Josie's Mail Order Husband (Montana Prairie Brides, Book 2)

Chapter 1

Jim Eaton cocked his gun. Just what do you think you’re doing?

Josie’s breath caught in her throat. I wasn’t doing anything. We were just talking.

Well, Jim growled, don’t talk to her anymore. Do you hear me?

Josie knew this was coming, but she couldn’t help gasping in shock when it came. What? I couldn't stop talking to Katie Matthis. She and Hannah Cummings are my oldest friends.

That was before, Jim replied. Things are different now. I don’t want you having anything to do with any of them anymore.

Just because we married mail-order husbands, Josie insisted, doesn’t mean we’re giving up our friendship. You can’t ask me to do that.

Jim turned on her. I’m not the one who’s making you give it up. They’re the ones who caused all the problems. I was just going about my business. If someone ruined a good thing, it’s them.

Josie turned away from him. She should have dropped the subject. The last thing in the world she should do was argue with him, especially now. Black night enclosed the prairie outside their house. With supper over, she should just curl up and go to sleep. But she just couldn’t let the matter rest. You have to admit, you played a part in this situation, too. You drove Katie and her new husband, Jason, into an impossible position.

Jim raised his eyebrows at her. Josie shivered. What on Earth was she thinking, mouthing off to this man? Hadn’t her friends warned her he might be dangerous? Hadn’t she complained to Katie herself about all the guns Jim kept in the house? He might fly into a rage at any moment, and then Heaven only knew what he would do.

But he practically laughed at her. And just how exactly did I do that?

You know that perfectly well, Josie shot back. You stopped them getting their horses out of our stable, and you shot Katie’s dog Flash, and you even went after Katie herself with a gun. What did you expect them to do, roll over and let you get away with all that? You knew they wouldn’t do that.

Jim tilted his head to one side. You’re right. I knew they wouldn’t.

Josie stared at him. You did?

Jim cracked a grin. Sure. How could I not know? Of course I knew they would have to do something about it.

He crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

If you knew, Josie asked, why did you do it?

Jim shrugged. Maybe that’s why I did it.

Josie gasped. You deliberately did things to drive a wedge between us and our neighbors?

Jim kicked his boots into a corner. Silly, isn’t it?

Josie propped her fists on her hips, her fear for a moment forgotten. It isn’t silly. It’s downright foolish. Don’t you know we have to depend on these people for our very survival for the rest of our lives? How are we going to get our stock to town, if you and Jason Matthis and Peter Cummings don’t work together to drive them in?

Josie didn’t notice her own voice rising until Jim fixed her with a hard stare. You might not think much of my reasons, but I do have them.

Josie dropped her hands to her sides. Whatever else she did, she better tread carefully. He still held his pistol in his hand. Was he even aware of it? Now that she’d started the conversation, all she wanted was to get out of it. But how? He growled at her the way he usually did, but his words made her sigh in relief. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m tired. I’m going to bed.

She couldn’t watch him unbuckle his belt. That could only mean one thing. Not that she minded so much. They got along best when the lights went out.

Why don’t you come on over here? he suggested. Unless you plan to sleep standing over there.

Josie flushed and whirled away. He knew what it meant, too. He didn’t shy away from reminding her, either. If only he weren’t so forward about it.

She fumbled through the last of her chores, putting the room to rights for the night. She couldn't keep stalling all night long. He called her from the other side of the room. Come to bed.

At times like this, she couldn’t help remembering her first husband, John Campbell. A pang of guilt shot through her. Here she was, thinking about one man while preparing to go to bed with another. What difference did it make that John was her husband first? She was married to Jim now, for better or for worse, even if that idiot Sheriff didn’t say those words.

Jim didn’t resemble John Campbell at all. When John smiled, his teeth lit up the whole world. When he laughed, the whole world laughed with him. Men, women, and children loved being near him, just to share the jokes that fell from his mouth every minute of the day. He made friends with everyone and kept them for life. He never crossed another living soul as long as he lived.

