The Accidental Bride

by Denise Hunter

  “I think it will. Maddy seemed sure of it.”

  The loud band made conversation difficult. Shay wondered if it was too loud for her baby’s developing ears. She folded her arms over the bump of her growing belly just in case.

  The smell of grilled steak stirred her appetite. She wished she could afford it, but the burger basket would have to suffice. It seemed all she’d done lately was eat. Especially beef. Even Olivia was tiring of grilled burgers.

  Two tables over, Ida Mae and Vern stared at her. Shay looked away, her cheeks warming, and caught the eyes of Pappy Barnes. Or was he looking at her? Maybe he was looking at someone over her shoulder.

  No doubt word had circulated that she was pregnant. And since three and a half months had passed since the rodeo finals, everyone knew Travis wasn’t coming back. Shay straightened in her chair and sucked in a breath of courage.

  “For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God?”

  Facing her neighbors hadn’t been easy. She carried the verse wherever she went, her security blanket, ready to be whipped out at a moment’s notice. And she’d been finding plenty of those moments lately.

  Abigail leaned in on her elbows. “What’s wrong?”

  “People are staring.”

  Abigail looked around. “No, they aren’t. And even if they were, it doesn’t matter, right?” She patted Shay’s hand. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “I can tell, and so can God. That’s all that matters.”

  She gave a wry grin. “That’s what I keep telling myself.”

  Abigail looked over her shoulder, then back at her. “There is one person who can’t take his eyes off you. Poor Beau.”

  He’d approached her last month after hearing about her pregnancy. Offered to step in and marry her, be the father of her children. “I am married, Beau,” she’d told him before kindly turning down his offer.

  “He’ll get over it,” Shay said. “Never would’ve worked.” He deserved someone who loved him the way she loved—

  Do not go there, Shay Brandenberger.

  “Did you decide what to do about John’s offer?” Abigail asked.

  Shay was glad to think of something else, even if the insulting offer on her property did raise her hackles. “I countered. Just a little under asking price.”

  “Good for you. It’s a fair price.”

  Shay nodded. “I’ll bet he doesn’t counter back.”

  And that worried her. Other than John’s offer, there hadn’t been so much as a nibble since she’d put it on the market a month ago. If she didn’t sell it soon, she’d be in trouble.

  The baby was due August 7, just a week before her own birthday. What was she going to do with cattle to care for and a newborn baby? It had been hard enough over the winter, keeping the livestock fed. There seemed to be no end to their appetite. They ate and ate and bawled for more hay, and every day it started over again. Now calving season had arrived, and nighttime calving had cost her more than one night’s sleep.

  “What’s John Oakley want a ranch for, anyway?” Abigail asked. “Never even seen the man in a pair of jeans.”

  “He doesn’t want a ranch, he wants a deal.”

  Abigail snorted, then tossed her blond hair. “More like a rip-off.”

  “Well, I can’t afford not to take the offer seriously. Not like they’re flying at me from every direction.”

  The server set her burger basket down. Shay said grace and dug in.

  “How are your classes going?”

  “Great. I’ll be ready for a break this summer, though. Not sure what I’m going to do once the baby comes.” Abigail eyed Shay’s fries.

  Shay shoved the plate forward. “Help yourself. Believe me, I totally understand.”

  “Thanks. I ate a nice nutritious meal at home and told myself that was it. But Junior has the appetite of a grizzly, and salad doesn’t seem to be his thing.”

  Abigail had had an ultrasound two weeks ago and knew she was having a boy. Shay preferred to be surprised.

  “Tell me about it. I keep telling myself no more fried food, and look at me.”

  Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Shay pulled it out and saw a text from her realtor. She read it and clamped her jaw. Selfish man.

  “What’s wrong?” Abigail asked.

  “Oakley countered. Five grand more than his first measly offer.”

  Abigail’s brows pulled together. “I could just smack that man.”

