THE RANCHER'S BRIDE SURPRISE
Brides of Inspiration Book 4
By
MAYA STIRLING
DESCRIPTION
1875
Tragedy has compelled schoolteacher Rachel Ellsworth to become mother to her five-year-old niece, Lily.
Rachel has come to the small town of Inspiration seeking a new life as a family out on the frontier.
Sacrifices must be made if she is to find a suitable husband for herself and a father for Lily.
Time is running out for rancher Micah Buchanan. He must find a wife if he is to save his family's ranch from falling into the hands of the worst man in town.
The arrival in town of a new schoolteacher gives Micah hope. The beautiful woman with a powerful faith might just be the answer to his prayers.
However, Rachel's surprise revelation means Micah faces the prospect of a different life from the one he'd imagined. If he succeeds in courting her.
Can Micah and Rachel overcome the barriers they face and find love and family?
The Rancher's Bride Surprise is a standalone FULL LENGTH NOVEL in the Brides of Inspiration series. It can be read on its own and as part of the series. It is a clean and wholesome historical romance with inspirational themes of faith, family and love. And it has a guaranteed happy ending.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
© 2018 Maya Stirling
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. - Psalms 16:11
Dear Reader
I hope you enjoy reading this novel. I wanted to write a story which tells of the power of trusting God. Micah and Rachel both have to deal with trials and surprises which test their faith. It's my hope that this story shows how trust and faith can lead us through difficulty and on to a just reward.
The Brides of Inspiration series will continue.
If you want to be informed of publication, please sign up for my new release email announcements.
The next novel will be available very soon.
Thank you for reading
Maya
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CHAPTER ONE
1875
Rachel Ellsworth faced the blackboard inside the Inspiration schoolhouse and started to write out a poem. The children would be arriving soon, and she wanted them to have something nice with which to start their day. There was nothing like a cheerful poem to start their lesson on a good note. Having been their teacher for only a week, she was still getting to know the children, and she was still learning new ways of getting them excited about their schoolwork.
Rachel's hand froze on the board when she heard a deep voice from behind her. "Excuse me, ma'am. I'm looking for the teacher," the slow, masculine tones announced.
She turned and gazed along the passageway between the two empty rows of small, child-sized seats. The door was open, and the bright, early morning sun shone down on the yard behind the silhouetted figure. His shape made a striking impression on her. He was tall, broad-shouldered and long-limbed. Dressed in jeans and plaid shirt, he still wore his Stetson on his head. Because of the light cast behind him, she couldn't quite make out his features. But the sound of his voice had been enough to trigger an instant reaction in her. Heartbeat quickening inexplicably, she advanced toward him.
"I'm the teacher," she stated confidently.
He lifted his hat from his head and took a step into the schoolroom. His perfectly-polished boots sounded loud on the bare floorboards. Now that she could see him more clearly, a stray thought floated into her mind. Was this what the young men of Inspiration looked like? Were they all this handsome? Even features; powerful, steady gaze; ridged brows; scruff-covered jawline. He looked only a few years older than her, she figured. Rachel dragged in a sharp breath, determined not to reveal her reaction.
His dark eyes watched her, their slight downward movements revealing the vaguest hint of uncertainty. He ran a hand through his thick, slightly damp dark hair. His features were flushed, as if he'd been riding hard on his way to the schoolhouse. She wondered how far he'd traveled to get here.
"My name is Micah Buchanan, ma'am," he said. His voice echoed all the way up to the highest beam of the room. He glanced upwards. Rachel couldn't help noticing the strength in his neck muscles. How they stretched as he peered up, examining the interior of the roof. "I believe you need some things fixing," he added.
She followed his gaze, seeing the familiar damage which had prompted her request to get someone to try and carry out some repairs. When the rain came, she was sure that leaks would force her to cancel classes. And there was the threat that parts of the roof didn't look stable. She'd been told there was someone who was an expert at raising and fixing barns, as well as general repairs on wooden structures like the schoolhouse. Maybe this was the man, she told herself.
Dragging her gaze back down to him, she nodded. "I did mention that to Sophie. She said she knew who to call."
At the mention of Sophie Cameron's name, Micah's brows furrowed. She wondered why the mention of the sheriff's wife would have caused Micah to react like that. "I'm sure she said something like that," he replied. Rachel thought there was something curious about the way he'd said those words. Micah shrugged. "I'm the man for the job," he admitted, giving her a good-natured and very tentative smile. He shuffled awkwardly on his heels. "Up at the ranch, I'm the one they always call on whenever there's some work needed on the wooden buildings."
