The Rancher’s Beloved Bride

  THE RANCHER'S BELOVED BRIDE

  Brides of Inspiration

  Book 10

  By

  MAYA STIRLING

  1881

  Courtship and Family on the Frontier

  Mother to a precious, young daughter, Veronica Flint has come from the city to Inspiration, Montana to find a new beginning after becoming a widow. Falling in love with a handsome rancher wasn't in her plans. She and Kyle Baxter come from different worlds. All that unites them is their shared faith and a growing bond of affection. Now that this is her new home, Veronica must begin to learn the ways of the frontier. And Kyle is eager to help.

  Rancher Kyle Baxter hadn't counted on finding love and the chance of an instant family. But that's what happens when he rescues the beautiful newcomer and her daughter from catastrophe. Now that Veronica's part of his life, Kyle won't let anything stand in his way. But as his courtship continues, and problems of Veronica's past reappear, Kyle wonders if he can ever be a family man.

  With so much to overcome, can Veronica and Kyle follow God's will and create a lasting future of love and family?

  The Rancher's Beloved Bride is a standalone FULL LENGTH NOVEL in the Brides of Inspiration series. It can be read on its own and as part of the series. It is a clean and wholesome historical Christian romance with inspirational themes of faith, family and love. And it has a guaranteed, heart-warming happy ending.

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  © 2019 Maya Stirling

  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  Proverbs 3:5

  DEAR READER

  This is the second story about the Baxter brothers who own and work the ranch to the south of the little town of Inspiration, Montana. In this story Kyle Baxter, the youngest of the three brothers, is drawn into the life of a beautiful newcomer to Montana. Veronica Flint who is a widow and a mother to her beautiful young daughter, Molly, has come to renew her life. But, when Veronica meets Kyle, her world is turned upside down, and her journey toward a new love begins.

  I wanted to write a story which shows how important it is to set aside the past. And also how, by the means of us trusting Him, God can lead us through trials and difficulties to ultimately find the joy of His love.

  The novel takes place two months after the events of The Rancher's Reunion Bride which showed how Kyle's older brother Gabriel married Lauren Munro. It can be read as a standalone or part of the series. I hope you enjoy this story.

  The Brides of Inspiration series of novels will continue with the story of Landon Baxter.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Inspiration, Montana

  June 1881

  The Baxter ranch

  Kyle Baxter jolted when he heard the cry of alarm. He straightened in his horse's saddle and peered out across the grass-covered rangeland. Narrowing his eyes in the bright sunshine, he held his breath, feeling every one of his muscles tighten. His eyes widened as he watched a young steer break away from the mass of the cattle herd and make straight for a nearby chestnut horse which was rearing in sudden alarm. Ranch hands, mingled in amongst the herd, turned and stared, momentarily transfixed, as the steer began its bid for freedom.

  Kyle peered at the chestnut horse and gasped as he realized it was no ranch hand sitting on the horse. A woman, dressed in white and, judging by her features, roughly Kyle's age, clutched reins, struggling to control the bucking horse. She stared in obvious terror at the advancing steer. From beneath the broad brim of her tan-colored hat, fear was visible on her features. But that wasn't the worst of it. Kyle leaned forward, staring incredulously. The woman's arms were wrapped defensively around the small form of a young girl who shared the saddle. Kyle guessed the little girl, blonde-haired and dressed in pink, was barely five years of age. Face pale, the girl looked petrified.

  Briefly, Kyle wondered how the woman and the girl could have strayed onto the Baxter spread. He'd been too busy watching the herd to have noticed the newcomer. Hadn't she realized how dangerous it would be to ride so close to the herd? And what was she doing on the Baxter ranch anyway? He dismissed those thoughts. It was no time for questions. Kyle's gaze flashed briefly around the herd and the mounted ranch hands. Of all the ranch hands near the herd, Kyle was closest to the imperiled rider. Kyle knew he had to act. And fast. Digging his heels into his mount's side, he jerked on the reins, cried out, and drove his black stallion forward. His mount's hooves pounded on the hard earth. Racing toward the woman rider, Kyle saw the nearby steer stagger a moment, pausing its relentless course toward the horse. Maybe that would give him the time he needed, Kyle reasoned.

  For a second, the woman rider looked to have taken control of her mount. The horse stopped the panicked pounding of its hooves, giving its rider a chance do something to avoid the oncoming steer. Kyle saw the woman's urgent gaze settle briefly on him. But then she turned as she heard the distressed moan of the steer which was now only a short distance away. Once again, the steer was headed straight for the woman's horse. The woman tugged on the reins. But every staggering sideways movement of the horse was matched by the steer. It was like watching a crazy dance between the two animals. The outcome was sickeningly clear. Kyle had seen things like this before during his years on the ranch. A distressed steer ramming into a mounted rider usually ended badly for the rider, he reflected urgently. Kyle heard the little girl scream. Her voice echoed out across the broad rangeland. Kyle knew that sound would have turned the heads of all the remaining ranch hands.

