Restless wind, p.1
Restless Wind, page 1
Books by Shirleen Davies
Historical Western Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Tougher than the Rest, Book One
Faster than the Rest, Book Two
Harder than the Rest, Book Three
Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
Redemption Mountain
Redemption’s Edge, Book One
Wildfire Creek, Book Two
Sunrise Ridge, Book Three
Dixie Moon, Book Four
Survivor Pass, Book Five
Promise Trail, Book Six
Deep River, Book Seven
Courage Canyon, Book Eight
Forsaken Falls, Book Nine
Solitude Gorge, Book Ten
Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven
Angel Peak, Book Twelve
Restless Wind, Book Thirteen
Storm Summit, Book Fourteen, Coming next in the series!
MacLarens of Boundary Mountain
Colin’s Quest, Book One,
Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two
Quinn’s Honor, Book Three
Sam’s Legacy, Book Four
Heather’s Choice, Book Five
Nate’s Destiny, Book Six
Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven
Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight
Bay’s Desire, Book Nine
Cam’s Hope, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!
Romantic Suspense
Eternal Brethren, Military Romantic Suspense
Steadfast, Book One
Shattered, Book Two
Haunted, Book Three, Coming Next in the Series!
Untamed, Book Four, Coming Soon!
Peregrine Bay, Romantic Suspense
Reclaiming Love, Book One
Our Kind of Love, Book Two
Edge of Love, Coming Next in the Series!
Contemporary Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Second Summer, Book One
Hard Landing, Book Two
One More Day, Book Three
All Your Nights, Book Four
Always Love You, Book Five
Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six
No Getting Over You, Book Seven
‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight
Foolish Heart, Book Nine
Burnt River
Thorn’s Journey
Del’s Choice
Boone’s Surrender
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Restless Wind
Redemption Mountain
Historical Western Romance Series
SHIRLEEN DAVIES
Book Thirteen in the Redemption Mountain
Historical Western Romance Series
Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
For permission requests, contact the publisher.
Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC
PO Box 12618
Prescott, AZ 86304
Restless Wind is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.
Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at
3rdplanetpublishing.com
Cover design by Kim Killion, The Killion Group
ISBN: 978-1-947680-00-5
I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at
shirleen@shirleendavies.com
Description
A headstrong rancher determined to make it on his own.
A society bell intent on creating her own life.
Is there any chance they’ll become each other’s future?
Restless Wind, Book Thirteen, Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Series
Dominic Lucero is a man driven to succeed. Leaving his family’s profitable ranch in Texas, he strikes out to build a new life. Becoming a U.S. Marshal for the Montana Territory and purchasing land near Splendor are two steps toward his ultimate goal. What he doesn’t need is the distraction of a beautiful woman. Especially one from wealth with a fondness for a pampered life.
Josephine Dubois ran away from the comfortable, yet controlling life of her parents’ New Orleans home. Seeking adventure and independence, she follows her dearest friend to Splendor. Falling in love with the town, she charges ahead with plans of her own. Plans that don’t include the handsome transplant from Whiplash, Texas.
Unsettled by his attraction to Josie, Dom focuses on establishing his ranch. But unusual events, coupled with surprise attacks, stall his efforts.
When the danger shifts toward the woman he’s come to care a great deal about, Dom can’t shove aside his feelings any longer. No matter his unsettled heart, he won’t allow an innocent to be caught up in actions targeted at him.
Can two such different people find common ground for a shared life? Or will stubborn pride and increasing danger force them apart, dashing their hopes for a future together?
Restless Wind, book thirteen in the Redemption Mountain historical western romance series, is a full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.
Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.
http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
About the Author
Books by Shirleen Davies
Restless Wind
Prologue
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 1869
“What do you think you’re doing, Miss Josie?”
Josephine Dubois gripped the folded chemise as she whirled around to face the short, buxom, older woman who’d been a second mother to her since birth. Teezy’s bright smile against her coffee brown skin would fool most. Not Josie. She could see the exasperated gleam in the woman’s eyes, hear the annoyance in her voice. Stiffening her spine, Josie jutted her chin out, a pose that hadn’t worked in years.
Teezy glanced from the satchel on the bed to Josie. “I know that look. Don’t be thinking you can lie to me, missy.”
Refusing to be cowed, Josie met the woman’s piercing black gaze. “Harriet and her parents invited me to stay with them for several days.”
