A Spirited Heart for the Bounty Hunter (Preview)

Chapter One

Montana Territory

1882

It was a fresh spring morning. The air was so cold that it almost hurt to breathe. But for Josie Thornwood, this was a good thing. It meant she was alive, that she had survived the harsh winter and was ready to go to work.

As she watched their herd, she spotted one of the calves wandering off.

She whistled to the ranch dog.

“Come on, Huck! Let’s go!”

Josie leaned forward in the saddle, the leather creaking beneath her as her mare stretched into a longer stride. She felt the rush of adrenaline as she chased the calf down, glancing over her shoulder to see if the dog was keeping up. Ahead of her, the little red calf bounded through the grass as if determined to make a break for freedom.

“Huck! Circle him!” Josie called. Her pulse was racing.

The scruffy dog darted across the pasture, ears pinned back, committed to the task. Josie held back a bit to give him room to shoot around the calf, cutting it off as he headed toward the cottonwoods. Huck barked once and the calf slowed down.

Josie laughed out loud.

“Gotcha!” she called out, exhilarated.

The calf skidded, uncertain now, turning back toward the open pasture and right into Josie’s path.

Her mare knew the work as well as she did. With the gentle pressure of Josie’s knees, the horse shifted, angling them just ahead of the calf’s line. Josie could feel the rhythm of the stride through her legs, steady and sure. This was the part she loved most, getting the moment just right when she and the horse edged toward the calf, the rope loose in her hand.

Roping wasn’t about strength. It was about patience and skill. Her father always said anyone could ride and rope. Man or woman. But she saw how people looked at her when they saw her on her horse, wearing a pair of her father’s pants and working on the ranch.

But this was the West, and it took all sorts.

She made sure that she attended church on Sundays in a pretty dress, her thick chestnut hair tamed into submission.

Josie rose slightly in the stirrups and began to swing the rope overhead.

She let go, and with great satisfaction saw the rope land around the calf’s neck.

“Come on,” she called to the calf.

The calf slowed, hemmed in by Huck and hampered by the rope.

Huck trotted up proudly, tail wagging like a banner.

“Well done, boy!” Josie turned her horse and headed back to the herd.

Her father waited for her, a grin on his lined face.

“You took your time,” he teased her as she rode up beside him.

She snorted inelegantly but grinned at him as the calf rejoined the herd.

The pasture stretched golden and quiet around her now, the wind combing through the tall grass. She sat back in the saddle with a satisfied sigh.

“You going up to the house for lunch?” her father asked.

“Yup,” she said. “Maggie’s making us some griddle cakes.”

Her mouth watered at the thought. Her sister would’ve been cooking those all morning. Not that they expected it. Maggie was seven months pregnant and beginning to move with difficulty. But she resisted all their urging to take it easier.

“You go on up; I’ll join you in a while.”

Josie nodded and pulled on the reins.

Their house stood out on the ridge, small but sturdy, smoke curling lazily from the chimney. The barns and corrals sat just beyond.

This was home. Many girls her age dreamed about leaving places like this. But Josie couldn’t imagine wanting anything else.

This was where she belonged.

She rode her horse up to the house and tied it to the post. Then she went inside, sniffing the air appreciatively. Her sister was setting the table.

“Where’s Father?” Maggie asked.

“He said he’ll come soon.” Josie snatched one of the griddle cakes as Maggie batted her hand away affectionately.

“You go wash your hands,” she said to her sister.

Soon, their father came and they sat down to a simple but filling meal. Their mother’s chair was empty. Many years had passed since she’d succumbed to fever. They felt her loss keenly and had grown closer as a family. Even after Maggie had married Henry, she still visited almost daily. At times, when he rode off to nearby cities on merchant business, she often came to stay with them.

After the meal, Josie cleared the table and started on the dishes. She boiled hot water for the basin and scrubbed the pan. Across from her, Maggie sat in one of the sturdy kitchen chairs, carefully drying the dishes Josie passed on to her. Her movements were slower these days. Her belly swelled with the child that was growing bigger each week. She had started wearing wrap dresses as her everyday clothes didn’t fit her anymore.

Josie turned to her sister.

“How are you feeling today?”

“A bit tired,” her sister admitted.

