Free Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling

life on the ranch which was causing the pain in Laura. Joshua realized that his new wife seemed to be in pain and it was burning him up inside that he felt so helpless to ease her distress. Because that was what it was. Distress, plain and simple.
    Finally, a few mornings after their first breakfast, Joshua could stand it no longer. The only person he could speak to at times like this was Mrs. Bell. She'd been with him long enough to know how to deal with almost any crisis, especially the domestic ones. Joshua caught Mrs. Bell in the kitchen before he headed out to the herd. Laura was safely out in the yard so Joshua knew there was no chance she would hear what he was about to say to Mrs. Bell.
    Joshua stood at the kitchen window and watched Laura make her solitary way across to the nearby corral. She looked so pretty in her green outfit. He loved watching her move; the way her hair swayed across her back as she walked; the confident poise of her shoulders; the way she held her hands by her side so graceful and refined. She was such an elegant figure and watching her never failed to stir something strong inside him. Right now was no different.
    "What's on your mind, Joshua?"
    Joshua turned quickly, feigning surprise." Huh? Oh nothing," he muttered.
    Mrs. Bell fixed her hands on her portly hips. "You can't fool me, Joshua McKenzie. I've known you long enough to know that there's something bothering you," she said.
    Joshua shook his head and glanced out the window. Laura had leaned against the wooden railings of the corral and was watching one of the wilder sorrel horses being attended to by the ranch foreman. Curt was the man Joshua turned to when there was a particularly boisterous horse to be tamed. The new animal they'd just acquired was making Curt work hard this morning, but Joshua knew he'd be able to cope.
    "It's Laura," he said quietly.
    "What about her?"
    "I can't figure out how to make her happy," Joshua stated bluntly.
    Mrs. Bell's brows furrowed. "That's a mighty big statement to make."
    "But it's true. I just can't find a way to make her feel at home. I want her to feel like she belongs here. That this is her place. Our place."
    Mrs. Bell wiped her hands on her apron. "She's going to need some time. Especially when you consider what she's been through."
    "I know how hard things have been for her. Marrying me can't have been easy."
    Mrs. Bell smiled. "You're not an easy man to live with," she joked.
    Joshua frowned and then smiled realizing that his housekeeper was teasing him. "Thank you for that."
    Mrs. Bell glanced out the kitchen window. "Laura loves her mama. Looks like she'd do just about anything to please her."
    "But it's more than that," Joshua said shaking his head. "She felt so guilty about running away. What it did to her mother. I think she just married me to make her mother happy," he said.
    Mrs. Bell laid a hand on his shoulder. "That's not the whole story, and you know it," she said.
    Joshua looked at Mrs. Bell. "The last few days have been real tough. It's almost as if she doesn't want to know about me. Doesn't want to even accept that we're man and wife. It doesn't matter what I do. Nothing seems to make her happy," he said.
    Mrs. Bell took a step closer to Joshua and her eyes narrowed. "I've seen all that. You've done everything you could have. She needs time to adjust. To get used to the idea of being Mrs. McKenzie."
    "But I don't know what else I can do?"
    "You have to be patient. This is a big change for Laura. The biggest she's ever had."
    "What I don't understand is how she could grow up on a ranch and yet find things here so difficult."
    Mrs. Bell sighed. "There's more to it than that. I spoke to her."
    "You did?" Joshua said surprised. "What did she say to you?'"
    "I'm not sure I should tell you. I think she was speaking to me in confidence. You know. Woman to woman."
    Joshua came to Mrs. Bell extending a hand. "What did she tell you?"
    Mrs. Bell frowned and cleared her throat. "She had a