Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series)

by Maya Stirling

  Eva nodded, unable to say anything in reply, and shook his hand, determined to maintain the civilized demeanor her mother had instilled in her ever since Eva had been a little girl.

  Dunn followed her to the door. His horse was tied up in the yard. Eva saw Arabin start to amble his way across the yard toward the house.

  Dunn glanced over in Arabin's direction and then back at Eva. "Would you like me to inform Mr. Arabin of what we've been discussing?"

  Eva shook her head. She didn't want Arabin knowing any of this. Not now. Not yet. She had to think; had to try to figure out what could be done.

  "I'd prefer if this is a matter between ourselves, for the moment, Mr. Dunn," she said.

  "Fine. I look forward to hearing from you, Miss. Gillespie," he said. Dunn got on his horse and rode quickly out of the yard and away from the house.

  Eva started to make her way back into the house. She didn't want to speak with Jude. Not now. She didn't trust herself to keep a lid on the raging emotions she was feeling, didn't want to create a scene, especially on a day like today. She needed the memory of this day to be only about one thing. Her father, and all that he'd meant to her.

  Eva could hear Jude's footsteps behind her. As she turned to close the front door behind her, Jude thrust a hand out and held the door open. "Is everything alright, Miss.Gillespie?" Jude asked. His eyes were so piercing, so fixed on her that Eva had to wrench her gaze away from him.

  "It's fine Jude. Everything's fine. I'm alright," she mumbled. She pushed on the door but Jude's hand held it firm.

  "It's just that you look so worried," Jude said. "Did that lawyer say something that upset you?"

  Eva looked at Jude. "That's none of your concern, Jude," Eva stated bluntly.

  Jude took a step back and let go of the door. He seemed taken aback by the directness of Eva's statement.

  "Now, if I may. I'd like to get inside, Eva said firmly. "It's been a tiring and difficult day. I'm sure you understand."

  Jude's features softened. "Of course. I know this has all been hard for you," he said. He suddenly took a step closer and tried to reach out a hand toward Eva. She frowned and leaned away from him. What did he think he was doing? Who did he think he was? Hadn't she just made her feelings absolutely clear?

  Eva had a sudden thought to call on her housekeeper, Mrs. Bell. She would be in the kitchen preparing lunch, keeping a respectful distance from Eva, knowing that there was important business to attend to. Mrs. Bell always knew how to sort out unruly ranch employees. And that was all Jude Arabin was to Eva right now. An employee. He had to understand that nothing had changed between them. He didn't even know the contents of her father's will. But she had to put her foot down, reestablish the boundaries. She could handle Jude on her own, just as she'd always done.

  "I appreciate your concern, Jude. But I need to be on my own for a while," Eva said. She started to close the door. "So if you don't mind...I'm sure you've got plenty of work to be getting on with," she concluded.

  But, Jude once again put his hand on the door, this time taking another step closer. Now it was impossible to close the door. She could just walk away, but that would be admitting defeat. She had to stand her ground, make sure he understood her meaning.

  "The work can wait, " Jude said. His voice was firmer now. He seemed to be gaining confidence.

  Eva looked at Jude and frowned. "Just what do you think you're doing here, Jude? Didn't you understand me?"

  Jude smiled. "Of course I understand you, Eva."

  Her breath caught in her chest and her mouth dropped open. He'd never called her by her first name. Why was he doing that now?

  Jude leaned closer and Eva could smell his scent, a mixture of sweat and leather and something else, curiously unpleasant. "I just don't like to see you upset. Not when I can be of help to you," he said quietly.

  "How on earth can you be of help to me?" she demanded.

  Jude grinned. His voice dropped to a murmur. When he spoke, his words were slow and cut deep into Eva. "I've always admired you, Eva. Always found you to be mighty pleasing to my eye. I think you and I have always been good friends," he said.

  Eva stiffened and she felt her face rapidly warm. "Look, Jude. I know you've been a loyal employee," she said. Jude's brows furrowed at the use of those words, but Eva pressed on regardless. "The idea that you and I could be more than just employer and employee is just plain out of the question," she stated.

