Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8)

by Maya Stirling

  He wasn't going to lose her again. Nor was he prepared for her to take the children away. Hunter could hardly believe that Gretchen could even consider doing such a thing. What had he done to drive her away?

  Nothing, was the answer that flashed firmly into his mind. Everything he had done since her homecoming had been designed to make her want to stay, persuade her that this was the only place where she could ever be happy.

  And, for a few brief moments he had thought he had been successful. He thought of how she had smiled, watching him with the twins; how she had laughed at his pathetic efforts at learning how to be a parent; how she had responded to his kisses.

  That made the muscle on his jaw tighten.

  Those kisses had meant so much to him. The sweet taste of Gretchen's lips had been so good. Hunter thought that everything had been worked out between them; that the barrier of the unspoken explanation needn't stand between them and their chance at happiness.

  But he had been so very wrong.

  His throat tightened and he tried to swallow but his mouth was full of dust. His arm muscles ached and he realized that he was grasping the reins with a tension that revealed the level of barely contained rage inside himself.

  He realized he was on the verge of panic. Why wouldn't the darned horse move faster? He had to make it to the station. Time seemed to have slowed, and he thought he would never make it to the town on time.

  At last though, after what had seemed like the longest ride of his life, he was riding up the main drag of the town and driving his horse on with ever greater urgency toward the train station. All the townsfolk looked so relaxed as they strolled up and down the boardwalk. The stores were busy. He picked up the pace even more and he saw curious townsfolk watch him speeding by with looks of surprise and puzzlement on their faces.

  Finally he saw the station up ahead. And there was the carriage. Gretchen's carriage. Empty. Hunter felt his gut sink at that sight.

  There was a train standing by the platform. Steam was drifting up out of the top of the engine. People were milling about on the platform. Hunter realized that the train looked like it had just arrived. He could see passengers disembarking from the carriages and being greeted by people on the platform.

  But there was no sign of Gretchen. Or the twins.

  Hunter drove the horse up to the station and pulled on the reins high and hard, the horse's hooves sliding deep into the dust as it drew suddenly to a juddering halt. Hunter leapt down off the horse and tied it quickly up. He turned and went to the carriage. Peering inside it he saw that it was empty. There were no bags and no sign of any of Gretchen's personal possessions. Glancing down at the floor he saw a parasol lying on the wooden floor.

  Hunter ran to the train platform and stopped. He lifted his head above the crowd of people in front of him and tried to see Gretchen. At first all he could see were the tops of people's heads, hats, bonnets, unfamiliar faces.

  Then he saw a very familiar face, and the sight of it shocked him.

  Gideon.

  What was Gideon doing here? Why was Gretchen's father at the train station? Was he somehow involved in taking her away again?

  Hunter felt a rush of panic. Where was Gretchen? He pushed his way past a few people. They each gave him a questioning look, and he realized he must look pale faced and panicked. But he didn't care. He had to find Gretchen.

  For a moment he lost sight of the top of Gideon's head and then he was momentarily clear of the crowd and he could see ahead to the end of the platform.

  And there, right at the end, standing with a basket in each hand was Gretchen.

  Hunter's heart started to race even faster. He felt his steps falter and he paused, trying to compose himself. Gretchen hadn't yet seen him. She was standing next to Gideon and to her mother Beatrice. They all looked happy. They were all smiling. Why were they smiling? Were they happy to be leaving? Joyous at the prospect of turning their back on ranch life once and for all?

  Hunter started toward them, raising his head up, and pulling back his shoulders. Whatever was going to have to be said, he was determined to maintain his dignity. After all, he had the right to know what was going on.

  As he made his way toward them, Hunter saw Gideon take a step forward and extend a hand into one of the train carriages. He could hear Gretchen and Beatrice both emit excited squeals of laughter and pleasure as they looked into the carriage. Hunter still couldn't see what all the fuss was about.

