Cardwell Ranch Trespasser

chapter Two

“You’re never going to believe this.”

Hilde Jacobson looked up from behind the counter at Needles and Pins, her sewing shop at Big Sky, Montana, and smiled as her best friend came rushing in, face flushed, dark eyes bright. Her dark hair was pulled back, and she even had on earrings and makeup.

“You escaped?” Hilde said. “I don’t believe it.” Dana didn’t get out much since the birth of her twin boys last fall. Now she had her hands full with four children, all under the age of six.

Her friend dropped a packet of what appeared to be old letters on the counter. “I have family I didn’t know I had,” she said.

Hilde had to laugh. It wasn’t that long ago that Dana was at odds with her siblings over the ranch. Family had been a word that had set her off in an entirely different direction than happy excitement.

Last year she’d reunited with her siblings. Her sister, Stacy, and baby daughter, Ella; and brother Jordan and his wife, Deputy Marshal Liza Turner Cardwell, were now all living here in Big Sky. Her other brother, Clay, was still in California helping make movies.

“A cousin is on her way to Montana,” Dana announced. “We have to pick her up at the airport.”

“We?” Hilde asked, looking out the window at the Suburban parked at the curb. Normally the car seats were full and either Dana’s husband, Hud, or Stacy would now be wrestling a stroller from the back.

“Tell me you’ll go with me. I can’t do this alone.”

“Because you’re so shy,” Hilde joked.

“I’m serious. I’m meeting a cousin who is a complete stranger. I need you there for moral support and to kick me if I say something stupid.”

“Why would you say something stupid?”

Dana leaned in closer and, although there was just the two of them in the shop, whispered, “This branch of the family comes with quite the sordid story.”

“How sordid?” Hilde asked, intrigued but at the same time worried. Who had Dana invited to the ranch?

“I was going through some of my mother’s things when I found these,” Dana said, picking up the letters she’d plunked down on the counter and turning them in her fingers.

“That sounds positive,” Hilde said, “you going through your mother’s things.” Mary Justice Cardwell had died nearly six years ago. Because it had been so unexpected and because it had hit Dana so hard, she hadn’t been able to go through her mother’s things—let alone get rid of anything. Not to mention the fact that her siblings had tried to force her to sell the ranch after their mother’s death because Mary’s most recent will had gone missing for a while.

“About time I dealt with her things, wouldn’t you say?” Dana asked with a sad smile.

“So you found something in one of these letters?” Hilde asked, getting her friend back on track.

Dana brightened. “A family secret!”

Hilde laughed. “It must be on the Cardwell side of the family. Do tell.”

“Actually, that is what’s so shocking. It’s on the Justice side.” Climbing up on a stool at the counter, her friend pulled out one of the letters. “My mother had a brother named Walter who I knew nothing about. Apparently he left home at seventeen and married some woman of ill repute, and my grandparents disinherited him and refused to have his name spoken again.”

“Seriously? That is so medieval,” she said, stepping around the counter so she could read over Dana’s shoulder.

“This is a letter from him asking for their forgiveness.”

“Did they forgive him?”

“Apparently not. Otherwise, wouldn’t I have known about him?”

“So you tracked him down on the internet and found out you have a cousin and now she is on her way to Montana.”

“Walter died, but he left behind a family. I found one cousin, but there are apparently several others on that side of the family. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Amazing that you were able to find this cousin you know nothing about.” Hilde couldn’t imagine doing such a thing—let alone inviting this stranger to come visit—and said as much.

“It’s not like she’s a complete stranger. She’s my cousin. You know, since I had my own children, I realize how important family is. I want my kids to know all of their family.”

“Right,” Hilde said, thinking of the six years Dana had been at odds with her siblings. She’d missed them a lot more than she suspected they’d missed her. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

Dana laughed. “If you’re so worried, then you absolutely must come to the airport with me to pick her up.”

“How did you get out alone?” Hilde asked, glancing toward the street and the empty Suburban again.

“Stacy is babysitting the twins, and Hud has Mary and Hank,” Dana said, still sounding breathless. It was great to see her so happy.

