Mail Order Bride Audrey: Brides of Montana, #2

By Kate Whitsby

In Book 2 of The McGuire Family Series, Audrey Burns deepens her romance with her mail-order husband, Owen McGuire. After her shock revelation that she’s an expert horsewoman, Audrey finds a new purpose working the McGuire cattle herd on their annual drive to the auction yards in Helena, Montana. When Jack McGuire recovers from his fall from his horse and takes to the saddle again, Audrey reluctantly gives up her position among the cowboys and retreats to the chuck wagon with the women. But circumstances don’t allow her to remain on the shelf for long. Catastrophe strikes the cattle drive again and again, each time calling on Audrey to rise to the occasion and use her skills and her indomitable spirit to rescue the operation from disaster.

Audrey’s new family discovers a depth of courage and determination in her they never thought possible. One by one, she wins the admiration of each person in the company. But Audrey has a secret no one knows, the secret of why she became a mail-order bride in the first place. Before this cattle drive ends, her cherished family and her budding attachment for Owen will face the ultimate test of love and loyalty when they find out she isn’t the person they think she is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gold Crown Publishing
• Release date: Apr 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386825142

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KATE WHITSBY

Mail Order Bride Audrey

Brides Of Montana: Book 2

Dedication

To YOU, The reader.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your emails.

Thank you for your reviews.

Thank you for reading and joining me on this road.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Connect With Kate

Copyright

Chapter 1

Audrey snuggled closer to her husband, Owen McGuire, to keep warm. Cold gray dawn spread over the Montana ranges, wakening the McGuire family to another day on the cattle drive. Owen groaned in his sleep and rolled over. He flung one big arm over Audrey and drew her into the halo of his warm presence.

Audrey tried to keep her eyes closed. She would have liked to go back to sleep for a little longer. But the light wouldn't stay out. Little by little, her eyes flickered open.

A band of mist hung over the field in which the family camped. The wagon with its rounded canvas cover stood a little way off. Somewhere on the other side of it, Owen's son, Joel, slept in a bedroll with his new bride, Philly. Owen's father, Jack McGuire, slept in the back of the wagon with his mail-order wife, Irene.

When they went to bed last night, Irene was awake in the wagon bed and talking to Jack. No one could believe the miracle of Jack rescuing her from the stampeding cattle, least of all Jack. Were guardian angels protecting them from unforeseen disaster?

Audrey's eyes snapped open. Not a sound came from the camp, but something caught her attention and jolted her wide awake. Owen's breathing changed. She thought he was asleep, but his whiskery face nuzzled into the back of her hair and sent her a different message.

In an instant, her body pulled taut and alive with the running quicksilver of molten passion. Her eyes closed again, and a fuzzy, prickly sensation spread over her face. Her consciousness dropped down, out of her head into the lower reaches of her body.

Her mind couldn't understand those hidden parts of herself. It didn't need to. They took over her being and did things she didn't even know about. Who did those things? Not her. Not Audrey Burns McGuire. That person would never do anything like this.

She rolled over to face Owen and his arms enveloped her. Down she sank into the dark pool of blood and rock, down to the place where the light of day never penetrated.

A low roaring noise sounded in Owen's throat, and Audrey matched it with a soft purr. He raised his great bulk from the ground and moved over on top of her.

His weight crushed her into the cold ground under their bedroll. He pressed the air out of her lungs, but she couldn't breathe anyway from the fire burning through her.

Owen buried his face in the soft spot behind her ear and weighed her down even more, compressing her all the way from her chest down to her knees. She melted underneath him, welcoming him, making a place for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheeks and lips against the rough whisker stubble on the side of his face.

The harsh clang of metal against metal startled her out of her dream state. Her eyes flew open, and Owen's head shot up from her neck. Even before Owen moved, Audrey saw the hem of Philly's dress moving on the other wide of the wagon. Between the spokes of the wagon wheels, she saw a female hand pick up the cooking pots and carry them to the fire.

Just before Philly rounded the wagon to a place where she could see Owen lying on top of her, Audrey flung him off and leapt out of her blankets. In an instant, she was on her feet, smoothing down her dress and running her fingers over her hair.

Then Philly bustled into view and gave her a smile. She set the pot down by the fire and squatted down to blow up the embers for the morning's breakfast.

Audrey breathed a sigh of relief. Just before she strolled over to help Philly, she glanced back down at Owen. He gazed up at her with a knowing smile.

Next time, he murmured. You won't get away from me next time.

Audrey chuckled. She put her foot on his midsection and gently compressed it two or three times until he laughed. Tonight. I'll see you tonight.

