The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience Read online

  The woman on the sofa stood and turned to face Gideon. She had pretty, even features and strikingly blue eyes. She looked as nervous as him. Instantly he felt his heart quicken as he gazed upon her features. His breath caught and he shifted on his heels for a moment.

  He tried to mask his reaction, but knew it was probably futile, seeing as how Sophie was staring so intently at him, trying to gauge his response to seeing Miss Rosalind Grover for the first time.

  "Rosalind, I'd like you to meet Gideon Buchanan of the Circle Cross ranch," Sophie said.

  To his amazement, Miss Grover curtsied to him. Taken aback for a moment, Gideon quickly bowed and when he looked back up at Miss Grover, he was sure he saw the slightest hint of a smile on her face.

  "Why don't you take a seat, Gideon?" Sophie suggested.

  Another long, awkward moment passed as they all maneuvered to the sofa. Gideon waited until Rosalind had sat back down before taking his place beside her. Sophie sat on a chair by the fireplace.

  Gideon cleared his throat and smiled at the woman seated next to him. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Grover," Gideon said hesitantly. He wasn't used to any of this, he told himself. Already his mind was becoming a blank as he wondered what he should be saying.

  "Now, now," Sophie scoffed. Gideon glanced at her. "We're on first name terms here," she said. Sophie gestured toward Miss Grover. "Rosalind." Then she gestured toward Gideon. "And Gideon. We're all friends under this roof," Sophie stated brightly.

  "Gideon. How was your trip into town this morning?" Rosalind asked in a polite voice. For some reason he couldn't understand, he liked the sound of his name as she spoke it. Her accent was similar to Sophie's. It had a slight touch of the North-East to it. He decided he found it quite pleasing.

  "It's a sunny day, Miss..." he started to say and then looked at Sophie, who had lifted a brow at him. "I mean, Rosalind." He smiled at her and saw her cheeks turn a pleasing shade of pink. "It's always a pleasure to ride into town on a day like today," he added.

  He saw Rosalind smile. No doubt she'd already noticed his awkwardness. She didn't seem to mind it very much. In fact, she already appeared to be taking some pleasure from it.

  "What do you think of Inspiration, Rosalind?" he asked.

  She smiled. "I'm so impressed by this little town. I don't yet know too much about it, but I can see it is a special place." She sighed. "Real special."

  Gideon nodded. "It may be a little town, but the people here all have a big heart."

  "We were out last night for a stroll along the boardwalk," Rosalind explained and glanced at Sophie. "Isn't that right?"

  Sophie nodded. "Everyone was real nice to Rosalind," she explained. Sophie laughed. "Nathan was with us. So they had to be, or else they'd be trouble," she joked.

  Rosalind laughed and Gideon liked the gentle appreciation in that laugh.

  Sophie narrowed her eyes at Gideon. "But then, you already know what makes the folk of Inspiration special, don't you Gideon."

  He nodded. "It's a special place." He paused and look straight at Rosalind. "A godly place," he declared in his most confident voice. He saw her eyes widen slightly as he said those words. "Although, I do prefer spending most of my time at the ranch, rather than in town," he added abruptly.

  "How are things at the ranch?" Sophie asked quickly. Too quickly, he told himself. It was almost as if she was trying to move the conversation away from what he'd just said.

  Gideon looked at Sophie. "Busy. As usual."

  "I heard Zane and Johanna have taken up that place on the spread," Sophie said.

  Gideon nodded. "I was with them yesterday. It's a fine looking spot to build a home."

  Sophie glanced at Rosalind. "I told Rosalind all about your brother and his escapades winning Johanna's heart," Sophie said cheerfully.

  "We owe it all to you, Sophie," Gideon said. "It couldn't have happened without your help. Zane and Johanna are sure happy. That's one thing I can tell you."

  "It was an amazing story," Rosalind said. "I'm so happy it all worked out well for them in the end. It sounded so romantic. The way he managed to propose to her just before she left Inspiration."

  "Zane doesn't give in too easily, once he decides on something," Gideon explained. "And he was mightily taken with Johanna from the moment he met her. I guess it was what the Lord wanted."

  For a few moments, a silence hung between them. He saw Rosalind nod thoughtfully, but she looked momentarily lost for words. Gideon wondered what he'd said that could have caused that reaction. And then he realized. It had been the mention of God's will being satisfied.

  Sophie stood quickly, clasping her hands at her middle and peering down at Gideon and Rosalind. "We've made some cakes. Just special for your visit, Gideon. I'll go and get them while you two carry on chatting."

  And then she was gone, leaving him with Rosalind. He shifted his boots on the rug, crossing one foot over another and gazing down at his feet, reluctant to look directly at Rosalind. As if sensing his discomfort, Rosalind spoke: "I understand you're a man of faith, Gideon."

