Mitch's Win (Montana Collection, Book 1) Read online

  “No one can fault you for going with him to the saloon.”

  “That’s not the worst part, Patty.” Leaning toward Patty and making sure Leroy wasn’t paying attention to what she was saying, she continued, “He was here last night.”

  Her eyes grew wide and she straightened in the chair. “Your brother?”

  Heather nodded and shivered. “I didn’t realize he knew where I live.”

  “What did he want?”

  “He wanted me to give him money so he can go to Canada to strike it rich in the Yukon.” As much as she struggled to keep the bitterness out of her voice, she couldn’t help herself. It turned her stomach every time she thought about it.

  “What did you tell him?” Patty asked.

  “No, of course. Then I went inside before he could do anything.”

  “Did you tell Mitch?”

  “I haven’t been able to tell Mitch anything. When we were at breakfast, the children and his ma were there, and then he went out to the fields.” She scanned the land around them. Somewhere out there in the fields, he was checking on the cattle. It wasn’t unusual that he’d run out to do his chores right after breakfast. But he was angry with her. “You don’t think he’ll stay angry for long, do you?”

  “I don’t know,” Patty replied. “I’m not very good at judging what a man will or won’t do. If I was, yesterday wouldn’t have been a disaster.”

  Heather caught sight of Clark coming back from the fields. “I should get the men something to drink.” She stood up, still holding Hannah in her arms. “I’ll set her down for a nap first.”

  Patty rose to her feet. “Let me help. I want to do something useful.”

  “You could watch Leroy. That’d be a big help right now.”

  “Of course.” Patty went over to the boy and asked him about his rocks.

  Heather turned her gaze back to the fields and saw that Mitch was on his way to the barn. Maybe she could talk to him, smooth things out. She hurried to put Hannah in her bed before going to the kitchen to grab two cups and poured coffee into them.

  Gerty hobbled into the kitchen. “You need help?”

  “No, I got it. How are you feeling?” Heather asked.

  “Much better. You’re a real godsend, Heather.”

  She smiled. She debated whether to ask her mother-in-law for advice about how to handle things with Mitch but decided against it. The last thing she wanted to do was involve Gerty in her problems.

  “I’ll get supper ready while you give the men their coffee.”

  Nodding, Heather gathered the cups and headed out of the house. “Wish me luck,” she told Patty.

  Patty looked up from the rocks Leroy was placing in her hands. “Good luck, Heather.”

  Taking a deep breath, she walked across the lawn and followed the men into the barn. As they put the horses in their stalls, she waited, patiently biding her time until they were done. When they turned to her, she approached them and handed them their cups, giving a tentative look at Mitch who made eye contact with her. She couldn’t decipher all of what he was thinking, but when he smiled, she relaxed.

  “Thank you for the coffee, ma’am,” Clark said and handed the cup back to her.

  She turned to him and stared at the empty cup. “You finished already?”

  “I was thirsty,” he replied. “I’ll go check that fence, Mitch.”

  Mitch nodded, and Clark left the barn.

  Glad for the chance to be alone, she clasped the cup in her hands. “I really am sorry, Mitch.”

  “I am, too. I shouldn’t let an object be bigger than it is.”

  “It’s what the object represented. You gave it to me because you cared for me.”

  With his free hand, he cupped the side of her face and brushed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I don’t just care for you. I love you. You’re a part of me. The better part.”

  “I love you, too, Mitch.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her. His lips were soft, and she melted against him. It felt wonderful. Relieved there were no more hard feelings between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. She traced his lower lip with her tongue, and he opened his mouth to receive her. She brushed his tongue with hers, a shiver of delight traveling up and down her spine. When his lips left hers, he kissed her cheek then worked his way to the side of her neck. She sighed in contentment. If only they could always be together like this.

  He lifted his head and smiled at her. “I better finish this before it gets cold.” He motioned to the cup in his hand and drank the coffee. When he was done, he handed it to her. “I shouldn’t keep Clark waiting. I want to get that fence done before nightfall.”

  She nodded. “Mitch, is there anything special you’d like for supper tonight?”

  “As long as you’re there, it’ll be special.”

  Blushing, she gave him a kiss and turned to leave the barn. Her heart light, she went to tell Patty that she and Mitch were on good terms again.

  ***

  That night after Gerty and the children went to bed, Heather waited for Mitch to come into their bedroom. She studied the cameo in the light of the kerosene lamp. It really was a lovely thing. Gold trim around an ivory setting which featured a woman’s profile. It wasn’t cheap. She shouldn’t have disregarded it the way she did. No wonder he was upset to see Patty wearing it instead of her. She decided she’d wear it next time they went to church. That was a reason to dress up, and it was the kind of thing a woman wore when she put on her best dress. She slipped it into the small box and picked up her brush.

  While she was brushing her hair, Mitch came into the bedroom. She smiled at him and set down her brush so she could go to him. He took her into his arms and held her close. For a long moment neither one said anything. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. The night was a peaceful one. Only the sound of crickets echoed from outside. What a wonderful change it was from the previous night.

