Page 22 of A Steadfast Heart (Wind River Mail-Order Brides #2)

Later that night, Drew leaned back into the sofa. Nick and Ed had settled into the chairs across from it. Drew stretched out his legs and let his head fall back. Home. He was in his own home, Nick and Ed nearby. All the men had left their boots at the door to protect Kaitlyn’s spotless floors.

Isaac had stopped in earlier to congratulate him but said he’d ride out to keep an eye on the herd. Someone had tried to take a few head while he’d been here alone, but he’d stopped them.

Drew wasn’t fooled. His next younger brother was still feeling stifled inside four walls. Whatever wounds he carried hadn’t healed.

But for now, Drew’s herd had land to graze, his house was no longer at risk, his family was safe, and his wife had ingredients to put food on the table.

His wife. Katie.

Her voice floated down the stairs to the men in the parlor as she tucked covers around his little girls.

Ed nudged Nick and grinned, his eyes sparking mischief. “Reckon we’ll be moving Kaitlyn’s stuff back downstairs. Think that closet is big enough for her things as well as Drew’s?”

Nick frowned at Ed. “Kaitlyn isn’t Amanda. She’s not gonna need a lot of extra space for doodads.”

Drew smiled. Kaitlyn wasn’t Amanda, that was for sure, but she might just need a little more space than he and his brothers did. That was okay. He’d gladly frame in another closet if she wanted. This was her home too, after all.

Ed nudged Drew’s outstretched foot with his own. “You should hide that silly grin. Someone might think you’re in love with your wife.”

Kaitlyn’s footsteps paused on the stairs. Was she waiting to hear his answer? That was okay. He’d say it as often as she needed to hear it. He might still prefer actions, but the words weren’t that hard. “They’d be right. I am in love with my wife. Then they’d be jealous that I have such an extraordinary woman to be in love with.”

Kaitlyn entered the room, then settled in next to him on the sofa. “The kids are all in bed.”

He threw an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close. Blonde tendrils escaped and tickled his chin. The scent of lavender soothed him. Maybe he’d plant her a lavender patch. Who knew? They might even be able to sell the excess. But if it only made his bride smile, he’d be sufficiently recompensed.

A wolf howled in the distance. Drew cocked his head. “That sounded close. We’ll have to put out some traps.”

Nick rolled his shoulders, then leaned in closer to Drew. “They aren’t the only threat. Quade won’t give up so easy.”

“Not much he can do,” Ed replied. “We bought the homestead free and clear, and we have plenty of time and supplies for the others.”

Drew scowled. “He fights dirty. He paid his cowhands to distract us so Michael could get Kaitlyn to the train.” He rubbed his hand along Kaitlyn’s arm. “A man’s pretty low-down if he takes the fight to the women and children.”

Nick and Ed nodded, their expressions serious.

Drew sighed. “We need Isaac.”

Ed scoffed. “He ain’t been much use lately.”

That was true. When he’d joined the US Marshals, Isaac had been so self-assured he’d bordered on cocky. He’d come home withdrawn and quiet.

Drew had promised his ma that he’d take care of his brothers, but he hadn’t promised he’d do it alone. “Isaac’s suffering. What do you think we can do to help?”

Nick caught his eye. “You need to talk to him, find out what happened. He’ll listen to you, Drew. Ed and I are just pesky little brothers.”

Drew nodded slowly. Maybe he needed to make it a point to spend some time with Isaac. They’d always been close as kids.

Ed put down his coffee cup. “He’s too stubborn to listen to anyone.”

“He’s not the only stubborn one.” Nick glared at Ed. “I saw you arguing with Rebekah outside the store. When are you gonna let that grudge go?”

Ed glared right back. “About the time she does.”

Drew smothered a smile. That old schoolroom feud was funny to everyone but Ed. Kaitlyn moved closer, and Drew took her hand with his free hand, entwined their fingers. She laid her head against his shoulder.

Nick stood up. “It’s been a long day. I hear my bunk calling me.”

Ed chuckled. “Subtle, Nick. Real subtle.” But he picked up the empty cup he’d left by his feet and stood. Then he caught Drew’s gaze. “Whatever changed Isaac has to be big, and it’s eating him up inside. If he’ll talk to anyone, it’ll be you.” He left through the back door, Nick right behind him.

Kaitlyn snuggled closer, and he tightened his hold on her. His wife. What had he ever done to deserve this moment with her in his arms?

“Jo wants to try riding the colt again,” she murmured.

He chuckled. “Of course she does. But she’s gonna have to grow some, get a little stronger. Meantime, maybe you can teach her that things inside the house are just as important.”

“The ranch is in her blood. But I think she liked the fabric we picked for her dress.” She grinned up at him. “It wasn’t pink, after all.”

He leaned down to kiss her, her soft lips still tasting of coffee and pie. Slowly, he drew back. “I’m so glad you found that letter. When you arrived, I couldn’t believe God would send me another city girl. If I could have seen this moment, I would have rushed you to the pastor that very night.”

“Think how I feel. He gave me you and an entire family.”

“But Katie, before you got here, we were just a bunch of people related by blood. You made us a family.”

He lowered his head, felt her soft lips again, and knew she was the best blessing he could ever hope for.

* * *

Journey once more with our mail-order brides with our third romantic Wind River Mail-Order Brides story, A Secret Heart by Lacy Williams and Wendy Klopfenstein.

The last thing middle brother Ed McGraw wants is to be tangled up in a scheme to find a mail-order bride for his black-sheep brother. But that’s right where Ed finds himself…writing love letters and not signing his own name.

Intrigued by the woman who writes back.

Rebekah Edwards keeps her dreams to herself and finds contentment working for the local newspaper running matrimonial advertisements. Until the day a new ad appears—one written by the very rancher Rebekah has pined for her entire life.

But just as she strikes up a correspondence, Rebekah finds herself drawn inexplicably to Ed McGraw—the wrong McGraw brother for her. What will happen when she finds out the author’s true identity?