Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) Read online

  Beatrice smiled and handed Lewis to Hunter. Taking his son into his arms for the first time made Hunter's heart swell and quicken it's pace all at the same time. Lewis coughed a few times. Hunter felt the tiny frame of his son's body settle into the crook of one arm. With the other hand he supported the baby's head up against his shoulder, just the way he'd seen Beatrice do moments before.

  After a few more gentle coughs, Lewis settled quietly against his father's shoulder. The little boy's breathing was slow and steady. Hunter savored the warmth of the tiny boy against his shoulder. He relished the sound of the cooing. Hunter inhaled the sweet scent of the baby. Gretchen had obviously scented his son's skin with some kind of delightful baby soap. It smelled clean and pure.

  Hunter glanced across at Gretchen and he saw an approving smile on her face. Then her lips pursed. "Now where did you learn to hold a baby like that?" Gretchen asked, standing up.

  Hunter frowned at her. "Looks like I'm doing a fine job," he insisted.

  Gretchen shook her head. "You can hold him better if you hold him at this angle," she said guiding Hunter's arm into a position that drew Lewis even closer against Hunter's shoulder.

  Hunter nodded, acknowledging that Gretchen's advice was somehow just right. Lewis did feel closer and safer in this position.

  "And you should hold his head like this," Gretchen said moving Hunter's hand into a more supportive position.

  Once again he had to admit that she was right. With these two small adjustments, Lewis felt more safe and comfortable against Hunter's chest.

  Hunter glanced at Gretchen. "That's some good advice you've got there," he murmured.

  Gretchen smiled. "Well, I've had quite a bit of practice in recent weeks," she said.

  "I guess you have," he answered, containing the urge to ask for more detail. He wasn't going to have any conversation about the recent past while he was holding his precious child in his arms. It just didn't seem like the right thing to do.

  For a moment it seemed like something passed between Hunter and Gretchen. Standing together, with Gretchen instructing him on the finer details of how to look after their child seemed both right and confusing all at the same time.

  There would be time for answers later. Because it looked like Gretchen and the children were here to stay, no matter what Hunter thought about that.

  There was the sound of clattering china and then Mrs. Roper came striding into the room, carrying a tray laden with cups and biscuits. "I hope you all like biscuits. I've made tea and coffee. I'll let you all choose what you prefer," she said laying the tray down on the table in the center of the room.

  Mrs. Roper turned and looked at Hunter holding little Lewis. He saw his housekeeper's eyes moisten and a huge smile light up her face. "My, oh my. What a sight!" she exclaimed. "Look at you, Hunter Sinclair."

  Hunter smiled at Mrs. Roper feeling himself suddenly and inexplicably proud and capable all at once.

  "That child looks right at home on his father's shoulder. And he hasn't been in this house for more than five minutes," she said with a broad smile.

  Hunter felt his face color and he was sure that Gretchen and Beatrice had noticed his reaction. "Now, Mrs. Roper," Hunter said. "What have I told you before? Don't go embarrassing me. Especially in front of these fine ladies," he said.

  Mrs. Roper planted her hands on her hips and gave Hunter an admonishing look. "There's nothing embarrassing about a man holding his baby son, Hunter Sinclair. Nothing at all," she declared.

  "I think you both look right at home with each other," Beatrice said quietly.

  Gretchen reached out and ran the back of her fingers across the side of the baby's forehead. "You're right, mama. Looks like this little one already knows that he's being held by his father," she said.

  Hunter looked at Gretchen in surprise. Her eyes met his and he saw her gaze narrow, as if emphasizing what she'd just said.

  What had she just done? She had arrived back in his life, with no explanation, bringing the most precious thing a man could hope for.

  A family.

  He felt the questions burning up inside him once again, and wondered if he could possibly restrain the urge to demand answers. The words were on the tip of his tongue as he looked into the beautiful eyes of the woman who was still his wife. The woman who had been his wife for the past year.

