The Horseman's Frontier Family
The Cowboy Meets His MatchEverything 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
Читать The Horseman's Frontier Family онлайн беплатно
The Cowboy Meets His Match
Everything Gideon Thornton has worked for is in jeopardy, all because of one stubborn woman. Evelyn Montgomery insists that Gideonâs new claim from the Oklahoma Land Rush legally belongs to her. Both refuse to budgeâeven when the law says that until their dispute is settled, they must share the land.
Their family feud has taught Evelyn that Thortons canât be trusted. Yet day by day Gideonâs thoughtfulness to Evelyn, and especially to her young son, shows the real truth. A truth that may mean the end of her claimâ¦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
âUntil the case goes to court, this is my land,â Gideon said slowly. âI donât want you making any changes without my approval. Understand?â
Scrambling up, Evelyn matched his stance. âYouâve conveniently forgotten whose name is on the stake, Mr. Thornton. Just because youâve been living here longer and have made improvements doesnât make it yours. I can do whatever I want. Understand?â
âMy stake was in the ground when I left to get help for your husband. Someone switched it. Drake was the only one here.â
âHe was dying!â
âYour brothers came around to collect his body. In the chaos, my brothers and I werenât watching the stakeâ¦.â
âWhat exactly are you insinuating?â she pushed out through clenched teeth.
âThink hard. Iâm sure youâll figure it out. Unless youâre incapable of thinking for yourself, that is.â
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 sheâd 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 wasnât 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.
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.
âProverbs 16:9
To my âsons of thunderâ 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 whatâs 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, hasnât 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
Brave Rock, Oklahoma
May 1889
Gideon couldnât have heard right. His ears must be clogged. Or he was dehydrated, which would explain why heâd misunderstood the cavalry officer. Extreme thirst and heat could do that to a man.
Glaring at the fortyish man whoâd introduced himself as Private Jesse Wellington, he demanded he repeat his previous statement.
The polished buttons marching down the middle of Wellingtonâs 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. âIâm here to inform you that your claim to this land has been challenged.â
Challenged? âYouâre joking, right?â After all, heâd 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. âThe United States Army isnât 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.â
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 ChaucersâSouthern sympathizers to the coreâdespised 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.
