Montana Wife (Historical) Read Online Free

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    â€œRayna?” Dayton seemed alarmed. “Are you all right? I can fetch the doctor.”
    â€œI’m fine. Just—” Missing my husband. She lifted her chin, tamping down the grief far enough so shecould finish her day’s work. She didn’t want her oldest son to be worried. “I’m just thinking. I’m not interested in your offer. Goodbye. Come in, son. Where’s the part?”
    Kirk looked uncertain as Dayton filled the space in front of the door, refusing to leave.
    Rayna motioned her son inside and closed the door, although the windows were thrown wide-open to catch some hint of a breeze. She could hear Dayton’s slow steps as he paced the porch.
    Fine, let him pace. He would eventually tire and leave. She would not sell the only home her boys knew.
    She led the way to the kitchen, where the Regulator wall clock marked the time—a few minutes more until the final batch of bread was ready.
    â€œMr. Kline wouldn’t give me the part.” Only fourteen, Kirk planted his feet like a man, held out his hands the way Kol would have done, a stance of dignity. “He said I couldn’t put any more charges on our account. He needed cash.”
    â€œHow rude of him. Did you try the hardware—”
    â€œI went everywhere. They all said no. I can whittle a piece after I get done working tonight. We’ll make do.” Kirk fisted his hands, trying to look strong and dependable. “I’d best get out in the fields. I’ve got wheat to cut.”
    He was too young to be forced into a man’s responsibilities. Still, she was proud of him. “You won’t be harvesting alone. Mr. Lindsay was kind enough to bring his harvester.”
    â€œFor what price?”
    â€œFor free. Mr. Lindsay is doing us a fine thing, helping us.”
    â€œPa’s friends should have done that. He paid his sharefor the new harvester Mr. Dayton bought and he—” Anger left him searching for words.
    It was the grief behind the anger, Rayna knew. It was a hard truth that in this world, people were not often just. Some people did rise to the occasion.
    â€œWe have a true friend in Mr. Lindsay.” Careful of her bandages, she sliced off a thick piece of warm bread for Kirk to snack on. “The butter crock’s on the table. Wait, let me cut a few more to take with you. Perhaps Mr. Lindsay is hungry.”
    â€œI’ll fill the water jug on the way.” Kirk dug a knife from the sideboard’s top drawer. “Ma, I heard what Mr. Dayton said. How are we gonna do all the work without Pa? Will the bank take our house?”
    â€œDon’t you worry. Your father would never have put us in a bad position. You remember that. He loved us. We will manage just fine. I’ll find a way.”
    â€œI can help. I can take care of all the animals and the haying. I can do that by myself without any neighbors helping.”
    He took the bread slices she offered, wrapped in a clean cloth, and added them to the lunch pail he’d retrieved along with the butter crock. “I heard you crying last night, Ma. I know you’re sad. But don’t you worry. I’m a man. I can take care of you.”
    â€œI know you can.” Rayna resisted the urge to call him her sweetie and press a kiss to his brow.
    Her son was growing up. Emotion ached in her throat as she watched him sprint through the back door. The screen slammed shut in his wake, echoing through the kitchen.
    As if nothing had changed, she turned to the stove, mentally listing what she would need to prepare a bigsupper tonight. Kol would be hungry from working all day in the fields—
    The air rushed from her lungs. She leaned against the counter, dizzy. She’d thought of Kol out of habit, from years of cooking for him.
    He’s gone, Rayna. You have to accept it. You have to stop thinking that he’s next door or at town or on his way home. It should be simple, but it