The Rancher’s Beloved Bride Read online

  "I'm glad to hear it," the pastor declared.

  "Well, the thing is, pastor. I couldn't help noticing that your church is on the small side," Flint said hesitantly.

  "Too small, you say?" Kyle saw the pastor's brows rise quickly. "It's never too small for the faithful, Mr Flint," Pastor Joseph added solemnly.

  Flint nodded. "I know that. But, I saw plenty of folks standing, or even jammed into corners."

  "The Lord has blessed this town with an eager congregation," the pastor said. "That can hardly be described as a bad thing."

  "And I'm not saying it is, pastor," Flint replied quickly. "It's good. Real good. But, maybe the Lord is calling for something to be done about it."

  Pastor Joseph glanced at Kyle and Landon. Was he wondering where Flint was taking all this? Because Kyle sure was. "I don't get your meaning Mr Flint," the pastor said thoughtfully.

  Flint leaned closer, as if he didn't want anyone to hear what he was about to say. He needn't have worried since the crowd of churchgoers was starting to thin. "Back in Chicago, I was in the construction and property business. I did pretty well for a long time." Kyle saw the pastor's eyes narrow. He was listening. "I think I have a solution in mind. One that will make sure everyone who wants to come to church gets to sit."

  Pastor Joseph peered at Flint. "Are you proposing some kind of improvement?"

  Flint smiled. "Exactly. And I think I'd like to help make that possible." Flint's gaze met the pastor's steady expression. "If you know what I mean." Flint gazed up at the church. "I think its time we made this church bigger."

  The pastor's eyes flickered from side to side and then he peered at Flint. "How would that be paid for, Mr Flint?"

  Flint straightened and smiled at the pastor. "I'd be proud to help make that happen. If you'd allow me, I'd like to pay for the church to be extended. Make some extra room for more of the faithful, if you like." Flint paused, clearly wanting to give his words a chance to sink in. Flint's eyes glimmered with excitement. "I think I already know how it could be done." He pointed toward the church. "We could build out the back, to the flat area behind there. And there are some changes which could be made on the inside."

  Pastor Joseph seemed shocked for a long moment. Then, after he'd had a chance to consider Flint's suggestion, Kyle saw the pastor's eyes brighten. He gasped and nodded vigorously. "The Lord brought you here for a reason today, Mr Flint."

  Kyle and Landon exchanged astonished looks. "You want to pay for the church to be extended?" Kyle asked Flint incredulously.

  Flint, seeing the skepticism in Kyle's eyes nodded. "You remember what I said to you yesterday?"

  Kyle nodded. "Sure. But I didn't hear you say anything about this."

  "I had no idea until I came here this morning with my family," Flint stated. "The thought only came to me while I was sitting there next to them and listening to the pastor's fine words."

  Pastor Joseph smiled, but Kyle could see a hint of caution on the man's features. "That's a very generous offer, Mr Flint. But, am I right in saying this is your first visit to a church in quite some time?"

  Flint frowned. "Except for the wedding yesterday. It's been a while, pastor. I cannot tell a lie."

  "That's a start, at least," the pastor said evenly.

  Flint's brows furrowed. "Are you telling me you're going to turn down my offer?" Flint asked.

  The pastor shook his head. "I'm not saying that at all." He leaned his head to one side and examined Flint for a long moment. "I'm humbled and touched by your generosity, Mr Flint. And I'd like to extend a continued welcome to you and your family to attend our church over the coming weeks."

  Kyle suddenly understood what the pastor was doing. "I'm sure Mr Flint will be here every Sunday, pastor," Kyle said and looked at Flint. "Isn't that right, Dominick?"

  Flint blinked as if surprised at the pastor's apparent reluctance to accept what must have seemed to Flint like an offer impossible to refuse. "I guess so," Flint replied.

  The pastor patted Flint on the side of his upper arm. "Come and see me during the week. We can talk some more." He pointed to the house beside the church. "You know where you can find me. I'm there most days and evenings."

  Then, as quickly as he'd arrived, the pastor made his way toward another group of churchgoers. Kyle saw Flint watch the pastor with an expression of astonishment written on his face. "What was all that about?" Flint asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

  Kyle shook his head. "On the contrary, Dominick. I think you did a very fine thing."

  Flint frowned. "So, how come the pastor just turned my offer down flat?"

  "I don't think he did, Mr Flint," Landon said. "He probably just wants to make you feel that you're a part of the church's community before you go doing something that involves parting with your own money."

  Flint sighed heavily. "I thought he'd be pleased."

  "I'm sure he is," Kyle said.

  Then he heard a voice at his shoulder. "What were you saying to the pastor?" Veronica asked.

