Prologue

Elk Hollow, Montana Territory, 1873

A horse appeared at the main gate at the far end of the front yard and slowed to a trot. Noelle Mercer brushed her hair out of her eyes and squinted at the rider through the December snow. Who was coming to see them at this hour? There weren’t any appointments—that much she knew.

The rider was bundled up, a scarf wrapped around his mouth and nose, and his hat pulled down low against the wind. As he drew close, he tugged down the scarf and pushed his Stetson up slightly. His weathered face, dark eyes, and dark goatee beard around his mouth were clearly visible to her, along with the scar on his cheek that just missed his eye. He smiled at her.

“Hello, Noelle. It’s been a long time.”

For a moment, Noelle didn’t recognize him. She couldn’t quite place him. But that scar and that smile struck her as familiar, and then she realized who it was. Her uncle, Jack Mercer. She hadn’t seen him since she was small, and yet here he was now.

What was going on?

“I was beginning to think I’d need to introduce myself, seeing as you seem to have forgotten me,” Jack said, climbing down from his horse.

“I know who you are, Uncle Jack.”

He looked pleased.

“There’s the girl I remember. I was beginning to think I’d been away for too long.” He studied her, his gaze traveling from her work boots to her windswept hair. “You’ve really grown up now, Noelle. Although I was expecting someone a bit more… refined.”

Noelle felt her cheeks burning. She was covered in hay and sweat from working in the loft, her dress dusty and her hair escaping its braid. She fixed a glare at him.

“If you want refined ladies, try one of the big houses in Elk Hollow,” she said coolly. “What brings you here, anyway? If you’ve come to see Father…”

“I was actually coming to see you.” Jack arched an eyebrow. “It would be a little difficult to see my brother, unless I visit the churchyard.”

“So, you know about his passing, do you?” Her chest tightened with sudden anger. “If you knew, you could’ve come to the funeral.”

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” He looked amused by her irritation. “Aren’t you going to invite me inside? Or do you prefer to conduct family business out in the snow?”

Noelle wanted to refuse, to send him away, but she couldn’t. Not without knowing why he’d come. The last time she’d seen Jack, she had been six years old. Even then, she had sensed he was up to no good. He had put her on edge as a child. As an adult, that feeling returned in full force.

Jack was most certainly up to something.

“If you want to talk, we can do it inside,” she said, turning toward the house.

She didn’t wait for his response, striding across the courtyard. Behind her, she heard his horse following. The stirring of anger in her chest grew with each step. This man claimed to be family, and yet he hadn’t bothered to attend his brother’s funeral. Noelle knew he had been contacted—the family’s solicitor had assured her he would reach out, since she had no address for him. Now, Jack appeared like nothing had happened.

Stamping the snow off her boots on the porch, she shrugged off her coat and scarf, hanging everything on the wooden rack just inside the door. She didn’t wait to see if Jack followed suit, heading into the front parlor. This was her home. Born and raised on this ranch with its ideal location near the main road leading into Elk Hollow. Her parents had run it for thirty years—breeding and selling horses, growing vegetables for the town market, making deliveries. They had worked tirelessly, often forgetting they had a daughter at all.

Now they were gone, their wagon having tumbled off the road and fallen down the slope into a ravine on the north side of the valley five months ago. Their wheel had broken, Sheriff Thomas said. Noelle had thought they would live for another fifty years.

Save for one brother—this brother—neither of her parents had any other family. As far as she was concerned, the ranch was rightfully her inheritance.

“No tea to welcome me?” Jack asked, following her into the parlor. “No one to come and ask if I would like something?”

“You know we don’t have hired help. Things haven’t changed since you were last here.”

“Really? Well, maybe we need to change that.”

Noelle had no idea what he meant by that. She folded her arms.

“What do you want? Your brother dies, and you don’t bother to help one bit. I’ve been left to pick up the pieces while you’ve been off doing goodness knows what.”

Jack chuckled, unbuttoning his coat as if he planned to stay.

