To Bed A Montana Man (Montana Men) Read online

  “You got family around here?” He watched the road, and the horses plodded through the drifts.

  “No.” She didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on the snow covered landscape instead. They were in a small valley. Towering on each side were tree-covered mountains.

  A few hours into their journey, Train pulled a sack from under their seat. “Are you hungry?” He placed the bag between them. “I’ll share my lunch.”

  Embarrassed for not thinking of bringing her own lunch, she said, “No, thank you. I ate before we left.”

  “If you change your mind, help yourself,” he said, pulling a crusty piece of bread and a piece of jerky from the bag and then taking a bite.

  Allison’s stomach growled as Train ate the sandwich in five bites. He chuckled softly and looked at the sky. It had grown dark, not just from the winter sun sinking behind the mountains, but because the sky turned ominous. Snow began to fall again. “Doesn’t look like we’ll beat the storm,” Train said.

  “Is there somewhere for us to stop?”

  Train pulled his collar up around his ears. “Nope, we ride it out. Hopefully we’ll get to the ranch before we run out of road.” The smile on his face told her not to worry.

  “Is your given name Train?”

  The brow over his left eye arched.

  “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”

  “People call me Train because I run back and forth to town and drive the herds to auction. Just about everyone at the ranch has a nickname given by the boss. Hell, even the boss goes by TJ. I don’t think anyone knows his real name. Well, except for me.” He winked at her.

  “How do you like working at the Bester Ranch?” Allison tried to sound casual, but she was extremely interested in learning all she could about TJ Bester. She hoped he had an open mind because she was going to apply for a job he’d advertised for a man. There had to be something on a ranch as large as the Bester’s for her to do. She didn’t have experience with anything, so whether helping in the fields, or the house, she needed training.

  “I’ve worked for the Bester’s since I was able to sit on a horse and muck out a stall.”

  “What about Mr. Bester?” She pressed. “Is he a good boss?”

  “Well, there’s not much I can say there. He’s a fair man who works hard for what he has. He’s a private man, Miss Allison, and he doesn’t take to people’s gossip. I figure if you’re expected on business out at the ranch, you know enough about that yourself.”

  Allison didn’t feel it necessary to correct his assumption. She was not expected and probably not wanted. With a persuasive argument, she’d just have to convince TJ Bester that she was the right man for his ranch.

  It was dark when they pulled up to a large building with several illuminated glass windows. The plain looking structure set apart from a few other out buildings. “I’ll take you up to the house as soon as I check in. Sit tight. I’ll be right back.” Train set the break and then jumped from the buckboard. A roar of laughter erupted from inside when Train opened the door and disappeared into the building.

  Allison looked into the distance. The main house sat on a bluff overlooking the property. From here, Allison could only discern a few details. Large bay windows flickered with pale light. When a lump formed in her throat, she swallowed hard. The house looked like a home. A place for a family. She ached to belong somewhere, anywhere.

  “Ready?” Train jumped up, released the break, and set the horses moving.

  As they approached the sprawling, two-level mansion, Allison gasped a breath. Numerous windows glowed with firelight. Several chimneys jutted from the pitched roof and spewed gray, billowing smoke. The front door was centered in the middle of the main floor, windows banked both sides. A wide porch wrapped around the entire length of the building. Silhouetted in the darkness, several large trees stood like barren sentries.

  And within a few minutes, Allison was climbing the steps and walking across the wood plank porch. She smiled as she stepped over wooden blocks and avoided bumping into a rocking horse someone had obviously spent a great deal of time carving.

  Train knocked twice and opened the door. “TJ!” he hollered as he entered the house. “Just got in. I’m heading back out to the shack. Miss Allison is here.” He turned to her. “Miss, are you okay?”