  “Get in line. He knows I owe more than that on it.” She’d be way upside down. Would be better off renting the property, though who’d rent it out for the price of her payments?

  Her phone vibrated in her pocket, a call this time. Shay looked at the screen. “It’s Joann. Probably wants to advise on that wonderful counterbid.”

  Shay hurried to the exit and answered the phone as she stepped outside into the cold spring air. “Hi, Joann. I got your text.”

  “Oh, that. Never mind that offer . . . We have a new one.”

  “Hallelujah. Please tell me it’s reasonable.”

  “Better than reasonable. They offered list price.”

  Shay caught her breath, unbelieving.

  “That’s right. And better yet, it’s a cash offer.”

  “I’ll take it!”

  Joann laughed. “I thought you might.”

  “Wait, who is it? Anyone I know?” Not that it mattered—an offer was an offer.

  “It’s Wyatt and Doreen McCoy.”

  Travis’s parents? But why . . . “They’re selling their place. Why would they want mine?”

  “I didn’t ask their realtor, but I can guess. Their property is adjacent to yours, and a bigger spread will be more appealing to corporate investors. Plus you have all those springs on your property and river frontage, which theirs lacks. It adds value to their property.”

  The bass thumped through the Chuckwagon’s walls. “Well, I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.”

  “It’ll be a mail-away transaction, but since it’s a cash offer, that makes things simpler. Oh, and Zach said there’s no hurry on evacuating the property. Closing will probably be in thirty days, but since the McCoys aren’t moving in, they wanted to know if you’d stay until the property sells.”

  “I can for a while. That’s very kind of them.”

  Shay had to be out of there before the baby came, but at least the ranch was settled. They wouldn’t have to rush out, and she had ample time to find a rental and a new job. She pushed down the dread that spread through her at the thought of leaving.

  “I’ll get the offer over first thing Monday, if that’s okay.”

  “Fine, of course.”

  They said good-bye and Shay turned off her phone. She’d been so afraid she’d have no choice but to accept John’s offer. But now she’d gotten more than she dreamed—list price.

  Thank You, God. It’s so much more than I hoped for.

  She’d have cash coming back to her, enough to pay off Travis and then some. Enough to pay for medical care when she delivered her baby. She put her hand over her slightly rounded belly.

  She wouldn’t let herself think about losing the place where she’d grown up. The only home Olivia had ever known. The place where she and Travis had first kissed, the place where they’d made love and conceived this baby.

  She wouldn’t let herself think about any of that. If she did, she’d fall into a million pieces right there on Main Street.

  39

  Travis eased up on the gas as he entered town.

  Moose Creek, the sign read. Gateway to Yellowstone.

  His heart raced at the sight. He’d driven half the night, but all weariness fled now. The day had finally arrived, and he was here. Mere miles from Shay.

  It had been so long, a full five months since he’d left. Since she had tossed him from the property. What would she say when she saw him?

  He feared she’d kick him from her land without giving him a chance to
explain. Travis wiped his sweaty palms down the length of his thigh. She’d hear him out whether she wanted to or not. He’d tossed her over his shoulder once before, and he’d do it again. He loved her, and it was time she believed it.

  He stopped at the office on Main Street and collected the envelope before heading toward the Barr M. Buck had been cooped up in the trailer since Texas. He’d ride the horse over to Shay’s and allow him a little hard-earned freedom.

  Spring was dragging its feet in the valley. Gray clouds stretched across the expansive sky. The vegetation had yet to green, and snow still clung to the rocky peaks of the Gallatin Range. In the distance pine trees added dark splashes of green to the landscape, otherwise still clothed in the drab colors of winter. Alongside the road, the Yellowstone ran quick and deep, flushed by snowmelt off the mountains.

  When he arrived at his folks’ ranch, he fed and watered Buck, saddled him despite the slow drizzle that had started, and turned toward Shay’s place. He’d catch up with Jacob later. Right now he only had one thing on his mind.

