Blue Montana Christmas Read online

  Blue Montana Christmas

  Shades of Blue Short Story

  Hildie McQueen

  Contents

  Montana Blue Christmas

  Copyright

  Other Works by Hildie McQueen

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  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Prologue A Different Shade of Blue

  About the Author

  Montana Blue Christmas

  Shades of Blue Series

  Hildie McQueen

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Cover Artist: Wicked Smart Designs

  Copyright Hildie McQueen 2017

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

  If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to your retailer and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author

  Created with Vellum

  Other Works by Hildie McQueen

  (In reading order)

  Historical Western, Shades of Blue Series

  Big Sky Blue

  A Different Shade of Blue

  The Darkest Blue

  Every Blue Moon

  Blue Horizon

  Montana Blue

  Midnight Blue

  Western Historical

  Where the Four Winds Collide

  Westbound Awakening

  Where the River Flows

  Colter Valley

  Under a Silver Moon

  Beneath a Silver Sky

  Judith, Bride of Wyoming

  Brides for All Seasons

  Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride

  Aurora, A Romantic Bride

  Lucille, A Lucky Bride

  Esther, An Easter Bride

  Sarah, A Festive Bride

  Christina, A Bride for Christmas

  The Gentrys of Montana, Sensual Western Historical

  The Rancher

  The Marshal

  The Outlaw

  Contemporary Western Romance

  Jaded: Luke

  Broken: Taylor

  Cowboy in Paradise

  Melody of Secrets

  Montana Bachelor

  Montana Boss

  Montana Beau

  Montana Bred

  Montana Boss

  Subscribe to my Newsletter:

  I love hearing from my readers and am always excited when you join my newsletter to keep abreast of new releases and other things happening in my world. Great things are coming soon, so you don't want to miss anything! Sign up for my newsletter today and become a Moonlighter!!

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  Dedication

  I’d like to give a special acknowledgement and thank you to Loren Genzone Brake, for proofreading this short story and taking the time out of her busy schedule to get it back to me with short notice. It is readers like you that make this journey worthwhile.

  To my readers--I wish you a delightful holiday season and a new year filled with God’s richest blessings of love, laughter and good health.

  Chapter One

  Alder Gulch, Montana, 1868

  Winter hit Alder Gulch hard that year, which meant the Coles, had their hands full ensuring the cattle and horses were kept out of harm’s way. Not only from the weather, but also from the hungry predators the frigid temperatures brought.

  They’d already lost a couple heads of cattle to the elements and now as the end of the day came, Grayson Cole, his brothers Ashley and Bronson, along with Josiah McClintock, braved the cold to search for another missing few.

  Even with most of his face buried deep into the thick scarf Nora made him, the icy wind bit into Grayson’s skin. He gave up riding as the horse had slowed to a dreadful pace due to the high snow and dismounted.

  Heck of a way to spend the day. A warm stew at home would be waiting and that spurred him to keep going.

  Grayson trudged through thigh deep snow to where he heard the soft cries of the wayward calf. Although relieved to find the young thing, as it would have surely died if left out overnight, he was annoyed. He reached the baying creature, and after taking a blanket out of a saddlebag, he wrapped the calf in it. "Come on now little one. You're gonna be fine."

  As if knowing it was safe, the calf stopped crying immediately. Grayson picked it up heaving the helpless creature onto his horse. He whistled to let the others know he’d found one and heard the reply to his right.

  Good, someone heard him, and hopefully the others would know to turn around. The calf was the last one they were missing-- three other whistles had sounded already.

  The ride back was quicker. Even with the added burden, his horse managed to trot faster, urged by the knowledge a warm stable and food awaited.

  His family’s large cabin came into view and he had to smile. No matter where life took him, this would always be where he belonged.

  Home.

  Upon sensing her young one, the mother cow began baying and the calf replied, its soft cries melting Grayson’s heart.

  Once the calf and mother were safe in the warmth of the barn, he made his way to his own home, a short distance away, his stomach grumbling at the thought of a hot meal.

  Nora, his beautiful wife, gasped when he walked in and rushed to him with a warm blanket. “You look half frozen. Get out of those clothes immediately and come stand by the hearth.” She gave him no room for arguments and he didn’t have the energy to do so.

  His fingers were so cold she had to help him with buttons and such. His wife had another set of pants and thick flannel shirt by the fire. The rubbing of a heated blanket helped him stop shivering, as once again, Nora had to assist him with putting on the dry clothing.

  “There, now sit.” She ordered, pushing him down into a chair just inches from the hearth. “Goodness, you shouldn’t have stayed out there so long.”

  Nora met his gaze, her amber ones filled with concern as she pushed a cup of coffee into his hands.

