The Rancher’s Reunion Bride Page 14

  "Stay here, Lauren," Gabe murmured.

  "Maybe I can help," she retorted.

  Gabe turned to her and shook his head. "I won't be long. Just let me deal with this."

  Her gaze softened, but he could see concern in her eyes. She nodded and then he turned and started toward Calhoun.

  Gabe strode across the yard, easing his way past some of the churchgoers. He reached Calhoun, Murray and Kyle. His brother turned and saw Gabe. Kyle's mouth opened and his face turned suddenly pale. Kyle looked about to say something but halted when Gabe lifted a hand and drew his brother a stern look. Next to Kyle, Murray looked anxiously at Gabe.

  "Mr Baxter," Calhoun said. "How nice to see you." He turned to Kyle. "I was just saying to your brother that I appear to have arrived too late to enjoy the church service."

  Gabe frowned at Calhoun. "You were going to attend church today?" he asked incredulously.

  Calhoun nodded. "I felt it was my duty to attend. Now that I've moved into town, I want to get to know everyone as quickly as possible," he explained. "That way I can find out how I can make a positive contribution to life in the town."

  "Really," Gabe snarled. "Why don't I believe you, Mr Calhoun? Could it be something to do with the conduct of your predecessor?"

  Judah fixed Gabe with a steady look. "I take it you're referring to my uncle, Brett."

  "I am indeed," Gabe confirmed. Kyle flashed a sharp glance at Kyle. "You're wanted over there, Kyle."

  Kyle frowned. "What do you mean?"

  Gabe's jaw tightened. He glared at Kyle. In this circumstance, being harsh was the only way Gabe could think to be kind to Kyle. He had to get him away from Calhoun and Murray. He didn't know what was really going on between them, but he didn't like his younger brother being anywhere near these two men. "Go speak to Josh," Gabe ordered Kyle.

  "Why?" Kyle objected again.

  Gabe sighed heavily and saw that Calhoun seemed to be enjoying this little Baxter family disagreement. "Because I want you to," Gabe stated evenly. It was proving hard to control his temper. However, he knew how much pleasure Calhoun would take from seeing Gabe losing his cool.

  Kyle glanced at Murray. Gabe frowned at the little man and wondered what was going on between him and Kyle. Now wasn't the time to ask, but he would make sure he'd get an answer soon enough.

  Kyle moved away reluctantly from Murray. Calhoun grinned. "I expect we'll be seeing you later, Mr Baxter," he said.

  On hearing those words, Gabe felt his shoulders tighten and his breath hitch with indignation. He couldn't wait for Kyle to get on his way. Kyle drew Gabe a strange look as he passed. Gabe thought that Kyle had looked at him, eyes widening with indignation, as if Gabe had ruined something important. Gabe couldn't figure out why Kyle would feel comfortable around the likes of Murray and Calhoun.

  Finally, Kyle started to walk toward where Josh, Grace and the others were standing by their carriages. Gabe turned to Calhoun. "I'd be obliged if you'd keep away from my brother," he ordered.

  Calhoun shrugged. "Tell that to Kyle," he said. "He's the one who's been hanging around with us. He likes making regular social calls to the hotel. Can't seem to stay away." Calhoun looked down at Murray. "Isn't that right."

  Murray nodded. "Seems he likes our company a whole lot more than yours."

  Refusing to take the bait, Gabe tightened his lips, saying nothing. Gabe lifted a hand and pointed at Calhoun. "You're not welcome anywhere near my family, Calhoun," he stated firmly. Giving a dismissive look to Murray he added: "The same goes for you."

  Both men looked unaffected by Gabe's words. But he knew they were necessary. Turning away, Gabe saw Kyle talking with Josh and Wyatt. His brother was glancing repeatedly over to Gabe. Was he worried about something? Gabe couldn't figure out what was going on, but he was determined to get to the bottom of it. He'd need to give Kyle a good talking to.

  Nearing the Munro family members, Gabe saw Lauren making her way toward him. Gabe paused, wondering what he could tell her. For now, it would be best she didn't know. Gabe felt a hard knot settle in his gut. He'd done enough of keeping secrets from Lauren, already. The time had come for him to lay his cards on the table. After everything which had happened since her return, he now believed she'd understand why he'd waited until he was sure. Until he was certain she wanted him. Watching her make her way toward him, he felt an ache in his heart. The tender pain of love and affection. Now wasn't the time to talk of marriage. Not here. Not this morning.

  Lauren halted alongside Gabe and lifted her brow questioningly, but she didn't say anything. Eager not to open up a difficult conversation he was sure neither of them wanted, Gabe forced himself to smile regretfully. "I'm going to have to pass on that visit to the cafe," he said.

  Lauren's features sagged with disappointment. She glanced once in the direction of Calhoun. She nodded. "I understand. Maybe during the week."

  Gabe nodded. "That's a promise."

  Lauren lifted her brows. "If you say so."

  Gabe touched the front brim of his Stetson. "I'll be seeing you."