“Leave the rest to me.” Josie tried to take the dish cloth from her.

“We’re almost done,” Maggie said, shaking her head.

“What’ll Henry say when he gets back from his trip and finds you all exhausted by the housework you’ve been doing?”

Maggie rolled her eyes.

“If he takes any longer, the baby will be born without him,” she grumbled.

Josie suppressed a smile.

“I’m sure he’ll be back any day soon,” she said gently.

Maggie bit her lip. “He’s been gone almost two weeks,” she said quietly.

“You did say it might be a few weeks,” Josie reminded her.

She settled another plate into the basin, smiling to herself. She liked the way that her sister wanted to be around Henry, impatient in a way that was both sweet and slightly ridiculous.

“The weather’s been good,” Josie said. “I think it won’t be long now.”

Maggie dried another dish and set it neatly on the stack beside her. “He wrote that he found a vineyard owner willing to sell him a few new casks. He seemed very pleased about it.”

Josie pictured Henry behind his desk at the trading station, writing in his ledgers, his spectacles perched on his nose. He wasn’t an outdoorsy kind of guy. Not her type at all.

But he was good to Maggie, and her sister adored her husband. She was expecting their firstborn, and this was an exciting time for them.

Maggie looked out the window as if she might somehow spot her husband riding over the far ridge already.

“And Elijah is riding back with him,” Maggie added.

Josie’s hands slowed in the water.

“Oh?”

“Yes. He said he’d ride back with Henry, keep the cargo safe.”

Josie dried her hands on the apron tied around her waist and leaned her hip against the table.

Elijah.

She’d heard a lot about Henry’s younger brother. A former bounty hunter, although Josie struggled to believe that. She couldn’t imagine Henry had a brother like that.

Elijah had not attended Henry and Maggie’s wedding as he was working far away at the time.

At least, that was the story.

“Henry said Elijah helped him settle a disagreement with a freight driver who thought he might cheat him.”

Josie grunted.

“I imagine Elijah has a way of settling disagreements.”

Maggie shrugged. “That’s what Henry said too.”

Josie thought of the bounty hunters she had met in her time. They were usually rough men, quiet and not given to idle chatter. But they got things done. She liked that.

Maggie folded the drying cloth and rested her hands on the curve of her belly.

“I expect they’ll be here in a day or two,” she said.

Josie nodded.

Her father came into the room and looked at Josie.

“I have to go to town to get the new riding tack. Do you want to join me, get some goods for the house?”

“Sure,” Josie said.

“Will you be all right here alone?” she asked Maggie.

“I’ll have Huck, right?” The dog barked at the sound of his name.

All three of them laughed.

“We won’t be gone long,” their father said. “I’ll go see the blacksmith while you go to the store, Josie?”

“All right,” Josie said.

Maggie looked at her, slightly shocked. “You’re not going to go like that, are you?”

Josie looked down at what she thought of as her working outfit. A man’s trousers and shirt.

“Sure, why not?”

“I don’t know, honey. We’re going into town,” her father said, mildly admonishing.

Josie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t put up a fight. She knew that sometimes, she had to follow the rules. More importantly, she didn’t want to embarrass her father and sister more than she had to. She went to wash up in her room, putting on one of her dresses, and combing her hair. It was stiff from the wind and dust, but she managed to tame it according to fashion.

“That’s much better!” Maggie said admiringly, as she came back into the room.

“Please!” Josie shook her head. She couldn’t really be bothered too much with her appearance.

Even though she knew that she would probably get married eventually, she was in no rush to get hitched. She liked her life on the ranch; the freedom her father allowed her. They went outside and hitched the wagon to the horse and made for the nearest town. Virginia City was not too far away from Ruby Valley, where the Thornwood Ranch was situated.

The afternoon was bright and the air was warmer than earlier in the day, but it was not warm yet. Summer was still a long way off. But the mountains were sharp against the sky and the air smelled clean and fresh.

They rode in companionable silence. It had been this way for years now, the two of them working the ranch side by side. Her father had never once told her he wished she were a son. He didn’t have to. She knew the work needed doing, and she’d always been willing. He had taught her everything she knew.

The town came into view, a scattering of buildings and the sound of wagons and voices drifting toward them. By the time they pulled up outside the general store, the street was already busy with miners, merchants, and travelers moving about their business.

