Coming to stand next to her, Reese sighed contentedly. "It has taken a long time, and a whole lot of hard work to build this up to what it is."
"And Calhoun reckons he can get his hands on it if the occupation of the land doesn't satisfy the law?" Honora said, glancing at Reese.
"I know it's unjust, but it's the way the government proposes to change things. We've only got a few weeks left until the land becomes subject to the new law."
She knew she'd been avoiding the subject of marriage, but now that he was talking about the reality of the situation that faced the Buchanan family, she felt a deep sympathy for them. She'd seen how happy they'd been over dinner. That kind of happiness deserved to be preserved, she told herself. She could understand why the brothers were willing to get married if it meant they could save the family ranch. But, that didn't mean she had to be a part of that. Did it?
Honora walked across to the swing and sat down on the wooden seat. It felt solid and substantial beneath her. Her feet planted firmly on the ground, she moved slowly back and forth. Reese turned and looked at her. He smiled. "You look comfortable there," he observed. "Mind if I join you?"
She tilted her head and grinned. "I guess so."
Reese took his seat next to her and wrapped his hand around one of the lengths of rope. He glanced down at her arm. "I figure we shouldn't be swinging on this. In case you hurt that arm of yours."
Honora smiled at him and glanced up at the tree branch. "I remember how you used to swing me so high I almost touched the branches."
He laughed. "And you used to scream like a kid when I did that."
She frowned. "I never screamed like a kid," she objected with a good-natured pout.
"You did," he insisted and laughed.
Honora dug the toe of her boots into the soft earth beneath the swing. "Maybe we can swing a little," she suggested. "Just for old times sake."
Reese's eyes widened. "You sure?"
"You hold onto me a little," she said. "The way you used to. Just to make sure I don't fall off."
Reese looked like he'd just been presented with a special gift. He smiled broadly and slid his arm around her waist. She felt the gentle strength of his arm and savored the sensation for a moment. Reese's eyes were bright as he gazed at her. "You ready?"
Honora nodded and lifted her feet off the ground. Reese pushed with his booted foot and she felt the seat swing gently backward. Then the swing eased forward and she couldn't contain an excited giggle. Reese's arm tightened around Honora's waist. She pressed herself closer to him as she held onto the rope with her right hand. Reese was careful not to press against her shoulder. But, there was no pain.
The swing moved back and forth, slowly and gently. Honora smiled as she felt the movement, familiar and enjoyable. Occasionally, Reese touched his foot to the ground to control the speed of the swing. He gazed at her as they swung. His eyes were filled with delight, the kind of simple pleasure they'd once enjoyed so much.
"Okay?" Reese asked.
"Sure," she replied as the movement continued. She'd forgotten so many of the pleasures to be had living here in Inspiration. Simple things that people enjoyed. That was the thing about ranch life, too. It kept you in touch with what was important in life. It made you appreciate the joy of simple things. Like sitting alongside a handsome man while swinging beneath a tree on a warm, sunny afternoon.
Honora gazed out across the rangeland. Away in the distance she could see the beautiful country, the distant mountains. She felt a sudden peace take hold of her. In spite of her earlier reservations, this afternoon had been perfect in almost every possible way. Spending time with the Buchanans had reminded her of the value of being with people who loved each other. Deep inside herself, Honora sensed a longing for that. It was something she knew she could enjoy. If God would grace her with that in her own life. And, until now, she had resisted allowing that into her life. She wondered how long she could carry on resisting.
As if sensing her thoughtfulness, Reese touched his boot to the ground, slowing the swing. As it eased to a halt, she felt Reese turning slightly toward her. Honora gazed into Reese's eyes. She could see longing in his eyes. She felt her heartbeat quicken and knew he wanted to kiss her. Unlike before, she didn't hesitate. Reese moved his head closer. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if seeking permission. She smiled at him. This moment was too perfect for her to think about maintaining the barrier she'd put up between them.
Reese's head dipped and his lips settled on hers. Sensation swept through her. Pulse racing, heart beating fast, she felt Reese's hand cup her jaw with the gentlest of touches. His kiss was tender and sweet. She lifted her head slightly, seeking more, casting aside the hesitation which she now thought to have been foolish. Reese had always been the man to whom she had wanted to be close. She sensed him holding his body back, anxious not to press against her shoulder. But, right at this moment, she felt no pain. Only the delight caused by the kiss from her precious rancher.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Reese lifted his head away and gazed into her eyes. "Honora," he whispered. "It's been so long." He sighed. "I don't know what to say."
Honora lifted a hand and touched her fingers to his lips. His eyes widened as she spoke. "Don't say anything, Reese. There's no need. Not right now."
