Julia’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She glanced at him quickly before saying, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Prudence set the pot down and hooked a thumb his way. “Since that one’s suddenly lost his ability to speak, I’m his sister, Prudence.”

  “I’ve not lost the ability,” Matt said, “Just the desire.”

  She snorted a laugh. “That’s a first.” Prudence took a bite, her eyes widening a bit before chasing it with the coffee—then choked. “Damnation, that’s bad.” She coughed, then stood and carried the coffee pot to the back door and poured it out. “They not teach you southern belles how to fix coffee in the South?”

  Julia’s cheeks reddened again as she flicked a quick glance his way. “We drank tea more than coffee.”

  “And let me guess,” Pru said, “You never had to fix it yourself.”

  When Julia lowered her head to stare at her plate, Matthew threw a glare in Pru’s direction. “If the only reason you’re here is to insult my wife, then go home.”

  The ornery woman had the nerve to grin at him. “I wasn’t trying to insult your wife, little brother, just stating a fact. My apologies, Julia. I’m bossy and blunt so don’t take offense to anything I say.”

  Prudence filled the pot with water and grabbed the coffee grounds, measuring out what she needed and telling Julia which spoon to use, then set it back on the stove to heat. When she took her seat again, she picked up her fork and said, “So, how are you liking Montana so far?”

  Julia folded her hands into her lap. “It’s colder than I expected but the snow is pretty to look at. I’ve only ever seen it once before but that was only when it was falling. It never laid on the ground.”

  “Well, get used to it. There’s snow in Montana more often than not. You’ll eventually get to where you hate it as much as I do.”

  Matthew listened to them talk, and as loathe as he was to admit it, he was grateful Pru showed up when she did. The awkward silence before she waltzed into the room was making him uncomfortable and he knew without being told Julia felt the same way. The look on her face and her barely eating told him as much.

  He blew out a breath and cleaned his plate, thoughts of his new wife a constant echo in his mind as he listened to her and Pru talk. Better her than him. He wasn’t good at talking to women. Never had been. Not even to Cora. He never knew what to say to them. He knew nothing about the things that interested a woman and pretending he did only made the situation more uncomfortable. He knew about ranching and cattle and not much else. Hell, he didn’t even know how to court a woman properly. He was sure there was more to it than showing up with a hand full of pretty flowers. Talking would be expected at some point and that would bring him right back to where he was now. Struggling for something to say to a woman who seemed just as tongue-tied as he did.

  “You listening to me, Matt?”

  Prudence thumped a knuckle on the table and he snapped out of his musing. He met her gaze and as always, a bit of mischief danced in her eyes. "Not really."

  She huffed out a breath. "I said Julia needs proper boots and warmer clothes. We could take her into town since I have Pete’s sleigh.”

  Take Julia into town? Matt ran his gaze over her. The dress she wore was a bit fancy for working around the house and he didn’t think she had on sturdy work boots with a frock like that on. Her boots were probably those silk things he’d seen Cora wearing, the ones with buttons all the way up the side. They weren’t made for tromping around in the snow, that’s for sure. She’d need something suitable for the ever-changing Montana weather.

  He nodded and stood when the coffee pot lid started to rattle, crossing to the stove to refill his cup. “All right, but you’ll have to go without me. I have missing cattle and we have to see where they’ve wandered off to.” He turned back to the table. “Just put everything on my tab and tell the Weston’s I’ll be in on Friday to settle the bill.”

  Pru grinned and he knew she was about to hit him where it hurt—his bank account.

  Matthew had insisted they take the blankets he’d offered her the day before in the wagon and she was glad he’d made them do so, otherwise her face would be frozen with a permanent smile. The biting chill in the air caused her skin to ache and made her eyes water but the sleigh ride across the Montana prairie was the most exhilarating thing she’d done in—well, forever, really.

  The horse kicked up snow with every step he took and managed to keep up a fast enough pace for the ride to be thrilling. After the morning she’d had, a delightful romp across the prairie was exactly what she needed.

  She didn’t have to be told the breakfast she’d made had been barely edible. Matthew had cleaned his plate but she was sure he’d done so as to not be rude. The gravy had almost congealed and the biscuits … she cringed. The old man had lied about Matthew liking his biscuits near burnt and she planned on giving him a piece of her mind next time she saw him. Not that she really had reason to be mad at him. She shouldn’t have been so gullible. Who in their right mind wanted to eat burnt biscuits?

  “You’re awfully quiet.”

  Julia glanced at Prudence and smiled. “I’ve been accused by many of being too quiet, especially around people I don’t know. My friends were the social butterflies. I was more of a wallflower.”

  Prudence laughed loud and boisterous. “You don’t look like a wallflower. I always pictured someone fitting that description as dowdy and unattractive and you are neither of those things.”

  Julia smoothed out the material of her cloak. There was a compliment in there but wasn’t sure if it was sincere or not so she didn’t acknowledge it. She’d been called many things but attractive wasn’t one of them. She was too tall, or too quiet and to most—too plain. Had she been anything else, she would have married years ago. She changed the subject, pulling the hood of her cloak in closer to her face. “So, tell me about Matthew. What sort of things does he like?”

