The Montana Widow's Husband (The New Montana Brides) (5 page)

Two months later…

Jeb had hired two new ranch hands.  Lying on his bed, he overheard a conversation between the two new men.

“Do you think old Jeb is putting it to Miss Emma?” asked Hoyt, one of the new hires.

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t mind doing it myself,” said his buddy, Wade. “She is a fine looking woman.”

“She is that,” said the first.

That’s enough
, decided Jeb. He stood and walked over to the table where the two sat.

“Uh… “We didn’t know you were there, Jeb. We didn’t mean nothing by it,” one said.

“I’m only going to say this one time,” Jeb said. “So listen closely. If I ever hear either of you say anything like that again, I’ll beat you within an inch of your lives, do you understand me.?”

“Aw, come on, Jeb, it’s nothing to get riled about,” Hoyt said. “You know how it is. You are in the house a lot. Things like that happen.”

“Stand up,” Jeb said in a soft, ominous voice.

“What?” asked the man. “Why? What are you going to do?”

“Stand up.”

Hoyt made motions to stand up. As he rose, he threw a sucker punch catching Jeb flush on the jaw. Surprised, Jeb staggered back. Hoyt pushed his advantage, reared back and threw a roundhouse right.

At West Point, Jeb had been a boxer. He caught the clumsy effort on his left forearm and countered with a right to the gut, followed by two rapid punches to the jaw. Hoyt went down.

Jeb turned to Wade. “Are you in on this?” he asked.

“No sir. I apologize,” Wade said. “It was just talk. It won’t happen again.”

Jeb turned to Hoyt, who had gotten up. “What about you?”

“It won’t happen again,” Hoyt said.

“See that it doesn’t. If I hear anything like it again, I won’t be so easy on you.”

Lem had been watching. “Looks like you’re going to have a shiner, boss. Let me get something cold on it.”

“Thanks, Lem,” he said and went back to his bunk, not knowing how much his stature among the men had just risen.

The next day Jeb and the men moved one of the herds to new grass. The following morning, he went to the back door. Emma answered his knock.

“What happened to you?” she asked.

“It was nothing, I stumbled and hit a bunk,” he said.

“That doesn’t fit with what I heard. Someone told me there was a fight in the bunkhouse,” she said.

“Sam talks too much,” Jeb said, knowing Sam and Lem were the only two around the day after the incident.

“It was about me, wasn’t it?” she asked.

“I don’t want to discuss it. I think it would be better if I took the books and worked on them in the bunkhouse,” he said.

“Why is that, Jeb,” she asked softly.

“Nothing important. There’s been some talk is all,” he answered.

“Talk about me? Or talk about us?” she asked.

“There can’t be an us. I’m your employee,” he said.

“Why can’t there be an us?” she asked. “I care for you. You’ve become important to me.”

“Miss Emma…”

“No more Miss Emma. I’m Emma,” she said.

“It isn’t appropriate,” he said.

“You’re not at West Point anymore. You’re a man, and I’m a woman. Act like it,” she demanded. She took his arm, and pulled him further inside, and closed the door. Turning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head to the point where her lips touched his. Sparks flew, leaving her mouth burning from the fire within. Shivers of delight ran down her spine.

Hungrily, he returned the kiss. He encircled her with his arm, one hand in the small of her back pulling her closer. His lips massaged hers. When the tip of her tongue touched his, he could taste the sweetness of her. He broke the kiss and pulled back. “I’m s… “

“Shush, don’t you dare apologize. I’ve been wanting that to happen for weeks,” she said.

“She looked into his deep blue eyes, “You really got into a fight because of me?” she asked in wonderment.

“He said something that was insulting about you. I couldn’t let it stand,” Jeb said.

“Did you fire him?” she asked.

“No, but I shouldn’t have lost my temper. He won’t do it again, not if he wants to keep his job.”

“What now,” she asked, still in his arms.

“Now, I kiss you again, he said.

“I like that idea,” she said.

