A Rancher to Trust
Page 18
She met his questioning gaze squarely. “I do.” She laughed softly. “That’s the second time I’ve said those particular words to you, I believe.”
“And this time’s no more romantic than the first, is it? I’m sorry, Bailey. You deserve better.”
She shook her head. “I sure didn’t drive all the way out here for anything as flimsy as romance. I came here for love, a real love that won’t fade out, and a real marriage with the man I can’t live without. And that’s you, in case you’re wondering.” She dropped a kiss on Finn’s head. “Getting to mother these babies just sweetens the deal even more. Now do you think you could make this official and kiss me?”
“I do.” He looked at her for a minute, his eyes gentle. Then he nodded slowly. “I surely do.”
Dan leaned forward, angling so that Finn and Josie settled next to each other between them. And even though Bailey had already closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss, she felt the warmth of his smile even before it met her own.
Epilogue
“Hold still.” In the parking lot of the Broken Bow Community Center, Bailey Whitlock adjusted her husband’s tie then stood back and tilted her head as she gave it a critical look. “Perfect. You clean up pretty well when you put your mind to it.”
“I shouldn’t be cleaning up at all. It’s calving season. I should be in the barn. I don’t see why they can’t just mail me this plaque.”
“For the twentieth time, because this is a big deal. You’re the cattleman of the year. It’s an honor.” Bailey sneaked a look at her watch. It was nearly time for the ceremony to start. She scanned the parking lot. If her special guests didn’t show up soon, she and Dan would have to go in without them. “Now behave. I didn’t buy a new dress and put on these silly heels to listen to you fuss all night.”
Dan’s eyes flicked over her, and he smiled in that way that still made Bailey’s heartbeat stutter, even though it had been over a year since they’d renewed their wedding vows. “If I didn’t happen to mention it before now, you look beautiful, Bailey.”
Bailey laughed. “I think you mentioned it twice before we got out of the driveway.”
“Yeah, well. It’s a long driveway.” Dan leaned down and kissed her. “You’re always beautiful to me anyhow, heels or not, but they do put you in closer kissing range, so that’s a plus. You sure you don’t want to forget about this and just go back home?”
“Nice try, but absolutely not. You’re accepting this award, and I’m going to stand up and clap like crazy. If you’re not proud of yourself for this, at least I’m proud of you. Remember when people were posting all that negative stuff about you online? And now look at you. The ranch is already turning a tidy profit and you’re raking in awards. God’s been good to us, and I think we should take time out to celebrate. You’ll get back to work tomorrow, but tonight let’s enjoy ourselves, okay?”
“I always enjoy myself when I’m with you. Okay, we’ll do this your way, but we’re not staying out too late.”
A pickup turned into the parking lot, and Bailey’s heart jumped happily. They were here! “Don’t start, Dan. The guys can handle the cows for one night, and Finn and Josie are perfectly happy with Carla. She’s their favorite babysitter, and she brought her stuff so she could stay overnight. This is a special night.”
And it was about to get a lot more special.
“I’m not worried about the twins or the cows, Bailey. But I am a little worried about you. You’ve been looking tired lately. I think you’re working too hard at the new store. Ever since you landed that big spread in the cooking magazine, you’ve been swamped. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think you’re going to need to hire more help.”
“Okay. I’ll set up some interviews next week.”
Dan frowned suspiciously. “That was way too easy. What’s going on, Bailey?”
“Excuse us. We’re looking for the cattleman of the year. You got any idea where we might find him?”
Dan jerked around. “Abel!” He grabbed his brother in a fierce hug as Bailey embraced Emily.
“Thank you for coming,” she whispered.
“Are you kidding?” Emily whispered back. “We’re thrilled you invited us. We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“I can’t believe you came all this way just to see somebody hand me a piece of wood with my name on it,” Dan was saying.
Abel coughed and shot Bailey a look. “Yeah, well. Bailey seemed to think it was important.”
“It is important,” Emily put in quickly. “They even did a story about it in the Pine Valley Herald. I have it posted up on the bulletin board in the coffee shop. How are Finn and Josie? I can’t wait to see them!”
Dan kissed his sister-in-law on the cheek. “They’re doing great. Maybe you can help me talk Bailey into cutting out of this thing early. Then we can make it back to the ranch before they go to sleep.”
Bailey made a face. “Don’t let him fool you. He has two Shadow Lady heifers about to deliver, and he just wants to get home to supervise.”
“We passed your new store on the way in. It looks wonderful, Bailey, and your store back home is doing well, too. We all miss you, of course, but Johanna is doing a great job managing it. You’ll see for yourself next time you guys come back to stay at the cabin. I can’t believe you’re a franchise now! Before long you’ll have yourself a whole chain!”
“Don’t give her any ideas. She’s wearing herself out with just the two stores. Last night she fell asleep with her head on the kitchen table.”