  Prudence gave her a sly look and grinned. “He likes you. I knew the moment he ran me off yesterday.”

  “He ran you off?”

  “Yep. I came by to meet you right after you got out to the ranch and he wasn’t having it. Said you were resting and wasn’t to be disturbed.”

  “Oh, well, that is true. I did rest once we arrived at the ranch. That doesn’t mean he likes me, much.”

  Pru laughed. “Yes, it does. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t have cared if I disturbed your rest. He would have let me barge up those stairs and wake you without a thought to your wellbeing. But he didn’t. He wouldn’t even let me near the house which means, he likes you. Plus, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Or I should say, the way he doesn’t look at you. He’s trying too hard not to stare which tells me, he likes what he sees.”

  She wasn’t lying. Julia had noticed him glancing away as quick as she looked at him but thought it meant he wasn’t interested. Him not coming to bed the night before had been another sign. He seemed to be putting distance between them—well, until she remembered how he’d picked her up and carried her into the house the day before. Or how he’d done the same not an hour before when he lifted her from the porch and carried her to the sleigh. He’d claimed he didn’t want her boots to get ruined in the snow but was it more than that? Did her husband like her more than she thought he did?

  The hazy outline of buildings in town came into view and Prudence urged the horse faster. “I’ll introduce you to any townsfolk we run into and show you where your friends are living. We can visit with them if you like, as long as it doesn’t start snowing again.

  “That would be nice, thank you.”

  “There’s good folk living in Angel Creek. Well, everyone but Cora. That one you’d be better off not knowing.”

  The words were said pleasantly enough but something in Prudence’s eyes said otherwise, as did the expression on her face. So, who was Cora? And why would meeting her be so bad?

  Chapter Four

  The mercantile was rustic compared to the merchant shops in Charleston but with Prudence’s help, Julia was able to find a good, sturdy pair of boots made for trekking in the snow and a few, simple dresses. Warm gloves and a hat were paired with a wool cloak that came with a fur hand muff and according to Jeremiah Weston, the owner of the mercantile, she was ready to take on the wilds in the Montana Territory as well as anyone else did.

  She’d questioned the new purchases when they were being wrapped. She knew nothing of Matthew’s finances. His home wasn’t as grand as her father’s had been but it was by no means a poor man’s shack but spending so much on her so soon seemed—wrong. She would have been happy with the new boots but Prudence had insisted, especially when she picked up the cloak. It was the only one like it in the store. It was fur lined and heavy, and the price tag on it had made her mouth fly open in shock. She’d refused but Prudence had only laughed off her concern.

  When her newly purchased items were wrapped, Prudence took her to the Apothecary in town and a small shop that sold baked breads and sweets and they stayed long enough to eat their fill of pastries before washing it down with coffee. Julia wasn’t sure she’d ever grow to like the taste of it but the shop owner, Ona Jenkins, had sweetened it with a bit of cream and sugar and she was able to get it down much better.

  Back on the street, Prudence had pointed out all the other businesses in town, most of which they didn’t stop at. In the center of town, she showed her where her friends lived. The desire to run to their door was strong but she didn’t want to intrude so soon after arriving. Besides, light snow flurries were beginning to fall again and she didn’t want to get stuck in town.

  They headed back to where they left the sleigh and she was introduced to everyone they saw on the way. When they were at the end of the street, Prudence grabbed her arm. “I see the sheriff. Wait here a minute. I need to ask him something.”

  Julia waited a whole three minutes before turning toward the sleigh and hurrying down the sidewalk. The wind felt as if it were cutting through her bones and she’d never been so cold in her life. Her new cloak was wrapped in paper and why she hadn’t put it on was beyond her. It was stupid, really. She should have donned all her newly purchased things for no other reason than they were warmer than anything she owned.

  Her feet were near frozen by the time she made it to the end of the row of buildings lining the road. The sleigh was still where they’d left it and Julia tossed her packages inside and had grabbed the side to climb in when a light in the corner of her eye caught her attention.

  The last building on the street had a pretty, ornate sign hanging above the door that read, Thompson’s. The light she’d seen was an open door on a stove in the center of the store, a young boy standing in front of it tossing in more wood.

  Julia looked down the street for Prudence but didn’t see her. She blew into her hands, stared at the cold sleigh, then turned back to the shop. Surely Prudence would look for her here if she came back and didn’t see her.

  A bell above the door made a small tinkling of sound when she walked inside. The interior of the building was so warm, Julia felt it immediately and made a beeline for the potbelly stove sitting in the middle of the room, thrusting her hands out to warm them. It would certainly take time to get used to the cold.

  A glance around the shop told her she was inside a Millinery and dress shop. She smiled. This reminded her of Charleston. The shop was filled with color, dresses by the dozens displayed along the walls, ribbons, and lace in every color imaginable hung from pegs and small displays and the hats were as fine as the ones she’d seen back home. For such a small town, she was surprised to see such finery.