  She smiled at him and then he walked away telling himself that even on a perfect day like today it was always possible for enemies to stand in the way of happiness.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  "I'm sorry to hear about the robbery at your sister's ranch," Victoria said to Grace in the Munro kitchen on Tuesday morning.

  Standing by the table, drying dishes, Lauren gasped quietly and glanced concernedly at Grace. "What happened?" Lauren exclaimed, turning abruptly to Grace and Victoria.

  Grace leaned back against the counter and folded her arms. Shaking her head she said: "I know. It's terrible. Noah and Abigail were away from the ranch on Saturday evening when someone stole a horse from the stable."

  "That's awful," Victoria moaned. "No-one was harmed, were they?"

  Grace shook her head. "Little Louise was in bed. The housekeeper was in the ranch house with her." Grace frowned. "None of the ranch hands knew it had happened until the morning."

  Louise was Noah and Abigail's young daughter. Grace was Abigail's sister. Lauren had heard all about how Noah had come to Montana from back East. He'd come with plenty of money to set himself up as a rancher, despite knowing nothing about how to look after a spread. Abigail and Noah had fallen in love and had overcome an attempt to ruin Noah. After that, they'd married and had Louise who was a perfectly pretty little girl. The idea that anything bad could have happened to such a lovely family horrified Lauren.

  "Abigail must be upset," Victoria suggested. "She and Noah are hardly ever away from Louise."

  Grace nodded. "It was their first night out in town together since last year. Visiting friends." Grace smiled at Victoria. "You know how devoted they are to their daughter."

  Lauren saw Victoria lay a hand across her middle, as if reassuring herself of her own devotion to the upcoming birth. "I imagine Noah won't be too pleased, either. Josh told me he's become quite the expert rancher. Works real hard, too. Taking time off doesn't come too easily to Noah." Victoria frowned. "He'll probably blame himself for letting it happen."

  "It could have been worse, I suppose, "Lauren suggested. "At least it was only a horse."

  Both Grace and Victoria looked, wide-eyed at Lauren. She suddenly felt like she'd said the wrong thing. "Best not let a rancher hear you say that, Lauren," Grace advised.

  "Why?"

  Grace and Victoria exchanged a knowing look. "Most ranchers around these parts take their horse flesh real serious. I suppose it's understandable." She shrugged. "After all, it is their livelihood. That and cattle."

  "I'll keep that in mind next time I speak to Gabe," Lauren announced.

  Grace tilted her head. "How is Gabe, anyway?" she asked. "I heard you had a nice time over at the Baxter spread." Grace smiled. "And I saw the way he was looking at you when we were all at church on Sunday."

  "May I remind you that you were holding onto his arm like you didn't want to let go," Victoria added, lifting her
brow mischievously.

  Lauren's face flushed hot and she was sure it had turned a deep shade of red. She waved a dismissive hand at Grace and Victoria. "We were just being polite," Lauren protested. "Nothing more than that."

  Even as she said the words, she knew neither Grace nor Victoria would believe her. And, just as she'd predicted, both women scoffed disbelievingly.

  It had been two long days since she'd spoken to Gabe. He hadn't come to the Munro spread on Monday morning, nor this morning. It seemed Gabe was too busy to pay a call. And too occupied with his own family to accompany Kyle who had come on his own both mornings. Maybe Gabe trusted Kyle more than he was letting on, Lauren told herself. However, after seeing the way Gabe had faced Judah Calhoun down on Sunday, Lauren was sure words had passed between Gabe and his younger brother.

  For the rest of the time in the kitchen the talk was of what was to be done for the rest of the day. Finishing up her tasks in the kitchen, Lauren excused herself and went upstairs to her room. Sitting by the window of her bedroom, she could look out on the yard. She picked up the knitting she'd left on the table and started working on the shawl for Victoria's baby.

  Glancing out the window from time to time, she reflected on how beautiful the day was. The sun was bright in an azure blue sky. She could see out across the rangeland, all the way to the distant forest to the south of the Munro spread. There was an idyllic feeling to this place. The idea of robbery, or any kind of violence, being a part of a place like this seemed unthinkable. But then, this was the West, she told herself. And, if her father changed his mind and decided, after all, to head for California, then Lauren knew she would look back on this place with more than a degree of fondness and longing.

  Her heart sank as she thought about the prospect of leaving. An image of Gabe's handsome features drifted into her mind. She couldn't imagine walking away from him. She and Gabe had become so incredibly close. It was just like a year ago. All the good feelings had been reawakened. As well as all the old uncertainties. On Sunday, at the church, she'd felt a part of Gabe's life. That he had drawn her into his world. But then the encounter with Calhoun had cast a shadow over all that. And, these past two days had felt empty without the presence of the rancher who had found his way back into her heart.

  She pondered over what had happened on Sunday to spoil that joy. Kyle was acting strange. That was for sure. Even though Josh sang Kyle's praises every night, after work, there was something going on with Kyle. Something that needed explaining. Lauren wondered if Kyle would speak with her. Give her some kind of clue which would explain the way he'd been acting lately.

