Montana Promise (McCutcheon Family Series Book 10) Read online

  Luke thought her voice suited someone not yet twenty. The soft, high-pitched tone almost made him blink.

  Colton’s lips twitched several times as he looked up at Luke. The silent communication telegraphed his humor.

  “Joe has shared many stories about your family and ranch,” she went on. “He thinks the world of all the McCutcheons. Please, call me Pearl.”

  Joe’s proud smile was heartwarming.

  “Now I understand why we haven’t seen him around Y Knot for some time.” Luke chuckled and thumped Joe affectionately on the shoulder while being careful not to jar Mrs. Brunn. “You’ve been courting. Your letter inviting us to your wedding surprised us all.”

  “Sure did, Mr. Brunn.” Colton smiled at Joe. “Everyone was excited.”

  Luke puffed out his chest. His son was growing into a well-spoken young man.

  “Even the ranch hands,” Colton continued. “They’ve been taking bets on what your bride would look like.”

  Pearl softly gasped and looked indignantly at Joe, whose mouth promptly fell open.

  Colton, with eyes as wide as harvest moons, hung his head, wishing, Luke was sure, that the ground would open under his feet. His gaze jerked up to Luke’s for help.

  Desperate to fix things, Luke blurted out, “I didn’t know that! If they are, I’m sure those crusty cowboys are all just jealous. I’ll be happy to report back Mrs. Brunn is as pretty as springtime in the high plains and sounds like an angel.” Luke searched his mind on how to change the subject. He’d be sure to remind Colton that what was said in the bunkhouse was not to be repeated. Anywhere! No exceptions. “The service was real nice. I wasn’t aware Reverend Crittlestick was making the trip. Looks like he’s enjoying the festivities as much as everyone else.”

  Luke gestured to the front of the room where Y Knot’s circuit preacher was surrounded by a handful of chattering women.

  “That he is,” Joe said after giving a hearty laugh. “That’s Widow Kane who has his ear. Mildred doesn’t act like an eighty-year-old.” He grasped Luke’s hand. “Thanks for making the trip.”

  Luke lifted a shoulder. “We’ve enjoyed the time away. Colton has a new horse he’s wanted to put to the test in new surroundings. We’ve taken our time and done some hunting.”

  “How long will you stay?” Joe asked.

  “We’ll take a day or two to see the town, then head back. We don’t have any solid plans. I left a gift for you and Pearl over on the table. From all of us.”

  A sentimental expression crossed Joe’s features. “You didn’t need to do that. Just having you here is a present enough.”

  “Just a little something.” Luke waggled his eyebrows.

  Joe scrubbed a hand over his face. “I wish we had more time. Pearl and I are leaving tonight, going north for a few days.”

  “That just means you two will have to plan a trip to Y Knot. Lots of folks there will want to meet her.”

  Pearl nudged her husband. “Joe, have you seen Blanche?” she asked softly. “I haven’t and I’m worried.” She smiled at Luke and Colton “I’m sorry to change the subject, but my brother had to be away on business, and I’m watching over his little wife while he’s away.”

  Joe patted her hand. “She’s here somewhere, darling. Blanche, being Blanche, can do for herself just fine. I’m the only one you should be thinking about today!”

  Luke chuckled. “Go, get socializing. We’ve taken too much of your time already.”

  Joe and Pearl turned and were instantly corralled by several twittering ladies.

  “Don’t know why women put so much stock into weddings,” Colton said quietly at Luke’s side.

  “You’ll understand someday, Colton. But until then, you best not lose any sleep over the matter. Until you’re the one saying the vows, marriage never makes a lick of sense.” He recalled his vows with Faith, getting a light, squishy feeling in his heart. “There’s just something about that tie that binds. You hungry?” He glanced at the buffet table.

  “Sure am.”

  “Let’s go see what they’re serving. I’m hungry too.”

  Women’s heads turned as they made their way through the crowd to the long table covered with a white cloth and an array of foodstuffs. Luke reached for the top dish when a low, sexy voice brought him up short.

