Montana Grit Read online

  Leticia laughed. “Imagine working here full time! That always posed a challenge.” She took a bite of the white cake lightly flavored with almond and sighed with pleasure. “Tell me again why we are eating this now and not tomorrow?”

  Annabelle smiled as she saw Hortence dig into her piece. “This was the cake that fell apart. It’s only held together by a thick layer of icing.” She cut a sliver for herself. “I couldn’t celebrate my family’s upcoming wedding with such a shoddy cake.”

  Sorcha grinned. “Just like ye to be a perfectionist.” She ignored Annabelle as she shrugged and then turned to Leticia. “Now, tell us what ye have planned for my brother.”

  Leticia flushed, glancing at her daughter. “I have a small gift for him, but it’s a surprise.” She met Sorcha’s mutinous glower. “I won’t tell you what it is before I give it to him, Sorcha.”

  Sorcha grumbled. “Well, I ken ye have a few surprises waitin’ for ye at the new house.” She could not hide her snicker when Leticia blanched in alarm. “I have a feelin’ ye’ll be delighted.”

  Leticia’s blush intensified, and she nodded at Hortence. Annabelle shook her head at Sorcha, and Sorcha grumbled under her breath about having to behave.

  “I wonder what the men are doing tonight?” Annabelle asked in an attempt to change the subject.

  “Uncle Ewan wanted to have Papa drink like a skunk, but that made Papa mad,” Hortence said. She crinkled her nose. “Why? I thought skunks drank water.”

  Leticia laughed and ran a hand over her daughter’s head. “They do, my little love. I think your uncle Ewan was interested in mischief.”

  Hortence smiled. “He’s always interested in mischief. He said that’s his middle name! And mine is imp.” She finished her cake and jumped down from her stool, moving to the bakery’s back room to play with the few dolls and toys stored in a box for her there.

  Leticia watched her go, swallowing a lump in her throat as she watched her daughter. “You can’t know what it means to have a family for Hortence.” She blinked away tears as she looked at the two women who were her friends and who would become her sisters-in-law tomorrow.

  Sorcha frowned. “If I didn’t ken ye loved my brother, I’d be worried ye only wanted him for yer daughter.”

  Leticia choked on a laugh. “Heavens, no. I can’t imagine life without Alistair. He’s …” She broke off, unable to form the words.

  Annabelle nodded. “I know what you mean, Leticia. And I hope you do too one day, Sorcha.”

  Sorcha’s shy smile slowly bloomed.

  “As for what the men are doing tonight,” Annabelle added, “I think Ewan has the misguided idea of insisting Alistair enjoy his last night of freedom. However, Cailean wanted to talk about the joys and responsibilities of marriage.”

  Sorcha gaped at Annabelle. “That’s rich, considerin’ what a horrible job he did after the first few months of yer marriage.”

  Annabelle shrugged. “Yes, but now things are wonderful.”

  Leticia sighed as she pushed away her half-eaten piece of cake. “And all Alistair wanted was a bit of peace. That’s what he told me. He wanted time to think about Hortence and me, and what tomorrow would mean.”

  Sorcha swiped at her eyes. “Ye’re not makin’ me cry tomorrow,” she rasped.

  Annabelle pulled her prickly sister-in-law close. “Yes, she is. The moment they are together in front of the preacher, we’ll be sniffling into our handkerchiefs.”

  Sorcha smiled as she saw the resplendent glow around Leticia. “Aye, ye’re right. I canna wait to see Alistair’s joy tomorrow. To watch ye dance with him and to know the happiness ye’ll have together.”

  Leticia nodded, her eyes closed for a moment as though envisioning the scenes they described. “Although I’m certain I won’t sleep a wink tonight, I must return home. Hortence needs her rest.”

  Annabelle rose, quickly washing the dishes and placing them on a drying rack. “We’ll be by early to help you prepare. Don’t worry, Leticia. Nothing will go wrong. You’ve waited and planned for this day for so long. It will be perfect.” She hugged her friend close before following the trio to the back door and locking it behind them.

  Chapter 2

  The following morning, the early June day dawned sunny and cool, with a hint of the warmth to come later in the day. Birds swooped and chased insects in the slight breeze; children played outside, and a sense of quiet expectation thrummed through the town.

