His Brother's Wife Read online

  HIS BROTHER’S WIFE

  Multi Award Winning

  Best Selling Author

  Margaret Tanner

  Contents

  Cover Art by Susan Horsnell

  Copyright © 2017 by Margaret Tanner

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  EPILOGUE

  Books by Margaret Tanner

  About the Author

  Cover Art by Susan Horsnell

  Acknowledgement: Thank you Susan Horsnell for your on-going help and support. Couldn’t have done it without you my friend.

  Copyright © 2017 by Margaret Tanner

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. It remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be reproduced, scanned or distributed for any commercial or non-commercial use without permission from the author and publisher. Quotes used in reviews are the exception. No alteration of content is allowed. If you enjoy this book, then please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy.

  This story is a work of fiction, and some literary license has been taken regarding setting. All characters are a figment of the author’s imagination.

  Chapter One

  South Dakota 1870’s

  William McIntyre dismounted from his horse and inspected the ground. “They passed through here, Sheriff.”

  “You sure, Will? I can’t see nothing but dust.”

  “Yeah, the signs are clear, the hoof prints have been all but blown away, but the horse dung is fresh.” He pointed to the long swaying grass along the track. “See how the grass is slightly flattened. They’re heading for the Black Hills.”

  Will sighed, he didn’t really want to be here, but the Sheriff had deputized him and made up a posse to search for the Denzil gang. The extra money would come in handy right now.

  Abe Denzil was a callous killer. Half Sioux and half loco. He was brutal and depraved.

  The hair stood up on the back of Will’s neck, nausea rose up into his throat every time he thought of the massacre at the Rainer’s Crossing stage depot. Thirty people killed, the men tortured, the women raped and six children butchered. Even the tough stage driver who came across the grisly slaughter vomited with revulsion.

  He didn’t like leaving Anna and his young daughters on the ranch alone, not with such a brutal band of killers on the loose. Why had Denzil and his cut-throats crossed over to this side of the Black Hills? Thankfully, his ranch was in the opposite direction.

  They followed the almost indiscernible trail for miles. Hour after hour with the terrain becoming rockier, more desolate as they climbed higher.

  Will wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of one hand and took a swig from his water bottle. They would have to call a halt soon, the horses needed to rest and it was too dangerous to continue once night fell. One slip on the narrow, winding path and they would be killed. One misplaced footfall and they could plummet over the side to the canyon floor, three hundred feet or more below.

  He had done surveying work for the army when he first arrived here and knew the area well. He’d jumped ship in New York, after seeing a sailor flogged. This barbaric episode had caused him to lose his appetite to sail the world.

  A woman in every port, what a laugh. Most times he didn’t even get leave to go ashore, and when he did, the dockside harlots sickened him. Like any normal man he enjoyed the company of women, but not with those debauched creatures. If he had the money and the opportunity, he visited decently run establishments, if not, he abstained.

  “What do you think, Will? Should we find somewhere to bed down for the night?”

  “Yeah, Sheriff, once we get down to the canyon floor there’s a place that will be suitable. There’s a rock pool, so we can water the horses and set up camp.”

  “I don’t know how you do it,” the sheriff said. “Follow tracks that aren’t even there.”

  “The signs are clear; you only have to know what to look for. When I lived in Australia an aboriginal, um native, friend taught me how to track.”

  They lapsed into silence. Will had left Australia when he was sixteen, running off to sea after a falling out with the family. It had been his brother, Wilbur’s fault, but he never got the blame for the trouble he caused. It always fell on him the first born son. William, Wilbur and Wilfred, triplets. Wilfred had only lived a couple of days, though.

  He could never figure out why Ma had decided that the Christian names of her sons should all start with “W.”

  Another mile or so should bring them down into the main canyon. He led, the sheriff was a few feet behind him, and the other seven men straggled along in the rear.

  They made it to the canyon floor as the sun set behind the mountains. “Not far now,” he said, loud enough for the sheriff to hear, but in reality he was speaking to his horse. “A nice cool drink and a rest. How’s that sound?” He patted his mount’s sweat stained neck and chuckled when the gelding tossed his head.

  At last, an opening in the canyon wall confronted them. Will kneed his horse forward. After fifty or so yards they came to a grassed clearing with a small rock pool.

  “Here we are, boys,” the sheriff said. “We’ll get a fire going then have coffee and beans.” Sounded all right to Will. He was bone weary having worked twelve hour days for the last few weeks clearing rocks off his ranch to give him more grazing land.

  After unsaddling his horse, he led him to the pool for a drink. The water was icy cold, bubbling up from an underground spring. He scooped up a few mouthfuls himself, then splashed some over his face and hair. “Brr, freezing.” He shook himself like a shaggy dog, causing droplets to splatter onto his dusty shirt.

  One of the cowboys from the Triple Z ranch, attended to the fire and their food. Some supper would be good, he was starving, having not eaten since breakfast this morning.

  After they ate the men sat around the fire telling yarns and chewing tobacco, but Will decided to get some shut-eye.

