Zack's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) Read online

  "Are you warm enough?" Zack asked as if reading Lydia's mind.

  She pulled the collar around tight her neck. "Yes. But it's so darned cold. I don't know how you put up with this all winter, especially out on horseback," she said.

  "You get used to. After a few years," he said lifting a teasing brow.

  Lydia smiled. "I guess I'll just have to get used to it myself."

  "You sure will. Especially if you are going to be Mrs. Lydia Buchanan," he said.

  Lydia nodded and scooted across the seat to be a little closer to Zack. "That has a nice ring to it."

  "It sure does," he said leaning in toward her.

  From behind them they heard a voice. "Hey now, you two. You'll have to save that until after the church," Mrs. Brodie called out.

  Zack turned and waved back at her. "It's cold. What do expect us to do?" he called out.

  Mrs. Brodie smiled and shook her head.

  Zack tugged on the reins. "I suppose we could speed up. Get to the church a bit quicker. What do you say?"

  Lydia nodded. "I think that's a great idea," she agreed.

  Zack flicked the reins and goaded the horses to pick up their pace. Within moments the buggy was moving so fast, the air blowing so strongly against her face, that Lydia couldn't resist the urge to hook her arm inside her husband-to-be's elbow, lean her smiling face close to his shoulder and hang on for dear life.

  She'd heard about getting to the church on time, but this gave the expression a whole new meaning.

  ***

  A short while later Zack was pulling the buggy up in front of the church. As he came around to her side Lydia slipped off the overcoat and flipped the hat off her head. Picking up the bonnet from the box between her feet she carefully placed it on her head, making sure the angle was just how she wanted.

  Zack extended a gentlemanly hand to her, his eyes bright and wide. Lydia glanced down at him and took his hand, allowing him to gently hold her as she stepped down off the buggy.

  "You look absolutely beautiful," Zack said, his voice cracking slightly, his eyes moist and filled with obvious pride.

  Lydia felt the color change in her face in spite of herself. "Thank you, Zack. It's most kind of you to say so," she responded.

  Lydia turned to try and see where her children were. Ned had parked up close behind. Gretchen was helping Mrs. Brodie step down. Daisy and Kate came running over to their mother.

  "Mama! You look wonderful," yelled Kate enthusiastically. "Doesn't she, Daisy?"

  Daisy's eyes were wide and her lips were tight. "Uhh Huh," she managed to grunt.

  Lydia smiled. "Come here, Daisy," she said bending down and extending her arms.

  Daisy ran over to her mother.

  "Your buttons are loose on your collar," Lydia told Daisy.

  The little girl leaned her head back and let her mother tie the top buttons of her daughter's pink outfit. It was a beautiful dress that made Daisy look like a little angel. Just gazing at Daisy made Lydia feel so glad that her children were here with her on such a special day.

  "How do I look, mama?" Kate asked, obviously not wanting to feel left out.

  Lydia glanced at Kate. Neat and perfect as always. That was Kate. Quiet and orderly. Lydia was sure that Kate would grow up to be smart and confident.

  "You look wonderful, Kate. You all do."

  There was a rumble of wheels and Lydia glanced up. She saw some buckboards arriving and pulling to a halt.

  She recognized some of the ranch hands. Amongst them were two faces that Lydia already recognized. She hadn't seen those faces in a long while, years in fact. But she wouldn't ever forget them as they were Zack's closest friends, Joshua McKenzie and Aaron Stewart.

  The two men came up to Lydia and Zack. Alongside them were two very pretty and elegant women. From what Zack had told Lydia these must be Joshua and Aaron's recent brides, Laura and Eva.

  Introductions were made. Laura and Eva complimented Lydia on her beautiful wedding dress. Lydia sensed that the two women knew just how nervous she must be feeling. The circumstances of their own marriages had been difficult, but both women looked so happy with their new husbands. And Joshua and Aaron certainly looked proud of their lovely wives.