  Alistair MacKinnon, dressed in his Sunday-best suit with shoes polished to a shine, paced the parlor in his family’s home. He now considered his home to be the one he would share with Leticia and Hortence. His long strides ate up the confined space, and he spun every few steps to turn in the opposite direction. He had been forbidden from venturing outside for fear he would dirty his suit or shoes in the dust. “Are ye sure she’ll be there?”

  Cailean laughed as he sprawled on the settee. “As sure as a man can be. Belle’s at Leticia’s house now, helping her change and prepare. Sorcha will arrive there soon with flowers. They’ll ensure your bride-to-be is at the church on time—or soon afterward.” As the eldest MacKinnon brother, Cailean did not bother to hide his amusement at his middle brother’s antics, as Cailean had been subjected to the same treatment the previous June when he had married Annabelle.

  Ewan propped his shoulder on the parlor doorjamb and grinned as he watched Alistair. “Seems as though ye’re keen on purchasin’ a new carpet before ye move out. Ye’ll have that one threadbare in no time, the way ye’re pacin’.” He winked at Cailean and smiled at Alistair. “’Twill be fine. She’s as eager as ye are to move into that fine house I built ye.”

  “An’ I paid for,” Alistair grumbled. He paused and heaved out a breath before collapsing onto a chair across from Cailean. “Thank ye, Ewan, for the fine craftsmanship. I ken ye had many other projects to work on.”

  Ewan shrugged. “Only one was for my brother.” His smile bloomed. “A wee surprise is waitin’ for ye in the bedroom.”

  Cailean laughed and Alistair paled. “Thank God,” Cailean said, “Belle and I honeymooned far away from the likes of you. I’d hate to see what antics you would have come up with.”

  Ewan laughed. “The only reason ye were saved from my mischief waiting for ye at home was because of Alistair.”

  Cailean cringed and looked at his brother with whom he shared the livery business. “Forgive me for not protecting you from him.”

  “As long as it’s nothing permanent?” Alistair relaxed as Ewan shook his head no. “Then I’ll forgive ye.”

  “What’s the house like now that it’s finished?” Cailean asked. “I haven’t been there for too long.”

  Alistair half smiled before speaking. “Ewan did a wonderful job with the finish work. It’s smaller than this home, aye?”

  Cailean nodded at the memory of the plans and the short tour he had taken weeks before as it was being built.

  “But it’s more finely wrought. The windows will no’ leak like the ones here, and the three bedrooms are a good size.”

  “Dinna give yerself much room for the bairns who will come,” Ewan teased. He laughed as Alistair threw a pillow at him.

  “Dinna think I’ve forgiven ye for wantin’ me as drunk as a skunk last night,” he said, the effect of his glower diminished by the glimmer of humor in his eyes. “Why ye thought I’d want to go to my wedding service with a hangover I’ll never ken.”

  Ewan sighed. “If I were to wed, I’d need liquid courage.”

  Cailean rolled his eyes. “As though you will ever wed. No woman is foolish enough to take you on.” He shared a smile with Alistair. “All will be well, once the ceremony starts. It’s the waiting that drives a man insane.”

  Alistair grumbled and rose to continue his pacing. He looked up with trepidation as the front door opened. “Warren,” he muttered.

  Warren Clark, the town’s lawyer and a good friend to Cailean, entered. He too was dressed in his Sunday best and looked as th
ough he were about to venture soon to the church. “Hello,” he said, his keen blue eyes taking in the two relaxed brothers and the pacing groom-to-be. “Alistair, I would like to speak with you a moment.”

  Alistair motioned for Warren to continue. “Anything ye have to say, ye can say in front of my brothers.”

  Warren nodded. “In that case, I wanted to reassure you that all the formal documents are prepared and only need to be signed after the ceremony.”

  Alistair nodded and strode toward Warren who stood hovering in the parlor doorway. Alistair held out his hand to shake Warren’s. “Thank ye, Warren. I ken ye can do many other things with yer time than write up marriage contracts.”

