Montana Star by DeAnn Smallwood

Author:DeAnn Smallwood [Smallwood, DeAnn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-05T09:01:00+00:00

Over the next few days, Jarrett acquired a shadow. Wherever he was, around the barn, the corrals, or the house, a small boy walked by his side. Timmy's chair was somehow closer to Jarrett's. Jarrett, not Aries, was the one that dished up Timmy's food, cut his meat, and encouraged him to eat more. And when the catalogs were replaced by a cleverly made small chair that fit perfectly on the seat of the big one, it was Jarrett who placed it there with Timmy stating proudly that he and Jarrett had made it. And if most of Timmy's responses were prefaced by a quick look at Jarrett for direction, no one seemed to mind. In fact, there were many smiles and knowing looks passed over the heads of the boy and man.

And one night, at the supper table, when Timmy softly corrected Aries, saying that Timmy was a baby name, and that he wanted her to call him Tim, like Jarrett did, she only smiled and said she completely agreed, and that it would be Tim from now on, unless, of course, she forgot.

It was one of those late spring days when the sun was warm with mid-morning brightness, and the sounds of birds calling to each other from their nests floated up from the trees along the river. Aries heard the sound of galloping horses. She wouldn't have paid any attention if she hadn't heard a strange voice call out.

"Hello. Anyone around?"

Aries opened the screen door and stood on the porch, letting her eyes adjust to the bright sunlight, as she peered at the two riders reining in, in front of the house.

"Morning, ma'am, Miss Aries." A tall, lean man spoke from the back of a long-legged fidgety horse.

"Aries," the woman next to him called out. "You're Aries. I barely can remember. I was so out of it-but I told Whip here I'd know you anywhere. I just knew I would."

"Whip?" Then Aries remembered. Was it only two weeks ago she'd arrived at Wise River? It seemed longer. This ranch was so much like home. "Whip and Callie," she called out, a smile on her face. She quickly walked across the porch and down the steps to the two people sitting side by side on two, nervously pawing horses.

She walked on out into the yard. "My gosh, it's... well, it's a surprise to see you here. I.."

She was stopped from saying anything else by the appearance of a scowling Jarrett followed by Timmy, coming from the corral behind the house. All three pairs of eyes turned to the imposing figure striding toward them, his body rigid, every muscle controlled. He hand reached down and touched the boy on the shoulder, slowing him, until he stood protectively behind the man. He moved lithely without saying a word and stood by Aries' side. Then, and only then, did he acknowledge the man in front of him.

"Whip." His voice was cold, unwelcoming.

Aries looked at him, puzzled by his stiff, unyielding manner.

"Jarrett,"

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