Midnight Blue

  Hildie McQueen

  Pink Door Publishing, Augusta, Georgia 2015

  Shades of Blue

  Midnight Blue

  Amazon Bestselling Author

  Hildie McQueen

  Pink Door Publishing

  Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig Design Inc.

  Editor: Scott Moreland

  Copyright Hildie McQueen 2016

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

  If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to your retailer and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Other Works by Hildie McQueen

  (In reading order)

  Single Titles

  The Widow's Choice

  Beneath a Silver Sky

  Under a Silver Moon

  Heading West Series, Western Historical

  Where the Four Winds Collide

  Westbound Awakening

  Where the River Flows

  Historical Western, Shades of Blue Series

  Big Sky Blue

  A Different Shade of Blue

  The Darkest Blue

  Every Blue Moon

  Blue Horizon

  Montana Blue

  Midnight Blue

  The Gentrys of Montana

  The Rancher

  The Marshal

  The Outlaw

  Moriag Series, Highland Historical Novellas

  Beauty and the Highlander

  The Lass and the Laird

  Lady and the Scot

  The Laird's Daughter

  Dedication

  Sometimes people come into our lives and instantly make it better. I have to say I am so thankful for my wonderful friend Gayla Leath and everything she does for me. I am so blessed by your friendship.

  Chapter One

  Alder Gulch, Montana, 1872

  Trails of sweat streamed down Matt Corson’s back. Dust kicked up by the cattle and horse mixed with the sweat that covered his face and neck. It was a miserable day to move the small herd. It shouldn’t have taken as long as it did. The unusual heat made everything and everyone sluggish. He swatted at a fly that buzzed near his face and cussed under his breath.

  “Lets get the last of them, Buck, and get to some shade,” he told his horse who lifted its head at the sound of his voice. Matt patted the animal’s neck and spurred it to where a couple of stragglers grazed, seemingly unfazed by the late afternoon heat.

  Montana wasn’t usually so hot, but the last week served to prove that when it came to nature, it was as unpredictable and fickle as a woman. Just then, a rider appeared in the distance. Matt pushed his hat back and wiped his brow. Grayson Cole’s long hair blew behind him in waves. He waved and grinned upon approaching. “Hey, what are you doin’ out here in this heat? Your Ma sent me to make sure you hadn’t fallen off your horse. Said you’ve been out since sunrise and never came home for the noon day meal.”

  “If it didn’t have to be done, I would have gladly stayed in the shade today.” Matt frowned and turned his horse toward the new barn he’d just finished building. Pride swelled in his chest at the sight of the two buildings, his new home and barn. “Why were you at the folk’s place anyway?” he asked Grayson, who rode alongside.

  "Stopped by to see your place. Wasn’t sure if you’d be there or out here yet. Should have known you’d already be settling in.” His friend whistled. “Sure looks good.”

  Matt had to agree. The structure was fine. Made of mature tree logs, it was a sturdy home that would withstand the elements quite well.

  “I came to talk to you about helping out with the two new families that just arrived in Alder Gulch. Tryin’ to get them settled in at different ranches. You could probably use some help out here. There’s a young woman who is looking for housekeeping work.”

  His new house was of a good size. He’d built it with a large space in the front, a combination of the kitchen and living area. The back had two bedrooms with a smaller room between that he planned to turn into a place to store things.

  “I don’t have much use for a housekeeper. Only me and I clean up after myself.” He dismounted and pulled the horse towards the stables. Grayson followed and led his horse to a trough to drink. “How about a couple of days a week. She can wash clothes and such. She needs a place to live, at least temporarily.”

  Grayson continued his explanation. "My own Ma and Pa are taking a young couple in. Bronson and I can’t right now with just havin’ young’uns. I hired one of the men as a ranch hand, but this woman is without a place to live right now. She has been living out of the back of the wagon for months."

  Wagon trains were beginning to arrive in the area with regularity and Alder Gulch was growing by leaps and bounds. Most of the families in town were already hosting families until houses and such could be built. “Did you ask Ma and Pa?” Matt tried his best to get out of having to live with someone, especially a woman. It wasn’t right in his opinion. People would talk and it would do more harm than good for her new start in Alder Gulch.

  Grayson’s lips curved and he let out a long breath. “I’ll give it to you straight. Your Ma wants you to marry the girl. She’s willing to get married to a good man. She is looking to settle down.”

  For a long moment, all he could do was stare at Grayson, speechless. Not that his mother’s actions surprised him as it fit her generous spirit to want to care for this woman. And since she often voiced her impatience at his lack of finding a suitable wife and providing her with grandchildren to enjoy, the act of finding him a willing bride should not have shocked him either.

  Being an only child often proved to be quiet taxing. “Did Ma talk to this woman already?” Panic rose and he looked to his tired horse, considering riding to his parents to speak to his mother before she did anything irrevocable. “Where is the lady now?”

