A Lady for Luke Read online

  A Lady for Luke

  Donna K. Weaver

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1: Hiding with the Billionaire

  Chapter 1: A Change of Plans

  About the Author

  Books by Donna K. Weaver

  Acknowledgments

  Copyright

  1

  As Luke Hamblin stepped out the bunkhouse door, the biting wind shoved him back with a hard thud. Drat the weather.

  “I’m all right,” he called to his housekeeper before she or any of the hands came out to investigate the noise.

  He stepped away from the building. Another gust hit, forcing him to put both hands on his new Stetson. Severe cold coming in late November didn’t bode well for the winter. As though the weather had heard his thought, a snowflake smacked his face. A big, fat one. It was a good thing his Thanksgiving company had already arrived. They might need to stay the night. Still holding his hat, Luke ran for the main house.

  As he opened the door, another blast of wind hit, rattling the shutters and ripping the door from his grasp. He scrambled to catch it, a tinge of worry for his cattle increasing his unease. It was a good thing they’d already culled the herd.

  Luke hung up his heavy coat and hat. He followed the sound of voices to the dining room.

  When he entered the room, a cozy scene greeted him, pushing back his previous concerns about the weather. This time last year it’d been his housekeeper, foreman, and their children who’d shared their meal with him. For the first time in almost ten years, he was spending the holiday with his family. Having them around him was something Luke would be forever grateful for. He swallowed around the lump in his throat.

  “Here’s Luke now,” Charles Merrick said from where he stood by the fireplace with Marshall Breckinridge.

  Unable to keep back a grin, Luke joined his new brothers-in-law, saying, “What disagreement do you need me to settle this time?”

  “I wouldn’t rightly call it a disagreement,” Charles, the peacekeeper, said. That was one of the things that made him such a good deputy sheriff for the little town of Lilac City. He had a way of smooth-talking folks, unlike the sheriff with his brusquer manner.

  “I would definitely call it a disagreement.” Marshall crossed his arms and leaned against the mantel.

  The hint of a smirk in his expression told Luke what was going on. The man was once again egging on Charles, who’d inherited a stud farm from his grandfather back East and was planning to ship the herd to Wyoming in the spring. Marshall enjoyed giving useful advice but also offering dire predictions. Charles had been dismayed to discover he’d have to expand his herd to more than only his grandfather’s hot-headed thoroughbreds if he meant to sell stud services to western ranchers.

  One of Luke’s cowhands stood to the side, looking very much like he wanted to say something. Nick was probably too intimidated to speak up. The young man regularly ate with the family instead of in the bunkhouse with the rest of the men at the special invitation of Luke’s youngest sister. The twenty-three-year-old man had come to Wyoming earlier that year from a ranch in Texas and often had good suggestions.

  “What have you got to say, Nick?” Luke asked, curious.

  Startled, the young man’s face flushed. He glanced to the side as though he searched for a quick getaway.

  “No, you’re not going to escape.” Luke grabbed his sleeve and pulled him over. “You should tell my brothers-in-law what you’re thinking.”

  “Well, uh, you remember I grew up on a cattle ranch in Texas.” When all three men nodded, Nick shifted uncomfortably.

  “I’d be interested to know how you might do things differently there than we do it here in Wyoming,” Marshall said, the teasing now gone. There was a good reason he was so successful as the owner of a working dude ranch.

  “It’s not that y’all do things so different, but that we have some breeds I ain’t seen here.” Nick shoved his hands in his pockets, once again looking as though he’d prefer to be somewhere else.

  “Such as,” Luke encouraged.

  “Have you ever heard of a steeldust?”

  “Yes,” Luke and Marshall said at the same time.

  “A what?” Charles asked.

  “Go ahead and explain,” Luke said with a nod.

  “It’s a breed of Quarter Horse. Comes from a horse by the same name.” Nick seemed to relax as he warmed to the topic. “They got small ears, a big jaw, and are heavy muscled. They’re right smart and run like lightning in a quarter-mile race. It’s the only breed my pa will have on his ranch. We usually just call them cow horses because they’ve got an instinct about cattle. So, if you’re looking to breed good horses for ranch use, Deputy Merrick, you might want to consider a steeldust.”

  “Well, I’ll look into them. They might be just what I need.” Charles rubbed the back of his neck, glancing toward the door to the kitchen where they could hear the womenfolk talking and laughing. “It’s been a disappointment to discover what my grandfather spent his whole life building isn’t a great fit out here. I’ll have to stay on as deputy longer than I’d hoped.”

  “The sheriff will be glad even if your wife isn’t.” Marshall clapped Charles on the back.

  “Says the man whose new bride is perfectly happy with his job,” Luke said.

  “Who’s not happy with your job?” Frances asked, striding into the room. Nick looked relieved she’d finally joined them and moved to stand by her.

  “Have you snuck out of the kitchen again?” Luke asked his youngest sister.

  “Hey, I did my share.” She crossed her arms and leaned toward Nick, who’d taken a matching position, so their stances were like a mirror image.

