Julia was quick about changing her boots and was wrapping the cloak around her shoulders as she entered the kitchen. When she pulled the hood up and had it tied, she said, “I’m ready when you are.”

  He ushered her outside and helped her down the steps, then stopped and pointed to the right. “Just beyond that tree is the well, but don’t worry about fetching any water while there’s snow on the ground. Silas refills the stove reservoir in the bunkhouse every morning and fills a bucket for the house as well so, more than likely, it’ll be sitting on the counter when you get downstairs.”

  He motioned her forward a bit and pointed out past a row of trees. “That big area in front of the fence is where the garden sits in the summer and there’s a grove of apple trees on the other side of the house close to the creek.”

  “Is all this land yours?”

  Matthew nodded. “Yes. There are a couple hundred acres out past the fence line.”

  Julia stared in the direction of the creek. The hood on the fur-lined cloak framed her face and a few wisps of her dark hair had come undone, the small curls brushing her cheeks drawing his attention. A simple look was all it took to remind him again of how lovely she was. The conversation with Cora would be unpleasant but coming home to Julia would make it less painful.

  “You’re a cattle rancher, right?”

  Her voice drew him from his thoughts. “Yes. I have a couple hundred head at last count.”

  “And where are your cattle?”

  He rubbed a hand over his beard and pointed toward the south pasture. “They’re out that way. There’s a hill just behind the barn so you can’t ever see them unless they come closer to the house.”

  “Oh, I see. I’ve never been around cattle before. Are they dangerous?”

  He chuckled. “Not unless they’re running and you’re in the way.”

  She smiled and he noticed a small dimple in her cheek. How had he not seen that before? It drew his attention to her lips and the moment he looked at them, he wondered what they’d taste like. He’d stood at the bottom of the stairs the night before, staring into the darkness instead of climbing the steps like he’d wanted to and regretted his decision now. He’d thought her lovely the moment he saw her but now, with snow falling around her fur-lined face, she was mesmerizing.

  She caught him staring and he looked away, taking her arm and leading her to the barn, showing her where the chicken coop was on the way.

  Silas and Orin both looked up when he pushed the barn doors shut behind them, both men tipping their hats toward Julia.

  “Ma’am.” Silas turned and started their way. “I’m Silas. You ever need anything, you just give me a yell.”

  “And what he can’t do for you, I can.” Orin crossed the barn, his usual grin in place. “Names Orin.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both, gentlemen.”

  Orin grinned bigger. “That’s some accent you got there.”

  “Oh? I didn’t realize I had one.”

  Both men laughed before saying their goodbyes and headed back into the stall they’d been in. Julia turned in a small circle, taking in the rest of the barn, and stopped when she got to the stall with the colt. “That’s the newest addition around here,” Matt said. “He was born a few months ago.”

  Julia crossed to the stall and peered inside, the smile on her face big enough he could see that dimple again. “He’s beautiful.” She reached out, then jerked her hand back. “Is it all right to touch him?”

  “Yes, he’s not skittish.” He clicked his tongue and reached out until the colt crossed the distance between them.

  Julia’s smile was infectious. He watched her pet the colt, her eyes bright and with every passing minute, his ire at Pru for sending away for Julia lessened. He was still upset she went behind his back but looking at Julia, he couldn’t be completely sorry she had, even though his new wife was too fragile for the wilds of Montana. He knew nothing about her background but if he had to guess, he’d say she’d not had much reason to ever get dirty. She was too-refined. Her hands were free of calluses, her complexion as clear and smooth as porcelain. She’d not ever had to work in the sun and if he had to guess, he’d say she’d been waited on, her every desire met by someone else’s hand.

  “Does he have a name?”

  Her voice drew him from his musings and he focused on her face. “No. I never got around to giving him one.”

  She frowned. “He has to have a name.” She rubbed the colt behind the ears, laughing when he moved closer and snuffled at her face.

