Montana Prairie Brides Trilogy Box Set: A Clean Historical Mail Order Collection

By Kate Whitsby

Is it possible to find love after loss? These three widows are determined to find out.
The brides from Campbell’s Corner found friendship by the water pump, and when each finds herself widowed, Katie, Hannah, and Josie are each other’s lifeline. The ladies agree to write off for husbands, but marrying these men challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves, and their friendships are put to the test. Will their love for each other take them down the same path, or have their marriages destined them for different futures?
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Josie Campbell is still reeling from the suicide of her first husband, so when her new mail-order husband arrives with his guns and volatile temper, she can barely stand to be in the house with him. But her fear is only part of the story: Josie can’t help falling for the handsome Jim and his magnetic personality. Soon she is torn between her loyalty to her husband and to her fellow brides. Is Jim really as dangerous as her friends think he is? Josie will need every ounce of courage if she’s to bring her friends and her husband into harmony.
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Hannah Dempsey isn’t happy with her new mail-order husband--he’s educated, but he’s older, sickly, and weak. Her dearest friends would help her if they knew, but Hannah feels too much guilt to tell them. She can hardly bear the strain of Peter’s illness, and she starts to plan her way out of this unfortunate marriage. But there’s a problem: she’s starting to fall in love with him. Is Hannah about to make the biggest mistake of her life, or will Peter win her love for good?
In Montana Prairie Brides Trilogy 3 Book Bundle Box Set, you’ll find yourself captivated by the three strong widows as they once again find love. Can these three unlikely men bring them the happiness they deserve and help them save their ranches?
Immerse yourself in three enthralling tales of strength and passion: click “Add to Cart”.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gold Crown
• Release date: Nov 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310433009

Kate Whitsby

Kate Whitsby is a historical romance author who has found a love for writing western mail order bride romance. Kate writes from her home in Virginia and loves spending time with her two children when she's not busy writing.

Book preview

Katie's Mail Order Husband: Book 1

Chapter 1

Katie Corning sat down on the edge of the water trough and burst into tears. She buried her face in her hands and gave vent to loud sobs.

She sobbed so loudly she didn't notice anyone approach her. She jumped with surprise when a soft voice spoke to her. What's the matter, darlin'?

Katie's head shot up, and her hand flew to her breast. Oh, Hannah! I didn't hear you. You startled me.

The woman standing over Katie looked down at her with soft, light brown eyes. Her plain, open countenance expressed everything Katie knew about her neighbor and friend, Hannah Dempsey.

Solidly built with rusty red hair, Hannah's kindly, simple ways endeared her to everyone. No one cared how uneducated or ungainly she might be. At the age of thirty-five, she'd become something like a mother to the young wives on neighboring ranches.

Hannah sat down next to Katie on the edge of the trough. She sat so close that the side of her leg touched Katie's. That was just like Hannah. She never thought about keeping her distance. The idea never occurred to her that she might encroach on someone's personal space. She moved right in next to you like she belonged there and would live there forever.

Hannah rested her foot on Flash, Katie's dog, who lounged on the ground at their feet. He rolled onto his back in response and waved his feet in the air. Hannah smiled down at him and rubbed his bare stomach with her foot.

Katie succumbed to another flood of weeping. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I can't run the ranch since Henry died. There are fifty pregnant cows out there right now, and in a few weeks, they'll all have newborn calves. Then what am I gonna do?

Hannah sighed. Last winter was a bad one, that's for sure. That run of influenza hit the whole county hard. My ranch is suffering, too, since Leonard died. I just don't know why some people fall to it and some people sail right through.

Katie glanced across the prairie toward her house, but the sight only overwhelmed her with grief all over again. Her own ranch stretched away before her eyes into endless sweeping prairie, with her own little house not far away.

On her right side, the Dempsey Ranch stretched away in the other direction, and on the left lay the Campbell Ranch. All three ranches looked exactly alike, with the three houses not a hundred yards away from each other with easy access to their common water pump.

The three ranches converged at a corner of the fence by the pump. Katie decided it was just a little closer to the Campbell ranch house, and that's why everyone called it Campbell's Corner.

Hannah must have read her thoughts. You and me, we've got it hard enough, losing our husbands to that influenza. But just look at Josie, losing her husband that other way. Imagine how hard that would be. Oh, quick, hush! Here she comes.

