No man came to my door to sweep me off my feet.
I did. His thumb brushed her chin, forcing her gaze to him. The sadness in her eyes shamed him. Hed disliked her, hed forgotten her, hed tried to avoid her in town for years and married her for conveniences sake, but the truth was, his heart felt as new as dawns first light whenever he looked at her.
You didnt sweep me off my feet, Nick. You offered me an arrangement.
Sure, I was trying to get my laundry done free, so I proposed.
And I was trying to get a man to feed and shelter me.
And dont forget clothe you. I did include new dresses in the marriage deal.
Tenderly. Thats how he spoke to her. Gently, thats how he held her hand. She couldnt begin to say how much that meant to her.
Acclaim for Jillian Harts recent books
Bluebonnet Bride
Ms. Hart expertly weaves a fine tale of the hearts ability to find love after tragedy. Pure reading pleasure!
Romantic Times
Montana Man
a great read!
Rendezvous
Coopers Wife
a wonderfully written romance full of love and laughter.
Rendezvous
High Plains Wife
Jillian Hart
www.millsandboon.co.uk
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Montana Territory, 1881
T he high Montana prairie spread out like forever in all directions, broken only by small knolls and glens and the miles of fences. The land was bright green and new, for spring had come to the plains, and the sun was brilliant and warm. Mariah Scott swiped the afternoons grit from her face with her sleeve and gave her slow-moving ox a snap of the reins.
Git up, she ordered, but the animal didnt move one bit faster. Maybe there was no getting around the fact that shed been swindled at the auction last week when shed purchased the ox. Clearly a mistake she was sorely regretting.
And to add insult to injury, the beast had to slow down on the road right in the middle of Nick Grays fields. Of all the places on the earth to linger, this wasnt the one she would choose.
Shed been in love with him once, a foolish young girl embroidering pillowcases for her hope chest. Some things were not to be, and it had been a hard lesson. It had been long ago now, but thinking of Nick Gray could still make her heart ache for what could never be.
Nick is sure to be looking for a wife now that hes widowed, Rayna Ludgrin had predicted at Sunday dinner. What with two little ones without a mother to care for them.
Its not likely to be me. Mariah smoothed her gloved hand over her second best dressthin from years of wearingand knew how much shed changed. She was no longer young and faintly pretty, and now, whenever a man looked at her, he saw a practical hardworking woman.
No doubt thats what Nick Gray saw, too.
Enough dallying, Mariah. She had no time to waste on thoughts of that man. She had clean laundry to deliver and wouldnt get paid until she did. Mariah touched the thick leather reins on the oxs rump and bit back a curse when the animal locked his legs and the wagon groaned to a stop in the middle of the rutted road.
Git up, she repeated.
The stubborn beast planted his hooves more firmly.
Exasperated, Mariah smacked him again, this time firmly enough to make a sound, but it wasnt hard enough to do any good. If I could afford to sell you, then I would. You are a bad boy.
The gentle giant lifted his head, apparently unconcerned, and took advantage of the scant wind cooling his warm coat.
I bought you because you were cheap, and that was my biggest mistake. Frustrated, she climbed down from the high seat. Her shoes hit the ground and dust clouded the air. Coughing, she tugged an apple out of her pocket. Heres your bribe. Now will you pull my wagon?
The big ox glanced at her through narrowed eyes, as if he were considering her offer.
Even though I cant afford it, I could sell you to the stockyards, she bluffed.
As if he understood perfectly, he took the apple.
That was one problem solved. While the bovine crunched on the treat, Mariah patted him on the neck. He was a pretty creature, gleaming reddish-brown in the sun.
Turning to the wagon, she heard the smallest sound, sweet in tone like a lark but as heartbreaking as the wind. So quiet, had she imagined it? No, there it was again. A tiny sniffling sound like a child crying.
A child? Was one lost out here on the endless plains? She might be a spinster and never a mother, but she knew the dangers to a child alone on the prairie.
This time the sound was a muffled sob. Definitely someone small and in need of help. It had to be coming from the empty field next to the road. Unbroken new grass waved tall and proud and so thick, Mariah couldnt see anything but an ocean of green. There was no sign that a childor anything elsewas nearby.
The ox bellowed and swiveled his ears, lifting his huge head to gaze far out into the fields.
Maybe that was why the ox had stopped, Mariah realized. He could have known there was trouble. She patted him again, deciding maybe he wasnt beyond redeeming, and hiked her skirts up to her ankles. Dust whirled around her as she climbed carefully through the tricky barbs of the wire fence.
The crying sounded nearer. Tiny gulps of sobs that lured Mariah through the thick grasses until she spotted a flash of pink between the green stalks. The last thing she wanted to do was to frighten the child. Hello? Are you lost?
The stems parted and the flash of pink became a girl dressed in calico. Her pixies face was streaked with tears. You aint my mama.
Poor child, lost and alone. Mariahs heart melted, just like that. She dug in her pocket for a bright shiny apple. Are you hungry?
The girls blond curls brushed her shoulders as she shook her head.
You dont like apples?
I got cookies. The child lifted her heavy satchel, tears trailing through the dust on her cheeks. But Im savin em.
Looks like youre packed for a trip.
Im goin to heaven. Thats where Pa said my mama went. Im gonna go get her.
Mariahs heart cinched tight. Sympathy welled up in her so fast, she couldnt speak at first. She didnt know what to say to a child whod lost a mother to suicide. While she tried to figure that out, she knelt until she was eye level with the little girl, who looked so miserable and alone. So helplessly small and precious. Your pa has to be awful worried about you. He wouldnt want you to go look for your mama.