“How are you holding up?” Hilde asked. “You must be worn out.”

Hilde babysat occasionally, but with Stacy, Jordan and Liza around, and Hud with a flexible schedule, Dana had been able to recruit help—until lately. Jordan and Liza were building their house on the ranch and Stacy had a part-time job at Needles and Pins and another one working as a part-time nanny in Bozeman. Mary was almost five and Hank nearly six. The twins were seven months.

“I’m fine, but I am looking forward to some adult conversation,” Dana admitted. “With Stacy spending more time in Bozeman, I hardly ever see her. Jordan and Liza are almost finished with their house, but Jordan has also been busy with the ranch, and Liza is still working as a deputy.”

“And I haven’t been around much,” Hilde added, seeing where this was going. “I’m sorry.”

“We knew expanding the shop was going to be time-consuming,” Dana said. “I’m not blaming you. But it is one reason I’m so excited my cousin is coming. Her name is Dee Anna Justice. She’s just a little younger than me—and guess what?” Dana didn’t give Hilde a chance to guess. “She didn’t know about us, either. I can’t wait to find out what my uncle Walter and the woman he married were like. You know there is more to the story.”

“I’m sure there is, but let’s not ask her as she gets off the plane, all right?”

Dana laughed. “You know me so well. That’s why you have to come along. Dee Anna is in between jobs, so that’s good. There was no reason she couldn’t come and stay for a while. I offered to help pay her way since she is out of work. I couldn’t ask her to come all the way from New York City to the wilds of Montana without helping her.”

“Of course not,” Hilde said, trying to tamp down her concern. She was a natural worrier, though—unlike Dana. It was amazing that they’d become such close friends. Hilde thought things out before she acted. Dana, who wasn’t afraid of anything, jumped right in feetfirst without a second thought. Not to mention her insatiable curiosity. Both her impulsiveness and her curiosity had gotten Dana into trouble, so it was good her husband was the local marshal.

For so long Dana had had the entire responsibility of running Cardwell Ranch on her shoulders. Not that she couldn’t handle it and two kids. But now with the twins, it was good that Jordan was taking over more of the actual day-to-day operations. Dana could really start to enjoy her family.

“I’ll get Ronnie to come in,” Hilde said. “She won’t mind watching the shop while I’m gone with you to pick up your cousin.”

“I have another favor,” Dana said, and looked sheepish. “Please say you’ll help show my cousin a good time while she’s here. Being from New York City, she’ll be bored to tears hanging around the ranch with me and four little kids.”

“How long is she staying?” Hilde asked.

Dana shrugged. “As long as she wants to, I guess.”

Hilde wondered if it was wise to leave something like this open-ended, but she kept her concerns to herself. It was good to see Dana so excited and getting a break from the kids that she said, “Don’t worry, you can count on me, but I’m sure your cousin will love being on the ranch. Did she say whether or not she rides?”

“She’s a true city girl, but Hud can teach anyone to ride if she’s up for it.”

“I’m sure she will be. Did she tell you anything about her family?”

Dana shook her head. “I still can’t believe my grandparents had a son they never mentioned. Or, for that matter, that my mother kept it a secret. It all seems very odd.”

“I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it. When is she arriving?” Hilde asked, as she picked up the phone to call Ronnie.

“In an hour. I thought we could have lunch in Bozeman, after we pick her up.”

Fortunately, Ronnie didn’t mind coming in with only a few minutes’ notice, Hilde thought as she hung up. Hilde suddenly couldn’t wait to meet this mysterious Justice cousin.

* * *

DEPUTY MARSHAL COLT DAWSON watched Hilde Jacobson and Dana Savage come out of the sewing shop from his spot by the window of the deli across the street. Hilde, he noticed, was dressed in tan khakis and a coral print top she’d probably sewn herself. Her long golden hair was bound up in some kind of twist. Silver shone at her throat and ears.

Colt couldn’t have put into words what it was about the woman that had him sitting in the coffee shop across the street, just hoping to get a glimpse of her. Most of the time, it made him angry with himself to be this besotted with the darned woman since the feeling was far from mutual.