  The door to the church opened and the minister appeared, dressed in his dark suit and clutching a bible in his right hand.

  "If you would all like to make your way into my humble church, then we can begin the ceremony. I'm sure the happy couple are eager to start their new life," he said with a smile.

  It took a few minutes for everyone to make their way into the small church. Zack followed them in with a last glance back at Lydia.

  The minister came up to Lydia and extended an arm to her. "May I have the honor of leading you in?" he asked.

  Lydia composed herself and hooked her arm inside his.

  "Ready?" he asked her.

  Lydia swallowed and felt her throat tighten, her heart beat faster, her legs go ever so slightly weak. But after a moment she simply nodded.

  It felt like it took an age for Lydia and the minister to reach the altar. On either side the pews were full of admiring glances. Lydia saw her children on the front seat. Their eyes were wide, their smiles even wider, as they watched their mother make her way to the side of the man who was to become her husband.

  Zack's gaze was fixed resolutely ahead. Lydia could see the lump on his throat rising and falling with unusual rapidity. He was as nervous as her. That was for sure. But he looked determined not to glance in her direction until instructed to do so by the minister.

  Right there, in that moment, what she was about to do hit Lydia with all the force of a physical blow. She was about to become Zack's wife, take on all the responsibilities that such a role meant. She suddenly realized she hadn't really thought the whole thing through, hadn't considered all that this momentous decision would mean for her. For Zack.

  But then she glanced at her children. Daisy and Kate had huge grins on their faces. Lydia's heart sang at that sight. Gretchen was just being Gretchen. In contrast to her two sisters she looked serious, focused, but not in any way unhappy about what was happening. Lydia knew Gretchen was happy for her mother. It was just that she'd refuse to show it, except perhaps in a quiet moment at some later time.

  The minister's voice rose, and Lydia brought her full attention to the serious ceremony which was about to begin. She looked at Zack. His gaze was fixed intently on the minister, taking in every word that was being said. Lydia listened with equal intent to the minister, absorbing the words, feeling their meaning. Memories of Daniel came inevitably as she took in the familiar, deeply sacred phrases. Each flash of memory brought a twist of emotion to Lydia, but each time she focused on the minister, listening to his words.

  Finally the moment came to say their vows to each other.

  She turned to Zack. They faced each other and Lydia saw the emotion in Zack's eyes, a penetrating gaze that was filled with earnestness.

  When she finally told Zack that she promised to honor him from this day forth and to become his wedded wife, Lydia felt an intense surge of emotion the likes of which she had never felt before.

  Not even when she had married Daniel, she realized with astonishment. How could that be? How could it be that marrying Zack would feel so very different to the day she had wed Daniel?

  And when Zack leaned in close to kiss his new bride, it was with a mixture of deepest affection as well as a consternation that had taken her completely by surprise, that Lydia accepted her new husband's gentle caress, kissing him for the first time in almost a decade.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Later, standing in the parlor, back at the ranch house, Zack could hardly believe how many people could be squeezed into such a small room. But somehow they were all fitting in.

  If the wedding had been in the summer, they would have had the reception out in the yard, with tables laden with food and drink, a wooden floor laid out for dancing, and as much decoration hanging from the fr
ont of the house as possible.

  But it was winter and it was Montana. So, the very modest reception was being held inside the house. It was warm enough and cozy, but Zack was disappointed he couldn't swing his new bride around him as they danced to the merry tunes played by the ranch hands who could play the fiddle.

  Nevertheless, Mrs. Brodie had done an amazing job in laying out food for everyone. The fire was glowing and the room was warm. Cheeks were getting flushed with the heat as well as the fine food and drink on offer. Zack figured there were about twenty people crammed into the parlor. But he only had eyes for one person in the room.

  Lydia.

  Zack leaned back against the fireplace, fanning the heat away, gazing across the room at his new wife, who was busy chatting with Laura and Eva, the other two recently wed rancher wives in these parts.

