by B. J Daniels
“Oh.” He felt all the wind come out of him.
She shook her head. “I told you that stupid feud wasn’t going to keep me from what I wanted. I told you what I’ve always wanted. You, and to get back to Montana. Ranching is in my blood. Anyway, my father knows how I feel about you.”
“And?”
“And,” she said smiling, “he said it must have been destiny.”
“Destiny?” Brandon laughed. “I’m not sure that’s what Asa is going to say.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll win him over,” she said and put her arms around him to gaze up into his face.
Brandon sighed. “Well, I guess tonight will be the night.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Anna spent the afternoon in Brandon’s arms inside the cabin. They made love, talked, made love again, and talked some more. Suddenly, it seemed there was so much they had to say.
Until finally she laughed and said, “We have time to learn everything, don’t we?” He hadn’t asked her to marry him. And the one thing they seemed to have avoided talking about was her family ranch. She wondered if she was wrong about the two of them being able to overcome the feud between their families.
She wanted desperately to live on her ranch. That’s how she’d thought of it since she had been a girl, when she used to ride her horse across the far reaches of it with her father. No one understood better than she did that feeling of ownership. Land was something solid to build on.
She knew she couldn’t bring up the subject herself because she still had to talk to her father about what she wanted. He knew she wanted this way of life. He didn’t know she wanted the ranch. Not yet, anyway.
“Could we stop by the hospital on the way to dinner?” she asked. “I need to see my father again.”
* * *
MASON VANHORN was awake, sitting up a little in his bed. His face brightened to see her walk in. He glanced toward the door. “You can bring McCall in with you. I won’t bite off his head.”
She smiled at that. “I wanted to talk to you alone. It’s about the future. I don’t want to go back to Richmond. I want to stay on the ranch.”
He nodded. “You want to marry Brandon McCall and stay on the ranch.”
“Yes.”
“Even knowing how our families have battled for generations?” he asked.
“It was a silly feud.” She regretted the words when she saw his pained expression. “You loved her, didn’t you?”
“Your first love is hard to get over,” Mason said.
Didn’t she know it.
“I can’t forgive Asa for taking her and making her so unhappy she left and lied about her death,” Mason said.
“You don’t know what happened between them,” Anna said. “They’re together now. I’ve seen them. They’re happy.”
He studied her a moment. “And you’re happy with…Brandon.”
She smiled at the way he said Brandon because she could see him coming around. “What were you going to do with the ranch if Holt didn’t come back?”
“Holt isn’t coming back. He’s never had any interest in the ranch.”
“So you were going to leave it to posterity?”
He laughed. “That does sound like me, doesn’t it.” He shook his head. “I was going to leave it to you. I didn’t like to think what you would do with it. Sell it, I suppose.” He met her gaze. “You want it, though.”
She nodded. “More than almost anything else in life.”
“Except Brandon McCall.”
She smiled. “Except Brandon McCall.”
“I liked building it up better than I ever liked running the ranch. It’s yours, Anna. Lock, stock and barrel.”
She couldn’t hide her joy as she planted a kiss on her father’s cheek.
“I’ll have the papers drawn up right away,” he said.
“I’d like it as a wedding present.”
He raised a brow. “You’re that sure this cowboy of yours is going to ask you to marry him?”
“Yes,” she fibbed.
“I guess we’ll see if McCall has any sense,” Mason grumbled. “There is a great spot on some land to the north for a house.”
She smiled. “You get well. I’m going to need you to walk me down the aisle. Only you won’t be giving me away. You’ll be welcoming me home.”
Mason’s eyes welled with tears. He cleared his throat. “Well, don’t leave this man of your dreams out in the hall. Tell him to come in here.”
“He hasn’t asked me to marry him yet,” she said quickly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you,” Mason said.
Anna called Brandon into the room. He looked gun-shy but who could blame him?
“Brandon,” Mason said. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of my daughter. She’s really something, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is,” Brandon said.
Mason nodded, watching the two of them.
“We really need to get going,” Anna said. “We’re having dinner with Brandon’s family.”
Mason raised a brow. “I’m sure you’ll let me know how that goes. I’d say give Asa my best—”
“Let’s not go there,” Anna said, dragging Brandon back into the hall. She laughed at his expression.
“He hates me,” Brandon said in the hallway.
“No, he doesn’t,” she assured him.
“Right. And now we have to face my entire family. You could probably use a stiff drink.”
“It’s going to be fine,” she assured him.
He just nodded and she could tell he was worried.
“Let me tell you about McCall family dinners. The last one my father called us together for, right in the middle of it, my mother showed up from the dead.”
She laughed and hugged him. “I’m sure tonight will be fine.”
He didn’t look convinced.
* * *
BRANDON WAS RELIEVED that when they reached the Sundown Ranch house, everyone else had already arrived. Clearly, his mother had briefed them all on Anna.