As she glanced in his direction, he quickly pretended more interest in his untouched coffee. He’d begun taking his breaks and even having lunch at the new deli across from Needles and Pins. It was something he was going to have to stop doing since Hilde had apparently started to notice.

“She’s going to think you’re stalking her,” he said under his breath, and took a sip of his coffee. When he looked again she and Dana had driven away.

“I figured I’d find you here,” Marshal Hud Savage said, as he joined him. Colt saw Hud glance across the street and then try to hide a grin as he pulled up a chair and sat down.

He realized it was no secret that he’d asked Hilde out—and that she’d turned him down. Of course Hilde told her best friend, Dana, and Dana told her husband. Great—by now everyone in the canyon probably knew.

The “canyon,” as it was known, ran from the mouth just south of Gallatin Gateway almost to West Yellowstone, miles of winding road along the Gallatin River that cut deep through the mountains.

Forty miles from Bozeman was the relatively new town of Big Sky. It had sprung up when Chet Huntley and a group of men started Big Sky Ski Resort up on Lone Mountain.

Hud ordered coffee, then seemed to study him. Colt bristled at the thought of his boss feeling sorry for him, even though he was definitely pitiful. He just hoped the marshal didn’t bring up Hilde. Or mention the word crush.

Hilde had laughed when he’d asked her out as if she thought he was joking. Realizing that he wasn’t, she’d said, “Colt, I’m flattered, but I’m not your type.”

“What type is that?” he’d asked, even though he had a feeling he knew.

She’d studied him for a moment as if again trying to decide if he was serious. “Let’s just say I’m a little too old, too serious, too...not fun for you.”

He knew he had a reputation around the canyon because when he’d taken the job, he’d found there were a lot of young women who were definitely looking for a good time. He’d been blessed with his Native American father’s black hair and his Irish mother’s blue eyes. Also, he’d sowed more than a few oats after his divorce. But he was tired of that lifestyle. More than that, he was tired of the kind of women he’d been dating.

Not to mention the fact that he’d become fascinated with Hilde.

Hilde was different, no doubt about it. He’d run into her a few times at gatherings at Hud and Dana’s house. She was serious. Serious about her business, serious about the life she’d made for herself. He’d heard that she had been in corporate America for a while, then her father had died and she’d realized she wasn’t happy. That was when she’d opened her small sewing shop in Big Sky, Montana.

Other than that, he knew little about her. She was Dana’s best friend, and they had started out as partners in the shop. Now Dana was a silent investor. Hilde also had her own house. Not one of the ostentatious ones dotting the mountainsides, but a small two-bedroom with a view of Lone Mountain. She’d dated some in the area, but had never been serious about anyone. At least that’s what he’d heard.

Some people talked behind her back, saying that she thought she was too good for most of the men around the area. Colt would agree she probably was too good for most of them.

“Maybe I’ve changed,” he’d suggested the day he’d asked her out.

Hilde had smiled at that.

It had been three weeks since she’d turned him down. He’d had numerous opportunities to date other women, but he hadn’t. He was starting to worry about himself. He figured Hud probably was, too, since the canyon was such a small community, everyone knew everyone else’s business.

“I thought I’d let you know I might be taking off some more time,” Hud said after the waitress brought him a cup of coffee. Neither of them had gotten into the fancy coffees that so many places served now in Big Sky. Hud had taken off some time when the twins were born and a few days now and then to help Dana.

“Things are still plenty slow,” Colt said, glad his boss wanted to talk about work. He and Hud had gotten close since he took the job last fall, but they weren’t so close that they could talk about anything as personal as women.

“Dana discovered she has a cousin she’s never met. She and Hilde have gone to pick her up. Stacy’s babysitting all the kids right now, so I have to get back. I’ll be in and out of the office, but available if needed. Dana wants me to teach her cousin to ride a horse. She’s going to try to talk Hilde into taking her cousin on one of the river raft trips down through the Mad Mile. I told her I’d do whatever she wants. As long as Dana is happy, I’m happy to go along with it,” he added with a grin.

“Wait, Hilde is going on a raft trip?” Colt couldn’t help but laugh. “Good luck with that.”