  But she was also the same woman who had gone away.

  And he knew that if it hadn't have been for the precious children he would have demanded an answer to the one question which threatened to make Hunter combust on the spot.

  Why on earth had Gretchen left Hunter so soon after their wedding?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Later, after they'd all had tea and coffee, and Beatrice and Mrs. Roper had left them alone in the parlor, Gretchen looked at Hunter sitting next to her on the sofa with Lewis in his arms and thought she'd never seen a more natural sight in all her life. She was amazed at how quickly Hunter had taken to the little bundle of joy in his arms. But she could also see the barest hint of unease in his gaze.

  "I've got so many questions," Hunter said after a while.

  "I know you have. You must be wondering what's happening," Gretchen said.

  Hunter frowned. "That's quite an understatement. It's not every day a man gets a surprise like this," he said glancing down at Lewis.

  "Nor two similar surprises," she said laying a hand on the side of the basket. Hannah looked comfortable bundled up in the blankets.

  "And a wife returning," Hunter said peering intently at her.

  Gretchen felt the heat rise to her face. He'd always had a particular way of looking at her which had never failed to have an effect upon her. And now was no different. It looked like some things never changed, no matter what the circumstances.

  "How have you been all these months?" Hunter asked with genuine concern filling his gaze.

  Gretchen smiled at him."I've been fine, Hunter. Just fine. Considering."

  Gretchen saw him nod. He had always been such a sensitive and understanding man. They were amongst the qualities which had drawn her to Hunter in the first place. That, and the fact that he was the most handsome man she had ever set eyes on.

  His eyes narrowed. "It must have been difficult for you."

  "It wasn't easy. I'll admit that. But I had help. That made things a little more bearable."

  Hunter's eyes flickered from side to side, betraying a mind desperately seeking a way to understand, to comprehend what was happening. "But. Did you know you were going to have twins? Did you feel anything...different?"

  Gretchen smiled at his question. "Not really. I didn't feel anything in particular. I didn't know for sure until late on. When the doctor told me there were two heartbeats I just assumed he meant mine and the baby's."

  Hunter rocked Lewis gently. He glanced away and she thought he must have so many questions he wanted to ask her. But she wasn't sure how many answers she could give him.

  She saw him swallow and his eyes narrow, as if considering the next thing he should say. When he finally spoke it was with barely restrained tension in his voice. "I came looking for you."

  Gretchen lowered her eyes. She gazed down at Hannah lying there in the basket, sound asleep. She knew Hunter was keeping his voice quiet, not wanting to disturb either of the sleeping babies. "I know you did."

  "But no-one would tell me where you'd gone. Or even why you'd left."

  Gretchen saw his jaw tighten and she heard him draw in a deep breath.

  "It was difficult," she said, knowing immediately that her answer wasn't anywhere near enough to satisfy Hunter.

  "How difficult could it have been to get some kind of message to me? Give me some reassurance that you were safe. That you were okay," Hunter said, his voice rising slightly.

  Gretchen glanced down at Lewis. Hunter seemed to sense the message contained in that look, because he took yet another deep breath and she could see he was once again trying to restrain himself.

 
"If you had known where I was, and what was happening, would you have stood by and just let things be?" she asked.

  Hunter frowned and his eyes revealed a mind searching for a response. There was a long pause and then he spoke.

  "If I'd known where you were and that you were going to give birth to my children there isn't anyone who could have stood in my way," he declared. "No-one," he said with utter finality.

  Gretchen felt a shiver up her spine as she listened to his determined, firm words. She didn't doubt that what he'd said was the truth. Had never doubted his capacity to do whatever he thought was best for Gretchen.

  What would he have done if he'd have known where she was? People reacted strangely to the truth. She'd learned that. So, for the moment she decided she would try to answer as many of his questions as possible. But she knew she could only go so far.

  "Then I was right," she said.

  Hunter looked quizzically at her.

  "I knew that you couldn't possibly know what I was going through. I knew that if you found out you would come and stop me," she said.

