Free Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) by Maya Stirling Page A

want.
    She didn't want to talk.
    Especially about the past. About why she'd had to leave.
    And she was going to do anything she could to avoid that.
    Mrs. Roper glanced out the window. "It's a beautiful morning. Nice day for sitting on the porch. Or for taking a stroll. You know. Like husbands and wives do all the time," she said.
    "How does a stroll sound?" Hunter asked with a slight smile.
    Gretchen glanced at the twins. "I don't want to stray too far from them," she said.
    "We can stay on the porch then. That way we can hear any little cries for help. Isn't that right, Mrs. Roper?" Hunter said.
    Mrs. Roper nodded and smiled. "If those little ones so much as make a peep, I'll let you know." She waved her hands at Gretchen and Hunter. "Now. Shoo. The pair of you. You look like you could both use some fresh air," she declared.
    Hunter took a final swig of coffee and stood, extending a hand to Gretchen. "Would you like to join me on the porch?" he asked with a gentle, ever so charming smile. If only he knew how much she didn't want to join him on the porch. She was briefly glad that he seemed to have absolutely no idea just how much she wished he would finish his breakfast and ride away on his horse for the morning, leaving Gretchen with the twins and Mrs. Roper. Gretchen glanced up at her husband and saw the eagerness in his eyes, the simple delight written on his face. She suddenly felt awful about even wanting not to be with him. Gretchen forced a smile. "I'd be delighted, sir," she said with exaggerated, playful acceptance. She took his and and stood up.
    Mrs. Roper smiled and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, ain't that a wonderful sight," she said with a sigh.
    "You will let me know if the twins need anything, won't you?" Gretchen asked.
    Mrs. Roper rolled her eyes. "What did I tell you two. Git," she ejaculated loudly, waving them both out of the kitchen.
    Gretchen allowed Hunter to lead her out to the hallway. He held onto her hand with firm fingers. She could feel the strength of all the days of hard work. His fingers had been wrought into strong cords, but there was also a gentleness in the way that he held her hand.
    Hunter opened the door and they stepped out. It was indeed a beautiful morning. The air was cool, the sun bright. Gretchen narrowed her eyes as she stepped out onto the porch. She looked across the yard. Men were already busy around the ranch. In the distance she saw some riders heading off, no doubt to tend to the herd. Far away the mountain peaks shone brightly in the early morning light.
    Gretchen took in a deep cool breath. Hunter turned to her. "It's beautiful. Isn't it?" he asked.
    Gretchen nodded. "Sure is."
    Hunter tugged on her hand and she followed him to the long wooden bench that sat in front of the wide parlor window. He released her hand and wiped away some dust from the seat. Hunter gestured to the seat. "After you," he said courteously. Gretchen smiled at him and straightened her dress. She sat down and placed her hands in her lap. Hunter took his place next to her. Immediately he placed his arm on the back of the seat behind Gretchen. For a moment she thought he was going to wrap his arm around her and pull her close, but he didn't. However she was intensely aware of his arm at her back, even though he wasn't yet touching her.
    Hunter sighed and looked across the plain at the distant mountains. "What a sight," he said. "I don't get to do this in the morning very much. It sure is nice to be here with you. Especially knowing that our twins are back there, inside the house," he said. There was a wide satisfied grin on his face.
    Gretchen nodded. "It's lovely," she managed to say after a long pause.
    Hunter glanced at her, apparently noticing the hesitation in her reply. Gretchen saw a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
    For a few long, and what seemed to Gretchen to be very awkward, minutes they gazed out across the view. A ranch hand wandered by and tipped his hat toward Hunter and