“You think I’ve been wandering about? I’ve actually been keeping busy. My work takes up considerable time.”

“And what might that be?”

“That doesn’t concern you. What does concern me, though, is your staying here at the ranch.”

Noelle frowned. Now she was confused.

“What do you mean? Staying here?”

“You haven’t spoken to the solicitor about your father’s will recently?”

“I don’t need to. I know full well that I’m the one who inherits the ranch. I am his only child, after all.”

But her uncle was shaking his head, making a tutting sound as if scolding a child.

“I’m afraid that’s not quite right.”

“Of course I do! Why would he leave me with nothing?”

“There were stipulations for you being the owner of the ranch, Noelle. If you’d spoken to your solicitor, you would’ve learned that.” Jack reached into his coat pocket and drew out a folded paper. “This is the will your father drew up. You can look it over, if you want.”

Noelle didn’t know whether she should trust him about this. He could be telling her lies to get something he wanted. But she decided to satisfy her curiosity and took the paper from his outstretched fingers. Unfolding it, she stepped away and began to read.

It was indeed her father’s will. She recognized the date and the signatures. This was from a time just two years back, when her father had met in his study with the solicitor and his clerk. Joseph had been present as well, and his signature appeared there, too. Noelle read through it once, and then again.

And once more.

How was this possible? How had she not been told any of this?

“Now you see what your father intended?” Jack asked, his tone smug. “He wanted you to have the ranch, but you must marry within six months of his death. I’m sure you remember how property rights are not given to women so easily, Noelle. If you stay unwed, then the entire property comes to me.”

Noelle felt her throat constrict. The words on the page blurred.

“He should’ve told me about this!”

“Perhaps you should’ve asked the solicitor yourself to make sure that you truly owned the place.”

“Don’t you dare put the blame on me for this!” Noelle whirled to face him. Heat flooded her face—not from the work she’d been doing earlier, but from fury. “I’ve seen Mr. Crabtree since Father’s passing, and he said nothing about it. He should’ve told me, regardless.”

Jack shrugged, clearly unconcerned.

“I can’t speak for him. But I know that you’ve only got six weeks left before your deadline passes.”

“And then what happens after that?” Noelle forced herself to keep any tremor from her voice. She refused to show weakness. “What becomes of me?”

“You’ll find yourself without a home, and I’ll take over the ranch. I’m the legal owner should you fail to wed.”

“You’d turn your own niece out?”

“Nothing personal, Noelle.”

Noelle stared at him in disbelief. He was enjoying this. Father had warned her once that his brother was greedy and didn’t care about anything except getting what he thought he was owed. He was right about that; Noelle was looking that in the eye, and it made her very scared. Jack had no qualms about casting her out.

She had been working herself to the bone for five months, trying to keep this place running, paying off debts that seemed to multiply by the week, and learning ranch management from Joseph because her parents had never bothered to teach her. They’d been too busy working to notice her achievements or concerns. By the time she was eight, Noelle had learned it would be pointless to tell them anything about her schooling or daily life. They loved her, she supposed, but they worked far too much. Even things like her birthday went forgotten.

And now this. They hadn’t even told her about the stipulation in the will.

How could they expect her to find someone to marry in six months, especially when she’d had little luck with courtship in the past? Her shyness around strangers hadn’t helped. There simply hadn’t been anyone suitable, and it was humiliating to think she would be treated like livestock at auction.

She felt a surge of resentment toward her parents for not telling her.

“So, where is this ‘husband’ of yours?” Jack asked, looking around with theatrical interest. “Is he working out on the ranch somewhere?”

He was baiting her, daring her to admit she was still unmarried. Noelle wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction. Without thinking, she heard herself say, “He’s away just now. We’re engaged, not married yet.”

Her heart pounded, terrified by her own lie. How was she supposed to continue this right now? She couldn’t lie very well at all. Jack would be able to figure it out very quickly.

But she couldn’t take the words back now. It was even worse to admit she had lied to him.

“Is that so?” His eyebrows shot up. “Where might he be?”

