A Valentine's Choice: A Montana Sky Series Holiday Novella (The Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland Read Free Book Online

darlings.”
    Daniel and Christine giggled.
    He threw his head back and laughed. “When you know them better, you might not think so. Why, I could tell you stories—”
    His wife elbowed him.
    The gesture was so much like Jack’s to Daniel that Bridget burst out laughing. “I see where yer sons get it.” She mimicked the flying elbow.
    Wyatt sent Samantha a smug look. “See. Miss Bridget agrees with me. All the mischievous qualities of our offspring are on your account.”
    Her face glowing, Samantha cast a loving look at her children. A smile played about her lips. “I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit.” She shot Bridget an amused glance. “You’ve probably wondered at our assortment.”
    Not sure what to say, Bridget settled for a simple nod.
    “This is Wyatt’s and my second marriage. Christine is his from his first wife.” She waved toward the portrait over the mantel. “Daniel is mine. His father was Argentine. The other boys are our adopted sons.”
    “That settles my curiosity.” Although it didn’t, really. Bridget wanted to learn more about them, hear stories of how the couple met and married and about their children. There’ll be time enough for that. The thought gave her satisfaction—a feeling of putting down roots in this community.
    Alana drifted a few feet away to talk to Tim.
    The O’Hanlons entered. Sally, leaning on Harry’s arm, came over to them. She looked refreshed after her nap.
    In the light of the bigger room, Bridget could see her cousin’s dress was the same navy blue as hers, although more stylishly made with balloon sleeves.
    Sally looked from Bridget’s dress to Alana’s and held out a fold of her gown. “I’d say we all like the same color. This dress was a wedding gift from Harry.” She stared at her husband with adoring eyes. “He thought I needed warmer garments than the dresses I had.”
    He reddened and shifted, then gestured from Alana to Bridget to Sally. “Not hard to discern why you’re dressed alike. You all have the same eye color.”
    “You’re right, Harry.” Samantha agreed. “The family resemblance is strong. Navy is the perfect hue for the O’Donnell ladies, even if one is now an O’Hanlon.”
    In the pause, Bridget heard the slow tread of boots from the hallway.
    Wyatt pointed his chin to a space by the settee. “Let’s make way for the new arrivals. Harry, you can tell me how the leather repairs went.” He guided his wife away, and Harry followed with Sally.
    Bridget turned to see Patrick striding through the door as if he owned the place, followed by two men she hadn’t met. One was about the stud owner’s height, although not as broad. He had a shock of curly brown hair, hazel eyes, and a long nose over a wide mouth, which stretched into an appealing grin. The other was short, with blunt features, light blue eyes, and pale blond hair and eyelashes.
    The two men jostled each other in a friendly way, trying to be the first to reach her side.
    Patrick let them by, one eyebrow cocked indulgently.
    The tall one arrived first. “I’m Moss. Have I the honor of addressing Miss Bridget or Miss Alana?”
    “I’m Bridget, Mr. Moss.”
    “No, ma’am, not Mr. Moss,” he corrected. “Moss Callahan.
    The stocky man edged around him. “I’m Buck Skold.”
    Bridget smiled at their eagerness. “Is that a nickname, or do ye have another Christian name, then, Mr. Skold?”
    “Yes, ma’am. Buchanan.” He shrugged. “Could be worse. But I prefer Buck.”
    “Aye. And ye, Moss?”
    “I do have a real name, Miss Bridget. But since my sainted mother isn’t here to object to me using a nickname, I’ll tell you only that I’m called Moss.”
    “Aye, for your eye color, then.”
    His smile widened.
    James joined them in time to hear the last comments. He nudged Moss with his shoulder. “No, for rolling stone. As in no moss grows under his feet. Our Moss isn’t one to stick around one place for too long.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “A