The Rancher’s Bride Blessing Page 5

  It was a familiar speech. One that Abigail had heard Lydia make many times during the past year. Upon hearing those words, Abigail knew she would not be winning a victory on Noah MacKendrick's behalf. Not today, at least. "Of course, Lydia," Abigail agreed. "You're right."

  "I'll think about what I can do," Sophie suggested.

  "And perhaps you can find a way to be helpful to your new neighbor," Lydia said to Abigail.

  Abigail felt her face flush with heat. "I'll give it some thought," she said hesitantly. She lifted her teacup and took some sips of tea.

  As she did so, she glanced at Sophie and saw a sympathetic expression in her friend's eyes. Even that didn't prevent Abigail from wondering what Noah MacKendrick would say when he found out he was about to become the focus of attention of the Inspiration Benevolent Society. And, in particular, the object of Abigail's interest.

  CHAPTER SIX

  At the far end of Main Street, near the train station, Noah entered the land office and closed the door behind him. There was a dusty atmosphere in the small room. The light from the shuttered windows was soft and subdued, giving the room a melancholy feeling.

  A wooden counter stretched across the room, cutting it in half. Over to the left, near the door, was a small table and two chairs. Behind the counter were two desks, covered in paper and maps. At one of the desks sat a gray-suited man with dark hair and a pencil-thin mustache. Noah guessed the man was in his fifties. The man narrowed his eyes as he regarded Noah.

  Standing, the man came to the counter. "Good morning, sir. How can I help?" The man extended a hand and smiled. "Name's Cyrus Peabody."

  Noah shook the man's hand, taking note of the slight layer of perspiration on the Mr Peabody's skin. "Noah MacKendrick," he replied. Noah reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. "I'm the new owner of the Double T. I just arrived yesterday. Thought I'd come in and have a few words with you."

  The man's brows shot up. "The Double T?"

  Noah nodded and slid some papers out of the envelope. He handed them to the man.

  Peabody spoke slowly as he examined the papers. "I wondered when you'd be arriving, Mr MacKendrick. It ain't too often we transfer the ownership of a ranch in its entirety like this," he said. He looked up and quickly glanced down the length of Noah's immaculately tailored suit. "Especially to an out-of-towner like yourself."

  "I'm planning on staying, Mr Peabody. I won't be a newcomer for long. I aim to plant some roots in this fine little town. Settle down. Make it a home, if you like," Noah said, liking the sound of the words.

  Peabody seemed surprised. "Really? That's mighty interesting."

  Noah nodded. "Because of that, I'm going to ask for your advice, Mr Peabody. I'll be needing some help if I'm to turn the ranch into a going concern. The previous owners saw fit to leave it with almost nothing."

  Peabody nodded. "They did need to sell in a hurry. There was one other interested buyer. Someone local. But you got in for it first. Thanks to the purchasing agent you employed from Helena. The high price you offered helped, too."

  Noah nodded. "Mr Fitzgerald did a fine job making sure I got the place. Even though I did have to pay a hefty premium on the price. To make sure I got it. But the description of the ranch was too tempting to refuse."

  That fact seemed to annoy Peabody for some reason, although he immediately forced a smile back on his face. "I'm happy you're satisfied with your purchase, Mr MacKendrick. What kinds of things are you needing?"

  Noah spread his hands wide. "Everything. I've already ordered some furniture. That's coming from Helena in the next few days. But, I'll be needing other things. Cattle, for one. And ranch hands to look after them. Horses, too."

  Peabody's brows rose. "Ranch workers are in short supply, Mr MacKendrick. Although you might be able to take on some men who've worked the local ranches in the past."

  Noah hid his disappointment. He'd figured there might be a ready supply of workers in town, or from around the local area.

  Peabody continued. "As far as cattle and horses are concerned, I figure you might have to buy some in." Peabody sighed and shook his head. "That'll cost a chunk of money."

  Noah peered steadily at Peabody. "I'm in the fortunate position of being able to buy what I need, Mr Peabody."

  With one more look at Noah's expensive suit, Peabody nodded. "I'm not surprised. I can see you're a man of means," he declared.

  Peabody slid the land receipt back into the envelope and handed it back to Noah. As he did so, the door opened behind Noah. He turned and saw a man enter. Dressed in a suit similarly well-tailored as Noah's, the man appeared to be in his late forties. The man wore a neat-fitting Derby hat. He had a thin mustache and slicked-back dark hair. He was puffing on a cheroot. His dark eyes regarded Noah with a steady curiosity. The man paused and glanced at Peabody who jerked, almost as if he'd been prodded with a stick.

  Peabody lifted the wooden flap of the counter and came through to stand next to Noah. "Mr MacKendrick. May I introduce one of our most esteemed residents." Peabody gestured toward the man. "Mr Brett Calhoun. This fine gentleman is Mr MacKendrick." Peabody's face seemed to have broken out in a sudden sweat. He was glancing nervously at Calhoun. Noah narrowed his eyes, wondering what could be the relationship between the land agent and the dark-haired man.

