Montana Sky: Murdoch's Bride (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 3)

  Text copyright ©2016 by the Author.

  This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Debra Holland. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Montana Sky remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Debra Holland, or their affiliates or licensors.

  For more information on Kindle Worlds: http://www.amazon.com/kindleworlds

  Murdoch’s Bride

  By

  Caroline Clemmons

  Welcome to Montana Sky Series Kindle World, where authors write books set in my 1880s “world” of Sweetwater Springs and Morgan’s Crossing, Montana. Aside from providing the backdrop of setting and townsfolk, I haven’t contributed to the stories in any way. The authors bring their own unique vision and imagination to the KW books, sometimes tying them into their own series.

  Murdoch’s Bride is written by Caroline Clemmons. I met Caroline online in 2012. Although we met only briefly at a Romantic Times Convention in 2015, we are in several of the same Facebook groups and collaborated on a box set titled Courting The West.

  I hope you enjoy reading The Rancher and the Shepherdess.

  Debra Holland

  Chapter One

  Near Sweetwater Springs, Montana, February 1887

  Charity Kelso clasped her hands in her lap and mentally counted to ten. Only the thought of watching her former fiancé wed her younger sister Anne could have induced her to act as companion to her fussy Aunt Edwina. Although Charity was fond of her aunt, nothing ever pleased the woman who complained constantly.

  Beside her, Amelia Douglas adjusted the black veil over her blonde hair and whispered. “How you can keep from losing your temper is beyond me. You certainly are well-named.”

  “Not if you consider my thoughts.” Exhaling her frustration, she looked at the young widow. “Truthfully, she’s a fine woman who has many genuine reasons to be unhappy. I just wish she didn’t make others as miserable as she is.”

  Charity’s aunt lifted her head. “What are you two whispering about? You think I don’t know you’re saying unkind things about me? The impertinence of young women these days is shocking, simply shocking.”

  “We were trying not to disturb you, Aunt Edwina. I thought you were dozing.” Her aunt was an attractive woman in her early fifties, but her displeasure with everything marred her lovely features.

  Her aunt wriggled on her seat. “How could anyone sleep through this? These seats are uncomfortable, not at all like those on the earlier cars.”

  About which her aunt had also complained. With a sigh, Charity stood to help. “Let me fluff the pillow the conductor provided. Perhaps that will help.”

  Her aunt batted away Charity’s hands. “Oh, leave me alone, you silly girl. No wonder your fiancé found Anne more appealing. She has a lovely disposition and winning ways about her.”

  Charity sat down with an angry flounce of her skirts. “Why shouldn’t she? She’s always had everything she’s ever wanted.” As well as everything Charity had wanted. The fact that her own sister had openly tried to win Charity’s fiancé still hurt, but not as much as did the fact that Wallace fell for Anne’s tricks.

  Her aunt wasn’t through complaining. “There’s no way to be comfortable. Either we’re too cold back here or too hot nearer the stove. I vow we’ll all catch our deaths before we reach Oregon.”

  Charity watched the expanse of white outside the window next to Amelia. She’d seen winter storms in New York, but nothing like they’d experienced this week. Yesterday, she’d been afraid the train would have to stop and wait out the storm in the middle of nowhere. At least the snow had ceased, but it lay deep everywhere she looked. Through the center of the window not covered by frost, a cluster of houses and a few businesses were visible.

  “We’re coming into a station. Perhaps there’ll be time for a stretch of our legs.”

  Her aunt’s frown increased. “In this cold? Are you trying to kill me, you thoughtless girl? I—Oh-h-h.”

  They were thrown from their seats as the train lurched and emitted a horrendous screech and crunch. The floor tilted. When Charity gained her feet she saw the stove at the front of the car had tipped over and spilled hot coals onto the wooden floor.

  She tugged on Aunt Edwina’s arm to help her rise. “Hurry, the car will be on fire in seconds.”

  Sure enough, someone near the stove cried, “Fire!”