  There was a bit of shuffling toward the back of the building. Julia turned her head as a woman slipped through a doorway covered by a curtain. She stopped when she saw her and said, “Hello. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “That’s quite all right. I must admit I initially came in only for the warmth.” She glanced around the store. “But now that I see these beautiful dresses, I’ll be sure to come back.”

  The woman smiled. “You’re new to Angel Creek. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that accent before.”

  “Yes, I only arrived yesterday. I’m originally from Charleston.”

  “Well, it’s very nice to meet you.” The woman crossed the room to where she stood. “I’m Cora Thompson.”

  Cora? Was this the “Cora” Prudence had mentioned? “It’s nice to meet you as well, Cora. I’m Julia Bailey.”

  “Bailey?” Something in her eyes brightened as she said the name. “Any relation to Matthew Bailey?”

  “Yes. He’s my husband.”

  Cora was a pretty woman whose stature was on the short side. Her hair was blonde, her eyes blue, and she seemed the sort of person Julia would indeed invite to tea. But as Cora stood there looking at her, something in her eyes changed, her smile quickly vanished and her lips pressed together forming a harsh line across her face.

  The door opened before she could ask if anything was wrong and they both turned. Prudence’s eyes were a bit wide as she stood there staring at her. “Julia,” she said, “I’ve been looking for you.” She flicked a glance at Cora and nodded her head in greeting. “Cora.”

  Julia had dealt with socialites in Charleston long enough to pick up on subtle clues and it didn’t take but a few seconds to realize there was something volatile between these two. Cora’s smile had completely vanished, she was stiff-backed, her chin raised, and the look in her eyes told her she didn’t want Prudence in her store.

  Prudence didn’t look much different except for the tiny smirk on her face. “I see you’ve met my new sister-in-law, Cora. I’m sure you two will be fast friends.”

  Cora scowled. “Somehow I doubt that.”

  Something was wrong. He could see it in both their faces as they climbed out of the sleigh. Julia didn’t spare him a glance as she trudged through the snow toward the house and Prudence blew out a breath when she looked up and saw him.

  “What happened?”

  Pru shook her head. “Now, what makes you think something happened?”

  “The look on your face, not to mention Julia’s.”

  Prudence reached in for the packages Julia couldn’t carry. “I saw the sheriff in town and ran to tell him about your missing cattle and to ask if anyone else had mentioned any missing livestock and when I got back, Julia was waiting for me inside Thompson’s.

  His heart seized for a brief moment. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

  Pru handed him the rest of the packages. “Nothing happened. Not really, but you don’t have to worry about telling Cora you can’t marry her, now. Julia did that for you.” She laughed. “You should have seen Cora’s face. I wish I had been inside when she said she was your wife. I would have paid money to see it.”

  Matt bit back a curse. “Did Cora say anything?”

  “No, but she didn’t have to. The look on her face was enough for Julia to ask me a dozen questions on the way home, though—all of which I refused to answer—so you have that inquisition to look forward to baby brother.”

  Prudence climbed back into the sleigh and took hold of the reins. “I’d love to stay but I need to get this thing back to Pete.”

  “Liar.”

  She chuckled and said, “Good luck,” before flicking the reins and pulling away from the house.

  Julia wasn’t in the kitchen when he walked in and it only took a few seconds to hear her upstairs. He debated laying the packages down and running back to the barn but he’d never been a coward, so he headed for the stairs.

  Her bedroom door was open when he reached it and he peeked inside before clearing his throat. “May I come inside?”

  Julia nodded. “It’s your house.”

  “Our house now,” he corrected as he stepped into the room. He set the packages on the end of the bed and looked at the things she’d already unwrapped. Thick socks and new boots lay amongst the brown paper they’d been wrapped in along with a thick pair of gloves and one of Mrs. Tilly’s knitted scarves. He touched the large package he’d carried in. “I hope this is a warmer cloak.”

  “It is.” She reached for it, pulling the paper away before lifting the cloak for him to see. “I thought it was a bit too extravagant but Prudence insisted. We can return it if it’s too much.”

  The cloak was one he’d seen before. It was longer than most and was lined with thick, white fur. Cora had made mention of it on several occasions, wondering why the Weston’s insisted on purchasing clothing when her parents’ shop was just down the street. The Thompson’s hated the competition, especially when that competition had things much nicer than anything they made or sold in their store. Knowing Pru, she made Julia get that cloak just to snub Cora.

  “It was a smart choice,” he said. “You’re not used to the cold. That extra warmth will do a lot to keep you warm.”

  They stood in silence for long moments as Julia folded the brown paper her things had been wrapped in and rolled the twine that held them closed. When she’d finished, he cleared his throat. “Would you like me to show you around the ranch? Or you can rest if you’d prefer.”

  She picked up a pair of the socks. “I think I’d like to look around. I’m not even sure where the well is.”

  “All right. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He hurried back to the kitchen and stood by the counter to stare out the window. His thoughts went to Cora and he wondered what she thought about Julia’s announcement. Even though she now knew, he’d have to pay her a visit and explain and he dreaded the thought of it.