  Zack knew it wasn't just the fireplace that was making him feel a glow of satisfaction at the mere sight of his wife.

  His wife!

  What a thought that was. He'd never have believed there would come a time when he could look across a room in his own home and see Lydia smiling and talking as if this was the only place she belonged. And now, Zack could only shake his head imperceptibly, an expression of amazement, that she was here, on the other side of the room, having that same day agreed to spend her whole life with him as his beloved wife.

  Leading her down the aisle and out into the cold air of the Montana winter had been the proudest moment of his life. It had felt so good to feel her hold onto him, see her glance up at him, take pleasure in the smile of sheer happiness on her face.

  Mrs. Brodie hadn't been able to control her tears as she'd watched Zack lead his new wife out of the church. And Lydia's children had cried out with delight at the sight of their mother, looking beautiful, looking happy for the first time in a long while.

  Outside the church the congratulations had gone on forever. Aaron and Joshua had each grasped his hand, shaking it so hard, obviously pleased for their friend's union with so beautiful and good a woman as Lydia.

  And when Zack had taken the reins of the buggy and driven it away from the church, the cheers of delight from the well wishers had caught the attention of the townsfolk of Great Falls, who watched with smiles on their faces as Zack and Lydia started to head back to the ranch.

  Zack glanced out the window at the buckboards and buggies out in the yard. He wondered where the children had gotten to.

  Children.

  He was their father now.

  That thought made him pause and take another sip of the cordial. Zack was a family man, father to three children, husband to one beautiful wife. All because of a vow. All because of a promise.

  It had been a promise made in haste, but there had never been a moment's regret at his having made it. He hadn't thought there would really be a time when he would be called upon to honor it; now that such a time had come; now that he could look across the room at his wife; now that he could ask himself where were the children who were his responsibility, he was glad that he'd made the promise.

  So very glad.

  Because, deep down, Zack had always wanted to be a family man. It was just that he'd never expected to become one almost overnight.

  He loved those children, and he looked forward to getting to know them better, finding out what they loved, what excited them, what made them happy.

  Lydia glanced over at him and she smiled. There was a quizzical look on her face, as if she was wondering why he was standing by the fire, on his own. Zack smiled back at her and raised his glass. Her brows knitted in good humor and something that Laura said drew Lydia's attention back to the conversation the three women were having.

  Zack put his glass upon the small table by his side and decided to go and find the children. He knew they wouldn't be getting up to anything, but for now, he told himself it wouldn't do any harm just to check.

  ***

  Lydia watched Zack make his way out of the parlor and wondered where he could be going. She caught his attention as he passed her.

  "I'm going to find the children," he explained touching her arm. He glanced at Laura and Eva. "Having a nice time?"

  Eva nodded. "It was a good idea to stay indoors," she said. "Even if it is a little cramped."

  Laura rolled her eyes. "I think we'd have all ended up with pneumonia if we'd been outside."

  "That's something I'll have to get used to again," Lydia said.

  Zack leaned in and kissed Lydia on the cheek. She smiled and watched him make his way out the room.

  "He's a lucky man," Eva said.

  Lydia felt her face flush. "He's always been lucky. Ever since we've known each other, things have usually worked out for him. This ranch is amazing," she declared glancing around the room.

  "That's not quite what I meant," Eva said. "He's lucky to have someone as beautiful as you for a wife. I think he already knows that, though."

  "He sure does," Laura agreed. "These ranchers sure know how to grab a wife when they get the chance."

  Lydia took a sip of her drink. "Actually with Zack things are a little different. But I guess you both know all about that already," she said.

  Laura glanced at Eva. Both women's brows furrowed ever so slightly in unspoken agreement. Laura spoke quickly, changing the subject. "Are you looking forward to your new life on the ranch?"

  Lydia nodded. "I sure am. I know it's going to be a huge change for us. But the children have already taken to life here like a duck to water," she said.

  "I cannot imagine what it must feel like for those adorable children," Eva said. "Aren't they just beautiful, Laura?"