  Flint's eyes widened and, with a glance he made it clear to Kyle and Landon that he wanted nothing said about his conversation with the pastor. "Nothing, Veronica." Flint glanced toward his carriage. "We'll be getting home now." Flint smiled at Kyle and Landon. "I'll see you boys some other time." Then as if recalling his talk with Kyle back at the Baxter ranch, Flint said to him: "When can you come to the house, Kyle?"

  Kyle saw Veronica's eyes widen. She peered at him in search of an explanation. Kyle was tongue-tied for a moment. Realizing Veronica knew nothing about his agreement with Flint, Kyle shifted awkwardly. "Whatever day suits you," was all he could think of saying.

  Flint, determined to drive home the point, explained to Veronica: "I asked Kyle to the house to give me some advice."

  "About what?" Veronica asked. Kyle could hear the emotion in her voice.

  "You know what I've been talking about doing up at the house," Flint explained. "Turning the place into a ranch. Kyle, here, is going to give me the benefit of his experience." Flint brows rose as if he'd just had the brightest idea. "Say. Why don't you and Landon come up to the house for lunch?"

  Landon immediately shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't Mr Flint. I've got so many things to attend to on the ranch. Things have been getting slack the past few days, owing to the wedding preparations." Landon slapped Kyle on the back. "But, I'm sure I can spare Kyle for a few hours," he added with a sly grin.

  Kyle knew he'd been cornered. Flint nodded and then looked at Kyle. "You can come with us in our carriage."

  Kyle saw Veronica glaring at him. She definitely didn't look pleased by the surprise revelation. He wondered why this revelation would have upset her so much. After the way they'd talked together yesterday he might have expected her to be pleased he'd be spending Sunday afternoon at the Flint mansion.

  "Sure," Kyle said and then bid farewell to Landon. Kyle followed Flint and Veronica over to the carriage. A few moments later he was sitting on the front seat next to Flint. Behind him sat Veronica, Molly and Augusta. Vogel flicked the reins and the carriage lurched forward. The afternoon had just taken a surprising and, as far as Kyle was concerned, very welcome turn.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  "It was lovely of your father to invite Kyle," Veronica's mother said to her. "Don't you agree?"

  She and Augusta were standing by the window in the sitting room of the Flint residence. Outside, in the wide yard, Veronica could see her father talking to Kyle. The rancher was listening intently, nodding his head from time to time. Veronica wondered what her father was saying to Kyle. "What are they talking about?" she asked Augusta.

  "Your father has made a decision," Veronica's mother replied. "About this place. He's going to turn the estate into a fully functioning ranch."

  Veronica turned to her mother and narrowed her brows, recalling what he father had said outside he church. "How's he going to do that?"

  Augusta shook her head and smiled. "You know your fat
her. By doing whatever it takes."

  Veronica squinted at her mother in disbelief. "Father doesn't know the first thing about ranching."

  "But Kyle does," Augusta said softly. She glanced out the window. "Seems like your father is going to take Kyle on as some kind of advisor."

  "But Kyle has a ranch of his own to run," Veronica objected. "He's going to be too busy to spend any time here." Veronica felt a surge of emotion as she considered what it would mean if Kyle spent days here at the house. She asked herself if she would be able to be around the handsome rancher without revealing some of the feelings he was awakening in her.

  "Kyle has two brothers who are already taking care of the Baxter spread," Augusta countered. "You know your father." Augusta sighed. "Once he gets an idea into his head there is no stopping him."

  Veronica nodded and looked out to the yard. Her mother was right. There was one thing Veronica knew about her father. If he wanted to do something, nothing would stand in his way. "Doesn't father know how complicated it'll be to make this place into a going concern." Veronica gazed out beyond the yard at the huge expanse of available land. She knew there was plenty of land at her father's disposal. And that he had the money to buy cattle, hire men and every piece of equipment which would be needed to transform the place.

  "Why is he doing that?" Veronica asked. "What's come over father. All of a sudden he seems different." It was true. Veronica had seen the way her father had acted today when he'd been in the church. The way he'd looked as he'd listened to the pastor's words had shocked Veronica. She'd never seen that expression on her father's face. And he'd even spoken personally with the pastor out in the yard. That was something he'd never done when they'd made his occasional visits to church back in Illinois. She and her mother had been the regular church-goers in the family. And Jack had been by her side in church during the years he'd been with her. Jack's faith had been strong. He'd even tried to persuade Veronica's father back to church, but to no avail. But now, her father seemed to have had a change of heart.

  Augusta nodded. "Your father is a different man since we left Chicago. Haven't you noticed?"

  Veronica sighed. "Maybe it's being away from all his old business contacts which has done it. You know how much he liked to go to that private club. He worked twelve hours a day."