“I think there’s a side to Hilde you haven’t seen yet. You might be surprised.” Hud finished his coffee and stood. “Might be a good idea for you to go along on that raft trip,” he added with a grin.

* * *

AS THE PLANE flew over the mountains surrounding the Gallatin Valley, the now Dee Anna Justice prepared herself for when she met her cousin.

She’d been repeating the name in her head, the same way she used to get into character in the many high school plays she’d performed in. She’d always loved being anyone but herself.

“Dee Anna Justice,” she repeated silently as the plane made its descent. The moment the plane touched down, she took out her compact, studying herself in the mirror.

She’d always been a good student despite her lack of interest in school. So she knew how to do her homework. It hadn’t taken much research on her laptop to find out everything she could about her “cousin” Dana Cardwell Savage.

The photos she’d found on Facebook had been very enlightening. Surprisingly, she and her “cuz” shared a startling resemblance, which she’d made a point of capitalizing on by tying back her dark hair in the plane bathroom.

“Dee Anna Justice,” she had said into the mirror. “Just call me Dee.”

The man in the seat beside her in first class had tried to make conversation on the flight, but after a few pleasantries, she’d dissuaded him by pretending to read the book she’d picked up at the airport. He was nice-looking and clearly had money, and she could tell he was interested.

But she’d needed to go over her story a few more times, to get into her role, because once she stepped off this plane, she had to be Dee.

“Hope you enjoy your stay at your cousin’s ranch,” he said, as the plane taxied toward the incredibly small terminal. Everything out the window seemed small—except for the snowcapped mountain ranges that rose into a blinding blue sky.

“I’m sure I will,” she said, and refreshed her lipstick, going with a pale pink. Her cousin Dana, she’d noticed, didn’t wear much—if any—makeup. Imitation was the best form of flattery, she’d learned.

“Is this your first time in Montana?”

She nodded as she put her compact away.

“Staying long?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. How about you?” He’d already told her he was flying in for a fly-fishing trip on the Yellowstone River.

“A short visit, unfortunately.”

“Dee Anna Justice,” she said extending her hand, trying out the name on him. “My friends call me Dee.”

“Lance Allen,” he said, his gaze meeting hers approvingly.

Any other time, she would have taken advantage of this handsome business executive. She recognized his expensive suit as well as the watch on his wrist. He’d spent most of the flight on his computer, working—his nails, she noted, recently manicured.

She’d known her share of men like him and hated passing this one up. It didn’t slip her mind that she could be spending the week with him on the Yellowstone rather than visiting some no-doubt-boring cousin on a ranch miles from town. But the payoff might be greater with the cousin, she reminded herself.

The plane taxied to a stop. “You don’t happen to have a business card where I could reach you if I can’t take any more of home on the range?” she asked with a breathy laugh.

He smiled, clearly pleased, dug out his card and wrote his cell phone number on the back. “I hope you get bored soon.”

Pocketing his card, she stood to get down her carry-on, giving him one final smile before she sashayed off the plane to see if her luck had changed.

* * *

HILDE WASN’T SURPRISED that Dana was questioning her impulsive invitation as the plane landed. “What if she doesn’t like us? What if we don’t like her?”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Hilde said, not for the first time, even though she was feeling as anxious as her friend.

“Oh, my gosh,” Dana exclaimed, as her cousin came off the plane. “She looks like me!”

Hilde was equally shocked when she saw the young woman. The resemblance between Dana and her cousin was startling at a distance. Both had dark hair and eyes. The ever-casual ranch woman, Dana had her long hair pulled up in a ponytail. Her cousin had hers pulled back, as well, though in a clip.

All doubts apparently forgotten, Dana couldn’t contain her excitement. She rushed forward. “Dee Anna?”

The woman looked startled but only for a moment, then began to laugh as if she, too, saw the resemblance. Dana hugged her cousin.

Hilde had warned her friend that Easterners were often less demonstrative and that it might be a good idea not to come on too strong. So much for that advice, she thought with a smile. Dana didn’t do subtle well, and that was one of the many things she loved about her friend.