  No, she wasn’t okay. Her mouth was dry, and her heart pounded from her chest into her head. Sweat trickled from her hairline and it had nothing to do with the heat caused by wearing her wardrobe—all of it—in layers. Her carpetbag held a special dress and a few personal effects. It hung in her hand like a hundred pound weight, making her shoulder sag. She glanced around the room feeling like a deer in a hunter’s rifle site. Train’s voice beside her brought her out of her stupor.

  “He is expecting you?”

  Allison could only shake her head no.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Train? I thought you left.” TJ Bester descended the grand staircase leading to the second floor rooms. “Hello.” He extended his hand to Allison. “TJ Bester. A friend of yours?” he asked Train.

  “Um,” he stammered. “No.”

  Allison would have spoken, but her mouth wouldn’t form words. Standing before her was not an old rancher with weathered skin that she could bat her eyelashes at and manipulate into giving her a job out of pity. TJ Bester was a beautiful example of strength and masculinity with a commanding air of confidence. Her heart hammered in her chest, and not for the first time since coming to Montana Territory. They’d met before.

  Familiar wide shoulders tapered into a trim waist. Strong thighs were clad in denim trousers, and he wore brown socks. His work boots sat neatly next to the door. Hair the color of coal grew thick and just a bit unruly. He was ruggedly handsome in a way that made her anxious. His eyes seemed to glow and were blue so clear she could have been gazing into still waters.

  “Papa,” a little girl, no more than five or six, caused enough of a diversion for Allison to pull her stare away from Mr. Bester.

  “Watch your brother, Sissy. I’ll be there in a minute.” He turned toward Train. “Go check the tiger. He’s in the tub.” Train took the stairs two at a time grabbing the little girl and tickling her as he turned the corner. Allison could hear her squeals even after she disappeared from view.

  “Miss?” He paused for her to say her name.

  “Allison Lake,” she said with a determined tilt to her chin. She was sure she looked a mess from her wet ride to the ranch. Evidently, a far cry from the woman he assisted on the train platform. With the added clothing and a few restless nights, she scarcely recognized herself when looking in the mirror. Not to mention it was late. She was tired and hungry. It had been hours since she’d eaten, and she was beginning to feel light-headed.

  “You’ve come a long way. What can I do for you?”

  TJ slipped his hands into his pockets and leaned against the stair railing. He knew this would be interesting.

  The young woman’s fingers trembled as she opened the clasp of her small clutch. He recognized the paper she unfolded and smoothed with her hand. He felt his mouth twitch. She stared at the advertisement she must have taken from the mercantile. The next time Train went into town, he’d have him hang another one.

  “I’m here to apply for the position.” She handed him the paper.

  TJ laughed. He had to admit she sounded confident as she spoke. “This is a posting for a ranch hand.”

  “I have two hands,” she said showing her naiveté. “I can do many tasks.”

  TJ rolled his eyes.

  “I can cook.”

  “There are a hundred men working on this ranch at any given time. I have all the cooks I need.”

  “Oh, well, that’s probably for the best. Cooking isn’t my best skill. I’m much better at housework. It would give your wife more time for herself.”

  “I’m not in need of a housekeeper.”

  “Oh. Um…” Her hesitation told him she hadn’t re
ally expected to be turned away. She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can clean up after the stock. Help in the fields. Honestly, I am willing to do anything.”

  TJ put up his hand stopping her from continuing. “Not only do I not need a girl who doesn’t look strong enough to lift her bag, let alone work the ranch, but I don’t have the facilities to house you. I’ve got one large building that houses all the help. More specifically, I hire men.” Some of the men he employed were drifters, others had been with him for years. This woman wouldn’t last an hour.

  “I can stay in the barn with the animals.”

  TJ snorted. “You’re obviously new to Montana. It’s too cold in the barns. You’ll freeze. Look outside. It snowed two feet since yesterday and we’ve still got at least another two months of heavy snows. No, now I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

  “I understand. Sorry to waste your time.” She turned from him and reached for the door handle.