  Matt leaned against the railing and propped his arm along the top board. “If you’d like, you can give him one.”

  Her eyes widened? “Really?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely.”

  The smile on her face widened. “Then he’s Sir Lancelot.” She peeked over at him, her cheeks turning pink. “It’s a silly name, but as a child, I always wanted a horse of my own. I asked for one every year on my birthday but we lived in the city and father didn’t want the trouble of having to stable him somewhere.”

  Matt reached out to stroke the horses head when the colt moved his way. “Well, then consider him a wedding gift.” He stepped back from the gate and pulled the rope from around the post and opened it, then grabbed the horse brush from the table by the wall. “Your horse hasn’t been tended to today so,” he handed her the brush, “here you go.”

  Her smile had waned somewhat but her glassy eyes were enough to tell him why. She blinked a few times and stepped into the stall, laid the brush to the colt and started to brush him. She looked back over at him a few minutes later. “I have no gift to give you.”

  Matt’s gaze roamed her face and landed on her lips. “You agreeing to come all the way out here to be my wife is gift enough.”

  Don’t cry. Do. Not. Cry.

  Julia repeated the words like a mantra as she laid the brush to the colt’s snowy white coat and started brushing him. Matthew was watching her, his arms propped on the top rail of the stall, and it took every ounce of willpower she had not to weep like a baby.

  It was silly, her reaction, but the gift had been given so freely, so selflessly, that Julia had learned something very valuable about her new husband. He was not a brute, nor was he cruel. Instead, he was kind and giving, his handing over the ownership of the little colt proof of that.

  “Where is his mother?”

  “She died right after he was born.”

  A sharp stab of pain pierced her heart at the news. “Oh, how terrible.” She brushed his mane while rubbing her free hand down his neck. “Poor thing.” The colt turned his head, snuffling at her hand.

  “He gets more attention than any other animal here because of it so, he may be alone in the world, but he’s a very spoiled animal.”

  She was glad to hear it.

  Silas stopped by the railing and spoke to Matthew in soft tones. Julia watched them, using her husband’s distraction to study him. Her assessment yesterday of him being nice looking didn’t fully describe him. Matthew Bailey was, quite honestly, the most handsome man she’d ever seen and the way he looked at her—

  A shiver crawled up her spine and she looked away when he turned his attention back to her.

  “I’ve something that needs my attention. Will you be all right alone for a few minutes?”

  “Oh, certainly. Go do what you must.”

  The other ranch hand, Orin, joined Silas and Matthew and she watched her new husband until he shut the doors behind him, blocking the cold blasts of air from pouring into the barn. In the silence she petted the colt, grinning as the name Sir Lancelot whispered through her mind again. Her father had accused her of fanciful notions on more than one occasion, her penchant for reading too many books, the main culprit he’d said, but she’d never paid him much mind. There was nothing wrong with wishing for a knight in shining armor, complete with white steed and the little colt being white made it all the more amusing.

  Her new husband didn’t exactly fit the classic description of the heroes in those books she’d read but he did get one thing right. He’d given her something she desired and expected nothing in return.

  “He’s going to be a looker when he’s full grown.”

  Julia squealed and startled the horse as she spun around on her heel. Her heart felt ready to burst from her chest as she saw the old man again and scowled at him when he began to laugh. “That’s the second time you’ve sneaked up on me.”

  He walked a full circle around the horse, inspecting him from every angle. “I was a horse man back in my day. Bred them by the dozens. This old barn has seen more horse births than anything else. Matt found more money in cattle, though. Can’t fault him for it. He’s done a fine job around here.” He gave her a sly grin. “Got himself a pretty little bride too.”

  “Thank you, but please make some noise next time. You’re going to give me heart failure.”

  He laughed again and readjusted his hat. It wasn’t the type Matthew and the ranch hands wore. The old man’s hat was much different—older in style, but she supposed it would be. He was quite ancient himself.