Another young girl came toward them from the Campbell house, her long dress brushing through the grass and her water pail swinging in her hand. Her blonde hair blew back from her face in the wind, and she greeted the two women with a sparkle in her light grey eyes.

As soon as she saw Katie in tears, though, her face went serious.

Katie couldn't bear to look at her. It's not that so much. It's this. She waved her hand over the scene in front of her, and immediately covered her eyes again. The last thing in the world she wanted to see right now was that endless prairie.

I never minded the prairie before, she sobbed. The isolation and the quiet never bothered me as long as Henry was alive. Even when he left for weeks at a time on the cattle drives, I loved the prairie. I thought it was the most beautiful sight in the world. Now I can't stand the sight of it. Just looking at it makes me cry.

Josie stared at her. Then she stole a glance at Hannah. At last, she sighed and sat down on the other side of Katie on the edge of the trough. She rested her hand on Katie's knee.

I feel the same way, she murmured. But I don't cry. I don't know why, but I just can't cry. Ever since John died, I just walk around looking at everything. I can't believe what I'm seeing. The quiet does something to my mind. I just can't believe he's gone and he isn't coming back. I have to force myself to do anything. Otherwise, I'd just sit there, not doing anything at all.

The three women lapsed into silence, with only the constant whispering of the wind through the grass to answer Katie's sobs. After a long time, Hannah jumped up. Her bucket tumbled to the ground and startled Flash. Hannah leapt in front of the two younger women and peered into their faces.

In spite of being only two years apart in age and the same height, Josie Campbell and Katie Corning couldn't have been more different. Katie's light, strong build belied her hard-working, practical nature. No wonder she shocked Hannah and Josie by showing her grief. She never experienced very strong emotions, let alone expressed them.

Josie, on the other hand, fell prey to anxiety all the time, especially after losing her husband. Her small, curvy figure twitched and fidgeted at any thought of the future. Her innocent mind couldn't form any concrete strategy for coping with the situation.

Hannah looked from one fresh, young face to the other. Then she broke into a wild grin. Girls, I've got it! I've got the solution.

Chapter 2

Hannah took a crumpled sheaf of newspaper from somewhere under her apron and held it up. Look at this. She pointed to a smudged entry in the advertisement section.

What is it? Josie asked.

Josie couldn't read very well, but even Katie couldn't make out the entry on the faded yellow paper.

Hannah brought the paper back up and squinted at it. It's a notice for the mail-order matrimony service. Men and women are writing in from all over the country and getting mail-order husbands and wives.

Mail-order matrimony? Katie repeated. What does that mean?

It means exactly what it says, Hannah shot back. Ever since the war, there aren't enough men to go around Back East. All those single women have to go somewhere, so they're marrying single men out West. There are single men all over the place on the Frontier and not enough women. So they write in, and the service matches them up with the women who wrote in. See?

Josie frowned, and Katie gasped. What are you suggesting?

Isn't it obvious? Hannah cried. We're widows—all three of us. We couldn't find men to marry without traveling hundreds, maybe even thousands, of miles away. But we don't have to. All we have to do is write in, and they'll send men out here for us to marry.

Marry? Katie exclaimed. You're not seriously suggesting we get married again, are you? Our husbands have been dead less than six months. It's scandalous.

Hannah's exultant smile fell away from her face, and her expression went hard. So what? We've got three cattle ranches here that are all going to collapse into ruin if we don't get some men out here to run them—and I mean fast. We'll be lucky if our stock last long enough for the men to get here. None of us has a penny to our names to travel, and even if we could, finding men to come out here would take too long. We need them here now, without any of us leaving.

Josie stared at the ground.

Even if you're right, Katie replied, I don't think I could ever get married again after Henry. I just couldn't. He built this ranch up from nothing with his own two hands. I couldn't just get some stranger to walk in and take over. It would be disrespectful to his memory, don't you think?

Katie, Hannah breathed. Don't you realize that I'm in the same situation as you? I loved Leonard just as much as you loved Henry. No one would ever take his place in my heart. But think about it. Would you rather have all Henry's work go to waste? Would you rather his stock die in the field and the house fall into ruin? Would you rather starve to death out here, rather than marry someone else?

Of course not, Katie snapped back.

Well, Hannah declared, that's exactly what's going to happen if you don't marry someone else before the end of the summer. Do you hear me?

Katie dropped her eyes. Flash thumped his tail on the ground.