  Looking toward the kitchen, he sniffed and was disappointed at there being no aroma of a waiting meal. “Is supper ready?”

  Nora sighed. “Not yet. I’ll start cooking now since Logan is finally down for a nap. He’s been a bit fussy today.

  Before he could say anything to urge her to cook, his dog, which had been asleep next to his feet jumped up and began barking.

  “I think someone’s here,” Nora said not moving from where she stood in the kitchen.

  Grumbling, Grayson opened the front door to a huge sled pulled by his father's plow horses neared.

  "What now?" Grayson pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders and stepped out to the porch to greet them.

  His twin brother Bronson and older brother Ashley both looked at him with matching bright blue eyes. "Ma sent us to come get ya." Bronson grumbled. "Says you ain't been over for supper in far too long."

  He gave them an incredulous look. "I'm too tired. Go back and tell her Nora and I will bundle up the baby and come early t
omorrow and spend Christmas eve and day there."

  The normally quiet Ashley let out a huff. "If you think we're going back without you and the family, you're crazy."

  Nora came to the door, the rush of warm air from inside their home felt like heaven. "What happened?" She waved his brothers over. "Come inside, it's freezing out here."

  "Ma sent them for us. Wants us to come for supper." Grayson smiled at his brothers. Once Nora told them to take their crazy selves home, he'd laugh at them.

  Nora looked to him and then to his brothers. "Well isn't that the sweetest thing ever. Let me get our son bundled and we'll be right out."

  Bronson let out a loud laugh. "Guess you're comin'"

  "Reckon so," he followed Nora inside to help. On his heels, his brothers rushed to the fireplace.

  Just an hour later, everyone was seated around the new larger Cole dinner table. In front of the fireplace, in a nest of blankets, were the three babies, Bronson and Olivia’s twins, and his son.

  Grayson had to admit, it felt good to be there, to hear his mother fussing in the kitchen while Nora, Olivia and Grace chatted and brought platters heaping with food to the table.

  “Finally,” Elizabeth Cole, his mother came in from the kitchen drying her hands. “I was beginning to wonder if they’d come.”

  There was noise at the front door a moment before Josiah McClintock, their farmhand who was like a brother to them, entered the room. His wife Laura removed her cloak and smiled. "Sorry we're late. After hanging her cloak on one of the hooks by the door, she rushed to hug his mother."

  "You're just in time," his mother fussed waving them toward the table. Come on in and get warmed up. Supper’s ready.”

  "Why were you so insistent we all come today Ma?" Ashley who boasted to be her favorite was brave enough to ask as soon as everyone was seated. “We’d all be coming for Christmas eve and day.”

  It was two days before Christmas, which meant everyone would have to go home the next day to prepare their homes for a two-day absence and ensure their animals would be well fed and protected.

  Hank, their father looked to his wife and covered her hand as she remained silent. His gaze fell on each of them, lastly to Josiah. "Boys. Your Ma has something to tell you."

  Immediately Grayson's appetite vanished. His mother was the center of his world. If something was wrong with her health, he wasn’t sure how life would go on. "Is something wrong Ma?"

  She shook her head. "Not really bad per se. A couple weeks back I got a telegram. I found out my uncle died. We were never close, yet he still named me his heir. Left me his money and his townhouse back in Virginia. The thing is, he has two sons. They are closer to your ages, since he fathered late in life. From what I understand, their mother died when the boys were still young and they have been fending for themselves."

  She gave them a tired smile. “My uncle fathered them out of wedlock you see.”

  “Are you going back east?” Grayson asked.

  "No, I was going to ask that a couple of you volunteer to go to Virginia once the weather warmed and search for those boys.”

  Everyone looked to each other musing what it meant for them to be gone for what could be an extended period.

  His mother continued interrupting the mumblings. “It's their money. They deserve to have it. But unfortunately, the boys, Alexander and Julian found me first. They are here in Alder Gulch. Understandably, they are angry. They were overheard issuing threats to our family in town."

  Hank, his father took over. "We think it's best to keep everyone here at the house where the women and children will be safe. Have to find a way to get word to those two hard heads the money is theirs and that they will get every cent.”

  His father’s face hardened. “Unless they hurt one of you, then all they're getting is a bullet between the ears."

  "Hank," his mother admonished. "I pray it won't come to that."

  Ashley cleared his throat. "In the morning, the three of us will head out and track them down."

  "I'll go with you," Josiah added.

  His mother gave him a warm smile. "Josiah, can you please stay to help Hank in case they come here."

  With obvious reluctance Josiah nodded. “Yes Ma’am.”

  Although the food was flavorful, the conversation remained muted as everyone considered the threat against their family. No matter how inexperienced their cousins were against Montana elements, if they were armed, the brothers could cause the family harm and that was not acceptable.