“This is my best friend in the world, Hilde Jacobson,” Dana said, motioning Hilde closer. “She and I started a sewing shop, even though I don’t sew, but now I’m a silent partner and Hilde does all the work. She always did all the real work since she’s the one with the business degrees.”

“Hi,” Hilde said, and shook the woman’s hand. Dana took a breath. The woman’s hand was cold as ice. She must be nervous about meeting a cousin she didn’t know existed. It made Hilde wonder if Dee Anna Justice was ready for Cardwell Ranch and the rest of this boisterous family.

“Let’s get some lunch,” Hilde suggested. “Give Dee Anna a chance to get acclimated before we go to the ranch.”

“Good idea,” Dana chimed in. “But first we need to pick up Dee Anna’s bags.”

“Please call me Dee, and this is my only bag. I travel light.”

The three of them walked outside and across the street to where Dana had left the Suburban parked.

“So how far is the ranch?” Dee asked after they’d finished lunch at a small café near the airport.

“Not that far,” Dana said. “Just forty miles.”

Dee lifted a brow. “Just forty miles?”

“We’re used to driving long distances in Montana,” Dana said. “Forty miles is nothing to us.”

“I already feel as if I’m in the middle of nowhere,” Dee said with a laugh. “Where are all the people?”

“Bozeman is getting too big for most people,” Dana said, laughing as well. “You should see the eastern part of the state. There’s only .03 people per square mile in a lot of it. Less in other parts.”

Dee shook her head. “I can’t imagine living in such an isolated place.”

Dana shot Hilde a worried look. “I think you’ll enjoy the ride to the ranch, though. It’s beautiful this time of year, and we have all kinds of fun things planned for you to do while you’re here. Isn’t that right, Hilde?”

Hilde smiled, wondering what Dana was getting her into. “Yes, all kinds of fun things.”

* * *

DEE STARED OUT the window as they left civilization behind and headed toward the mountains to the south. They passed some huge, beautiful homes owned by people who obviously had money.

She tried to relax, telling herself that fate had gotten her here. The timing of the letter was too perfect. But luck had never been on her side, so this made her a little nervous. Not to mention the thought of being trapped on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. She fingered the business card in her pocket. At least she had other options if this didn’t pan out.

She considered her cousin. Dana, while dressed in jeans, boots and a Western shirt, didn’t look as if she had money, but she drove a nice new vehicle. And was a partner in a sewing shop—as well as owned a ranch. Maybe her prospects were good, Dee thought, as Dana drove across a bridge spanning a blue-green river, then slipped through an opening in the mountains into a narrow canyon. Dee had never liked narrow roads, let alone one through the mountains with a river next to it.

“That’s the Gallatin River,” Dana said, pointing to the rushing, clear green water. Dana had been giving a running commentary about the area since lunch. Dee had done her best to tune out most of it while nodding and appearing to show interest.

The canyon narrowed even more, the road winding through towering rock faces on both sides of the river and highway. Dee was getting claustrophobic, but fortunately the land opened a little farther down the road, and she again saw more promising homes and businesses.

“That’s Big Sky,” Dana said finally, pointing at a cluster of buildings. “And that is Lone Mountain.” A snowcapped peak came into view. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Dee agreed, although she felt once she’d seen one mountain, she’d seen them all—and she’d seen more than her fair share today.

“Is the ranch far?” She was tiring of the tour and the drive and anxious to find out if this had been a complete waste of time. Lance Allen was looking awfully good right now.

“Almost there,” Dana said, and turned off the highway to cross the river on a narrow bridge.

The land opened up, and for a moment she had great expectations. Then she saw an old two-story house and groaned inwardly.

So much for fate and her luck finally changing. She wondered how quickly she would escape. Maybe she would have to use the sick-sister or even the dying-mother excuse, if it came to that.

Just then a man rode up on a horse. She did a double take and tried to remember the last time she’d seen anyone as handsome as this cowboy astride the horse.

“That’s Hud, my husband,” Dana said with obvious pride in her voice.

Hello, Hud Savage, Dee said to herself. Things were beginning to look up considerably.