  Jude's lips drew tight into a thin line and his eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath and then sighed. "Your father didn't seem to think so," he said finally.

  Eva felt as if her chest had been hammered by an invisible hand. She leaned forward, grasping the edge of the door. "What did you say?" she said, her voice sharp and firm.

  Jude stood his ground. "Your father seemed to think that you and I might make a mighty fine couple." His voice was soft and sure. A wry smile creased his lips.

  Eva's throat tightened but she managed to force out some words after a long pause. "I don't believe you," she said.

  Jude cocked his head and rolled his eyes. "He told me so. On more than one occasion. He seemed pretty sure of it."

  Eva gritted her teeth. When she spoke, she kept her voice as quiet as she could. "I do not believe my father would ever have said that to you," she stated drawing all her strength up from deep inside.

  Jude's head lolled casually to one side. He seemed so sure of himself now, as if he felt like he was gaining the upper hand. Eva hated to see him like that, especially when making such a claim about what her father may or may not have said. But there was the will. With a jolt Eva realized that the will only confirmed what Jude was claiming. A hollowness opened up inside Eva's chest.

  Eva tried to push the door shut but Jude's stiff arm held it firm. Eva stared at Jude. Maybe she should call on Mrs. Bell after all.

  "Look, Eva. You and I need to talk," Jude said. His breath was close and had a familiar smell to it.

  "Don't call me Eva," she told him, her voice rising. "Do you understand? I am Miss. Gillespie to you. And I always will be. Do I make myself clear?"

  Jude smiled, seemingly unaffected by her tone or the finality of the words.

  He leaned in closer and when he spoke the words made Eva's legs go weak. "Maybe when you've had a chance to think about things we can have a talk about you becoming Mrs. Arabin," he said. He sounded almost completely certain, even confident, and it made Eva's heart beat fast. Years of unwanted glances, ignored comments, resisted advances rushed into her mind and she realized that right now there was only one thing she had to do.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Aaron Stewart drew his horse to a halt on the border between his own ranch and the Gillespie spread. He gazed down into the valley from the ridge. The land on the Gillespie spread looked no different than the rolling grasslands, wide plains and gentle hillsides of his own ranch. But, the fencing that separated their lands was more than just a barrier of wood and nails. It represented years of haggling and conflict between Aaron and Gabriel Gillespie.

  Now, the old man was dead. Aaron's disagreements over land and water and every other detail of ranch life were a thing of the past. He didn't know what was going to happen with his neighbours, now that there was only Eva Gillespie in charge of the ranch. But that wasn't so important now. Not on a day when someone was being laid to rest. Aaron knew that the burial was taking place in the late morning. He'd decided it would be more respectful if he delayed his visit until after it was over. Aaron wondered how Eva was coping with whole situation.

  The clouds parted and a bright sun emerged. The Montana land around Aaron glowed with a natural beauty. It reminded him of something else that had a natural beauty.

  Eva Gillespie.

  Aaron took a deep breath in and thought about Eva. She must be finding things hard. He'd witnessed enough of her feisty, spirited ways to be sure that she'd deal with the emotions of such a momentous day. But he had no doubt that things must be real hard for h
er on a day like today.

  Aaron moved his horse on, guiding it through a small gap in the fencing. The Gillespie spread was as beautiful as his own. Aaron felt a tingle up his spine as he spurred his mount toward the distant trail.

  The Montana landscape affected a man, no matter whose spread you were on. Montana had burrowed deep into Aaron's bones, had became a part of his sinews, even flowed in his veins. Small wonder, given the incredible beauty of the place. It was an awe inspiring place to live, and Aaron thanked every day that passed, even if the work was hard and the future was always uncertain.

  Fitting then, that someone as beautiful as Eva would be living virtually next door to Aaron. She made a magnificent place even more exquisite.

  Aaron encouraged the horse to pick up speed. He guided it onto the trail he knew would eventually lead him to the Gillespie ranch house. He'd promised to be there sometime in the afternoon. He'd been wondering, ever since he'd gotten the message from her to come and visit, what Eva wanted to talk to him about. The truth was, he was surprised she even wanted to talk to him at all, after everything that had passed between them.