  Warren smiled. “I added the portion you asked me to.” He watched Alistair closely. “I still believe you should have discussed it with Miss Browne before the wedding. Those sorts of things can take a woman by surprise, and you never know how she’ll react.”

  “Or interpret what ye meant,” Alistair said. “I understand yer concern, but I know she’ll be delighted.”

  Warren shrugged. “It’s your decision if and when you want the second document to become public knowledge.” He nodded to the other MacKinnon brothers. “I’ll see you at the church.” He waved to them and left as quickly as he arrived. Ewan followed Warren out, and Alistair ignored the flutter of nerves as he considered what Ewan could be planning for later in the day.

  A tense silence descended over the room. “What the devil was that about?” Cailean demanded.

  Alistair made a deep sound in the back of his throat. “I respect that ye and Annabelle have yer secrets. Ye must have the same respect for Leticia and me. When ye need to know, then I’ll tell ye.” He shared a long look with his brother, and Cailean nodded his head in agreement.

  “I understand, Alistair.” Cailean stood and gripped his brother’s shoulder. “I have to adjust to not acting like your eldest brother.”

  Alistair smiled. “Ye’ll always be the eldest. Carin’ for us is ingrained in ye. An’ knowin’ ye are there if I need help is a relief. But Leticia will be my family now. My first loyalty must be to her.”

  Cailean squeezed his brother’s shoulder, and his accent reappeared. “Aye, as it should be. I wish ye joy, brother.”

  They clapped each other on the back and then called for Ewan as they departed for the church.

  Sorcha placed another pin in the gentle upswept style Leticia had chosen for her wedding day. Sorcha held the mirror to Leticia and beamed. “There. Don’t ye look lovely.”

  Leticia tilted her head from one side to the other before smiling, examining her blond hair in its fancy updo. “Beautiful. Demure … yet with a touch of sophistication. He’s never seen my hair this way.”

  Annabelle laughed as she ran a hand over the short veil Leticia would soon don. “I don’t know as he cares how your hair is styled. All he’s concerned about is whether or not you show up at the church.”

  Leticia frowned before grinning abashedly at her soon-to-be sisters-in-law. “Of course I’ll be there. Nothing would prevent me from marrying him today.”

  “The townsfolk are looking forward to the celebration. They’ve been waiting for your marriage for years,” Annabelle teased. “I’m glad you waited until I arrived and became a part of the family.”

  “Soon ye’ll celebrate yer own first wedding anniversary,” Sorcha said to Annabelle while fussing with Leticia’s hair and dress.

  Leticia waited for Sorcha’s finishing touches before standing and walking to the mirror standing in one corner. This time Leticia focused on her cream-colored dress with buttons down the front. The well-defined bodice and cinched waist flowed to a full skirt and had a small bustle. “I’ve never worn anything so elegant. Thank you, Sorcha.”

  “’Twas nothing once I convinced Annabelle how I’d be much better off if she desisted in her attempts to aid me.” Sorcha laughed as Annabelle blushed. “She’s a menace with a pair of scissors.”

  “I’ve never proclaimed to be proficient in anything but baking.” Annabelle fought happy tears as Leticia turned to them with her arms wide. “You’re stunning.” She frowned when she saw Leticia fiddling with the sleeve of her dress. “Hortence is fine.”

  Leticia gave her friend a weak smile as she sat with care on the edge of a chair. “Of that, I have no doubt. She’s with Irene who’s making her feel like a princess.”

  Annabelle sat while Sorcha continued to tidy the room. “Irene never had a daughter or a granddaughter. She’s enjoying having a girl about to dress up and help prepare for the wedding.” Annabelle glanced at the small watch pinned to her dress. “They have a few minutes to arrive before we need to leave for the church.”

  “Are ye thinking about yer husband? Yer dead husband?” Sorcha blurted out. She flushed as Leticia gasped, and Annabelle glared at her. “Beg yer pardon.”

  Leticia laced her hands together and met Sorcha’s curious stare. “I rarely think about him. Our wedding day was a rushed affair, with him barely waiting for the preacher to finish his words before he dragged me down the aisle and away from all that was familiar.” She closed her eyes. “I try not to remember those times.”