A few were on the porch. Brandon made the introductions. “This is my brother Rourke and his wife Cassidy.” Cassidy was very pregnant and more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. Cassidy had made the announcement of their happy news not too long ago.
“You’ve already met J.T.,” Brandon said. “This is his wife Regina.”
“Reggie,” Regina corrected and grinned at her husband. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Anna. Do you ride?”
“She’s a wonderful horsewoman,” Brandon said, everyone hearing the pride in his voice—including Anna. She blushed and looked embarrassed.
“I’m still trying to learn,” Reggie said. “Maybe someday you could give me some pointers.”
“I’d like that,” Anna said.
“Does that mean you’re staying in Antelope Flats?” J.T. asked.
Brandon looked at Anna. She smiled. “Yes,” she said.
Inside the house, Dusty greeted Anna like a long-lost sister, and Shelby swept Anna away to the kitchen.
Asa and Cash had been sitting in front of the fireplace. Brandon was surprised to see that there was a small fire burning. The house felt hot, but Asa was in the chair closest to the blaze. Brandon felt a stab of worry.
“Hello, son,” Asa said and motioned to a chair near him. “Cash was just telling me about old Doc Ivers. Isn’t that somethin’? Who would have ever suspected him of such things.”
Unlike Mason VanHorn, Brandon thought. “It was a horrible set of events. Especially for Mason. And Anna.”
“Yes,” Asa said, his eyes narrowing. “You brought her with you to dinner?”
“Mother insisted,” Brandon said carefully.
“Mother, is it now?” Asa said, then nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Cash got to his feet and, turning his back to their father, inclined his head as if to say, “Talk to him.”
“I need to check on Molly. I think Mother has her cooking something. A frightening tho
ught,” Cash said.
“Your brother never has been subtle,” Asa said as he watched Cash leave. “So what is it you want to talk to me about?” he asked, turning to look at his youngest son.
“I’m in love with her,” Brandon said simply.
“Any fool can see that. But do you know what you’re getting into? She’s a VanHorn.” Asa shook his head.
“No good can come of it.”
Brandon heard the familiar words and found himself smiling. “I’ve heard that all my life when it came to the VanHorns and the McCalls. But you’re wrong. I love her and I’m going to ask her to marry me. If she says yes, then I’m hoping to make you and Mason grandfathers. What do you think about that?” Brandon demanded, leaning toward his father, daring him to say the wrong thing.
To his surprise, his father began to laugh. “I wondered how long it would take you to be your own man. It’s about damned time.” He reached for his son’s hand and shook it, his grip not as strong as Brandon remembered it.
“Dinner’s served,” his mother called from behind them.
When Brandon turned, he saw tears in her eyes. She quickly brushed them away and reached for his hand. She pressed something into it and whispered. “It belonged to my grandmother.”
Everyone filed into the dining room. Brandon hung back, staring down at the small velvet box and the pretty simple diamond ring inside.
He looked up at the sound of Anna’s laugher. She came down the hallway from the kitchen, joking with Molly. She stopped walking when she saw him.
“Sit by me at dinner,” Molly said, and gave Brandon a grin as she entered the dining room. Everyone else was inside except Brandon and Anna. The double doors were open and he could see them all pretending not to watch.
“I have no idea what my mother plans to announce tonight at dinner, but I know what I’d like it to be,” Brandon said as he looked into Anna’s dark eyes.
Taking a breath, he pulled off his Stetson and dropped to one knee. “Would you marry me?”
Anna’s eyes filled with tears as he held out the diamond.
“It belonged to my great-grandmother, I’m told,” he said.
Anna blinked, then brushed at her tears and sniffled as she threw herself into his arms. “Yes, oh, yes!” she cried, knocking him over backward.
The dining room erupted in applause.
For a few moments, Brandon lay sprawled on the floor with his future bride. Then he slipped the diamond onto her finger—not all that surprised when it fit perfectly. Some things really were destined.
He kissed her, losing himself until he heard his father clear his throat.
Getting up, Brandon helped Anna to her feet. They brushed themselves off and entered the dining room as if nothing had happened.
When they were seated, his mother looked over at Asa and started to speak, but Asa took her hand and shook his head. “Tonight, we celebrate.”
She looked at her husband for a long moment, then nodded and smiled as she glanced around the table.
“Is there something going on we should know about?” J.T. asked, looking worried.
“We don’t have enough of these family dinners,” Asa said, sounding a little choked up. “You kids always think something is going on. Everything is wonderful,” he said, looking around the table. His gaze lighted on Anna. He looked worried for a moment, then cleared his throat and said, “Welcome to the family.”
* * *
“I GET TO HELP with the wedding,” Dusty said eagerly as everyone raised a glass to the engaged couple.
Martha appeared in the doorway. “Ty Coltrane is here. He just wanted you to know he left the horses you bought in the pen, Asa.”