  The other woman nodded over the rim of her glass.

  Eva continued. "I believe I have never seen a child as sweet and enchanting as little Daisy. She looks so like you, Lydia. You must be so proud."

  "I'm proud of all of them. Even if they do drive me crazy sometimes. But in a good way, of course. I wouldn't exchange being with them for anything in the world."

  "So, what are they going to do about schooling?" Laura asked.

  "Zack told me there's a real good schoolhouse in Great Falls. It's a bit of a journey, but it'll be worth it," Lydia said warming to the topic. "Once the winter has passed, we'll think about it. In the meantime I can do some homeschooling. Gretchen is so smart. She takes after her father, of course," Lydia said and suddenly felt a twinge of emotion at the first mention she'd made to the two women of Daniel. But, such was the sensitivity of the Laura and Eva that they barely batted an eyelid. The conversation moved smoothly on to another subject.

  "Have you thought about what it's going to be like working the ranch with Zack?" Eva asked.

  "I haven't thought about it too much. Yet," Lydia said. Glancing at Laura and Eva she smiled broadly. "But you two have grown up on ranches. I guess I'll just have to rely on you both to make sure I don't make too many mistakes."

  Eva rolled her eyes. "If you grew up being a doctor's daughter, there's nothing on a ranch that will compare to the kinds of things you'd have seen your father doing with his patients," she said.

  Lydia frowned. "My father went to great lengths to shelter me from his medical practice. But, I did see enough suffering to make me realize that whether you're in the country or the city, life can be hard."

  Laura's eyes softened and she placed a hand on Lydia's arm. "You must have wished that your father could have been here today."

  Lydia nodded. "It would have been special if he could have been here. The time we spent in Great Falls meant a lot to him. But then he chose to go to San Francisco and practice. Said it would do him good. Develop new skills. New specialisms." Lydia glanced away, her eyes feeling moist. "Things didn't turn out quite the way he expected, I guess," she said her voice dropping to a murmur.

  Eva reached over and touched Lydia's other arm. "Never you mind. Laura and I will always be on hand if you need anything. You must promise us that you won't hesitate to ask us for anything you need. Anything at all. And
we are going to be regular visitors to this ranch. Isn't that right, Laura?"

  "Yup," Laura said cheerfully. "If for no other reason than to keep an eye on that new husband of yours. Make sure he's looking after you," she concluded with a smile.

  "Speaking of husbands. I wonder where our own have gotten to," Eva said scanning the room.

  "I don't like it when they disappear like that. Especially all at once," Laura said joining Eva in the search.

  "Maybe we should go and find them," Eva said.

  "You want to join us, Lydia?"

  "I'll just wait. Don't want to leave the guests unattended," she explained.

  Laura and Eva headed off with determined looks on their faces.

  Lydia sipped her drink and looked around the room. Everyone seemed to be having good time. She was glad of that, even if deep down, she really wanted to be anywhere else except mingling amongst strangers, here in such an unfamiliar place.

  The effort Lydia was having to make to maintain an appearance of calm, poised good nature was beginning to take it's toll on her. She was starting to feel tired. Real tired. Not because the day hadn't been a beautiful one. On the contrary. In spite of the gnawing sadness that had been biting at her all day she had to admit that she was feeling happy. She had done what she'd set out to do. Ensure that her children had security, that they were safe.

  In the process she had become the wife of Zack Buchanan, a truly good, fine man with qualities.

  So why was she feeling such a persistent and troubling sense of unease? Surely it wasn't anything Zack had done. Ever since she'd arrived at the ranch with the children, Zack had only ever been kind and patient. He had gone to extraordinary lengths to make them all feel at home.

  No. It wasn't anything that Zack had done. It was who he was that was troubling her. He was simply the most generous, kind and handsome man she'd ever encountered. And then the thought came to her again. The one thought that had flitted into her mind so many times in the past week and had made her feel utterly ashamed of herself.