The second kiss was more intense than the first. As soon as their lips touched, she parted hers, allowing his demanding tongue the entry it wanted. Gently, he explored the interior, not hearing the soft moans coming from deep within. He kissed her forehead and her cheeks. She nuzzled her face in the crevice between his neck and shoulders. She could feel the stubble of the day’s growth of beard, with her tongue,

Her knees were weak from the desire coursing through her body. She molded her body against his, as he traced the outline of her lips with his tongue.

“You took my breath away,”, she said. “What took you so long?” she asked. “I decided you were never going to kiss me on your own, so I took matters into my own hands, or lips.”

“Emma”, he said, his voice husky, from the desire he was feeling, “This is wrong. I can’t do it. I have always been a soldier, there’s never been time for a woman in my life. I can’t say I haven’t thought about it, but not with a woman like you.”

“What do you mean, a woman like me?” she asked.

“You’re beautiful, you are educated, you’ve been married and your social level is far above this horseman. I know my place, and if I forget it, people will talk. I don’t want that, and I don’t want it for you,” he said.

“What about what I want for me. Does that count for anything?”

“It wouldn’t work. I have nothing to offer you,” he said.

“Can I decide that for myself?” she asked.

“I had better go,” he said.

“Yes, go. By all means, don’t take any risks; someone might think less of you.”

“If my continuing as manager is a problem for you, I’ll move on, if that’s what you want.”

“That’s up to you,” she said.

He left, leaving her behind, with tears in her eyes. Tears he didn’t see, because he didn’t look back.

Case Jamison rode over to the Flying W, looking for Jeb. Emma answered the door when he knocked. “I need to talk to Jeb,” he said.

“I don’t know where he is,” she said. “You will have to ask Lem or Sam.”

Seeing the expression on his face, she said, “We don’t talk much these days. It’s nice to see you, tell Carrie I said hello.”

“I’ll do that,” he said, as she turned and went back into the house.

Case found Jeb at the corral, watching one of the hands trying to break a horse to the bridle. “Jeb, I need to talk to you,” he said.

“What’s on your mind?” asked Jeb.

“The Government has ordered all of the Sioux back on the reservation. Sitting Bull is not going to like it, since it’s an open invitation for more miners to move in, ignoring the ’68 treaty. I think there’s going to be trouble, especially if they try to do it by force. The Sioux are usually pretty docile in the winter, because they need help from the Government, but come spring, and with the buffalo on the move, they’re going to get belligerent in a hurry.”

“It’s the same kind of situation as it was when I took an arrow.

“You did know they got my Ma and Pa?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“It was back right before the ’68 treaty. A raiding party hit the ranch while I had a good many of the hands off rounding up strays. I came back and found them. Anyway, I just wanted to warn you, though you have more experience than any of us around here. You might want to lay in a supply of ammunition.

“Jeb, it’s none of my business, but I thought you and Emma were getting along pretty well. Did something happen?” Case asked.

“Nothing happened, I think I overstepped my bounds is all,” Jeb said.

Case looked at him strangely, but didn’t say anything.

“Thanks for the warning, if they come, we’ll be ready,” Jeb said.

The Cavalry On The Move…

It was mid-morning when they came riding in. With a major and a captain leading the company of thirty horsemen. “The Colonel’s compliments, sir. I’m Major Brevard, this is Captain Tolliver. We are just notifying the ranches we’re going to be working this area for the next month, or however long it takes,” the Major said.

“With a full company, a major as well as a captain, this sounds serious.”

“You sound as if you’re familiar with the military, sir,” the major said.

“West Point, ’68. I was a captain in the 4
th
US down in Texas for over six years.”

“We could use a man of your experience,” said the major. “You could probably get your commission back,” he said.

“I don’t know,” Jeb said. “It’s a hard life. When I left, I was tired. Really tired.”

“Think on it. If you change your mind, let me know.” Major Brevard touched his fingers to the brim of his hat, and said, “By your leave, sir?”

Jeb returned the mock salute, the officers and men of the 7
th
US Cavalry wheeled around and rode away. He watched them ride away, not knowing they would all be killed at the Little Big Horn in June.

Sam had been listening to the conversation, “Wonder what that’s all about?” he asked.