“The next town over. He’s buying some more horses for us. He’ll be back any day now.” Noelle tried not to trip over her own words. “You don’t need to worry about anything there, Uncle Jack. I’m well on my way to meeting what Father required, and I won’t have to worry about his conditions.”

From his expression, her uncle didn’t believe her. He was even amused that she would try to deceive him. Noelle hoped he would stop staring at her and leave; she couldn’t bear much more of this.

“Well, then,” he said finally. “If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to worry about. You won’t mind if I stay here to meet him, then, will you?”

“What?”

“I’d very much like to meet this… fiancé of yours, Noelle. I want to see who was…lucky enough…to win you as a future wife.” He sounded like he was moments away from laughing. “You wouldn’t throw a member of your family out, would you?”

Noelle wanted to point out that he was prepared to do exactly that to her, but she held her tongue. There was no hope of getting him out now.

And no chance of figuring out where to find a husband in six weeks without him discovering her lie.

***

An hour later, Noelle escaped to the barn.

She couldn’t bear to be in the house while Jack made himself comfortable in the guest room, acting as if he already owned the place. She needed to move, to work, to do something that made sense when everything else had been turned upside down.

“Miss Noelle? Where are you?”

She lowered the pitchfork, sweat dampening her face despite the December chill. Her cheeks felt as red as her hair. She must look a sight—again.

“I’m in the loft, Joseph!” she called back, tossing the pitchfork aside and fishing out her handkerchief. “Come on up.”

She wiped her brow, wondering if anyone would object to her dunking her head into a bucket of water by the well. But she would likely get frostbite; it was bitter cold outside, and it was getting worse by the hour. Snow had started falling in tiny flakes shortly after dawn, and Noelle was sure the whole place would be covered by morning.

Looking out through the small window in the hayloft, she could see the white blanket settling across the fields and over the rooftops of Elk Hollow in the distance.

How was she this overheated at this time of year? She had even tossed aside her gloves, her fingers warm and damp. It felt like the height of summer.

Heavy boots sounded on the ladder, and then her foreman’s head appeared.

“I was wondering where you’d gotten to,” he said. “You said you were going to be mucking out the stables.”

“I’ve already finished that. I thought I’d sort this out.” Noelle gestured at the mess around her. “It’s gotten rather untidy, and I needed something to keep me busy.”

Joseph Hollister gave her a sympathetic smile, sighing as he hauled himself up into the loft. He dusted himself down, towering over Noelle. Being near six and a half feet tall, with arms the size of tree trunks, it was a wonder the floor didn’t collapse under him. Noelle had known him since she was a toddler, and she never ceased to marvel at Joseph’s size and how light he was on his feet.

“You don’t need to do everything yourself, you know,” he said gently. “You deserve rest as well. You’re entitled to that.”

“I’m in charge here now, aren’t I? I’ve got to pull my weight.” She stabbed at a hay bale with more force than necessary. “Especially now.”

“I heard you had a visitor.” Joseph’s expression turned grim. “Your uncle?”

“Yes.” The word came out bitter. “He’s moved into the guest room. Says he’s staying.”

“Staying? For how long?”

“Until I’m married, apparently.” Noelle dropped the pitchfork and pressed her hands to her face. “Oh, Joseph. Father put a stipulation in his will. If I’m not married within six months of his death, the ranch goes to Uncle Jack. And I only have six weeks left.”

Joseph’s face darkened.

“Your father never mentioned—”

“He never mentioned a lot of things.” Noelle blinked hard. She was not going to cry—not now, not so suddenly. “I just don’t want to lose this place. I want my parents to be proud of me, even though they’re not here.”

“And they’d be mighty pleased that you’re continuing their work, but you need to remember that you’re not alone.” Joseph gave her a gentle smile, though worry creased his brow. “We’ll figure something out. There’s got to be a way.”

Noelle wanted to believe him. She could trust Joseph with anything. But she couldn’t see a way out of this trap.

“I told Uncle Jack I was already engaged,” she admitted quietly. “I said my fiancé was away buying horses and would be back any day now.”