  The car had listed heavily to the right. It must have jackknifed off the rails. In a frenzy, passengers rose and began grabbing what they could carry. Some were already pushing and shoving their way to freedom.

  Aunt Edwina protested, “We’ll freeze out there. There’s nowhere to rest in sight.”

  Amelia picked up her valise and offered her arm. “Charity and I will help you, Mrs. Shaw. Hold my arm while Charity carries your belongings.”

  By the time Charity grabbed as many of their valises and bags as she could carry, Amelia had her aunt near the exit. Smoke filled the car and flames shot up where the stove had spilled. The crush of frightened people shoving to escape made staying on her feet difficult. Coughing from the choking smoke, Charity struggled toward the exit. Thankfully, the car hadn’t carried many passengers.

  When she managed to climb down the steps onto the snow, Amelia and Aunt Edwina were waiting for her.

  Her aunt pulled a handkerchief from her cuff and looked as if she would break out in sobs. “Reggie is expecting me. We can’t delay here in this frozen wilderness.”

  “Aunt Edwina, we have no choice. The best thing is to remain calm.”

  Her aunt stopped a conductor walking beside the rails. “Will someone come for us or do we have to walk through the snow?”

  “Ma’am, the engine hit a stuck switch and derailed. Now this passenger car is burning and the other one is likely to do the same. We’re lucky the snow will prevent the fire’s spread.”

  He pushed past them but called over his shoulder, “You’re unsafe here. Better get moving toward the station as best you can.”

  Although they had warm coats, the wind sliced into Charity and took away her breath. At least those in front of them had stamped a trail through deep snow that still slipped inside her half boots and made walking difficult. Fortunately, the stiff breeze blew the smoke away from them.

  Even leaning on Amelia and her, covering the quarter mile to the station must be painful for Aunt Edwina. Her aunt alternated between talk of her son and complaining at the conditions.

  Once they reached the station, they entered and stood with the other passengers. Getting in out of the freezing weather was more than welcome. The hems of their skirts were wet and ice patches had formed.

  A tall man made way for Aunt Edwina to sit on a bench. She plopped down as if she could stand no longer. Charity thanked him and stood beside her aunt. Shy Amelia scooted near them.

  Aunt Edwina hugged her arms. “I’ve never been so cold. Is there no relief in sight?”

  A man of medium height, pleasant expression, and wearing a badge climbed up onto the counter. “Folks, I’m Sheriff Rand Mather and the stationmaster here is Jack Waite. Don’t you worry. Although the two passenger cars are on fire, quick thinking men disconnected the rest of the train and your baggage is safe.”

  A relieved murmur rippled through the group.

  The sheriff paused for the sound to die. “Sweetwater Springs is a friendly place but we don’t have a hotel. I’m going to find you folks places to stay u
ntil the tracks are clear and a replacement train can get here to take you on to your destinations.”

  The tall man who’d relinquished his seat pushed through the crowds. “Many of us have businesses to run, Sheriff. How long do you expect we’ll be stranded here?”

  Other passengers commented at once.

  Sheriff Mather held up his hands for silence. “From the look of the sky, more snow’s on the way by this evening. You’re likely stuck here for a couple of weeks. Jack here is also the telegraph operator and you can send telegrams to those expecting you.”

  The rumble of astonishment and complaint rolled through the crowd. Then people crowded the stationmaster with requests for wires to be sent.

  The sheriff said, “Don’t despair. Our townspeople will be coming by to offer you lodging.” He hopped down from the counter and left.

  Sure enough, townspeople struggled into the station. One or two at a time, they invited the passengers into their homes. A Mrs. Murphy invited one couple. Mrs. Cobb didn’t smile when she offered to take a couple and their two teen-aged children home with her.

  Charity leaned near her aunt’s ear. “Please stop complaining and be pleasant or no one will invite us to their home. I’ll send a telegram to Reggie for you.”