  Calhoun tilted his head slightly and smiled in what could only be described as a feral, animal-like manner. Something raw shifted inside Noah as Calhoun extended his hand. He was familiar with that kind of look. A hungry, confident look. He'd seen it plenty of times in high society. The kind of man who regarded people in that manner was invariably a troublemaker of one sort or another, Noah told himself.

  Noah cautiously shook Calhoun's hand. "You're the man who beat me to the purchase of the Double T?" Calhoun asked. His voice was slow and possessed an accent which Noah couldn't immediately place.

  "I am, indeed," Noah admitted. "Seems I outbid you."

  Calhoun laughed, but there was nothing sincere or good-humored about the sound. "Not many folks around here can say that, Mr MacKendrick."

  Then Calhoun did something which shocked Noah. With a sudden movement, he leaned closer, placing his mouth inches from Noah's ear and, speaking with a low voice, he murmured. "I'll give you whatever price you want for the ranch. Right here. Right now."

  Noah stiffened, feeling Calhoun's warm breath against his skin. Calhoun's scent was a mixture of tobacco, liquor and cologne. The aroma caught in the back of Noah's throat and he leaned away from Calhoun, scarcely believing what the man had said to him.

  Noah eyed Calhoun for a few moments wondering if the man was being serious. Judging by the look in Calhoun's eyes he was. "The ranch is not for sale, Mr Calhoun," Noah declared evenly and then smiled uneasily at Calhoun. "You had your chance to buy it. Just like I did."

  Noah saw Peabody's eyes widen as he listened to what Noah was saying. Noah got the distinct impression Peabody wasn't used to hearing people talk to Calhoun in such a way.

  Calhoun nodded slowly, looking Noah up and down as if appraising him. Then Calhoun took a step back and grinned. "Only joking, Mr MacKendrick," he said. "I know when I'm beat. No hard feelings." There was a hint of menace in Calhoun's voice, made even more obvious by a dark expression in his eyes. This was a man who was used to getting his way, Noah told himself. In his experience, those kind of men had to be handled with extreme caution.

  "I'm glad you've got a healthy sense of humor, Mr Calhoun," Noah taunted.

  "It sure comes in handy in a place like Inspiration," Calhoun replied. "If you hang around here, you'll find that out Mr MacKendrick."

  Noah frowned. "My impression is this little town has a lot going for it. And I do aim to stay. Permanently."

  "Is that so?" Calhoun asked.

  "Once the ranch is up and running, I'll have no cause to leave," Noah stated. "Once I get what I need, of course."

  Calhoun strode over to the counter and leaned an elbow on the surface. "There ain't muc
h that goes on here that I don't have some kind of involvement in." Calhoun smiled at Peabody. "Right, Cyrus?"

  Peabody nodded abruptly. "Mr MacKendrick was asking about how he could take on some ranch hands for the Double T."

  Calhoun shifted. "Really?"

  Noah nodded, unsure whether he should remain much longer in the land office. "I'll be buying most of what I need. Cattle. Horses. And hiring men."

  "I might be able to help with all of that, Mr MacKendrick," Calhoun stated. "You could say I have connections with all the right people in this territory. I could be useful to a man in your situation." Calhoun took a step toward Noah. "All you need to do is say the word. I'm sure you and I can come to some mutually satisfactory arrangement."

  "That's a mighty kind offer, Mr Calhoun," Noah said and smiling, even though he felt something unsettling tugging at him as he uttered the words.

  "You say the word, Mr MacKendrick," Calhoun said. "And I'll see what I can find."

  Calhoun's gaze was steady, unblinking. There was a coldness in the man's eyes. And a hidden strength of will. Calhoun was holding something back, Noah told himself. Noah sensed there was a veiled threat in that look. He didn't know how he knew that, but he felt it keenly.

  The room filled with a heavy, awkward silence. Noah realized he didn't know who this man was. All Noah did know for sure was he had prevented Calhoun from acquiring the Double T ranch. And, for the kind of man Calhoun seemed to be, that was often enough to harbor resentment. Noah's faith had taught him that danger took many forms, and that it prowled the world like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

  Once again, Noah felt an uneasy sensation in the pit of his stomach. He felt as if he'd been drawn into something troubling. Dangerous. It was almost like he was in the presence of some kind of malevolent force. The room felt strangely stifling. Darker, since Calhoun had entered.

  But, how could that be? It was merely himself and two other men talking over how he could get what he needed to supply the ranch. This was merely a business talk. Nothing more. In spite of that reassuring thought, Noah sensed something prompting him to head for the door. Noah told himself the time had come for him to be vigilant and watchful.

  "I appreciate your time, Mr Peabody," Noah exclaimed opening the door. The rush of fresh morning felt cool on his skin. Noah nodded. "Mr Calhoun. Pleasure making your acquaintance."

