Wildest Dreams - By Rosanne Bittner Page 0,92

a slug from a buffalo gun in his right thigh that broke the bone. He'll be laid up most of the winter."

Those who did not already know what had happened to Luke looked surprised and concerned. "We're sorry to hear that, ma'am," one of the men told her.

Lettie recognized Calvin Briggs, who had a ranch northwest of hers and Luke's. He and his wife Leanna had visited the Double L once. "Thank you, Mr. Briggs."

"You shot one of the buffalo hunters?" one of the others asked.

Lettie could feel the growing respect among them. "I had no choice. I do hope, gentlemen, that the day will come when we have law and order in Montana, and men like that can no longer attack innocent people. In the meantime, I understand that we have to set our own laws, and that is part of the reason I am here. Luke knew you would talk about that and more at this meeting, and since he could not come, I told him I would take his place and represent the Double L so I can tell him everything that was discussed here today. I am sure none of you is excited about having a woman present, but half of the Double L is mine. I have just as much interest in what happens to our land and anything that is decided in these meetings as any of you."

Another rancher Lettie was slightly acquainted with took a cigar from his mouth and nodded to her. "Luke's a good man. You two were among the first to come out here and settle in Indian country. We know what you've been through over the years, Mrs. Fontaine. I see no reason why you shouldn't be here in Luke's place."

"I think we shall all have to be careful of our language, gentlemen," another said.

Lettie was struck by the man's British accent, an unusual sound in a place like Billings. She turned her attention to the man, who had risen when she entered the hall. He was tall, and quite handsome. She guessed his age at perhaps forty, as his dark hair showed a little gray at the temples. His dark brown eyes sparkled with kindness and, it seemed, admiration, as they quickly moved over her appreciatively.

"Nial Bentley," he told her, bowing slightly. "I am the Englishman who has started a ranch southwest of Billings. In fact, my land borders the Double L. I have been meaning to pay your husband a visit but have been too busy. Please give him my regrets over his misfortune."

The man seemed gracious and well-mannered, and he dressed immaculately, a wondrous sight in Montana. "Thank you, Mr. Bentley."

"We might as well all introduce ourselves," Will said then. "Most of us know each other, but this is the Englishman's first cattlemen's meeting, and I see a couple of other new faces. I'm Will Doolan—own a small ranch east of Billings—been good friends with Luke and Lettie Fontaine ever since they first settled here. I expect me and my wife Henny have been here longer than just about anybody, but we ain't had near the bad luck the Fontaines had when they first arrived. Ol' Luke, he shot down seven outlaws who tried to run him off his place the first spring after he got here. Mrs. Fontaine here, she shot one of them herself, but it was Luke who finished him off."

Lettie reddened slightly at the man's contribution of family history. She would rather not have brought up so many details, but with every word she could see the men's respect and acceptance growing.

He went on to relate how they had lost Nathan. "If I told you everything else they've been through to hang on to the Double L, we'd be here all day. I will add that the day Luke was shot down by the buffalo hunters, Mrs. Fontaine here had to walk almost five miles to get help, most of it in the dark. She—"

"Will, please." Lettie shook her head, her embarrassment growing deeper.

Will grinned. "All I'm sayin' is, you men should accept Mrs. Fontaine as a temporary member with no objections, at least till Luke's better and he can come himself. She came here out of love and respect for her husband, even though she's still healin' from a couple of badly bruised ribs herself."

"No objection on my part," the Englishman spoke up, looking at her with such admiration that Lettie felt downright uncomfortable.

"We agree Luke Fontaine's wife has every right