Read Online Debra Holland - [Montana Sky 02] by Starry Montana Sky - Free Book Online

slight breeze would waft the sweet scent this way. He inhaled in anticipation, smiling when he noticed Samantha straightening in her seat, interest in her blue eyes.
    Except for some horses in one of the corrals, the yards around the two red barns looked quiet, the porch of the white bunkhouse on the far side of the house empty of lounging men. The ranch hands hadn’t come in from moving the cattle to the north pasture. But it was near suppertime, and they’d be riding in soon. Best get this strange assortment of guests settled in first.
    But he stilled the reins for a moment, and Bill paused. For the last ten years, step by step, he’d been planning his life. Acquiring Ezra’s ranch had been his next move. Then he planned to court Edith Grayson. Having a wealthy banker as a brother-in-law had its appeal. Although now he wasn’t so sure. The solid ground he’d been striding over could turn to quicksand. If a man wasn’t careful, he could be pulled in over his head.

    Wyatt led them to the nearest barn. Samantha slackened the reins of the buggy, relieved to allow her aching arms some rest.
    A young man of about fifteen strode out of the barn. Tall and whipcord thin, with a shock of orange hair and splatters of freckles covering his face, he walked with a clumsy gait, as if he’d not grown into his legs. His plaid work shirt was too short, displaying bony wrists and hands. Catching sight of the Falabellas, he stopped with a tripping motion, his hazel eyes widening. Behind the faded blue bandana he’d tied around his neck, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
    He reminded Samantha of a scarecrow who’d suddenly learned to walk, and she hid a smile of amusement. Boys his age were very concerned about their dignity; she didn’t want to embarrass him.
    Wyatt motioned him over. “Harry, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Rodriguez, her son Daniel, Manuel and Maria, and I believe you know the Cassidy boys. Harry is our stable hand.”
    Harry barely glanced at them, his eyes flicking back to the horses. “What, what?” he stammered.
    Wyatt threw Samantha an amused look. “Falabellas.” He rolled his eyes. “I can see I’m going to be repeating that a lot in the next few days. I’ll get them settled in and get myself away from the barns before the hands come in. If we’re lucky, they won’t notice them.” He nodded at Harry. “Unless someone recovers his powers of speech and tattles.”
    Samantha laughed. She was glad to see he’d developed a sense of humor about her miniature horses.
    “Christine,” he said to his daughter. “Take the ladies in to meet Mrs. Toffels.” He turned to Samantha. “Our housekeeper.”
    “But, the boys.”
    “I’ll keep an eye on them.”
    Samantha relinquished her responsibilities into his capable hands. How good it felt to be taken care of. Of course, it was only temporary. By tomorrow, she’d be rested enough to resume charge of her household and menagerie.
    She handed the reins over to Harry. He looked bemused, as if uncertain what to do with them.
    Wyatt dismounted and strode to her side. He extended his hand. She placed her fingers in his palm, feeling the strength in his hand, and stepped down from the buggy.
    Christine ran to her side. “Mrs. Toffels makes the best cinnamon cookies.”
    Samantha smiled at her. “I can hardly wait to try them.”
    Christine pushed open the picket gate, reaching out to grasp Samantha’s hand. Together, they walked up the brick pathway, Maria trailing behind.
    In long beds parallel to the porch, red tulips bloomed, as beautiful as any she’d seen in Europe.
    Christine noticed her appreciation. “Pa orders those every year from Holland. I help him plant them. Before she died, my mama planted them. Pa says the flowers help us remember her.”
    Touched by Wyatt’s gesture toward his deceased wife, Samantha blinked back the sudden moisture in her eyes. She’d tried to find her own rituals to help Daniel remember Juan Carlos. How much more