Lifting a brow, she crossed her arms under ample breasts. “At eleven at night?”
Josie almost stomped a foot in disgust, showing some of her infamous temper. “I’m packing to leave in the morning. Charles already knows to have the carriage ready for me.”
Turning away, she placed the chemise into the satchel before folding a wool dress, setting it inside. Sensing Teezy step behind her, Josie turned, blocking the woman’s view.
“It may be fall, missy, but it’s as humid as an August night. You’d best be telling me where you’re really going.”
Josie blew out a frustrated breath, hoping Teezy would give up and leave. She didn’t.
“I’m packing it for Harriet. She’s always admired it, and I have so many dresses.”
Beautiful, with multiple suitors, Harriet was the only person who knew of her plan to escape.
Teezy tilted her head back, laughing. “Her father has more money than yours, chérie. I doubt that young woman has ever taken a hand-me-down in her life.”
Anger at the close scrutiny began rippling through Josie. She’d spent months devising her plan to leave New Orleans behind, joining her best friend in Splendor, Montana.
Over a year of begging her parents to let her visit Olivia had gotten her nowhere. Her father had refused to allow Josie to travel beyond the state lines without her mother or Teezy as a companion. Typical for a proper southern lady, her mother supported his decision.
At twenty-one, she’d never even gone into the city without one or both of her parents, sometimes Teezy. Josie remembered how she’d felt when Olivia made the decision to find her real father, Nicholas Barnett. It had been a devastating parting, both young women cryin g when Olivia boarded the train for the long journey to Montana. As the train pulled away from the station, Josie had begun her plans to follow as soon as possible, wishing her parents were as understanding as Olivia’s grandparents.
Mr. and Mrs. Moreau, the grandparents who’d raised Olivia after her mother, Charlotte, died not long after her birth, hadn’t encouraged the trip, but didn’t stop her. The money her great-grandmother provided after her death allowed her the funds to seek her father out.
When she was sixteen, Josie’s own great-grandfather had left her a large amount of money when he passed. The funds became available for her use on her twenty-first birthday.
“You’re welcome to travel with me in the morning, Teezy. I expect to be leaving the house a little before six.”
Eying her skeptically, Teezy’s lips twisted in a sardonic grin. “How long do you plan to stay with Harriet?”
“Several days.” Josie held her breath, continuing to pack while Teezy pondered what to do. Her parents had given the older woman full authority while they were on an extended trip to Europe. They’d given her older brother, Rafael, the same. Thankfully, Rafe no longer lived at home, trusting Teezy to make decisions regarding his sister.
“You aren’t planning to go anywhere else, are you, missy?”
“Of course not.” Biting her lower lip, she closed and latched the satchel. “It will give you time to visit your daughter and grandchildren.” Glancing up, she hid a smile at the wistful look on Teezy’s face.
“It would be nice to see them.” Her gaze narrowed on Josie, voice turning serious. “I’ll expect you back on Tuesday.”
Walking to her, Josie bent down, kissing her on the cheek. “Enjoy the time with your family and don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
A wave of guilt washed through her at the blatant lie. She loved the older woman who’d always been there for her, and hoped her parents wouldn’t blame Teezy for Josie disappearing.
The same as her parents, she was overprotective, spoiling any attempt Josie made at freedom. This time, though, with her parents in Europe, Rafe living in town, and Teezy leaving to visit her daughter, she’d finally have the chance to escape their suffocating love.
Josie could barely contain her excitement. In twelve hours, she’d board the train, taking it as far away from her predictable, sheltered life as possible.
Chapter One
Splendor, Montana Territory
February 1870
Olivia Barnett and Josie Dubois stepped into the cold winter evening, arms laden with packages from Petermann’s General Store. Hurrying down the boardwalk, they were about to cross the street when a loud crack of thunder had them jumping and scrambling back toward cover. Seconds later, the sky burst open, rain beating down on the already drenched ground.
Josie adjusted the packages in her arms, a slow smile curving the corners of her mouth. “Even when it rains, it’s so beautiful here.”
“So different from New Orleans. It’s beautiful in its own way, but—” Olivia startled at another flash of light, followed by a loud boom of thunder several seconds later.
“You two young ladies need to get in here.” Betts Jones held the door open to McCall’s, the restaurant she owned with her husband, motioning them inside. “It’s cold, the rain’s coming down in sheets, and the wind is picking up.” She nodded toward a table by the window. “I’ll bring you large cups of hot chocolate.”
