Free Carrie's Montana Love: New Montana Brides (New Montana Bride Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton Page A

the day.
    “Thank the Lord for naps,” said Elizabeth. I think they benefit the mothers more than the kids.”
    “Amen to that,” Carrie said.
    The men, from three different professions, trended away from the children and toward topics they did not discuss in front of the women.
    “Case, what’s going on with the Sioux?”
    “ Even though we signed a treaty back in ’68, the settlers are still moving onto the Sioux land. I think there’s going to be more trouble. If it happens, I’m going to move CP and Carrie into town until it’s over.”
    “I don’t blame you, but knowing your wife, she will ne ver go with it,” Jack said.
    “I may have to get the sheriff to lock her up, but she will go,” Case said.
    “I hope it can be settled peacefully. I’ve patched up enough arrow and bullet wounds to last me the rest of my life,” Carter said.
    * * *
    “Why aren’t you playing with Carrie and Lucy, CP?” his mother asked.
    “They ’re playing house. That’s a girl’s game,” he said.
    “What would you like to play?”
    “I like Cowboys and Indians. I showed Carrie ‘Lizabeth the arrow until Carter took out of Papa and all she said was ‘ewww’.
    Girls don’t like to play things about people getting hurt.”
    “That’s dumb, Mama.”
    Well, they probably think Cowboys and Indians is dumb too.”
    “Well, I wish I had a brother to play with. He’d like Cowboys and Indians.”
    “I do too, CP, but it isn’t going to happen. I guess the good Lord knew there wouldn’t be any little brothers, so he gave us the best little boy he had, and that was you.”
    Her eyes had moistened and tears spilled out and rolled down her cheeks. “Give Mama a big hug, please?”
    He put his little arms around her, and hugged her. “Uhh,” he grunted with the effort.
    Case chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. “When he saw the tears, he asked, “What’s wrong, Honey?”
    “CP is unhappy with  the girls playing dolls and told me he wished he had a little brother.”
    He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “I know that hurt. It’s not your fault.”
    “I know. I told him God knew there wouldn’t be any more, and that’s why he gave us the best little boy he had.”
    You two still doing the hugging and kissing bit?” she asked with a smile.
    “Every chance we get,” Case said.
     

 
     
     
    chapter two
    School Days
    “Can you believe he starts school in a few months?” Cased asked one evening.
    “I can’t,” she said.
    “I’ve been thinking about something<” she said.
    “What’s that?”
    “Before I came out here, I was teaching at the Academy in Oxford. I’ve been thinking with CP in school, I might like to try that again.”
    “You don’t need to do that, honey. Lord knows the ranch is making all of the money we need.”
    “I know that,” she said. But with CP in school and Maude keeping the house and doing the cooking, there won’t be anything for me to do. I can’t garden all of the time, and you’re out most of the day. It will be lonely in this big house.”
    “If you were to go into Helena every day, I’d have so send someone in with you and come back to get you.”
    “Why,” she asked. “I’m perfectly capable of driving a wagon.”
    “I know, but the Sioux thing could start up at any time, and I can’t take the risk of having anything happen to you. I couldn’t live without you, and you know it.”
    “If what you say is true, couldn’t they hit the ranch, just as easily?”
    “I have someone keeping watch on the house when I’m not here. There’s always someone here.”
    “I didn’t know that,” she said. “I’ve never seen anyone.”
    “You weren’t supposed to,” he said quietly.
    “I would still like to teach. You don’t know what it’s like to sit here all day with nothing to do. Unless you come up with a better argument, I am going to apply for my certif icate.”
    * * *
    Three months later…
    Carrie had applied for and been granted