Hilda Hogties a Horseman Page 9

  “Such a good Kitty, Kitty. I’ve been so worried about you. Why didn’t you come home?”

  Although scratched up and dirty, Hilda seemed to be okay, considering she was talking to and petting a bobcat—and ignoring him.

  “Hilda…sweetheart…are you hurt?”

  She looked up, scrambled to her knees, and launched herself into his open arms. Noah squeezed Hilda against his chest with one arm, keeping his gun on the bobcat until it turned and slunk up the rock formation to perch above the dead man.

  “I about died from fright watching you up here, Hilda. Did you break any bones in your fall?” Noah finally breathed when she shook her head, no. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes, thanks to Kitty,” Hilda whispered while brushing tears and dirt off her cheeks with an equally dirty gloved hand.

  Then Hilda crumpled against him, and Noah held her while she cried against his chest. Hilda was in shock at what had just happened here, and before back at the ranch yard.

  Noah tucked Hilda safely against his side and walked back to Nutcracker. “Let’s go back home and clean up. This man won’t be going anywhere. His horse needs tending, though, after your bobcat scared the manure out of him. Later today, I’ll load his body up on his horse and take him in to Adam.”

  Hilda wiped her eyes again. “His horse killed him, but the infection in his leg would have gotten him pretty soon the way it smelled and looked. I wonder where he’s been the past two weeks.”

  Noah stopped suddenly “Who?”

  “This is…was Sid Narker. It’s the same horse and man who hurt Kitty back a while, so he was alive. I wonder where he’s been all this time.”

  “We’ll never know, but I’m guessing he’s been staying in the caves around here. I’m just thankful you and Rania don’t have to worry about him ever again.”

  She leaned back onto Noah’s chest, feeling relief, but deep sadness, too. If only she hadn’t lost her little dog to the horrible man’s wickedness.

  Chapter 14

  Hilda was shocked when they rode into the ranch yard. Miss Terror was sitting up, leaning against Poker, who was licking the little dog’s ear. Every chicken was out of the pen, scratching in the grass and thoroughly enjoying their freedom. Narker’s horse beat them back to the yard and was drinking out of the water trough. And Ace and the wagon stood in the middle of the yard—with a section of a wooden fence in the wagon bed and a shorthorn milk cow tied to the back.

  Just as Nutcracker walked closer to the wagon, an orange kitten clawed its way up the inside of the wagon to hang over the edge.

  “What…what’s all this?” Hilda slid off the horse, not sure if she should catch the kitten first or check on Terror. The kitten’s dire cry of help won out and it was soon clinging to Hilda’s shirt. Then the cries of the three more kittens in the wagon bed had Hilda laughing and scrambling to catch each one.

  “Okay, what’s going on? I assumed you were upset with us kissing and didn’t know what to say. You just left in the wagon without another word. Now you come back with a section of fence, a cow, and four kittens?”

  While Hilda asked questions and juggled kittens, they walked over to the dogs who had their eyes on the mewing orange balls of fur. Noah gently felt Terror’s body for damage and ignored Hilda’s question.

  “Looks like a bullet went through the dog’s ear, but I can’t find any other damage except a lump on her head. I’m guessing Narker tried the same stunt of ‘shoot and kick’ with the dog as he did the bobcat.”

  “Thank goodness he had a poor aim today. Okay Noah, explain why you went to town and brought back the things I see.”

  “I’ve been on the lookout for a goat, but no luck. I saw Zeke Henderson in town and he had a milk cow for sale, so I swung by his place to pick it up on my way back here. I’d seen a sign in the general store saying they needed butter. I thought we could make butter with the extra milk for trade or extra income.

  Boyle’s Livery cat had kittens, and I’d spoken for them when they were weaned. Lucas Boyle said to take the kittens today while I was in town because they were crawling out of their box and he was afraid they’d get stepped on by the horses.”

  “And the section of fence?”

  Noah stood silent for a bit, like he was trying to find the right words to explain the other thing he’d hauled home. “The Millers are having a new fence put in around their yard, and I bought an old section they had torn out.”

  Noah pulled the protesting kittens off the shirt of the protesting woman and set them in a pile for the dogs to sniff and lick.

  “Obviously, this is not how I planned this…but—” Noah took Hilda’s hands in his and got down on one knee.

  Hilda’s mouth fell open with a loud gasp, and Noah was afraid this next thing he was going to say would put her back in shock.

  “Hilda Hamner, will you marry me? We already have a family—of sorts—of four cats, two dogs, five, no, nine horses, and a cow….I’m not sure how many chickens…and a bobcat. But I’d like to make some babies with you and start a real family.”

  Hilda gripped his strong hands and sighed, looking around the place Noah had started, she’d bought, but they now worked on together. “What about the fact that I own the land? It’s been a sore point with you all along.”

  “More than one smart family member pointed out it doesn’t matter. Actually I’m proud you took ownership and built it up, and I want the land to stay in your name. Well, except to change the name on the deed from Hilda Hamner to Mrs. Noah Wilerson, maybe?

  “You improved it better than I dreamed of doing, and in faster time too.” Noah squeezed her hands, hoping the land argument was finally settled.