  “I never want to fight again,” he whispered.

  “Me neither.”

  She lifted her head so she could kiss him. He tightened his hold on her and deepened the kiss. His tongue interlaced with hers, sending a shiver of delight running up and down her spine. She’d never get tired of the thrill his kisses brought her. The kiss ended, and he pulled away from her so he could press his forehead to hers.

  “You’re so lovely, Heather. When I think of all the years I felt alone in the world, being with you has made it worthwhile. I’d go through everything again if it meant I could have you. You complete me.”

  Her heart sung at his confession, and she couldn’t resist kissing him again. There was a more passionate tone in the kiss this time, and he responded in kind. Her body pressed nicely against him, his strong chest and broad shoulders making her feel protected from the world. His hands traveled to the front of her robe where he slipped his hands beneath the cotton fabric so he could cup her bare breasts in his hands. She let out a soft moan as the pads of his thumbs brushed her nipples which hardened in response.

  His arousal pressed into her abdomen. Recalling the night she bathed him in the tub, she slid her hands to his pants and unbuttoned it. Her hands slipped through the opening and went into his underwear where she traced his erection from the bottom of his shaft to the swollen tip which was moist. He groaned and left a trail of kisses from her mouth to her neck, his hands squeezing her breasts before he traced her nipples with his thumbs, causing her to shiver in delight.

  She continued her exploration of his arousal, recalling how his seed had shot out when he had an orgasm. The male part of him fascinated her. His body was so different from hers, and yet, it complemented her so well. Having been intimate with him made her aware of the pleasures her body was capable of, pleasures she never would have guessed were possible. She wondered if being intimate with her had done the same for him, but lost her train of thought as he opened her robe and slid it over her shoulders.

  Lifting her hands out
of his pants, she helped him remove her robe then turned her attention to undressing him. He helped her and was soon naked. She took a moment to study him in the light of the kerosene lamp, enjoying his masculine beauty. Looking up at him, she realized he’d been studying her with the same interest she’d been giving him. He smiled and brought her back into his arms. Once again, he was kissing her, except this time he lifted her up and carried her to a chair.

  To her surprise, he sat in it and straddled her on top of him, positioning his erection nicely between her legs. She gasped in pleasure and resumed kissing him, her tongue sparring with his, the ache between her legs demanding she rub her sensitive nub against his erection. It seemed such a wild thing to do—to be rocking her hips with such abandon. But the friction felt so incredibly wonderful she couldn’t help but keep going. Her climax came fast, her body stilling as she bit her lower lip so she wouldn’t cry out in pleasure and wake the children.

  While she was still tingling all over, he shifted and slid his erection into her. She let out a soft groan, and her flesh clenched around him, eager to be filled by him. He brought his hands to her breasts and lowered his head so he could lick and tease her nipples, taking his turn at one then the other. When her strength returned, she rocked her hips again. His hands went to her hips to help her establish a rhythm that increased their pleasure. They worked in unison, and she softly moaned, loving the way he filled her core, stroking her with each thrust. He let out a muffled cry and grew taught as he climaxed. She held him close, aware of the way he throbbed as he released his seed.

  She kissed his forehead, his cheeks and then his lips. Soon, he was kissing her in return, the earlier inflamed passion replaced by gentle contentment. Keeping her in his arms, he rose from the chair and carried her to the bed where he settled beside her. Relaxed, she closed her eyes and smiled. Soon, his breathing grew slow and steady, and he fell asleep. She remained awake for a short time. She needed to tell Mitch that her brother had been on their property the previous night. But she wasn’t sure when would be a good time. Tomorrow. She’d tell him tomorrow. Feeling better, she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Are you sure you want to watch the children while Mitch and I go to town?” Heather asked Gerty the next morning as she helped her wash the dishes.

  “You’ve given me plenty of opportunities to rest when I needed it,” she replied, running a soapy cloth over a plate. “I feel like my old self today. Go. You and Mitch should get some time alone. You’re still learning about each other.” She patted Heather’s arm. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Think nothing of it. I was young and in love once.”

  On impulse, Heather hugged her. “You’re wonderful.”

  She chuckled and hugged her back. “You’ve made Mitch happy. That’s more than I could have ever asked.” She pulled away from Heather and finished washing the last plate. She looked out the window. “I see Mitch is ready. Go on and enjoy the day. If I get into a fix, I’ll ask Clark to help.”

  Heather followed her gaze out the window and saw Mitch pulling his wagon up to the house. Her pulse raced in anticipation. She hurried out of the kitchen and made sure the children were behaving before she slipped on her bonnet.

  “Aunt Heter?” Leroy asked as he set his blocks down and went over to her.

  “What is it, Leroy?” She tied the strings of the bonnet under her chin and turned her attention to him.

  “Will you be back?”

  Surprised by the boy’s question, she knelt in front of him. “Of course, I will. Why would you think I wouldn’t return?”

  He shrugged and scratched his ear. “Don’t know.”