Josie looked up at Hannah. I don't like the idea of marrying someone else, either, but I'll do it. I don't think I can go on any longer by myself. I'll die of loneliness long before I go hungry.

Hannah smiled at her. That's the spirit. I've been thinking about this ever since Leonard died. I can't run the ranch by myself, and this is the fastest, easiest way to get another man. The men writing into the service are all out West already, and they're mostly cowboys and ranchers. That's exactly what I need. What do you say, Katie? If we all do it together, none of us will have to face it alone. Come on. Say you'll do it, too.

Katie crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. But the only thing there was to see was that horrible prairie with its three houses and three runs of fence disappearing into the horizon. I can't. I just can't. I don't think I can ever marry again. I gave my heart to Henry, and that's where it's going to stay.

Hannah shook her head and gasped in annoyance. You're twenty-four years old. You've got your whole life ahead of you. You've got children to bear and a life to live. You can't just throw your whole life away, just because Henry died. You loved him, but he's gone now. You've got to pull yourself together and move on.

Katie jumped up off the trough. Flash jumped up, too, and circled around the three women.

Katie waved her arms. Didn't you just hear me say I'll never marry again? I don't care if the ranch falls apart. I could never betray Henry's memory by marrying someone else. You should be ashamed of yourself, Hannah. Leonard is probably rolling over in his grave right now.

Hannah regarded her from a cool distance. No, he isn't. He told me before he died to marry someone else who would take good care of the ranch, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm glad Josie has the sense to see reason. You should listen to her. What are you going to do, sit around your house, crying your eyes out, until winter comes and you've got nothing left to eat? What's wrong with you? Think, girl!

Stop it! Katie clapped her hands over her ears. Don't talk to me about this anymore. Don't talk to me anymore at all!

She whirled away and raced back to her house with Flash tagging at her heels.

Chapter 3

Katie brushed the last crumbs of ash up off her hearth and knocked them into the pail. Then she trimmed the vent on the stove and pushed the pot of stew to the very back corner. It would simmer there for the rest of the day with no need for her attention.

She stood back and surveyed the room. Her house resembled every other one-room cabin on the Western Frontier. The stove stood to one side, the rough wooden table stood in the middle of the room, and the bed sat in the corner.

The bare dirt floor was swept clean. A faded, hand-stitched quilt covered the bed, tucked in neatly on all sides. A clean checkered tablecloth covered the table, with a bowl of flowers in the middle of it. Not a speck of dust remained on the shelves or a flake of ash under the stove.

The homey smell of cooking meat filled the room. She couldn't do anymore.

Just then, a shout reached her from outside. Katie! Are you in there? Are you ready? The door burst open, and Hannah bustled in.

She looked like a completely different person from the woman in an old cotton dress that Katie usually met at the pump. She wore a sheer satin gown of pale copper matching her bright red hair. Her hair piled up in curls on top of her head, with a matching hat perched at the very summit. A hatpin decorated with a porcelain rose held the hat in place.

Hurry up, Katie, she cried. The men will be here any minute. Are you ready? We're all going out to meet them at the crossroads.

Katie surveyed Hannah's outfit. Is that what you're wearing? You look like some kind of princess. She looked down at her own poor dress. I don't know if I can get married next to you wearing this.

Hannah glanced at her dress. It wasn't much more than a plain gingham work dress, except it hadn't yet been worn to dingy grey through constant work and grime. The white still looked white and the blue flowers still looked blue. She wore her wavy chestnut hair tied at the back of her neck with a plain leather thong. She had nothing else to wear.

Hannah smiled and pressed her hand. You look lovely. You look like a prairie bride.

I only wish I had a dress and hat as nice as yours to wear, Katie remarked.

And I wish, Hannah returned, that I was as beautiful as you are. You put me to shame in your plain dress. You don't need a fancy outfit like this to make you look beautiful. Your beauty shines from the inside. Anyway, I had this dress before. I wore it when I married Leonard, and it's been sitting under my bed ever since.

Katie looked around again. And this room. I wish I had something nice to offer my new husband. I hate to think of him walking in and seeing the place like this.

Hannah followed her gaze over the room's simple furnishings. What's wrong with it? Josie's house and my house are exactly like it, and the men we're marrying don't expect anything else. This is the American Frontier. It's not Fifth Avenue. And look, you even made supper. I'm sure he'll be delighted.