“Don’t worry yourself, little brother. That’s just the first trimester. Emily was the same. In a couple of months, Bailey will have more energy than she knows what to do with.” Abel held open the door to the hall. “Is that steak I smell? Good. Last time I had to go to one of these award dinners, they served chicken. It tasted like plastic.” Dan, Emily and Bailey all stood frozen on the steps. Abel looked at them. “What? What’d I say?” Then his eyes locked with Emily’s, and his face fell. “Uh-oh.”
“Bailey.” Dan had to try three times, but he finally managed to get out his question. “Are you pregnant?”
“Abel, you ruined the surprise!” Emily turned stricken eyes to Bailey. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”
Bailey only laughed. Her eyes were fixed on Dan’s face, watching his expression shift from astonishment to wonder.
And then to hope. He took a step toward her. “Is it true, Bailey?”
She nodded, and he swept her up into his arms. For a few seconds, the rest of the world disappeared.
When they finally drew away from each other, Abel cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I’m real sorry about that, Bailey.”
She gave his arm a playful swat. “Don’t be silly. Why do you think I told you in the first place? You’ve never kept a secret in your life. I knew you’d forget and say something sooner or later. Part of my fun was going to be waiting to see how you’d end up doing it. I have to say, though, I thought we’d at least make it out of the parking lot. Now come on, let’s get inside. We can talk about all this after the ceremony.”
“Careful, now,” Dan worried aloud as they started up the steps. “Maybe those heels weren’t such a great idea after all.”
“Oh no, you don’t, cowboy. I’m not about to let you wrap me up in cotton wool for the next seven months.” Bailey sighed happily. “Having a baby is a perfectly natural thing, and I’m planning to enjoy every single minute of it.”
“I can tell you from personal experience that every single minute of pregnancy isn’t all that enjoyable,” Emily said wryly from behind them. “But you hang on to that thought, Bailey.”
“No,” Dan said quietly. He tucked Bailey’s arm in his and bent down to kiss her on the nose. “You hang on to me, sweetheart. You hang on tight.”
Bailey laughed and gave his arm a squeeze as they walked i
nto the banquet hall. “That,” she said, “is exactly what I’m planning to do.”
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Finding Her Amish Love by Rebecca Kertz.
Dear Reader,
Hi! I want to thank you for taking this trip back to Pine Valley, Georgia, with me. How I have loved each visit to this sweet small town!
This particular story has been in the back of my mind ever since Bailey Quinn strolled into the barn in my first-ever Love Inspired novel A Family for the Farmer. I knew right away that a woman as feisty and full of personality as Bailey Quinn deserved her very own happily ever after! And who better to bring that to pass than Dan Whitlock, Abel Whitlock’s prodigal brother—and Bailey’s biggest secret? But of course, secrets and small towns just don’t mix. And to make things even more complicated—while Bailey and Dan struggle to make sense of their crazy situation, Dan finds himself entrusted with a set of infant twins. What results is a story about faith and forgiveness, first loves and long-overdue second chances. I hope you enjoy it!
I’m always busy writing so hopefully we’ll be taking another trip together soon! In the meantime, don’t be a stranger! You can find me at my website, laurelblountbooks.com—and while you’re there don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter! I send one out every month, full of news, recipes and giveaways! You can also drop me an email at laurelblountwrites@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Warmest wishes,
Laurel Blount
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Finding Her Amish Love
by Rebecca Kertz
Chapter One
Crickets chirped and frogs croaked, filling the stillness of the night, as Emma Beiler eyed the Amish farmhouse across the road. It was late, and she realized that everyone inside the house was asleep. She’d come to see the young Amish woman who’d helped her after she’d escaped briefly from her foster home fourteen months ago. She’d have to sleep in the barn until morning, a place she’d sought refuge previously.
Cold, she buttoned up her lightweight navy jacket. She had the feeling she was chilly because she hadn’t eaten a decent meal in over a week. Leah, the Amish woman she’d come to see, told her to return if she ever needed her help. Well, she desperately needed assistance now. She had to find a job and a place to live. Maybe Leah could give her guidance.
Emma crossed the street, then entered the barn by the back door. It was pitch-black inside, and once she closed the door, she pulled out a small penlight, the only thing she’d taken with her when she’d left Maryland besides some loose change. She switched on the light and made her way to the stall where she’d slept before. It was empty but laid with fresh straw. The last time, she’d slept with a dog. The puppy had made her feel better as he’d slept beside her when she’d been terrified of discovery.
She stepped into the stall, closed the half door and got comfortable. The scent of the straw soothed her. She was grateful that a horse hadn’t taken up residence there. The temperature was dropping, and she shivered. Ignoring her sore feet and legs, she curled onto her side. Soon, I’ll see Leah again. The knowledge eased her mind, and she allowed herself to relax.
She woke to daylight filtering in through the window over the loft. She’d slept hard and well. She started to rise when she heard the main door open, then the sound of male voices that grew louder as men approached. Emma slunk low into the far corner of the stall and covered herself with straw.
“Do you think ’tis a gut idea to build on to your house, Reuben?” a man said. “Surely it’s big enough. You’ll have no problem with church service. Missy and Arlin managed to fit everyone inside the house or the barn when they hosted here.”