And here was Jim Eaton, threatening his neighbors and frightened the life out of his wife within hours of showing his face at Campbell’s Corner. The moment he opened his suitcases, he took out his guns and started shooting the place up.

She blushed and shook her head to clear her mind, but the two men still hung before her eyes, side by side. What would John say if he saw her married to Jim? He would probably try to drive Jim off with his own gun.

Still, she had no choice now but to go to him. In fact, she sighed with relief to be going to bed. What a devil of a day this was, and she actually looked forward to losing herself in Jim. She didn’t have to worry about angering or offending him when they lay in bed together.

He must have been thinking the same thing. When she finally came near enough to the bed, he caught her by the hand and pulled her down on the edge of the quilt next to him. What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you.

He looked away from her just long enough to shove his pistol under the pillow.

Chapter 2

Josie sighed. He must have mistaken her fatigue for reluctance.

What’s wrong? he asked. Aren’t you happy about getting into bed with me?

She smiled at him in the lamplight. I’m happy about it. You don’t have to worry about that.

What’s wrong, then? he asked again.

Nothing, she murmured. I’m just tired.

You’re not too tired to do your duty by me, are you? he asked.

My duty? she shot back. Don’t make it sound like such a joyous occasion.

Jim’s eyes flew open, and he snorted. You know I didn’t mean that. I only meant....

Josie grimaced and turned away. I know what you meant. You don’t have to explain it.

He grabbed her by the elbow. His fingers dug so hard into her flesh that she winced in pain. Did he mean to grab her that hard? Did he mean to hurt her? Or did he not even realize what he was doing?

He yanked her around to face him again. Hey. I’m talking to you. Don’t you turn your back on me.

She smacked her lips in annoyance, but her heart raced in her chest. They couldn't afford a confrontation like this. They had a good night last night. After the trials of the day, they really needed another nice, peaceful night together to bring them closer.

She couldn’t stop herself from reacting, though. She yanked her arm out of his grip. Get your hands off me! I’m not one of your steers you can manhandle whenever you please.

Hey! he snapped. I didn’t mean anything by it. What’s the matter with you, anyway?

I should ask you the same question, Josie shot back. You’ve been stepping on everyone’s toes ever since you first got here. Don’t you realize the position you’ve put me in these last couple of days? You better watch out. If you put me out, too, you won’t have me defending you anymore.

Anger flared up in his eyes, but only for a fraction of an instant. It died away just as quickly, and his shoulders dropped. I’m sorry.

That was a little more like it, but when he tried to take her hand again, her skin crawled.

He raised his other hand and touched her cheek. He must not have seen, or cared to see, how she avoided looking into his eyes. The next thing she knew, he leaned and tried to kiss her, just like that, with no warning at all.

She darted away from him, and his lips met empty air.

When his anger blazed up this time, he didn’t soften. His eyes flashed, and Josie trembled.

Is this what you call being happy about it? he grumbled. If it is, I’d hate to see what you act like when you’re out a' joint. Maybe we oughta put the light out and call it a night. He reached for the lamp on the table by the bed.

Josie collected herself in a hurry. She couldn’t squander her chance to sooth him. She caught him by the hand. She had to win him back. Jim, wait.

His brows furrowed. What do you want?

I....I want to, she stammered. Could you just....you know....? She trailed off.

No, I don’t know, he snapped back. Could I what?

Josie blushed. You’ll think I'm silly....

Jim snorted. Not as silly as if you keeping me wondering what on earth you’re talking about.

Josie looked down into her lap. She couldn’t put it off any longer. Could you please take that gun out from under the pillow?

His mouth fell open. What? Whatever for?

She couldn’t lift her head to look at him. The lamplight reflecting off her fingernails in her lap swam before her eyes. She couldn’t tell him how his guns horrified her. She just couldn’t bear the possibility that he might laugh at her, or worse yet, ignore her.

I just don’t want it there, she whimpered. It makes me....uncomfortable.

He turned toward the pillow. I’ll move it over to the side. Then you won’t feel it under your head. He moved it, pulled his hand out from under the pillow, and turned back to