  If it hadn’t been so obvious she had no romantic interest in the young man, Luke might have been nervous. His three half-sisters, upon the death of their father, had fled to Luke to escape marriages arranged by their uncle. Luke had been glad to finally have family around him again, but two of the girls had already made matches of their own, to Charles and Marshall. Luke wasn’t in a hurry for Frances to leave his home too.

  “I’ll have you know I peeled every one of the potatoes you’ll be eating today.” Frances sniffed. “How come you men don’t get stuck in the kitchen like the women?”

  “If you really believe my lovely Doris would have preferred to be out with me and my men this morning feeding the herd ...” Marshall dragged out the last word for emphasis.

  “That’s right. Mention the Lancaster sister who’s the least willing to get dirty.” Frances straightened. “I’ve been sent out here to see that you men set the table right. Now, let’s get busy.”

  “She’s going to lead one man a fine dance someday,” Charles said, his voice low.

  That she was. Luke glanced at Marshall and wondered how the man was doing with his own sister challenges. Judith had come to Wyoming to serve as his hostess and help with Marshall’s young daughters. Now he’d remarried, he had two adult women to keep happy. While Luke found Judith intriguing, she had a disdainful air about her that would put off any man. It had sure kept him from inviting her to go for a buggy ride with him, in spite of how often he’d thought about asking her. With her being his sort-of sister-in-law now, it might make family gatherings like this one awkward if she were to turn him down.

  “How’s everyone settling in?
” Luke asked.

  “You mean between Doris and my sister?” There was an encouraging touch of humor in Marshall’s question.

  “Well, if anyone can get along with another woman under the same roof, it’d be my sister.”

  “True that.” Marshall let out a breath. “I’ll be glad when Judith is settled in a home of her own. She was just beginning to find her way as my hostess. She’s made every effort to welcome Doris as my wife, but there are still awkward moments on occasion. My sister looks lost again, the way she did when she first came to me. I haven’t mentioned this before, but now we’re family I feel I can. Her fiancé broke off their engagement after our father was convicted.”

  Luke hadn’t known that particular detail, surprised at a powerful urge to smash her fiancé’s face for hurting her. No wonder the beautiful woman could be so waspish.

  “Hey, you two slackers,” Frances called. “Get your lazy hides over here. There’s work to do.”

  Luke exchanged an amused glance with Marshall, and the two men headed to join Charles. Frances brooked no nonsense from any man.

  Judith Breckinridge worked quietly with the other women as they put the final touches on the Thanksgiving dinner. At this time last year, her maid had been dressing Judith’s hair in preparation for the Harrison ball. Later in the evening, she’d stood with Teddy to greet his family’s guests, her mind full of what their life would be like once they’d married.

  Not anymore. Now she was only good for common labor as a kitchen drudge. The bitterness of the thought tasted like bile. How far she’d fallen in a year.

  “Thank you so much for helping,” Doris said, pulling Judith into one of her spontaneous hugs. “Wasn’t it brave of Mrs. McDaniel to let us cook such a big meal?”

  Judith had wondered where the Lucky L’s notable housekeeper and cook was.

  Doris must have seen Judith’s confusion because she said, “She gave us the recipes and helped us, but she’s overseeing the dinner for the hands while we finish up. I hope we can host it at the Circle B next year.” Doris’s cheeks flushed with happiness.

  “That would be wonderful.” Judith tried not to sound bitter.

  Blinking back tears, she turned to the oven and pulled out a pan of dinner rolls. She’d never considered herself petty, but each day she was finding it more difficult not to resent the happiness surrounding her. It was unfair. She’d done nothing to shame her family, yet she carried the burden. Here in Wyoming, Marshall had been far removed from the scandal and seemed barely touched by it.

  But it was different for a woman, and Judith had been forced to live through all of it. What man would ever look at the daughter of a convicted felon as a possible wife? Lilac City had many more men than women, but most of the men were dirty, uneducated cowboys and other unsavory types suited to the young women who arrived every month to work in the hotel serving the railway passengers.

  Judith had even heard a rumor some men were talking about mail-order brides. That was one thing she and Frances agreed on. It was outrageous to order a wife like one did seeds from a catalog.

  “We did it,” Maude cried as she and Doris removed a roasting pan with a huge turkey from the other oven and set it on the big worktable. “Wouldn’t Father be pleased to know how accomplished we’ve become?”

  “I hope he’d be proud of us.” Doris took the corner of her apron and dabbed at her eyes.

  A sense of shame flooded Judith. Truly, what was she becoming to resent the hard-won happiness these two sisters had found here? Nine months ago, they’d buried their beloved father and then been forced to flee an outrageous demand from their uncle. They’d had to escape two attempts to force them to return. Judith was not the only one who’d suffered at the hands of a family member. She would not resent the happiness of the Lancaster sisters.

  Once the three of them had moved the bird to a large platter, Judith moved to the dining-room door and opened it. As always, her eyes searched for Luke. He stood laughing with the men, handsome in a rugged, windblown way she would never have thought appealing a year ago. When he glanced her way, she dropped her gaze.

