The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience Read online

  "Well, there's plenty to see," Eugenie said. "Isn't that right, Gideon?" she added. "It's a big place we've got here."

  "Sure, Mama," Gideon replied. "Plenty to see."

  "Don't suppose you want some coffee before you take Rosalind and show her the place," Eugenie said to her son.

  Gideon's composure weakened for a moment, clearly surprised at his mother's blunt statement. Rosalind saw Gideon's brows lift. Then he cleared his throat and sat upright in the chair. "I had some coffee before I came back here."

  Eugenie snorted. "Can't say I call what you and the ranch hands drink out there when you're all working can be called coffee," she said. "More like bitter leftovers of beans."

  Gideon tilted his head. "We make do with what we've got, ma," he said.

  Eugenie smiled at Rosalind. "Me and Rosalind were just getting acquainted, weren't we dear," Eugenie said. "I was asking her how she likes Inspiration. Seems like the town has made a good impression on her. And she's only been here how long?"

  "A few days," Rosalind admitted. "I couldn't have fitted in without Sophie's help."

  Rosalind saw Sophie's face color red instantly. "Oh, shush, Rosalind," Sophie said. "It was my invitation that brought you here in the first place. I think you've done a grand job fitting in so quickly. From my own experience, I know it's not easy coming all the way out here from back East. "

  Rosalind saw Gideon's brows furrow at that statement. He looked at her quizzically. She felt the penetrating directness of his gaze.

  Dragging her attention away from him, she smiled at Eugenie. The matriarch of the Buchanan family was dressed elegantly in a cream gown with a high neck. And the good-natured woman had bright eyes and even features she had passed on to at least one of her sons. Gideon and Eugenie shared a great deal when it came to their features. But especially they both had a disconcertingly even gaze that made Rosalind feel that, at times, she was being examined.

  "I don't know how you young ladies can do such a thing," Eugenie said. "It must be so dangerous and uncomfortable traveling such a long way."

  "Trains aren't what they used to be, ma," Gideon said. "These days they're almost comfortable," he added giving Rosalind a mischievous smile. "Isn't that right, Rosalind."

  Was he testing her? She couldn't help feeling that his question might have been prompted by Brett Calhoun's comment about the train from which she'd disembarked in arrival in Inspiration. She'd get a chance to explain all of that to Gideon. It was just that right now wasn't the time for that, she told herself. Maybe when she was with him, alone, she could find the courage to explain what had happened before she'd arrived in the town they called home.

  "It was a long journey," she admitted, smiling. "But, I survived to live another day," she joked.

  Eugenie placed her cup down on the small table and stood. "Gideon. Why don't you take Rosalind outside and show her the ranch?"

  Gideon stood and glanced at Rosalind. "Sophie. Would you like to join us?"

  Sophie laid a hand on Rosalind's arm. "I'm going to stay and talk with Eugenie for a while," she said. Rosalind felt butterflies tumble in her middle. Did that mean she was going to be alone with Gideon? Was that even right? She told herself, this was a ranch, not some part of polite society where etiquette and rules had to be followed. People did things differently here.

  For a moment, Rosalind thought about objecting, even insisting that Sophie accompany her. Rosalind bit her tongue, realizing, as she stood to face Eugenie, that she really wanted to be with Gideon again. Even if it only meant she would get a chance to clear up some of the misunderstanding from the previous night.

  Then Gideon led Rosalind outside. He put his hat back on, looking every bit the cowboy rancher, she thought as she walked alongside him toward the corral. He moved with a casual grace, comfortable and easy. He seemed surprisingly relaxed today, she told herself. Had he already forgotten what had happened last night?

  There were no horses in the corral. There was a quietness about the late morning out here in front of the house.

  "Where is everyone?" she asked.

  He lifted a brow. "The ranch hands? They're all out working. There're a few over there in the bunkhouse," he said pointing in the direction of a low building she could see just past the barn.

  He leaned on the wooden fence and faced her. He propped one booted foot onto a rail and looked past her at the big house. "What do you think of our home?" he asked.

  She was aware of the extra meaning to his words. It was the Buchanan family home, and that was all it was for the moment as far as she was concerned. Any thought of her becoming a part of this family seemed like a long way off. Rosalind ran her gaze over the two level, white fronted wooden building. It looked solid, dependable, just like the Buchanans.

  "It's quite a home," she observed. "You must have been really happy growing up here."

  "We were," he replied. "One big happy Buchanan family."

  "I guess all that's going to change once you all move out," she said.

  He peered at her. "I suppose it is. I never thought about it that way." He paused a few moments and then gazed out across the fields. "Once we're all living in our respective houses out on the range, we'll probably have a different kind of life."