  “We’ll have to leave early in the morning, Sheriff.”

  “Sonofabitch, Will, we all know that.”

  Using his saddle for a pillow, Will wrapped himself up in his blanket and closed his eyes. The saddle wasn’t too uncomfortable, but he much preferred resting his cheek against Anna’s soft bosom after they had made love. Hopefully she was with child again. Although he loved his two- year old twin daughters, he wanted a son, and was honest enough to admit it.

  Ah, Anna. He couldn’t believe his luck meeting a woman as sweet and beautiful as her. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift.

  He had almost decided to return to Australia after wandering through the American West, when he had literally cannoned into Anna outside the mercantile in Deadwood, three years ago.

  “I’m sorry, Miss.” He squatted down to pick up the brown paper wrapped parcel the young lady had dropped. He bobbed up so quickly her hand almost collided with his cheek.

  She laughed, such a delightful, tinkling sound his heart nearly catapulted out of his chest. When he gazed into her face he was immediately smitten. Big blue eyes, milky white skin and golden hair. If that wasn’t enough, the breasts on this vision of loveliness, strained slightly against the bodice of her gown, shooting desire straight to his groin.

  “William McIntyre at your service Mrs…”

  “It’s Miss, Miss Anna Ridout, but call me Anna.” Her face was radiant with good cheer, her eyes sparkled.

  He grinned. “What brings you to Deadwood Miss Anna?�
��

  She smiled, but her expression was pensive. “My parents died two years ago and my aunt invited me to come out here to stay with her. To be her companion.”

  “And?” He took her by the arm and moved away from the middle of the sidewalk.

  “It was a good life until someone stole jewelry from her. The blame fell on me. I swear I didn’t take it.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t. My instincts tell me you’re an honest person.”

  “Anyway, she said she wouldn’t press charges if I left, so I did. I got a job housekeeping for a colonel from the fort.”

  She plucked at her skirt. “He’s such a nice man, as is his wife, but they’re being sent to Fort Worth, Texas in two weeks, and can’t take me with them. I don’t know what to do, William.”

  “Call me Will, please. Um, you could marry me.”

  “What!”

  “Marry me. I’ve got a few dollars saved up. I was going to head home to Australia, but…”

  “We’ve just met.”

  “So? I feel for you, Anna, something I’ve never felt for another woman. I swear it. I used to scoff at this love at first sight notion, but it’s true. It can happen.”

  “I…I do feel something special for you,” she confessed, giving a shy smile. “We should get to know each other better first, though.”

  His heart soared. “There isn’t time, you said your employers were leaving in two weeks.”

  “They are, but…”

  “No buts. I’ll see the preacher and we can get hitched straight away. I’m the sheriff’s deputy, well for the time being. We can find a place here in town to stay until I buy us a ranch. Now that my parents are dead, there’s no real reason for me to return to Australia.”

  “I have to go now, Will.”

  He liked the way his name came out in a half sigh. It did funny things to his insides, not to mention his libido. It took all the willpower he possessed not to drag her into his arms right here and now and kiss her senseless. He couldn’t wait to taste her soft pink lips.

  “Where’s the colonel live? I’ll call for you after work, say 5 o’clock, and I’ll take you to supper at that new diner.”

  She hesitated.

  “I’m not a criminal, the sheriff will vouch for my integrity and honesty.”

  “All right.” She gave him the colonel’s address, and Will picked up her hand and kissed it. A cowboy lounging nearby whistled, and Will was tempted to go over and arrest him.

  “I’d escort you back to the colonel’s place, but I’m on my way over to the newspaper office. The sheriff got them to print out a few more ‘wanted’ posters. A couple of army deserters.”

  He swallowed down on the sudden lump lodging in his throat. He could be construed as a ship’s deserter, even though he had served his time. He had left the ship without getting his release papers signed by the captain.

  “Until tonight, Will,” she said softly.

  He gulped. “I’m looking forward to it.” He was, but confronting an army colonel was daunting. Anna was worth it. He’d brave a meeting with the devil if he had to.

  With a spring in his step he strode over to the newspaper office to collect the posters. These men weren’t only army deserters, they were stage coach robbers as well. That fact made him feel a little less guilty.

  He pushed open the door of the sheriff’s office. Jake sat with his booted feet resting on the desk.

  “Took your time didn’t you, Will?”

  “Yeah.” He was probably grinning like a weasel in a henhouse. “I’m getting hitched.”

  “What!” Jake nearly toppled off his chair. “Since when?”

  “About ten minutes ago.”

  “Are you loco? I thought you said no gal would hog tie and brand you.”

  “That was until I bumped into Anna Ridout outside the mercantile. I’m going to start courting her. In fact, if she’s agreeable, I’ll be seeing the preacher tomorrow. I’m taking her to supper at the new diner.”

  Jake laughed. “You have got it bad.”

  Will grinned again, he couldn’t help himself. This was the best day of his life. About time some happiness came his way. He had fought with his father because of Wilbur and left the farm. It still hadn’t stopped the old man taking the money he regularly sent. By my reckoning, I’ve paid for half that farm.

