Married in Montana Read Online
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MARRIED
IN
MONTANA
A Paradise Valley Ranch Romance
Jane Porter
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Married in Montana
Copyright © 2017 Jane Porter
Smashwords Edition
The Tule Publishing Group, LLC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-946772-30-5
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Dedication
Thank you to all the amazing book girls
who encourage and inspire
and love talking story.
And with special thanks to my brave first readers
Lee, Elisabeth, and Michelle
For being honest even when it hurts
Grateful thanks to Shevawn
For keeping the home fires burning
And finally thanks and kudos to Meghan
Tule’s Managing Editor
For also brilliantly managing me
Table of Contents
The Paradise Valley Ranch Series
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March 1890
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Chapter One
Marietta, Montana – March 19, 1890
It was all very well to be popular and in demand, but this was almost ridiculous. The tiny shop for Johanna Design on Main Street was standing room only today as apparently every woman in Marietta had come to Johanna’s for a fitting this afternoon, filling every chair, stool, and sofa cushion.
Pressing two fingers to her throbbing temple, Ellie Burnett wished she could make a hasty exit, but she’d come to town expressly for the purpose of having the final fitting of her Easter dress, and as it was a ninety-minute drive each way from her father’s ranch in Paradise Valley in good weather, she couldn’t just leave and return later. The road through the valley could be treacherous, particularly in sleet, snow, or rain, with mountain run off flooding the Yellowstone River and, yes, the sun was shining right now, but Montana weather was mercurial, and the gusting winds could blow storm clouds through at any moment. And then there was her ill father and how difficult it was to leave him... how guilty she felt each time she left him...
She drew a slow breath, trying to calm herself. Everything would be fine. Everything would work out. She’d get her Easter dress, and she’d look fresh and desirable. Marriageable. Because God knew she needed a husband, and fast.
Her stomach churned at the thought and, suddenly overly warm, she unbuttoned the lapel of her coat, and drew another breath, willing herself to calm down. Hysterics were never appealing, much less in a room crowded with women. What she needed to do was focus on her goal of securing the right proposal. It shouldn’t be this hard. Montana was full of single men. All she needed was one good man... that didn’t make her skin crawl.
Ellie was reaching for another coat button when a very harried Johanna Douglas appeared from behind a brocade curtain, cheeks flushed, wisps of dark honey hair falling free from her chignon.
Ladies surged toward Johanna and the modiste dealt with each politely but firmly, even as she walked quickly toward Ellie. “It’s not ready,” Johanna said softly, taking Ellie’s arm, drawing her away from the others. “I’m so sorry. If I could have sent word, I would have.”
“Nothing is ready?”
“The jacket could be. In an hour, or two, probably two. But that is all I have for you to try on. Everything else is still in pins.” Johanna squeezed her arm. “I am so, so sorry. I know this isn’t a good time for you, either—”
“It’s fine.” Ellie exhaled and forced a smile, hiding her disappointment. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, make Johanna, not only the best seamstress in Marietta, but Ellie’s closest friend, feel bad. “I think that also means there’s no time for tea.”
“Oh, and how I’d love to sit for a bit and catch up. You have no idea how much I’d love a good gossip right now. The things I could tell you!” Johanna wrapped her arm around Ellie and gave her a quick squeeze. “I do miss you.”
“It’s a shame you’re just so good at what you do.”
Johanna laughed, just as Ellie intended.
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