She saw a flash of urgency in his eyes, as if he desperately wanted to say something. But, he held his peace. Honora was glad he did that. She wasn't sure what she would have said if he'd made a confession of his feelings, or even declared his intentions. They'd been holding back from each other during these past few days. She wasn't sure this moment was the right one for declarations or explanations.
Honora stepped off the swing and turned to Reese. "Rosalind and Joanna will be waiting for me," she said. "They want to take me into town."
Reese sighed, slid off the seat and came to her side. "Can I come along?"
Honora shook her head. "I think this is a ladies only trip," she replied.
Reese looked crest-fallen, but he nodded. She could see he was trying to hide his disappointment at the way the kiss had ended. If she was to admit the truth, Honora felt disappointment of her own. She could have happily sat there with Reese all afternoon.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"That bonnet looks so good on you, Honora," Johanna Buchanan said cheerfully. It was later that afternoon in the hotel restaurant in Inspiration. Johanna glanced from Rosalind to Sophie. "Isn't that right," she added.
"Blue is such a good color for you, Honora," Rosalind declared.
"I'm sure Reese will like it, too," Sophie stated.
Ignoring the mention of Reese, Honora sighed. "I agree. It is pretty. But you shouldn't have gone to all that trouble," she said to them all.
"Saturday afternoons are our favorite times for shopping," Johanna explained. "Just don't ask the men to come with us."
"They don't really have the patience," Rosalind added with a grin. "They just don't seem to understand how complicated it can be to choose something to wear," she declared glancing at the others.
That comment brought giggles of laughter from all the women.
They were seated around a table in the corner of the hotel restaurant and it was after six o'clock. When she'd gone back to the ranch house, after riding the swing with Reese, Johanna and Rosalind hadn't wasted any time in taking Honora into Inspiration for the promised shopping trip. They'd just completed that exhausting session of shopping, including a very long visit to the dressmaker. The pretty bonnet now perched on Honora's head had taken an age to choose. But, she had to admit, she did like the choice which had been made with the help of her new-found friends. Honora glanced at the three women as they busied themselves sipping coffee or attending to the delicious cakes on their plates. All three were elegantly attired in gowns in a variety of colors.
The mention of Reese had made Honora's cheeks flush slightly. She was sure her reaction hadn't gone unnoticed amongst the three women seated with her around the ta
ble. But none of them showed any sign of noticing. Maybe they were getting used to seeing Honora's cheeks flush every time Reese Buchanan was mentioned.
"Are you saying that Zane doesn't come into Inspiration with you to help with the shopping?" Honora asked Johanna.
Johanna rolled her eyes. "Zane's idea of an afternoon's fun is riding around the range tending to a herd of cattle. Or digging holes for new fence posts. Or rescuing cattle that have got stuck in a hole in the ground."
There was a murmur of recognition from Rosalind. "Gideon's pretty much the same," she admitted. "Although, he doesn't believe in working round the clock. He always tries getting back to the ranch house in time for dinner, every evening."
Johanna scoffed. "You're lucky. Zane loses track of time out there. But, that is going to change now that we've got our own place."
"Gideon says ours will be ready soon, too," Rosalind admitted.
"You're both lucky," Sophie Cameron said. "The sheriff is always on call. Sometimes I don't know when he's coming back."
Honora frowned. "Don't you worry about him all the time?"
"Sure. But, Nathan is good at taking care of himself," Sophie replied.
Honora thought Sophie was trying to be diplomatic. She could see the genuine concern in Sophie's eyes. She probably wouldn't want to admit to worrying about her lawman husband.
"Have you heard from any other candidates?" Rosalind asked Sophie.
"I got some letters this week. New brides for Inspiration," Sophie announced with a grin.
"Mail order brides," Johanna said and glanced at Rosalind. "Just like us." Honora knew that Johanna and Rosalind had both come to Inspiration as mail order brides. Maybe that had made it easier for them to accept the idea of marrying a Buchanan. She figured that if they'd come to Inspiration with the intention of marrying, then perhaps the whole situation at the Buchanan ranch might not seem too hard to accept. Honora had heard stories of mail order brides marrying under the most unusual of circumstances.
Honora felt unease settle in her middle. Sophie looked across at Honora. "Speaking of which, how are you and Reese getting along?"
Honora lowered her gaze and lifted her cup to her mouth. Taking a sip of coffee, she glanced at all three women and saw they were waiting eagerly for her answer. Honora placed the cup down slowly. "Reese and I are getting along fine," she said cautiously. That didn't seem to satisfy a single one of the three women. They continued to gaze expectantly at Honora. "You all know Reese and I have been friends for a long time."