  “Her name is Kathryn. She’s at your parents’ house.” Grayson’s wide eyes met his. “Don’t tell your Ma I told you the truth. You’re supposed to come around considering her as a housekeeper,” Grayson said with a worried grimace. “I’ll be around.” With that, he mounted, turned his horse and rode off. It had been a long time since Matt had disagreed with his mother on anything. Their last argument had been three months earlier when he’d announced he was building his own place and moving out. This time he was prepared to set her straight about interfering in his life. Important decisions like which woman he’d live his life with had to be thought out carefully. Admittedly, he’d not given much thought to marriage since his failed attempt at engagement with Olivia Dougherty, who’d married Grayson’s twin brother, Bronson.

  It wasn’t that he didn’t want a family, eventually. But women were scarce and his quiet nature didn’t lead to meeting those that lived in town anyway. He’d walk over after cleaning up. At his parents’ ranch, he’d put a stop to this nonsense.

  He would fill his empty belly and let the woman, Kathryn, know he couldn’t marry her. He would also explain he was in no need of a housekeeper.

  In a hurry to get going, Matt settled for washing up outside with water from a rain barrel. There was no time to draw water into a tub and bathe. Besides, the cold water would be refreshingly perfect after the day out on horseback.

  Once he washed up and dressed, he’d walk to his family’s ranch and speak to his mother and the woman. Kill two birds with one stone, get his belly filled and inform the woman he was not in need of a housekeeper

  Matt undressed near the kitchen, throwing the dirty clothes into a laundry basket. He then grabbed a large cloth from a hook on the wall to dry with and a bar of soap. “Can’t believe Ma would up and volunteer me to get married,” he grumbled to his dog that rushed to the doorway ahead of him and let out a low growl. “I’m not about to leave right now. Can’t you see I’m naked? Move aside.” He pushed the dog with his bare foot. “Just washin’ up before heading to Ma’s for supper. I’ll bring you along.”

  The dog barely moved, its attention firmly on the door. Annoyed at the dog, he looked at it while shoving the door open and stepping out onto the porch. The animal dashed around Matt’s legs, yanking the towel out of his hands and leaving him standing totally nude and without a way to cover up while his mother and a woman stood on the porch with wide eyes and mouths gaping open.

  Chapter Two

  If it wasn’t for the man’s mother standing beside her, Kathryn Barrett would have doubled over laughing. It was the look of panic as Matt Corson tried to cover up, then turned and rushed inside, baring his backside to them as he went into the house and closed the door behind him. “Goodness, I am so sorry.” His mother looked at the door, her face flushed pink. “I suppose we did show up unannounced.”

  Kathryn pressed her lips to keep from smiling. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Corson. I am a nurse by trade and have seen plenty of bodies in my life. Soldiers have little time for sham e when injured.”

  “Of course,” the woman replied, looking less than convinced. “Matt is very quiet and reserved by nature. I’m sure this is not how he planned to make your acquaintance.”

  The man didn’t plan anything as he’d just learned about her existence a couple of hours ago at the most. She’d hoped it would be at least another day before meeting him since she’d just settled into the bedroom the Corsons had graciously offered. When she stupidly mentioned having considered answering an ad for a mail order bride, Mrs. Corson had jumped at the opportunity to marry off her son.

  “I apologize. I didn’t know you were here.” His deep voice fit his serious expression and rugged good looks. Long-lashed, hazel eyes barely met hers before he turned his attention to his mother. “I planned to come for supper once I washed up.” He finally looked at her. “Ma’am.”

  He’d dressed in a wrinkled shirt and pants, remaining barefoot.

  At once, she knew he’d be her husband. Not an inkling or a thought as much as a deep sensation that caught her by utter surprise. “I think we should walk back and let you get washed up.” She looked directly at him and smiled. “I’m Kathryn Barrett, nice to meet you.”

  There was disbelief in his expression, not embarrassment as much as challenge. He expected her to shy away from him, to run like a mortified wallflower after seeing him naked.

  “I’ll be along in a few minutes, Ma.”

  Before Mrs. Corson could say anything more, Kathryn slipped an arm through hers. “How about we pick some wildflowers for the table? I’ve never seen so many beautiful colors in my life.” She turned the woman around, not giving her a chance to protest and insist they wait for her son, who obviously planned to bathe.

  Indeed, the stroll back to the Corson's place was enjoyable. The heat of the day had cooled down dramatically, helped by a breeze that blew their hair away from their faces. Matt’s mother was a wonderful, caring woman. It was easy to tell by the offering to take her in to their home. A complete stranger who’d come to Montana with her brother in hopes of a better life.

  “I’m sorry to have embarrassed you in such a manner,” Denise Corson told her. “I thought he heard me call out when we arrived.”

  Kathryn smiled. “Years from now, you will laugh when thinking about it. I’m not embarrassed. As I said, I’ve seen my share of men’s bodies. I have a brother after all, and working as a nurse during the awful war back east…” she left off not daring to think about the losses caused by the Civil War. “Is Matt your only son?”