  He was almost upon them when he saw Gideon's arm emerge from the carriage. Then Hunter could see what Gretchen's father had been doing.

  The petite figure of a young woman emerged from inside the carriage. She was elegantly dressed in a pale blue dress. A matching bonnet sat atop her blonde hair. She smiled broadly as Gideon helped her step down out of the carriage. As she emerged Hunter saw that she was carrying a small basket on one arm. It was a very familiar kind of basket.

  With a start, Hunter halted in his tracks as he heard the sound of an infant crying. He saw Gretchen look down at each of the twin baskets she held. Then she looked over the basket being held by the young woman and smiled. Gideon and Beatrice gathered around the basket gazing down into it.

  There was an infant in that basket. Hunter knew it as sure as anything he'd ever known in his life.

  Who was this young woman who had stepped off the train?

  It was then that Gretchen turned and saw Hunter standing watching her. His heart froze as he saw her mouth open in shock and her eyes widen. He was sure that he saw her face become pale and instantly ashen in color.

  Then all eyes turned to Hunter and he knew that this was the moment of truth for him, his wife and his family.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  What was Hunter doing here? Gretchen turned quickly and peered in desperation at her mother, eager for advice on how to deal with Hunter's sudden arrival.

  Why had he followed her to the station? Hadn't he known that she wanted to do this on her own? Didn't he realize that Gretchen wasn't yet ready to tell him what he had been pressing her so hard to reveal? That she didn't yet have permission to speak of things. That she hadn't yet been released from the promise that had held her so close for so long.

  Gretchen looked at the young woman standing next to her. The dear, sweet woman who had been the sole reason why Gretchen had done what she had done in the past year.

  "Mama? What should I do?" Gretchen asked Beatrice imploringly.

  Beatrice smiled and glanced over at the immobile figure of Hunter. "There's only one thing you can do, my dear. Tell him the truth," she answered. "What do you think, Alice?"

  Gretchen frowned and then turned to the young woman. Alice looked at Hunter. A slight smile appeared on her face and she turned to look at Gretchen with a kindly expression in her eyes. "I assume that's Hunter," she said, her voice calm and soft.

  Gretchen nodded, her eyes looking worriedly toward her husband. "That's him."

  Alice glanced back toward Hunter. "He's everything you told me was," she observed.

  Hunter was still rooted to the spot, as if awaiting permission to come closer to them. Gretchen felt her heart go out to Hunter. The expression on her husband's face touched her deeply. His face was a mask of confusion and desperation. His eyes were locked on Gretchen's face, seeking, imploring and almost demanding an explanation.

  Gretchen knew that the time had come and that it was, in fact, the least that Hunter deserved. She felt they had both come such a long way in the past few days; felt that she couldn't hold back any longer.

  It was time to remove the last barrier that stood between them, the obstacle he had tried so hard to break down and which she had kept in place between them. But she'd had no choice. A promise was a promise.

  The very reason why the barrier existed was standing next to her on the train station platform.

  Gretchen turned to Alice. "Now that you're here, Alice do you mind if I explain matters to Hunter?"

  A flicker of sadness appeared in
Alice's blue eyes. Her lips pursed and she frowned slightly. Gretchen saw Alice glance down into the basket and then look up.

  Alice sighed and then a wan smile appeared on her lips. "I suppose now is as good a time as any. I imagine it hasn't been easy for you to keep your promise," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

  "It has been difficult. I'd be lying if I said it hadn't been," Gretchen said. "But I did give you my word, Alice. And my word is my bond."

  "I know it is Gretchen. I am so very grateful to you for everything you've done for me," Alice said. She glanced toward the town and sighed. "Now that I've decided to start a new life out here."

  Gretchen reached over and laid a hand on Alice's arm "It's the best place to do such a thing, Alice. It really is wonderful here. And we can give you all the assistance you'll need."

  "I know you will," Alice said with a warm smile. "And I am very grateful."

