Read Online A Valentine's Choice: A Montana Sky Series Holiday Novella (The Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Debra Holland
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Catriona had set her sights on the squire’s son and had for a long time had eyes for no other. Bridget suspected her yearning for the man combined with grief over their mother’s passing made her susceptible to the peddler’s blandishments.
And even if available bachelors or widowers lived nearby, she had always assumed Alana would be the first to wed. That is, if her twin ever got over her secret love for Timkin—another reason to leave their village, for Bridget had always doubted that young man, who seemed more fey than human, returned her sister’s love.
And even if Bridget caught the eye of a man she wanted to wed, she couldn’t leave her sister—for timid Alana couldn’t live on her own. Any man who chose Bridget would end up with the pair of twins on his hands.
Nostalgic pain for her childhood, the closeness with her parents and two sisters—all five of them together—clogged her throat. Now I’m alone.
A different sadness, as wispy as a spider web, threaded through her pain—feelings she’d never allowed herself to feel before—the longing for someone to love and be loved by in return. As things stood back home, there’d been no one.
But, unlike in Ireland, here she had hope. Her thoughts lingered on James, then skittered to Patrick.
From the way the stationmaster had talked, the twins could have even more men interested in them. For the first time ever, they might have an abundance of suitors to choose from.
I have possibilities for a different future.
She imagined a husband lying in the empty place beside her. But which man? She felt attracted to both Patrick and James, and as the purple shadows lightened, she pictured first one then the other beside her, and both men felt good.
The heady thought excited and overwhelmed her.
* * *
A week later, Bridget curried a placid Falabella mare, taking advantage of Sally’s nap time to escape to the barn to play with the little horses she’d fallen in love with.
Aside from handwork, she had only a limited amount of household tasks, for Samantha and Mrs. Toffels insisted the three of them take meals at the big house.
While she enjoyed sitting with her cousin—doing handwork, knitting, mending, or darning socks—and talking about everything under the sun—well, under an Irish or Montana sun—Bridget was used to being outdoors or in the stables.
So when Sally napped, Bridget felt free to do as she pleased. But she also felt an obligation to stay by Sally’s side and try and keep up her cousin’s spirits, not let her fret about her mother.
Two days after he’d left, Harry had returned with distressing news. Dr. Cameron had diagnosed Henrietta O’Donnell with influenza, a serious illness that caused far too many deaths. Sally not only worried for her mother, she feared the rest of her family would succumb.
Bridget couldn’t help worrying about Alana. To be sure, her twin had often nursed the sick and remained as healthy as a horse. But now, she couldn’t help but wonder if her sister’s broken heart and weakened appearance would make her more susceptible.
Harry had also spoken of the warm welcome the family had afforded Alana, which reassured Bridget. Both hers and Sally’s thoughts and prayers tended to often stray to the far-away house on the prairie.
Gradually, Bridget had also gotten to know several of the cowboys. A few, like Buck, were gregarious, obviously grateful to have a woman to talk with. But others acted shy and barely made eye contact with her. A few, she suspected, hadn’t yet adjusted to the presence of beautiful Samantha Thompson, much less having Sally, and then Bridget, drop into their world in rapid succession.
Deuce trailed after her like a puppy dog. Moss had a sense of humor that made her laugh. The oldest cowboy, Sid, pretended she wasn’t there at all.
Of all the men, she spent the most time with James and Patrick because those two singled her out. Each day, her liking for them increased.
She also spent
And even if available bachelors or widowers lived nearby, she had always assumed Alana would be the first to wed. That is, if her twin ever got over her secret love for Timkin—another reason to leave their village, for Bridget had always doubted that young man, who seemed more fey than human, returned her sister’s love.
And even if Bridget caught the eye of a man she wanted to wed, she couldn’t leave her sister—for timid Alana couldn’t live on her own. Any man who chose Bridget would end up with the pair of twins on his hands.
Nostalgic pain for her childhood, the closeness with her parents and two sisters—all five of them together—clogged her throat. Now I’m alone.
A different sadness, as wispy as a spider web, threaded through her pain—feelings she’d never allowed herself to feel before—the longing for someone to love and be loved by in return. As things stood back home, there’d been no one.
But, unlike in Ireland, here she had hope. Her thoughts lingered on James, then skittered to Patrick.
From the way the stationmaster had talked, the twins could have even more men interested in them. For the first time ever, they might have an abundance of suitors to choose from.
I have possibilities for a different future.
She imagined a husband lying in the empty place beside her. But which man? She felt attracted to both Patrick and James, and as the purple shadows lightened, she pictured first one then the other beside her, and both men felt good.
The heady thought excited and overwhelmed her.
* * *
A week later, Bridget curried a placid Falabella mare, taking advantage of Sally’s nap time to escape to the barn to play with the little horses she’d fallen in love with.
Aside from handwork, she had only a limited amount of household tasks, for Samantha and Mrs. Toffels insisted the three of them take meals at the big house.
While she enjoyed sitting with her cousin—doing handwork, knitting, mending, or darning socks—and talking about everything under the sun—well, under an Irish or Montana sun—Bridget was used to being outdoors or in the stables.
So when Sally napped, Bridget felt free to do as she pleased. But she also felt an obligation to stay by Sally’s side and try and keep up her cousin’s spirits, not let her fret about her mother.
Two days after he’d left, Harry had returned with distressing news. Dr. Cameron had diagnosed Henrietta O’Donnell with influenza, a serious illness that caused far too many deaths. Sally not only worried for her mother, she feared the rest of her family would succumb.
Bridget couldn’t help worrying about Alana. To be sure, her twin had often nursed the sick and remained as healthy as a horse. But now, she couldn’t help but wonder if her sister’s broken heart and weakened appearance would make her more susceptible.
Harry had also spoken of the warm welcome the family had afforded Alana, which reassured Bridget. Both hers and Sally’s thoughts and prayers tended to often stray to the far-away house on the prairie.
Gradually, Bridget had also gotten to know several of the cowboys. A few, like Buck, were gregarious, obviously grateful to have a woman to talk with. But others acted shy and barely made eye contact with her. A few, she suspected, hadn’t yet adjusted to the presence of beautiful Samantha Thompson, much less having Sally, and then Bridget, drop into their world in rapid succession.
Deuce trailed after her like a puppy dog. Moss had a sense of humor that made her laugh. The oldest cowboy, Sid, pretended she wasn’t there at all.
Of all the men, she spent the most time with James and Patrick because those two singled her out. Each day, her liking for them increased.
She also spent
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