Joseph’s eyes widened.

“Miss Noelle—”

“I know. I know it was foolish.” She picked up her gloves and tucked them into the belt on her apron. “But I panicked. And now he’s staying here to meet this imaginary man, and I have no idea what to do.”

Her foreman was quiet for a long moment, his weathered face thoughtful.

“Well,” he said finally. “I suppose you’d better find yourself a husband, then. And quickly.”

Noelle wanted to laugh, but it came out as something closer to a sob.

“How am I supposed to manage that? I can barely talk to strangers without stumbling over my words. Who would want someone so obviously desperate?”

“You’re not desperate. You’re in trouble. There’s a difference.” Joseph rested a large hand on her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up and into town. Maybe Ruth will have some ideas. That woman’s got more sense in her little finger than most folks have in their whole body.”

Noelle nodded, grateful for his steady presence. Joseph had taken on something of a fatherly role since her parents died—more of a father than her own had ever been, if she was honest.

She climbed down the ladder behind him, and the cold struck her like a slap as she stepped outside. The wind was sharp, cutting through even the lingering warmth from her exertion.

This was her home. These fields, these buildings, this land where she’d been born and raised. The views from the hilltop were gorgeous, no matter the weather. Her paternal grandfather had built this place with his family when they came to claim their homestead.

Jack couldn’t take it away from her.

She wouldn’t let him.

Chapter One

Jack left for a little while to collect his belongings, returning shortly with everything loaded onto his horse. Noelle managed to steer him into the guest room, explaining that it would be disrespectful to set up in the master bedroom so soon after a death. Jack agreed, but only for now. He said he planned to move in there once the six months were up.

Noelle couldn’t believe how callous he was. He was so horrible, and she had to endure him for the next six weeks. All while trying to figure out how to be rid of him.

Jack had to be lying. The solicitor couldn’t have said that. She needed to talk to him.

While Jack was getting himself settled, Noelle changed quickly into a fresh dress and found her better coat. Then she hurried over to the stables to get her horse.

It didn’t take long to reach Elk Hollow, the road thankfully not as slippery as she had feared. The snow was getting a little thicker, but it was easier to keep her footing. It wasn’t turning to ice just yet. Elk Hollow looked like a picture-perfect scene, with everyone going about their business. People were buying Christmas presents, lights twinkling in the windows, with shop displays full of gift ideas. A tree stood in the middle of the main street, and several people were on ladders decorating it.

The sight lowered Noelle’s mood. She didn’t like Christmas. People saw it as a time to be with their family, but to her, it meant loneliness.

She just wished that her parents hadn’t treated it as an afterthought. It upset her that she still felt this resentment toward her parents, right up until they died. They worked hard, put the ranch first. It was as if they had forgotten they had a child at all.

She was surprised that they stopped long enough to have a child. The fact that it was just her was revealing enough.

Reaching the solicitor’s office, she tied her horse up outside and headed in. Miss Mayfield, the receptionist, showed her in immediately to Mr. Crabtree, who was standing by the fire with his hands extended toward the flames. He nodded as she entered.

“Good day, Miss Mercer. Forgive me, it suddenly got very cold, and I needed to warm my fingers. Otherwise, they get incredibly stiff.”

“May I speak with you about my father’s will, Mr. Crabtree?” Noelle didn’t want to go through the pleasantries. “This is important.”

With a slight frown appearing between his eyes, the middle-aged man lowered his hands and turned to her.

“And what is it you want to know?”

“Was there a stipulation about me needing to be married to inherit the ranch? And why didn’t you tell me about it?”

Mr. Crabtree’s mouth opened and closed, and then he cleared his throat.

“Are you saying you had no knowledge of what your father put in the will?”

“Would I be coming here asking, if I did know?” Noelle said sharply. “I’ve just had my uncle turn up out of nowhere with a copy of the will, saying that if I’m not married within six months of Father’s death, then he inherits the ranch. Is that legal? More to the point, is it true?”

