“Good man you have there, Jake. He seems to know what he’s doing. He picked out the lead mare right away, didn’t he?” Mr. Banks said to Jake.
“He’s got lots of experience,” Jake affirmed.
Morgan glanced at him. How much had Gabe told Jake about his experience with horses? It almost seemed as if Jake knew more about Gabe than he let on. The two had bonded right from the start.
“Isn’t there supposed to be a stallion, or something, to lead a herd?” she asked.
Jake chuckled. “With horses, it’s the mares that rule the roost.” He winked, and Morgan made a face at him in mock anger. How was she supposed to know that?
“Lisa and I will ride drag, and the rest of you flank. The key is to keep them moving forward. Horses like to run, but they’ll settle once they find their herd companions. It’s a short drive, so we shouldn’t have too much trouble.”
Gabe’s voice drowned out the sound of horses and other people talking. Morgan smiled. He looked good, he looked confident, and he looked at ease. She still marveled at the change in him since yesterday.
She’d reluctantly left his cabin, but had to go see to Logan, and she’d had to help prepare supper for the guests. After dinner had been served, Gabe had come up to her and asked her to sit with him to eat. His normally sullen looks had been completely replaced with smiles and grins, and he’d looked like a changed man.
Jake had shot them both knowing glances. “Looks like you two came to some sort of an agreement,” he’d said, then had gone to eat with his family.
Rather than eating quickly and disappearing like he’d done every night since they arrived at the ranch, Gabe had hung around, waiting for her to finish the evening clean up. Taking her hand in his, he’d set Logan on his arm, and led her along the paths between the horse pastures beyond the barns as the sun began to set.
The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. The air had been infused with the sweet smell of summer grass. Crickets and other evening bugs had chirped all around them, and Gabe had stopped frequently to lean over and kiss her.
Morgan had hesitated to bring up Bryce and the Double M, but when she’d finally found her courage to mention it, Gabe hadn’t seemed upset.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking after you left the cabin,” he’d said, squeezing her hand. “And you’re right about Ty. He wouldn’t want the ranch, and all that he worked for, getting sold. One of the ways I can make good for what I did to him is to make sure the Double M continues to be the kind of ranch he built and worked so hard for.”
Morgan had smiled up at him. “Does that mean you’ll claim your inheritance?”
Gabe had grinned. “Guess it’s about time I meet this Bryce fella.”
Morgan’s face had sobered. “He probably won’t play nice,” she’d said quietly.
Gabe had simply shrugged. “I can get pretty ornery myself, if I have to.”
“Don’t I know it,” she’d chuckled.
How would Bryce react when she finally introduced Gabe to him? He wouldn’t be happy at all, that was for sure. Bryce had his heart set on selling the ranch and making a large profit. Now he had to hand over half of it to Gabe. There had to be a way to buy him out of the other half. Bryce certainly wouldn’t just let go of it freely.
“If I could access the trust fund my mother froze, we could buy him out,” Morgan had said, thinking out loud. “Otherwise, we might need to take out a loan.”
They’d continued to talk about their future together. Morgan had tried to tell him all she knew about the Double M, which wasn’t much, and Gabe told her stories of when he was there as Tyler’s foreman.
Gabe had stood Logan on the ground when he began to squirm too much, holding his hands and assisting him to walk. When Gabe let go of her son’s hands, Morgan had instinctively lunged forward to brace his fall, but Gabe had pulled her back.
“You gotta let a man stand on his own two feet,” he’d breathed against her ear, pulling her into his arms. “It’s good that you like to mother him so much, but sometimes you have to let go, too.”
“He’s walking. Gabe, look, he’s walking.” Morgan’s vision had blurred when her son took his first tentative steps on his own. She’d kneeled down, holding out her arms, and encouraged him to take another step toward her.
Morgan had laughed with joy when Logan took his first steps without assistance. “There will be no stopping him now,” she’d said, a wide smile on her face when Logan fell into her arms. “I might have to lock him up in a horse pen to keep him out of trouble.”
