Singing Montana Sky (The Montana Sky Series Book 7) by Debra Holland

Author:Debra Holland [Holland, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: No Publisher
Published: 2017-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As the wagon rolled toward the area between the house and barn, Patches and Dove raced over, wagging their tails and barking a welcome. Cowboys drifted from the barn and corral. Mrs. Pendell emerged from the house and headed toward the wagon. Sophia knew from her sister that they had worried and prayed for her during her illness. Now sworn to secrecy, they were happy and excited she was here for a long visit.

When Tyler reined in the team, set the brake, and tied off the reins, dogs and people converged to Sophia’s side of the wagon.

Adeline awoke and started to cry.

Sophia handed the baby back to Lily.

The cowboys jostled for the position nearest her.

Hank, long and lean with a pointed chin, was the first cowboy to reach her and extend a hand to help her down, beating Aaron and his younger brother, Billy—both medium-sized in stature, who had tan, even features and dark brown hair. “Glad you’re well, and we have you back safe with us, Miss Maxwell.”

She graciously smiled, inclined her head, and accepted his help.

Once she was on the ground, brown-eyed Aaron, an attractive cowboy in his mid-twenties wearing a red bandana tucked around his neck, elbowed taller Hank out of the way and extended an arm to Sophia. “If I may escort you to the house, Miss Maxwell?”

Young Billy, who looked about seventeen and had joined his brother Aaron at the ranch a few months ago, seemed too tongue-tied to come close.

Sophia suppressed a laugh. On her previous visits, the cowboys had been too shy in her presence to do more than mumble and only speak when they had to. She supposed their concern for her survival and prayers to overcome her illness might have made her seem less intimidating and more approachable.

Habakkuk Pendell, the elderly ranch foreman, was the last out of the barn, hurrying over to the wagon as fast as his bowlegs could take him. He gave Sophia a grin that crinkled his seamed skin. “I knew you were too smart and sassy, not to mention too darn pretty, to be taken away from us.” He pushed Aaron’s arm away from Sophia. “Age before beauty,” he said to the cowboy with a cocked eyebrow.

Stout Mrs. Pendell, the Dunns’ housekeeper and cook, sailed up to Sophia from the direction of the house. “My husband is right. Habakkuk never doubted you’d be here visiting us again.” She leaned in for a hug and then stepped back. She surveyed Sophia and tisked. “Good thing you came out here.” She shook her wooly white head. “You’re too thin. I’m going to fatten you right back up. I made your favorite dinner, including some peach cobbler for dessert. I know how much you love that.”

Oliver woke up and scrambled over the side of the wagon, landing in a puff of dust. “There was a wedding. But I didn’t get to go,” he announced, but no one responded. The focus was on Sophia.

Tyler came around the wagon to take Adeline from Lily and helped his wife down.

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