Olivia smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Jones.”
Setting their packages on nearby chairs, they sat down, staring outside. Thunder continued to rattle the windows as lightning flashed across the sky.
“So, tell me about your supper with Doctor McCord.” Josie clasped her hands together, resting them on the edge of the table. “Did he take you to the Eagle’s Nest?”
Feeling her cheeks heat, Olivia nodded, a shy smile appearing. “Yes.”
Josie cocked her head to the side. “And?”
“Here you are.” Betts set two steaming cups on the table. Hands on hips, she glanced outside, shaking her head. “The weather sure is cutting down on business. I do hope it clears up soon. Holler if you want more.” She didn’t look at the women on the last, her gaze fixed on the continuous flashes of lightning before abruptly returning to the kitchen.
Josie blew across the hot chocolate, her eyes bright with mischief. “All right. Now, tell me about your supper with the doctor.”
Setting down her cup, Olivia flushed a second time. She and Josie couldn’t be more different. Vivacious, inquisitive, and always ready for an adventure, Josie had been getting them in trouble since their days in boarding school. Shy, smart, and bookish, with a preference for small supper parties instead of the larger, boisterous gatherings Josie preferred, Olivia marveled at how close they’d become. She was the voice of reason, while Josie was the spark of life.
“He’s a very nice man.”
Josie waved her hand in the air. “I already know that. Tell me what you talked about.”
She pursed her lips, brows furrowing. “We usually talk about what we’re reading, places we’d like to see.”
“Livvy,” Josie prodded. “Did he ask your father to court you?”
Olivia’s features sobered before she lowered her head to stare into the cup. “Clay didn’t say anything. Father doesn’t seem to mind him taking me to supper without formally courting me.”
Josie sat back, crossing her arms, blowing out an exasperated breath. “If it were my father, I wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere with a man unless there’d been a formal show of interest. And he’d send Teezy with us.”
Olivia couldn’t contain her interest. “Have you ever been courted?”
Josie snorted out a brittle laugh. “Of course not. My father runs off every eligible suitor before they even get in the house.” She smiled and leaned forward, talking in a conspiratorial voice. “There was this one young man I met at the market. My mother was with me when he introduced himself. His father and mine were founders of the Mistick Krewe of Comus. You remember, Liv. The businessmen who organize the Mardi Gras each year.”
“Yes, I remember. Now that you’re here, my grandparents and Mardi Gras are all I miss about home.”
Josie nodded. “I’m certain I’ll feel the same after a few more months. Anyway, because of the connection, the young man thought Father would be amicable for him to call on me.”
Picking up her cup, Josie took a few sips, enjoying the look of anticipation on Olivia’s face. Her mouth twisted into a grimace.
“Father wouldn’t allow it.”
Olivia didn’t hide the laughter at the look of disgust on Josie’s face.
“This is serious, Livvy, and the main reason I traveled across country to get away from him.”
Olivia’s eyes sparkled. “And I thought you came to see me.”
“Of course I came to see you. You’re my closest friend. The only person who understands me.” Josie glanced outside at another flash of light and subsequent crack of thunder. Holding the cup in both hands, she took a slow sip, her gaze lifting. “And to get away from Father."
Olivia’s green eyes softened. “He loves you. It’s natural he’d want to protect you.”
“You don’t understand, Livvy. Your grandparents never tried to control your every move. Neither does your father. I’m not allowed to go anywhere without a chaperone. Mother or Teezy are my constant companions. If I’m invited to a party, one of them always accompanies me. It’s stifling.”
Finishing her hot chocolate, Olivia gave her a sympathetic look. “Well, you’re here now, and Father will allow you the same freedom as me. I mean, we are in our twenties.” She smiled.
“Barely. But you’re right. It will be wonderful to not have to ask permission for everything.” Josie’s brows drew together. “At least until they discover where I am and order me home.”
“How long do you think it will be before they discover you’ve left?”
Josie’s features clouded. “They’re due back from Europe in late March. I left a letter in their bedroom. The same as the ones mailed from St. Louis to Teezy and my brother, they don’t reveal my destination. With luck, they won’t discover my location for several months after their return. By then, I hope to be living in a house of my own instead of imposing on you and your family.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Josie. Father and Suzanne love having you with us.”
“And I love living with you. Who wouldn’t? The home Nick built for Suzanne is beautiful.”