  “If it isn’t Luke McCutcheon, in the flesh. I thought I’d fallen asleep and was dreaming.”

  His eyes shot wide open, making the young woman laugh. “Tilly?”

  Before he could think better of the reaction, Luke looked her up and down, not with desire but surprise. The young saloon girl who used to work at the Hitching Post looked very respectable in a blue calico dress that covered everything up to her chin. He’d never have recognized her in a month of Sundays if she hadn’t spoken up. A white lace shawl covered her shoulders, and a feminine ribbon wound through her hair. At one time, she’d set out to marry a McCutcheon, any McCutcheon, and Luke, being the last single brother in town, had garnered all her attention. Tilly then ventured to Priest’s Crossing to take the job Faith had been after in Christine Meek’s mercantile.

  “The one and the same, handsome.” She smiled sweetly at Colton. “This can’t be the same little boy who came to town with your wife? He’s all grown up.” She held out her hand waist high and winked at Colton, making his face flame red. “He was only this tall when I saw him last.”

  Luke cleared his throat. “It’s him, all right. Getting close to being all grown up but not quite.” Tilly, being Tilly, laughed heartily. Seeing her again was good, but so strange in this setting. He was used to fending off the woman’s advances over a shot of whiskey. “Tilly, you look wonderful.” And she did. “I can see the change in scenery was just what you needed.”

  Luke had had a friendly, teasing relationship with her for several years, as did his brothers, and so falling back into the old routine was easy. Before he knew what she was about, she wrapped her arms around him for an affectionate hug. Only then did he notice the bulge in her midsection he knew all too well, still too early to be easily seen. He stepped away.

  “That’s correct, Cowboy. I can see you noticed.” She quickly gazed around the room until she spotted whoever she was looking for. She waved her arm. “Someone is here I’d like you to meet.”

  A bookish-looking man made his way over and stopped at her side. He was average height, clean-cut, and well dressed. “Luke, this is Neil Huntsman, my husband. And the light of my life.”

  Happiness for his friend lifted Luke’s chest. He thrust out his hand to grasp that of the fellow who had given an ex–saloon girl a chance on a new life. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Huntsman. I’m an old friend from Y Knot.”

  “Not that old,” Tilly practically purred.

  Her familiar tone almost made him chuckle.

  “At one time or another, I had a different McCutcheon in my sight—and you the longest, but to no avail. And now I’m glad. You know what they say about unanswered prayers.”

  “A pleasure, Mr. McCutcheon.” For a moment, Neil gazed lovingly at his wife and then ran a hand down her arm.

  He seemed in no way threatened by Tilly’s flirtatious nature. Luke felt certain Mr. Huntsman knew his wife’s history and didn’t care a lick. “Call me Luke,” he responded. “And this is Colton, my son.”

  Neil shook Colton’s hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Huntsman.”

  Tilly’s brows arched. “Such nice manners. Takes after his pa.”

  She always was a tease. “I think congratulations are in order.”

  “Neil is the bookkeeper at the bank next to the mercantile where I work. I spotted him as soon as I arrived.” She leaned into his shoulder. “It was love at first sight.”

  At that proclamation, the man’s eyes warmed.

  Whatever they were doing, they were doing it right.

  “Three weeks passed before I dredged up the nerve to speak with him. I opened an account at the bank with a whole four dollars. Say, wh
ere’re you staying? At the hotel or with Joe?”

  Luke shifted his weight. “At the hotel. I wouldn’t intrude on a man’s wedding night.”

  “Mr. Kasterlee at the hotel is a charmer. Good thing you didn’t bring Faith along—not that you’d have to worry, Luke. Still, he tries so hard to act shy, but in reality—”

  Luke wrestled the smile from his face. “And how exactly do you know all this?”

  “I stayed there my first few days in town. We’re good friends—but just friends. I only have eyes for my husband.”

  Neil calmly stood there and kept the smile on his face.

  Luke was glad he didn’t seem threatened in the least by his ex-saloon-girl wife. She deserved all the happiness she could find. He lifted his glass, intending to take a drink, but Tilly stopped his arm, looking at his knuckles where the skin was torn away.