Katie sighed. I hope so.

I'm sure he will be, Hannah went on. From what you told me about Jason Matthis, he was born and raised in a house just like this on a ranch down in South Dakota. He should feel right at home here.

I know you're right, Katie agreed. We've been through it all a thousand times before.

Hannah examined her. What's wrong with you? I thought you'd be delighted to finally be getting married.

I am, Katie replied. It's just that, ever since we decided to get mail-order husbands, I see everything differently. Everything looks so poor and run down. I wish for Jason's sake I had something more to offer him.

Another shout interrupted them. Hannah started toward the door. There's Josie. The men must be on the way. It's too late for you to worry about it now. Come on. Let's go.

Without hesitating another moment, Hannah gathered her skirts into her hands and sailed out of the house. Katie gave the room a final glance and sighed again. Hannah was right. All her chances to second-guess her decision lay behind her. It was now or never.

She smoothed down the skirts of her dress, but she didn't have to pick them up to walk out of the house. Her dress didn't come down all the way to the ground. It wasn't that nice a dress, anyway, for her to worry about dirtying it on the ground.

She smoothed back her hair, even though it didn't need smoothing. All these vanities were just ways to delay going out to meet her new husband. With one last deep breath, she left the house and closed the door behind her.

The spring sun shone on the wavy grass, and the fresh prairie smell filled Katie's nostrils. That smell always made her happy, but she barely noticed it. She ran after Josie and Hannah toward the road.

An open wagon rolled up the road from the south. Two men sat in the front seat, and two others sat in the wagon box behind them. Josie reached the gate first, and when she stopped to open it, Hannah and Katie joined her.

The man driving the wagon smiled down at them. Howdy, Miss Campbell, Miss Corning. How're ya doin', Mrs. Dempsey? It's a perfect day for a wedding, don't you think? Oh, thank you, Miss Campbell.

They didn't correct him to tell him they were Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Corning, just the same as Hannah was Mrs. Dempsey. Some older men just never got over calling a young woman Miss. But no one thought of that now. The three women held the gate open while the wagon rolled through it.

Good morning, Sheriff, Josie called back. Just park right there in front of my house. You can stake your horse out to graze if you want to.

I don't think that will be necessary, the Sheriff replied. I have a feeling the festivities will be over pretty quick, and then you can all get on with your day. He stopped the wagon, and hopped down while the other three men stood up in the wagon. But they didn't jump down.

The Sheriff hitched up his pants around his hips. Now, then. This here, he pointed to the man in the driver's seat. This is Jason Matthis. I believe he's here for you, Miss Corning. And this, he pointed to a strapping young man sitting in the back corner of the wagon. This is Jim Eaton. He's here for Miss Campbell. And this one is Peter Cummings for Mrs. Dempsey.

Chapter 4

The three men touched their hats to the three women, and the younger two finally climbed down from the wagon. The Sheriff busied himself unloading suitcases and trunks from the wagon bed, but the men couldn't take their eyes off their brides.

Jason Matthis stood in front of Katie with a smile glued to his face. He stood the same height as Katie with a lean build and sparkling light brown eyes. Dark blonde hair curled up from the back of his head under his hat. He gave everyone an easy smile, and he surveyed the surrounding countryside with contented satisfaction.

To Katie's relief, he didn't show the slightest interest in the three houses. As Hannah mentioned, he acted as though he'd seen them all his life and expected nothing else.

He scanned Katie up and down, but he didn't make any remark about her appearance. He gave her dress the most cursory glance before he returned to smiling into her face. She couldn't stop smiling at him, either. His gaze sent her mind into a dizzy cascade of excitement. Thank goodness he didn't say anything to her. She would have babbled like a fool if she tried to speak.

Jim Eaton, on the other hand, frowned at everything except Josie. When he looked at her, his surly, brooding expression vanished, and a ray of sunshine shone over him. Brown eyed with dark blonde hair, his strong, sturdy frame ended in muscular arms with big, meaty hands. He, too, gave his new bride's fresh white cotton dress only a passing glance. Not even her gleaming polished leather shoes caught his attention.

His voice came out rough and gruff when he spoke to his bride. A pleasure to meet you. I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.

Josie blushed and lowered her eyes. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I think you're early.

Jim frowned again. Is that so? He rounded on the Sheriff. I told you we should've waited a little longer before leaving town. I told you we would be early. He turned back to Josie, and his smile came back. I hope we didn't put you out.

