The Rancher’s Second Chance Bride

by Maya Stirling

  Honora peered at Johanna. "Is that why you married Zane?"

  Johanna shook her head. "I married him because I love him," she declared, sounding almost affronted by the suggestion that it could have been otherwise.

  "Of course, you do," Honora agreed. "I didn't mean that to suggest anything else." She could see the affection Johanna held for Zane. It was clear as day and completely genuine. But, still it all seemed very convenient.

  "The fact that Zane needed a bride, and so soon, was just good timing. For us both," Johanna added giving Honora a cheery smile. There was still an awkward feeling in the air, Honora told herself.

  "How are they going to lose their ranch if the brothers don't marry?" Honora asked.

  Sophie explained all about Brett Calhoun's plan to use a government change to the laws regarding land deeds. In the case of the Buchanans, all five parcels of land which made up the spread had to be occupied by married family members. It was much like the rules that forced settlers to occupy land for six months in order to fix a claim. Only this time, the added condition was for married couples to be the occupiers.

  Johanna speculated that it had something to do with the government wanting to encourage long term settlers and to reduce the number of disputes over land ownership. However, in this case the changes had opened up an opportunity for Calhoun to do what he had wanted to do for a long time. Strip the Buchanans of most of the spread they'd spent years building up.

  The bottom line was that if all four brothers didn't get married by the beginning of summer, then Calhoun would get his chance. They were coming to the end of spring. And that meant all four parts of the spread needed husbands and wives living in a cabin. The Buchanans had already succeeded twice, so they'd made a good start. There were only two brothers left to go. Micah, the youngest. And, of course, Reese.

  Honora settled back in her chair and tried to comprehend what this could mean for her. Now she understood why Reese had been so nice to her out at the border fence the day before. Maybe he hadn't been so pleased to see her, after all. Perhaps his kindness and courtesy had simply been motivated by selfish interest. By the needs of his family. She knew just how selfish Reese could be. She still hadn't forgotten their many arguments. How he had tried to impose his choices on her. Maybe hadn't changed so much, after all.

  She knew she had one question she had to ask. One very important question. She narrowed her gaze at the three women. "How do I fit into all of this?"

  She saw genuine consternation on the faces of Sophie and Johanna. "Weren't you and Reese more than just good friends, Honora?" Johanna asked.

  "How do you mean?" Honora replied.

  "We got the impression from Reese that you and him almost tied the knot," Sophie explained.

  The breath eased out of Honora. Just the mention of tying the knot had been enough to have her reach down and grasp onto the edge of the chair. Her heart was pounding and she suddenly struggled to find words. What was she supposed to say to such a statement? Not only was it intrusive, but how could anyone expect her to think about such a thing at a time like this? When she was trying to rebuild her life. When she was trying to come to terms with the greatest loss she had ever suffered. She was sure there had been no malice involved on the part of Sophie and Johanna. They were both trying to do what they thought was best. For Honora. And for Reese. And they'd both been so kind to her so far, she believed they only had the best of intentions.

  "Well, Reese and I did kind of talk about making things between us more formal," Honora admitted tentatively. It was as far as she was willing to go to provide them with a confirmation.

  "So you were thinking of getting married," Sophie exclaimed enthusiastically.

  Honora suddenly felt as if she was being cornered. Hadn't she asked her aunt to make sure the subject of marriage didn't come up? But, the goodwill of the two visitors had made it impossible for her to do that. Honora could see that now. Johanna and Sophie just shared a natural enthusiasm for the subject of marriage. Seeing how it had all worked out for Johanna, Honora could understand.

  Honora placed her cup and saucer down onto the table and stood quickly. "If you don't mind ladies, I have to go upstairs to my room," she exclaimed. She glanced down at herself. "I'm just covered in dirt after this morning's work."

  Sophie's eyes widened and she glanced at Mabel who had also stood. Honora smiled at Sophie and Johanna. "It's been lovely to meet you."

  She started to move toward the door. Johanna called out and Honora halted, turning to look at the woman. "I was going to say that you've been invited to our place on the ranch. For lunch."

  Honora paused and then shook her head. "I couldn't possibly accept. I have so much to do around the ranch."

  Johanna stood and came to Honora. "Please, Honora. It would mean so much to Zane and I if you would come. Our little cabin isn't much, but I promise you a warm welcome. And some good food."

  And, Honora was sure, the presence of another of the Buchanan brothers. If she accepted, she knew that Reese would make sure he would be there. She gazed into Johanna's eyes, seeing the eagerness in them. How could she refuse when faced with such genuine good feeling? Reese would just have to be kept at arms length.

  "Okay. I accept," Honora said.

