Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) (12 page)

"We best be going," Joshua said with a flick of his hat.

Laura gave herself one last check in the mirror, lifted up her bonnet and parasol and followed Joshua out the room.

The journey into Great Falls was idyllic. It was a beautiful sunny day. Montana had never looked so wonderful, it seemed to Laura. The rolling grass lands, distant mountains, blue sky all conspired to make Laura feel a happiness and contentment she'd not known for a very long time. She hooked her arm through Joshua's and leaned against his strong shoulder. He gripped the reins of the buggy tight and looked down at her from time to time with a wide, satisfied smile.

It was good to be alone together, sharing the wondrous beauty of the land they lived in. The air was fresh and clean. Laura filled her lungs with the cool scent of her husband. Nothing had ever smelled so wonderful.

They arrived in Great Falls and Joshua steered the buggy up the main street, eventually stopping outside the hall where the social was to be held. People were already crowding into the high ceilinged building and judging by the number of buckboards and buggies tied up there was going to be a large number of revellers.

"I didn't think it would be so busy," Laura said to Joshua.

"Looks like people just want to have some fun," he answered.

From inside the hall Laura could already hear music, the babel of voices and roars of laughter.

Joshua looked at Laura and his brows tightened. "You okay?"

Laura nodded. "Sure," she said sharply. She turned quickly and fixed Joshua with a determined look. "You know what?"

Joshua's mouth creased into an expectant smile. "What?"

"I think you and I need to dance. Don't you?"

Joshua tipped his hat and his eyes widened. "Well we haven't had a dance since the wedding. And here I was wondering just when you were going to show me your steps again," he said with a smile.

Laura bashed him on the arm. "Are you telling me I can't dance?"

Joshua shook his head and rubbed his arm playfully. "I wouldn't dare. But you did step on my toes a few times," he explained.

"I did not!" she exclaimed.

"Well, let's see then," he challenged, pointing toward the entrance to the hall. "The floor awaits."

Joshua jumped down of the buggy and came around, extending a hand to Laura. She stepped down and gave him a slight nod. Joshua looked as pleased as she'd ever seen him.

He presented her with an arm through which she hooked her own. Joshua smiled at her. It felt good to be in town, arm in arm, like a real couple, for everyone to see. Maybe they'd been cooped up in the ranch too long, Laura thought.

Joshua led Laura slowly through the open doors and they stepped into the clamor of the hall. There were so many people Laura wondered where they'd all come from. The hall was filled with the townsfolk of Great Falls. At the end of the hall was a low stage on which there was a band of fiddlers playing furiously for the gathered dancers in the center of the floor. A balcony stretched around the upper floor around both sides of the room, and townsfolk looked down on the scene from their positions seated at tables, drinks in hand, smiles on faces. The social was already in full flow. The noise was deafening.

Laura felt Joshua pull her arm closer to him. "Everyone seems to be having a fine old time already," Joshua shouted above the din.

Laura smiled. She'd never seen so many people in one room in Great Falls before.

"Where have all these people come from?" she asked Joshua leaning up close to his ear.

"The town's growing. People are coming here for the work, for the ranches. The railroad's made all the difference," he explained.

It all made sense when he put it like that. Growing up on the ranch, town life had always seemed so attractive, so compelling to Laura. She'd read about it in so many novels. People's lives seemed so much more exciting in towns. And here, in this high vaulted hall, she could see just what it meant to live in a bustling, vibrant town. Was this what she had lost when Nathaniel Bewly had rejected her? Was this how exciting town life could be?

Laura saw that Joshua was watching her carefully. He'd clearly noticed the excitement on her face. She guessed he might be trying to get a sense of how she was feeling about being in town, amongst so many people.

The band paused between tunes. Joshua released her arm and took up a position immediately in front of Laura. He bowed his head slightly. "May I have the pleasure of this dance?" he asked with a wry grin.

Laura bowed her head. "You may, sir," she said playing along with him.