"Ranch?" she probed. That meant this strong-looking, handsome man with a quiet demeanor was a rancher, Rachel told herself. That was the last thing she'd expected this early in the morning.
He nodded. "The Circle Cross spread, ma'am," he said, shifting his hat from one hand to the other. "Just outside town."
She smiled at him. "Miss Ellsworth," she explained. "Please, call me Rachel," she suggested. Extending a hand, her gaze met his. When he placed his hand in hers, she felt a tingle shoot up the length of her arm. The skin of his fingers felt rough against the softness of her own. Hard work had toughened those hands, she told herself. She swallowed as she quickly released his hand and glanced away from him, determined he wouldn't notice the sudden pink flush which she'd felt overtaking her cheeks.
When Micah finally smiled back at her, the sensation flared uncontrollably again. "Sure, Rachel," he said. When he smiled, his eyes lit up with sudden good humor. It was as if he'd been transformed into another person before her very eyes. Gone was the hesitancy of moments ago. Now he looked suddenly relaxed. "Micah," he said, dipping his head courteously. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise," she responded.
There was a sudden noise from outside. Multiple footsteps pounded on the wooden stairs leading from the yard up to the open door of the schoolhouse. Voices called out, and Micah took a sudden step back, twisting around. Rachel moved past Micah and advanced toward the door. A group of six children, three boys and three girls aged between five and seven, raced into the schoolroom. Two boys, far too accustomed to fighting with each other as far as Rachel was concerned, were pulling at one another's limbs. It was the usual early morning boisterousness.
"Children!" Rachel called out abruptly. The boys stopped instantly and gazed at Rache
l. She gave them her best disapproving look. "What did I tell you about fighting with each other like that?" She looked sternly at one of the boys. "Jack? What did I say to you yesterday?"
Jack nodded sheepishly. "I know, Miss," he replied in a low voice. "Sorry."
Jack's gaze shifted to Micah. Rachel saw instant uncertainty in that gaze. She glanced at Micah and saw him lifting a brow. That simple gesture seemed to trigger the boy's curiosity.
"Is this your beau, Miss Ellsworth?" Jack asked in a bright voice.
Rachel felt her face warm suddenly. Her throat tightened and, for a moment, she struggled to clear it. Finally, she managed to blurt out: "Mr Buchanan is here to fix our roof," she declared. As she spoke, she was aware that her voice had cracked slightly, betraying the emotion the question had sparked.
The other boy, whose name was Lucas gasped. "Buchanan?" he exclaimed. "Which one?"
Rachel glanced at Micah and saw him take a few steps toward the boys. "Micah Buchanan," he said. He held out a hand. "Pleased to meet you, boys," he announced. As Lucas shook his hand, rather too vigorously Rachel told herself, she saw Micah turn and smile at her. Once again, just like moments ago, that smile of his set off some bewilderingly surprising sensations in her.
The other girls and boys insisted on shaking Micah's hand, until it seemed like some kind of mischievous game they were set on playing with the visiting rancher. Once that was done, he peered down at them. All eyes were on him as he spoke. "Now, Miss Ellsworth is right. I'm here to fix some of those holes up there. And a few other things, besides." He turned and faced Rachel. "Isn't that right, Miss?"
"It is, Micah," she admitted. "Mr Buchanan has kindly offered to help us out." She saw his brows rise in a sudden line as she made that last remark. Did he see things differently? Maybe he hadn't volunteered to do this, after all. She gestured to the empty seats and peered down at the eager faces. "Take your places, children. And bring out your journals." She clasped her hands. "I'll be with you in a moment. I just have to speak with Mr Buchanan for a few moments."
Micah's eyes widened as she said that. She made her way out onto the porch. The early morning sunshine was bright, but there was still a pleasing coolness in the air. The summer would be here soon. By that time, maybe she'd be able to purchase some new outfits. Ones which would be more suited to the hot weather. The white blouse and heavy brown skirt she wore, functional if not elegant, definitely wouldn't see her through the next months. Then again, she'd only just arrived in Inspiration. Barely a week had passed since her arrival on the train from out East. She was still getting to know the town.
Rachel ran a hand across her blonde hair which was tied back in a neat bun. She saw Micah's glance linger slightly as she did that. Then, just as quickly, he forced his attention up the side of the white-painted exterior. He sighed. "There's plenty to do," he murmured.
