Karen Kirst - The Horseman's Frontier Family

The Cowboy Meets His Match

Everything Gideon Thornton has worked for is in jeopardy, all because of one stubborn woman. Evelyn Montgomery insists that Gideon’s new claim from the Oklahoma Land Rush legally belongs to her. Both refuse to budge—even when the law says that until their dispute is settled, they must share the land.

Their family feud has taught Evelyn that Thortons can’t be trusted. Yet day by day Gideon’s thoughtfulness to Evelyn, and especially to her young son, shows the real truth. A truth that may mean the end of her claim…and the start of a future big enough to encompass both their dreams.

Bridegroom Brothers: True love awaits three siblings in the Oklahoma Land Rush

“Until the case goes to court, this is my land,” Gideon said slowly. “I don’t want you making any changes without my approval. Understand?”

Scrambling up, Evelyn matched his stance. “You’ve conveniently forgotten whose name is on the stake, Mr. Thornton. Just because you’ve been living here longer and have made improvements doesn’t make it yours. I can do whatever I want. Understand?”

“My stake was in the ground when I left to get help for your husband. Someone switched it. Drake was the only one here.”

“He was dying!”

“Your brothers came around to collect his body. In the chaos, my brothers and I weren’t watching the stake….”

“What exactly are you insinuating?” she pushed out through clenched teeth.

“Think hard. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Unless you’re incapable of thinking for yourself, that is.”

How dare he! The outrage churning inside bubbled up. That was the second and last time he insinuated she was a brainless female. Seizing the pail of water she’d brought with her, she dumped it over his head.

* * *

KAREN KIRST

was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

The Horseman’s Frontier Family

Karen Kirst

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

To my “sons of thunder” Austin and Daniel.

My wish for you is that you would grow into godly men of integrity and character with the boldness to always stand up for what’s right. I love you both, my sweet boys.

To the other authors in this continuity, Laurie Kingery and Allie Pleiter. It has been a wild ride, hasn’t it, ladies? Thank you both for your encouragement and wisdom and patience when I needed to vent. Hope to do it again someday.

To my editor on this project, Elizabeth Mazer. Thank you for this opportunity! It has been a pleasure working with you.

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom this book would not be possible.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Brave Rock, Oklahoma

May 1889

Gideon couldn’t have heard right. His ears must be clogged. Or he was dehydrated, which would explain why he’d misunderstood the cavalry officer. Extreme thirst and heat could do that to a man.

Glaring at the fortyish man who’d introduced himself as Private Jesse Wellington, he demanded he repeat his previous statement.

The polished buttons marching down the middle of Wellington’s navy blue uniform rose and fell with his long-suffering sigh. Tall and distinguished, the officer had streaks of silver at his temples that lent him a sage air. “I’m here to inform you that your claim to this land has been challenged.”

Challenged? “You’re joking, right?” After all, he’d planted his stake deep into the earth with his own two hands.

On April 22, the day of the land rush, thousands of settlers had raced to claim a piece of this Oklahoma prairie for themselves. Thanks to President Cleveland and his decision to make the Unassigned Lands available to settlers, scores of people from all parts of the country had seized the opportunity to start over, to build new and better lives for themselves and their families, he and his brothers included.

The private smirked. “The United States Army isn’t in the habit of joking about such matters, Mr. Thornton. Mrs. Evelyn Chaucer Montgomery, along with her brothers, Theodore, Brett and Reid Chaucer, are disputing your claim.”

His gut knotted up below his sternum. Chaucer. A name embedded in his consciousness, going as far back as his toddler years to the time of the war between the states, a name associated with trouble and turmoil, hatred and discord. The Chaucers—Southern sympathizers to the core—despised his family for their loyalty to the North and its cause. That they had turned up here, in this start-up community of Brave Rock, struck him as downright suspicious.

Beyond Wellington’s left shoulder, three men stood shoulder to shoulder, their olive skin and European features marking them as Chaucers. Because they were familiar to him and uninteresting, he skipped right over them to focus on the slender female dressed in head-to-toe black. Her head was bent so that her bonnet’s brim hid the top half of her face.

Gauging from her gold-kissed skin and the black-brown hair whispering against her nape, Chaucer blood ran through her veins. The vague recollection of a twin sister drifted through his memory. Before he could pin it down, however, he noticed another member of their party. A small child. A boy with disheveled black hair and huge brown eyes in a face that hadn’t yet lost the fullness of toddlerhood. A boy around the same age as his Maggie....

Shying away from the life-sucking grief, Gideon slammed the gateway to the past shut. Wrested his gaze away from the small figure clinging to his ma’s skirts and planted it firmly onto the soldier.

“I’ve been here eight days, Private. Why are they just now disputing the claim?”

“Because we had a funeral to arrange, you—” Theo leaned forward. Brett put up an arm to block him.

“You’ve wasted your time. These people have misled you.”

Wellington didn’t so much as blink. “They contend that Mrs. Montgomery’s late husband, Drake, staked this plot and that it rightfully belongs to her and her son, Walter.”

Montgomery. The inexperienced rider who’d foolishly followed him the day of the land rush? His gaze flew to the widow’s face, now fully visible beneath the curved brim, delving into eyes the color of thick, sticky molasses. The exotic beauty countered his scrutiny with open challenge, her dainty chin uplifted and her high forehead lined with determination. Slashing black brows arched above flashing, thick-lashed eyes, and rounded cheekbones were balanced by a lush pink mouth. Disdain radiated from her bristling stance.