Owen lay on his back on the ground and shut his eyes. All right.

Audrey sailed away to the fire and crouched down next to Philly.

Philly smiled at her again. Good morning.

Good morning, Audrey answered. How's Irene?

I don't know, Philly replied. Neither of them is up yet. Is everything all right with you and Owen?

Chapter 2

Audrey jumped. What do you mean?

I just wondered, Philly told her. since Owen was still in bed. I just wondered.

Audrey slumped. He's fine. Sometimes I wish I could stay in bed just a few more minutes.

Philly laughed. Don't even think about that. You can only get into trouble thinking that way. Once you let the thought into your mind, you won't rest until you do it, and you can't afford that.

Audrey nodded. I can imagine how it was for you, having to get up and work every morning of your life. It's a lot harder for me to adjust to this. At home, I always got up whenever I wanted.

Philly shook her head. I won't say you're lucky. You might have had it easy for the first part of your life, but it sure didn't help you get ready for a life out here on the Frontier, did it? You better put that past behind you right away. You're not at home anymore.

Audrey looked around. The sun burned through the mist, and a clear blue sky rose up above them. The birds soared high in the sky, singing and diving in the joy at the new day. Oh, yes, I am. This is my home now. I didn't think I would feel this way about it, but I know now that I belong here.

Philly studied her. I felt the same way. I'm glad I came.

My past might not have helped get me ready for this life, Audrey went on, but everything  that ever happened to me led me to this. She waved her hand at the field around her. No one at home would ever believe it. I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't happened to me.

You know, Philly remarked, "your past did get you ready for it. You learned all that stuff about riding horses. Where would we be now if you hadn't? You saved the cattle drive."

That was nothing, Audrey mumbled. Anyone could do it.

Philly lowered her eyes. No, they couldn't. I couldn't. I can't even ride a horse, let alone ride in the steeple chase.

I could teach you how, Audrey offered. It's easy. Back in Louisville, little kids ride all the time. Sometimes they start to learn to ride even before they learn to walk. It's second nature.

Philly shook her head again. I couldn't.

Why? Audrey asked.

I just couldn't, Philly repeated. I don't think I could ever learn to ride a horse.

Audrey stared at her. I don't understand it, but I'll have to take your word for it. She glanced over at the wagon. Do you think it would be rude if I went over there to see about Irene? I'm worried about her.

Philly followed her gaze, but the memory of Owen holding her just a few minutes before came back to her. Let Jack and Irene spend a little more time alone together in the privacy of the wagon. Who knew what they might be doing in there right now? Audrey cut her Philly before she could speak.

Don't answer that, Audrey snapped. I'll wait until Jack gets up and ask him.

But at that very moment, the wagon cover rustled and Irene herself climbed out. She shook out her dress and looked around until she caught sight of the two younger women. She strode over to the fire.

You two are up early, she greeted them.

It was Philly, Audrey told her. I would still be in bed if she hadn't gotten up.

I just can't stay in bed, Philly replied. As soon as the light hits my eyes, I have to get up. It's habit.

I'm the same way, Irene told her. Maybe that's why I'm late, because we were in the wagon. It's darker in there.

How's your head? Audrey asked.

It isn't my head, Irene replied. It's my body. That bull hit me right in the chest. It's a wonder he didn't break any ribs.

It's a miracle, Philly agreed. I still can't believe the way Jack saved you.

Just don't mention it to him, Irene told her. He won't hear any thanks for it. I think he's still a little bit frightened by the whole thing. He's a little bit in awe of how quickly we fell in love with each other. We both are, actually.

It's the same with me and Owen, Audrey replied. I never would have believed I could care so much for someone I just met.

Me, too, Philly chimed in. I feel like I've known Joel all my life. I'm so glad you convinced the men to let us come on this cattle drive. I wouldn't want to stay home alone for three weeks without Joel.

I think Irene went on, the men feel the same way. Have you noticed how differently they act now?

Audrey nodded. I noticed. They don't argue the way they did when we first got married at the Post Office in White Fish. I thought we would never get home without them coming to blows. My goodness, was it really only a few days ago? It seems like years!

Philly agreed. I noticed it last night when we were sitting around the fire. They speak much more quietly to each other. Owen and Joel were just as worried about you, Irene, as Jack was.

They don't want to think of their own wives in the same situation. Audrey turned to Irene. I would hate to be in your situation when Jack fell off his horse and was knocked unconscious. I don't know how you handled that. I would die if something like that ever happened to Owen.

You don't die, Irene told her. "You just rise to the occasion. You'd be surprised what you can do when the situation calls for it. You