  “Yes. The Lord only blessed us with one child. We hoped for more, but after Matt, I never conceived again.”

  They arrived at the house and climbed the steps to the porch. Kathryn inhaled the wonderful aroma of the pot roast they’d left warming in the oven. “I’ll put these flowers in water. Why don’t you sit down and rest. I’ll bake the bread and get everything set up.”

  “Goodness Kathryn, you’re going to spoil me. You’ve only been here a few hours and are doing much more than you should. I don’t expect you to do all this,” the woman protested as she sat at the table and let out a long breath. “But I will admit, it’s very nice.”

  It was the only way she could repay them for their gracious hospitality. Kathryn proposed payment when they’d offered their home and both of Matt’s parents had adamantly refused. So she’d immediately taken over housekeeping chores.

  The meal was ready when Matt walked through the door. He went directly to his mother and kissed her on the brow. “It smells delicious. Did you make my favorite pot roast?”

  “Actually, Kathryn did all the cooking. She won’t let me lift a finger.” Mrs. Corson smiled up at her son and beamed when her husband walked in behind him. Father and son were very much alike. It was easy to tell why Matt was as attractive as he was. With broad shoulders and sandy brown hair that he wore a bit too long, he favored his father. His eyes, however, a mixture of green and fall leaves, he’d inherited from his mother.

  The family sat at the table and Kathryn served them. The entire time, Mrs. Corson kept a running commentary of every little deed she’d done since arriving. Kathryn cringed at the obvious push for Matt to see her as marriage material.

  Kathryn sat in the empty seat next to Matt and began to eat. She didn’t contribute to the conversation since his father had rescued her by talking to Matt about farming. It seemed the man had recently recovered from a long illness and still counted on his son for overseeing things.

  “Why did you come out west?” Matt's question caught her off guard. Kathryn put her fork down and considered how best to answer. “After the war, I had little left to call my own. Our family home was burned to the ground. The small plot of land that was left was not worth much of anything. Although my brother and I have relatives in Virginia, none were in a position to help. When my brother asked me to come along with him and his family, I readily accepted.”

  The entire time she spoke, his gaze remained on her, his expression somber. She could tell he mulled her words over, although he didn’t respond.

  After the meal, Kathryn cleaned up the dishes until Mrs. Corson shooed her out of the room. “Go outside and sit on the porch a bit. It’s a beautiful evening.”

  No one was in the front room when she walked through it and out onto the spacious porch. There were chairs with a small table between them. There were several large pots filled to brimming with herbs and other plants, their leaves extending out to the sunlight. A large, brown dog lifted its head and studied her for a moment before returning to its nap.

  The sun had just set, only its rays sending shimmers of yellow and gold across the expanse of the land. Kathryn let out a breath at the beautiful sight. It was then she noticed Matt. He sat on the edge of the porch with another dog that looked up at him with adoration. He spoke in low tones to the animal, which was obviously quite old.

  Kathryn neared and looked down at them. “Is something wrong with the dog?”

  “Just old. Probably don’t have much time left.” He patted the dog’s large head and the animal licked his wrist. “This is Buster. He’s been the family dog for almost fifteen years.”

  She leaned over and patted the dog’s head. “Hello there old fellow.”

  Just like the wonderful surroundings, Matt took her attention. Up close she noticed the crinkling on the sides of his eyes from time outdoors and how long his eyelashes were. The man was definitely attractive beyond words. Yet she instinctively felt a distance. He took refuge behind silence and kept people back with walls that seemed impenetrable.

  “I appreciate your parents for allowing me to stay here. I am hoping to find work in town soon and settle there. Would you be able to take me to town so that I can inquire for housekeeping jobs or perhaps in assisting the town doctor?” She waited as he straightened and walked with her to the chairs. He was quite a bit taller than her since she was small in stature. If he were to become her husband, she would always feel protected. Safe.

  “You’ve nursed before?”

  “Yes, I learned from my aunt who assisted doctors in the care of the many wounded during the war. Took a few classes but that ended when the fighting reached Tennessee.” He listened while she told him of the many men who valiantly fought for what they believed in. About boys who’d died much too young. The evening turned to darkness as she continued to talk, encouraged by his short questions. In her mind, she could see spending many evenings like this. Sharing each other’s lives, pasts and futures. Although he didn’t speak much, it was comfortable to sit with him and talk, telling him about a part of her life she’d carry always.

  “I should be on my way,” he told her, not moving from his seat. “If you would like, I’ll take you to town the day after tomorrow. The mercantile and post office are closed on Sunday. It will be late morning, once I get the cows and horses looked after.”

  She smiled, excited at the prospect of not only spending more time with him, but also going to the town and meeting some of the people. “Thank you so much. That is perfectly fine.”

 

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