She’d hugged her son close, then gazed up at the man standing over them. How fitting that Gabe should be the one to see Logan’s first steps. She’d wrapped her arms around Gabe’s neck when he’d pulled her closer for a kiss, and together they’d watched and laughed, and cheered him on as Logan took full advantage of his newfound skill. Whenever he fell, Gabe had simply stood him back up and encouraged him to try again.
“We’ll head into town and see the preacher as soon as I’m back from driving those mustangs out to pasture tomorrow,” Gabe had told her when they’d headed back to the ranch house.
“Are you sure you want to be saddled with me?” Morgan had chuckled, trying to use words Gabe might say.
Gabe had stared at her. “More sure than I’ve ever been about anything.”
“People may have been able to march into a church and ask to be married like that in your time, Desperado, but it’s a bit more complicated now. If you want a quick wedding, we should just go to the courthouse and get married by a judge.”
“As long as you’re my wife when it’s all said and done.”
Morgan had turned to him, and touched his cheek. She’d glanced up at him, searching his eyes. “There’s no need to rush. You need to be absolutely sure this is what you want, not because you feel obligated after what happened this afternoon.”
“Like you said, there’s been something between us from the day we met. I fought against it before, because I didn’t see myself as a man worthy of a woman like you, but I’m as sure as my brother was, when he first set eyes on Laney, that I want you for my wife. I love you, Morgan.”
The unexpected sensation of a man’s hand on her lower back jolted Morgan from her memories of the previous night.
“Hello, Morgan.”
She gasped, and nearly lost her grip on Logan. Her head snapped around to the man standing next to her.
“Bryce?” she stammered. What was he doing here?
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Is this that little project you mentioned back in L.A.?” Bryce asked, nudging his chin toward the mustangs in the pasture. “You talked the Owens into letting your horses stay on their property?”
Morgan cleared her mind, and annoyance shot through her. “Yes, they were nice enough to offer some rangeland for the mustangs until we find a permanent home. What are you doing here, Bryce?”
He smiled smugly, and leaned toward her. “After you left in such a hurry yesterday, I wanted to come and see what you were up to, since we’re practically neighbors right now. This place is where we first met, remember?”
How could she forget that she’d met Bryce right here, at this ranch, a few years ago? Morgan’s mind raced. She wanted to tell him that he could no longer sell his ranch, that she’d found the family member he was looking for, but she hadn’t had time to talk to Gabe about what he should say when he introduced himself as joint owner of the Double M.
“I also came to tell you that your mother called me. She knows where you are.”
Morgan glared at him. “I thought you didn’t tell her. Besides, I don’t care if she knows. There’s nothing she can do about it.”
“I didn’t tell her. I’m just giving you the heads up.”
“I’m surprised you’d let my mother manipulate you, Bryce,” Morgan said with a slight shake of her head. “You’re so shrewd in business, you’re not the type to put up with someone like her.”
Bryce laughed. �
�Believe me, your mother is a thorn in my side, too. Just think, Morgan, if you get back together with me, we can both be rid of her. I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother you again.” He leaned closer. “Whether you believe me or not, I do care about you.”
Morgan scoffed, and pulled away. She wrinkled her nose. The scent of Bryce’s expensive cologne was so out of place here, among the smell of horses and hay.
Hooves pounded behind them, and Morgan turned her head. A lump formed in her throat. Gabe had obviously seen Bryce, and he was heading their way. Bryce’s hand still rested against her lower back, but he glanced up toward the approaching rider. She gathered Logan close, and took a step to the side.
She’d dreaded this meeting, and hadn’t expected it to be like this, out in the open with so much commotion around them. Maybe it was better this way, though. The dark look on Gabe’s face when he approached them made her mouth go dry with apprehension.
Gabe leapt from his horse before the animal came to a full stop, his eyes darting from her to Bryce. Morgan glanced at Bryce, whose eyebrows rose.
