High Plains Reunion

By Patricia Collier

Much to her surprise, Ginny Matthews discovers that her husband is still alive and well in Wyoming Territory. Owen Matthews is shocked to learn that his housekeeper, Libby, is the aunt of his supposedly deceased wife.

When Ginny leaves Tennessee with her daughter, Kittie, she has no idea what lies ahead. Probably for the best!


FIVE STAR reviews for “The Reluctant Wife,” first book in Ms. Collier’s previous series, The Hornet’s Nest:

“Loved it! This is a delightful first novel for Patricia Collier. . . .”—C. A. Wood

“Engaging characters. This romantic novel definitely kept my interest. . . .Look forward to reading future novels . . . .”—PennyW

“Great. I loved the book. . . .”—Ben Phillips

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Nov 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662922008

Book preview

Chapter 1

1869

Southeast Wyoming Territory

Owen Matthews sat sipping his coffee, a drink that his housekeeper, Libby, proudly stated was strong enough to melt a spoon. He agreed. Only some cream or milk could make it palatable. Fortunately, their cow provided those.

Libby sat across from him, her coffee forgotten as she read her niece’s letter. As she unfolded the last crease, something dropped to the scarred, wooden table that served them well for meals or any chore that required a surface during the cold, winter months.

He quickly placed his hand upon it before it could slide beneath the table. It looked like a photograph. As he turned it over, he froze, his heart thudding as he gazed upon the familiar face of the woman. A little girl stood beside her, her expression that of a bored child that wished to be elsewhere.

He must have muttered at sight of the pretty, young woman who sat seated by the child.

What is it? Libby exclaimed. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

I have. Who is this?

Libby peered at the photograph. Oh, that is my niece Ginny and her daughter Kittie.

Ginny? Owen questioned.

Ginny, short for Virginia, Libby replied, a smile upon her lips.

Virginia Graham Matthews? Owen asked.

Yes. Didn’t I mention that Ginny and you have the same surname?

Yes. I thought she might be married to a relative of mine. But I didn’t consider another choice.

And what would that be?

Wives usually have the same name as their husband.

The older woman peered queerly at him. What do you mean?

Your niece is my late wife.

Oh, quit your joshing, Libby replied as she waved her hand at his words.

I’m not joshing, he stated.

I didn’t know that you were married, she responded, her brows knitted together as she stared at him. Then she recalled his previous words. "What do you mean by your late wife?"

I was told that she died in a buggy accident with her father.

Libby lifted an eyebrow before she looked down at the photograph for a moment, then met his gaze. "Her father was killed in a buggy accident along with our cousin, Mattie. Mattie and Ginny both had dark brown hair. They resembled each other. Ginny wrote that people thought for several hours that she had been killed. Word spread in the community that both father and daughter were victims."

All these years I thought she was dead. I never told anyone about my marriage.

You never knew that you had a daughter, Libby stated, sadness in her voice.

He shook his head, slowly running his hand through his blonde hair.

The door opened to admit a young man who uncovered his coal black hair as he hung his hat on one of the pegs near the door of their cabin. He grinned at them as he walked over to the table. How is your niece?

Sit down and join us, Zac, Owen said as he picked up the photograph. I would like you to meet my wife and daughter.

Zac half-smiled at him. You’re joshin’ me.

Libby snorted at his words, causing Zac’s half-smile to disappear.

I’m afraid not, cousin, Owen replied.

1869

Tennessee

Ginny stared at the letter in her hands, which were trembling as she dropped it onto the colorful quilt that covered her bed. Owen is alive.

When a month had passed without word from him in the last days of the war, she had written to inform him of her father’s death and the good news that he had a daughter. Her letter was returned, along with a letter stating that as soon as Owen had recovered from his wound, he had left for the Dakota Territory. He had thought she was dead.

He had been wounded, and she had not known. She had no address for his family, so she just wrote his name on the envelope, then addressed it to Matthews Ranch, Dakota Territory.

She had allowed that her first letter might have been lost, but when he did not answer the second one, she had assumed that he had not survived his journey home.

Then one of the women at their church, at which her father had been the minister, suggested that he had deserted her. The woman had been spiteful, wanting to inflict pain because she had married a Union officer.

When she gave birth to Owen’s child, her father was already dead. As soon as she had recovered from Kittie’s birth, she traveled to his sister’s home in Manchester, Tennessee, where she had remained until now. Aunt Libby and Owen wanted her to bring Kittie to live with them on the ranch.