  Grayson slid a glance to Ashley, who’d become still as a statue, his face so tight it looked like stone. He met Bronson’s gaze.

  His twin nudged Ashley. “Was it you who found the mama cow? How’d you get her to come with you? It was obvious she was searching for her calf.”

  His older brother probably knew what Bronson was doing, and Ashley was smart enough to know his expression could alarm the women further. “She was half frozen and barely put up a fight.”

  Chapter Two

  The next morning the air was a bit warmer, but unfortunately with the higher temperature came a steady snowfall.

  Bronson buried his chin into his scarf and pulled his hat lower. "It’s gonna be hard not to beat the tar out of them just for bringing us out in this."

  "So, they're our second cousins, right?" Grayson scanned the area for any signs of movement. “Obviously brash and quick tempered.”

  “Seems to run in the family,” Bronson gave him a pointed look, which his brother ignored.

  "Why didn't they come and talk to us first, instead of making threats in town?” Grayson asked frowning.

  Ashley lowered his brows in thought. "Most folks from back east think people out here shoot first and talk later."

  "True in a lot of cases." Bronson had to agree. Although he preferred negotiation, he wasn’t sure about his brothers. Grayson was quick-tempered and very protective. Then there was Ashley, who even his own family gave a wide berth to when he was angry.

  About a mile towards town, they spotted smoke through the leafless trees. "Looks like someone's camped out near the abandoned cabin."

  "I hate that place. Someone needs to tear it down." Grayson recalled being shot near the cabin when a killer came to town a year earlier. "If they're inside, let's set it and them on fire."

  Bronson's eyebrows disappeared under his hat brim. "Feeling violent this Christmas Gray?"

  "You were talkin' about beating the tar out of them earlier, so, must be a twin thing."

  Ashley grunted, the closest to a chuckle he usually came to. “Go slow, keep your eyes open. He maneuvered his horse ahead of them.

  The protectiveness of his older brother touched him, but at the same time Bronson wanted to challenge why Ashley was to go first. If anything, Grayson was the best shot and he had the keenest eyesight.

  “Stay back,” Ashley ordered when Bronson moved to go alongside. His older brother shot him a warning look. “And be quiet.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” Bronson grumbled in a low voice. “Grayson is the one making all the racket swapping at branches.”

  “Am not,” Grayson shot back. “It’s my horse. He hates low branches.”

  “Shut. Up.” Ashley let out a huff. “Damn.”

  Bronson looked up at the gray sky hoping the snow would stop falling. It made it hard to see more than a couple feet.

  A few yards from the cabin, they dismounted and made their way closer on foot. Ashley and Bronson crouched behind trees pointing their guns at the cabin while Grayson crept nearer to look into the window.

  His brother was the slick as a cat. Experienced at quick exits, probably from his years of being a rake, and sneaking out of windows and such.

  When Grayson reached the window, he peered in. Two men sat facing the fire. They were not small men, one looked to be same size as him and his brothers, the other only slightly thinner. Wrapped in blankets, they talked in quiet tones. He saw they had killed a small rabbit and skinned it. The meager mea
l was cooking over a fire in the hearth.

  Grayson lowered to the ground and went back to his brothers. "They're sitting in front of the fireplace. There are two shotguns leaning against the far wall. If we barge in, they won't have time to get to 'em."

  Ashley's face was like granite when he looked to them. "Stay here. I'll go in."

  "What?" Bronson challenged him. "No way. We're going together."

  Grayson knew why Ashley volunteered. Unlike Ashley and his wife Grace, both he and Bronson had children. "I agree with Bronson, we all go in."

  "Fine," Ashley said through a clenched jaw. "But if you get shot, I ain't draggin' ya back to Ma."

  "Yes you are," Bronson replied drawing his gun. “Otherwise, she’ll send you back to get me.”

  “I’m not getting killed,” Grayson said lifting a brow. “Let’s send Bronson in first, he’s the most annoying.”

  Ashley let out a sigh. “At this point, I hope they do reach their shotguns.” He shook his head. "Let’s get this done.”

  Ashley kicked in the door, while his brothers rushed in. The two men jumped to their feet, but upon seeing three guns pointed at them, held their hands up and didn't move toward their weapons.

  "How about we talk?" Ashley said and motioned for Bronson to close the door. Grayson took the rifles and moved them to the back wall.

  When Bronson neared the men, the taller of the two moved to stand in front of the other. So that had to be Alexander, the oldest, which meant the other was Julian.

  The younger one, who looked to be about his age, pushed his brother aside to stand beside him.

  Ashley studied them for a moment. "I'm Ashley Cole." He motioned to Grayson and Bronson. "They're my brothers Grayson and Bronson. We hear you mean to harm our family."