  "Your father has always been a hard worker," Augusta explained. "That's how we got such a comfortable life, Veronica. He provided for us and made many sacrifices doing so. We should be grateful to him for putting so much effort into making us safe and secure."

  "And I am, mother," Veronica said. "But, all of this is so different from what we've been used to."

  "Are you saying you're unhappy?"

  Veronica shook her head. "Of course I'm not saying that. Molly already seems like a different little girl." Veronica moved closer to her mother, resting a hand on her mother's arm. "What about you, mother? Are you happy here?"

  Augusta didn't even hesitate before replying. "This is our home now, Veronica. And, if you want my true opinion, I'm happy we've come here. God has blessed us by bringing us here." Her mother's eyes glistened with emotion. "He even brought your father back to the church for the first time in years. This territory and this little town is exactly what I wanted for us. For years, I've been asking your father to move us to a place like this. To leave all the unpleasantness of city life behind for good." Her mother's voice shook with emotion. "Maybe now that we're here, we can start living the kind of life I've always wanted for us. For me, your father and for you and Molly."

  Veronica had never heard her mother speak with such conviction before. Such certainty. Normally so patient, so controlled, her mother seldom expressed herself like that. Veronica gazed out the window and saw her father lead Kyle out across the yard and toward the makeshift stable. "We've only got horses, some carriages and a few staff." Smiling to herself, she realized how privileged that must sound. Turning to her mother, she added. "What I mean is, we're starting our life all over again from the ground up."

  Augusta smiled. "And I don't think your father would want it any other way. Maybe it'll give him a fresh enthusiasm for life. Or perhaps something to keep him busy as he gets nearer to retiring."

  "Father, retiring?" Veronica said skeptically. "I never thought I'd hear you saying those words."

  Augusta came to Veronica and cupped her hand tenderly against the side of Veronica's face. "Enough about him, for now. What about you and your new acquaintance?"

  Veronica felt her face flush with heat. "Who are you talking about?"

  Augusta laughed quietly and shook her head. "You can't fool me, Veronica. I've seen the way you look at Kyle."

  Veronica's breath halted in her chest. "I don't know what you mean, mother."

  "Of course you do," Augusta replied. "It's written all over your face every time you're near him. I watched you yesterday at the ranch. Every time he looked across at you at the table, you're eyes lit up."

  Had it really been that obvious? Veronica recalled every single instance when Kyle had glanced across at her. The way his gaze had softened when her eyes met his. The attractive way the corner of his mouth had creased with the faintest of smiles. The subtle lifting of a brow when he'd caught her looking across at him. Her mother was right about one thing. Every time he'd looked at her, Veronica had struggled hard to mask her reaction. It looked as if she'd completely failed to hide her growing attraction toward the handsome rancher. Maybe it was just as well her mother didn't know about the way Veronica had felt when Kyle had touched her later that day when they'd been down by the stables. Her heart had taken a long time to calm down after that gentle touch. Last night, alone in her room, Veronica had speculated about what it would have felt like if Kyle had kissed her. Even thinking about it had triggered uncontrollable emotions in her. She asked herself how it could be that this rancher had affected her so much. She still didn't have an answer. All she knew was that she liked being with him. Maybe his presence at her home wouldn't be so unwelcome, after all.

  Knowing Kyle and her father would be occupied for a while, Veronica went across to the long sofa and dropped down onto it. Her mother took her place on a seat opposite and picked up a book. Veronica thought about the conversation between Kyle and her father down at the church. They'd spoken about something else before she had made her way across to them. But she still couldn't figure out what it might be.

  Veronica looked at her mother. "Did father say anything else to you about what he wants Kyle to do while he's here?" What Veronica really wanted to ask was whether her father had also noticed Kyle's amorous attentions toward his only daughter. If that was the case then there might be more to the Kyle's presence at the Flint home than met the eye.

  Augusta shook her head and her mouth turned down thoughtfully. "No. He didn't mention anything to me." Her mother's reply was guarded and cautious.

  Veronica leaned back on the sofa and made up her own mind that, when she next saw Kyle alone, she would find out if the real reason he'd agreed to spend time at the Flint estate was so he'd be able to continue what he'd already started. Veronica knew one thing for sure, now.

  Kyle Baxter was trying to court her.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  "You could have told me about your agreement with my father," Veronica said to Kyle later that afternoon.

  They were both walking slowly along a gravel path in the walled garden out back of the Flint mansion. The sun was lower in the sky and there was a slight chill in the air. A tree-lined pathway cut through the garden. On either side of the path were lawns, rows of hedges and neatly-planted lines of flowers. Blooms of all colors shone brightly in the sunshine. The garden stretched for about a hundred yards ahead of them and ended at a cluster of tall trees beneath which was a circular area of stone benches. It seemed like Veronica wanted to walk in that direction.