Montana Snowfall, page 20
part #7 of McCutcheon Family Series
A small sound by the door caught his ear, then a light tap. “Roady, can I come in?”
Sally?
Shocked, Roady bolted up to a sitting position, and stared across the dark room as if it were Behemoth himself come to call.
Another small tap. When the squeak of the doorknob said she was indeed coming in, he grasped the still-cool sheet and pulled it up over his chest. From the moonlight softly flowing in through the bedroom window, he could see her hesitantly standing by the door, waiting for an invitation.
“I was worried,” she finally said in a small voice. She inched forward a step or two.
“Sorry about that. If I don’t act quickly when there’s a sighting, any leads go cold quick.”
“Behemoth?”
It was evident someone had filled her in on his history with the grizzly. Sally was dressed in her nightclothes, with the same wrap she’d had on last night, tightly cinched at her waist. Along with that, she had a quilt wrapped around her shoulders to keep her warm. Her hair, released from any constraint, looked soft.
“May I come in?” she said on a breathy whisper.
“’Course.” He’d get up, but in his state of undress, that wasn’t possible. He glanced at the chair in the corner, but instead she went around to the other side of the bed and patted it with her hand.
“Do you mind if I sit here, so we can talk without waking everyone else up too?”
He was no prude, but a moment of uncertainty crossed his mind. He hadn’t mentally prepared himself for this moment, if indeed the moment he’d been hoping for had arrived. “Need help climbing up? This bed’s a mite taller than the one in your room.”
She shook her head, sending her mass of hair moving this way and that, then scrambled up. He waited patiently as she settled, wondering what had prompted this change from last night.
“Comfy?”
She nodded.
“Would you like me to light a lamp?”
“I don’t need one if you don’t.”
He felt a small smile play around his lips as she gazed innocently at him from her side of the bed. “Well, this is nice,” he said, a bit embarrassed with the statement that had slipped out unintended. He wriggled into the pillow behind his back on the headboard, and loosened his grip on the sheet just a tiny bit.
She nodded. “Yes, yes it is.”
Now that she was here, it seemed she didn’t know what to do. Problem was, he didn’t know her intentions, so he was in no way going to jump in and get his hands slapped. Time was on his side. It seemed his day away had done the trick.
“Did you get any supper?”
“Out on the trail?” He chuckled quietly. “No, I didn’t. My gut thinks my throat’s been cut.”
She grimaced.
“Sorry. Just a saying the cowboys have.”
Her gaze darted to the door. “If you’d like, Roady, I can go get you something from the kitchen. I’m sure there are leftovers from tonight.”
No way was he letting her out of his sight. This was worth five days on the trail with no grub. “Oh no. I’m fine till morning.” He relaxed his hand and let it fall between them on the quilt. “Are you intending to stay here all night? ’Cause if you are, I’d bet you’d be a sight more comfortable if you got under these covers where it’s nice and warm. I’ll be sure to stay on my side.”
He hoped he wasn’t pushing too hard. He’d be disappointed as all get-out if she decided to go back to her own room now. Several silent moments crept by.
“Okay, I think I will.”
He didn’t try to help, just let her snuggle down in on the other side of the bed.
“That’s better,” he said, cupping his hands around his mouth as if to be heard from so far away.
She smiled.
“Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?” He let his eyelids droop and wiped a hand across his face, feeling anything but sleepy. “I’m so bushed, I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
He heard her sigh, her head on the pillow now the only thing he could see. She was so small, she hardly made a lump in the bedcovers.
“This bed is much more comfortable than mine,” she said very softly.
He scrunched down into the covers himself, staying on his back. “I’m happy to share. And if you have a mind, my chest makes a good pillow too.”
She didn’t respond. Maybe he’d gone too far. He turned to see her eyes closed and her body relaxed in the throes of a deep sleep.
By golly, his new wife had gumption. More than he had, to be sure. He’d been nursing his sore feelings tonight, wondering what this marriage held in store for him. Gazing up at the beams over his head, he marveled at what a difference twenty-four hours could make.