  "You'll still use the family home, though, won't you?" she suggested.

  "Sure. We'll be here every day, I guess." He sighed. "It'll just feel like something had changed."

  "You'll all have wives," she said.

  Gideon's face paled visibly. "You're right." He narrowed his eyes and gazed thoughtfully at her. "I guess we will."

  Now it was her turn to blush. There were times when Gideon could affect her with the simplest of looks. Just like he'd done there, a moment ago, she told herself.

  She turned away from him and peered at the house. "You all did an amazing job with this place. Back East, when people talk about ranches, they don't think about places as grand as this."

  "It wasn't always this big," he explained. "It has been added to and extended over the years. I don't think it'll get any bigger than this. Our family is starting to move on," he said. He must have seen the way she frowned because he added quickly: "But you already know about that."

  She nodded. "You did explain it to me last night," she said.

  Gideon smiled and said nothing. He seemed thoughtful for a moment and then said: "I've been thinking about last night."

  "Have you?" she asked.

  He glanced quizzically at her."Haven't you?" he retorted.

  She smiled at him. "Of course I have. I hope I didn't cause a fuss by leaving when I did."

  He shook his head. "Apart from some teasing from my brothers, no-one really bothered. They were too busy enjoying themselves. People in Inspiration are pretty easy-going."

  "I noticed," she said. She furrowed her brows and folded her arms. "And exactly what kind of teasing did your brothers give you after I left?"

  She saw his cheeks blush red. "Reese and Micah don't think much of my ways when it comes to being polite to women," he explained.

  She quirked a brow at him. "You call last night being polite?" she teased.

  Realizing she was joking with him, he smiled, looking suddenly relieved. "I was doing my best, Rosalind," he stated.

  She grinned at him. "I suppose you were," she admitted.

  They were both quiet for a few moments. Neither of them looked at each other. It was as if the ice had been broken, at least a little, by their playful teasing of each other.

  He nodded. "I know all of this must seem so different to what you're used to," he said. "There's nothing like this where you came from, is there?"

  Rosalind gazed out across the rolling landscape and off into the distance. Over there were high, snow-capped peaks, forested hills, and a river that traced its way through a stunningly beautiful land. Just looking at it was enough to make her feel, for a moment, as if she'd been transported to a magical place. Could she ever really belong in such a place? She didn't kno
w the answer to that question. Maybe it was too soon.

  "You're right. There's nothing quite like this where I came from," she admitted.

  Back at the house, there was a movement of a curtain at one of the windows. They were being watched by Eugenie and Sophie. Rosalind wasn't in the least surprised at that.

  Obviously Gideon had noticed it too, because he spoke next. "Maybe I should do what my mother wants me to do, and show you around the place. Some other time we can take a ride out and I can show you the rest of the spread. How does that sound?"

  She felt genuinely excited at the prospect of riding out with Gideon. "When can we do that?" she asked enthusiastically.

  "We'll find a good time," he replied.

  For the next half hour they walked around the various buildings that comprised the main ranch area. He explained how it had all been built up over the years. They chatted with a few of the ranch hands who seemed really interested in the fact that Gideon was showing a female visitor around the ranch.

  At one point, Rosalind was sure she heard a teasing, good-spirited joke coming from the ranch hands, but it was cut short by a stern look from Gideon. From that she could see that Gideon had the respect of the ranch hands. Even by the way they looked at him, it was clear that they held him in high regard.

  Finally after seeing it all, Gideon led Rosalind back to the ranch house. She saw Sophie and Eugenie standing out front.

  "What do you think, Rosalind?" Eugenie asked.

  "Really impressive," Rosalind replied.

  Eugenie smiled proudly. "Ain't it something," she agreed. "Years of work and sweat have gone into making this a home and a going concern." She sighed and shook her head. "I can tell you, I wasn't easy. But we did our best," she said looking at Gideon. "Isn't that right, Gideon?" Eugenie added.

  He nodded. "We couldn't have done more, ma," Gideon said.

  "You must be so proud," Sophie said.

  Rosalind saw Eugenie gaze become steely and determined. "And we ain't going to hand it over to anyone else," she said sharply. She thrust her fists against hips. "Not while I have breath left in my body."

  "I'm sure the Lord won't allow that to happen, ma," Gideon said. "He graced us with this, and he isn't going to let it be lost. Especially to the likes of Calhoun."

  Rosalind peered at him. It had been the first time he'd used his faith in the conversation since she'd arrived, she told herself.

  Eugenie groaned. "Never mind all that," she said and looked at Rosalind. "I assume you can stay for dinner," she said.

