Bounty Hunter Proposal by Alix West

to play in the morning sunshine.
    After lunch Violet and Savannah arrived to pick up a christening gown Isabelle had sewn for Violet’s daughter. Isabelle served them some peach pie, fresh from the oven. The conversation swirled around the dinner Violet and Ben would serve after the christening that evening.
    The dinner had started out as a small affair, just family, but now the number of guests had climbed to almost a hundred. There would be music and dancing and games for the children.
    “Violet doesn’t believe in small parties,” Savannah mused.
    Violet served herself another piece of pie. “Once you start cooking, it’s as easy to serve a dozen as it is to serve scores. You just throw another potato in the pot.”
    Savannah scoffed. “Potatoes! Don’t believe her, Isabelle. She’s serving prime rib, ham, fried chicken. It would be easier to list what won’t be on the menu.”
    Isabelle half-listened to the two sisters-in-law. They chattered on about where the dancing should take place and whether they would need a tent. Her mind kept wandering back to Matt and what they’d shared the night before. What was he doing right then, she wondered. Was he still in Colter Canyon, or had he left?
    Seth burst through the door. “A wagon from the mercantile is coming up the path.”
    “Are you expecting something?” Violet asked.
    “It’s a tub, and a stove.” Isabelle said. She couldn’t help but smile. If he was going to leave her he wasn’t going to do it today.
    Isabelle was about to get up when she heard Matt’s voice instructing the men to bring the things inside.
    “Do you need to go talk to the men?” Savannah asked.
    Isabelle bit her lip. “No, I think they’ll manage all right on their own.”
    The men carried a large copper tub into the cabin, and Matt directed them to a wash room beside the kitchen. When they brought the stove in, he noticed her sitting with Savannah and Violet and nodded to the ladies.
    Savannah was the first to speak. “Isabelle, that’s so wonderful you bought yourself a tub. Finally. And a stove, too. We won’t have to worry about you and the boys freezing in the winter.”
    Seth and Luke stood in the doorway, wide-eyed at the commotion. Each held a peppermint stick.
    Matt ushered the boys inside and scooped up the pup before closing the door. “Isabelle did not pay one red cent for any of that. You could say it’s a wedding present. From her husband.”
    He offered his hand to Savannah. “Matthias Hudson.”
    Savannah paled, and for a moment Isabelle felt a little guilty for not telling her friends about Matthias when they’d first arrived.
    Savannah lifted her hand and shook his. “Sa…Savannah Sutton.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” he said.
    Violet’s shock was as evident as Savannah’s. She was speechless and gaped at Matthias as she offered her hand.
    “My sister-in-law, Violet,” Savannah said. “We live on the ranch next door.”
    “Nice to meet you, too,” he said.
    He smiled a charming smile, and Isabelle could see he relished their apparent shock.
    “Nobody ever expected you to come to town,” Savannah said.
    Matt nodded and caught Isabelle’s gaze, holding it with a simmering heat. “Especially Isabelle. She was mighty surprised when I arrived.”
    The boys clambered onto chairs, and Isabelle served them a slice of peach pie. Matt set the dog down on a blanket in the corner, and when he returned to the table he kissed Isabelle on the top of her head. He ambled out the door. Isabelle had to suppress a smile. He had to know the shock and disbelief and dismay he left in the wake of that kiss.
    When he was gone, Violet let out a long, shuddering breath. She reached across the table and grabbed Isabelle’s hand with an iron grip. “Are you all right?”
    Isabelle smiled at the expressions on their faces. When Matt first arrived and scared her half to death, a tiny part of her blamed Violet and Savannah. It pleased her to see their shock and