  And, as he stepped out onto the boardwalk, closing the door firmly behind him, he was sure he could hear taunting laughter coming from inside the office.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Abigail sat on the long sofa in the reception area of the hotel and asked herself if she was doing the right thing. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearly lunchtime. Impatience simmered in her. Why was he taking so long? Under normal circumstances, she would have been heading back to the ranch by now. But today was no normal day. She'd agreed to come to the hotel and present her request to Noah MacKendrick immediately after the meeting. In fact, there had been no possibility of avoiding this task, she reflected. That had been made abundantly clear back at Lydia's house.

  The meeting had continued for the remainder of the morning. More tea and sandwiches had been brought, and Abigail and Sophie had listened as Lydia had spoken in detail about some of the good deeds the Society had to perform. Because, at the end of the day, that was really what the Inspiration Benevolent Society was all about. Doing good.

  Lydia had a deep faith in God, and like Abigail and Sophie, she was a regular church-goer. Abigail felt good about being part of such an important enterprise as the Benevolent Society. It was motivated by a faith in God. Her own faith had seen her through the difficulties and trials after the death of her father. They'd been hard days, but God had granted her the grace to be strong. To persevere. To think of others before herself. So, it felt natural for Abigail to be involved in the improvement of Inspiration's society.

  It also allowed Abigail to experience for herself the different aspects of life in Inspiration. Town life was so very different from the ranch life she'd grown used to. There was something inspiring about helping the townsfolk who'd fallen into hardship. Inspiration was a wonderful place to live. There was no doubting it.

  But, like everywhere else, it had its fair share of the natural burdens of life. Of course faith played a crucial role in pulling people through those difficult times. Showing true love involved Abigail rolling up her sleeves and helping out in every practical way. And she loved doing that. Whether it was helping out new arrivals, homesteaders, families who'd fallen on hard times materially, or making sure folks got the medical help they needed. Someone always needed help.

  It was a total contrast to life on the ranch. It wasn't that she was unhappy living on the ranch. Of course she loved her mother, her sister and brother. She figured they knew she was devoted to them. At least she hoped so.

  She wasn't unhappy with ranch life. Only curious about what the rest of the world held in store. She longed to know what it was like to be a part of a world of which she knew little. The world which Lydia inhabited. Not only helping the needy. But also, the life she saw whenever she came to Lydia's home. Fine clothes. Polite society. Exciting new people. Lydia always talked about her time back East when she had played a full part in polite society. It all sounded so exciting.

  For Abigail, the world outside Inspiration, even out beyond Helena, the nearest big town, was filled with possibilities and thrilling opportunities. Maybe it had been growing up on the ranch which had nurtured a curiosity about what she might be missing. This past year, spending time with Lydia and the others had stimulated Abigail's imagination. There had be more to life than what she'd grown up with on the ranch, she frequently told herself.

  Abigail heard footsteps and turned. Noah was descending the stairs. At last, she told herself. She drew in a sharp breath, feeling her heartbeat quicken. Abigail peered at Noah. Didn't he look wonderful, she thought to herself. She pushed that thought firmly away, even though she knew it to be true.

  Noah was wearing a different suit to the one he'd worn earlier this morning. This one was of a subtle gray color, but it looked as well-tailored as the other one. The matching waistcoat emphasized his broad chest. His wide shoulders filled the jacket. The sound of his brightly polished boots on the wooden floor echoed when he reached the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing a narrow-brimmed gray Stetson.

  When Noah smiled at her, making his way toward Abigail, she felt a warm sensation flare in her middle. Instantly, she felt like a nervous girl. She was sure her cheeks had flushed pink. Was she merely excited to see him again? Or was she nervous about what she was about to do? She couldn't make up her mind. But, she was glad to see him. Of that she was in no doubt.

  Abigail stood, holding her reticule. She watched, transfixed as he made his way toward her. He moved so languidly. So confidently, she told herself. It was quite hypnotic.

  When he halted in front of her, all she could do was smile up at him. He looked pleased to see her. There was a brightness in his eyes that had been missing earlier. Perhaps he'd received some good news, she told herself.

  "I got a message you were waiting to see me," he said. He tilted his head. "I have to say, I'm surprised." He quirked a brow. "And pleased, too."

  This time, Abigail's throat tightened. She coughed quietly and straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin, determined not to reveal the slightest hint of nervousness. "I was thinking you'd like to see the best tearoom in Inspiration." She shrugged. "Well, it is the only tearoom in town."

  "Tearoom?" he asked.

  She nodded. "Unless you've made other plans."

  "I've done as much as I want to do this morning," he stated. "A tearoom sounds like a pleasant idea," he said. She saw a hint of surprise in his features. Was he wondering why she had changed her mind? After all, he had invited her for coffee only a few hours ago.