McKinnon's Bride (Willow Grove, Texas Series Book 1) Read online

  McKINNON’S BRIDE

  Willow Grove, Texas Series ~ Book 1

  Sharon Gillenwater

  TABLE OF 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

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  OTHER BOOKS

  NOTE TO READERS

  COPYRIGHT

  Chapter 1

  West Texas, 1883

  “Are we ever gonna get there?”

  Jessie Monroe smiled as her four-year-old daughter grimaced and shifted on the wagon seat. Ellie had asked the same question every afternoon since they left their home in East Texas almost three months earlier.

  “We should see the ranch headquarters any minute. I don’t think the house will be more than a mile or two from the road.” Jessie looked over Ellie’s head at her son, Brad.

  He met her gaze, his blue eyes filled with concern. “Do you think Uncle Quintin will be glad to see us?”

  “I’m sure he will, honey.” She smiled in reassurance. Only nine, the boy should have been excited, thinking of the adventures awaiting him, instead of being worried. “Won’t he be surprised? Can’t you just see him standing there with his mouth open and a dumb look on his face?”

  Brad returned her smile, but it obviously took effort. “Then he’ll grin all silly, like he did last time he came to see us and made such a fuss over how big I was.”

  “He’ll make an even bigger fuss this time.” And it won’t just be over how much you’ve grown. Quint would be mad as a hornet because she made the trip on her own. He would understand why she did, but he wouldn’t like it. “You’re at least two inches taller.”

  Their old mare plodded along, following the road around a lazy curve and down a long, slight slope, a gentle reminder that though the land appeared flat, it wasn’t.

  During the past several days, they had crossed the same general terrain—a broad prairie stretching as far as the eye could see, broken by scattered hills but unhampered by the sprinkling of humanity who dared call it home. Tall grass draped most of the landscape in a cloak of green, but the high, steep-sided mesas of rugged gray rock and scarred brown dirt stood proudly bare.

  It was so different from the East Texas woods she had known all her life. Jessie saw the beauty in the vast, barely tamed land, but that very wildness made her uneasy. Each creak of the old, shoddy wagon reminded her of how ill prepared she was for such a journey.

  But we made it, she thought with a twinge of pride, much relief, and gratitude. Thank You, Lord. Even if the wagon completely fell apart, they could walk the rest of the way.

  Though she certainly hoped they didn’t have to. Not with about fifty sandy-brown and mottled Longhorn cattle grazing nearby, some with horns reaching six feet from tip to tip. A few of the cows raised their heads and watched the wagon’s progress down the road, but they appeared more interested in the grass than in them.

  They topped a small rise, and the headquarters of the McKinnon Ranch came into view.

  “Does Uncle Quint live there?” Ellie pointed to the one story ranch house. Sparkling with a fresh coat of white paint, the house was bigger and nicer than anything they had ever called home.

  “No, honey. He lives in the bunkhouse with the rest of the cowboys. Probably that long building near the corrals.”

  “Where are we gonna stay?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe in the barn.” Jessie really didn’t care as long as they had a roof over their heads and four walls to shelter them. She had spent too many lonely, black nights dozing beside the wagon, a shotgun across her lap, guarding against predators—both the two-legged and the four-legged kind.

  “Remember your uncle talking about Mr. McKinnon? He lives in the ranch house.”

  “Does he have a wife?” Ellie asked.

  “No, unless he got married in the last six months.”

  The little girl frowned thoughtfully. “I hope not. Married people are sad a lot.”

  Pain stabbed Jessie’s heart, but a swell of love soothed the ache as she looked down at her daughter. Ellie watched her intently, her small face mirroring her love and concern.

  “Not all married couples have as many problems as your daddy and I did,” said Jessie. “We just couldn’t seem to get along.”

  Because he got along all too well with other women. Or threw away what little money they had on cards and liquor. She didn’t know if her pain—or shame—would ever disappear. Maybe she shouldn’t want them to. Only a fool would forget lessons so harshly learned.

  She drew the horse to a halt in front of the ranch house. No one was in sight, there or around the corrals and bunkhouse. There wasn’t a single weed or blade of grass in the wide strip of dark earth surrounding the house. The whole area in front of the porch had been swept clean. Quintin told her that many ranchers preferred a bare yard because it made snakes easier to spot. It also served as a firebreak in the event of a prairie fire.

  Jessie turned sideways, handing the reins to her son, and looked at Ellie. “Wait here with Brad.”

  “Can I tickle him?” Ellie grinned, a sparkle dancing in her big brown eyes.

  Jessie smiled. “Not while he’s handling Valentine. Now behave yourself, little miss.” Jessie frowned, hoping the child could understand. “We really need a place to stay until I can find work. So be a good girl and put on your company manners.”

  “Can I take them off after supper?”

  Jessie gently touched her daughter’s cheek beneath the faded red calico sunbonnet. “I imagine you’d better wear them for a while. I don’t like to depend on Mr. McKinnon’s hospitality, but right now, looks like we have to. We mustn’t do anything that will make him send us away.”