  "Dinner?" Rosalind asked. She glanced at Sophie, who just shrugged. "I have to get home to Nathan," Sophie said. "But you can stay, Rosalind."

  "Are you sure?" she asked Eugenie.

  The older woman's brows furrowed. "I'd take it as an honor if you would accept the invitation to share dinner with all our family." Then she smiled.

  Rosalind glanced at Gideon who looked like he was trying not to say anything that would put her off the idea.

  "Sure," she agreed, smiling at Eugenie. "I'd be happy to stay."

  "That's just perfect," Eugenie said. She slapped her hands together. "I hope you don't mind helping out in the kitchen. We all like to pitch in to get the dinner ready for when the boys come back from the their work out on the spread."

  "I'd be happy to help out any way I can," Rosalind said.

  And, as they all started to make their way back into the house, she wondered just what it would be like to share a family dinner with the Buchanans of Circle Cross ranch.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Noisy. And incredibly good-natured.

  That was what this dinner in the Buchanan home had been, Rosalind told herself as she sat back in her chair and gazed along the length of the dinner table.

  The sound of raucous laughter filled the small dining room which was located at the back of the ranch house. Smiling faces and bright eyes looked Rosalind's way. She grinned right back at them, eager to show that she was enjoying herself.

  And she was. There was no need to pretend. She hadn't enjoyed a dinner like this in a long time. Not just because of the food, which was tasty and satisfying. But, also because of the high spirits of the whole Buchanan clan who were seated around the long, rectangular table.

  The dinner's main course of beef and potatoes was almost complete. It was nearly time to finish the dinner with a sweet, fruit salad. Since she'd spent a large part of the busy afternoon helping to prepare the meal, Rosalind knew exactly what was coming next. She put her knife and fork down in her empty plate and surreptitiously touched her hand to her stomach out of sight of everyone at the table. She already felt full and wasn't sure she could eat another mouthful.

  She sat at the end of the table, as a guest of honor. That was how Gideon had described her. The way he'd said it and the way he'd looked at her had made her feel proud. Eugenie had insisted she sit there, and all Rosalind's protests had fallen on deaf ears.

  At the other end of the table sat Caleb Buchanan. His gruff exterior, white hair, heavily jowled features and portly figure belied his sweet nature and strong character. He was laughing out loud at something one of his sons had just said. Something about a ranch hand who'd fallen into a river this afternoon.

  Immediately to her right sat Gideon, who had been quiet throughout the meal. She figured he was self-conscious about the fact that the family's special guest was here because of him. Every once in a while throughout the meal he had asked her, quietly, if everything was to her satisfaction. It had almost been as if he was reluctant to even speak to her in front of his family.

  Next to Gideon sat fresh-faced and enthusiastic Micah, who kept trying to prompt Gideon into joining in with the jokes. Next to Micah sat Reese, who was the second youngest brother. Like Gideon, Reese had dark hair and handsome good looks. Of all the brothers, Reese seemed to be the most serious. Even more than Gideon. All throughout the dinner Reese had shown his appreciation of the fun with an occasional nod of his head. Rosalind was sure that Reese had something weighty on his mind.

  Opposite the three brothers sat Zane and his wife Johanna. They had constantly joked with one another throughout the meal, and every once in a while, whispered words to each other that no-one could hear. Johanna had been especially friendly toward Rosalind since arriving in the late afternoon to help with the dinner preparations. She had chatted excitedly, sharing her story with Rosalind.

  Upon hearing the tale, Rosalind was filled with some trepidation, especially when Johanna had shared with her just how devious and unpleasant Brett Calhoun could be. Rosalind could understand why Gideon had reacted the way he had the previous night.

  Next to Johanna sat Eugenie. Regularly throughout the meal Eugenie leaned in closer to her husband, Caleb, muttering private words in his ear. Rosalind could tell Eugenie really adored her husband. All her softly spoken words drew an appreciative nod from Caleb. Not once did he look even remotely annoyed or concerned about what his wife had told him.

  Rosalind could imagine that Caleb and Eugenie had most likely never argued about anything through all the years of her marriage. Even if it wasn't true, it was a thought that pleased her very much. In some ways their relationship reminded Rosalind of her own mother and father. Just like the Buchanans, Rosalind's parents had been comfortable and content whenever they'd been with each other.

  All in all, this was one of the most pleasant evenings she'd spent in many a long year. At one point she couldn't help reflecting on the loss of her her own family. Although her time with her parents had been so very different to what she had witnessed here, in the Buchanan home, still there was one thing in common with her own upbringing.