Chapter Forty-Five
Sally awakened slowly to the delicious aroma of bacon. She stretched and reached out her hand, then froze, suddenly remembering whose bed she was in. Her face flamed as she recalled her oh-so-bold actions from last night. Had she really gone to Roady’s room uninvited and crawled into his bed? And slept with him the entire night? Unable to keep a smile from her face, she peeked open one eye and looked across to her husband’s side of the bed, hoping beyond hope he was still there.
Disappointment enveloped her. Roady had already gone to work. He was an early riser, as were all of the folks at the McCutcheon ranch.
Scrambling out of the bed, she tiptoed to the door and pressed her ear against the chilly wood. For some reason, she felt embarrassed about being caught in Roady’s room—not that anyone but her knew that it belonged to Roady, but still. Hearing only silence, she cracked open the door. Seeing the coast was clear, she dashed across the hall.
Once in her own room, she dressed quickly. She wanted to speak with him before he rode out for the day. She needed to see his smile, hear the warmth of his voice. Layering on her garments had never seemed so arduous. Relieved to find the rooms below deserted, she crossed to the front door, pulled it open, and stepped out into the chilliness of the early morning mountain air.
A few men saddling up outside the bunkhouse glanced her way. She didn’t see her husband among them. She casually strolled toward the barn. As she approached, a cat darted out from the dark interior and skidded to a stop in front of her. It meowed and rubbed against her leg. That was when she heard a voice coming from within the structure.
“His coat sure looks good, Hickory. I can see you’ve been brushing him plenty. Good for you.”
She’d recognize Roady’s easygoing tone anywhere. A little thrill of excitement fluttered in her tummy, and she fisted her trembling hands. Stepping through the doorway, she stopped and let her eyes adjust to the dim light.
Halfway up a stall door, Hickory hung by his elbows as he gazed at a shaggy brown horse inside. Roady stood next to the boy, a piece of hay dangling out of the corner of his mouth. Both turned at the same time.
Roady snagged her gaze and held it. “Good morning, Mrs. Guthrie.” He came forward with extended hands, palms up. He’d shaved away the whiskers from last night and looked rested, his eyes soft and warm. She had no option but to place her palms in the center of his.
“Good morning,” she replied, trying to sound composed when in actuality, her heart thumped painfully in her chest. Reflex almost made her pull her hands away when they touched his, but she resisted the impulse. An unfamiliar tingle sparked up her arms. She gathered her wits and asked, “How did you sleep?”
“About as good as a man possibly can—after his wife sneaks into his room to cuddle up.” He said the second half of the sentence very softly, with his back to the boy. He chuckled when the black cat leaped to the top of the rail next to him and meowed loudly in his face.
Hickory let go with one arm and swung around to watch them as he dangled from the side of the stall door, one toe stuck in a lower crack.
Sally’s hands warmed, still held protectively in his. “I wanted to catch you before you rode off.”
“I’m glad.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Are you going bear hunting again today when you’re through with work?”
He nonchalantly let go of her hands, but kept hold of her gaze. “I don’t think I will. I’d rather take the buggy and show you the place Flood has offered us. See if it suits you. After that, I thought we’d go into town for a quiet supper out.”
Hickory’s face lit up. “Can I go too?”
Sally felt a void in her heart when Roady turned to the boy.
“That’s for Luke to say, not me,” Roady said. “I’m sure you’ll have chores that’ll need tending.”
Grumbling, Hickory climbed over the gate into the stall with the horse.
Sally reached out and scratched the patiently waiting cat. “I’d love to see the property, but I’m sure anything that suits you will suit me just fine.” She was all too aware of his proximity. “Do you think we might be able to visit Heather as well?”
“That was my intention, but now you spoiled the surprise. Also wondered if you’d like to send a telegram to your mother in St. Louis. Tell her about the wedding.”