  “He won’t send you away, Mama. Not if you help with the cookin’. You’re the bestest cook in the whole world.”

  “Thank you, sweetie, but how do you know? Did you go around the world when I wasn’t lookin’?”

  Ellie stood on the floorboard and rubbed her posterior. “Feels like it.”

  Brad gave her one of his rare spontaneous smiles, and Jessie laughed. “You scamp. A lady doesn’t rub her backside, even when it’s sore from riding too long.”

  “I ain’t a lady. I’m just a kid.”

  “It’s never too early to learn how to be polite.”

  Ellie sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That’s my girl.” Jessie hugged her, then climbed down from the wagon and walked up onto the porch.

  Seconds after she knocked, a tall, handsome man answered the door. Curiosity lurked in his dark brown eyes as he smiled. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”

  “Mr. McKinnon?”

  “Yes.” His smile widened. “Though maybe not the one you’re looking for. I’m Ty. My brother Cade and I are partners, but he runs the ranch. He’s not here right now.”

  She knew that Ty lived in town. He and his brother also owned a large general store, which he ran. “Actually, I’m looking for my brother, Quintin Webb. I’m Jessie Monroe.”


  A frown creased his brow. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Monroe. He isn’t here. Cade fired him three weeks ago.”

  Jessie’s heart sank and weakness swept over her. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she had been counting on her brother’s help and loving reassurance. Bewildered, she shook her head. Quint wasn’t a saint, but he had never lost a job before. “Fired him? Why?”

  “He picked a fight with Cade in front of the men. Just blew up and started swinging.”

  Her brother seldom backed down from a fight, but Jessie had never known him to start one. Especially not with the man he considered his best friend. She couldn’t imagine what Cade had done to make him so angry. “That doesn’t sound like Quintin.”

  “Wasn’t like him at all. Cade hated lettin’ him go, but he had to be firm in front of the other men. He didn’t have any choice.”

  Jessie wasn’t so sure about that. “Do you know where he is?”

  “No. He stayed in town for a few days, then took off. I don’t know as anybody has seen him since.” He glanced at the wagon, frowning again. “Are you and the children alone? Your husband isn’t with you?”

  “He was killed a little over three months ago.” She noted his questioning glance at her worn, light blue cotton dress. Stiffening her spine, Jessie met his gaze. “I’m sorry he’s dead, but I won’t mourn for him.”

  McKinnon shrugged. “Some men don’t deserve it. We have plenty of room. You and your family can stay here for while, rest up, and figure out what to do next.”

  “I can’t impose.” It would have been hard enough for Jessie to depend on their hospitality with Quintin there. Under the circumstances, she found it nigh impossible. “If we could sleep in the barn a few nights, though, I’d be grateful. Then we won’t bother you anymore.”

  “I won’t hear of putting you and those young ’uns down in the barn. I’m sure Cade won’t, either. He had a disagreement with Quint, not you. Besides, cowboys welcome strangers to their campfire.” He grinned and motioned toward the house. “Ours just happens to be surrounded by four walls and covered with a roof.”

  Quintin had never spoken an ill word about either of the McKinnons. He’d often said they were the most honorable men he had ever known. She instinctively knew they would be safe there, far safer than at any time on the journey.

  “If you’re certain it’s not any trouble, that would be a blessing. We’ve been on the road way too long. Poor Valentine couldn’t go very far at a time.”

  His gaze shifted to the horse. “It’s a wonder that she made it at all. I bet you fed her better than you did yourself.”

  “At times,” Jessie said with a tiny smile.

  He looked back at her, studying her thoughtfully. “How’s your cooking?”

  “According to my daughter, I’m the bestest cook in the world. Of course, her world is pretty small.”

  He chuckled. “Cade’s housekeeper got married a couple of months ago, and he about killed himself with his own cooking. He finally resorted to eating down at the bunkhouse with the men. We have a good cook for them, but Cade likes eating at his own table. I reckon he’d gladly provide the food if you don’t mind preparing it.”

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  “I have to head back to town in a few minutes, but you come on in and make yourselves at home.” McKinnon’s gaze swept over her, his eyes twinkling. “Cade was planning to advertise for a housekeeper in next week’s paper, but if you fix a decent supper, you’ll save him the trouble.”

  Right that minute, Jessie didn’t know whether or not she wanted to work for Cade McKinnon. But the thought of something besides jerky or beans made her mouth water. If nothing else, she would earn their supper and a place to sleep.

  “Tell your son to take the wagon down to the barn. A couple of the men are down there someplace. They’ll help put it away and see to the horse.” He smiled, looking at the children. “You’d better send your little girl with him and let her run around a bit. She’s tryin’ to sit still, but she’s liable to bust if she can’t get down pretty soon.”

  Jessie turned toward the wagon. As usual, Brad sat quietly, watching them with a cool, detached air. She ached for him, knowing the pain he had buried deep inside. Ellie grinned, and though she sat perfectly ladylike, an elf couldn’t have looked more mischievous. “The trip has been hard on her.”

