The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience Read online

  Sophie had shown Rosalind to her room and instructed her to get some rest. It was almost as if the pretty, bright-eyed woman could tell that Rosalind was secretly worn out.

  Rosalind had spent the afternoon sleeping, waking to the sounds of voices from below. She'd shared a tasty dinner with Sophie and Nathan. Then she'd spent her first evening in Inspiration, accompanying Sophie and Nathan along the wooden boardwalk of the main street. All eyes had been on the newcomer in town, and Rosalind had felt self-conscious, suddenly aware of the modesty of her apparel. Some townsfolk had stopped to chat with the sheriff, and on each occasion, Nathan had introduced Rosalind with courtesy and genuine respect.

  After that evening walk, Rosalind had retired to her bedroom, and for the first time in many days, had felt safe.

  And now, today she was to entertain her first caller. On waking this morning, Rosalind had been gripped with instant worry. And that worry hadn't gone away as she'd spent the morning preparing for the visit of Gideon Buchanan.

  She wondered what he would be like. According to Sophie, he was tall and handsome and possessed a good character. He was the second youngest of the Buchanan brothers.

  And he was a rancher. That thought triggered a variety of images in Rosalind's mind. Wild horses. Herds of cattle roaming the range. Cowboys on horseback. The beautiful life of the outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine. She realized that all might be a simple fantasy on her part.

  But, if the Buchanan ranch was anything like that, she knew she could contemplate marriage to a handsome rancher of her own age. It was such a contrast to what she'd almost fallen into, she couldn't help thinking that it might be tempting.

  She'd read magazine articles about the ranching life. For some people it might seem a rough, common kind of life. But, not to Rosalind. Her father had owned a farm back East, and Rosalind had grown up helping to work the land. Growing up on the farm, she'd learned the realities of farm life. As an only child, her father had been reluctant to let Rosalind take a meaningful part in the farm activities. But, Rosalind's mother had insisted Rosalind throw herself into helping from a young age.

  Just remembering her mother, and her beautiful smile, made emotion tighten Rosalind's heart. Her mother, Lily, had died two years before, and the pain of that loss still burned deep inside Rosalind. She thought about how her father, Silas, had taken the loss. Badly. And he'd wound up bitter.

  Rosalind's mother had nurtured a powerful faith in God, and Silas's whose own faith had waned in recent years beneath the strains of keeping the farm going, had complained that Lily's faith had proven to be misguided. For her own part, Rosalind had shared her mother's faith, but the suddenness of Lily's passing and the suffering she'd endured during a painful illness, had resulted in Rosalind sharing her father's dismay that God had turned his back on their most precious treasure, a mother and a wife.

  For a long while, Rosalind had been at a loss to explain her mother's death. All she had felt was a huge hole in the middle of her life. She'd tried as best she could to help her father. But, his bitterness had taken its toll and, a few months ago, he too had passed, leaving Rosalind alone and with a farm saddled with debts.

  All she had been able to do was leave, stay with a friend for a while and find a place to go where she could start a new life. Reluctant to enter into a life of the outdoors, she had foolishly reasoned that town life might suit her better.

  Well, now she knew better, she told herself. Big town life wasn't for her. And it would never be. Perhaps this small town would give her a new start.

  Dragging her mind back to the present moment, Rosalind heard Nathan say goodbye to Sophie out on the porch. Rosalind went to the window and gazed down the length of the street. Nathan walked slowly, tall and powerful looking, his entire demeanor filled with authority.

  Sophie entered the room and Rosalind turned away from the window. "He likes me to say goodbye to him on the porch, every morning," she explained to Rosalind.

  "That's so sweet," Rosalind replied. "You two look perfect together," she added.

  Sophie's face colored slightly and she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "You think so?"

  Rosalind nodded. "I sure do. What's it like to be married to the town sheriff?"

  Sophie rolled her eyes. "Safe, I guess," she said. She frowned. "But, I do worry. Inspiration isn't a dangerous town. The folks here are law-abiding and God-fearing. But we get outsiders coming in from time to time, and there can be trouble," she said.

  "Trouble? In this town?" Rosalind asked incredulously. "I find that hard to believe."

  "It's true. We're not immune to the godless coming here and trying to spoil our little Eden," Sophie said.

  Rosalind noted the religious references in Sophie's comments. She wondered how religious was her new host. Before she had a chance to say anything, Sophie moved closer, lowering her voice. "Speaking of faith, I forgot to ask you about yours," she said.

  Rosalind felt her face flush. "Why? Is it important?"

  Sophie thought for a moment. "It could be," she said. "Gideon Buchanan is the most religious of the brothers. In fact, I would say he's one of the most devout people in Inspiration."