Joshua took her gloved hand. Laura followed him out to the dance floor, weaving in amongst the other couples. Finally they found an empty space in the center of the floor, just in time for the music to start up. Joshua took Laura right hand and placed his other hand at the back of her waist. Laura felt Joshua draw her slightly toward him as they started to move gently and slowly in time with the romantic tune from the stage.

Laura looked up at Joshua. His eyes were bright and fixed intently on her face. Laura felt a smile spread across her lips, uncontrollable and inevitable. They stepped together in perfect unison, moving slowly and gently amongst the other couples. Not once did she step on his toes.

Joshua raised a querying brow. "Seems like I was wrong," he said leaning down close to her.

"What do you mean?"

"My toes are still intact," he said with a grin.

Laura shook her head. "You are incorrigible," she told him.

"I know. That's why you like me so much. Isn't it?"

"Who said I like you?" she teased.

"You have to like me," he said with a mocking frown. "I'm your husband, don't you remember?"

"Oh. That. I forgot about that," she said with an exaggerated frown.

Laura leaned in closer to Joshua as they continued to move together in time to the languid tune.

After a while the music changed to something more cheerful. Laura and Joshua followed the pattern of the more formal dance which involved couples lining up and exchanging partners in time with the music. Soon, all the skipping and turning was making Laura breathless, and she lost sight of Joshua more than once as the couples swapped around, wheeling and revolving. The relief she felt each time he made it back to her was palpable. When he took her back in his arms for the next, slower dance, it was a blessed respite from the frenetic activity of the previous one.

After the end of the dance Joshua led Laura to the tables where drinks were being served. There was food on the tables, as well as the cordials and bowls of punch. Joshua made sure Laura got a drink that was definitely not filled with dubious alcohol.

They took their places on some vacant seats beneath the balconies. Joshua handed Laura the glass and raised his own. "To our first social together."

Laura smiled and raised the glass. "It won't be our last," she declared, clinking the glasses.

The fruit cordial tasted sweet. They sat in silence for a while watching the townsfolk. It was pleasant to get off her feet and just sit with Joshua. She glanced at him. His face was flushed, but he looked real pleased.

Suddenly she heard a voice calling out her name above the din of the band and the rumble of the feet on the dance floor. She turned and saw a sight that made something hard and tight knot up in her middle.

"Eli. What are you doing here?" she said to her brother who was pushing his way through a crowd. She tried to sound pleased to see him, but it didn't sound very convincing. Laura saw Joshua stiffen when he caught sight of Eli.

Her brother was well turned out in neatly pressed pants, leather waistcoat and white shirt, the sleeves of which were rolled up to his elbows. He looked ready for action, although Laura couldn't guess which kind. He had a tall, already half empty, drink in his hand. Eli's eyes were bright and rather too animated for Laura's liking.

Joshua stood as Eli looked down at Laura. "Eli. I didn't expect to see you here," Joshua said. "You're not usually the socializing type."

Eli waved a hand loosely. "I don't spend all my time working. I'm not like you Joshua. I don't have to work all the time to keep my failing spread going," he declared. Laura could hear the slur in Eli's voice. What on earth did Eli mean? Failing spread.

Joshua glanced at Laura. He took Eli's elbow. "How's your mama?" Joshua asked him

"She's fine. Completely recovered. Now that you and Laura are married," he said with a glance down at his sister. "She's up and about, knitting all day in the parlor."

Laura peered into Eli's eyes looking for even the faintest hint of sincerity or concern for their mother. But, as usual, she couldn't find the slightest suggestion that his mother's recovery was good news.

"That's excellent news. Isn't it Laura," Joshua asked her.

Laura smiled wanly and nodded, her eyes fixed on Eli. She'd seen that look on Eli's face before. It was usually there when he was about to try and cause mischief. "It's great news. We'll need to go and see her, now that she's better. I'm sure she's desperate to know how I'm settling down to married life," she said.

Eli's eyes narrowed and his lips became a sharp, thin line. "Married life, eh? So how are things on the McKenzie ranch?"

Laura saw Joshua frown and take a step closer to Eli. "Maybe you've had enough to drink, Eli. Looks like you need to sit down and take some of that weight off your feet," he told her brother.

