The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience Page 5

  "Where's Nathan?" Gideon asked, raising his voice above the sound of the fiddle music.

  "Getting some fruit punch for us," Sophie explained. Rosalind saw Sophie searching for Nathan. Sophie turned to Gideon. ""Why don't you and Rosalind dance while I try find my husband," she suggested.

  Rosalind was shocked. They'd only just arrived and already Sophie wanted her to dance with Gideon? Rosalind saw Gideon's face become visibly more pale. He glanced at Rosalind and she felt her cheeks flush even more. She saw Gideon reflect a moment, and then he reached out his hand to Rosalind. "That's a mighty good idea," he said. "Would you do me the honor of your first dance of the evening?"

  Rosalind hesitated a moment and then placed her gloved hand in his open palm. His hand was warm, pleasingly so, she told herself. There was a brief exchange of looks between the two of them. Then he was leading her out onto the busy expanse of the wooden floor.

  Within moments, they were dancing to the tune, occasionally bumping shoulders with the others on the floor. She knew the steps, having danced it before. Gideon seemed to also know them as well as her. Dancing around her, spinning her expertly, clacking his heels at just the right moment, she saw him smiling at her with delight throughout the whole dance. She thought about his reluctance to admit his dancing ability to Sophie during his visit to the house the day before. He might not want to admit it, but he sure knew how to dance, Rosalind told herself. Gideon was no stuffed shirt. He knew how take joy from the simplest things.

  Finally, the dance was over and he bowed regally to her. That made her laugh, and then he led her from the dance floor back toward the waiting Sophie and Nathan. She knew she was smiling more broadly than she'd done since she'd arrived in Inspiration. She was slightly out of breath, but that didn't matter. All her nervousness had vanished.

  Nathan held out a glass to Rosalind and one to Gideon. She took a sip and tasted sweet apple juice.

  "That was some pair of clean heels you were showing there, Gideon," Sophie said.

  Gideon glanced at Rosalind. "It was a delight to dance with you, Rosalind," he said to her. "I hope I wasn't moving too fast. But that music sure makes a man want to jig."

  Rosalind laughed. Gideon's face was flushed with the exertions of the dancing. His eyes were brighter than she'd seen them. He looked so different from the quiet, serious man who'd visited her the day before.

  The music started up again, and Nathan led Sophie out onto the dance floor. Rosalind stood alongside Gideon as they both watched Nathan and Sophie dancing. Rosalind searched her mind for what to say to Gideon, but her mind was a total blank. For his part, Gideon stood stiffly, holding his glass, only occasionally glancing at Rosalind and smiling politely.

  Rosalind had to admit that Gideon was a handsome man. Here, amongst the people of Inspiration, amongst so many happy faces, Gideon seemed somehow more relaxed than he'd been the day before at the Cameron house. Maybe he was just glad to be amongst his own people, she told herself. That made a question pop into her mind.

  "Are any of your brothers here, tonight?" she asked.

  Gideon nodded and craned his neck, searching the faces. "They're here somewhere," he replied. "I'll introduce you to them when I find them."

  He turned and faced her. "There's a quieter place out by the side of the hall over there. I thought maybe we could go and sit down a while. Maybe talk a bit?" he suggested.

  She thought for a moment, and then nodded. "Sure," she agreed and then started to follow him through the crowd.

  As she did so, she couldn't help asking herself what he could possibly want to talk to her about.

  CHAPTER SIX

  She followed Gideon through the crowd of people. There was a gate by the side of the building. He opened it and held it, waiting for her to step through it and onto the path which ran down to a garden. There was a large tree and a bench. She walked carefully across the garden lawn and sat down on the wooden bench. They were far enough away that the sound of the music and the rhythmic beating of dancing feet was considerably lower. Gideon sat beside her. Rosalind gazed around the garden area. It was well-tended, and obviously designed to be a quiet sanctuary away from the busy main street.

  "It's nice here," she said.

  "They made it for anyone who wants to come and sit in peace for a while," he explained. "Maybe gather their thoughts away from the business of everyday life."

  She glanced at him. "And what do you do when you're on the ranch and you need some quiet time?"

  He tilted his head. "There're plenty of places out on the spread where a man can find peace," he said. "Of course, that's only when he isn't busy working and doing what he's supposed to do," he added with a smile.

  "It must be hard work running a ranch," she said.

  "It is," he replied nodding. "It can be a tough life. You never know from day to day what you're going to have to deal with. Luckily we've all grown up on the ranch, so we know how to deal with most things."

  "Having all your brothers around must make it seem like a real family affair," she suggested.

  He frowned. "I don't think we could do it if weren't all united with a sense of common purpose. The ranch is all we've ever known," he said ruefully."If we ever lost it, I don't know what we'd all do."

