Page 16 of Wild Spirit Revival (Montana Becketts, Wild Spirit Ranch #1)

“The outlaw’s partners. They came out of nowhere!” Jubal slumped against the door of the jail. Molly and Annalee rushed to him, stopping when the deputy held up a hand. “I’m fine, ladies. Just a little scratch.”

“How many, Jube?” Brodie demanded.

“Three, maybe four,” Jubal panted, wiping blood from his eye. “They had the drop on me before I could even draw. I’m sorry, Sheriff. I tried—”

“It’s not your fault,” Brodie cut him off. He turned to Elijah. “I’m going inside. Watch the ladies.”

“We can watch ourselves,” Molly shot back at him.

“Fine,” Brodie called over his shoulder.

Jubal followed close behind. Elijah looked at Molly, torn between the desire to help Brodie and the need to protect the women.

“Go on with you,” Annelee said. Molly nodded, ending Elijah’s internal struggle. Drawing his gun, he slipped inside.

Brodie’s broad shoulders tensed as he surveyed the damage inside the jail. Moments later, the sheriff emerged, Jubal and Elijah right behind him, his face a mask of frustration and anger. “The window’s been torn clean out,” he growled, gesturing behind him. “Cell’s empty. They’re long gone by now.”

He looked at his deputy. “Did you see which direction they headed?”

Jubal shook his head. “Down the alley to the south. They could be anywhere by now. Flatrock, maybe. Or Black Canyon.”

Annalee stepped closer to Brodie, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. “Maybe we need to warn everyone. Cancel the fireworks, get people inside.”

“No,” Brodie said, surprising them all. “We can’t let these outlaws disrupt our lives more than they already have. They’re long gone by now. The fireworks go on.”

Molly raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that, Sheriff?”

His gaze hardened. “It’s exactly what we need to do. Show them we won’t be cowed. Besides, it’ll keep folks in one place, where we can watch over them.” With himself and just one deputy, Brodie knew chasing the gang would leave the town defenseless. He also knew he could no longer put off talking to the mayor about hiring another deputy. “I’ll be back soon. There’s someone I have to talk to.”

Annalee watched him leave, disappointed but knowing Brodie wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t important.

Jubal, still nursing his head, looked after him. “The sheriff was right. Those outlaws aren’t going to come back. At least not today.”

The sound of fireworks whistling into the sky made them all look up. It was time to enjoy what was left of the July Fourth celebrations.

The moonlit silhouettes of ponderosa pines were a familiar sight as Elijah Beckett and his siblings rode their horses back to Wild Spirit Ranch. The July Fourth fireworks still echoed in his mind, though Molly O’Sullivan’s radiant smile consumed his thoughts. He couldn’t shake the image of her emerald eyes sparkling in the glow of the fireworks, her infectious laughter ringing out over the crowd’s cheers.

“Quite a show tonight.” Annalee’s voice cut through Elijah’s reverie. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she nudged her horse closer to his. “I noticed you watching Molly more than the fireworks.”

His jaw clenched, his grip tightening on the reins. “No more than I watched anyone else,” he muttered, avoiding his sister’s knowing gaze.

Joshua chuckled, shaking his head. “Sure you were. And I’m the King of England.”

“Leave him be,” Nathan interjected, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “We’re all too tired to appreciate your teasing.”

As they crested the final hill before the ranch, Elijah’s thoughts drifted back to Molly. Her fierce independence and quick wit had caught him off guard, challenging his preconceptions about city women. He found himself yearning to know more about her, to unravel the mystery behind those captivating eyes.

The group dismounted at the barn, their movements sluggish with fatigue. Elijah’s muscles ached as he began unsaddling his horse.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us tomorrow,” Joshua said, stifling a yawn. “The new corral won’t build itself.”

Annalee lifted the saddle off her horse’s back, a tired smile playing on her lips. “And don’t forget about mending the fence line in the horse pasture. The herd will run right through it if they can.”

Elijah nodded, his mind already mapping out the tasks ahead. “Parker and I will take care of the new corral,” he offered. “Nate, you and Josh can work on the fence line.”

As they finished tending to their horses, Elijah found himself lingering in the barn. The sweet scent of hay and leather surrounded him, a comforting reminder of home. Yet, for the first time in years, he felt a restlessness stirring within him.

“You coming, Elijah?” Joshua called from the doorway.

He shook his head, forcing himself back to the present. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

As he followed his siblings toward the house, Elijah couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would Molly visit the ranch again? The thought sent a thrill of anticipation through him, even as he tried to temper his growing feelings.

As Elijah tried to sleep an hour later, his thoughts were filled with flashes of green eyes and the sound of laughter carried on the Montana wind.

He tossed and turned in his bed, the moonlight streaming through his window. His mind consumed with thoughts of Molly. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the images away.

“She’s leaving,” he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet room. “She’ll be gone soon, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Try as he might, Elijah couldn’t shake the warmth in his chest when he thought of her. He sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Control yourself, Beckett,” he chided himself. “She’s a city girl. This isn’t her life.”

As the first hints of dawn began to color the sky, Elijah gave up on sleep. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, setting his jaw. There was work to be done, and he refused to let some fleeting feelings get in the way of his responsibilities.