  Surprised at her directness, he gazed at her. "I surely am," he stated.

  "That's wonderful," Rosalind said, her eyes suddenly bright with enthusiasm. She seemed genuinely pleased by his admission. "My mother was a very religious woman."

  "Was?" he asked.

  Rosalind nodded. "She died two year ago. After a brief illness."

  "I'm rightly sorry to hear that," Gideon replied.

  "I was very close to her," Rosalind said. "She was a wonderful mother in so many ways."

  "Her faith must have been a great comfort to her," he said. "I've known many who've taken solace from God in their final moments. I take it she shared her faith with you," he suggested.

  Rosalind paused for a long moment. Her gaze flickered away from him, and he could see she was trying to measure her next words carefully.

  "She did, Gideon," Rosalind replied. The reply seemed too abrupt, almost as if she wasn't sure how to explain something to him.

  "I'm glad of that," he said, feeling reassured. "It's a great blessing when parents raise their children to be godly. A family isn't a true family unless God is in their midst."

  "Is your family a faith family?" she asked quickly. He had been about to ask a question regarding her father, but the urgency of her own query had prevented him from doing so.

  "My mother and father are both believers. They raised us all to be hard-working and faithful to God." He tilted his head and smiled at Rosalind. "Although, I can't truly say that all of us hold the faith to quite the same degree. I suppose mine's is the strongest out of the four of us."

  "That's nice to know," Rosalind said. She still seemed distracted and he desperately wanted to know what was causing her to act like that. But, before, he had a chance to find out, Sophie came back into the sitting room carrying a tray upon which there was a coffee pot, cups and a large plate piled high with delicious looking biscuits. She set the tray down on the table in front of the sofa. The smell of the biscuits made Gideon's mouth water.

  "I think you had these before, Gideon," Sophie said. "Remember that time Nathan and I came to the ranch the weekend after Zane and Johanna's wedding?"

  "How could I forget?" Gideon replied. "That was quite a celebration. Our first victory over Brett."

  Gideon suddenly realized what he'd just said. He glanced nervously at Rosalind and saw the puzzled frown on her features. Gideon glanced up at Sophie and saw one brow lift. She wasn't pleased with him mentioning Calhoun. He could tell that by the way she was looking at him.

  Before Rosalind had a chance to ask who Brett was, Sophie spoke: "Do you want to pour the coffee, Rosalind?"

  Rosalind glanced one last time from Sophie to Gideon and then shrugged. "Sure."

  Sophie laid out the biscuits onto three plates. "You know there's a dance on tomorrow night at the hall."

  "There is?" Gideon asked.

  Sophie nodded. "And I was thin
king it would be just perfect if you and Rosalind could go together." Sophie looked at Rosalind and smiled. "What do you think, Rosalind?"

  "Dancing?" Rosalind said. She looked instantly unsure. "I don't know. I haven't got all my belongings here. I don't think I have a dress that will suit."

  Sophie scoffed. "We can arrange something, I'm sure," she announced. She looked at Gideon. "And you, Gideon? Don't tell me you're not the dancing type. I seem to recall you've got some sprightly heels on you, when you want."

  Gideon recalled the many celebrations at the ranch and how he had danced a merry jig on more than one occasion. Sophie was right. There were times when it was right to savor the joy in life. And if that meant he could dance with the very beautiful Miss Rosalind Grover, then it might very well be a good idea. Just like most of Sophie's ideas, he told himself.

  "I think I'd like that very much," Gideon admitted.

  And, as he bit into the biscuit, he glanced across at Rosalind and saw that, in spite of her earlier objections, she also relished the prospect of dancing.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next evening, Rosalind walked down the stairs inside the Cameron house and saw Sophie and Nathan looking up at her from the hall with obvious approval written in their faces. Rosalind felt the soft bustle of the newly-fitted gown shift around her legs with a soft whisper. She felt the recently adjusted tightness of the gown around her slim body. Holding onto the banister, she took careful steps. She halted on the bottom step and looked at Sophie and Nathan, awaiting their verdict.

  "I think we did a good job, making those adjustments," Sophie declared. She glanced at Nathan. "What do you think?"

  Nathan grinned. "I'm not an expert on ladies' dresses," he said with a chuckle. "I think it looks mighty fine," he stated. "You're telling me you and Rosalind are the same size?" he asked Sophie.

  Sophie nodded. "Just about."

  She came to Rosalind and pinched the sides of the green gown, checking her handiwork. Sophie had offered this gown to Rosalind after Gideon had left the day before. Both women had spent the day fixing the dress. It fit her so well, that anyone who didn't know would assume it had been fitted specifically for Rosalind. In fact, it was a gown which Sophie rarely wore, so it was good to make some use of it. Especially since it had meant that Rosalind needn't panic about what she could wear to the dance. Sophie herself wore an elegant blue gown.