  He immediately pushed those memories out of his mind.

  One thing was for sure. The mood at the ranch would be sad and gloomy. Gabriel's passing had been on the cards for a while now.

  Aaron wondered what was going to happen with the Gillespie spread. If Eva inherited it herself, she'd be more than capable of taking things on by herself. Of that Aaron was sure. Eva was no shrinking violet. Aaron smiled as he recalled the many times she'd stood up to the challenges of ranch life. Her parents had taught her well, made her a tough and resourceful young woman. The fact that she also had the grace and elegance, fine features and trim figure of any of the finest ladies in Montana only added to Aaron's absolute confidence that she'd need none of his help.

  So why was she asking him to come and call?

  It couldn't be because she wanted to sell up. Eva would never do that. Aaron had heard her many a time say that the Gillespie spread was permanent. She was committed to maintaining it. Eva would never trade it in for cash. She wasn't that kind of person.

  Aaron pushed the horse to pick up speed. After a while he reached the rise and paused. The trail wound down into the valley and across a flat plain to where the ranch house lay nestled at the base of a high ridge. It was a decent sized spread. Gabriel Gillespie had done a fine job building it up from nothing. With some help from his only child, Eva, of course.

  For his part Aaron had no ambitions to make his own spread bigger than it was. He'd spent the last few years making the best he could of his own moderate sized range. It had cost him every dollar he had, and every minute of the day and night. But, he'd forged a living from the land and from the herds he'd tended with so much sweat and effort. It had been hard and tough, but completely worth it. He was satisfied with what he had. There was no need for him to even think about buying out Eva Gillespie.

  Aaron smiled as he thought about how Eva would react to him even making such an offer. One thing was for sure. He'd need to stand well back if he would be foolish enough to even consider making such a foolhardy suggestion to her face.

  Aaron started down the trail. He could see the white ranch house in the distance. The solitary figures of some ranch hands were busy on different parts of the ranch. Aaron figured the funeral of Gabriel Gillespie must be over if men were already back at work.

  He rode the horse under the wooden entrance sign that proclaimed the Gillespie name in letters carved deep into the board. Aaron guided the horse into the yard in front of the house. As he was slowing down he heard raised voices. He looked toward the front door of the ranch house and pulled his horse to an immediate halt.

  Eva Gillespie was standing at the front door. She was dressed in black and her blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Her pretty, oval features were scrunched up into an expression that Aaron had seen on more than one occasion.

  Indignation.

  There was a man facing her, a wide brimmed hat tipped casually back on his head. Aaron couldn't see the man's face, but he recognized the tall, lanky figure as Jude Arabin, the foreman of the Gillespie ranch.

  One thing was clear. Eva and Jude were having words. And they weren't friendly ones. Aaron could see that, and he wondered what he should do. It was obviously a private conversation between employer and employee, but from the look of it, Aaron got the distinct impression that there was more to it than mere ranch business.

  Aaron got down off his horse and quickly tied it to the hitching rail. He edged his way around so that he kept the body of the horse between him and the two figures at the door. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but it sure as heck looked serious.

  Then, suddenly, out of the blue Eva did something that made Aaron's jaw literally drop open. Eva let out an outraged groan, twisted her body, swung her arm and smacked her hand flat against Arabin's left cheek. The sound of flesh on face carried all the way to where Aaron stood. It sounded painful.

  Aaron took a step forward and paused. Jude let out a yell, staggered back, shook his head and started to rub his face. Aaron could see Eva's flashing eyes. He was pleased he hadn't been on the receiving end of that hand.

  But it was when Aaron saw what Jude did next, that the decision was made, and in that moment there was only thing Aaron had on his mind. And that was to protect Eva Gillespie.

  ***

  Eva's hand lashed out and slapped the side of Jude's face with a resounding, noisy and strangely satisfying smack.

  Jude staggered back, his mouth gaping open. He raised a hand to his cheek and his eyes widened.

