Wildest Dreams - By Rosanne Bittner Page 0,199

want, but I do love

Montana, and I am highly educated in politics and finances and how the government works."

Luke took a deep drag on his cigarette, Nial's words stirring his own interest. "You saying I don't have enough education?"

"My pa's education comes from working the land and taking bullets and fighting Indians and grizzlies," Tyler spoke up defensively. "He knows the land like the back of his hand, knows what the ranchers need, knows what we need in the way of law and order. He's got a son buried on this land, a daughter who suffered at the hands of outlaws, another son stole away by Indians. He doesn't have to go to Harvard to know what Montana needs."

A round of whistles and laughter went up from the rest of the men. "Listen to that boy!" Carl Rose spoke up. "There's your campaign manager right there, Luke!"

They all laughed again, and Luke grinned, shaking his head. He exchanged a proud look with Nial, then reached over and yanked Ty's hat down over his eyes, noticing the boy was blushing deeply. He wanted to hug him but wouldn't embarrass him that way.

"To hell with politics," Luke told the rest of them. "I don't have time for that right now. It looks like I'll have my hands full for a while just handling this sheep-cattle thing."

Brad finally came into sight, along with the four Double L men Luke had sent with him for protection.

"Them men are never gonna forgive you for this one," Tex told Luke.

"They'll get over it." Luke took a last, long drag on his cigarette, then crushed it against his canteen to make sure it was out before throwing it down. It had been a dry spring and summer, and there had already been a few grass fires. So far they had been kept under control, but all were aware that if it did not rain soon, the danger of major fires was high.

"I say we go down there and shoot the shit out of those damn sheep," Joe Parker joked.

Another round of laughter was heard as the sheep headed for a wide expanse of grassland where about five hundred head of Luke's cattle were already grazing. He had promised this south section to Brad for grazing, was relieved to know Katie's husband had made it back unscathed. "I'm going down to greet my son-in-law," Luke told them. "The rest of you can sit here and see how those sheep mix with my cattle. I'll know by the next meeting how this is working out." He rode off with Ty, Tex, and Runner, heading down the steep embankment into the valley.

Brad broke away from the others and headed out to greet his father-in-law. "How is Katie?" was his first question.

Luke grinned. "Fat. She's going to have a baby, probably around October."

Grave concern came into Brad's eyes. "She is? Is she okay?"

"So far."

"But she must have known before I left. Why didn't she tell me?"

"She wasn't sure," Luke answered, "and she didn't want you to worry. She's fine, Brad. She's been staying at the house, and Lettie won't let her do a damn thing. One of the other women from town has been taking care of the library. And by the way, your own house is almost finished. I've had some of my men as well as a carpenter from town working on it. You and Katie ought to be able to move in in just a couple of weeks. It's only a couple of miles south of the main house so we'll all be close to each other." He nodded toward where the sheep were beginning to graze. "This is part of the land I'm giving you, but I want my own cattle to be able to graze here, too."

Brad was still wrestling with the news that Katie was going to have a baby. He blinked to get rid of the mist in his eyes. "Yes, sir. No problem. You'll see sheep and cattle can get along just fine." He sniffed and took a deep breath. "You sure Katie's all right?"

Luke chuckled. "I'm sure."

Brad grinned. "I can't wait to see her. Is she happy about the baby?"

Luke just nodded his head, grinning. "What do you think?"

Brad took off his hat and let out a whoop, laughing. "Let's get these sheep closer to home. I want to see her!"

They headed out behind the sheep, the air filled with baas and the clang of sheep bells. The rest of the ranchers