“I don’t know, Daniel. Our congregation is growing. I want to do my part.”
“You can and you will,” the man called Daniel insisted. “Now what did you want me to see?”
Emma froze, terrified, as their voices grew louder. She didn’t want them to find her. She wanted to get out without anyone seeing her, then go up to the house to politely knock on the door, not get caught sleeping in a barn stall.
“Back here,” the man called Reuben said. “I thought you might want these for your harness shop.”
The men’s voices were close, and Emma relaxed only slightly as the sound grew distant again.
“Where did you get these?” the man called Daniel asked, sounding awed.
“Picked them up at a mud sale last year. Thought I’d use them, but I find I don’t need them. Take them. If nothing else, you can hang them next to the ones you carry once you open up shop.”
“Danki. If you’re sure you don’t want them.”
“Nay, Ellie has been after me to get rid of them.”
“I’ll use them,” Daniel said. “It won’t be long before I have enough money to rent a place.”
“Once you open your shop, then what?”
“Then I’ll see about finding a wife.”
The other man laughed, but she couldn’t hear his response. Emma heard the sound of the barn’s back door opening and the conversation receding as the men stepped outside. She didn’t budge. She hadn’t heard the sound of the closing door. Heart thumping hard, she lay as still as she could. After several moments of silence, she thought it might be safe to leave. Relief that she hadn’t been caught overwhelmed her, making her feel giddy. Or was the swimming sensation she felt from lack of food? She hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning when she’d finished the last of the granola bars she’d bought in a convenience store.
She sat up, then abruptly sneezed as a piece of straw tickled her nose. She stilled, listening for the noise of someone approaching. When all remained quiet, she started to stand, then froze as she sensed someone’s presence. She glanced toward the door and saw with mounting horror an Amish man staring at her over the half door of the stall. The man wore a black-banded straw hat, royal blue long-sleeved shirt and navy pants held up by dark suspenders. He had light brown hair and brown eyes. Their gazes locked. The frown on his face eased into amusement as he took in her appearance.
Shame made her hug herself with her arms. She scrambled to her feet, aware of her ragged jeans and the faded green T-shirt under her jacket. When his eyes shifted upward as if seeing something in her hair, Emma instinctively reached up, felt straw and blushed as she pulled it off. When his gaze met hers again, she stared back at him, refusing to be intimidated. She wasn’t afraid that he would hurt her. Her only fear was that he’d call the police and she’d be sent back to her foster family, the Turners.
“Did you have a nice sleep?” His deep, pleasant voice rumbled along her spine.
Daniel, she realized, and wondered why it had been easy to recognize his voice. “Yes.”
He eyed her narrowly, all signs of his amusement gone. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
“I came to visit someone who lives here.”
The handsome man arched an eyebrow. “Who?”
“Leah,” she said. She saw a brief flicker of recognition in his gaze.
“Leah Mast?”
Emma bobbed her head. “She told me I could come back to see her.” She bit her lip. “So here I am.” She eased across the stall a few steps toward the door, but since he was blocking her escape, there was no place for her to go.
“There is no Leah Mast here.”
“You know Leah.” He sounded doubtful, but the look in his eyes changed after she’d described her.
“Yes. We met last year.” She studied him carefully. He was an attractive man, a fact she couldn’t help noticing. “Are you her brother?”
“Nay.” He tilted his head. “Come out of there.”
Fear washed over her as she shook her head vigorously. He looked nice, but since moving in with the Turners, she’d learned that looks could be deceiving.
He frowned. “You believe I’d cause you harm?”
“No,” she breathed, and she believed it, but she couldn’t be too careful. “I just need to see Leah. Can you get her for me?”
“Leah no longer lives here,” Daniel said.
All her hopes quickly disappeared. Feeling faint, Emma closed her eyes briefly and swayed. Her stomach hurt, and she felt dizzy. “Then I’ll go,” she said.
He watched her carefully. “I can take you to her, if you like.” His smile appeared, but it was gone so fast that she wondered if it had been genuine. “She married and moved into Henry’s house. She’s Leah Yoder now.”
She eyed him with misgiving. Dare she trust him? “Where is she?”
“Not far. Leah and Henry run Yoder’s Country Crafts and General Store.” Daniel opened the door, and Emma backed into the other corner, hugging herself tighter. Concern entered his expression. “I won’t hurt you.”
“I know.”
“Then stop backing away from me.”
She didn’t know what to say. Logic told her that he wouldn’t hurt her. He was Amish and religious, right? Then she recalled attending church with Bryce Turner and his family, and she knew people pretended to be Christian when they weren’t.
* * *
Daniel Lapp studied the bedraggled girl in front of him with compassion. The fact that she described his cousin accurately eased some of the concern at finding her in the barn, but not all of it. Leah had lived here with her parents and sisters until each sister had wed and moved away, leaving their parents with a house that was too big for them. After his cousin Ellie married Reuben, the couple had switched houses with his aunt and uncle, her parents, Reuben’s smaller house a better fit for the older couple. The trade had worked well since Ellie and Reuben had a son and needed the larger space to expand their family.