“Thought I’d come and say goodbye before we head out,” Gabe said in a slow, quiet tone, his eyes going to Bryce. It was written all over Gabe’s face that this was not what he really wanted to say. The tension in his body was palpable, and Morgan reached for his arm. She wouldn’t put it past Gabe to lunge at Bryce.
Bryce’s own eyes narrowed.
“Gabe, this is Bryce Monroe,” Morgan said quickly. Looking at Bryce, she said, “Bryce, meet Gabe McFarlain.”
Bryce’s eyes widened.
“McFarlain?” He’d clearly recognized the last name. Although he’d never mentioned Gabe by name to her, Bryce had to be familiar with it, since the name was on all of the documents concerning the ranch. That his first and last names were the same as on the papers could easily be explained as a family name handed down through the generations.
Gabe hadn’t spoken. He silently appraised Bryce while reaching out a hand to him. Bryce plastered a smile on his face, and puffed out his chest, then stepped forward and clasped Gabe’s hand in a firm shake. The two were about the same height, and while there were no other physical similarities between them, they did have the same eyes. Morgan glanced from one man to the other. It seemed almost too obvious now.
Bryce shot a hasty look at Morgan. It was clear to her that he was trying to think fast, and the wheels had to be turning in his head. He wouldn’t know that she was aware of who Gabe was, and that he could be connected to the Double M. Swallowing nervously, she decided to play dumb. This wasn’t the time or place for a family reunion. She cleared her throat, and focused her attention on Logan.
“You’re the man who runs the Double M?” Gabe asked, his eyes locked onto Bryce like a missile to its target.
“I’m the owner, yes.” Bryce straightened.
“Morgan’s told me all about you,” Gabe continued, and took a step toward her. “You sure ain’t what I expected, though.”
Logan called, “Da-da,” and stretched his arms out.
Gabe tousled Logan’s hair, smiling at him. “Hey, little buckaroo.”
“What’s going on here, Morgan?” Bryce huffed. His eyes blazed dangerously, darting between her and Gabe.
“Bryce, Gabe and I are engaged to be married,” she said quickly, raising her chin and looking him in the eye.
“Married?” he said, clearly surprised. Anger blazed in his eyes, which he hastily concealed. Bryce wouldn’t cause a scene out in the open, where everyone would be witness to his outbursts.
Gabe stepped in front of her. “You got a problem with that?” he asked casually.
“In case you don’t know, McFarlain, Logan is my son, and Morgan and I have been working out our differences, so we can get back together.”
“What?” Morgan stepped up beside Gabe, her temper flaring. “Stop being ridiculous, Bryce. I’ve told you over and over that we’re through.”
Gabe put a hand on her arm, and looked down at her. With a grin, he said, “This is my time to wear the britches, Morgan.”
He turned his attention on Bryce. “I think it’s pretty damn clear that Miss Bartlett has given you the mitten, Bryce Monroe,” he said in a deadly calm voice. “I don’t think any man who hits a woman has a right to her.”
He took another step closer, now only inches from Bryce. He reached up and grabbed a fistful of Bryce’s shirt at the collar. All traces of a smile left Gabe’s face.
“If I ever see you touch her again, even if you just shake her hand, I promise you, you’ll be slurping soup for the remainder of your days,” he said in a low, warning tone. “You might think you’re the biggest toad in the puddle, but that don’t mean beans to me. You’d do well to study up on the man who built up that ranch of yours. Tyler Monroe was an honorable man, and I bet he’s turning in his grave this very minute, knowing that you’re any relation to him.”
“Everything all right here?” Jake Owens stepped up to the two men.
Morgan breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t put it past Gabe to hit Bryce, which he wouldn’t hesitate to use to his advantage later.
Gabe released Bryce’s shirt, and took a step back. “Everything’s fine here. I was just telling Mr. Monroe that he’d better pull foot if he wants to keep chewing his meat.”
Jake glanced from Gabe to Bryce, whose brows raised in a silent question at Jake.
“He’s asking you to leave before he hits you,” Jake said casually. “Not sure what the beef is between you, but I can guess.” His eyes darted to Morgan.
