Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling Page B

might be time to move on, to recognize that her time living at home as Belinda Thorne's daughter had come to a close, and that now it was time for her to be Mrs. Laura McKenzie. She'd always be Belinda's beloved daughter, and even a sister to Eli. Although he knew there were still some way to go before that would be settled once and for all. There seemed to be so much animosity between Laura and Eli. Joshua knew that a reckoning was imminent on that score. He and Eli would have to have words, man to man.
    Later in the afternoon they mounted their horses and headed back to the ranch. Joshua kept a wary eye on the sorrel stallion, making sure that he didn't get a chance to act up. But, Laura never once looked as if she wasn't in complete charge of the animal, during the entire ride home.
    As they rode up to the house Joshua saw that they had some visitors.
    "Looks like two troublemakers have come to pay a visit," he said with a smile.
    Laura peered ahead. Two men, both about the same age as Joshua, were standing on the porch. They seemed to be involved in a real heated conversation. But, judging by the smiles on both their faces, it looked like it was all good natured.
    As Joshua and Laura stepped down off their mounts and tied the horses up to the hitching rail, Mrs. Bell came striding out of the house, two tall glasses in her hands.
    "There you go," she said handing a glass to each of the two men. "Hope that takes care of your thirst, boys," she said.
    Each of the two men took eager gulps from their glass. With simultaneous gasps of relief they both turned and looked at Joshua and Laura.
    Joshua put a hand at Laura's back, leading her over to the porch. He extended a hand. "Laura. May I introduce my two best buddies, and friendliest rivals in the ranching business. Zack Buchanan and Aaron Stewart."
    Aaron's eyes flashed brightly as he playfully pushed Zack aside. "Let me be the first to congratulate you Mrs. McKenzie," he said. He turned and shook his head at Zack. "I can hardly believe I'm saying that. Joshua went and got married. Can you believe that Zack?"
    The other tall, even featured man stepped forward. "I surely can, when I see just how beautiful Mrs. McKenzie is." He extended a hand. Laura and Zack shook hands.
    "Please. Call me Laura," she said. She gasped slightly. "Mrs. McKenzie sounds so...formal. Don't you think?" she said turning to Joshua. He smiled.
    "You are a very lucky man, Joshua," Zack said emphatically. "You know that. Don't you?"
    Joshua grinned. "I do know that," he said looking at Laura. "I believe I've spent quite a bit of time telling Laura that today. Haven't I?"
    Laura felt the color change in her face.
    Mrs. Bell coughed. "Are you all going to stand here the whole day chin wagging? Or are you coming inside. I've got some cakes that need eating," she stated.
    Joshua smiled at his housekeeper. "How could we refuse such an offer, Mrs. Bell."
    "Well you could try. But I wouldn't be responsible for what happened if you did," she said with a wry smile. They all started to make their way inside the house.
    Joshua was pleased to see his friends. It would help the day end on an even more satisfying note than he could ever have hoped for. These two men were his closest friends, had been ever since he'd started building up his own ranch. They'd all helped each other dealing with inevitable problems of ranching in Montana.
    Their ranches were close to each other, so they were regular visitors to their respective spreads. They saw each other regularly in Great Falls, especially when it came time to bringing in the herd for sale.
    But Joshua, Zack and Aaron were more than just friends. They were allies in the battle of life that was the ranching business. They'd stood side by side, through storms, winters, threats from rustlers, and trouble from other more dangerous types like bankers and lawyers. The two men were like brothers to Joshua, closer even than his own brothers who lived so far away that he hadn't