  “Oh, Leticia,” Sorcha wailed as she dragged a chair to her side. “Forgive me. Ye never talk about him, and I wondered.”

  Leticia gave a weak smile. “Of course you do. As does Alistair. Unlike you Scots who relish in reliving the past and retelling your stories, I prefer to leave mine buried.”

  Annabelle raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hope it agrees to stay unearthed. Too often, that which I would rather forget has a way of resurrecting itself.” She smiled reassuringly, yet Leticia shivered.

  Hortence burst into the room, her forward momentum stopped only by Irene’s quick grab of her wrist. “Young lady, you are not to touch your mother. She is dressed in her wedding finery, and you want her to look her best.”

  Hortence bit her trembling lip. “I’m sorry, Mama.”

  Leticia exchanged a severe stare with Irene who released her daughter before she spoke. “Look how beautiful you are, Hortence.” Leticia traced a finger down Hortence’s cheek, frowning as the trembling lip turned into a quiver. “I love you, little one. You know I’ll still love you after I’ve married Alistair. I’ll always love you.” She waited a moment until Hortence nodded.

  “He’ll be a good papa. I want him as my papa, Mama.” Hortence giggled as her mother pulled her into a hug. When Hortence leaned away from her mother, she smiled at Sorcha as she swiped away a tear. “Aunt Sorcha made me a new dress.” She held her arms wide to show off her light-pink dress with a ruffle at midcalf.

  “And you polished your shoes,” Annabelle teased as she saw the black shoes shining in the early afternoon ray of sunlight.

  “Mr. Harold did that!” Hortence giggled. “It was s’posed to be a secret. But he thought it was unfair Miss Irene got to play dress up, and he didn’t.”

  Leticia laughed. “I wouldn’t say that to too many others, my little angel.” She ran a hand down her daughter’s silky red hair pulled in a braid. “Thank you, Irene, for helping Hortence prepare for today.” Leticia shared a smile of understanding with her good friend.

  “I fear we must leave,” Annabelle said after another quick glance at her watch. “Or Ewan will be sent to search for us.” She held out a hand to Leticia. “I’m so happy for you, dear friend,” she whispered, then squeezed Leticia’s hand before following Irene outside in the direction of the church.

  Leticia stood at the rear of the church, hidden in a small alcove, as Sorcha and then Annabelle walked down the aisle to take their seats before the wedding. Sorcha sat and then her shoulders shook with laughter at something Ewan had whispered to her. Leticia smiled at Cailean’s covetous, loving stare as he watched his wife coming to sit beside him.

  Leticia’s smile faded as her turn to walk down the aisle approached. She fought memories of her first marriage as she attempted to focus on the present. However, the bewilderment at what had
occurred during that ceremony, the disillusionment of her wedding night, and the despair in the ensuing months of her marriage flickered through her memory. Her hands tightened at her waist in front of her, and she took a deep breath. She jumped as the man next to her nudged her.

  “Are you ready then?” Harold asked as he winged his arm out to her. He patted her hand as she slipped it through his. “No need to be nervous. You’re marrying a good man.” He led her to the doorway, in full view of all present.

  Leticia nodded, her gaze darting forward as she met Alistair’s and saw a wondrous smile bloom. “Thank you, Harold, for walking me down the aisle.”

  He grinned. “I was delighted to be chosen over one of the brothers. Thought for sure you’d choose that young whippersnapper, Ewan.”

  She shook her head. “No, I wanted someone not from his family. Someone I’ve known since I arrived here.” Her grip on his arm tightened a moment. “Thank you.”

  The off-key piano music started, and Leticia moved forward. Her gaze locked with Alistair’s, and she barely noticed those who stood, gathered to celebrate her day with her. When she reached the front of the church, she took Alistair’s hand to stand next to him.

  A contented sigh escaped as her husband-to-be squeezed her hand. “Finally, my love,” he whispered. He traced a finger over her gloved palm, and his smile reached his eyes as he felt her shiver.

  “Finally,” she murmured before focusing on the pastor.

  Chapter 3

  “This wedding cannot continue!” a man bellowed in a deep voice from the back of the church as the doors ricocheted against the walls with such force it seemed the wood would split.