Eli stiffened and peered at Joshua. "What do you mean? I just came over to talk to my here sister," he said pointing at Laura. She glanced around at the nearby couples, who'd suddenly decided to put some space between themselves and the two men.

"I'm sure Laura's pleased to see you and to hear that mama's on the mend," Joshua said glancing with concern at Laura.

Joshua tried to steer Eli's arm in the direction of a nearby seat but Eli loosened Joshua's grip with sharp movement. "I'm perfectly fine where I am. I don't need a seat for what I have to say to you both," he said.

Laura frowned and stood, moving to her brother's side. "What's on your mind, Eli?" she asked.

Eli squinted at Laura. "You really want to know?"

Laura spoke quietly and nodded. "Sure."

Eli sighed and looked at Joshua. "Have you thought about what we talked about before your wedding?"

Joshua shifted and took Eli's elbow once again. "We can talk about that someplace else," he said. Laura saw the concern written over Joshua's face.

"But I have to know, if you still need my offer?" Eli insisted.

Laura frowned. "What offer?"

Joshua waved a hand. "It's nothing. Eli and I had a little talk. Before your mother suggested the wedding. But that's all behind us now. Isn't it Eli?"

Laura squinted at Joshua. "What are you talking about? What offer?"

Eli glanced at Laura. There was that look. It almost looked like triumph.

"What are you talking about Eli? What did you say to Joshua before the wedding?"

Eli grinned and flashed a look toward Joshua. "You want me to tell her?" he asked Joshua.

Joshua's brows furrowed. He cocked his head and took a step back. "I suppose you have to. Now that you've brought it up," he admitted.

Laura suddenly felt a hard lump of worry settle in her stomach.

Eli looked at Laura. His eyes rolled and when he spoke it was almost casually, as if what he was about to say was the most natural thing in the world. "When you got back from your little escapade in Helena, I said to Joshua that, since he was having money troubles on the ranch, and since you were obviously looking so hard for a way to leave our ranch, it might make sense that he took you off my hands," Eli said.

Laura felt her face pale. Her heart started to thud noisily. The music in the hall was suddenly louder, more insistent. She peered over at Joshua. His eyes were fixed on her, intent and serious.

"What do you mean, take me off your hands?" Laura demanded, her voice starting to rise.

Eli's head lolled to one side. "You never wanted to stay on our ranch Laura. Don't deny it. That's why you ran off. You wanted a new life. In the town, with Lord only knows who," he stated firmly.

Laura's eyes locked on Eli's. "So you suggested what to Joshua?" Laura shot another, sharper look at Joshua. It was just as well that the music was so loud. No-one should hear any part of this conversation.

"I told Joshua that if he married you, I'd take care of his money troubles. He'd get to keep his precious ranch and I'd get you off my hands," Eli stated with a simple and awful sounding finality.

Laura stood motionless for a moment. The room started to spin. Her legs felt weak and she could tell that her face must have changed a few shades in color. Joshua took a step toward her, but halted immediately he saw the look she drew him.

"Let me get this straight. You asked Joshua to marry me for money?"

Eli's mouth turned down in an emphatic scowl. "I guess you could put it that way," he answered.

Laura's mouth fell open.

"But your mother..."Joshua started to say.

"Did you agree to this, Joshua?" she demanded interrupting him.

"Your brother here thought it was a good idea..."

"Did you agree to it?" she demanded stepping up to her husband. His sideways glances told her that, right now, he wished no-one else could be witness to what was turning out to be a family feud.

"I did not," Joshua stated flatly. "Because your mother made it plain that she was already in favor of the marriage."

"It didn't look that way to me when I made you the offer," Eli said.

Laura whirled on her brother and, before she knew what she was doing, in spite of all the family loyalty she knew she should have felt, she swung her open hand and landed a resounding and noisy slap across her brother's drink flushed cheek. The sound of the harsh contact was drowned in the cacophony of the music. Her palm and fingers stung but Laura felt a deep satisfaction. A few nearby townsfolk looked on in shock.

"Laura!" Eli yelled stepping back and rubbing his face. "What'd you go and do that for?"

"It's the least you deserve, Eli," she said.