  “Would one of you men like to carry in this giant bird?” she asked.

  “I believe that’s my job.” Luke grinned, unable to shake the feeling he’d finally come into his own, and trotted into the kitchen. “Holy smoke, girls! This looks delicious.”

  He picked up the platter and went to the door where Judith held it open. Luke leaned against it so she didn’t have to.

  “After you, my lady,” he said with an exaggerated bow.

  At her blink of surprise and the way her cheeks colored, Luke’s own face warmed. Dang, but he liked it when she went all shy. He’d only seen her do it a couple of times.

  “I need to get the mashed potatoes.” She didn’t look at him as she returned to the kitchen. Why would a beautiful and elegant woman like Judith Breckinridge respond with surprise at such a small gesture?

  Something in her eyes had reminded him of Gypsy. He’d bought the horse a few years back, liking her dark bay coloring. If he’d checked her closer like he should have, he’d have known how badly she’d been handled. He wouldn’t have bought her—and missed out on owning one of the finest mares in the county.

  “You just going to stand there and tease us with the smell?” Marshall asked with a grin.

  Feeling foolish at being caught daydreaming, Luke gave an embarrassed chuckle. The ladies followed him into the room, handing off serving dishes to the men before returning for more.

  As he set the platter in the middle, his gaze followed Judith. Was she so prickly because of how she’d been cast aside by that fiancé of hers?

  “Luke, I’m so grateful to finally get to share this holiday with you again.” Maude watched him with glistening eyes that made a lump form in his throat. He’d missed his sisters a lot over the years.

  “Me too,” Doris said, tears running down her cheeks. Marshall brought her hand to his lips and kissed it before offering her his handkerchief.

  “Well, I am too,” Frances said, her voice rougher than usual “but don’t expect me to go all sappy about it.” She pointed to the turkey. “Who’s going to carve it?”

  “Since this is my house, I get that honor too.” Luke was about to pick up the knife when he remembered the blessing. He extended his arms to each side and took Maude’s and then Judith’s hands. At her touch, an unexpected tingle ran up his arm, and her fingers twitched. When the others had clasped hands, Luke offered a simple prayer of gratitude for having family around again and for the Lord’s blessing of prosperity.

  After he’d said amen, he was slow to release Judith’s hand. Since the wedding, she’d let some of her superior attitude slip. Luke couldn’t shake the idea the young woman needed the same kind of tender care his horse had. She shot him a wary sidelong glance. He released her hand and picked up the carving knife.

  Yes. Beside him sat a wounded soul. If she’d let him, he’d do whatever her could to help her heal it.

  2

  “We should take advantage of the program the school is putting on for Christmas,” Judith said to the members of the Ladies’ Improvement Society.

  She hadn’t been one of the founding members, but as soon as she’d heard about it from Doris, Judith had joined. If she were to be forever ostracized from polite society back home, she would do what she could to bring culture and refinement to Lilac City. The meetings at the hotel on Saturday mornings made her feel she was doing something productive and worthwhile.

  “What do you have in mind?” Mary Teague asked. While she hadn’t been a member of the upper crust in her hometown and would never have run in the same circles as Judith, the woman came from an affluent family and had received a decent education. Besides the two older Lancaster sisters, Mary was the woman most likely to support anything Judith suggested.

  “Doris has her scholars working on a display of talents as well as a presentation of the Christmas story,” Judith said, scanning her
list.

  “Oh, do you like my idea?” Her sister-in-law flushed prettily, looking happy at the recognition.

  “Of course, I do,” Judith said.

  Doris’s addition to the Circle B household had been a relatively easy one. Judith had never before met anyone she wanted to please so much. It was a gift Marshall’s bride had. Judith had found she resented it which, she had to remind herself, was catty. Even the need to remind herself of that was a new thing since all her friends in New York had treated each other that way. Gentle and kind Doris deserved better treatment which brought out a protective side to Judith she hadn’t known she had.

  “If we were to also invite adults to submit items for display or performance,” Judith said, “we could fill the hall and turn it into a true community event.”

  “What kinds of talents do you think adults would offer?” Mrs. Phelps, the mayor’s wife, asked.

  “For one, Doris can display some of her artwork.” Judith ignored the look of alarm that flashed across her sister-in-law’s face. She had a rare talent in painting, and Judith refused to let the young woman hide her light under a bushel. “I’ve also seen some beautiful sketches done by Mr. McDaniel.”

  “Tom?” Edith Vosburg, the sheriff’s sister, asked in surprise. She was another woman who was most likely to support any effort to civilize Lilac City. She’d once confided to Judith the sheriff had refused to let her come to keep house for him until the church had been built. He hadn’t considered it a fit place for a decent woman until then.

  “Yes, Tom,” Judith said. “And from what Mrs. McDaniel says, there are several hands at the Lucky L Ranch who like to sketch. I’ve asked around at the Circle B, and it appears there are a few there too.”