Debra Holland - [Montana Sky 02] by Starry Montana Sky Page B

sun descended behind Copper Mountain, fading the blue sky to purple and coating their surroundings with gray shadows. An aspen grove sheltered a small fenced cemetery plot, the shivering of the new leaves in the breeze providing an accompaniment to any spirits who might linger to chat. He never rode past without thinking about Alicia. When time permitted, he liked to stop, sit on the wooden bench next to her grave, and talk to her about the ranch, her garden, and especially their daughter. A little girl growing up without her mother. He wondered what Alicia would say about his day…about Samantha.
    Wyatt tried to sort through his feelings. He’d started the morning frustrated that the widow had taken Ezra’s ranch. He’d been annoyed by her midget horses, had almost quarreled withher, and then had felt an unexpected attraction. He’d ended up guilty about the thought of riding away and leaving her on that run-down ranch with those rapscallion Cassidy boys. Now he hauled those very boys to his home. He didn’t want to think about what the evening might bring…
    A vision of Samantha in his bed, firelight playing over her naked white skin and burnishing a tendril of auburn hair curling over her breast, rose to his mind. He imagined brushing aside the hair, touching the softness of her breast with his fingers, his mouth—
    “Mr. Thompson? Mr. Thompson!”
    He snapped to attention, the heat in his groin leaping up to flush his face. What was he thinking? To invite a lady over for the night, offer his hospitality and the protection of his home, then think lewd thoughts about her…He was a gentleman, not a cad. He only hoped his imaginings weren’t written on his face for Samantha to read. Or for Alicia’s spirit to see. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”
    Her upturned face reflected only curiosity. His relief washed away the embarrassment.
    “I was wondering how much longer before we reach your ranch?”
    “We’ve been on my land for a while. I should have told you when we crossed the boundary.” He pointed. “Round that clump of trees we’ll see the house and barns. Then it’s only a few more minutes.”
    “Thank goodness.”
    Although fatigue shaded her eyes, she sat erect on the buggy seat, shoulders straight. A shaft of admiration pierced him. She’d traveled a long way and put up with who knows what kind of inconveniences and hardships. When she’d arrived, she receivedan unfriendly welcome from her nearest neighbor, found her new home to be too run down to spend the first night there, and was now on the way to a strange house. He had no doubt that tomorrow she’d be up to her elbows in soapsuds, scrubbing her home from floor to ceiling. She didn’t seem like the kind of woman to leave all that work to Maria.
    Wyatt admired that quality. He leaned closer. “You must be tired and hungry.”
    “Very.”
    “I’m sure you’d like to get cleaned up.”
    She sighed. “Yes. And the boys could certainly use a bath.”
    He cleared his throat. “Won’t be a problem. Had a bathing room installed in the house last year. You can enjoy a bath”—he pushed aside a vision of her soaking in his tub—“while the boys bathe at the bunkhouse. I’ll see to them.”
    “The twins might make it difficult for you.”
    “I’ll handle them.”
    “Thank you.” Appreciation lightened the weary look on her face. “Just being able to sleep in a bed that doesn’t move will be a treat. Are you sure you have enough room for all of us?”
    He grinned. They rounded the last cluster of trees. “Just look.”
    “Oh, my,” Samantha said.
    As always, the sight of his ranch settled satisfaction deep in his belly. So different from the hovel where he’d spent his youth…He never took the view for granted. His gaze swept around, making sure all was well. The big white house gleamed golden in the final rays of the setting sun. The lilac bushes planted by Alicia in the corner of the picketed yard were budding. In a month any