Josie hopped down from the wagon before her father had even set the brake.

Her father took his time climbing down, stretching his back.

“All right, I’m going to find George, meet you back here in a bit.”

He walked off, and she went into the store. The familiar smell of coffee beans and flour dust greeted her immediately. Josie moved easily down the aisles, collecting what they needed. She had just reached for a sack of flour when a smooth voice behind her said, “Well now. If it isn’t Miss Josephine.”

Her stomach tightened before she even turned around.

She recognized the voice of Harlan Crane.

She turned to greet him.

“Mr. Crane,” she said, a polite nod of her head.

Harlan Crane stood a few feet away, smartly dressed as usual. The gold chain of his pocket watch glinted against a fine waistcoat.

“It’s been some time,” he said.

“Has it?” she answered vaguely.

Harlan chuckled as though she’d made a charming joke. “I suppose you are keeping busy on the ranch?”

Josie lifted the flour sack and attempted to settle it on the counter. “Just picking up supplies.”

Harlan hefted the bag securely onto the store counter.

“A lady shouldn’t be doing a man’s work,” he said pointedly.

Josie held her tongue. She wanted to tell him that she could do any man’s work as well as he could, if not better.

“Of course, if you were my wife, you wouldn’t have to work a day in your life.”

Josie bit her lip. Harlan Crane had spoken to her some time ago about marriage, inquiring if she’d be open to a proposal. She had said she would not. He told her he would try again and she told him that she wished he wouldn’t. At the time, he suggested that she thought he was too old for her. She didn’t know how to say, politely, that it was more than that. Much more.

He was now leaning against the counter, watching her.

“You know,” he said lightly, “My offer still stands.”

Josie avoided looking at him.

“Mr. Crane—”

“Harlan, please,” he said in a cajoling voice.

She caught her breath.

“Harlan… I…”

He interrupted her. “A fine house,” he said. “Comfort. Security. A woman wouldn’t need to spend her days hauling flour sacks and riding after cattle. You could have your own horse, if you wanted to, naturally.”

She met his gaze directly.

“I already answered you.”

“Yes,” he said. “You refused.”

“And I meant it.”

For a moment his smile held.

Then it shifted, just slightly.

The warmth didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore.

“You’re a practical girl, Josie,” he said softly. “I thought perhaps you might reconsider with time.”

“I haven’t.”

The air between them became strained.

“You could do worse than me,” he said.

Josie crossed her arms. “Perhaps.”

She turned away from him to pick up the coffee beans.

When she turned back, the way Harlan looked at her turned her blood cold.

“You think you have everything figured out? But just you watch and see… life in Montana can change quickly, just like the weather. Lightning can strike out of nowhere.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?” His words sounded threatening somehow.

He became friendly again. “You need someone to depend on, is all I’m saying. I could be that man for you.”

She nodded, slightly unsure.

She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something about Harlan Crane that bothered her.

Harlan straightened slowly.

“A woman alone rarely understands the sort of decisions that shape her future.”

She retorted, “I’m not alone.”

“Your father is getting older,” Harlan said slyly.

Josie’s jaw tightened.

“That’s enough.”

For a long moment he simply looked at her.

Then he smiled again.

“Think about it some more.” He held up a hand to silence any protestations she might have made.

“I’ll wait.”

The storekeeper came to the front and started writing up her order.

Josie felt Harlan watching her.

She felt relief when her father came into the store and picked up the bag of flour.

“Good day Harlan,” her father said, nodding in greeting.

“Walter.”

As soon as her father left the store to head for the wagon, Harlan turned to Josie again.

“You have a good day now, Miss Josephine,” he said, winking at her.

Josie felt a shiver run down her spine.

She watched him leave the store, wondering why he had this effect on her.

Then her father came back and helped her carry their goods to the wagon.

As she walked toward the wagon, she bumped into a man who stepped in front of her without looking where he was going. The nerve of the man! She gave him a piece of her mind, that’s for sure.

Her father looked at her. “Are you all right?”

Josie took a deep breath.  Her thoughts were preoccupied with her encounter with Harlan.

She nodded. “Just looking forward to getting home,” she said, collecting herself and jumping onto the wagon.

As they drove away from town, she felt herself settle down and become calm again.