  Gretchen saw Hunter take one step forward. However, he halted in his tracks when he saw the way Gretchen looked at him. She didn't want him to come any closer. Not yet.

  "Looks like someone would like to speak with you Gretchen," Beatrice said. "I can hold the twins, if you like," she said reaching out to take the two baskets.

  Gideon took one basket in his own hand. "I'll take Lewis," he said firmly. Beatrice looked at Gideon and smiled. Gretchen handed the twins to her parents and made her way over toward Hunter.

  She paused in front of him and felt his eyes burrow into her, insistent and forceful.

  When he spoke his voice cracked with emotion. "I thought you were leaving again," he stated quietly so that the others couldn't hear.

  Gretchen frowned. "You honestly thought I was going to leave again?"

  Hunter nodded. "What else was I supposed to think. Mrs. Roper told me you were going to the station and taking the twins with you," he said.

  Gretchen shook her head and reached up, stroking the side of Hunter's face with the back of her fingers. "What a silly man you can be sometimes," she said giving him a reassuring smile.

  She felt him lean slightly against her hand, savoring her touch. His eyes had softened and she could see that some of the tension in his shoulders had lessened. But he still looked puzzled.

  Hunter looked down at Gretchen and she felt a surge of emotion inside her. His eyes were truly amazing sometimes. They still had the ability to touch her soul.

  "I'm not going anywhere, Hunter Sinclair," she said quietly. "And neither are our children."

  Hunter glanced past Gretchen. She saw his brows furrow and his eyes narrow. He looked like he was considering his next words carefully. Finally she saw the resolve on his face.

  "Can I ask who that young woman is?"

  Gretchen turned and glanced back. "That is my cousin, Alice," she stated softly. "And the little one in the basket is young Benjamin."

  Gretchen turned and peered up into Hunter's face. "Alice is your cousin?"

  "On my mother's side," Gretchen explained.

  "You never mentioned her," Hunter said.

  "I couldn't," Gretchen said. "Not with things being the way they have been recently for her."

  Gretchen saw puzzlement once again flicker in Hunter's eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked.

  Gretchen hooked an arm inside Hunter's and started to slowly pace with him along the length of the platform. There were fewer people on the platform now and they could make their way alongside the train in a leisurely manner.

  Gretchen looked up at Hunter. It felt good to hold onto him, curling her arm comfortably inside his own. Hunter laid a hand across her arm and gave her a partial, still hesitant smile.

  "My cousin Alice has always lived back East. New York. We've known each other since we were children. I'd met her a few times. Holidays. Family visits. We've always been as close as sisters. In fact for me she feels like the sister I never had."

  Hunter nodded slowly. Gretchen continued. "We've always had a special bond. Even if the distances that separated us seemed enormous. Almost like sisters separated by a continent."

  Gretchen glanced back along the platform. She could see Alice's features, her brows furrowed with concern. It would be best to get this over with as quickly as possible, Gretchen thought. She didn't like to see Alice worry like that. After everything her young cousin had been through Gretchen felt a sudden urgency to tell Hunter the whole story.

  Gretchen sighed and considered how to word the explanation she was about to give Hunter. She hoped he would understand. Looking up into his kindly, patient eyes she suddenly had no doubt that he would understand. But still, there was a lingering feeling of anxiety that caused butterflies to tumble in her stomach.

  Hunter halted, as if sensing Gretchen's anxiety. He looked down into her eyes, kindly patience filling them. "Just tell me what happened, Gretchen. I need to know," he said, his voice deep and slow.

  Gretchen sighed and swallowed. She nodded. "About a year ago Alice and a young man became sweet on each other. I'm not going to name him, because his conduct dictates that he should remain utterly nameless," she said her voice acquiring a firm tone.

  Gretchen saw Hunter's eyes widen in slight surprise at the change in Gretchen's tone. She took a deep breath and continued. "This young man made his intentions plain and clear to Alice. He wished to marry her. Alice told me that he seemed completely genuine and she believed his family approved of the union."