  Hunter's brows furrowed. "Stop you from doing what?" he asked.

  Gretchen turned away. It would do no good to look into his eyes, not when she had to withhold so much from him.

  "I don't know how to explain it to you," she said.

  Hunter leaned slightly forward, still holding Lewis close to him. "Try. I'm listening. I want to understand," he said.

  Gretchen was sure Hunter would want the truth about the last twelve months. The only problem was, she didn't know just how much of the truth she could tell him right now. Might he simply refuse to accept her if he found out the reality of what she had been doing since they'd last been together. Would he understand? Or would he simply reject her and the children, out of hand? Looking across at him as he sat next to her, cradling their infant son, she thought that possibility inconceivable. But, after so long apart from Hunter, she asked herself, as she had done so many times recently, if she could trust him with the truth.

  Gretchen glanced down at Hannah. There was too much at stake. The entire future for her children was at stake.

  "I had an...obligation," she said quietly.

  Gretchen looked at Hunter and saw genuine puzzlement in his eyes.

  "What kind of obligation?" he asked.

  Gretchen felt her lips tighten and her mouth become suddenly dry. She paused. "Something terrible happened," she said eventually.

  Hunter's eyes flashed bright and she was sure she could see his nostrils flare.

  "What?"

  "I can't say, right now. Perhaps in time I will be able to. But right now I can't," she explained.

  Gretchen saw the muscle on Hunter's jaw twitch. There was a long, awful silence between them. Then Hunter spoke in a quiet, firm voice. "What do you want with me, Gretchen?"

  "I want us to be a family, Hunter. You want the same. Don't you Hunter?"

  He frowned. "How can that be if you won't tell me why you left. Where you were? What you were doing?"

  Gretchen noticed he hadn't answered her question. Surely he wanted them to be a family as much as she needed them to be. Gretchen gestured to the children. "Look at them. They're so precious. How can you even ask me why I want to be here? With you. With them. I'm only thinking about their future."

  "And our future, Gretchen? What about our future?"

  Gretchen looked into the basket at her sleeping daughter. Then she looked across at her son, comfortable in her father's arms. "They are our future, Hunter. They are what unite us," she said.

  Hunter's eyes fixed on Gretchen. The intensity of the look made her wonder what he was going to say. When he spoke his voice was a deep, vibrant growl. "The only thing that stands between us and being a family is your refusal to tell me the truth," he said. "How can I be sure? After what you did. It's been so long, Gretchen. And now, this?" he said gesturing toward the children. She saw Hunter shake his head.

  Gretchen swallowed, allowing his words to sink into her mind. What was the barrier that lay between them both in this moment? It felt so real. How could doubt feel so real? And she could see that uncertainty was burning Hunter up inside.

  It was all her fault, she thought suddenly. But she couldn't tell him. Not yet. Not now.

  Gretchen felt a twisting knot inside her stomach. Was she having second thoughts? She'd believed that coming back to Hunter, coming back to the ranch would represent a great opportunity to put the past behind them both and seize a fresh, bright future for their family.

  But now she felt the same kind of second thoughts which had plagued her before coming back to the ranch.

  Perhaps it had all been a terrible misjudgment. Maybe her father had been right all along. He'd tried to stop her from coming to the ranch. He'd done everything in his power, bar physically restraining her. And she knew he wasn't the kind of man to do anything like that. But Gideon had told her time and again that the ranch wasn't the place for her or the children. Maybe he'd been right after all.

  Hannah suddenly started becoming unsettled, bubbling and making the cutest little noises. Gretchen reached into the basket and took her daughter's tiny hand. She leaned in close and started to make the gentle, reassuring sounds she had learned so quickly, so instinctively. After a few moments Hannah quietened and drifted off back to sleep.

  Gretchen lifted her head and looked at Hunter. He'd obviously watched what she'd done, and there seemed to be a different expression on his face than there had been minutes before.

