The Rancher’s Beloved Bride Read online

  Kyle had even found himself roped into helping out with his friend Curt who ran the town's livery. Curt was providing riding lessons for some of the finer ladies in town and had persuaded Kyle to help out. Once a week for the past month Kyle had spent an afternoon taking a small group of mostly young women out around the vicinity of Inspiration. It was usually a leisurely hour or two out of Kyle's day. Mostly it meant keeping the half dozen women on the trail, and making sure their horse's didn't misbehave. Of course, the fact that Kyle was looked upon as being an eligible bachelor meant that some of the women in the riding club were less interested in learning horseback skills and more in catching Kyle's eye.

  Kyle heard footsteps from inside the house. From behind the nearby window, Kyle heard two very familiar voices chime in, offering their opinion about wedding reception arrangements. Kyle shook his head, still hardly able to believe that he was listening to the voices of his parents. But it was true. His mother, Miriam, and his father, Nathaniel had returned from back east. Upon receiving Gabe's telegram about the good news that Lauren had agreed to marry him, the Baxter parents had rapidly made it clear they had no intention of missing their son's wedding. In spite of the fact that, in the letter written two months before, they had issued what had amounted to a friendly ultimatum to their three grown-up sons. Marriage now, or the ranch would be sold and suitable brides would be found for the three sons after they had all moved to Philadelphia. Gabe had seized the moment, courting Lauren and successfully winning her heart.

  Kyle glanced at the two horses tied up at the hitching rail. Having seen the extent of Veronica's injury he figured it might be prudent to take her back to her family home by carriage instead of on horseback. Kyle went to the stable and busied himself preparing one of the carriages. By the time he emerged from the stable he saw his parents, Veronica and Molly standing on the porch. They watched as Kyle drove the carriage across the yard and halted in front of the porch. He got down and went to the onlookers.

  "What's the idea, Kyle?" his father, Nathaniel asked.

  Kyle glanced at Veronica. "I reckon it might be wise if Mrs Callahan goes home by carriage. We don't want to make that ankle any worse."

  Kyle saw Veronica frown, but she said nothing. Molly skipped to the carriage and ran her hand across the large back wheel. "Can we take a ride in the carriage, ma?" she asked enthusiastically.

  Veronica paused just long enough for Kyle to know she wasn't completely convinced by the idea. But he already knew Veronica would do anything if it meant making her daughter happy. "Sure, Molly."

  "I'll rope your horse to the back of the carriage," Kyle announced. As he busied himself doing that, he saw his mother and father exchange knowing looks. Kyle realized he might be showing a little too much enthusiasm about taking Mrs Callahan and her daughter back home. What would they make of that? Right now, he didn't know. It seemed like not a day passed without talk of when Kyle or Landon were going to take their turn and find a wife. Either brother only had to cast a favorable glance in the direction of a local woman and his parents would instantly get their hopes up.

  At least talk of getting rid of the ranch had stopped. His parents had been so delighted that Gabe had found a wife so quickly that they'd announced they had no intention of selling up. In fact they'd brought Aunt Mabel all the way to Montana, just to give her a new start to life in Inspiration. Kyle had always suspected the threat to sell the ranch had been a ruse to give him and his brothers a gentle kick in the seat of their pants. Seemed like he'd been right.

  Veronica said her farewells to Kyle's parents. He wondered where Gabe and Lauren had gotten to. Maybe they didn't want to make too much of a fuss about the departure of their surprise visitor. Soon, Kyle was seated on the carriage with Veronica and Molly right alongside him. Flicking the reins, he moved the carriage off, heading out along the trail south west of town. They wouldn't be going anywhere near town. The Flint place was a couple of miles out of town.

  The trail took them off the Baxter spread and out along a series of valleys and through a large stretch of forest. Along the way, Kyle took note of some of the homesteaders who had established themselves over the years. They were individual families with modest holdings. Kyle knew those folks worked hard to make their farmland yield a life for their families. As far as he was concerned those settlers had as much right to live on this land as anyone who owned larger spreads.

  For the first mile or so, Veronica didn't say much beyond commenting on what a beautiful day it was and how pretty the rangeland was. Most of the land around Inspiration had been parceled out into large ranches. Up north of town there was the Buchanan spread and the north of that the Armstrong ranch. To the west lay the Buchanan cousins with their two spreads. And out to the east of Inspiration was the Munro place, where Kyle's sister Victoria lived with her husband Wyatt Munro. Victoria was expecting a baby later that year. That was another reason why Kyle's parents had dropped everything and taken the train home. It seemed like the prospect of weddings and babies was too good to miss, Kyle admitted to himself.

  They were almost half way to the Flint residence when Veronica opened up to Kyle about why she'd ended up on the Baxter spread. "I'm afraid I have a confession to make," she said.

  Kyle eyed her with curiosity. He was glad to see Molly was more interested in the rolling hills of Montana than what was being said between himself and Veronica. "What about?"

  "What you said earlier was right. I was trespassing on your rangeland," she explained. "And I had no right to do that."

  "How come?" he asked.

  Veronica glanced at her daughter. "We only just got here last week," she explained. "And we've been cooped up in my father's mansion the whole time. I figured I'd take Molly out for a ride. So she could see the countryside. And the place she's going to call home from now on." Upon hearing her name, Molly smiled up at her mother. Veronica continued. "When I left the mansion behind I followed the trail. Just like my father told me to. But, then I got to wondering what things would be like off the trail. So, I took some shortcuts."

  Kyle shrugged. "That's understandable. This country is beautiful. There's plenty to enjoy."

  Glancing at Veronica he saw her frown. "My mother is always telling me that curiosity is a vice we have to fight all our lives. That God wants us to keep it under control, in case it leads us astray."

  It was the first time Kyle had even a hint that Veronica was a woman of faith. "Your mother is a believer then?" he asked.

  Veronica nodded. "She's always had a strong faith." Veronica sighed softly. "She brought me up to believe the same. And I've done my best to follow the path she recommended. Even though it hasn't always been easy."

  Something about that last part awakened Kyle's curiosity. He wondered what difficulties Veronica had been through which would make her speak so wistfully about her faith. "And your father? Does he have the same strong faith like your mother?"

  Kyle saw Veronica's lips tighten into a thin line. Instantly, he felt like he'd stepped over an undeclared boundary. "Forget I said that," he blurted out.

  Veronica shook her head. "No. You don't need to apologize." Her brows furrowed in a way he was already starting to become used to seeing. "Let's just say my father has strong opinions about most things. Especially faith. I don't think he could have amassed the fortune he did if he didn't have firm views on the things of this world."

  Veronica was revealing things about her family now, Kyle realized. Of course, it went without saying that the Flint family couldn't have bought the large mansion outside town without having plenty of money. As far as Kyle was concerned, how Dominick Flint had come by such wealth was no-one's business but his own. Kyle decided it was time to change the subject.

  "So you lost your way and ended up on our ranchland? Is that what you're saying?" he asked.

  Veronica smiled apologetically. "I guess I am. For a while I just couldn't figure out where we were. Maybe I panicked a little. Next thing I knew we were facing your herd
." Veronica glanced at her daughter. "Molly wanted a closer look. One thing led to another and then that steer came running at us."

  "Maybe you need to get to know this country a little better," Kyle suggested.

  "I don't know how I can do that if every time I go off trail I end up lost or in trouble," Veronica exclaimed softly. "Molly still hasn't learned how to ride a horse. She grew up near the city."

  Again, Kyle schooled his features and kept his lips tight shut. He wasn't about to probe further for personal information. An idea drifted into his mind. "I think I might have a solution to that." Veronica's eyes widened and she gazed at him. Momentarily, he felt a rush of emotion as she looked at him. She was definitely a beautiful woman, Kyle told himself. He cleared his throat. "I run a little riding class down at the town livery. My friend Curt got me involved a while back."

  "You teach riding?" Veronica asked.

  Kyle nodded. "Just to a few learners. Sometimes I think it's more of a social gathering for the ladies who attend."

  "Ladies?" she asked and turned away from him.

  "Mostly," he explained. "It's a chance for the women to brush up on their riding skills and get to know the locale around these parts."

  "And you're the instructor," she said turning back to face him.

  Kyle shrugged. "I teach them some of the finer points of horse riding. And I've lived here long enough to know some of the more interesting parts of this territory." Kyle saw Veronica's brows furrow slightly. "Mostly I do it to help out my friend Curt. It was his idea in the first place. My next lesson is tomorrow."

  Veronica nodded, but didn't say anything for a few long moments. Kyle wondered if she was thinking about whether or not it would be useful to her, or to Molly. Maybe Dominick Flint had his own instructors. He was wealthy enough to afford such a thing if he wanted. Or maybe he'd simply disapprove of his daughter attending a social event in town.

  The trail crested a ridge and Kyle groaned appreciatively. Kyle slowed the carriage to a leisurely crawl. He wanted to take a moment to savor the sight of the Flint mansion. He had to admit it was impressive. Even from here, a half mile away, it looked huge. It had been built in a colonial style and seemed almost out of place where it nestled in the broad valley. The exterior of the building shone white in the bright sunshine. There were colonnades out front, and more windows than any other residence in these parts. There were various outbuildings dotted around the mansion. Kyle could see stables, barn and a corral.Some longer buildings would have been suitable as bunkhouses for ranch hands. If Dominick Flint ever had the idea to turn his place into a ranch, Kyle knew he'd have the means to do so. It had all the appearances of a grand residence for someone who had done well in life. It was perfect for someone who now wanted a place to which he could retire and live a life of comfort. The trail led up to the house between rows of pine trees.

  "Impressive," Kyle murmured.