"Really?" she asked.
He nodded. "I heard about this from one of the ranch hands. Seems like it's been a problem for a while."
"How bad is it?"
He frowned. "I'll have to get up on the roof and take a closer look. But, whatever it is, the fixing won't be easy."
"Will you need some help?" she asked.
He took a few steps to the side of the porch, thrust his fists against his sides, and peered upwards. "Clarence, down at the livery has some tools I can borrow. And one or two men in town have said they'll come around if I ask." He grinned. "That doesn't always work out. When they realize just how much work needs doing, they might get a sudden attack of being busy," he joked.
She laughed and saw his eyes brighten. Changing the subject suddenly, she turned away from him. "You don't think I'll have to stop giving lessons."
He shook his head. "I don't think so. If it does look serious though, I'll tell you." He frowned. "We can't have the roof falling down on those young heads in there, can we?"
She shook her head. "That would not be good," she agreed.
Micah was quiet for a long moment. Then he turned to her. "You're new in town."
She gazed at him steadily and then nodded. "Just got into town last week."
His mouth turned down thoughtfully and he drew in a deep breath. "You came from back East?"
She nodded slowly. "Sure did. Sophie issued an invitation. And I couldn't turn it down."
He shifted on his heels and seemed to consider her last statement for a few moments. "Sophie does like sending out invitations. Done it plenty of times this past few months." He shook his head. "She's a regular matchmaker."
Rachel felt her face color, heat rising to her cheeks. Her jaw tightened. What had he meant by that? Of course, Rachel knew the reason why she'd come all the way out to this little town in the Montana wilderness. She just didn't need him to state it quite so boldly. Even if she had come out to find a husband, there was no need for him to be so blunt about it. He didn't know the truth about her life. Didn't know the slightest thing about her. The remark had seemed presumptuous.
As if sensing the unintended effect of his comment, Micah tilted his head and advanced toward her. "Sorry. I didn't mean that to sound like that."
She waved a dismissive hand, still struggling to control the slight irritation she felt. "It's okay. No need to apologize."
There passed a long, awkward silence between them. They glanced hesitantly at each other for a few moments. He looked like he wanted to say something, but the silence lingered. It was interrupted by the sound of a voice calling out. Rachel immediately felt her heart lighten as she turned to see a familiar figure running toward the schoolhouse. Dressed in a plain white gown and plain black shoes, the five-year old girl waved at Rachel. The girl clutched a book in her hand, the reason she'd had to go back to Sophie's house. Rachel glanced at Micah and saw that he was watching the advancing girl with intense interest.
Almost tumbling as she raced up the wooden stairs, the girl halted in front of Rachel and held up the book, a look of triumph on her flushed features. "I told you I wouldn't take too long, aunt," the girl exclaimed, slightly out of breath.
Rachel looked at Micah and saw the look of consternation on his face. She figured it would be a good idea to explain to the clearly puzzled rancher.
Rachel rested an arm across the young girl's shoulder. "Micah. I'd like you to meet my niece, Lily. She and I are staying with Sophie."
Micah's mouth opened with obvious surprise. His chin tucked in and his eyes widened. His gaze drifted incredulously from Rachel to Lily. "Your niece?" he asked.
"Say hello to Mr Buchanan, Lily," Rachel prompted.
"Good morning, sir," Lily said. Rachel smiled, pleased at Lily's good manners.
Gathering his composure, Micah smiled at Lily. "You can call me Micah," he said in a friendly tone.
Rachel ran a hand across Lily's soft hair. "In you go," she told the little girl. "I'll be in soon."
The girl smiled at Rachel and at Micah and then dashed off into the schoolhouse. When Rachel turned to look at Micah she could see he was desperate to ask a question. "Lily is my sister's daughter."
That explanation only seemed to darken Micah's eyes with even more curiosity. "Your sister?"
Rachel nodded. "My late sister," she explained.
She saw Micah's features color. He shuffled nervously. "Sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to intrude. It's none of my concern," he said, gripping his hat tightly.
"That's kind of you to say so," she replied. She heard the children talking loudly from inside the schoolhouse. Another group of children arrived and made their way into the schoolhouse. Rachel kept a watchful eye on them, aware that the conversation with Micah had become suddenly awkward after what she had told him. "I have to go back in," she said. "They're all here, now."
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