Her solicitor looked stunned by her directness. Noelle prided herself on being calm and collected; she didn’t want to be seen as hysterical and not have anyone take her seriously. Now she was starting to lose her composure in front of the man, and she needed to stop. She took a few deep breaths.

“I’m sorry for speaking sharply, Mr. Crabtree. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I thought I’d naturally inherit the ranch, and then Uncle Jack arrives and…”

“I understand. It can be shocking to have the rug pulled out from under your feet.” Mr. Crabtree beckoned her over to the desk. “Your uncle was in here earlier today asking about the will, so I gave him a copy.”

“So, it’s true?” Noelle sank into the chair. “I really have to find a husband?”

“It was something that was in your grandfather’s will, and when your father had his drafted, he included the same stipulation.” Mr. Crabtree sat back and rested his hands on his round belly. “If the ranch is passed to a living daughter, she has to be married. If not, she has six months to marry; otherwise, it goes to the next male relative.”

“How is that allowed?”

“Some families have far worse stipulations. This one is simple compared to what I’ve seen in wills as conditions for inheritance.”

Noelle didn’t want to hear about other families. She needed to focus on her situation.

“Why didn’t you make me aware of it? I’ve spent months trying to keep the ranch going with no idea.”

“Your father said he would tell you about it, and that he would make it clear. When I saw you at the funeral, I assumed you were aware of it.” Mr. Crabtree sighed. “I suppose I shouldn’t have relied on your father to say anything. He was forgetful at times.”

Noelle couldn’t argue with that. His forgetfulness had created this entire mess.

By the time she finished with the solicitor and left, she was exhausted. According to the will, she could keep the ranch as long as she was married. But she didn’t have much time. How was she going to find a husband when she couldn’t even get someone to look in her direction? With her shyness around strangers, it was going to be awkward. Finding a husband in such a short space of time was going to make her appear desperate, and then she would be struggling.

Jack would find that hilarious. She didn’t doubt that he’d already moved into her parents’ bedroom instead of staying in the guest room. He didn’t care about propriety or grieving. If anything, he was prepared to carry on as if he were in charge. Noelle half-expected him to be bossing everyone around once she got back, even though she was sure he had no experience in running a ranch.

Joseph could set him straight, she was certain of that. At least Noelle could trust him.

“Noelle!”

She turned and saw a couple walking toward her, their arms full of parcels. Noelle felt her spirits lift when she saw them. Richard and Ruth Smith were her neighbors, and she had known both of them since they were toddlers. Richard and Ruth had rescued her from the loneliness, and she was grateful to have such friends. It was no surprise when the pair fell in love and got married as soon as they could. Even Noelle had seen how the pair were around each other from childhood. Occasionally, she felt as if she was simply hanging on to them, but they welcomed her, and they had a strong bond.

They were exactly what she needed right now.

Ruth smiled brightly and reached Noelle first, kissing her cheek, then shivering.

“Goodness, you’re freezing! You’re not dressed warmly enough, are you?”

“I’m fine.” Noelle wasn’t sure that was true. “What are you two doing here?”

“We’re buying the last lot of presents for our parents, and a few things for our workers. It’s only fair that they get a gift or two at Christmas.” Ruth’s smile faded. “Are you all right? You’re looking paler than usual.”

“How flattering.”

“It’s true,” Richard said, joining his wife. He looked concerned. “You do look a bit green around the gills, so to speak. Is something wrong?”

Noelle knew she needed to talk to someone about this. With her two closest friends, she knew she could trust them not to spread gossip around town.

“I’ve just learned Father put something in the will that might cost me my inheritance.”

“What?” Richard asked. His expression took on one of bewilderment.

Noelle told them about Jack’s visit and what she had just learned from Mr. Crabtree. When she finished, both Richard and Ruth were staring at her in horror. Ruth’s mouth opened and closed, and then she looked around, grabbing Noelle’s hand.

“Let’s go and sit down somewhere private,” she said, juggling her parcels to keep them from falling. “I think we all need something strong after hearing that.”