Sally had given that idea a great deal of thought. “I think a letter would be better. If a telegram arrives saying I’ve married, she’ll be shocked. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to explain things properly. I’ll write a letter today.”
She’d almost forgotten about the boy in the stall until she heard him murmuring to the horse.
Roady reached in and gave the old gelding a pat on the neck. “I’d best get going.” His gaze touched her lips briefly, but he didn’t make a move to kiss her.
“Of course.” She glanced into the stall to see the boy’s thin arms around the horse’s neck as the animal munched on a mouthful of hay. “See you later, Hickory.”
The boy looked up and nodded. Sally preceded Roady to the barn door, where her new husband nodded and gave her a wink.
Watching him walk away was like a cloud covering the sun. She missed his warmth already.
The day couldn’t pass quickly enough for Roady. He went about his duties as usual, while his mind was back in the house with his wife.
His wife. His wife who had been bold enough to come into his room last night and climb into his bed. He’d had to keep the shock off his face when he finally realized her intention. He’d lain awake most the night listening to her sleep, thinking about building the house and the baby to come. Anything to distract him from the fact that she was only an arm’s reach away.
Was it possible she wasn’t hurting as bad as he’d thought she was over losing the man she loved? It was all so confusing. One moment she was warm and receptive, and the next, it was as if she wanted to pull away. Like this morning in the barn. He hadn’t missed her knee-jerk reaction to his touch.
Mystified, Roady pulled his handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his brow, and then slipped the wire snips into his back pocket. She was like a skittish filly, unsure and wary. He’d go as slow as she needed, and hope someday she would give him a chance to fill the other man’s boots.
Ike and Smokey stopped what they were doing and reached for their canteens.
“You heading in?” Smokey asked.
Roady nodded. “Thought I would. Only a short strip of fence yet to mend. Nothing you two can’t handle on your own. Unless you need my help.” He glanced at the others, praying they’d say no. If he hurried, he’d have time to bathe before taking Sally to town.
“Don’t think a thing of it,” Ike said, screwing the cap on and hanging the canteen back on the fence post. “I’d be anxious too if I had a pretty little wife waitin’ for me. Isn’t that right, Smokey?”
Smokey grunted, then spit a long string of tobacco juice to the ground. He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. “You bet your new Christmas unmentionables I would. I’d been gone an hour ago.”
Roady laughed and headed for his horse. “In that case, consider me gone.”
An hour later, Roady drew the buggy to a halt at the fork in the road. “That’s the road to Y Knot. And all that,” he said with a gesture, “would be the new building site and ranch yard for the barn and some corrals.” He moved his arm from left to right as he spoke, giving Sally a nice view of his strong profile. She liked it when he went without his hat.
He swiveled to the side and pointed to the small one-room cabin that had captured Sally’s attention since it came into view. There were several old corrals barely standing, but not much else. “There’s where we would live until we build, or add on. Would you like to get out and take a look around?”
Excitement zipped through her. “Yes!”
He set the brake, hopped out, and then extended his hand to help her to the ground from his side. He grabbed the hammer on the floorboard of the buggy he’d brought along. “Being a woman, I’m sure you’d like to go see the cabin first.”
She nodded, barely able to contain her eagerness.
They walked along in silence. Sally admired the view. Pines and oaks dotted the gently rolling land suitable for pasture. Not far away was a good-sized river. She liked it—no, she loved it! This was the start of her new future. A feeling of awe almost moved her to tears.
“The land is beautiful, Roady,” she said, taking it all in. “I can envision so much. It feels promising, and gives me a contented feeling. All the good things that make life worth living.”
He nodded. “I know what you mean.”
She smiled up into his face. “The location is much closer to the ranch than I anticipated.”
“That’s one of the things I like the most. Just like the other wives, you’re only a short ride away.”
Wife. That was still so hard for her to believe. The thought of consummating the vows brought her a surge of warmth, but the delicious tingle was chased away by the pain she remembered from the attack. She swallowed. “And it’s on the way to town.”