  "Why did you do that, Eva?" he demanded. His voice was loud now, all pretense at persuasion gone. Eva could hear the indignation in his tone.

  "I will never be your wife, Arabin. Do you understand?"

  At that moment Jude seemed to give up all pretense at maintaining his composure. He reached out and grabbed Eva's wrist. Eva took a step back. What was the man doing? She suddenly felt a surge of fear. Maybe she'd gone too far. Perhaps she'd misjudged Jude. She knew he had a temper, had seen it on many occasions in the way that he handled the men. But right now she felt a basic, primal surge of fear.

  His hand was tight on her wrist, his fingers like thick, hardened cords on her soft skin. Eva's heart started to race and she opened her mouth to call out to Mrs. Bell.

  Then Eva heard a voice call out, and she sensed the presence of someone moving behind Jude. Before she knew it, large firm hands were being placed over Jude's narrow shoulders. Jude let go Eva's wrist and whirled around to face whoever had seized him.

  Then Eva saw who it was. She gasped.

  It was Aaron Stewart. Where had Aaron come from? It didn't matter. He was here.

  "Now come on, Jude. That's no way to treat a lady, let alone someone who pays your wages," Aaron said with a steady voice, his eyes locked firmly on Jude's face.

  The foreman leaned back against the door and looked up at the slightly taller rancher.

  Eva's breath was still fast, and her heart hadn't slowed it's furious beating. She gazed at the man who was her neighbour, realizing just how glad she was to see him.

  "Aaron...Mr. Stewart. I didn't see you arrive," she said, trying to compose herself. Eva rubbed her wrist. There would be bruises. But that wasn't the worst of how Jude had treated her. Not by a long shot.

  Aaron's blue eyes fixed on Eva. "Are you okay Miss. Gillespie?" he asked her, genuine concern on his features.

  Eva pushed some loose hairs away from her face and nodded. "I'm fine," she stated realizing just how fast her breathing had become. Eva tugged on her gown and straightened her skirt, trying desperately to seem composed, in control, even if she felt anything but in charge of the situation.

  What was Aaron doing here? And then Eva recalled she'd asked him to come over, so they could talk over a few things. Details of how they could sort out some of the long standing disputes Aaron and her father had had. But th
ose things seemed completely irrelevant now. Eva wondered what Aaron was going to do to Jude. The look on Aaron's face was grim and serious. But, the truth was, Eva had never been more relieved to see Aaron Stewart.

  "Look here, Jude," Aaron said leaning close up to Arabin. "What do you think you were doing? You know that laying a hand on a woman like that is just plain unacceptable," he said.

  Arabin rubbed his still reddened face. "Did you see what she did?" he demanded.

  Aaron glanced at Eva. His gaze was still and steady. For a moment Eva wondered what Aaron was going to say.

  "I think Eva was only doing what she had every right to do, Jude. Especially when you raised that hand of your's."

  Arabin whirled and looked at Eva. "We were only talking. Isn't that right Miss. Gillespie?"

  Eva's eyes narrowed. She sighed. "We might have been talking Jude. But that didn't give you the right to do what you did," she said.

  Arabin shook his head. He looked like he knew he wasn't going to win any argument. Especially with the tall figure of Aaron Stewart leaning over him. "I was only trying to explain something to Eva."

  "Looked like you were doing a whole lot more than explaining," Aaron said. He stepped into the hallway and took his place by Eva's side. Eva was suddenly aware of just how much taller than her Aaron was. "Now I think an apology is in order. Don't you think. Jude?"

  Arabin's brows furrowed. He peered at Eva and Aaron standing side by side. If felt good to stand so close to Aaron after what Jude had just done.

  Arabin seemed to be considering what to say. Eva glanced up at Aaron and saw that his eyes were locked on Arabin's face, waiting patiently for the other man's reply.

  "Well? What you got to say for yourself, Jude? Look's like a cat's got your tongue," Aaron said firmly.

  Jude looked at Eva and she felt something twist inside her. The man's eyes were filled with what could only be described as the purest anger and deepest frustration.