  Julia took a few calming breaths and started brushing down the horse again. “I should be very upset with you.”

  “Why’s that?”

  She gave him a pointed look. “You know very well, why. Those burnt biscuits were barely edible and Matthew forced himself to eat them.”

  He laughed so loud, she was surprised none of the animals reacted. “I wish I could have seen the look on his face.”

  “Well, I wish I didn’t remember it. He’ll probably never eat my cooking again.”

  The old man continued to laugh at her expense and as mad as she should be at him, she oddly wasn’t. She stepped around the horse to his other side and continued to brush him. “I don’t remember your name.”

  “I don’t remember you asking for it.”

  “Oh, well, I suppose I didn’t. I’m Julia.”

  “Abraham, but you can call me Abe.”

  “Very well. It’s nice to meet you, Abe.”

  He looked around the barn when the wind gusted and whistled through the boards. “Sounds like another snow shower is fixin’ to blow in.”

  “I hope so. I enjoyed watching it fall. We never saw snow much in the south.”

  “I suppose you didn’t. It’s tricky out here. It can blow up into a blizzard in a blink and melt just as fast.”

  “Do you think it will hang around until Christmas?”

  Abe raised his hand and scratched the side of his nose with his thumb. “I imagine it will.”

  Julia grinned. “I’ve always dreamed of a white Christmas.”

  “You enjoy the holiday, then?”

  “It’s one of my favorites.”

  “Mine as well. My Ester loved it, too. She used to decorate the house with pine boughs and ribbons and always had a pot of spices simmering on the stove.”

  “It sounds lovely.”

  “It was.” He cocked his head to one side. “You could do the same, you know. The house is your home now. You can do with it what you want.”

  “You don’t think Matthew would mind if I made changes?”

  “No. I’m sure he wants you to feel at home, so do what you like.”

  Abe walked out of the stall and Julia petted the horse on the nose one last time before exiting as well. She shut the gate and lifted the rope back over the post to secure it and laid the brush down. When she turned around, Abe was gone. “Hello?” She turned a circle and didn’t see him anywhere. “Abe?”

  She stared around the barn for long minutes, wondering where he’d gone so fast. When he never came back, she shook her head at his quick disappearance. He’d done the same thing the day before.

  Matthew and the other two ranch hands didn’t return either so she let herself out of the barn and spotted them by one of the smaller buildings. Assuming her tour was over, she headed back to the house.

  It was quiet when she entered. She hung her cloak and walked to the sitting room, taking note of all the things she’d like to change. Would Matthew mind? She bit her bottom lip, picturing the room with new curtains, the furniture rearranged to make the conversation area more inviting to guests—assuming they ever had any—by turning the fireplace into the focal point of the room. She may not be a great cook but she had great taste and it would take very little to spruce this place up. Then, once they were closer to Christmas, she’d decorate and make this the best holiday season her new husband had ever seen.

  Chapter Five

  The universe had finally put an end to his good fortune.

  Over the past several weeks, he and Julia had fallen into a nice routine and each day gave him another small glimpse into the character of the woman he’d married. She’d fixed him a breakfast fit for a king earlier that morning, telling him it had been exactly four weeks since they married, then stared at him as if expecting a response, but he had no clue what she wanted to hear. His inability to talk to women had reared its head again and he’d left the house feeling like he’d done something wrong. The crestfallen look on Julia’s face said he had, too.

  The feeling had damn near ruined his whole day and now, he had to deal with this.

  The gruesome display Matt saw splashed across the snow brought back a conversation he’d had with Levi Jackson weeks ago. The idle small talk the men who’d sent away for mail-order brides had while waiting for them to arrive at the church had ranged in topics, one of which was the wolves in the area. They were giving a few others in neighboring farms and ranches trouble but he’d not seen any sign of them before today. Now, it seemed as if they’d found his winter pasture.

  One of the smaller cows had been attacked. The parts of it that hadn’t been consumed or carried off had frozen and painted the hillside red.