  Hilda bit her lip, thinking of everything Noah was presenting to her. “How does the fence fit in all of this?”

  “In the soddie, you hung a picture of a pretty house, with a couple and two children playing out front. It has flowers by the door, and a picket fence around the yard. So…I’ve already built the house, and you planted roses by the steps. Now, I’m giving you the picket fence….and the kittens will have to be your babies until we have our own. Hilda, will you marry me and be my ‘homestead picture’ bride?”

  A brilliant smile lit up Hilda’s dirty, tear–stained face. “Yes. I would be so honored to be your wife, because… you’re the groom in my picture, too.”

  Noah stood up and took Hilda in his arms, giving her a tight hug and a long, long toe-tingling kiss. He stopped a minute to get some air and ask her the next question on his mind. “When do you want to get married?”

  “As soon as we can get cleaned up and go visit the preacher in town.”

  He frowned and scratched the back of his neck, hating to dampen Hilda’s happy answer. “I think the wedding might have to be postponed due to the situation your bobcat is guarding out in the pasture.” Noah had to take Narker into Clear Creek and tell Adam what happened. At least their names would be cleared of any crime—due to the hoof print on the man’s chest.

  “Nope. I don’t want to wait until Sunday after church. How about you take care of Narker, and I’ll ride out to your family’s ranch to invite them to a summer evening wedding. We’ll meet you at Adam’s house. Please?”

  “How can you be in such a good mood after all that’s happened today?”

  “We’ve been given a chance at love and happiness, and I don’t want to waste a minute of our time together.”

  Noah was very tempted by her idea, but waiting was best. “Don’t you want to wait until your parents are back in Kansas?”

  “I’ve thought about that, but it could be months before they return. All I need to do is press my wedding dress and I’m ready to walk down the aisle, Noah.”

  Noah hugged the beaming woman and gave her another kiss before returning to their important decision.

  “Sunday is only three days away, and I want our friends at our wedding too. How about we give the family women a little time to make our wedding extra special?
”

  “I suppose they would be upset if they didn’t get to fuss about the wedding, but I’ve been planning this wedding in my mind for a long time, and I am so ready to finally get my secret wish.”

  “And what’s that, may I ask?”

  “I want my second pillow—and you—in my bed as soon as possible,” she slyly grinned.

  Now Noah could hardly wait for Sunday either. Hilda had a zest for life which would make life fun.

  Chapter 15

  Noah couldn’t keep his eyes off the pretty woman who rode beside him in the late evening light. She still rode astride Nutcracker instead of side saddle, even though she had to hike up the hem of the pink wedding dress. “You sure look very pretty this evening, Mrs. Wilerson.” He loved the sprigs of wildflowers and dark pink ribbon woven into the length of her shining, clean braid, too. Rania had clipped the torn ends of the ribbon and mixed what was left of it in Hilda’s thick hair, so she still got to use the ribbon she had been saving for her wedding day.

  Rania and Sarah transformed his bride into a feminine wonder for their wedding. They all knew Hilda would be back in men’s attire and a floppy hat tomorrow, but he was fine with that. It was who was inside the clothing that counted. His bride had a kind and warm soul which extended to him and everyone she met, whether it was human or animal.

  After church there was a reception picnic with the congregation, then they went out to the Wilerson home to visit more and have a light supper.

  “You never did tell me why I had no trouble riding Nutcracker the other day. If it wasn’t for your life on the line, I wouldn’t have gotten on him.”

  Hilda’s giggles turned into full blown laughter. “You still haven’t figured that out?”

  “No…”

  “Think of my four horses’ names. Think back to your childhood. Did you read books, or did your parents read stories to your family?”

  “Yes, they did, but it still doesn’t make sense.”

  Hilda rode along beside him, smiling but silent. Noah was hoping she’d spill the beans to get the story over with. They were almost home, and he was thinking about their wedding night instead of the silly horse story.

  Hilda took pity on him and gave him a hint. “Remember a story of three children and their grandfather who carved a wooden toy for them? The children were Fritz, Marie and Louise, and their grandfather carved them a—”

  “Nutcracker! So that’s who you named your four horses after, but it still doesn’t explain the story about the horse being a man–hater.”

  “He’s a very fast horse who won almost every race we could get into. I was afraid he was going to be stolen…so Rania and I spread the story of his ‘nut–cracking’ capabilities.” Hilda smiled wide as she told the punch line and started giggling again.

  Noah knew he had made the perfect choice for his homestead bride. Not only would he have a loving, hard–working mate, but life would never be dull with Hilda and the family—human or animal—she gathered around them.

  ***

  Hilda patted Nutcracker’s neck with a silent thanks for his part in securing both a home and a husband for her. Not only did she find a life partner to share her passion for horses, she found a soulmate who loved her for her heart, not her land. It was going to be a fun marriage, matching wits and passion with this horseman…

  Epilogue

  A week and a half later…

  Say Hilda…er Mrs. Wilerson?” The telegraph man called out as Hilda rode by the depot. She had come to town to pick up the recipe cards Millie had promised her. “You going out to the Bar E Ranch by chance today? Miss Cora Elison has a wire from her parents in Boston which I think she’d appreciate getting sooner than later.”