  Shay was probably nearing the end of calving season. He wondered how many nights she’d been up, assisting in births. Hopefully not too many. He’d used light birth-weight bulls with her first-calf heifers.

  He missed working her ranch. Missed working with her. He wondered if she missed his help. Wondered if she missed him.

  She hadn’t filed for divorce at least. He told himself it wasn’t because of the costs involved. Maybe she held out hope that they’d work it out.

  He’d find out for sure in a few minutes. He’d know when he saw her. Shay was good at hiding her feelings, but he wasn’t just any old neighbor. She was his first love, his soul mate. He’d know when she saw him how she felt about his return. For better or worse.

  Travis patted the envelope in his shirt pocket, reassuring himself that it was there. He felt for the lump in his jeans pocket as he crossed the shallow spot of the creek.

  40

  Shay washed off in the barn tub. The last heifer to calve had gone into labor that morning. An hour ago Shay had pulled a healthy newborn calf from the relieved mama. Now the heifer was on her feet and licking her calf clean in the fresh bed of straw.

  Shay was glad to have the last birth behind her, relieved she’d managed without getting kicked. Branding was on the horizon, but she wasn’t fool enough to try that in her condition. Her neighbors would pitch in even if she couldn’t return the favor.

  She dried her hands and went to the house to change into clean clothing. There was little that fit her now. She was down to two pair of jeans she could wear unfastened.

  She finished the buttons on her flannel shirt. Gray—the exact color of Travis’s eyes. Her rounded belly pressed against the buttons, and she promised herself she’d go to the thrift store the next day with the equity check from the sale of her ranch.

  “Either that,” she said, looking in the mirror, “or you’ll have to wear your bathrobe to church Sunday.” That would get the neighbors talking.

  Shay grabbed her coat off the tree and left the house. She wanted to check on the pair again, make sure the heifer was accepting her calf. Gray clouds rolled across the valley, promising rain. The sun peeked out through a gap, warming the air for a moment, making her believe spring really was on its way.

  Feeling optimistic, she tossed her coat on her truck as she passed. Maybe it would warm up today. Maybe the rain would green up the grass.

  She entered the barn and walked to the stall where the heifer was licking her scrawny calf. Shay hitched a foot on the gate and leaned into it, watching. She never tired of this, her favorite part of the job. The births could make for some sleepless nights, but it was always worth it when the calf arrived safe and sound.

  Now the mama began nursing her calf. She eyed Shay suspiciously, seeming to have forgotten who it was that had just helped her baby safely into the world.

  Shay understood that protective gleam in the heifer’s eyes, though. Wouldn’t she do anything for her own daughter? For the baby that grew inside her? Wouldn’t she give up the only home she’d ever known? Give up the cowboy way of life to provide for her own?

  She’d found a little apartment in town, and a job awaited her at Pappy’s Market after the baby was born. Marla said she could bring the baby to work the first few weeks. After that, Shay would have to figure out something else. She might have to sell her truck to pay for day care, but she could walk to work. She’d do whatever it took. She’d spent every spare minute of the winter making barbed wire baskets. Those would provide extra cash over the summer.

  She shifted her weight, and the cow rolled her huge eyes toward her.

  “Relax, mama. Your baby’s safe.”

  The calf stopped nursing a moment, then continued. The mama would keep the calf at her side, feeding her, caring for her every need. It was her job, and hers alone. They had more in common than the cow could ever know.

  The wind whistled through the cracks in the barn, and the rain began a tap dance on the roof. She’d miss this place. She breathed in the smell of rain, fresh straw, and horseflesh, meandering over to Brandy’s stall.

  She ran a hand down her horse’s nose. There was no way she could keep her in town. Maybe the new owners would let her and Olivia visit from time to time. Hard to say, since a big corporation would probably buy the place. Until then, the McCoys would have to hire out help to run the place.