  Johanna smiled broadly. "Wonderful." She turned to Mabel. "And you're invited too, Mabel. Why don't you come with your husband?"

  Mabel frowned. "I can't guarantee Rufus will agree," she said. "But I'll try to persuade him."

  Honora wondered if Johanna was aware of Rufus' animosity toward the Buchanans. Judging by the woman's reaction she thought not.

  Honora said her goodbyes as quickly as she could and headed upstairs to her room. She closed the door and leaned her back against it. What had she just agreed to? She sighed. Nothing more than placing herself close to Reese Buchanan. And to make matters worse, she now knew something even more alarming.

  Reese Buchanan was seriously looking to marry.

  CHAPTER SIX

  It was two days after his meeting with Honora at the border fence and Reese was riding into town alongside his brother Gideon. Both were mounted on their favorite horse. Reese was riding his usual chestnut. There was plenty Reese wanted to talk about with Gideon.

  The trail stretched out ahead of the two brothers. It was late morning and they were heading into town to order some supplies from the general store. Routine work that gave Reese the chance he'd been waiting for since Honora had ridden away from him. A chance to try and figure things out. He'd been thrown into a spin after meeting with Honora. His mind was foggy and unclear. He had so many contradictory thoughts going on in his head, he didn't know where to start.

  "What's on your mind, brother?" Gideon asked, glancing across at Reese.

  "What gives you the idea I'm thinking about anything, Gideon?"

  His brother smiled. "You can't hide it from me, Reese. I've seen how you've been moping around the ranch. Some of the hands have been talking about you. Like you're a million miles away."

  Reese frowned. "That obvious?"

  Gideon nodded and sighed, his gaze shifting to the trail. Reese watched his brother for a long moment. Since marrying, a real change had come over Gideon. He looked so content, Reese reflected. As if every one of his cares had been swept away by the simple act of marrying Rosalind. Reese could understand that. God had given Gideon a really special wife in Rosalind. They were both happy and content with one another. Maybe that was something to be jealous of, Reese told himself. He felt immediately ashamed of that thought. Gideon wouldn't condone that kind of thinking.

  "Wouldn't have anything to do with Honora's return, would it?" Gideon asked.

  Reese sighed heavily and shook his head. "I never could hide anything from you, could I?" he replied.

  Gideon smiled. "Don't even bother trying," he said, looking suddenly pleased with himself. Gideon chuckled, clearly amused at his remark. Reese shook his head. That was about as near as Gideon would ever get to making a joke, R
eese reflected. His brother's sense of humor took a bit of getting used to.

  "I heard her parents died when they were in San Francisco," Gideon said softly. Reese glanced at him and saw the genuine pain on Gideon's features. "That must have been real difficult for Honora to deal with."

  "When I saw her, she didn't really want to talk about it," Reese explained. "Understandable, I guess."

  "Her faith will help," Gideon observed in a steady, confident voice. "It's good that she's always had that. It'll keep her strong."

  Gideon had known Honora as long as Reese had done. Honora's faith was something about which Gideon had always approved. Just as Gideon had always been concerned about Reese's lukewarm faith. And had said as much on plenty of occasions over the years. "I suppose you're right," Reese replied. "Can I ask you something, Gideon?"

  Gideon glanced at him. "Sure."

  "How can you make sense of her losing two parents like that. With your faith and all. Especially to something like cholera. I mean, does God send that suffering? Why does he allow it?" Reese asked. He genuinely wanted to understand. He'd hardly been unable to think about anything else since Honora had given him the news.

  Gideon was quiet for a few long moments. One thing Reese knew about his younger brother was that when it came to matters of faith, every word he uttered would be carefully considered. Gideon wasn't the kind to throw out cookie-cutter quotes. His brother wasn't a man given to superficial belief.

  "The thing is, Reese. When we look at things like the passing of loved ones, from our perspective, here on earth, some things just seem incomprehensible. Even unjust." Gideon's brows furrowed. "Although we can't truly do so, if we try and see it all from God's point of view, what we think as the most terrible tragedy might have some ultimate meaning. Some purpose that only emerges over time." Gideon peered at Reese. "Do you know what I mean?"

  "Are you saying that only time will tell whether it has been for Honora's best?" Reese asked.

  Gideon shook his head. "Everything is always for the best, Reese," he admonished gently. "That's one thing we always have to remember. Every tribulation, every trial, eventually leads us to God." Gideon smiled warmly. "That's his will."

  Reese sighed and gazed ahead at the curving trail which dipped out of sight at the crest of a ridge. It wouldn't be long before they reached town. This was the kind of conversation he could keep going for a long time with Gideon back at the ranch. He envied Gideon his certainty. Their parents had all encouraged the four Buchanan brothers to have faith. And mostly all of them did. Although individual circumstances had led each of them to different degrees of faith.