He dont want me. The child leaned close to whisper, hiccuping on a sob. He dont love me no more.
Sympathy ached like a nail driven deep in her chest, and Mariah couldnt resist sweeping a tangled lock of damp curls from the girls cheek. Mariah knew what it was like not to be loved, and by all accounts this child of Nick Grays was well treasured. The dress she wore was finely made without a wrinkle in it, her shoes dusty but without a single scuff.
Still, she understood how it felt to have a broken heart.
Thats my wagon right down there. Do you see my ox?
The girl tilted her head, considering, and nodded once.
His name is Bad Boy, but hes really very nice. If you bribe him with apples. Mariah held out her hand. Would you like to feed him one?
I gotta find my ma.
Thats a long, long way. Youd better come with me, instead.
The girls brow wrinkled as she considered. Im awful tired of walkin.
Good. Your satchel looks heavy. Want me to take it?
Nope. I can do it. She wrapped both hands around the thick handle and tugged the satchel along on the ground, over every bump and grass hump.
Im Mariah. I bet your name is Georgie.
How do you know? She wiped the last of her tears on her sleeve.
I told you. I know your pa.
While Georgie apparently thought about that, she gave her bag another tug. Im awful thirsty. Do you got cider in that wagon?
I have water. Will that do?
Yep.
Mariah slowed her pace, waiting for Georgie. A chill snaked down her spine. It was suddenly so quiet. No birds were singing. The prairie lay deathly still. Not even the wind blew. Bad Boy was fidgeting in his traces, a sure sign of trouble. With the height of the grass, a wild animal, even a wolf, could be stalking them and Mariah might not see the danger in time.
She stepped closer to the child. It would be best to get Georgie into the wagon as soon as possible. There was a loaded Winchester beneath the seat, and she knew how to use it if she had to.
Let me carry that, Georgie. The faster we get to the wagon, the sooner we can get you a drink of
There was a streak of brown in the field ahead. In an instant it was gone and the green grass stood tall and motionless, as if it had never been disturbed.
Mariah knew better. It wasnt a wolf, but a coyote, and they always hunted in packs. She shivered, aware of the cold prickle in her bones. They didnt want her. It was the small child theyd scented.
She pulled Georgie to her skirts. Contented coyotes were one thing, but hungry packs roamed these prairies that were settling up fast.
She had to get Georgie out of this field. She swung the girl onto her hip and held her tight, walking as fast as she dared. Her skirts snapped with her stride and the sound of her breathing rang loud.
The coyotes emerged soundlessly in a perfect circle, cutting off her escape. There were a dozen of them, crouched, teeth bared, ready to attack in unison.
She skidded to a stop. What was she to do? Hunger gleamed in their eyes and she recognized an eerie determination. They didnt intend to back down.
Well, neither did she.
Shoo! She snapped the hem of her apron at the coyote directly in front of her. You could never tell, maybe that would frighten him off.
Maybe not.
The leader of the pack didnt flinch or lower his gaze. He was hungry, she could see that in the ridge of bones showing through his matted coat. He crept closer, and the pack followed his lead, closing the circle. Trouble. Fear spilled like ice water into Mariahs blood.
She had to act fast.
You leave us alone! She snatched an apple from her pocket and threw.
The apple hit the leader between the eyes. He dropped to the ground and shook his head.
Good thing she had more apples. She grabbed another and lobbed it at a second coyote. It struck him in the shoulder and knocked him to the ground.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a streak of brown. Georgie screamed the same moment Mariah felt teeth clamp at her nape. A heavy weight settled on her back and threatened to drag her down. How dare that coyote! Mariah whirled around, beating him in the nose with her fist until he slid from her back, taking her chignon with him. Her hair tumbled into her face. There were so many of them. How could she fight them all?
Georgie screamed again. The leader was on his feet and leaping, lunging for the little girls throat.
Mariah tossed her last apple. The coyote howled at the impact. In pain, he slunk into the grass. Already the rest of the pack was backing away.
A gunshot echoed across the field, and Mariah swung around to see mounted men emerging over the grassy knoll, their guns raised.
Shed never seen a more welcome sight. Relief left her weak as the coyotes dispersed into the grasses, disappearing as if they had never been.
Pa! Georgie screamed as she slid from Mariahs arms and waded through the grass toward one of the approaching riders. Pa!
With his dark Stetson hiding his face, Nick Gray bent to scoop the little girl into his arms. She held him fiercely, clinging to his wide shoulders. He looked stronger than ever, holding his child.
Mariah couldnt hear his words, only the mumble of his voice, distant and low and soothing. She tore her gaze from him, fighting to ignore the hitch of longing deep inside. The sharp twinge of emotion shamed her.
She was too old to pine after some man she didnt even like. Tucking her hair into some order, she gathered her skirts and turned her back on Nick before he recognized her. The last thing on this earth she wanted to do was to have to talk to him.
Riders galloped past her, searching out the fleeing coyotes.
Are you all right, maam? one of them asked.
Fine. She didnt look at him as she trudged through the thick grasses.
Georgie was safe and in her fathers strong arms. There was no reason for her to stay, or for Nicholas Gray to say a single word to her. She was running late, and she had deliveries to make. She had no time for small talk.
Maam! Wait up. A deep, captivating male voice rumbled across the prairie.
Nicks voice.
She cringed. So, he still hadnt recognized her, had he? She walked faster.
Maam, youre bleeding.
Im fine.
Hooves clipped behind her, vibrating the earth. You dont look fine. I saw that coyote jump you, and I feared the worst. He scratched you up pretty bad. Your dress is torn.
So, he still hadnt recognized her, had he? She kept her back to him and refused to comment. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away.