She laughed and ran the back of her hand across her forehead. We weren't put out. We couldn't wait for you to come. We're delighted you're here at last.

He blushed. Me, too. It seems like forever.

Did you have a pleasant trip out? Josie asked.

Jim shifted from one foot to the other and chuckled. It wasn't too bad. Just very long, you know.

And you came all the way out from Washington, didn't you? she asked. That's a long trip.

He growled over his shoulder again. I was just surprised to be riding out here with the Sheriff. I would have expected some kinda preacher or something, not the Sheriff.

Oh, that. Josie laughed again. Well, Sidney doesn't have a minister or a judge. The Sheriff is the only Justice of the Peace we have, so he's the only one who can marry us. I hope that's all right with you....and the rest of you men, too.

Jim grumbled under his breath. It's a little irregular, isn't it?

Jason turned around with his usual friendly smile. I don't mind. One Justice of the Peace is as good as the other to me. We'll be just as married afterward, no matter who does the marryin'. He shot Katie a grin. Isn't that right? Katie laughed, and a flush of happiness washed over her face, but she still couldn't say anything.

The third man in the back of the wagon finally got to his feet and climbed carefully down to the ground. Hannah walked over to him. Sandy blonde hair peeked out from under a bowler hat, and his slight frame barely filled out his pressed herring-bone suit.

Not even his handsome leather shoes could make up for the pallor of his cheeks or the unsettled shifting of his eyes. He stood perfectly straight, but something in his manner suggested a depth of complexity about his nature.

A cloud of doubt crossed Hannah's face, but she immediately let it pass and smiled at him. He smiled back and held out his hand to her. I'm delighted to meet you, Mrs. Dempsey. How could he not be delighted with such a vibrant, straightforward woman as Hannah?

Hannah shook his hand. I trust you had an easy journey. Won't you come up? This is Josie's house, but we can all relax here before we get on with the ceremony.

She waved her hand toward the Campbell ranch house, and then she led everyone through the door into a one-room cabin exactly like Katie's. Once inside, however, no one showed any inclination to relax. The men stood around the table in the middle of the room, glancing at each other and smiling at the women.

So, the Sheriff chirped. Who's first? The three couples looked around at one another and twittered with suppressed laughter, but no one spoke.

In the end, Jason reached out and took Katie by the hand. Why don't you and I go first? Then we can run off by ourselves, and they can keep sweating until the deed is done.

Katie laughed again, but this time, her voice worked perfectly well. All right.

Jason led her forward, but there was nowhere in that tiny room to go. They stopped right next to the Sheriff.

Chapter 5

The Sheriff smiled at them and took a little book out of his waistcoat pocket. The pages curled over at the corners, and the edges showed the black smudges of hundreds of fingerprints. The Sheriff flipped the pages and folded the book back on itself, breaking what was left of the spine.

Then he cleared his throat. Dearly beloved, he began, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join together these three men and these three women in the bonds of holy matrimony. I don't think I have to tell you—at least not you three ladies—what it means to be married, since you've all been married before, and I believe Mr. Cummings is a widower, as well.

The couples exchanged glances. Just what kind of wedding service was this going to be?

You two younger men, the Sheriff went on, you'll find out soon enough what marriage is, and the sooner we get this over with, the sooner you'll find out. So we won't waste any more time blathering on about it now. I just hope you all realize that marriage is forever, and not something you can just decide to walk out on when it doesn't suit you.

Jason cleared his own throat. Was he trying to tell the Sheriff to keep his remarks to himself and get down to business? If he was, he needn't have bothered, because the Sheriff didn't intend to go on anymore, anyway.

But I'm sure you all know that, he declared. So we'll skip that part, too. He checked his book and coughed. Right, then. Do you, Jason, take this woman, Katherine Corning, to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Jason waited for the other part about forsaking all others and sickness and health. He stared at the Sheriff, waiting for him to say more, while the Sheriff stared back at him, waiting for his answer. Only after a long silence did he realize the Sheriff wasn't going to say anymore. So he mumbled, I do.

The Sheriff turned to Katie. And do you, Katherine, take this man, Jason Matthis, to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Katie silently thanked Heaven she had the warning of Jason going first. She didn't have to stand there wondering why the Sheriff didn't say the rest of the formula. She simply said, I do, and the Sheriff went on with his reading.