  “It must have been hard on all of you. There are some new kittens in the barn. Tell her to ask one of the cowboys to show them to her. They opened their eyes last week, so their mama still stays close. She’s a friendly old cat and doesn’t mind sharing them with us if we’re careful.”

  “I’ll tell them.” Jessie smiled, relieved that they hadn’t been turned away. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. By the way, that house comes with the job.” He pointed to a smaller house about twenty yards away, set back a bit from the ranch house. “It’s empty except for a kitchen stove, but we have beds at the store. Anything else you need, we’ll pick up at the furniture store in town.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” She returned to the wagon, explaining the situation to the children.

  “I don’t want to stay here without Uncle Quint,” said Brad with a scowl. “I thought him and Mr. McKinnon were good friends.”

  “They were, honey. His brother said he didn’t want to fire Quintin, but he had to.”

  “Why?”

  Jessie considered how to answer. “An employer has to have authority over the people who work for him. Quint challenged that. If Mr. McKinnon let him stay, some of the other men might slack off on their work or do something he doesn’t want them to do.”

  She sighed and reached in the back for the battered satchels containing their clothes. “Take the wagon to the barn. Mr. McKinnon said there should be someone down there to help you put it away and tend to Valentine.” She winked at Ellie. “He said to ask one of the men to show you the new kittens.”

  “Kittens!” The little girl jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

  “Be careful with them. And mind the cowboys. Don’t go anywhere unless one of them says it’s all right.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ellie sat down, looking at her brother. “Hurry up.”

  “Behave yourself. Brad, watch your sister.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jessie carried the bags to the porch and waited on one end of it to keep an eye on the children. She breathed a soft prayer of thanks that they would be snug and warm inside the house, even if only for a few days.

  She didn’t think she could have faced another endless stretch of road, knowing the wagon could fall to pieces any moment or the mare might pull up lame or even die of old age in the middle of nowhere. Jessie had worried enough in more populated areas, but out here, she had lived with the constant fear that one of them might get hurt, or they might become stranded, and she wouldn’t be able to find help.

  Even a month at the ranch might not be enough. Brad was as travel-weary as she was, and Ellie had been ready to stop two days after they started. The child would throw a hissy fit if she told her they had to leave right away.

  A stocky cowboy came out of the barn and walked up to Ellie’s side of the wagon. A minute later, he held out his hands, and she jumped into them. He strolled around to the side of the barn. Balancing her daughter on one arm, he pulled open two wide doors, revealing a buggy shed. He and Ellie went inside, with Brad driving the horse and wagon in behind them.

  The argument between Quintin and Cade troubled Jessie, but she couldn’t afford to judge him too harshly, not when she had half a dollar to her name, and only enough beans for one more meal.

  She ached with disappointment at not finding her brother and struggled with fear of the unknown. But as she had done so many times in the past, she buried those feelings, covering them with the determined will of a survivor. She had learned years ago to take care of herself and to provide for her children. She hadn’t expected Quintin to do it. She nee
ded him to ease the burdens of her heart far more than to help with their financial situation.

  Moving to the other end of the porch, her gaze settled on the house across the yard. She walked over to it, noting that the roof appeared solid. It had a wide porch running along the front, with a nice view of the prairie and distant hills. Opening the door, she stepped inside, gasping at the heat. “Well, it’s good and tight.”

  But there were windows on all sides that would let in the breeze. A large room covered the length of the house, with a kitchen stove and a doorway leading to a small side porch at one end. Two bedrooms occupied the other side of the house. Ellie could sleep with her. “And Brad could have his own room.”

  Sudden tears stung her eyes. Though half the size of the ranch house, it was better than what she had lived in the whole time she’d been married. Her children had never had a bedroom. They’d slept on a mattress in one corner of the kitchen. When Neil stayed home, she and her husband had shared the one tiny bedroom.

  If Cade offered her a job, they would be guaranteed a place to live. There was no such certainty if she tried to find something in Willow Grove. She knew it was a thriving town, born of the arrival of the railroad and the cattlemen. In his last letter, Quintin had mentioned that houses and business couldn’t be built fast enough to provide for the growing population. She might find a place to work, but have no place to live.

  “Lord, You’ve provided a place to stay, and I’d be a fool to walk away from it. When I find Quint, I’ll rant and rave and gripe for a week. Today, I have to earn that housekeeper’s job.” Jessie walked out of the house, closing the door behind her. When she turned, she found Ty watching her from the ranch house porch. He gave her a nod, then picked up their bags and carried them inside.

  Squaring her shoulders, Jessie marched across the yard. If worse came to worst, she wasn’t too proud to beg for the job. Pride might help sustain a person’s dignity, but it was about as worthless as a leaky milk bucket when it came to filling a child’s empty belly.

  Chapter 2

  Cade rode in at dusk, tired and hungry as a coyote with a toothache. All he wanted was supper, his big comfortable chair, and a nap.