  "Really?" Rosalind said, thinking quickly how she could respond to that. Her mind went suddenly blank, and she wasn't sure what she should say. She worried that Sophie must have noticed Rosalind's sudden unease.

  "Gideon is a good man," Sophie continued. "I heard it from one of his elder brothers, Reese, that Gideon really wants a wife who has a strong faith." Sophie lifted her brows. "How do you stand in that regard, Rosalind?"

  "My mother had a great faith," Rosalind explained. There was a long, slightly awkward silence. Sophie's gaze was steady, expectant, as she waited for Rosalind to continue. "And it was a great comfort to her when she was ill," she added. Rosalind had already told Sophie the story of her mother.

  Sophie frowned. "I'm so sorry that happened. Your father must have taken great comfort from his faith, too," she said.

  Not wanting to lie, because she'd already decided Sophie deserved better than that, Rosalind sighed and shook her head. "My mother and father didn't completely share the same outlook when it came to faith matters."

  Sophie's brows furrowed. "Why?"

  Rosalind thought for a moment and then continued. "I guess it was some of the hardships of his early life that made him reluctant to have faith. There were never any disagreements between them both. My father respected my mother's wishes and did his best to support her in them." Rosalind frowned and turned away from the window. "It was just that he couldn't bring himself to accept it in the same way as my mother did."

  "So your mother was very religious?" Sophie asked.

  Rosalind nodded. "She was. It was a source of strength and joy in her life. Right to the end."

  Even as Rosalind spoke, she could feel the emotion welling up inside her. She tried to swallow, but it was difficult. Her breathing caught in her chest and she considered sitting down to try and compose herself. Sophie came to her and placed a hand gently on Rosalind's arm.

  Sophie guided Rosalind to the sofa. Both women sat down and Sophie gazed at Rosalind with kindness. "Gideon's a good man. I think you're going to like him."

  Rosalind looked earnestly at Sophie. "If Gideon is only looking for a devout wife, then I'm not sure I'm the woman for him."

  Sophie's eyes narrowed and she tilted her head. "Why?"

  Rosalind sighed. "After my mother died, I doubted so many things. I kept asking myself why such a good person as my mother could have been taken like that."

  "I guess it is God's will," Sophie suggested.

  Rosalind nodded. "And I know that you're probably right, Sophie," she said. "But, since she and my father died, I haven't been able to find an answer to that question."

  Sophie nodded slowly, lost in thought for a few moments. "Let's just take one thing at a time, shall we?" she said. "Gideon's coming to call on you. And that's a start. Don't you think?"

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p; Rosalind nodded. "I guess you're right. I have to begin my new life somewhere."

  Sophie smiled. "And Gideon is very handsome," she joked. "And he has a fine character."

  "Yes?" Rosalind responded.

  Sophie nodded. "Just you wait and see. I think you and he are going to get along real well. I'm an eternal optimist. Nathan said that means I don't always see things right," she said. Sophie sighed. "I just prefer to believe that everything is going to work out right, in the end. No matter what tribulations come our way."

  Sophie stood and looked down at Rosalind. "He'll be here soon. So let's see if we can get ready for him. I've got to finish making those cakes. You want to help me?"

  Rosalind nodded and stood. "Sure," she replied.

  As she followed Sophie into the kitchen, Rosalind wondered if her own weakened faith would mean that, after meeting her and finding that out, Gideon Buchanan would go walking straight back out the door and never want to see her again.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Gideon rode his horse slowly down Inspiration's Main Street. It was a fine day, and the sun shone bright in the sky. A good day for paying a call, he told himself.

  As he turned into the narrow side street which would take him to the Cameron house, Gideon heard his name being called out. As he drew his mount to a halt, he recognized the voice which had called to him.

  Brett Calhoun.

  Gideon summoned up all his patience as he turned to face Calhoun who had stepped off the wooden boardwalk and was moseying toward him. Calhoun's dark features wore an expression which could only be described as wily and crafty.

  He chomped on a cheroot, removed it from his mouth and smiled at Gideon. "Paying a call today?" Calhoun asked.

  "Why would you want to know that, Brett?" Gideon asked. Calhoun looked momentarily surprised that Gideon would use his first name. But Gideon always tried to be civil and courteous to everyone he met, no matter if they were the most evil thing in town. Which Brett Calhoun most certainly was, Gideon reminded himself. He only had to think about how Calhoun had almost ruined the happiness of Zane and Johanna, to be on his guard.

  "I heard there's a new mail order bride in town," Calhoun said.

  "You mean she's married already?" Gideon teased, giving Calhoun a mischievous grin.

  Calhoun nodded and laughed quietly. "Very funny, Buchanan. You know what I mean. She's here to marry one of your clan so I can't get my hands on that spread of yours."