  But, Aunt Edwina complained unendingly. People avoided making eye contact with her and hovered on the opposite side of the small station.

  Reverend Norton invited a couple to his home with a warning that the guest room was tiny. Mr. Ward warned the woman he invited that there was a new baby in the house that sometimes woke them during the night.

  Mrs. Reiner invited two to share her home. “There’s no use riding out to ask the Muellers because they still don’t speak enough English to communicate without my husband or me to act as translator.”

  Even the sheriff offered the use of the jail to four men, each of whom was traveling alone.

  When at last only Charity, her Aunt Edwina, and Amelia were left, Charity stood with her hands at her hips and glared at her aunt.

  “Aunt Edwina, do you see what your complaining has cost us? No one wants to have us in their home because of you. Amelia has been tarred by the same brush because she stood with us. How do you feel knowing we’ll have to stay here in the station with nowhere to sleep?”

  Mr. Waite shook his head and waved a hand. “No, Ma’am, you can’t sleep here. You heard the sheriff. Being stranded here is going to be at least a two-week deal and I can’t have women staying here. There’s three men gonna sleep on the benches soon as they get their bags claimed. I ain’t got no facilities for women to stay here. Mack Taylor at the livery stable’s hospitable and would likely let you sleep on the hay. If you kind of burrow into the straw, you won’t freeze.”

  Aunt Edwina’s face flushed with anger. “I’m about to pass out from the long walk here and now you tell me there’s no place for me to lay my head?”

  The sheriff, who had come back halfway through the stationmaster’s speech, tipped his hat. “Don’t despair, Ladies. Tell me your names and give me your baggage claim tickets. I’ll return shortly with a solution.”

  After the sheriff had gone, Charity stood at a window and watched him stride to the mercantile. Now she was sorry she’d agreed to come with Aunt Edwina. She understood the woman was unhappy and the many reasons why, but her aunt didn’t need to spread her discontent like typhoid fever.

  After about ten minutes, the sheriff left the mercantile and hurried back their way. When he came in, he rubbed his hands together near the stove in spite of his gloves, wool scarf, and heavy coat.

  “Murdoch boys are going to take you to their ranch. They have a big house with plenty of room for you to wait in comfort. You’ll have a cold ride, but they have the cover on their wagon so their supplies won’t get wet if the snow starts up again.”

  Charity stood next to the sheriff. “Do they live nearby?”

  He smiled and winked. “Yes, by Montana standards. They’re about an hour from town.”

  Aunt Edwina unfolded from her seat on a bench. “An hour in the open in this weather. Are you insane, Sheriff? We’ll catch pneumonia.”

  Patient as if talking to a child, the sheriff said, “Ma’am, this is your only choice. If the boys hadn’t come to stock up before more bad weather hits, you wouldn’t have this. Only other place I have to put you is like Jack said, the livery stable.”

  “You’d place three defenseless women in a livery stable? I have never been so insulted.”

  Charity took her aunt’s hand. “Remember, Aunt Edwina. Your complaining is why we don’t have accommodations. If you don’t want us to be living in a livery stable for however long it takes to clear the tracks and get another train here, you had better be quiet and just smile all the way to the Murdoch home.”

  The stationmaster looked at Edwina. “Your niece is right, Ma’am. Your complaining scared off the townsfolk. You’d best not irritate the Murdoch brothers. They don’t think much of women in the first place.”

  Her aunt glared at the stationmaster. “And why not?”

  He only leaned back in his chair by the stove. “That ain’t my story to tell.”

  In only five or so minutes, the sheriff looked out the window. “Ladies, here’re your hosts. The Murdoch boys picked up your trunks and are ready to go home. Shall I walk you to their wagon?”

  Aunt Edwina stuck her nose in the air and tugged her wrap more firmly around herself. The sheriff offered his arm and her aunt leaned on him. Charity gathered up their belongings again, but this time Amelia helped since the sheriff was escorting her aunt.

  Amelia walked beside Charity. “I thought we were doomed to sleep with the horses.”

