Read Online The Montana Widow's Husband (The New Montana Brides) by Susan Leigh Carlton - Free Book Online

a chance, cowboy. I’ve worked too hard for this.”
    He started for the door, but was stopped by her voice saying his name. “Jeb?”
    He turned. I love you, Jeb Calhoun. With all of my heart, I love you. I will make you a good wife.”
    “I know you will, Emma, and I’ll make you a good husband.”

Are You Sure
    It was eight o’clock, when the wagon pulled out of the Flying W yard, and headed to Helena. The air was crisp and clear. The sky was cloudless. It was a big sky. The birds were chirping. Their song seemed sweeter today.
    With Jared in the back of the wagon, and Emma on the seat with Jeb, they moved at a good pace. If Emma had tried to get any closer, she would have been on the other side of Jeb. “Just think, when we come home, I’ll be Mrs. Jeb Calhoun. I like the way it sounds.”
    She was so bubbly and full of life that Jeb marveled at her enthusiasm. I never would have believed I could have this kind of impact on anyone. A woman as smart and as beautiful as this. It’s incredible , he thought.
    “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he asked.
    “I don’t think so, but tell me anyway, just in case,” she said.
    “Emma Walker, you are the most incredible and most beautiful woman in the entire Montana Territory. No, make that the entire United States.”
    “I’m going to like being married to you,” she said.
    “And I you,” he said.
    Jeb tied the horse to the hitching post in front of the court house, and moved Jared from the wagon to the board sidewalk. He helped Emma from the wagon and, hand-in-hand the three of them entered the courthouse.
    The clerk remembered Emma from her previous visit when she had the property changed to her name. “Mrs. Walker, good morning, nice to see you again. What can I do for you this morning?”
    Jeb said, “We would like to apply for a marriage license.”
    “And who might you be, sir?” the clerk inquired.
    “My name is Jeb Calhoun,” he said.
    “Mrs. Walker,you are a party to this application and you are voluntarily applying for a license to wed Mr. Calhoun?” the clerk asked.
    “I am,” Emma said.
    He pulled a ledger from a drawer in his desk and took a blank license sheet from a file. “If you fill this out and sign at the bottom, I will witness it. The fee is three dollars.”
    They did as instructed, and the clerk signed it and accepted the fee from Jeb. “May I be the first to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding?”
    “You may, and thank you,” Jeb said, as he firmly shook the clerk’s hand.
    “One step out of the way, now let’s go see Jack,” Emma said.
    Neither Jack nor Letty was in the church, so they went to the house in the rear. Jeb knocked on the door; it was answered by Jack.
    “Good morning, folks, it’s not Sunday, what brings you here today?”
    “We would like for you to marry us,” Jeb said.
    “When? After services Sunday?” asked Jack.
    “Today, right now,” Emma said, “before he changes his mind.”
    “I’m not changing my mind, I promise you that,” Jeb said.
    “Honey,” Jack called out. “Can you come here for a few minutes?”
    “Be right there,” came the melodious voice from the rear of the house. “Well hello, and to what do we owe this honor?” she asked, as she walked in.
    “We came to get married,” a smiling Emma answered.
    “He chased you until you caught him, huh,” Letty said,
    “Something like that,” Emma said.
    “I am so happy for you both, I can’t find the words,” Letty said. “Right now?” she asked.
    “Right now,” Emma said. “We have the license already.”
    “Let me get my book,” Jack said, and left the room.
    “What brought about this change, if I may ask?” Letty asked.
    “It was your doing,” Jeb said. “Your lecture on Sunday hit home.”
    “There’s a little more to it,”Emma said. “The Sioux raided us and killed one of our drovers so Jeb went after them. I was afraid for him and prayed for his safety. When he got back safely, I lost my