Good, he snapped. Then by the power invested in me by the State of Montana and the Department of Justice, I now pronounce you man and wife.

He lowered his book and his shoulders sagged to show the ceremony was over. Jason and Katie looked at each other. Was that it? No kissing the bride? No nothing?

The Sheriff turned his head toward the other couples, leaving Jason and Katie to their own devices. Jason stared at him a moment longer, then he burst out laughing. He faced Katie. Come on, darlin'. Let's go home.

He yanked her by the hand and hauled her out of the house, abandoning the rest of them to their fate.

Outside, Jason stopped to let Katie catch up with him. He looked around him for the first time. Which one of these houses is yours?

Katie pointed across the fence. That one.

They all look the same, Jason remarked.

They are, Katie told him. Henry and Leonard built them together. That's mine and Hannah's previous husbands. They built these three homesteads, and then they sold the other one to John Campbell. That's Josie's husband—previous husband, I mean.

Jason gave her a quiet smile. I understand. Well, come on. Let's get out of here.

They started toward the fence. Jason cast a backward troubled glance over his shoulder. I don't know about you, but that was just about the strangest wedding service I ever heard.

Katie giggled. That's just the Sheriff's way. He likes to be a smart-aleck whenever he can. He loves being the Justice of the Peace so he can make a mockery of the wedding service. That's just the way he is.

Jason shook his head. I'm surprise people put up with it.

Oh, I don't think it bothers people all that much, Katie remarked. Just look at us. We've all been married before, and he knows we're marrying mail-order husbands. So he knows he doesn't have to give us the full service. We've heard it all before, and we know what marriage is all about.

You have, Jason pointed out, but I haven't. This is my first time getting married. I wouldn't mind hearing the full service, with all the bells and whistles.

I'm sorry, Katie replied. I didn't think of that. Most people around here like to keep things as simple as possible.

Jason nodded. They reached the pump, and he surveyed the three lines of fence. Where's the stile?

Sorry, she said again. There isn't one.

He frowned. How do you get over, then? Or maybe you don't go over. Maybe you use the gate. Or maybe you just stay on your own places.

Oh, no, she replied. We go over all the time. We're in and out of each other's houses all the time, and we meet here almost every day to talk about things, sometimes more than once a day. We just climb over—like this.

She put her foot on the edge of the water trough and swung her leg over the fence. She put her other foot on the other edge of the trough on the other side of the fence and stepped down to the ground.

See? She smiled at him.

Jason chuckled. All right. He copied her, and they continued their walk to her house.

Chapter 6

Jason took Katie's hand again. As they approached the front door of the house, Flash trotted around the corner and ran up to them, wagging his tail.

Jason bent down and held out his hand to the dog. Who's this?

His name is Flash, Katie told him. He's my late husband's dog.

Oh? Jason scratched Flash behind the ears. He seems like a regular pet to me.

He's a working dog, Katie replied. He's Staffordshire bull terrier, and Henry used him to herd the cattle. But he hasn't had any work this years since Henry died. He mostly just hangs around the house with me. He goes everywhere with me. I think he's lonely for Henry. They used to do everything together, and a season didn't go by without Flash working the cattle.

Jason patted the dog on the flank. We could probably change that, couldn't we, boy?

Flash wagged his tail, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth. When Jason and Katie started for the door again, Flash loped along at their heels and followed them inside.

A shaft of sunlight flooded the room when Katie opened the door. The stark light caught every fleck of dust in the air, and she cringed again at the squalor of the place.

Jason, on the other hand, smiled with satisfaction. Yep. Just what I expected. He took a deep sniff. It smells like home in here. Do you know, my mother used to put flowers on the table just like this. Did you make that quilt that's on the bed?

No, my mother did, Katie told him. I brought it with me when I moved in here.

When was that? Jason asked.

Almost four years ago, she replied. I met Henry at the State Fair, and he rode down to my father's farm near Livingston a few times. He stayed with our family, and then he asked my father if he could marry me.

And then you moved out here, Jason finished the story for her. It sounds familiar. He examined the room with a critical eye. And are you happy here?

Katie looked down at her fingers. I was, before Henry died. I'm used to Montana, you know. I know what life on the Frontier is all about. I loved the prairie and the wide open places. But after he died, everything changed for me. I guess I was lonely. I didn't like it anymore. The sight of all that emptiness tortured me. I wanted to get away from it.