“That is in all likelihood the beginning of a big mistake,” Jeb said. “Sam, we need to get a good supply of cartridges, and I don’t want any solo riders out. You tell them as you see them, and I’ll pass the word tomorrow.” He went to his bunk and retrieved his Winchester ’73 and checked it over carefully, and loaded the magazine to its capacity.

“Sam, what did the Cavalry want?” Emma asked.

“They were letting us know they’re going to be in the area for the next month, trying to get all of the Sioux back on the reservation. Case came to warn us there might be trouble. Mr. Jeb wants to lay in a supply of cartridges just in case.

“Miss Emma, the major told Mr. Jeb the Cavalry would like to have him back. He told him he could probably get his commission back.”

“What did Jeb say?” she asked.

“He didn’t sound interested, but said he’d think on it. Miss Emma, what happened? I thought you and Mr. Jeb might be going to get together.”

“I thought so too Sam, but he wasn’t interested.”

“Miss Emma, I don’t think that’s so. I see him keep looking toward the house, like he’s checking to see if you’ve come outside,” Sam said. “I’d hate to see him leave over some misunderstanding. He’s made a big difference here.”

“I know, Sam. I know.”

Saturday night…

Emma came to the bunk house, and asked Jeb to come outside for a minute.

“Yes, Miss Emma, you need me?” he asked.

I do, but you’re too dense to know it.
“I do. Jared and I are going to church tomorrow, and since you always send a guard, I want you to to be the guard,” she said.

“Miss Emma, I’ve got a lot to do. I don’t have time to go off riding guard.”

“Regardless, I want you to come along,” she said.

“You’re the boss,” he said.

When she came out with Jared, the wagon was ready, and Jeb was mounted and waiting. His Winchester was in the scabbard, ready for action. “You’re not riding in the wagon?” she asked.

“I can do a better job of guarding if I’m mounted,” he said.

“Jeb, why are you being so stubborn?” she asked.

“I’m just trying to do my job, Miss Emma,” he said.

When they arrived in town, he told Emma, “I’ll be here when church lets out.”

“You’re not coming in?” she asked.

“I have some things to do,” he said.

After church, Letty said, “Emma, what’s going on? I see Jeb is here, but he didn’t come in.”

“I don’t know, Letty. Some foolish notion I’m above his station and people will think he’s just after the ranch,” Emma said.

When Emma went to talk to the Palmers, Letty went up to Jeb, and said, “Would you get down off your high horse? I’d like to talk to you.”

“What is it, Miss Letty?” he asked.

“What are you doing? Do you have any idea what you are doing to that girl?”

“What do you mean, what I’m doing to her? I’m riding guard is all,” he said.

“That is not what I mean and you know it. Don’t you know she loves you? Are you blind in addition to being just plain stupid?”

“Now Miss Letty, you have no call to talk to me like that,” he said.

“No call? She’s my friend, and she’s hurting, and it’s your fault,” she said, and turned away in a huff.

He waited patiently by his horse, which he had tied to the back of the wagon. Emma glanced in his direction, and saw he was ready to go. She led Jared to the wagon, and started to help him up, but Jeb picked him up and deposited him into the bed of the wagon. He took her hand, and boosted her up to the seat. “I need to stop at the store and pick up some things. Silas should have them ready by now,” he said.

“Okay,” she said.

“Are you coming in while I put the supplies in the wagon?”

“I think I might,” she said, and held her hand out for him to assist her in getting down. “Thank you,” she said, and smiled sweetly.

“I’m all set,” she said, after selecting a few things for herself and for Jared. When Jeb climbed onto the wagon seat, and picked up the reins, she said nothing, but allowed herself the briefest smile.

As they rode back to the ranch, she could see Jeb’s head constantly swinging around, checking to the front, rear and both sides. “Are you afraid there might be trouble,” she asked.

“With the Indians, I’ve found it pays to be careful. I don’t like to take chances,” he said.

“I’ve noticed,” she said.

He glowered at her, but said nothing. Nothing for the rest of the ride. He did maintain his constant vigilance, but saw nothing of concern.