“Tell that boy to come in here and have some dinner,” Asa hollered. “Martha, get another place setting.”
“Sir, I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner,” said the lanky, good-looking young cowboy in the doorway. “I should be getting home.” The young man’s gaze went straight to Dusty. His mouth fell open a little at just the sight of her.
“Dusty, make some room for him,” Asa ordered.
“Brandon, get another chair. Of course, he’s joining us.”
Dusty glared at her father. “He just said he couldn’t stay for dinner.”
“Nonsense,” Asa said. Dusty was his last. She was young and stubborn. All she needed was a good man. Not that he would ever say that to Shelby. She’d have his hide.
“Well, thank you, sir,” Ty Coltrane said. “I wouldn’t mind joining your family for dinner if you’re sure it’s not an inconvenience.”
“None at all.” Asa smiled at his wife. She was giving him one of her warning looks. He’d never listened to good advice in all his years. No reason to start now.
Dusty was giving him her don’t-do-it-or-you’ll-regret-it look. Asa smiled as Ty enthusiastically drew up a chair next to Dusty.
“Now,” Asa said as he looked around the table. “Let’s have dinner.”
Dusty shot him the always-popular teenager’s I’m-never-speaking-to-you-again look. He chuckled to himself. He could use the peace and quiet.
Shelby reached over, took his hand and squeezed it, shaking her head as if he were the most incorrigible man she’d ever met. He sure as hell was.
He squeezed back, savoring this moment in time. He had tonight and he was damned sure going to enjoy it. “To the McCalls,” he thought to himself, and raised his glass in a silent salute.
* * * * *
New York Times bestselling author
B.J. DANIELS
takes readers back to her
fan-favorite Whitehorse, Montana mini-series
with a suspense packed trilogy!
Three stories of suspense and cowboys who face down danger with their own brand of Western justice.
DARK HORSE
DEAD RINGER
ROUGH RIDER
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New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels takes you to the small town of Gilt Edge, Montana in her captivating and compulsively readable Cahill Ranch series!
It’s been nine years since Trask Beaumont left Gilt Edge, Montana… Tired of running, this rugged cowboy is back in town and determined to uncover the truth of the past so he can hope for a future with the woman he’s never forgotten.
Renegade’s Pride
Start reading today!
Darby Cahill is the kind of guy who saves people and when he meets Mariah Ayres, he’s determined to protect her—and he’ll risk his life to do it…
Outlaw’s Honor
Get your copy now!
When Sheriff Flint Cahill’s lover, Maggie, disappears, he knows his ex-wife is behind it. But with a winter storm coming, can he find her before it’s too late?
Cowboy’s Legacy
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“Super read by an excellent writer. Recommended!”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller on Renegade’s Pride
Can’t get enough? If you love strong cowboys, hot romance and thrilling suspense, then be sure to catch the thrilling Montana Hamiltons series!
Honor Bound
Into Dust
Hard Rain
Lucky Shot
Lone Rider
Wild Horses
Complete your collection!
“[The Montana Hamiltons] should definitely be on the must read list…a great introduction for new readers to this amazing author.”
—Fresh Fiction
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SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM
The kidnapping of the McGraw twins devastated this ranching family. Twenty-five years later, when a true crime writer investigates, will the family be able to endure the truth?
Read on for a sneak preview of
DARK HORSE,
the first book in a new series from
New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels,
WHITEHORSE, MONTANA: THE MCGRAW KIDNAPPING
“I want to ask you about your babies,” Nikki said. “Oakley and Jesse Rose?” Was it her imagination or did the woman clutch the dolls even harder to her thin chest?
“What happened the night they disappeared?” Did Nikki really expect an answer? She could hope, couldn’t she? Mostly, she needed to hear the sound of her voice in this claustrophobic room. The rocking had a hypnotic effect, like being pulled down a rabbit hole.
“Everyone outside this room believes you had something to do with it. You and Nate Corwin.” No response, no reaction to the name. “Was he your lover?”
She moved closer, catching the decaying scent that rose from the rocking chair as if the woman was already dead. “I don’t believe it’s true. But I think you might know who kidnapped your babies,” she whispered.
The speculation at the time was that the kidnapping had been an inside job. Marianne had been suffering from postpartum depression. The nanny had said that Mrs. McGraw was having trouble bonding with the babies and that she’d been afraid to leave Marianne alone with them.
And, of course, there’d been Marianne’s secret lover—the man who everyone believed had helped her kidnap her own children. He’d been implicated because of a shovel found in the stables with his bloody fingerprints on it—along with fresh soil—even though no fresh graves had been found.
“Was Nate Corwin involved, Marianne?” The court had decided that Marianne McGraw couldn’t have acted alone. To get both babies out the second-story window, she would have needed an accomplice.