Wyoming Territory, as it was now called, might as well be the Moon. She had always been thankful that there were no Indians with which to fight here. Owen had told her that their winters were long and very cold. And the wind blew, making it colder. Then there was the snow.

Would she feel anything for Owen? She had wavered between mourning him and hating him for the past years. But he had not known that she was alive. He did deserve to know his daughter, and Kittie deserved to know her father. At four years of age, she already felt different from the children that sat with both a mother and a father in church. After the recent incident, she knew that they must leave Manchester.

They would travel by train to the Wyoming Territory. Owen had sent their fare. They would have first class tickets which provided a berth in which to sleep. She really had no choice. She must give him a chance to be a husband and father.

Chapter 2

Ginny breathed a sigh as she attempted to study the landscape of Wyoming Territory, but her attention was constantly drawn back to the man who sat across the aisle. He tipped his bowler hat at her. A man politely tipping his hat was one thing, but she would not smile at a strange man on the train. He was dressed as a gentleman, but she did not trust him. She had watched him comment on the ladies’ jewelry and the men’s watches or stickpins. Thankfully, she was wearing her gloves which covered her mother’s wedding band. Owen had not had time to purchase one for her during the war.

For some reason she felt that she should change seats with her daughter. Kittie, I am going to let you look at the scenery for awhile. You can watch for your father when we reach Laramie City.

Will he know me, Mama? the little girl asked as she slid next to the window.

Of course! You look just like him with your blonde hair and blue eyes. Ginny smiled, putting her arm around the child.

The man in the bowler hat rose from his seat and started for the front of their railroad car. He stopped at the end of the aisle, then reached within the coat of his suit and withdrew a revolver. Her heart raced as she tried to remain calm.

Ladies and gentlemen, since we are about to part company, I think it is time that you part with your money and jewelry. People gasped at his words as he removed his bowler. Kindly fill my hat with everything of value, even your wedding rings, ladies.

He then looked straight at her. Don’t think your gloves will hide them.

******

Owen stood waiting on the platform, craning his neck to see the train as it came into the station. As it came to a stop, a conductor hurried off the front car, and shouted, Get the sheriff! There’s been a holdup. And the thief has been shot, by a woman, no less!

Where were Ginny and Kittie? He ran toward the train, only to be stopped by the conductor who barred his way.

I’m sorry, sir, but no one enters or leaves until the sheriff gets here.

My wife and daughter are on this train!

This car is the only one where there was a holdup. Perhaps they are on one of the others.

Owen turned away. He moved slowly along until he saw a little girl, her blonde hair in braids, her bright blue eyes even more prominent against her pale skin. Kittie?

The child’s face was suddenly lit by a smile that reached from ear to ear. Daddy!

A woman came to the open window. Owen?

She’s even prettier than I remember. Ginny, are you two alright?

Yes, but we have to remain on board.

This your missus, Mister? A man with a beard stuck his head out the window next to Ginny. He continued, not waiting to hear an answer. She shot that no good buzzard. He’s as dead as a can of corned beef!

Ginny killed a man? Let Kittie climb out the window. She shouldn’t be part of this.

Your husband is right, ma’am, the bearded man agreed. I’ll hand her out to him if you don’t mind.

Owen noticed only the slightest hesitation before Ginny nodded her head. Kittie, this gentleman is going to help you out the window. Your father will take care of you until I can join you.

Catch me, Daddy! his daughter called to him, excitement in her voice.

Owen had no trouble reaching Kittie as she put her arms around his neck and allowed him to hold her against his broad chest. She was light as a feather.

A middle-aged man wearing a star hurried onto the platform, pausing as he saw Kittie and him. Is this your daughter?

Yes, and the lovely lady at the window is her mother, my wife, Virginia, Owen replied before lowering his voice, his sun bronzed hands covering Kittie’s ears. She killed the outlaw who was robbing everyone.

The deputy’s voice matched his own. She did what?

Mama told me to hide on the floor under the seat, Kittie offered, obviously able to hear their whispered conversation. There was a loud noise, then some ladies screamed. Mama wouldn’t let me get up to see."

I’m proud that you obeyed your mama, Owen interjected, removing his large hands from her ears.

Kittie grinned at him. I try.

Owen suddenly remembered his manners. Excuse me, Ginny, this is Deputy Sheriff Ben Higgins.

Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Matthews. Ben removed his hat, revealing black hair that was graying at the temples. I’m sorry it has to be under professional circumstances.

Her smile left her face. So am I.

I would ask you to join me, Owen, but you have your hands full, he stated, a smile upon his face as he touched one of Kittie’s braids.

Owen glanced toward Ginny who was unaware that she was biting her lower lip. She was disturbed and upset. He had seen that look when he had to leave her behind during the war, a bride of one week.

******

Ginny heaved a sigh as the sheriff approached her at her seat. The thief’s body had been removed from the railroad car. All the witnesses had been interviewed, thanks to another deputy arriving to help even though it was his day off.

Ginny tensed as the door to the car opened suddenly. Owen removed his hat and ducked his head. For a moment she marveled at his height. But where is Kittie?

He must have seen her alarm because he pointed out the window. She turned to see Kittie sitting on the wooden bench on the railroad platform with a young girl who looked to be about sixteen.

I’m over here, Mama, Kittie called out to her. Mary’s going to read to me.

Be a good girl, Ginny replied.

Yes, ma’am.

Owen took a seat across the aisle. The sheriff sat directly across from her seat.

All the witnesses said the victim was pointing a gun at everyone, Ben Higgins began. Tell me how you happened to be able to shoot him.

I pulled my ring off with my glove. Then I told him that it was in my reticule. I slowly opened it, reached in and grasped my derringer. I shot through my reticule. He seemed surprised. He stared at me, then fell to the floor. They told me that I shot him through the heart.

Ben heaved a sigh. You killed Will Shepherd, one of the meanest desperadoes around.

Desperadoes? Ginny asked.

Bandits. Outlaws, the sheriff explained. He wouldn’t have hesitated to pull that trigger, Mrs. Matthews.

The fact that she had just killed a man that would not have thought twice about killing her caused her to tremble. Owen rose, his lips set in a firm line. Was that anger?

******

Owen put his arm around Kittie as they narrowly missed another rut in the road. Ginny gripped the buckboard seat, but said nothing.

A deer! Kittie said excitedly, which caused the doe to turn and run back into the trees. Did you see, Daddy?

He grinned at his daughter, touched that she had no qualms about addressing him as Daddy. Yes, I saw, Kittie. Just remember not to speak so loud if you want an animal to remain in sight.

Yes, sir, I’ll remember.

You’ve done a fine job raising our daughter, Ginny. He glanced at his wife, who barely acknowledged him.

Thank you, she replied as she stared ahead. I did the best I could under the circumstances.

He recognized her subtle dig at his absence in their lives. I didn’t know, Ginny.

How did my letters never arrive?

Mail could have been lost along the way. Stagecoaches attacked by Indians or thieves could have all the mail stolen or left to the elements to disappear.

Weren’t your parents here to receive any that arrived? Ginny questioned him.

My younger brother joined the Union army after I did. At that time Pa was well, but Ma and he eventually needed help when the hired man left to join the Confederacy. My cousin Zac was only thirteen. He was helping his parents, as well as mine. Pa’s health finally broke. By the time you wrote me, they may have meant to save it for me, but it was misplaced.

Ginny sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "When did you arrive home?"

Too late. I never received Ma’s letter telling me Pa wasn’t well. Of course, I was no longer in the army, and I was in no hurry to come home after I was told that you had been killed in the buggy accident with your father.

The mail seems to have played a vital part in our estrangement, Ginny responded.

Unfortunately, he agreed.

When will we be home? Kittie asked, her little face animated with excitement.

He smiled at her as they came in sight of a wooden sign painted with black letters.

Do you know what that sign says?

Ma-Mat-Matthews Ran-Matthews Ranch! Kittie sounded out the words.

Do you know how to read? he asked in surprise.

"I can spell my name, and Mama taught me ranch so I would know where I was going to live." Kittie smiled at her achievement.

That was wise of your mother, Owen stated as he tilted his head to the side, preparing himself for another dig of the spur.

Thank you. Ginny kept her eyes on the road.

At least she is polite.

Is that the ranch? Kittie asked as she pointed toward the adobe walls in the distance.

Yes, our cabin is within those walls.

Mama says a ranch is a place where cows and horses live. People, too, Kittie said.

Your mother is right. We have chickens that we keep in a house at night so the foxes and coyotes won’t be able to get them. Several horses milled about the paddock, which had recently been whitewashed. He hoped his wife noticed.