  For example, older brother Zane had felt the responsibility of being the eldest and that burden had seemed to cool his own faith somewhat. Marrying Johanna had changed that for the better. Reese had always suspected his own lukewarm faith had something to do with the fact that Honora had been so very devout, a legacy of her mother's convictions. Had that been the real reason he'd resisted taking Honora as his wife, even when he'd been given the chance?

  "Honora's going to need plenty of support," Reese said.

  "I'm sure her aunt is going to help her out," Gideon observed. "She's made a start by giving Honora a home. And Mabel's a woman of faith. She'll know what to do. Honora needs love and care right now."

  Reese saw Gideon glance knowingly at him. Had that last remark been intended for Reese's benefit? Was his brother engaging in some kind of subtle matchmaking? Reese knew all about the pressure that was mounting for him or Micah to take a wife. There were two brothers left out of the four of them. Half the ranch still needed to be legally claimed and put beyond Calhoun's corrupt reach.

  "I'm sure Mabel and Rufus will take care of Honora," Reese agreed.

  Gideon tilted his head and frowned. "From what I've heard from some of the hands, Rufus hasn't exactly taken to ranching. At least not in the way he'd expected."

  "You don't mean he's thinking of selling up and leaving," he suggested.

  Gideon shook his head. "I don't think Mabel will let him even think about doing anything like that."

  "Because you know who'd be interested in taking it off his hands," Reese said.

  Gideon shook his head. "Our old friend, Calhoun."

  "Exactly," Reese replied. "He wouldn't pass up a chance to get his hands on land that borders ours."

  "I don't know what good that would do him," Gideon said.

  "I'm sure he could figure something out," Reese replied. "You know his kind."

  "The serpent in Eden," Gideon observed slowly. He paused a moment, as if considering the significance of his words. "As I say," Gideon replied. "I don't see Rufus persuading Mabel to agree to anything like that." Gideon smiled. "She's quite a woman."

  "And, now that Honora's on the ranch, I doubt Rufus will have his way if he even thinks about doing anything like that," Reese added and smiled. "Double trouble."

  Gideon smiled. "A wall of faith," he said.

  "I think you just might be right about that, Gideon," Reese said.

  They crested the ridge. In the distance he could see the town. Inspiration didn't look like much from up here, he told himself. But he knew that was deceiving. The town might be small, consisting of one main drag running north to south, houses on the many side streets, sufficient stores for every need, a hotel, a bank, a livery, some saloons, the sheriff's office and a train station. But what it lacked in size it more than made up for in the big heart of the people who lived there.

  He and Gideon picked up the pace and rode down until they reached the main drag. Riding slowly up the street, Reese gazed at the riders and buckboards making their way up and down the main street. A few Conestoga wagons rolled up the street. The boardwalks were busy with townsfolk. Elegantly dressed men and women idled casually along the partially covered plank walk. Reese felt good being in town. He liked coming here. It provided him with a pleasing contrast to life up at the ranch. He tipped his hat at a few folks and ignored the disapproving glances of others. The Buchanans weren't universally liked. That was as it should be, as far as Reese was concerned. He wouldn't have had it any other way. It made for an interesting life.

  They were passing a dressmaking shop when the door opened and two figures stepped out. Reese's fingers tightened around his reins. It was Honora and her aunt, Mabel. He drew his mount to a sudden halt. Gideon did likewise and squinted in the direction of where Reese was looking.

  Reese saw Honora glance in his direction and stop. Her eyes widened and she said something to her aunt. Mabel peered in Reese's direction as he turned his horse in the direction of the dressmaker's store. He dismounted and tied the reins around a weathered hitching rail. He strode up onto the boardwalk, his boots sounding loudly against the dry wooden planks.

  Honora's mouth opened wide. If he wasn't mistaken, Reese was convinced she didn't look exactly pleased to see him. He tipped his hat. "Ladies," he said politely. "Fine day to be in Inspiration." He knew it probably sounded lame, but he had to at least try to be civil.

  "Reese," Mabel said brightly. "How nice to see you."

  Reese glanced at the store. "Fetching some new outfits?" he asked.

  "Seeing what's available," Mabel replied.

  Honora still looked tight-lipped. Reese couldn't help wondering why she looked so unsure about seeing him. He knew he hadn't said anything to upset her during their brief encounter at the border fence. "Honora," he said at last, eager to break the ice. "May I say you look mighty fine today." And she did, Reese told himself. She was dressed in an elegant pale green gown with matching bonnet.

  "Thank you, Mr Buchanan," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. He was secretly glad he'd made her blush. But there was an icy quality to the way she was looking at him.