  "You already failed once, Brett. Why don't you just admit defeat. You're never going to get your hands on a single piece of our ranch land," Gideon said, trying to contain the defiance in his voice. He wasn't going to give Brett Calhoun the easy victory of a public display of anger. That wasn't the kind of thing Gideon did.

  Calhoun advanced on Gideon and stood alongside his horse, peering up at Gideon. "I might have underestimated your brother and that new wife of his," he said. "But, I won't make the same mistake again."

  "It seems you've underestimated my whole family, Brett. We're holding onto what's ours," Gideon said. "No matter what it takes."

  "Including marrying for convenience, Gideon?" Calhoun asked. "Doesn't that go against all your principles?"

  "What do you mean?" Gideon asked. He knew where Calhoun was going with this, but he wanted to hear it from the man's lips.

  "You being religious, and all. I'd have thought bringing a strange woman here might not be something you approve of," Calhoun said icily. "Not everyone has the strength of faith in God that you have. Maybe she's one of them atheists," Calhoun added bitterly.

  "I guess you'd know one of those if you saw one, Brett," Gideon said evenly. "You'd recognize your own kind."

  Calhoun's brows furrowed into deep ridges and he threw his cheroot onto the dusty ground. "Buchanan. You of all people should know better than to try and fool me about any of this."

  Gideon looked steadily at Calhoun. "Are you accusing me of being a liar, Brett?" Gideon asked.

  Calhoun pointed toward the end of the street. "You're telling me that a man with your religious convictions is even going to consider taking an outsider as your wife?"

  "If I am going to the Cameron house for that purpose, surely it must mean that I already approve of the young lady," Gideon said defensively.

  "Young lady?" Calhoun said sharply. She shook his head. "Some who saw her arriving said she looked mighty upset about something. And she came in on the Helena train. Not on the one from back East. Doesn't that make you think?"

  Gideon felt a twist of unease in his middle. He hadn't heard any of this from his family over the dinner table last night. All they'd said was that Sophie was pleased with the new arrival, and that was good enough for all of them. Including Gideon. In any case, this was only a polite social call. Nothing more, Gideon told himself. Wasn't it?

  "I wouldn't know anything about that," Gideon replied. He began to turn his horse back in the direction of the Cameron house. "Now, if you don't mind, Brett. I have to be going."

  Gideon tipped his hat at Calhoun and saw the man's brows furrow as if Gideon's determination to be civil had taken the wind right out of his sails.

  "You just mind what I said, Gideon," Calhoun said. "One thing I know about you, is that you ain't going to lie about this. I'll find out the truth."

  Gideon waved a hand casually at Calhoun. "I sure am happy for you, Brett. I wish you well. Have a good day," he said and rode up the street, glad to be putting distance between himself and Calhoun.

  As he rode up toward the Cameron house, Gideon reflected on what Calhoun had said. Of course it was important to Gideon that any wife of his be someone who possessed a faith in God. The notion of marrying an non-believer just didn't sit well with Gideon. But he had confidence in Sophie. He knew that she would never even have suggested a meeting like this if she thought that the newcomer was somehow unsuitable for Gideon. She must have some redeeming features that would have made Sophie think she was right for Gideon.

  But, what had Calhoun meant when he'd revealed that the newcomer had come in on a train from Helena way out to the west. That didn't make sense. Sophie had said that she'd corresponded with the new arrival, and that she had come from the East, just like Johanna.

  Gideon frowned. It was puzzling. For now though, he had other things on his mind. Matters much more pressing than an explanation for Calhoun's surprising statement which, as far as Gideon was concerned, might not even be true.

  Gideon drew his mount to a halt and tied to the hitching post by the garden gate. He got down off his horse and straightened his jacket. He'd put on his finest dark suit today, the one he wore to church every Sunday. He took off his hat and glanced at the house. He saw the curtain in the sitting room flicker slightly. They knew he was here, he told himself. He walked up the garden path and onto the porch.

  The door opened and he saw Sophie standing there, looking bright-eyed and enthusiastic as usual. "Gideon Buchanan," she exclaimed. "Don't you just look so handsome in that fine suit of yours," she added in a bright tone of voice. "She's waiting for you in the sitting room," Sophie added stepping back from the door to welcome him in. Gideon was surprised to feel a sudden sense of nervousness take hold of him. He hadn't expected that.

  He strode into the hallway and glanced into the sitting room. He saw a figure, seated on the sofa. She had her back to him, so he couldn't see her face. But her blonde hair was neatly tied back and the collar of her blue gown was set elegantly around her neck. She didn't turn to look at him. Instead, she sat stiffly, gazing toward the unlit fireplace.

  Sophie walked into the sitting room and Gideon followed. Sophie gestured toward the figure on the sofa. "May I introduce you to Miss Rosalind Grover, just newly arrived from back East," she said.