  Leaning forward, Kyle drove his mount even harder. It still wasn't too late to save the woman and the girl. Nearing them, Kyle saw the woman tug hard on the reins. Her mount swung away from the oncoming steer. For a moment, Kyle thought the rider had managed to avoid the worst. But then he felt his heart sink as he watched the steer make one final, decisive lunge. Then, the steer tumbled against the side of the woman's horse. The horse remained standing, but only just. The little girl cried out and, for a moment, Kyle thought her leg had been hit by the bulk of the steer's body. Kyle saw the woman scoop the little girl abruptly out of the saddle. That movement had been enough to save the little girl's leg from contact with the steer. But the woman didn't enjoy the same luck. Sacrificing herself for the little girl meant the woman took the full brunt of the steer's contact with the side of the horse. Kyle saw the woman's even features flinch with discomfort. Her hat flew off and tendrils of thick dark hair swept around her head.

  He was almost by her side. For a long moment, the steer seemed determined to press itself up against the horse as if it was eager to test its strength with the bigger animal. For a second the steer twisted its head away from the horse. That gave Kyle his chance.

  Kyle seized the rope coiled on his saddle. Sweeping it quickly in the air, he threw the line toward the steer's outstretched head. He'd done this plenty of times before. Knew exactly what he was doing. And, just as before, the rope settled around the steer's neck. With all his force, Kyle wrenched the rope, tightening it. The steer cried out defiantly, pulling hard, trying to regain its freedom. Kyle felt himself lurch forward. But, he held on tight, his muscles straining, breath quickening. As he dragged the steer away from the woman's horse, battling the strength of the animal, ignoring its high-pitched wailing
, he saw the woman peer at him, mouth open, eyes wide. The little girl she hugged close to her watched with similar amazement as Kyle hauled the steer away until it finally staggered and tumbled to the earth. The animal kicked its legs and tried to stand, but Kyle tugged repeatedly on the rope, keeping the steer off balance.

  From behind him, Kyle heard thundering hooves. Looking around he saw two ranch hands, Dave and Jake, riding toward him. The two men leaped down from their horses and ran to the steer, kneeling down and taking control of the animal by tying its legs with rope. Seeing that the men had the steer subdued for the moment, Kyle turned his attention back to the woman rider. He rode across to her mount, drawing close. It looked like she'd composed herself. She had her fingers wrapped around the reins. The little girl was seated once again in front of the woman. Up close, Kyle saw a resemblance between the woman's even, pretty features and those of the little girl. They both shared similar high cheekbones and vivid blue eyes.

  Kyle drew to halt. "Are you hurt, ma'am?" he asked sharply.

  The woman fussed with her dark hair and shifted on her saddle. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her blue eyes shimmered with emotion. Her breathing was still quicker than it should be. It would take her a while to get over what had just happened, Kyle told himself. Her brows furrowed. "I'm fine," she announced. "That animal of yours sure is wild." Her voice quivered. She was doing her best to hide the effect of her encounter with the steer.

  Kyle leaned on the pommel of his saddle and tipped up the brim of his hat. Squinting at the little girl, he smiled. "And you?" Kyle glanced down at the girl's booted foot. "He didn't catch you on the leg, did he?"

  The girl said nothing and turned her head, peering up at the woman, as if seeking permission to reply. The woman's arm tightened around the girl. "We're both fine," she stated, glancing down at the girl. "Isn't that right, Molly."

  The girl, suddenly looking relieved, nodded back at Kyle. "That cow was mean," she said, her soft, steady voice containing not a hint of what she'd just undergone. Molly looked across at the steer. Kyle saw that the two ranch hands had the animal back on its feet. One of the hands, Dave, led the steer to his horse and tied the rope to the saddle. Dave got up onto his mount and started to lead the steer back in the direction of the herd.

  Kyle looked back at the little girl and laughed quietly. "All in a day's work." His gaze met the woman's steady expression. He knew this wasn't the time to demand an explanation from the woman about why she had come onto the ranch. Kyle didn't want to do anything which would upset the little girl. She'd been through enough with the scare she'd just had.

  The woman scoffed and gave Kyle a stern look. "Maybe it's just a regular day for you."

  Kyle's brows furrowed. The woman's mouth twisted slightly, forming a cute, inexplicably attractive pout. A thought flew into Kyle's mind. The woman possessed a natural beauty. And no mistake. He cleared his throat. "I don't believe we've been introduced, ma'am," he said with an acid tone of voice. "My name is Kyle Baxter." He ran his gaze around the wide open rangeland. "And you're on private property. My family's property, in fact."

  For a brief moment, the woman seemed surprised. Her eyes narrowed, taking in Kyle's features like she was appraising him. Kyle wasn't sure he liked that look. "Your family owns this spread?"

  Kyle nodded. "We sure do. One of the finest spreads in these parts."

  The woman smiled, a hint of irony in her captivating eyes. "How modest of you to say so," she countered. "I guess every rancher in this territory thinks the same." He tried to place her accent. It sounded Eastern, but he couldn't place it.

