Pamela Nissen - Brides of the West - Josie's Wedding Dress / Last Minute Bride / Her Ideal Husband

He indicated the buggy. “Let’s talk over there.”

It felt disrespectful to argue at Nate’s grave, so she let him guide her out the gate. As they approached, the mule chuffed. The Brights had come down in the world and it showed. Josie did her best with the ranch, but nothing had gone right since the death of her father and then Nate. Her sisters had problems of their own, and her mother’s vision was so clouded by cataracts she couldn’t read her Bible anymore. Josie read it to her, fighting every word because she’d lost her faith…fighting bitterness because she’d been so hurt. She hated being bitter. It tainted every breath she took, every thought she had.

Determined to put the ugliness aside, she faced Ty. He looked stronger than ever and bolder than she would have expected. Instead of cowing him, prison had made him tough. When he spoke, his eyes glinted with sincerity. “I was a fool to run after the Scudders. I’d like to think I did it for you—for us—that I was protecting our future, but the truth is plainer. I wanted my horses back, but mostly my pride got the best of me. Nothing else mattered in that moment. I’ve thought about that day for five years and what it cost—”

“Stop!”

“I’ve got to finish.”

“No!” She raised her chin. “Don’t say anything. It’s over.”

“I know that.”

“Just seeing you…” She closed her eyes, but it didn’t stop memories from filling her mind. Instead of seeing Ty, she saw the white dress in her wardrobe. She’d sewed every pearl button into place…all twenty-four of them. She’d worked the buttonholes for hours. Anger dried the threat of tears and she opened her eyes. “Go away, Ty. I’ve gotten on with my life. You should do the same.”

“I will. But not until I’m sure you’re all right. Nate was my best friend. I owe it to him. I owe it to you.”

She raised her chin. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“I think I do,” he replied calmly. “This winter was tough for everyone. How are things at the ranch?”

“I’m managing just fine.”

His gaze slid to the mule and the buggy. Josie cringed, because Ty would see her poverty. The leather seat had a crack in it, and the mule lacked dignity. Next he looked at the dress she’d stitched when they’d been courting. She’d made it over a couple times, but he’d recognize it. Neither could she hide the faded color.

His jaw tensed. “You’re struggling, aren’t you?”

“Like I said, I’m fine.”

His gaze stayed on her face. “Things don’t look fine.”

Just like old times, she felt as if he could see to her toes. Knowing Ty, he wouldn’t back down until he got what he wanted, and today he wanted details. No way would she tell him the Bar JB had lost most of its cattle, and that Lester Proffitt refused her request for a loan. She had her pride, and she wanted Ty to leave.

But he wasn’t leaving. He’d put on his hat and was reaching for her hand. Before she could step back, he clasped her by the wrist, raised her forearm and loosened her deerskin glove a finger at a time. Stunned, she thought of the day he’d dropped to one knee and proposed marriage. She’d said yes and he’d slipped an engagement ring on her finger. Her hands used to be pretty. They weren’t pretty now. Why she didn’t stop him from removing the glove, she didn’t know. Maybe she wanted him to see her ruined hands, what he’d done to her by valuing his horses and his pride more than their vows.

He pulled the glove completely off, inspected her cracked nails and turned her hand palm up to show the calluses. She saw fire in his eyes and braced herself. Ty Donner wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon, and she wasn’t as annoyed as she wanted to be. That softening had to be denied. He’d hurt her, and he could hurt her again. She thought of the white dress, the bouquet that had wilted, the humiliation of leaving the church alone and unwed.

She’d never forget that moment.

She’d never forgive him for what he’d done.

She simply couldn’t, because looking at him made her hurt all over again. With her feelings raw, she looked into his eyes.

He let go of her hand but didn’t release her from his gaze. “You need help, Josie. I’m staying until things are right.”

“I don’t want your help. Haven’t you hurt me enough? Please… Just go.” She waved her arm to indicate the open prairie.

Ty’s jaw tensed. “Why are you working like a hired hand?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

He rocked back on one heel and put his hands on his hips. “You’re wrong, Josie girl—”

“Don’t call me that!”

He ignored her. “I was wrong to chase after the Scudders, and you’re wrong to chase me off now.”

She didn’t know whether to cry for what she’d lost or slap his face for calling her Josie girl. She also yearned to accept his help. What would it be like to share the load of running the Bar JB? The grass rippled in a green wave, the sole benefit of the devastating winter. If only she could buy cattle…Ty knew everything about ranching. It was her needs he hadn’t understood. When it came to cattle and horses, he had a gift—especially with horses, fast horses that could run like the wind. An idea formed in Josie’s mind and wouldn’t let go.

A month from now Rock Creek would hold the annual Founders’ Day celebration. People would come from miles away for games and contests, baking competitions, and most important of all, the running of the May Day Maze. The ten-mile race tested a horse’s speed and endurance. It went through canyons and across streams, over hills and ended in a straight run through a long valley. The Maze required a skilled rider and a fast horse, and Josie had both. She had Ty, and she had Smoke, the mustang stallion Ty had owned and loved. When he’d gone to prison, the bank had repossessed his ranch. Nate had bought Smoke with the intention of giving Ty the horse when he got out.

Josie had no desire to welcome Ty into her life, but she very much wanted to win the May Day Maze. The grand prize was a thousand dollars. If he won the race on Smoke, they could split it. She could pay the mortgage and buy some cattle. But the risk… He had no place to live, which meant she’d have to offer him a spot in the bunkhouse with Obie Jones and Gordie Walker, her two hired hands. Ty would need meals and they’d cross paths a dozen times a day. The cost of asking him to ride in the race was high, but refusing his help might cost her the ranch.

Josie hadn’t answered him and he was still waiting. Standing taller, she made her voice all business. “I have an offer for you.”

“What is it?”

“I need someone to ride in the May Day Maze. Will you do it?”

Ty pulled his hat low, but not before she saw his eyes burn with longing. He took a breath, then another one. When he turned his gaze to the empty meadow, she knew he was remembering an old hope. He’d dreamed of winning the Maze his whole life, just as she’d dreamed of having a beautiful wedding. In their courting days, they’d often shared their hopes. It had been an exciting time. She felt that rush now and pushed it aside. This was business, she told herself. It had nothing to do with the dress hanging in the wardrobe or the veil she’d never worn. She wouldn’t notice the gleam in Ty’s blue eyes. She wouldn’t think of anything except saving her home…she simply wouldn’t.

“Say yes, Ty,” she urged. “I need your help.”

Chapter Two

Ty had dreamed of riding in the May Day Maze for years. Before the mess with the Scudders, he’d hoped to win and use the prize money to build a big house for Josie and the kids they’d have. He’d have entered the race in a heartbeat, but he was riding a twenty-year-old gelding he was grateful to own, and the mule pulling her buggy didn’t look any better.