  If he married Anna, he would stay in South Dakota. No point dragging her over to the other side of the world. It wasn’t as if he had any other relatives except for his brother Wilbur.

  In his room at the back of the jail, Will heated up water, and stripped to his drawers. He washed his upper body, had a shave then put on his best shirt. He only owned three shirts, two for work and one for when he went out, even if it was to the local cattery when his urge for a woman became too great to ignore. No more soiled doves for him now, though.

  Anna was the only woman he wanted. And he wanted her so bad he feared the signs of his need would be obvious if he didn’t get himself under control.

  He sloshed water over his hair and combed it into place. It always amazed him that he had blue eyes and such dark hair. Not that he cared what he looked like, just so long as Anna was pleased with him.

  He strode down the main street of Deadwood, still busy even at 5 o’clock. Following Anna’s directions, he took a side street, then turned left and the colonel’s house was next, a white wooden cottage with blue awnings over the windows. He strode up the path, stepped onto the porch and removed his hat.

  Butterflies fluttered around in the pit of his stomach. He took several steadying breaths to calm himself before knocking on the door. A middle-aged woman opened the door. “William McIntyre?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Come into the parlor, Anna has been waiting for you.”

  The scent of beeswax polish and lavender wafted in his nostrils. The place was immaculate, quite pretty with floral wallpaper.

  He stifled a gasp when Anna rose to greet him. She wore a pale blue gown, which matched her eyes. It had a white collar that was all he noticed. Her sweet smile chased every coherent thought out of his head.

  “Anna, you do look lovely,” was the best he could come up with. “Y…you won’t need a shawl, it’s still warm outside.” He was acting like a gauche schoolboy.

  “You’ve met Mrs. Christianson?”

  “Yes, but not been formally introduced.” He was carrying on like a blathering idiot.

  Anna’s eyes sparkled with laughter. She obviously knew the effect she was having on him.

  “Mrs. Christianson, this is William McIntyre, the town deputy.”

  “Pleased to meet you, young man. So, you’ve taken a shine to Anna?”

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  “Your accent is…”

  “He’s from Australia,” Anna said as she picked up his hand. “Will has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.”

  The words were music to his ears, but obviously not to the older woman who pursed her lips.

  “I can take care of Anna. I not only have my deputy’s pay, but I have savings as well. Not to mention a half share in a farm in Australia.” The latter was a bit of an exaggeration. He would be hard pressed to get anything out of Wilbur, but he didn’t want to come across as a no account saddle bum.

  “I’m not sure the colonel would approve. He’s away for the next few days. I am sure he would like to check your credentials. If it were possible we’d take Anna with us. She’s a good girl and I want her to be happy.”

  “I’m sure Will is a good man. The sheriff can vouch for him. I’m twenty-one now.”

  “Only just. Well, you make sure you take good care of her.”

  “I will. I swear it.”

  Mrs. Christianson gave a slight sniff. “Well, at least you’re better than that no good Hudson boy who has been hanging around. I don’t care if his father does own half the town, and the Federal Marshall is his uncle.”

  Rory Hudson. The breath hissed from between Will’s teeth. The
boy was rumored to be mixed up with the Denzil gang. So help me, I’ll kill him if he goes anywhere near Anna.

  “I have no interest in Rory, and I’ve told him so. He thinks because his father is rich that he can have any gal he wants, but he can’t have me.” She tossed her head.

  Will couldn’t suppress a grin. At least he didn’t have any rivals for Anna’s affection.

  With Anna’s arm linked through his they left the cottage. He could understand the woman being dubious about him, but he didn’t have to like it.

  They strolled to the diner. A waitress directed them to a table and handed out a menu.

  “I might just have a biscuit and coffee,” Anna said

  “Order a full meal if you like.”

  “I’m too nervous to eat much. You wouldn’t lie to me would you, Will? You do really want to marry me?”

  “Of course I do. I aim to see the preacher first thing tomorrow. I love you. I want you for my wife. I want you to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children,” he went on passionately, clasping her hand. “I want it so badly it’s killing me.”

  “I love you too, Will. I can’t believe I could fall in love with you so quickly. I mean, it was instantaneous.”

  “Yeah, well I have that effect on people.” He grinned.

  The waitress returned. “Two coffees, biscuits and flapjacks,” he said. I’ll start looking for a ranch for us. It will have to be something small, but we could buy more land when we get established. I’ll have to find us something to rent in town until we get our own place. Might have to stay at the hotel for a few days, though. Tell me about yourself.”

  “I was a seamstress in my parents’ shop before they died.”

  “I’m sorry. Whereabouts?”

  “Kendall. It’s a small town in Montana, probably isn’t even on the maps, but it was a good life.”

  “How did your parents die?”

  Her eyes clouded over. “Someone deliberately burnt down our shop, threw a kerosene soaked cloth through the front window. The whole place just about exploded. Everything was gone within minutes. Ma and Pa were trapped. They loved each other so much, it was a blessing that if they had to go, it would be together.”