  "The only difference is that what I say is true," Kyle objected. "You're standing on the finest ranch in Montana." He wasn't going to back down, even if he knew he was exaggerating. Leaning forward, he tilted his head. "I don't think I caught your name, ma'am."

  She met his gaze. "I didn't say." Her voice was steady and suddenly defiant. The woman tightened the reins in her hands and tugged on the horse. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr Baxter," she said. "If you don't mind, we'll be getting on our way."

  For a moment, Kyle was shocked into immobility. She was leaving? Just like that? As if nothing had happened? Then the woman shifted her right leg and made to kick her horse's side. As she did so, she groaned. Her brows knitted, and she flinched visibly. Gasping, she looked down at her leg, puzzled and surprised in equal measure. Clearly she was in some kind of discomfort.

  Reaching quickly out, Kyle took hold of the horse's halter. "Hold on there," he said. The woman peered at Kyle. He thought she was about to tell him to let go of the horse's halter. Thankfully, she didn't. Kyle dismounted. "Looks like you've got something going on there," he said pointing at the woman's booted foot. She wore dainty well-made, brown half-boots which looked like they'd be better suited in some kind of polite town salon. They weren't riding boots. "That steer came mighty close," Kyle added.

  "It's nothing," she insisted. "I'll be fine." She tried to move her leg again. This time she did her best to disguise the discomfort, but failed miserably.

  Kyle shook his head. "The steer thumped against your horse. Looks like he caught your leg, too."

  "I told you, it's nothing to be concerned about," she insisted. There was a sudden pride in her voice. This was a determined woman, not accustomed to backing down, Kyle told himself. He wanted to examine her foot for any sign of damage, but he knew he couldn't. That wasn't the kind of thing a gentleman did within a few minutes of meeting a beautiful woman, he told himself wryly.

  An idea floated into his mind. "Can I suggest something?" Kyle saw the woman's eyes narrow suspiciously. "My mother is an expert when it comes to healing hurts on a ranch."

  "Your mother?" the woman exclaimed. Her brows rose in a straight line. "What are you suggesting?"

  Kyle glanced toward a distant ridge. "Our ranch house is just over that ridge. My ma can take a look at that. Make sure the damage isn't too bad."

  She still looked uncertain. Did she think he was lying? If she did, she didn't know that lying wasn't a part of the Baxter family code of conduct, Kyle told himself. "I'm not sure." She thought a moment and then added: "Who else is at the ranch house?"

  Kyle twisted his mouth, thinking for a moment. "Let me see. There's my ma and pa. They recently came back from out east. There's my Aunt Mabel. She came here all the way from Philadelphia with my ma and pa. And then there's my brother Gabriel and his wife-to-be, Lauren. She's visiting today. They've got a wedding to plan for Saturday." Lifting one brow, Kyle gave the woman a mischievous look. "Things are busy in the house today. But I'm sure we can take a look at that leg," he added and quirked a brow.

  Perhaps taken aback by Kyle's sudden openness, the woman nodded hesitantly. If she was curious about the wedding she didn't show it. "That sure is a busy household." She thought a moment and then glanced down at her ankle. "Perhaps I should let your mother take a look."

  For some reason he couldn't explain, Kyle felt pleased about that. Seeing the woman's hat lying on the ground, Kyle scooped it up and handed it to her. She smiled gently as she took it from his gloved hand. Getting back up on his horse, Kyle readied himself for the ride home. The little girl, Molly, looked at her mother. "Are we going to a real ranch house, ma?" she asked.

  The woman was the girl's mother. Kyle kept his gaze steady, unmoving. He'd guessed as much, and now it had been confirmed. "We sure are, Molly. This kind gentleman just invited us." She looked at Kyle. The steady look had returned to her eyes. "We won't stay long, Mr Baxter. We'll soon be on our way home."

  "Where is home, ma'am? If you don't mind me asking," Kyle said.

  She gave him an even look. "The Flint mansion is our home," she announced with a hint of pride in her voice.

  Kyle was taken aback. "Dominick Flint's place?" Kyle asked abruptly.

  The woman nodded. "That's right. He's my father." The woman leaned down and smiled at Molly. "And this is his grand-daughter." There was a sudden glint of pride in the woman's eye
s as she regarded her daughter. Molly giggled softly. It was clear mother and daughter shared a special bond.

  Kyle felt like someone had hit him with a plank of wood. He steadied himself in his saddle and schooled his features, trying not to betray how stunned he was. This was Dominick Flint's daughter? Kyle asked himself how he had never met the woman before. Flint had lived at the mansion a few miles out to the south-west of town for over a year now. It was a big place, one of the largest houses in these parts. It wasn't so much a ranch, more like a grand residence with grounds attached. But, Kyle had never laid eyes on Flint's daughter before. Maybe she was newly arrived. And as for Flint himself, he liked to live a quiet life, away from the goings-on in Inspiration. He could afford to do that. The commonly held opinion was that Dominick Flint had plenty of money.