  “What happened?”

  “Nothin’ much. Skinned ’em last night wrestling some stubborn firewood. Not deep but stung pretty good.”

  “You cowboys should take better care of yourselves.” She lifted one of Neil’s hands admiringly. “Women notice these things.”

  Chapter Three

  Luke and Colton meandered down the street, having left the reception after the festivities concluded. On the main road, down from the hotel, a row of rectangular buildings housed the post office, a newspaper, and a general store. The clang of metal on metal announced the presence of a blacksmith’s shop. Still, beyond the scattered houses, swaths of emerald grass cut through the mountains, and the hilltops were crowned with colorful flowers. Warm air brushed at Luke’s shoulders, whisking away a portion of last winter’s heartbreak. Much more time would have to pass before the heaviness of loss would lift from his soul.

  “Look at that, Pa,” Colton said in the midafternoon light. He pointed through the window at a newfangled icebox. “That sure is fancy. I’ve never seen anything quite like that.”

  “Me either.” Luke couldn’t imagine much need for the likes of that contraption in a small town like Priest’s Crossing, but one never knew.

  Colton stepped away and looked up and down the street. “I’m sure glad that wedding is over. Think we might get in some hunting?”

  “Not until we head back to the ranch.”

  Colton groaned. “But I want to get a deer with my new rifle.”

  “You had your chance several times.” He gave his son a pointed stare. “For the next couple of days, we’re relaxing. Enjoy being somewhere different. The town is small, but we don’t get away often. Who knows? We may discover something interesting. Or have an adventure.”

  Colton jerked his face up to Luke’s, his eyes wide. “In Priest’s Crossing? This town makes Y Knot feel like a city.”

  “How would you know what a city feels like?” he said on a laugh. “By the way, things you hear in the bunkhouse aren’t to be shared with the world. Especially any topic about women. That situation could have gotten messy today. I’m thankful she didn’t want an apology.”

  By his expression, Colton was chewing on his statement.

  “The ranch hands get colorful sometimes, I know. Not everybody needs to hear that kind of talk. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. I thought poor Mrs. Brunn was going to faint.” He chuckled and riffled Colton’s hair, as he’d done so many times before.

  This time, Colton pulled away.

  “You got something stuck in your craw?”

  “Just I’m not a kid anymore, Pa. You’re treating me like a baby.”

  “Guess I am. It’s not intentional.”

  Colton’s mouth flattened.

  He was growing up, Luke supposed. Maybe Colton had a point. “Sorry if I do. I’ll work on that. I just sometimes…”

  “This place don’t even have a boardwalk,” Colton complained.

  “Doesn’t even have a boardwalk. Your mother wouldn’t be happy to hear you using incorrect English.”

  Colton shrugged off the comment.

  A handful of riders passed by, looking the strangers over.

  Luke chuckled.

  “I don’t think they liked us,” Colton whispered when they were far enough away not to be overheard. “What’d we ever do to them?”

  “They’re just being cautious, like we would be with strangers in Y Knot.”

  Colton suddenly pointed. “Look!”

  “Well, I’ll be.” They started across the street a few buildings away. “I wonder what Trent Herrick’s doing up here. I didn’t see him at the wedding. Trent,” Luke called when they were within hearing distance.

  Trent was climbing down from the high seat of his buckboard in front of the hardware and leather shop.

  “What’re you doing in Priest’s Crossing? I didn’t hear any talk of you heading up this way.”

  The man’s face lit up when he saw their approach. “Luke. Colton. This is a surprise.” He grasped Luke’s hand first with a hearty shake and then Colton’s.

  Luke nodded to himself. That may help the boy from feeling like a child.

  Trent hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “Me and Pa are buying out the shop. All the tack and leather goods.”

  The shop he was referring to was rundown and in need of repairs. The gray, grimy window needed a wash. No shingle, sign, or other marking indicated what kind of business resided within the four walls.