  “Oh hell,” he whispered. He didn’t have to see tears to know she was struggling to keep her composure. Her breath hitched, shoulders shuddered, and then she took a deep inhale and turned the handle.

  “Hold on.” He ran his hands through his hair. “You can wait until first light to go back to town.”

  She turned and faced him. “I rode out with Train assuming I would be staying on as a hired hand. I would appreciate it if you could make arrangements to take me back to Copper City.” With her chin raised, back erect, she stood even with his chest.

  TJ groaned. “You mean to say you traveled thirty miles for a job you should’ve known you couldn’t do? Of all the dumb—”

  “Papa?” The little girl returned, followed by Train carrying a small child in his arms.

  “He needs a diaper. And that is not one of my job duties.” He handed the child to TJ. “Besides, I’m done tending to the youngins.” Train opened the front door.

  “I’ll need you to go to town again tomorrow,” TJ called as Train walked out.

  “Can’t, boss. You’ll have to ask someone else.” The door closed with a resounding thud.

  “I’ll find my own way.” Allison opened the door and went after Train.

  TJ stood in the doorway and listened.

  Train smiled at the young woman as she approached the rig. TJ didn’t have to wonder how she’d convinced his right-hand man to bring her back with him. The woman had a certain appeal. She was attractive, if not a little plump. The kind of woman who felt good under a man.

  “I’m sorry I misrepresented myself. I really thought Mr. Bester might have a job for me.”

  “I could have told you there weren’t any women out here. Unless of course, you’re a wife.” Train leaned against the rear of the wagon and crossed his arms.

  “Maybe I could talk with Mrs. Bester? She might like some help taking care of the house.”

  “TJ makes all the decisions.” He walked around the side of the wagon. “I’m afraid if he said you have to leave, there’s not much anyone can do to change his mind.” Train jumped into the driver’s seat, nodded to TJ watching from the door, and set off down the hill.

  Light spilled across the porch. TJ stood in the door still holding the small child. Cast in shadow, his expression indiscernible. “Come inside.”

  The voice revealed nothing, yet caressed her skin with an intimidating awareness. The fine hairs on her arms prickled beneath the layers of clothing.

  “We’ll get you to town tomorrow.”

  Allison reluctantly went back into the house.

  “Take off your coat.” He turned to the little girl. “Sissy, take our guest into the kitchen and get her something to eat. I need to get your brother dressed for bed.”

  After Allison removed her coat, Sissy led her to the back of the house. At first glance, the house looked perfect.

  Allison’s eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, she noticed several details hadn’t been seen to in what looked like quite a while. The wood floors didn’t shine with fresh polish. Spiders had been busy making small webs in the chandelier. And a thin layer of dust covered a mahogany table in the hall. Although there were beautiful doilies on the table, the ivory color had yellowed.

  “Would you like a sandwich or leftover supper? I usually save the leftover supper for papa’s lunch, but I can make him something else tomorrow.” Sissy pulled a stool to the edge of the counter and easily climbed up. She clearly had a system for retrieving items. She crawled and hopped from one location to another in the spacious room. Finally, she jumped down and opened the stove.

  “Be careful.” Allison leapt from the table and took the heavy cloth from her hand. “You shouldn’t touch the stove.”

  Sissy tugged the cloth back and pulled open the oven door. She grabbed a small piece of wood from a crate and tossed it into the fire. “I know what I’m doing,” she said, and smiled. “I’m almost seven. Do you want coffee? Papa says I make the best.” She set the kettle on the stove to heat.

  “Yes, I would. Can I help you?”

  “You’re a guest.” Sissy took four cups from the cupboard. “I need to get my brother some milk.” Her long skinny arms shook as she lifted the heavy carafe. Slowly, she filled two cups half full. “So what do you want to eat?” she asked, setting one of the cups on the tray of a high chair sitting against the wall near the stove.

  “Whatever you feel like making would be fine.” Allison wondered where her mother was.