  Veronica didn't say anything. For a few long moments she was strangely silent, as if lost in her own thoughts. Sensing her impatience, Kyle flicked the reins, quickening the carriage's pace. He wondered if he was finally going to meet Dominick Flint. And what the man was going to say once he found out his daughter was being brought home by one of the local ranchers.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  As Kyle drove the carriage up the tree-lined trail leading to the mansion, Veronica saw two riders coming toward them from the direction of the house. Recognizing them, she immediately froze, instinctively resting her arm on Molly's shoulders and drawing her daughter closer to her.

  Veronica saw Kyle squinting at the riders. "Looks like my pa has come to welcome us home," she observed.

  "Your pa?" Kyle asked turning to look at her. She saw his eyes widen with alarm.

  "He was probably worried. We were gone a long time."

  Kyle straightened his shoulders back and began to slow the carriage. Once the carriage had stopped, Kyle shifted nervously on the seat. The riders drew to a halt by the side of the carriage. Her father, Dominick, was seated on his familiar black stallion. His dark eyes were wide with puzzlement and a hint of alarm. Her father was dressed in a neat dark gray suit and waistcoat. He wore no hat which allowed his black tousled hair to sweep almost to shoulder length. Veronica knew the look of her father's anger. This wasn't going to go well.

  Alongside Dominick, sitting astride the other brown horse, was a man seldom away from her father's side. Rueben Vogel, long time associate and assistant to her father, regarded Veronica with disapproving narrow eyes. In contrast to her father's perfect attire, Vogel's brown suit looked well-worn and slightly disheveled. His blonde hair hung lank across the pale skin of his forehead. As always, Veronica felt a shiver of discomfort every time Vogel looked at her.

  Veronica's father glanced from her to Kyle. He was clearly trying to understand why his daughter was being driven home by a stranger. "What happened to you Veronica?" he asked. His voice always firm and authoritative, boomed beneath the covering of the trees.

  "I'll tell you when we get back to the house, pa," Veronica stated. Gesturing to Kyle, she added: "This fine gentleman kindly helped Molly and I when we got into a little bit of trouble."

  "Trouble!" Dominick boomed. "What kind of trouble?" he added and then glared at Kyle.

  Veronica saw Kyle glancing nervously at her. "You don't need to know that," Veronica snapped. "Right now, Molly and I just want to get back to the house."

  "Vogel and I were coming to look for you," Dominick explained. Vogel nodded and said nothing. He was used to silently agreeing with everything her father said. It had been that way for the many years Vogel had worked for her father. Ever since they'd all lived back in Illinois. Thankfully, those days were gone, she reminded herself.

  "This is Mr Kyle Baxter, of the Baxter spread over to the south of town," Veronica said. She saw her father eye Kyle with obvious suspicion.

  Kyle reached up a hand. "Pleased to meet you, sir," he said in a friendly tone of voice. Dominick hesitated a long moment, briefly disarmed by Kyle's naturally pleasant demeanor. Then he shook Kyle's hand. Veronica felt a momentary relief. At least her father was prepared to be civil, Veronica reassured herself.

  "You're a rancher," Dominick said in a low voice.

  "I sure am, sir. My whole family take care of our spread. We've lived here for ten years." Kyle smiled at Veronica. "I guess you could say we're true blue residents of Inspiration. We love it here, and we love the people, too. It's a fine little community. Don't you agree, Mr Flint?"

  Veronica saw her father's mouth twist into a firm line. He didn't say a word. Kyle wasn't to know how sensitive her father was about the idea of being accepted as a member of the community in these parts. Since moving out here, and buying this palatial residence, her father had maintained his privacy with a firmness all too familiar to Veronica. In fact, his privacy had verged on the reclusive. In spite of her mother's efforts, Dominick seemed determined to stay cooped up inside his grand residence.

  Dominick glanced at the horse tied up to the back of the carriage. "How come you're not riding your own horse, Veronica?" he asked bluntly.

  Veronica sighed. "That's a long story." She drew Molly closer to her. "Molly's probably getting hungry, pa." Veronica smiled at Molly. "Isn't that right?" Molly looked up at the forbidding figure of her grandfather and nodded smiling right up at him. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Just like always, all it took was one smile from his grand-daughter to break through Dominick Flint's hardened exterior.

  Dominick sighed and settled down onto his saddle. "Let's get back to the house," he grunted. Giving Kyle one more steady look, Dominick reined up and started back toward the house. Vogel followed close behind, a loyal retainer as always.

  Kyle sighed heavily and leaned back against the carriage seat. "Is he always like that?" he asked.

  "Like what?" Veronica replied.

  Kyle quirked a brow. "So welcoming to strangers," he said with a heavy touch of irony in his voice.

  "It
's just his way of showing he cares for me and Molly," Veronica explained. "He's always been very protective. He likes to get his own way. It's what he's used to. Comes from all those years in business, I guess." She paused, reminding herself silently of her own personal rule. The one she'd made with herself on the long journey out to Montana barely over a week ago. Never talk about the past. From now on, everything was about the future. Her future and that of Molly.