Perhaps she had imagined all of it, she told herself.

Maybe Harlan Crane was just being friendly.

Chapter Two

The wagon rolled steadily along the narrow road, the wheels bumping over ruts hardened by weeks of dry weather. The late afternoon sun hung low behind the mountains, painting the hills in long shadows and dull gold.

Elijah held the reins loosely in one hand. The horses knew the road by now. They’d been on it for days. Beside him, Henry shifted on the wagon seat, stretching his back with a quiet groan.

“Another day or so,” Henry said, glancing toward the distant ridgeline. “If the weather holds.”

Elijah gave a short nod.

The trip had gone smoothly. Better than most. The wagon behind them carried several new casks of wine along with other goods Henry had been eager to bring back for his trading business. There had been no broken axles. No bandits. No trouble on the mountain roads.

A rare bit of good fortune.

He scanned the horizon. They had emerged from the forest on the mountain slopes. There were a few clouds, but it seemed mostly clear. This was good news, as they had one last ravine to traverse before they hit the flats outside Virginia City. He didn’t want to take their chances in a muddy ravine.

Elijah glanced back at the wagon, which was heavily loaded with the wine as well as all kinds of things his brother had bought. He admired his brother’s ambition, though he didn’t share it. Henry was always looking for new opportunities, but he was more inclined to be wary. In his opinion, opportunities often turned into problems.

Henry had kept in touch after the death of their parents three years ago. He had written to Elijah about his planned work trip and had asked if Elijah would accompany him on the way back to help protect the supplies.

You can meet my new wife and her family!

Elijah had read the words and sighed. He had avoided coming to the wedding, mentioning that he was working. It wasn’t true, strictly speaking. But the thought of a wedding party and being surrounded by strangers for an extended period of time was too much for him.

Still, Henry was important to him, and he’d agreed to come along on this trip.

That evening, they made camp just off the road.

Elijah got a fire going and they sat around it, eating the last of their provisions and drinking whiskey to keep warm. Nights were still cold, especially in the mountains.

They sat on the ground, staring into the flames.

Henry leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. Elijah passed him the bottle and Henry took a big swig of it.

“I’ll be glad to see Maggie again,” he said with a quiet smile.

Elijah turned to him.

“It’s not even been a month.”

“I know,” Henry gave a little laugh.

“Wait till you get married, you’ll see how it is.” There was a soft expression on Henry’s face, which made Elijah want to give him a ribbing. But he stopped himself. His brother clearly loved his wife and was happy. He didn’t want to make fun of it.

Happiness was a rare thing, and they had not had much of it as a family. Even though the brothers had chosen different paths in life, Elijah admired how hard Henry had worked to get his trading business going.

“Yeah, that’s not for me,” Elijah said, staring into the flames. He wasn’t against marriage, but he couldn’t quite see himself with a woman and a house. He had been alone for some time now. It was always him and his horse. He liked it that way.

“How do you know? You’ve never tried it,” Henry pushed.

“That’s true,” Elijah admitted.

“I never thought a woman like Maggie would look at me,” Henry said thoughtfully. “She is quite something, you’ll see. Beautiful, but smart.”

Elijah was doubtful. In his experience, women either had the looks or the smarts. Rarely both. Those that did have both were mean as rattlesnakes. But Henry said Maggie was even tempered. Early days, he supposed.

“She was worried about us. In her last letter she said she feared the baby would come before I got back.”

Elijah shook his head.

“But you told her we’re on our way.”

“You know how it is,” Henry said. “Things happen.”

Elijah didn’t answer. He knew very well how things happened. Out here, anything was possible. Bandits. Bears. Drunk miners shooting their guns off. He peered into the darkness, listening to the sounds of the night.

“But everything is fine with the baby, though?” Elijah asked.

“I guess.” His brother shrugged with a laugh. “What do I know? It’s my first baby!” He had a huge grin on his face.

“I don’t know if I want it to be a boy or a girl. Right now, all I want is a healthy baby and for Maggie to recover quickly.”

Elijah nodded.

“They seem to be a healthy lot though, her family,” Henry went on. “There’s her father and a sister. They’re very close. I think you’ll like them.”

Elijah grunted softly.

“That so.”

“They’re good people. Honest.”