  "I think it looks wonderful," Sophie observed.

  "You think so?" Rosalind asked. She glanced down and ran her hand across the soft, very smooth material. There was a mirror on the wall near the doorway. Rosalind caught sight of herself and gasped. The gown made her look like a completely different person. The long, matching green gloves stretched up to her elbows and the delicately fashioned open line of the neck revealed her slim shoulders.

  Sophie placed her hands on Rosalind's shoulders and gazed at her reflection. ""Everyone's going to be asking who is the lovely newcomer in town," she said. "Just you wait and see."

  Sophie must have seen a hint of Rosalind's nervousness. She peered into Rosalind's eyes. "You're not nervous are you?"

  Rosalind shook her head. "No," she said in spite of the fact that she felt worry twisting warmly in her middle.

  "Let's go," Sophie said. "We don't want to keep Gideon waiting."

  At the sound of those words, Rosalind instantly felt her anxiety increase. A few moments later they were all outside in the cool evening darkness. They mounted the carriage which was parked by the gate and headed off along the quite street. Emerging out onto Main Street, Nathan turned right, in the direction of the southern part of town. The street was deserted, even eerily quiet. Rosalind looked up and down the length of the main drag.

  "Is everyone going to the dance?" Rosalind asked quietly.

  Sophie nodded. "It's a monthly event. Except during the Winter, of course."

  Rosalind could hear music coming from up ahead. There was the sound of laughter and voices. She saw bright light cast out across the dusty street. Nathan drove on a short while longer and then Rosalind saw where the dance was to take place. It wasn't a hall, as Sophie had suggested. It was more like an open area at the end of the street, on which there had been built a floor of wood. It looked like some kind of assembly area which could be used for public meetings and gatherings.

  Strings of lanterns had been set up high above the heads of the gathered guests. The lanterns cast soft light across the heads of the many people milling around the dance area. It was like an outdoor party, Rosalind told herself. One to which she had been invited without any reservations that she as new in town. What was it about the people of Inspiration that made them so willing to welcome complete strangers into their midst?

  At the rear was a low building, with wide doors that had been thrown open to reveal an interior brightly lit with lamps and busy with people. A large crowd of people was congregated around the makeshift dance floor. Over to the left was a band consisting of five musicians, three fiddlers, a banjo and a single drummer. They were playing some popular dance tunes to which a small number of revelers were dancing happily. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and the excited babble of conversation.

  Nathan drew the carriage to a halt alongside a long line of other carriages. Horses were tied up on nearby hitching rails. All three of them got down from the carriage. Rosalind knew that her eyes were probably wide with amazement.

  As they made their way into the crowd, Rosalind caught the smell of food roasting. Making their way in, Rosalind saw many people look toward her. She felt suddenly self-conscious. She wasn't used to being the focus of attention. Her own curiosity made her crane her neck, trying to find Gideon, but she couldn't find him amongst the many faces.

  Nathan went to fetch some drinks, leaving Rosalind with Sophie.

  "Do you see him?" Sophie asked.

  "Who?" Rosalind replied.

  Sophie smiled. "You know who I mean." She scanned the guests. "Gideon, of course." Suddenly she pointed. "There he is," she said enthusiastically. "He's coming over."

  At that revelation, the nerves in Rosalind's stomach twisted even more tightly. She followed the direction of Sophie's pointing finger. Sure enough, Gideon was heading straight for them.

  Rosalind drew in a sharp breath. Gideon was dressed in what must be his finest choice of clothes. He had on a dark suit and waistcoat, beneath which he wore a white shirt. His cowboy hat was cocked neatly to one side at a jaunty angle and his black boots looked like they'd been newly polished. He was looking straight at Rosalind, and he had a broad grin on his face.

  Reaching them at last, Gideon gazed appreciatively at Rosalind and bowed his head slightly. He raised his eyes and gazed deeply into hers. "May I say how elegant and beautiful you look this evening, Rosalind," he declared in a steady voice.

  "Thank you, Gideon," Rosalind replied, feeling her face flush with heat. "You look mighty pleasing yourself," she added. "Doesn't he Sophie?"

  Sophie nodded and smiled. "He sure does, Rosalind," she said brightly.

  Rosalind wondered if Gideon thought they were making fun of him. He seemed taken aback by that observation, because he shifted on his heels and glanced quickly at Sophie. "In fact, I meant to say that both you ladies look exceptional tonight," he said, almost as if to deflect attention from the effect of Rosalind's words.

  The music halted suddenly and the dancers behind Gideon made their way off the floor leaving it empty for a few moments. Then the band struck up another tune and folks congregated hurriedly onto the floor, some of them jostling past Sophie, Rosalind and Gideon in their eagerness to get out to dance.