Bryce clenched his jaw, and straightened his shirt. He stared at Gabe, then turned to Jake. “You’d do well to keep your cowboys in line, Jake, before someone files assault charges.”
“Easy, Bryce,” Jake said with a chuckle. “What I saw can hardly be called assault.”
Bryce stared icily at Gabe again, the wheels in his mind clearly turning. “You seem to know a lot about my ancestors,” he said slowly.
“More than you’d care to find out,” Gabe replied. “Expect me to come calling in a few days. I think you and I are gonna have a lot to talk about.”
Gabe tipped his hat to Bryce, then turned, and reached for Morgan’s arm. He led her away from the two men still standing there. Morgan shot a hasty look over her shoulder. Jake was talking to Bryce, who glowered after them.
“You need to be careful, Gabe,” Morgan whispered. “He won’t hesitate to file charges against you. You can’t go around threatening him like that. And you definitely can’t say anything about you being from the past, either. He’ll have you locked in a mental institution before you can blink. His money gives him power.”
Gabe chuckled. He leaned toward her, and murmured against her cheek. “I just gave him something to chew on for a while, and I promise to be on my best behavior the next time I meet him.”
Morgan drew back, her eyes narrowed on him. “Why do I have a hard time believing that?” she said, then smiled.
Someone called from the crowd of riders who waited near the gate to the pasture.
“Time to move the horses,” Gabe said, and pulled her into his arms, Logan sandwiched between them. He yanked his hat from his head, and leaned forward to kiss her.
“Just so Bryce is clear that he no longer has a claim to you,” he said against her lips.
“Come on McFarlain,” Abby shouted. “You can smooch all you want later.” The other wranglers laughed.
Morgan pulled his head toward her one final time, and pressed her lips to his. “Just so everyone’s clear that you’re no longer available,” she whispered, and smiled at the look of longing on Gabe’s face when she stepped away.
He adjusted his hat on his head, his eyes locked on hers even as he stepped into the stirrup and pulled himself into the saddle. He nodded, then turned his horse and loped toward the other wranglers.
“Move ‘em out,” he shouted, and someone opened the gate. Riders scattered and whistled, and Gabe rode into the paddock, waving his
hat at the horses to chase them out of the pasture.
Morgan hugged Logan to her as the ground shook with hundreds of pounding hooves. Jake came up beside her.
“Bryce left,” he said, glancing at her. “I didn’t know he was Logan’s dad.”
Morgan sniggered. “Yeah, we got together the last time I was here. It didn’t work out.”
Jake shook his head in disbelief, and chuckled. Morgan narrowed her eyes. How much did he know?
“How come you’re not going with them?”
“Rachel’s so close to having the baby, I don’t want to leave the ranch.”
Morgan nodded, her eyes on the animals and riders as they disappeared over a rise amidst a cloud of dust. She looked again at Jake.
“Why did you trust Gabe with the mustangs, Jake? He’s a new employee, after all. Why not put your lead wrangler in charge?”
Jake looked at her for a long time. “Come up to the house, Morgan, and I’ll tell you a story that very few people know.”
* * * * *
Gabe leaned forward in the saddle, overlooking the valley below where the mustangs had finally settled. A few were still scattered throughout the nearby hills, but they’d all find each other soon. They’d more than likely break off into smaller bands anyhow, once they were more familiar with the terrain.
“Ready to head back? Seems like you have an anxious girlfriend waiting for you.”
Gabe turned to look at Lisa, who pulled her horse up next to him. Abby and Judy joined her.
“That was fun,” Judy said with a wide smile on her face. “And it went off without a hitch. You do know your horses, Gabe.”
“You all go ahead. I’ll be along shortly,” he said.
The women reined their horses to head in the direction of the ranch.
“We’ll just tell Morgan that you’d rather spend the night out here with the mustangs, instead of with her,” Abby called over her shoulder with a laugh.
Diamond in the Dust (Second Chances Time Travel Romance Book 3) Page 22