  Hunter nodded. He said nothing, fixing his attention on Gretchen, making her feel as if she were the only person in the world.

  "One thing led to another and promises were made. Alice was certain that a proposal was imminent," Gretchen said. She loosened the collar of her dress, feeling a sudden tightness in her throat. Why was this so difficult to speak of?

  "Go on, Gretchen," Hunter said with a squeeze of her arm.

  Encouraged by him she continued. "The young man appeared to be very much in love with Alice. He made his feelings for Alice very clear."

  Gretchen glanced back along the platform. This was hardly the place for such a conversation, but she knew that there was no way to continue with their life together until she revealed the truth to Hunter.

  "You know how passion can affect people, Hunter," Gretchen said.

  Hunter nodded. "I sure do. It makes people do crazy things," he agreed.

  "And sometimes those crazy things, as you call them, can have consequences," Gretchen said tentatively widening her eyes.

  Hunter frowned. She could see he was struggling to catch her meaning. Gretchen so wanted not to have to come out with the truth in a plain and direct manner. Not with Alice standing yards away holding a basket containing her infant son.

  "Wait," Hunter said. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

  Gretchen nodded. "I am indeed."

  "You're telling me that the young man...imposed himself?"

  Gretchen frowned. "That's one way of putting it, Hunter. I could also say he behaved like a low life."

  "And Benjamin is the result?" Hunter asked.

  "And a beautiful, sweet little boy he is," Gretchen said.

  Hunter released his hold on Gretchen and took a step back, running a hand though his dark hair. Gretchen could see the warring emotions in his eyes. "What happened to Benjamin's father?" he said after a long pause.

  Gretchen sighed. "His family were moving to another state and it seems that the disreputable man decided he had no further obligations to my dear cousin Alice. One day she went to visit with him and found he was gone. Simply gone. Never to be seen again. Leaving my cousin with a serious problem to deal with. And no-one willing to support her during the months of her impending confinement."

  Hunter frowned and shook his head. "And all this happened a year ago?"

  Gretchen nodded. "I received a letter from Alice the day after our wedding. She pleaded with me to go East and help her to work things out. She demanded that I tell no-one of her predicament. Not even those closest to me," Gretchen said. She looked into Hunter's eyes.
"Not even you, Hunter," she said.

  Gretchen saw Hunter's jaw tighten. "I just could not refuse such a desperate cry for help from someone who meant so much to me," she concluded.

  "Why didn't she just come West?" Hunter asked.

  Gretchen shook her head. "Perhaps it was Alice's own strong sense of pride? Refusal to admit her own weakness? I don't know. When I eventually arrived back East I tried everything I could to persuade her. But she wouldn't come here and live with my parents, despite the offer being made. She was ashamed. And determined."

  Hunter sighed and glanced along the platform. Gretchen could see the sympathy fill his eyes.

  "But then a surprising thing happened while I was there. I discovered I was with child. This placed me in a difficult position. I could not abandon Alice while she prepared to give birth and she had sworn me to absolute secrecy about the entire affair. Until such time as we could arrive at a solution to her predicament that would be good for her and her child."

  "Why didn't you just write and let me know?" Hunter asked.

  "I wasn't about to write such a letter to you. I had no idea what kind of madness would seize you. Perhaps the news would have caused you to abandon the ranch and come in search of me. Then you would inevitably discover the real reason that I was with Alice."

  Hunter shook his head, starting to disagree.

  "I had given Alice my word. My sworn promise that no-one would know until she was absolutely ready. I gave her my word, Hunter. You know how much that means to me," Gretchen said leaning close to Hunter.

  Hunter sighed. "But you could have given me some kind of clue. Let me know you were safe."

  "I did. My mother told you repeatedly that I would return. Surely you took comfort in that?"

  "I did. But it wasn't enough. I needed more," he said.