I've met your father."
"Is that so?" Typical. Jada rolled her eyes. A man like this cowboy, just a dash of dashing and definitely handsome and confident, bordering on cocky, defiantly was not her kind of man. Not at all. She let go of the pony's rein. "That your knowing my pa does not speak well of you and your character, sir."
"I'm sorry to hear it. It's not as if we're close, but then, I'm not one to rush to conclusions or judgement. Unlike some." He grinned at her, that sardonic grin widening, from beneath the brim of his hat. He really was very handsome. Handsome enough to make her blush. "What are you doing with my sons? What did they do now?"
"They rode the pony into our shop and caused havoc, not to mention made a muddy mess."
"Huh, they did it all, did they? Well, I assure you, I didn't give them permission to do that. I don't even know where they got the pony," he scowled, taking a second look at Chester. "Aiden and Austin, how did you get so muddy? And whose pony is this? Wait, I'm afraid to know the answer."
Jada rolled her eyes again. Why, a reasonable man and responsible father would be beyond outraged by his children's outrageous behavior, but no, not this Frisco Hayden. To her amazement and disapproval, his blue eyes sparkled with amusement and a dash of mischief. His mouth hooked up in the corners as if he found the situation humorous. Humorous. When the shop was in shambles!
And all he did was squint, moving in for a closer look. "And what kind of pony is this? Is he a Shetland?"
"No idea, Pa!" Austin spoke up, beaming innocence despite his muddy countenance. "We're gonna get to keep him, aren't we?"
"Son, I don't think we can take on a pony right now. Remember I said no ponies and I meant it." He leaned in to look Chester in the eyes. "It's too bad, too. I bet you're a real nice boy."