Painted Montana Sky: A Montana Sky Series Novella Read Online Free PDF

blanket.
    Mrs. Pendell handed her husband a thick rag, and he began rubbing Dove’s fur.
    Tyler straightened, took off his hat, and hung it on a peg near the door.
    The housekeeper gave Lily a penetrating look. “Have you had an accident, Miss…Mrs.?”
    “Miss Lily Maxwell. It’s an old injury. I fell and made it worse. I’m just achy, but I’ll be fine,” she stated in a tone of resolution that belied the stiffness of her body.
    “You should have seen it.” Oliver leaped into the conversation, eagerly relating the story, complete with flourishing arm gestures.
    Mrs. Pendell placed her hands on her hips. “Tyler Dunn, you go soak the cold out of you,” the housekeeper said in the no-nonsense voice she’d used on him since he was a baby. “Take dry clothes with you.” She pointed to Habakkuk and then to the stove. “Bring that creature over here where it can warm up. Oliver, go and get two blankets out of the chest, then you go with your Pa.”
    Habakkuk and Oliver hurried to obey.
    Tyler lingered, reluctant to leave the side of his guest.
    “Miss Maxwell.” The housekeeper turned her attention to Lily. “I think a hot soak would do you good.”
    Lily clasped her hands together, a look of entreaty on her face. “Do you have a tub? A soak sounds wonderful.”
    Tyler winked at her. “Better than a tub. We have mineral hot springs. Good for what ails you.”
    What in the world! Her eyes widened, and her mouth pinched. “Hot springs? Outdoors?”
    He grinned at the proper expression on her face. “Outside, under God’s blue sky.”
    Her face fell. “Oh.”
    The housekeeper shot him a reproving glance. “We have bathing spots, Miss Maxwell. One for women, which is perfectly respectable. I use it myself. I highly recommend doing so. Don’t you worry about Tyler, here. He’ll bathe in the men’s pool.”
    Lily twisted her hands in her lap, need warring with propriety.
    “I will help you.” The housekeeper patted her hand. “So you can be comfortable.”
    Lily glanced at her dog. “But Dove…”
    Tyler touched her shoulder. “Dove will be fine, staying with Habakkuk by the stove. Now, Lily, no more arguing. I know from experience that the hot springs are good for sore muscles. I’ll carry you there, and Mrs. P, here, will bring towels and dry clothes.” He glanced at the housekeeper. “You have something she can wear?”
    “Of course. I’ll lend her some of mine. P’raps my blue muslin will suit.” Mrs. Pendell tilted her head and pinched her ample waist. “I could fit two of you in my clothes. The skirt will drag on the ground, but since you’re not walking much anyway, that doesn’t matter.”
    Oliver arrived in a rush, two woolen blankets in his arms. He handed the brown one to his father and a blue one to Lily. She thanked him and draped it over her front.
    “I gave her the blue one for her eyes,” said his son with uncanny sensitivity.
    “That won’t do.” The housekeeper made lifting motions with her hands. “Tyler, help Miss Maxwell to her feet so I can get this blanket around her. Then I want you to carry her to the bath, while I gather towels and clothes for you both.”
    They gently wrapped Lily until only her face was free, like a little child just out of the bath. And indeed, the blue of the blanket deepened the violet color of her eyes.
    Tyler had an impulse to kiss the smooth skin of her cheek. He caught himself almost as quickly as he had the thought and stepped away from her proximity.
    Mrs. Pendell frowned at Tyler and motioned for him to pick up Lily.
    He hesitated, grabbing a breath as if he was about to jump on a bronc or dive into an icy lake. Excitement and reluctance in equal measure. Then he bent down and scooped her into his arms.
    ~ ~ ~
    This time when Tyler lifted her, Lily had a little dip of excitement in her stomach. Trusting him, she wiggled her arms out of the blanket, slid them around his neck and prepared to enjoy being held in his embrace. His skin