  Tracks in the snow showed more than one creature had been there. They were too close together to tell what exactly they were but if he had to guess, he’d say wolves. “We’ll have to move the cattle closer to the house. This is too far away to be riding out and checking daily so tomorrow, we’ll round up everyone else and herd them back in.”

  Silas and Orin nodded in agreement and turned their horses back to the house. The sun was low in the sky and as tired as he was, it took nothing more than a single thought of Julia waiting for him to make him push the horse faster.

  Bright light shined from in windows when they made it back into the barnyard. He saw to his horse, wished Silas and Orin a good night and headed to the house.

  He stepped up on the porch and looked into the window, seeing Julia cross the room to the sink before heading back to the table. His gaze was drawn to the way her hips swung from side to side as she walked and he cursed himself for being such a fool.

  Those early days after they’d been married seemed so far away now and he’d yet to make her his wife all proper like. Lord knew he wanted to. He ached with the need to do so but she’d not given him any hint that she was ready. All she ever gave him was small coy smiles and even those drove him to distraction. He stood at the bottom of the stairs, night after night, willing himself to go up but he never did, reminding himself instead that she’d let him know when she was ready for him to come to her bed.

  The smell of fresh bread filled the air when he stepped inside the house. As she’d done every night for weeks now, she graced him with a smile big enough to show him that dimple in her cheek and asked him if he was hungry. And every night, he felt his heart skip a beat as he looked at her and replied, “Yes, I’m starving.”

  He hung his hat and coat and went to the sink to wash up. By the time he’d dried his hands and turned to the table, Julia was setting out the food.

  The first thing he noticed when he sat down was, the biscuits weren’t burnt. The second was, she’d fixed enough to feed him three times over but as hungry as he was, he didn’t have any doubts there would be leftovers.

  She filled his plate before he could reach for it and he waited until she’d filled her own and sat down before picking up his fork. “Smells good.” He picked up one of the biscuits. “I think you’ve finally gotten used to that old stove. You’ve not burned a biscuit in over two weeks.”

  Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “I’m sorry, I—“

  “It’s fine. They were edible.”

  “Barely.”

  He grinned at her embarrassment, then dug into his food. They ate in silence for long minutes before Julia said, “Do you mind if I make a few changes around the house?”

  “No. This is your home now. Do with it what you wish.”

  “It won’t be much. I’d like to move some of the furniture and maybe change the curtains. I shipped a number of things in those trunks I had sent out here and I’d like to put them to use.”

  She told him of all her plans and by the time they’d finished eating, he was positive there wasn’t a sweeter sound in all of Montana than the soft cadence of her voice. He could have listened to it all night and wondered what it would sound like as he loved her. When she was panting for breath, clinging to him, and asking for more.

  He shook himself from those thoughts and stood to clear away the dishes. She had water heating to wash them and when she tried to carry it over to the sink, he grabbed the bucket handle, his callused fingers brushing her hand as he did. “You cooked, let me clean up the mess.”

  Her eyes widened and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. His gaze was drawn there and held, only her saying, “You wish to wash the dishes?” enough to make him look away.

  He shrugged. “I’d been doing it for years before you arrived. Besides, you were the one who had to stand in here and cook. The least I can do is clean up the mess left behind.” He thought she was going to refuse but finally nodded her head and let go of the bucket handle.

  “Very well, then. Thank you.”

  He carried the bucket to the cabinet and poured the water into the wash tub as Julia told him she was going up to wash and get ready for bed. The moment she left the room, visions of her undressing, all that creamy ivory skin unveiled, filled his mind’s eye. He wanted her in an instant. He wanted to climb those steps, strip down to nothing and crawl into that big bed with her, pull her close until they were skin to skin and taste her lips to see if they were as sweet as he imagined they were. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, inhale the scent on her skin and feel her hands on him in places that hadn’t been touched in years.

 

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