  She studied him and wondered how much he remembered of his mother. It couldn’t have been too much, but perhaps he was thinking of his father who popped up once in a while but never stayed in his life. Whatever the reason, she hugged him, touched when he wrapped his arms around her neck. “I’ll be back with your uncle. I’m not leaving you or him. I promise. Alright?”

  He nodded.

  She ended their hug and cupped his face in her hands. “You don’t seem like you’re three. You seem a lot older than that.”

  “How old?”

  “Well, if I were to choose a number, I’d say you’re as serious as your uncle, and he’s in his twenties.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “That’s old.”

  “No, it’s not,” Mitch said.

  The two looked up at Mitch who was standing in the doorway. Smiling, she rose to her feet and patted Leroy’s shoulder. “We didn’t hear you come in.”

  “That’s because I’m as quiet as a mouse,” he replied. “You ready to go?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at Leroy. “Will you be alright?”

  Leroy indicated he would and went back to his blocks.

  Gerty came into the parlor and gave them a quizzical look. “I thought you two would be long gone by now. It’s not every day you get to spend the day alone, you know.”

  “We know.” Mitch gently took Heather by the arm. “We’ll be back in time for supper.”

  “Just like a man. Thinking with his stomach,” she teased and sat in her rocking chair.

  He shrugged good-naturedly and led Heather out of the house and down the porch steps. Heather held out her hand, and though he took it, he stopped her from getting into the wagon. “That was a real nice thing you did in there, the way you answered Leroy’s question.”

  “Leroy’s a sweet boy.” She paused for a moment then asked, “Does he remember his mother?”

  “No, but Boaz left one night and didn’t come back. A week later, Ma found him passed out in the barn, drunk as a man can get. I think Leroy worries that the people he cares about won’t return.”

  “Boaz left for a whole week?”

  “It was a month after his wife died. He went to the saloon and stayed in a hotel. Said he couldn’t bring himself to come back to the house where he and Hannah lived.” Mitch sighed and squeezed her hand. “So he ended up leaving the house for good, and Ma brought the children here to give them a stable home. It’s not the way Hannah would have wanted it. She would have wanted him to be happy.”

  “It can’t be easy for him, Mitch,” she softly replied.

  “I know it isn’t. I understand it’s painful for him. I just hope him coming here last week was the start of him getting his life back in order. I can’t be Leroy’s and Hannah’s father. Only he can fill that role.”

  “I saw the regret and longing in his eyes when he was looking at his children. He wants to be their father. He just doesn’t know how.”

  He kissed her. “We should head to town. I want to take you to a restaurant so you can get a break from the kitchen.”

  After he helped her into the wagon, she teased, “Do I get a break or are you getting a break from my terrible cooking?”

  He glanced up at her and grinned. “Now, you aren’t being fair, Heather. You know I love your cooking.”

  She waited until he was sitting next to her and moved closer to him so she could wrap her arm around his. “You’ve been very kind to eat everything I’ve made.”

  Chuckling, he released the brake and urged the horses forward. “You can’t blame a man for having a hearty appetite, can you?”

  “No. I like that most about you.”

  “And here I thought it was my good looks.”

  She giggled and leaned into him. “We’ll have a good time.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  She kissed his cheek, noting the way he grinned, and settled into a comfortable silence so she could enjoy the ride to town. At one point, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the nice, sunny day. The wagon swayed gently from side to side, a very soothing and relaxing sensation. She rested her head against his shoulder and drifted off for a brief sleep. When they reached town, she opened her eyes and straightened up.

  “Would you like to eat and then go for a nice stroll through town or do you want
to go for the stroll first?” Mitch asked as he pulled the wagon up to the livery stable.

  “It’s a lovely day. Let’s go for a stroll first. I’d like to get a better look at the town.”

  She’d been eager to do that since the last time they went to town. At that time, though, they brought the children with them and the children were restless. But now they had enough time, and it’d be nice to see everything.

  Mitch set the brake and helped her down before arranging for the gentleman at the livery stable to take care of the horses and wagon. She glanced around the stable, expecting to see Boaz cleaning one of the stalls or putting a horse or wagon away, but he wasn’t anywhere.

  “Your brother works here, doesn’t he?” she softly asked Mitch.

  “That’s what he said,” he replied.

  A man unhitched Mitch’s horses and instructed another worker to put the horses in stalls three and four. He came over to them. “You said you plan to come back in five hours?”

  Mitch nodded. “Yes. We want to take our time and enjoy the day.”

  He smiled and motioned to the sunny sky. “It’s a good one to enjoy.” He wrote the number of the stalls on a piece of paper and handed it to Mitch. “Just hand this to Marty when you return, and he’ll get your horses and wagon for you.”

  “Thank you.” Mitch tucked the paper in his pocket. “Say, I was wondering where Boaz Grady is. I thought I might say hi while I’m here.”

  “I haven’t seen him in a couple days.”

  “Doesn’t he work here?”

  “You can’t work if you don’t show up.”

  Heather noted the way Mitch sighed and tried to think of a way she might ease his disappointment. She gently touched his arm. “Mitch?”