Montana Home

By Kathy Hendrickson

Carrie Vernon knows her powerful father has no love for her except as a pawn in his evil plans. Receiving a letter asking her to elope with the handsome rancher who’s been courting her, she defies her father to follow her heart. Hank Anderson has survived on his small ranch with hard work and the sheer will to make it prosper, and he desires the beautiful Carrie by his side. After he refuses to sell his ranch to Carrie’s father, cattle and horses are stolen and fences destroyed on the ranch. And he knows exactly who is causing the problems. But can he overlook the fact that maybe Carrie is part of her father’s plan? Will their love and family survive the cruelty of a man bent on destroying them both to get what he wants?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781509211142

Book preview

Inc.

Carrie awakened when Biscuit growled

in the outer room. Hank left the bed, and she searched for him in the darkness. What’s wrong with Biscuit?

The barks intensified. I’m not sure, but something’s got him spooked. Hank hastily pulled on his clothes.

Carrie followed him to the outer room. The full moon shone through the window. Biscuit stood alert at the front door and growled.

What is it, boy? Hank grabbed two rifles from the corner, made sure they were loaded, and handed one to Carrie. You stay here, keep the rifle with you. It’s probably just a coyote nosing around.

Hank grabbed a lantern, lit it, and opened the door. Biscuit barked as he ran toward the barn. Carrie stood at the window and held the rifle. She followed the light as Hank approached the barn and Biscuit continued his frantic barks.

Carrie was worried. What if someone was in the barn to do her husband harm? Hank searched the ground by the corral and door. The rifle in her hands seemed heavy, as she waited for her husband to come back to the cabin.

When he returned, Hank said. Someone was here all right. The barn door was wide open and the corral unlatched. The milk cow is gone, and several of the horses are missing too.

Montana Home

by

Kathy Hendrickson

The Love Letters Series

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Montana Home

COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Kathy Hendrickson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by RJ Morris

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Cactus Rose Edition, 2016

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-1114-2

The Love Letters Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedications

To Catt and Chris,

my alpha readers,

thank you for believing in me.

~*~

To my editor,

Allison Byers,

who has given me her time and guidance.

~*~

And to my P.R. man,

husband Butch,

for his love and support.

Chapter One

My Dearest Carrie,

I’m not much for putting pretty words on paper, but I had to reach you somehow. I asked your father for permission to marry you. He said no, that you were going to marry the banker. How can that be? I thought you loved me.

I want to marry you and raise a family here on my ranch. I realize the ranch is not as impressive as your father’s, but with you by my side, we’ll make it grand. I love you so much. I want to build a life with you.

I’m asking you to defy your father’s wishes to become my wife. Do you love me enough to do so? If your answer is yes, please come to the Elk Creek Church on Saturday in one month’s time. I’ve made arrangements with the preacher to marry us.

I will not let your father keep us apart. I hope to see you on our wedding day.

With all my love,

Hank

Chapter Two

Montana Territory, 1868

Hank Anderson stopped the wagon at the crest of the hill. Violets, an early sign of spring and Carrie’s favorite flower, bloomed on the hillside.

Welcome home, Mrs. Anderson. Carrie’s new husband removed his hat and gently kissed her.

She looked into his green eyes, and the heat of a blush stained her cheeks. His reddish brown hair was tangled, and his smile assured her, as she caressed his whiskered cheek. He took her hand to his lips and kissed it. Her heart was full of love for her husband, and it almost pushed out the anxiety that had been troubling her, since her decision to marry against her father’s wishes.

Hank pulled her close. Welcome to the Anderson Ranch.

Carrie turned, holding back a gasp. The words to describe the old cabin and barn nestled in the valley escaped her.

The ranch isn’t much right now, Hank said, but with you by my side, in a few years, we’ll have the best ranch in all Montana Territory. We’ll live here, and Lord willing, our children will too.

Carrie looked at the wedding ring on her finger and twisted it nervously. Her husband was waiting, so she hugged him. I’m sure we’ll be very happy here. Let’s go home.

The wagon lurched forward as they drove down the lane to the cabin. A large yellow dog came out from the barn and barked at the wagon until Hank stopped in front of the porch.

That’s Biscuit, he’s the foreman around here.

Hank jumped down, and Biscuit ran to his master. How are things going, boy? He roughhoused with the dog for a few minutes, and Carrie smiled. Hank walked to the wagon and lifted her from the seat into his strong arms. Holding her close, he carried her to the cabin.

Hank Anderson, you put me down this instant.

The dog circled them and barked as if he wanted to get in the game, too.

Don’t you remember it’s tradition for the groom to carry his bride over the threshold?

Yes, I do remember. Carrie laughed, as she placed her arms around her husband’s neck and let him carry her inside.

Hank opened the door and set her down.

Biscuit stood before her waiting to be acknowledged, so she bent down. Hello, Biscuit. He licked her face.

I think he likes you. Hank laughed.

Maybe, just a little too much. Carrie grinned as she wiped doggie slobber from her face. She stood and turned to inspect her new home. A sturdy table and four chairs occupied the center of the room. An old cook stove dominated one wall, and a pantry sat next to it.

Carrie turned to her husband, concern on his face. She smiled and looked into his green eyes. Hank, I know we’ll be happy here.

He reached for her hand and opened a door. This is our bedroom. Hank’s cheeks reddened as they entered the room. A colorful patchwork quilt covered the bed while a washstand sat in the corner. Pegs lined the wall, and a small dresser with four drawers stood next to the window.

What a beautiful quilt. Carrie ran her fingers over the fine stitches.

It was Ma’s. She loved to do needlework. Hank turned to leave. I’ve got chores to tend to. I’ll add some wood to the stove and bring in the supplies and your trunk so you can get settled.

Thank you, Hank. Don’t forget Mrs. Wilson fixed supper for us. We can eat when you get back.

Hank picked up her hands and kissed her. I love you, Mrs. Anderson.

I love you too, Mr. Anderson.

They left the room, and Carrie turned to really look at her new home. It definitely needed a woman’s touch.

Carrie held the door as Hank brought in her trunk and several baskets. He started a fire in the cook