Henry’s gaze was direct.

“Maggie’s sister helps run the ranch with their father.”

Elijah raised one eyebrow slightly.

“That right?”

“Hard worker. Practical girl. Rides as well as any cowboy.”

Elijah didn’t say anything. His brother was probably exaggerating. It’s not like he knew a lot of cowboys. Elijah leaned forward and threw another log on the fire.

Both sat up as they heard bushes rustling nearby.

“Shh…” Elijah held up a finger to silence his brother. His hand tightened on his rifle.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke, both listening carefully.

Elijah checked on the horses. They were tied to the wagon and seemed skittish.

“I’ll go have a look,” he said, getting up.

“Be careful,” Henry called out to him.

Elijah shot him a dirty look.

His eyes scanned the darkness, trying to see what could have made the noise. His guess was some animal. But he didn’t want them to be jumped by a criminal or a chancer thinking they were easy prey.

The bushes rustled again, a bit further back and he quickly stepped into the dark foliage, in the direction of the sound. He could hear something moving away. Probably deer. There were plenty of those in the mountains.

He walked back to where Henry was anxiously waiting at the fire.

“All right?” Henry asked Elijah, who nodded curtly.

“Deer, I think.”

He sat down at the fire again and drank more whiskey.

“Better get some sleep,” Henry said, settling down on the ground. “I want to get back to Maggie tomorrow.”

Elijah watched his brother close his eyes and drift off to sleep.

It was hard to believe sometimes that his brother was only three years older than him. Seemed like a lot more at times. He loved his brother, but they lived in different worlds. He wondered about meeting Henry’s in-laws and how long his brother expected him to stay.

***

The following morning, they got up early and were ready for the next leg of the journey as the sun rose. The road curved gently and for a while, the only sound was the steady clatter of the wagon wheels.

It was Henry who broke the silence.

“You didn’t make it to the wedding,” he said.

“No.”

“You said it was work?”

Elijah nodded once.

“Wyoming.”

That had been a difficult job.

Two men wanted for robbery and murder. They’d run for weeks before Elijah finally caught them outside a mining camp near the border. But it was over by the time of the wedding. He could have made it if he really wanted to.

Elijah could feel Henry wanting to ask more. He knew his brother had never liked him being a bounty hunter. He had told Elijah as much.

“I don’t do that work anymore,” he finally said.

“I’m glad,” Henry said. “What are you doing now?”

He was purposefully vague. “All sorts… Hired hand, you know.”

Henry left it there.

“You ever think about settling down?”

Elijah’s eyes stayed on the road.

“No.”

Henry chuckled quietly.

“Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

Elijah gave him a look.

Not this again.

Lately, his brother was always bringing the topic round to marriage and relationships. He didn’t seem to want to accept that Elijah was different. He liked his life the way it was. He didn’t want it to change.

The wagon rolled on.

When they reached the bottom of the mountain, the road dipped and became steep. Elijah got off the wagon to guide the horses through the ravine, make sure the wagon stayed upright. From there, the land became flat and wide.

They settled into a steady rhythm again.

Henry rested back against the seat.

“Well,” he said, “it’s not so bad.”

“What?” Elijah asked, thinking about a moment back in the ravine when one of the wagon wheels had wobbled. He thought it was about to pop off. But then the wagon steadied itself and pulled through.

“Marriage, you fool!” Henry laughed and shook his head.

“You’re still on that topic?” Elijah pulled a face and then laughed too.

“Maggie’s sister is about your age. She’s pretty too. Not as beautiful as Maggie, but very nice looking,” Henry said.

Elijah’s mouth twitched faintly.

“That supposed to interest me?”

“Just making conversation.”

Elijah shook his head.

“Not looking.”

Henry chuckled some more.

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

For a while neither of them spoke.

Elijah watched the road stretching ahead of them and felt the familiar quiet settle into his bones. Most men found the silence uncomfortable. He never had. Since their parents died, his world had grown simpler in a way. He liked not having a home waiting for him. Nobody worrying when he’d be home. He could be late without anyone asking where he’d been.

He went wherever he wanted to. When he wanted to.

Henry cleared his throat.

“Maggie is glad you’re coming along. She’s been wanting to meet you.”

Elijah nodded once.