  Rosalind noticed a sudden sadness seemed to have settled upon him. She wondered why that could be. The way he'd just talked about the ranch, it seemed like the most perfect place to bring up a family.

  "You don't think you'd ever lose it, do you?" she asked.

  His brows furrowed and he looked suddenly thoughtful. "Didn't Sophie tell you?" he asked.

  "About what?"

  He sighed heavily and stood. She watched as he paced in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back. He didn't say anything for a few long moments. Then he halted and gazed down at her. "You came to Inspiration at Sophie's invitation, didn't you?"

  "Yes. I met her sister back East and then Sophie wrote inviting me to Inspiration. So I came West," she said. Immediately she felt an uneasy sensation in her middle. She hadn't explained that, on her way here, she had made her foolish decision to take up the other offer in Helena. She decided that this wasn't yet the time to share that with him. All that mattered for now was that she was here, in Inspiration, and that Sophie had welcomed her with open arms.

  "And you're happy to be a mail order bride?" he asked.

  "Why, sure," she said. "Now that I've seen what Inspiration is like, I believe I made the right decision."

  Gideon nodded. His eyes were thoughtful once again. He paced a few moments again. He halted and gazed at Rosalind. "May I be frank, Rosalind?"

  "Of course, Gideon," she replied.

  "Speaking plainly, I know that Sophie believes that I would make a good husband for you. And that you might be happy living on the ranch," he said.

  Rosalind shifted nervously on the bench. There was an earnest quality to Gideon's words now.

  "Can I ask if you also believe that it would be something you would consider?" he said. Now he sounded rather stiff and formal. Gone was the lightness of earlier. It was as if what he was speaking of now was so important to him that he couldn't risk even the slightest levity.

  "Do you mean living on the ranch?" she asked gazing wide-eyed up at him.

  He nodded. "As man and wife," he said evenly. She could hear a hint of nervousness in his voice. Was he as anxious as her to even talk about this subject so soon after meeting? But, she was a mail order bride. That was the choice she had made for herself. It wasn't uncommon for weddings to take place almost immediately upon arrival. So, Gideon's words needn't be that surprising, she told herself.

  Man and wife.

  The breath eased out of Rosalind. Just hearing those words had had a curious effect upon her. She glanced up at him. His dark eyes gazed at her, intently watching her, waiting for her reply.

  "I only just arrived here, Gideon," she said. "After yesterday, I did have some hope that you and I could get to know one another a
little more." She peered at him and smiled. "You know, get acquainted. Take a little time. After all, you might not like me," she added, lowering her head.

  Gideon came and sat down next to her. She turned her face to him again. Once again there was that earnestness in his gaze. But there was also some hesitation there, she told herself. Something was worrying him.

  "That's the problem, Rosalind," he said breathlessly. "There isn't a whole lot of time," he said.

  She frowned at Gideon. "What do you mean?"

  He opened his mouth, about to speak, but he was interrupted by the sound of a nearby male voice. "Well if it isn't Gideon Buchanan," she heard the low, drawling voice say. "And a certain lady friend."

  Rosalind turned and saw a dark-haired man of middle years, elegantly dressed in a light colored suit and broad-brimmed hat standing nearby, nonchalantly puffing on a cheroot. She didn't recognize the man, but he obviously knew Gideon. There was something about the way the man was looking at her which made Rosalind feel instantly uncomfortable. It was as if he was looking right through her, examining her, trying to see who she really was.

  Gideon stood quickly and walked over to the man. "Calhoun. What are you doing here?" Gideon said sharply. "Can't you see this is private?"

  The man called Calhoun took the cheroot out of his mouth and waved it casually. "Anyone's free to come here. Buchanan. You know that. I was just curious to meet your new lady friend. Get an introduction."

  Rosalind saw Gideon's entire body stiffen. He took a step toward Calhoun, but stopping short, his face a few inches away from the other man. Gideon's arms were held tight down his sides. But, Rosalind could see the sudden transformation in Gideon, and it puzzled her.

  Calhoun peered over Gideon's shoulder and grinned. "Any lady friend of Gideon Buchanan is someone I sure want to meet," he explained. There was something odd about the tone of the man's voice, Rosalind told herself. Something slightly menacing. But she didn't know this man. Couldn't even recall seeing him out there amongst the revelers. Nor even when she'd been out with Nathan and Sophie on their walk around town. Why would this man even have an interest in her?

  Gideon moved his head, blocking Calhoun's sight of Rosalind. "I told you, Calhoun. This is private. For now." Gideon gestured back toward the gate. "I'd be obliged if you'd leave us here and go back to your dancing. Or maybe you're not the type to enjoy dancing." Gideon sniffed audibly. "Drinking liquor might be more to your taste."