  “Thank heavens the sheriff found some poor unsuspecting souls to take us to their home. I hope Aunt Edwina doesn’t ruin everything before we even reach their house.”

  “You scared her in the station. The threat of a stable shook her hard.”

  “We’ll see. If I made an impression that stops her grumbling, that’ll be a first. She’s complained every mile we’ve traveled from Albany.”

  Amelia giggled. “Glad I didn’t join you until Chicago.”

  At the edge of the platform, two men helped Aunt Edwina into their covered wagon, which was on skids like a sleigh. They took packages and valises from her and Amelia and then helped them climb into the wagon bed.

  Each man had a scarf over the lower part of his face and his hat pulled low. Charity had no idea what the boys looked like because only their eyes showed through the scarf swathing. All she could discern was that they were tall.

  One of them tossed a buffalo hide their way. “Cover yourselves.”

  “Thank you.” Charity spread the heavy covering over her aunt’s, Amelia’s, and her own legs while they sat on trunks. She supposed the heavy hide was meant to protect their two hosts.

  A rich baritone cautioned, “You ladies hold on.” He clicked to the horses and they were on the way.

  What kind of place was Montana? Even with a cover on the wagon and the thick hide blanket, Charity had never been so cold. Wet hems didn’t help.

  “Perhaps huddling together will protect us better.” She scooted closer to her aunt.

  Amelia moved to Edwina’s other side.

  Aunt Edwina rubbed a gloved hand on the covering and whispered, “What is this thing?”

  “I believe it’s a buffalo hide and will keep us from freezing. This is the best we can do, Aunt Edwina. Be charitable and accept our fate.”

  Her aunt glared at her and her whisper hissed, “This hide is filthy and smelly. I’m being charitable to allow it to touch me. Only the cold could induce me to do so.”

  “What else do you suggest I do? We’ve been rescued. If the boys hear you complaining, they’re likely to take us back to town.”

  Thankfully, her aunt didn’t say anything else. Maybe the threat of a livery stable really had made an impression. Time would tell.

  ***

  Logan Murdoch was m
ad as a cornered bear. Sheriff Mather had put him and Sean in an awkward position. Maybe Jenny would enjoy having other women around to help her with housekeeping, but she was the only one.

  Sean looked at Logan. “Papa sure isn’t going to like this one bit. He’ll hang us in the smokehouse like sides of beef.”

  “You think I like the situation? Sheriff Mather twisted us to his way of thinking, didn’t he? Talking about what a bind he was in and how ‘three innocent women’ had no place to stay. Since everyone else had a place, makes you wonder why these three weren’t invited to lodge with someone in town.”

  Sean glanced over his head before answering, “I figure it’s the old woman. You see the face on her? Not bad looking for her age but I’ll bet a smile would shatter her features. Probably hasn’t laughed in years.”

  “She and the youngest are widows. The blonde is related to the old one.”

  “You know their names?”

  “Yeah, had to get their trunks, remember? The old one is Mrs. Shaw. The young widow is Mrs. Douglas and the blonde is Miss Kelso. But, I don’t want to get on a first name basis with them. See them at meals and steer clear the rest of the time.”

  His brother gave him a look that said he thought Logan was crazy. “Man, it’s too cold to stay out more than we have to.”

  “I know, Sean, but I think we’re hauling home a load of trouble.

  Sean glanced behind him and then turned back forward. “They got enough baggage to last a year. Hate to think what Papa is going to say to us.”

  “I tell you, Sheriff Mather didn’t leave me any way to refuse. Not good to get on the bad side of a lawman. He promised he’ll let us know as soon as the track’s clear.”

  “Sure hope the rail crew works fast.”

  “They’ll have to wait for equipment to come from Crenshaw or further, and the blizzard blowing in will delay them. We’re stuck with houseguests for a long spell.” He took a couple of sausage-filled biscuits from a paper bag. “Take a couple then pass them back.”

  Chapter Two