  “Yes, I can loop that direction on my way home.” Nutcracker would love a run to the Bar E after she visited with her sister–in–law.

  “I’d appreciate it, and so would Miss Elison,” he seriously replied back as he handed the piece of paper to Hilda.

  She glanced at the paper, hoping it wasn’t news of death or illness. Hilda gasped when she read the words of the wire.

  Cora, we will arrive this Friday with your groom. Notify preacher your wedding must be performed this Sunday.

  Hilda read the wire again, trying to comprehend the short message. It was clear Cora’s parents were on their way to Kansas…but who was the groom mentioned in the telegraph?

  Hilda whirled her horse around to race out of town. Hilda knew who Cora wanted to marry—but he was not traveling with her parents. Actually he didn’t know Cora had chosen him yet. Her friend Cora had less than four days to…do what? Switch grooms?!

  Hilda smiled as the wind whipped at her braid and hat. Her brother Dagmar was in for the surprise of his life… because Cora was about to capture her cowboy…

  The End

  I hope you enjoyed reading this book in the Brides with Grit series. Please help other readers discover my books by recommending them to family and friends, either by word of mouth or writing a review. I’d really appreciate it.

  Dear Readers:

  The series setting is based on the famous old cowtown of Ellsworth, Kansas during its cattle drive days. The town of Clear Creek though, is fictional, based on the many little towns that sprang up as the railroad was built across Kansas.

  This particular area is now the current Kanopolis State Park in central Kansas. Being local to where I live, I’ve hiked the park’s hiking trails where it’s easy to visualize what the area looked like in 1873—because it remains the same now—as then.

  Although not all of the Brides with Grit titles may be published as of this book’s debut, please visit your favorite vender to find out when they are available.

  You don’t have to, but I recommend reading the books in order to get full benefit of the story line.

  Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob)

  Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)

  Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)

  Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)

  Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)

  Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)

  Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)

  Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)

  Rania Ropes a Rancher

  A Historical Western Romance

  Brides with Grit Series: Book 1

  Rania Hamner and her family emigrated from Sweden fourteen years ago to work on a Texas ranch, working cattle and herding them up the Chisholm Trail. Something in her life on the trail caused her to doubt her worth, and her ability to trust a man enough to become his wife. Once the family buys a homestead in Kansas, she meets a rancher who begins to make her believe she can trust and fall in love after all.

  Rancher Jacob Wilerson noticed Rania last year when she rode drag behind a herd of longhorns—right down Main Street of Ellsworth, Kansas. He’s been waiting for her family to return this spring with another Texas herd to the booming cowtown, because he hopes to rope her into staying permanently on his ranch—the way she had already roped his heart.

  When Rania’s past attacks with new danger, she decides to fight for all she’s worth because she realizes she wants to be with Jacob forever.

  When Jacob realizes Rania is in danger, he rushes to save her, whether or not she still loves him, hoping to rope Rania—his heart—once more, as she has roped his.

  Enjoy the beginning of Rania Ropes a Rancher

  Prologue

  May 2, 1872, Ellsworth, Kansas

  Jacob Wilerson stood on the dusty boardwalk on the north side of South Main in Ellsworth, marveling at how the town had changed in the five years since the town’s birth. Wooden buildings of all sizes and shapes, mostly with false fronts, mixed in with a few brick establishments like the bank on the corner. The Ellsworth Café. Miller’s Livery. Homestead Hotel. Bold painted signs hanging above the business door or painted on the front of the buildings. The first businesses sprang up overnight in tents and
shacks. Some of them are long gone, but other businesses have taken their space. The dirt streets—once an original carpet of prairie grass—varies from muddy ruts, hard-packed snow and ice, to hot powdery dust, depending on the weather conditions and time of year.

  There wasn’t a tree in sight; buildings just cropped up on the prairie with the wide–open sky as a backdrop.

  Jacob was fourteen, ten years ago, when his folks brought their young family out to the virgin prairie of the Kansas Territory to escape the Civil War. He and his older brother Adam and younger sibling, Noah, each a year apart from Jacob, were at the age they would soon be pulled into the war if they didn’t leave civilization behind.

  They left Illinois and kept traveling west, past the Kansas and Missouri border problems, to central Kansas. His father Moses filed a claim on homestead land between the Clear Creek and the Smoky Hill River, two miles south of the Butterfield Overland Route that ran from Kansas City to Denver. But within a few years, forts were established along this same route to handle the Indian uprisings. Fort Harker was built two miles west of their claim and Ellsworth five miles further west. Now their peaceful, private prairie teemed with businesses, people and more cattle than a person could ever imagine—because now the railroad traveled across the prairie too, bringing civilization with it.

  Of course his family had changed, too. Adam was now the marshal for the little town called Clear Creek north of their ranch. Adam said he was never going to marry because of his chosen profession. Noah homesteaded the land next to his parents and was writing to a girlfriend back in Illinois.

  Jacob had taken charge of the original land when his father died three years ago. His mother Cate and sister Sarah still lived with him. He was marrying age, twenty-four, but hadn’t met the right woman yet to take on ranch life.