  Calhoun's gaze met Gideon's, an obvious challenge filling his eyes. Calhoun quickly took a step to the side and came toward Rosalind. Gideon followed quickly, but Rosalind noticed he didn't even try to lay a hand on Calhoun. Maybe violence wasn't in Gideon's nature, she told herself. She understood that, especially because of his obvious religious convictions.

  Calhoun halted, raising his hat and smiling acidly down at Rosalind. "Brett Calhoun, ma'am," he said. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

  Rosalind glanced at Gideon and saw that his jaw was tight and his gaze was fixed upon her. Was he standing back and letting her handle this situation the way she wanted? Or maybe he wanted to see another side to her character. To observe how she would react to someone like Calhoun.

  Not wanting to be intimidated by Calhoun, Rosalind stood and faced the man directly. "Rosalind Grover of Pennsylvania, sir," she announced. "Lately arrived in this fine town."

  Calhoun bowed his head, but when he looked up at her, there wasn't much respect in the way he was peering at her. He was trying to mock her, she told herself. But, why would he even do that? He was a total stranger.

  Calhoun's gaze was steady as he replied. "Pennsylvania?" he said and frowned. "I'm informed you arrived on the Helena train, ma'am. And not on the train from back East." He grinned. "Or have I been misled?" After uttering those words, he placed the cheroot back in his mouth and puffed on it.

  Rosalind saw Gideon's eyes widen imperceptibly. Rosalind was sure Gideon must have seen her mouth open in surprise at Calhoun's revelation. How could this total stranger even know such a thing? Who had told him? She decided not to confirm, nor deny what he'd just said.

  "All that matters is that I am here in Inspiration, sir," she declared. She leaned forward, staring straight into his eyes. "And that I consider it none of your business to concern yourself in my affairs."

  Unaffected by her words, Calhoun peered at her. "On the contrary, ma'am. I pride myself on taking an interest in any newcomers into our fine town."

  "Why would even think you have that right?" she demanded.

  Calhoun glanced at Gideon and shrugged. "Let's say, I have an interest in the future of Inspiration," he said cryptically. "And in its surroundings." He turned to Gideon. "Isn't that right, Buchanan?"

  Rosalind glanced at Gideon, seeking some kind of explanation for the man's words. Gideon sighed heavily and came to stand alongside Rosalind. He pointed back toward the gate. "Like I said, Calhoun," he said. "It's time you left. Once we're out of here, you can come and make yourself at home for as long as you like. For now, I'd be obliged if you leave."

  Calhoun nodded and looked from Gideon to Rosalind. He hesitated a few moments, and Rosalind thought he was about to refuse again. But, this time he didn't. He threw the cheroot down onto the ground and stamped on it with his heel.

  Calhoun peered at Rosalind. "Miss Grover. I sure hope you know what you're getting yourself into," he said. Once again, his voice was filled with thinly-veiled menace.

  Rosalind felt nerves clutch at her middle. She was about to ask what Calhoun had meant when the man quickly turned tail and walked briskly toward the gate.

  And it was then that she turned to face Gideon.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gideon gazed at Rosalind. He could see she wanted to ask him a question. Indeed, her eyes were bright with a fire he hadn't seen in them before. It was the fire of concern. He understood that, because he had questions of his own.

  What had Calhoun meant when he'd said Rosalind had gotten off the train from Helena, instead of the train from back East? He couldn't figure it out. And he might have expected Sophie to explain it to him.

  Rosalind looked past Gideon at the figure of Calhoun. "He doesn't seem like a very nice man," she said tentatively.

  "He's not," Gideon replied. "He's a troublemaker in this town."

  "Who is he?" she asked.

  Gideon sighed. He knew he would have to explain something about Calhoun to her. It was the least she deserved after the way the man had just behaved toward her. "He came here a while back and has pretty much established himself as one of the most influential figures in town. He owns a lot of land around here. And he owns the hotel as well as the saloon. Somehow he got his fingers into the bank, too. Although, there have been rumors that there is something illegal going on there. Just no proof that would satisfy a judge."

  Rosalind frowned. "All the important places," she observed. She tilted her head and nodded slowly. "Brett Calhoun has been a busy man."

  Gideon shook his head. "He doesn't control everything, though. We've managed to stop him establishing his land holdings in parts where he isn't wanted. And, Sheriff Nathan has tried to deal with some of his more questionable deals. But, nothing will stick," Gideon admitted. "Calhoun's a wily fox."

  "He looks like it," Rosalind replied nodding. "You can see it in his eyes."

  Gideon nodded, impressed with Rosalind's perceptive assessment of Calhoun. "One day he'll fail," he said. "Men like him always do. Evil always gives in to the Good. In the end."

  "Is that what you believe?" she asked.

  "It's what my Lord tells me," he replied. "And I know it to be true."