  “Here we are.” TJ put his son in the high chair and helped him with his cup of milk. “Is that coffee I smell?” he asked, smiling at his daughter.

  Sissy took the hot coffee from the stove and poured both TJ and Allison a cup. Then the little girl proceeded to fill the rest of her milk cup to the top with coffee. Allison wanted to ask this father what he was thinking letting his child have coffee, especially before bed. However, her situation was precarious enough without insulting the man who offered, or rather relented and gave her shelter for the night.

  While they ate, the little boy stared at her and Sissy chattered.

  Twenty minutes later, TJ dismissed himself to put the little boy to bed. Allison and Sissy went into the large front room. Store bought furniture mixed nicely with homemade wooden pieces.

  Sissy sat near the fire, which left Allison to sit on the sofa. There were other chairs in the room, but she wanted to stay close to the fire’s warmth. Tomorrow she might just be on the streets of Copper City.

  “If you want, I’ll comb your hair for you.” Allison felt for the child. Her hair was long and tangled. “When I was young, my mother used to brush my hair after a bath. I always liked it.”

  Sissy thought about it for a moment before jumping from her seat and running up the stairs.

  “Sis,” TJ yelled. “Please be quiet so he can go to sleep.”

  Allison smiled at the irony. TJ’s yelling right next to the little boy couldn’t be helping.

  A minute later, Sissy came charging down the stairs. Once again, TJ hollered. Allison giggled.

  Sissy rolled her eyes. “He’s too all-fired tired to do much more than belly-achin’. When he’s real wrathy, he’d liking to tan my backside. He tells me that, but he never does.” Sissy held a boar hairbrush with a silver engraved handle. Abalone shells decorated the back of the brush in an interesting flower design.

  “When I was growing up, my mother did all the yelling.”

  “My mama doesn’t say nothing.”

  Allison wanted Sissy to continue, but the little girl plopped down to the floor and crossed her legs.

  “You have beautiful hair.” Allison parted Sissy’s hair into small sections. Working from the roots, she pulled the snarls loose, careful not to yank on the hair and hurt her scalp. “It’s the same color as your papa’s.”

  “Papa tells me I look like my mama.”

  “Then your mama is very beautiful.” Sissy seemed very pleased. She smiled and her shoulders visibly relaxed.

  Sissy’s chatter abruptly ended when TJ returned from pu
tting his son to bed. He clapped his hands twice, and Sissy jumped from the floor and ran into his arms. After kissing his cheek, she turned to Allison.

  “Good night, Miss Allison,” she said, and clamored up the stairs. TJ cringed and Allison nearly laughed. Sissy blew her father a kiss at the top of the stairs. He shook his head, but Allison saw the hint of a smile tilt his lips.

  “She’s sweet,” Allison said. TJ watched her without actually looking. She could feel the weight of his stare, but when she glanced at him, he turned away.

  With Sissy gone, Allison became uncomfortable with the silence. TJ crossed the room. He had his back to her as he poured himself a drink at the marble-topped liquor counter stocked with glass decanters filled to various levels.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  Allison had never wanted to drink before, but somehow the offer from TJ enticed. The flicker of the fireplace reflected off the crystal glass he held in his hand. The amber liquid swirled and hypnotized. She didn’t hear TJ repeat the question.

  He turned to her. Those blue eyes caused her to flush. “Thank you, but I don’t drink,” she stammered.

  “You can have water, or there’s milk in the kitchen.”

  “I suppose with two kids you can never have enough milk,” she said.

  Allison was uncomfortable. TJ was a married man with two children, not to mention a stranger, and they seemed to be the only two adults in the house, all good reasons to feel uneasy sitting alone with him in the firelight on a cold and stormy night. Her stomach pitched and rolled. The long ride, coupled with the loneliness she’d been feeling since the onset of her journey, came to an apex. What else offered an explanation to why her body tingled under his watchful gaze?