He dressed quickly, his movements quick and efficient. As he made his way down to the kitchen, the floorboards creaked under his boots.

“You’re up early,” came a voice from the dimly lit room.

Elijah started, then relaxed as he recognized his mother’s silhouette. “Mornin’, Ma. Thought I’d get an early start on the day.”

Naomi Beckett studied her son, a knowing look in her eyes. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Shrugging, he busied himself with pouring a cup of coffee. “Eager to get to work.”

His mother’s soft chuckle made him turn. “You know, Eli, there’s no shame in admitting when something’s got you all twisted up inside.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Naomi sighed, patting his arm as she passed. “Of course not. Well, since you’re up, might as well put those restless hands to good use. The biscuits are ready to be rolled out and cut. Then you can put them into the oven.”

Working the dough, his thoughts drifted once more to Molly. The image sent a jolt through him, and he rolled the dough with renewed vigor.

I can’t think like that. She’s leaving. End of story.

Even as he tried to convince himself, a part of him held onto hope. There was always hope Molly might see something worth staying for in Mystic Valley.

Placing the biscuits into the oven, Elijah stepped out onto the porch, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of Wild Spirit Ranch. The day’s tasks stretched out before him, a welcome distraction from his tumultuous thoughts.

The sun climbed higher in the sky as Elijah and his siblings threw themselves into the day’s work. Sweat glistened on their brows as they dug holes and set the heavy wooden posts for the new corral.

“Eli!” Grayson called out, his deep voice carrying over the sound of hammering. “How’s that corner post looking?”

Elijah stepped back, eyeing the sturdy post he’d just set. “It’s solid. Should hold up against even the orneriest bull.”

Naomi appeared, carrying two canteens. “Speaking of ornery,” she teased, “you boys better take a break before you keel over.”

As they gulped down water, Elijah’s gaze wandered to the distant shimmer of Moon River. “We ought to check on the herd down by the water. Make sure none of those calves have wandered off again.”

Grayson nodded, wiping his brow. “Good thinking. Why don’t you head down there? Ride the river for a bit. Make sure nothing’s blocking the flow. I can finish up here.”

Elijah mounted his horse, relishing the familiar creak of leather. As he rode toward the river, the rhythmic pounding of hooves matched the steady beat of his heart. The physical exertion had done wonders to quiet his restless mind.

Hours later, his muscles aching from the day’s labor, Elijah guided his mount back toward the ranch house. He felt good about what he’d accomplished.

As he crested the final hill, something caught his eye. There, parked in front of the house, sat a familiar buggy. Elijah’s heart leapt into his throat.

“Molly?” he whispered, hardly daring to hope.

Energized, Elijah urged his horse forward. He all but flew into the yard, dismounting with practiced ease. His hands trembled as he untacked his mount.

“Get ahold of yourself,” he muttered, taking a deep breath.

But even as he admonished himself, Elijah couldn’t help the anticipation building in his chest. He strode toward the house, his long legs eating up the distance. As he reached for the door handle, he paused, steeling himself for whatever awaited him inside.

With one last steadying breath, Elijah pushed open the door. Hearing feminine voices, he stepped into the kitchen, his heart pounding against his ribs.

His breath caught at the sight before him. There, standing at the counter with flour dusting her hands and a stray lock of strawberry blonde hair falling across her forehead, was Molly. She was laughing at something his sister, Lilian, had said, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

The sight of her hit Elijah in the gut. Joy and relief washed over him in equal measure. He stood frozen in the doorway, drinking in the scene before him. Molly appeared so at ease in his family’s kitchen, working alongside his mother and sister as if she belonged there.

“Elijah.” His mother’s voice broke through his reverie. “Look who’s come to help with supper.”

Molly turned, her smile widening as she caught sight of him. “Hello, Elijah. I was beginning to think you’d run off to join a cattle drive.”

He cleared his throat, willing his voice to remain steady. “Takes more than a long day’s work to keep me away from a good meal.” He stepped farther into the kitchen. “Though I didn’t expect such fine company.”

“Oh, I’m sure you say the same to all the ladies who wander into your kitchen.” Molly’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

Lilian snorted, earning her a mock glare from Molly. The easy banter between them warmed Elijah’s heart, even as he struggled to keep his own emotions in check.

“Only the ones who can handle a rolling pin without causing injury,” he retorted, moving to wash his hands at the sink. As he passed Molly, he caught a whiff of lavender and sunshine, a scent he was beginning to associate with her.

“And how do you know I haven’t?” Molly challenged, brandishing the rolling pin. “I’ll have you know, I’m quite dangerous in the kitchen.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. “Is that so? Should I be worried about the safety of our supper, then?”

Molly’s laughter filled the kitchen. “Your mother’s been keeping a close eye on me. I think the meal will survive my presence.”

As they continued their playful back-and-forth, Elijah marveled at how natural it felt to have Molly there, in his home, surrounded by his family. He found himself relaxing, the tension of the day’s work melting away in the warmth of her presence.

Yet, even as he enjoyed their easy conversation, a part of him held back, ever mindful of the temporary nature of her stay. He couldn’t let himself get too attached, couldn’t let her see how glad he was to see her.

As Molly’s eyes met his, Elijah wondered if he was fighting a losing battle against his own heart.