  She wondered if they’d told Travis, then checked her thoughts. Why would he care? He and Ella were probably cozying up somewhere in Texas, riding tandem, waking up next to one another. He was picking straw from her hair and whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Calling her “sweetness.”

  Her gut clenched hard at the thought as her eyes, of their own volition, swung to the third stall. She’d raked out the straw, leaving the floor bare, a week after he’d left. She didn’t want the reminder of their secret rendezvous.

  But reminders were everywhere she looked. In the shower they’d shared on one occasion, in the bedroom where they’d made love, inside her swollen belly where the evidence of their affection had culminated in life.

  When she lay in bed at night, she missed the quiet strum of his guitar. She missed how protective he was, even missed the way he rubbed his jaw when he got fed up with her.

  Mostly, she ached for his arms around her. Wondered, if he was still here, if he’d put his hand on her belly and dream with her about what their baby would be like. If it was a boy and if he would have Travis’s gray eyes and dark hair. Or if it was a girl and she’d have Shay’s coloring and stubborn streak.

  Shay would correct him: strong-willed, not stubborn. Then he’d chuckle and give her a kiss that would start quick and easy, then grow slow and desperate.

  Brandy whinnied softly.

  None of that was going to happen. Shay shook the wandering thoughts away, blinked the moisture from her eyes. She had to stop this. Had to stop thinking about him, dreaming things were different. It was unhealthy.

  You got over him once before, you can do it again.

  But even as the thought surfaced, the truth bubbled up with it. She hadn’t gotten over him before. She’d never loved Garrett the way she loved Travis.

  Is this just the way it’s going to be, God? Am I going to have to live with this aching hole inside for the rest of my life?

  The only answer was the soft patter of rain, the faint rustling of the calf in the bed of straw, the distant creaking of leather.

  She frowned at that last sound, turning toward it. The wind swung the barn door on its hinge, making it squeak. But that wasn’t the sound she’d heard.

  A moment later a familiar silhouette filled the doorway. Her heart stopped beating, her breath caught in her lungs. She’d know the set of those shoulders, the contours of that body, anywhere.

  Travis scanned the barn until he saw her.

  Saw her.

  She turned her back to him, leaned into the stall door, hiding her pregnant belly. Panic
surged through her like a lightning bolt. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t know. Not like this.

  “Hello, Shay.” His footsteps grew closer.

  Her heart started again, made up for lost time. Why was he here? Was he trying to torture her? Help me, Jesus.

  He put his hand on the gate beside hers, facing her. She leaned into the gate, propping her elbows so the top of her shirt ballooned out. Why, oh why, had she ditched her coat outside? She wanted to run, but there was nowhere to hide. She was trapped. If she tried to run for the house, he’d stop her. She’d be out in the open, in full view, and then he’d see.

  “Shay . . .” He pulled his hat, and the movement sent a waft of his musky scent her way.

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded like she’d swallowed a coil of barbed wire. She tried to swallow and found her throat swollen and achy.

  “We need to talk.”

  “We have nothing to—”

  A terrible thought hit her like a sledgehammer. Had someone told him about the baby? His parents didn’t know, but Travis had friends. Dylan, Wade . . . but surely they wouldn’t have meddled. This was her matter to handle, and hers alone.

  “Have something for you.” He didn’t sound cross.

  Maybe he didn’t know. Maybe he’d come back to box up his parents’ things and ship them off to Guatemala. That had to be it. She sneaked a peek at him—a quick one. His face was relaxed, his eyes sparkling with something . . . hope?

  “Go for a ride with me,” he said.

  She couldn’t go for a ride—she couldn’t even step away from the gate. She had to get him out of there. “It’s raining.”

  “In the house, then. I’ll fix some coffee.”

  “Why don’t you call me later?” She could put him off until he left town again, which would hopefully be soon, before someone mentioned her pregnancy. “Maybe tonight?”

  Olivia would be home. It had taken months for her to forgive Shay for making Travis leave, and they’d be back to square one, but it couldn’t be helped.