“Long as she doesn’t expect much conversation.”

Henry smiled.

“She won’t.”

The wagon creaked onward beneath the vast Montana sky as the two brothers rode in the direction of Virginia City.

It was looking like a fine day, with all the clouds gone by midday. They didn’t break for lunch, pushing through on the last stretch of the road. Henry was eager to get home, Elijah could tell. His leg was twitching excitedly on the box seat next to him.

The closer they drew to town, the busier the road became.

A pair of freight wagons rattled past them heading the other direction, drivers calling greetings to Henry as they went. A group of miners rode by on horseback, laughing loudly at some joke Elijah hadn’t heard.

Henry lifted a hand in greeting.

Elijah simply watched them pass.

“You mind stopping a moment?” Henry asked.

Elijah glanced sideways.

“For what?”

Henry nodded toward the main street.

“There’s a sweet Maggie likes. They keep it at the general store.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow.

“Candy?”

“Peppermints,” Henry corrected. “She’s taken a liking to it lately. Apparently pregnant women get that way sometimes.”

Elijah snorted.

“That a fact.”

Henry slowed the horses as they rolled into town.

“I won’t be long.”

They pulled the wagon up outside the general store, the wooden sign creaking softly above the porch in the breeze.

Henry hopped down from the seat.

“You coming in?”

Elijah shook his head.

“I’ll wait.”

Henry gave a small shrug.

“Suit yourself.”

He disappeared through the store door, the bell above it jingling as it swung shut behind him.

Elijah remained where he was for a moment, then stepped down from the wagon and leaned back against the rough wooden post beside the storefront.

Town air always felt different. He didn’t like the noise in the street, the voices and laughter spilling out from the saloon. Men calling across the street. Wagon wheels rattling over packed dirt.

Elijah folded his arms and let his eyes drift over the street.

He preferred the quiet of the trail.

Out there a man could hear his own thoughts.

A sudden burst of movement caught his attention. Someone was moving fast out of the general store, rushing right into him. It happened quickly, before Elijah had time to move. The person walked straight into him.

The impact was sharp.

“Watch where you’re standing!” the woman snapped.

“Excuse me,” he said in response, almost without thinking.

Then a wave of irritation swept through him. The woman had crashed into him, not the other way around.

He was about to say as much when he noticed that the woman was quite attractive. She had already stepped back, brushing dust from the sleeve of her dress as though the whole thing had been entirely his fault.

Then she looked up.

Their eyes met.

Elijah felt something strange jolt through him.

Her eyes were an arresting shade of green. Not the soft sort of green he’d seen before, but bright and sharp, with flecks of gold that caught the light like sparks.

She was looking at him with anger. The color was high in her cheeks. It suited her.

To his own surprise, he found his own irritation give way to amusement. Her reaction was disproportionate to the incident itself. She was totally overreacting.

He must have started smiling, because her eyes were flashing at him

He noticed the fine dusting of freckles on her nose. But before he could say anything, she stomped off to a wagon standing nearby. There was an older man waiting for her and as he watched, they rode off.

Who was that?

Elijah had never met a woman quite like that. He’d been to a number of bigger cities, mixing with all kinds of crowds, but this was a woman unlike any he’d seen. Most ladies he’d seen had been of a delicate sort, dainty in a way. They had complicated hair styles and clothes unsuitable for outdoors.

Not this woman though. He couldn’t be sure, yet she did seem like a lady, of sorts.

Elijah stayed where he was, arms folded, watching until the wagon vanished down the road. He let out a quiet breath through his nose.

After a while, the irritation came back.

He wasn’t the sort of man who let anyone walk over him.

Woman or otherwise.

Yet he’d stood there like a fool while she’d snapped at him and marched off without so much as an apology.

Elijah shifted his weight against the post.

Despite his mild annoyance, he had to admit that the woman was something else.

She was unusual.

He chuckled to himself and gave a deep sigh.

This was why he didn’t like mixing with people.

He didn’t want to be thinking about why they did what they did.

His brother came out of the store with a brown paper bag.

“You ready to go?” Henry asked him.

Elijah nodded.

He didn’t tell him about the incident with the woman.

But he couldn’t help thinking about it as they rode out of town toward Henry’s wife and the extended family he was supposed to meet.