  Hunter reached down and took little Lewis's hand. The baby's eyes were opened and he was looking straight up into the face of his father. Gretchen felt a lump rise to her throat. Hunter's huge hand made Lewis's tiny one look so fragile, so delicate. But the way her husband was tending to their son made Gretchen feel something intense and real inside herself.

  Hunter looked up and gave a gentle, but hesitant smile to Gretchen. For a moment their eyes met in a silent dialogue and then there seemed to be a certainty in Hunter's gaze which Gretchen hadn't seen since her arrival.

  At the same moment she heard Mrs. Roper far away in the kitchen calling out to Beatrice, asking Gretchen's mother if there was any way she and Gideon were planning to stay.

  Gretchen's mother answered that they weren't quite sure.

  At that moment Hunter looked at Gretchen and spoke. "I wonder which of the rooms would be right for the children?" he asked her.

  Gretchen felt her pulse quicken. She knew that her lower lip had dropped and that her mouth was probably hanging open in a most unladylike fashion. But that didn't matter. She tried to gain some measure of composure.

  "I don't really know," she said hesitantly. "Maybe you'd better make that choice. Since it is your ranch house," she said.

  Hunter shook his head. "Our ranch house," he said simply, emphasizing the first word.

  Gretchen looked at Hunter.

  Footsteps could be heard making their way on the wooden hallway floor. Mrs. Roper appeared at the parlor door. "I was just asking Beatrice..." she started to say.

  Hunter interrupted Mrs. Roper, but all the while he kept his eyes fixed on Gretchen. "I think we'll need to prepare the big front room upstairs, Mrs. Roper."

  Gretchen looked at him, seeing the determination that had suddenly appeared in his eyes.

  Hunter looked down at Lewis. "We're going to have some extra people staying for the foreseeable future," he said finally.

  CHAPTER SIX

  After much discussion, and the intervention of stern words from Beatrice, they finally managed to persuade Gideon to come into the house. Once he got the news that Gretchen and the children would be staying at the ranch, his attitude seemed to change. Hunter went out to the yard and helped Gideon bring the small number of cases and boxes that had been crammed into the back of the carriage. Gretchen remained in the parlor chatting to her mother, all the while listening to the sounds of her belongings and those of the twins being carried up the stairs. The occasional noise
s of gruff conversation between Hunter and Gretchen's father brought smiles to the faces of Gretchen and her mother.

  "So he agreed that you could stay? Permanently?" Beatrice asked, although it was plain that she already knew the answer to that question.

  Gretchen nodded looking down at the tiny figure of Lewis nestled in her arm. "It seems like the right thing to do, mother," she answered.

  "Of course it is Gretchen. This is where you all belong," Beatrice said.

  "I know it is," she said gazing around the inside of the parlor. "It is so very beautiful out here."

  "And the ranch house will be even larger once Hunter has finished the improvements," Beatrice said. "Maybe room for even more little ones."

  Gretchen frowned. "Mother. I'm only just coping with these two little treasures. I can't even begin to give a thought to any more," she said.

  "Give it time, my dear. I'm sure Hunter would love to have more children," Beatrice said.

  "Do you think so?" Gretchen asked Beatrice.

  "I do, my dear. He's a good man. Despite what your father keeps on saying," Beatrice said.

  Gretchen paused and placed a finger in front of Lewis's extended hand. The baby curled his tiny fingers around it. Gretchen savored the feeling of her baby grasping onto her, as if asking for protection.

  "Did he ask about where you went?" Beatrice asked.

  Gretchen looked at her mother and nodded. "He wanted me to tell him. But you know I can't."

  "I know Gretchen. It is so very difficult. Especially when you've given your word as you have. But that's the way when you give someone a promise."

  "Promises can be such terrible burdens, mama," Gretchen said sighing loudly.

  "But you know that your father and I have tried to bring you up to be a person of your word. There is nothing more important in life than keeping the vows you make to other people," Beatrice said.