  Trent beamed and lifted his chest. “Been haggling the details of the sale for about three or four months. The old man’s tough and been holding out for the best deal he could get, and I don’t blame him. I’ll load up everything tomorrow, lock, stock, and barrel, and head back to Y Knot. Should increase our leather and tack inventory by a good twenty-five percent.”

  Luke nodded and smiled. “Congratulations. That sounds like good business. Y Knot is growing. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

  “I hope so.”

  An older man stepped from the shop, his hands tinted brown from some kind of dark stain. “You gonna stand out there all day, Trent, or are we gonna finish our business? I may die of old age before we get this transaction done.”

  Trent nodded. “I better get moving,” he said quietly. “Don’t want him to be crankier than he already is. Pa and I have been after him for some time to retire and let us buy him out. We were surprised when he finally agreed.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead and glanced at the hotel. “Will I see you two before tomorrow morning? I figure that’s when I’ll be heading back to Y Knot.”

  “Most certainly. We’re just enjoying ourselves before we leave on Monday.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Colton and his pa entered the hotel lobby, the establishment a fourth of the size of Cattlemen’s Hotel back home. The room’s musty smell stuck in Colton’s nose. He headed for the stairway, drawing from his pocket one of the two keys his pa had entrusted to him for safekeeping.

  His pa went to the counter, picked up a newspaper and then glanced at him halfway up the stairs. “You go on, Colton. I’ll find out the best place for supper tonight.” He nodded to the three vacant tables in the corner of the room that constituted the hotel’s own restaurant. “I don’t think we’ll eat here.”

  Colton nodded and turned to go.

  “That’s him, Sheriff,” a female voice said softly. “I’d know that face anywhere.”

  Colton swung around to see two women in the hotel doorway standing behind Jack Jones, the former deputy sheriff of Y Knot who’d been fired last fall. His tall, rangy stature was familiar. At times Jack’s face could be warm and teasing, but at the moment his eyes twitched with what looked like indecision and a bit of fear. His mouth hung wide like a barn door, as if totally surprised. In the same instant, he snapped his lips closed and his face hardened, his gaze granite-edged.

  Jack pulled his gun from his holster. “You sure?”

  An unsure waver filled his voice.

  A pretty girl clutched the arm of the accuser, who had purple bruising around her right eye and face. Her
swollen lip looked painful. She hunched in one direction, holding her side.

  Luke straightened and turned toward the door. “What’s this?”

  Colton’s gaze cut to his pa’s face and then back to Jack Jones.

  “Yes. I’m positively sure, Sheriff. Who could forget those eyes? They’ll haunt my sleep until the day I die.” She burst into tears.

  The younger female turned the battered woman and helped her out the door.

  “I’m taking you in, McCutcheon! You’re under arrest.”

  Pride shot through Colton when an easygoing grin spread across his pa’s face. He wasn’t scared of nothing.

  “Is that right, Jack?” Luke drawled. “You and what army? If I remember back, you’re pretty much afraid of your own shadow.”

  The barrel of Jack’s gun pointed at his pa’s chest.

  “Just keep talking, big fella. You’re digging your grave deeper with each second that passes, I can promise you that.”

  Luke slowly relaxed his elbow back on the hotel counter and, with unhurried, precise movements, inched up his hat with a fingertip. “Okay, Jack, just calm down. I can see you’re serious. This is some kind of misunderstanding, is all. Why don’t you put away your gun and explain what’s going on? I’ll help you figure out things—like Brandon used to in the old days. No need to get testy.”

  His pa’s voice was calm and cool even though Jack’s gun hand quivered in front of him. Colton held his breath. He wished he possessed one quarter of his pa’s courage.

  “We arrived into town late this morning,” Luke went on evenly, darting a quick look to him to make sure he was out of harm’s way. “For Joe’s wedding. We barely had time to stable our horses, get a room and clean up, let alone get mixed up in a crime you think I’m guilty of. Take a deep breath until your heart rate settles, and then we’ll solve this puzzle together.”

  Suddenly, before Colton realized what was happening, a man came through the back hall, swiftly stepped forward, and smacked the back of Luke’s head with the butt of his gun. His pa crumpled to the hard floor with a thump.