"Friends?" Sophie asked and lifted her brow. She glanced at Rosalind and Johanna. "We all know what that really means, don't we?" she asked giving the women a broad grin.
"No, really," Honora blurted out. "We really are just good friends."
Brows were furrowed as Johanna, Rosalind and Sophie peered at Honora. They all looked suddenly perplexed.
"He's been so kind to me out at the ranch," Honora continued quickly. She lifted the white sling containing her arm. "And he helped me with this. More than that, really. He saved my life."
Honora told them how Reese had dealt with the renegade who'd threatened to her. And how he'd helped fix her damaged shoulder and made sure she'd made it back safely to the ranch house. There was a collective gasp around the table. In the pleasant surroundings of the hotel restaurant, it sounded like the most amazing thing, Honora said quietly to herself.
"Sounds like Reese is more than just a friend," Johanna said and gave Rosalind and Sophie a mischievous grin. "A man who goes to those lengths isn't just a casual acquaintance," she added.
"We go back a long way, " Honora suggested, even though she knew it probably just sounded defensive.
"Still. He sure took good care of you," Rosalind said. There was an admiring and approving tone to Rosalind's voice.
"I heard about what happened," Sophie said. "Nathan tells me everything. You were so brave to go and help Reese like that. But it was so dangerous." Sophie smiled. "Sounds like you two worked together like a perfect team. Nathan's choice of Reese as a temporary deputy seems to have been inspired."
Honora swallowed, realizing that the conversation was leading, inexorably in one direction. These three women were determined to bring Reese and Honora together. Their intentions were as clear as day. Being the woman who had brought two mail order brides into the Buchanan family, Sophie Cameron had already proven herself a considerable matchmaking force. Honora knew it would be difficult to resist Sophie's persuasive powers. But, was there another power leading her back to Reese? Back up at the ranch, as she'd swung beneath the tree, it had certainly felt like she was being led back into Reese's life. Maybe they were a perfect team, she told herself.
"Have the men tried to get onto the ranch again?" Rosalind asked.
Honora shook her head. "Things have been quiet since that night," she explained.
"But, why would they do such a thing?" Rosalind inquired frowning. "Don't people respect the rights of decent, law-abiding folks to go about their business in peace?" Rosalind's voice was filled with emotion. Reese had told Honora something of the circumstances of Rosalind's past. How she'd had to escape the clutches of a man who sounded truly unpleasant. Perhaps that experience had left Rosalind with a profound distaste for unfairness.
"Reese thinks they were going to cause some trouble with the herd," Honora suggested. "Or maybe at the ranch house." That thought chilled Honora to the bone. "They haven't been back. Which is good news. That probably has to do with the extra men who've been placed up at the ranch."
"Or maybe the person behind it has had a change of mind," Sophie said.
Honora narrowed her eyes. "Who do you think is behind this?"
Sophie frowned and leaned forward. The other women leaned in closer. "Nathan is certain Calhoun's behind this."
Johanna groaned and shook her head. "That man needs to be brought to justice," she said sharply. "I don't know what it's going to take to put a stop to him, but something is going to have to be done."
Honora knew that Johanna had almost lost the chance of marrying Zane because of an alleged trick which someone unknown had played on her. She'd almost left Inspiration thinking that Zane didn't want to marry her. Luckily Zane had found out and had prevented Johanna from leaving. Marriage had followed immediately afterwards. But, no-one had found out who had been behind the scheme to trick Johanna into leaving Inspiration.
"Calhoun and my uncle seem to have been having some dealings," Honora revealed. All eyes turned on her. She explained about Calhoun's visit to the ranch and his argument with her uncle.
"What does he want?" Sophie asked.
Honora shook her head. "He wants to buy the ranch."
Johanna gasped. "We can't let that happen. If that happens Calhoun would own a spread which borders the Buchanans." Johanna frowned. "Lord knows what he would use that for. It isn't good news that he's even showing an interest.'"
Rosalind peered at Honora. "Your uncle isn't going to sell, is he?"
Honora shook her head. "He hasn't told me he's planning on doing that." Even just the thought of something like that happening made a hard knot of worry twist in Honora's middle. She resolved to speak with her uncle when she got back to the ranch.
For the remainder of their time in the restaurant, the talk was of everything except marriage. Honora was glad of the sudden change of direction in the conversation away from the topic. She knew it would only be temporary, but she was pleased nonetheless. Finally they all left the restaurant. They said farewell to Sophie who headed back to her home on the other side of town. Then Honora, Rosalind and Johanna made their way back to the ranch. As she sat on the seat of the elegant carriage which they used to come into town, Honora reflected on the day she'd just enjoyed.
The Rancher’s Second Chance Bride Page 16