“It couldn’t get much better.” With the claw end of the hammer, he pried off the rough-hewn board nailed over the cabin’s weathered door. “Let me go in first, make sure there’s no critter waiting to scare you.” He pushed open the door and went in.
She bounced up and down on her toes. “Hurry, Roady, I can’t wait!”
He appeared back at the door, an expectant look in his eyes.
“What?”
Without saying a thing, he bent and scooped her up, carrying her across the threshold. Setting her on her feet before she had time to object, he gave her a stern look. “Like I said, not much more than the hunting cabin. You sure you’d like living out here—alone? It ain’t St. Louis, you know.”
His gaze felt like a caress. “I’ll like it just fine.” She glanced around, taking in a potbellied stove, a sink with a pump, three windows, and a loft. She’d seen an outhouse behind as they’d approached.
He chuckled. “It certainly ain’t like the McCutcheons’ house. Until the baby arrives, it might get awfully lonely when I’m gone.”
“I’ll take up knitting.”
Roady went back out on the small porch and she followed, looking up to see what had caught his attention. His stormy, green-eyed gaze didn’t miss a thing, and right now he’d spotted a hawk way off in the sky.
“It won’t be easy at first,” he added. “That’s east, where the sun rises, so that way is—”
“West?”
He laughed, and she warmed again as he seemed to take her measure. “Forgot you were a smarty-pants. Let’s get going, I’m starved.”
When they turned, she stopped him with a touch to his forearm. “Mr. McCutcheon isn’t giving us the land, is he?”
“Nope, he’s not. He wanted to, but I insisted on paying it off over time. Like I mentioned before, he’s making the deal impossible to say no. And I’m no fool to pass up a chance to own a piece of this fine acreage. Why?”
“I don’t know. I just wondered about…” She gazed down at her hands, feeling rather silly.
“Being beholden? I don’t blame you, I don’t want that neither. But even if we did take the land as a gift—which we’re not—I wouldn’t feel beholden. You need to get used to being a part of this family. Taking care of each other is how we do things.”
Overwhelmed, Sally looked away and started back to the buggy. How wrong she’d been about Roady. She’d thought she was settling for someone who could help her out of a jam, when in all reality, she wasn’t good enough for him. He was strong, good, and honest. He’d done so much and hadn’t asked for anything in return. She could tell he was holding back from her, being polite. He’d never professed any love to her by any means, although he was very kind and supportive.
Could he grow to love her? How would he feel once the baby arrived? A shiver raced through her as she considered her still-uncertain future. Sally resolutely clung to her faith, which had only failed her once. Even so, God would look out for her—she hoped.
Chapter Forty-Six
It was almost six o’clock by the time Roady steered the buggy around the corner into Y Knot. Merchants puttered here and there, swept boardwalks, and began pulling down window blinds. Pride for having such a beautiful wife filled him as Sally sat at his side, absorbed in the sights.
“Not quite St. Louis,” he said, his deep curiosity about what she thought of the town getting the better of him. He wanted her to like it more than he dared admit. “I’d fancy it’s a mite boring for a big-city news reporter like yourself.”
Sally shot him a surprised look. “No, not at all. I love how quaint everything appears. And I told you before, I’m not a news reporter. I just did special-interest articles now and then.”
He shrugged and hid his smile.
“Roady, since you mentioned being hungry, I’m not opposed to eating first, and then heading to the lumberyard for a visit with Heather and Hayden. They don’t know we’re coming, and they might already have supper on the table. It would be impolite to intrude.”
The buggy hit a hole, jostling their knees together. “That sounds good to me. I worked up a hefty appetite today repairing the fence line, one that’s been eating away at my belt buckle since noon. But only if you’re sure you don’t mind—because I can wait.” He glanced at her hopefully, praying she didn’t change her mind. He wasn’t joking about the pain in his empty belly.