  Putting down her knitting, Lauren stood and made up her mind to go and find out for herself. She changed into a dress suitable for riding and made her way downstairs. Pausing in the parlor, she found her father sitting on a chair.

  He looked up from the book he was reading. "Going out?" he asked.

  "You look comfortable," she observed. Reading was becoming a habit for him.

  Zacharias shrugged and held up the book. "It's a book about ranching."

  Lauren lifted a brow. "You learning for a reason?"

  He smiled. "Just curious. That's all."

  "I'm going out for a ride," she told him. "I'll see you for lunch."

  She left the ranch house and went to the stable. Saddling up a horse which Josh had set aside for her in case she needed it, she rode away from the ranch house and out across the rangeland. Based on what she'd heard at the dinner table on previous nights, she took a guess where she would find Josh, Wyatt and Kyle working. Riding fast, she allowed herself to enjoy the sensation of the horse racing across the grassy land. The wind swept her hair back and she felt an exhilaration take hold of her. She savored the sensation of freedom coursing through her body. Lauren realized she felt wonderfully alive. This place, this land, could make her feel a joy she'd almost lost since her mother had passed.

  Making her way south along a shallow valley she came to a broad plain which stretched into the distance. Pausing for a moment, she gazed at the wondrous sight. She saw the herd, a huge mass of cattle gathered together, barely moving. She guessed there must be hundreds of head of cattle in the herd. From where she sat, it looked like a slumbering monster, awaiting the slightest excuse to awaken its fury. Around the herd rode horse-backed ranch hands. Once in while she heard the men calling out to each other. The lowing sound of cattle hung heavy in the air.

  This was the daily work of the men of the ranch, she told herself. This was what it meant to work the spread, to bring forth the perfection which God had granted the Munro family, and ranch families like them. It was a wonderful sight, typical of this land. A land with which she was fast falling in love.

  Digging her heels into the side of her horse, she raced toward the herd. Slowing her approach nearer the herd, she saw Josh and Wyatt over to one side. Alongside them she saw a rider with his back to her. A vague feeling shifted in her middle. Then, apparently hearing her approach, the rider turned.

  Gabe looked straight at her.

  She gasped. What was he doing here? She hadn't seen him arriving this morning. Kyle had been alone. She gazed around at the ranch hands. Where was Kyle? There was no sign of him. She frowned, thinking maybe Kyle was working another part of the spread.

  Lauren saw Gabe riding toward her. He drew close and halted. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

  "I was about to ask you the same question," he replied.

  "I didn't see you arrive with Kyle, this morning."

  Gabe nodded and leaned on the pommel of his saddle. "That's because I didn't come. I let Kyle come on his own." Gabe tipped back the brim of his Stetson. Lauren felt a surge of uncontrollable delight sweep through her as she regarded Gabe's handsome features. His gaze was steady, those chocolate-brown eyes searching her. Appreciating her. At least that was she hoped he was doing. He seemed pleased to see her, but she could detect a hint of concern in his grim expression. "What brought you down here?" Gabe asked.

  Shifting on the saddle, Lauren ran her gaze around the herd. "I was hoping to speak with Kyle."

  "Kyle?" Gabe asked surprised. "What do you want to talk to him about?"

  Lauren narrowed her eyes and wondered if she should reveal the purpose of her ride down to the herd. Could she tell him how concerned she was about Kyle? Or that she wanted to know what was causing him and Gabe to be at each other's throats so much? Thinking back to the church, she recalled the way Kyle had seemed moved and impressed by the pastor's sermon on family. "I wanted to ask him about Sunday," Lauren said.

  "What about it?" Gabe said, sounding instantly on the defensive. He leaned forward. "It doesn't have anything to do with Judah Calhoun and that no-good who seems to have attached himself to Calhoun, does it?"

  Lauren frowned. "No. I saw the way Kyle reacted to the sermon. I figured I could ask him if he's having a change of heart." She lifted a brow. "You know, about staying here for good. Not running off on some wild goose chase."

  Gabe seemed suddenly interested. "What makes you think Kyle has had a change of heart?"

  "I was talking to Josh," Lauren replied. "He told me Kyle's been doing real well." She gestured toward the ranch hands. "That working with these ranch hands has opened his eyes up to ranching. That he's beginning to see it in a new light."

  Gabe thought for a few moments. He nodded and ran a hand thoughtfully across the back of his neck. "That's what I was figuring, too." Gabe shook his head. "Maybe I misjudged Kyle. Perhaps I didn't give him the respect he deserved on our own ranch." Gabe peered at Lauren. "Do you think that's why he's grown up so rebellious? Because I didn't treat him right?" Gabe seemed troubled by the suggestion that he'd been less than the perfect older brother.

  Lauren saw the concern in Gabe's eyes. She reached out and laid a hand on Gabe's arm. The touch sent sensation coursing through her body. Gabe's brows shot up in a line. For a moment, she thought she'd misjudged the moment. Gabe asking for her advice had prompted her to do somethi
ng she might not otherwise have done. "I don't think it's your fault, at all, Gabe," Lauren reassured him. "You've been the best brother he could possibly have wanted. I'm sure of it."