Then came time for Jake to describe his life at the ranch. As he'd recounted the details of his daily life, he saw Miss Alexander's features transform into a disapproving mask, albeit one she did her best to disguise. But, Jake could tell that he wasn't exactly winning her over with his account of cattle herding and rangeland living.
By contrast, when Foley started talking about his work, and how he liked to spend all his time in his home at the edge of town, with evenings and weekends visiting folks around town, mingling with the best of Inspiration's society life, Miss Alexander began to look positively radiant with interest.
Every so often, Sophie glanced at Jake and rolled her eyes, as if to say that none of this was going according to plan. Jake felt sorry for Sophie. Maybe, once in a while plans were meant to go awry, Jake told himself.
Eventually, as the lengthy meeting concluded, Jake came to one startling conclusion about Miss Alexander.
Given the choice between Jake and Judd, she preferred Judd Foley. It was that simple.
Making his way out the front door, Jake kept his reaction to that discovery all to himself. Foley bid farewell to Miss Alexander with an enthusiasm which seemed to impress her, and horrify the wide-eyed Sophie Cameron. Jake said goodbye to Miss Alexander and was rewarded with a polite shake of the hand.
A few moments later, Jake and Judd were alone out in the street and walking toward Main Street. Jake was wondering what had just happened. Foley just looked like his day had turned out perfect.
"Well, Buchanan," Foley said as he walked alongside Jake. "Looks like the young lady doesn't want to be a rancher's wife."
Jake peered at Foley, faking surprise. No sense in making this too easy for Foley, Jake told himself. "What gives you that idea?"
Foley scoffed. "Didn't you see the look on her face when you were talking about herding cattle?"
Jake shrugged. "I thought she looked fascinated."
Foley's laughter echoed in the street. "More like horrified," he exclaimed. He shook his head. "No. My instincts are never wrong. That young lady is looking for a decent husband."
Jake eyed Foley. "You saying I'm not decent?"
Foley frowned. "You know what I'm talking about, Buchanan. Miss Alexander is accustomed to the finer kind of living. Not the ranching type."
Jake puffed, faking outrage. He was starting to enjoy playing with Foley. He halted and faced Foley. "I'll have you know that ranch life is every bit as fine as town living." Jake quirked a brow. "In any case. What would you know about ranch living?"
Foley shook his head. "I'll never know because it isn't something I'm interested in," he declared.
Jake wondered if, after what had just happened, whether Judd Foley still had any kind of interest in Emma. From the look on Foley's face, it seemed the last person he wanted to think about right now was the beautiful woman currently staying at Jake's ranch. Coming here this morning hadn't turned out to be a trial, after all, Jake told himself. In fact, he couldn't have asked for things to have gone any better than they had, he reflected.
"What are you planning on doing?" Jake asked Foley.
"With regard to Miss Alexander?" Foley asked.
Jake nodded.
Foley leaned closer to Jake and spoke with barely disguised triumph. "I think I shall be courting Miss Alexander," Foley admitted.
Jake tried his best to look surprised, and then outraged. He wasn't much of an actor, but he put everything he had into pretending that what Foley had just told him was a crushing disappointment. He saw Foley's grin spread wider on his face as he watched Jake's shoulders slump. "I know when I'm beat, Judd," Jake confessed, lowering his eyes sadly and trying not to laugh.
Foley grunted appreciatively. He settled a hand on Jake's shoulder. "Never mind, Buchanan. Better luck next time."
And, when Foley strode off, clearly pleased with himself, Jake started back toward his horse, realizing there was only one place he wanted to be. The ranch. And only one person he wanted to talk with. Emma.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"You and Jake don't seem to be talking much, this past couple of days," Matilda said to Emma as the carriage made its way up the trail on the way back to the ranch.
"I guess we've both been busy," Emma replied, turning her head and gazing out across the rangeland.
It was late in the afternoon, and the sun was still bright. A cool breeze caressed her skin. Emma let the beauty of the landscape sink into her, becoming a part of her. She'd never forget these rolling hillsides; those lush forests; the distant high mountains. This land's beauty would forever be etched in her memory.
She and Matilda had just been into town. The girls had been left at home with Grace. And Jake? Well, he'd had an important meeting to attend this lunchtime. One that Emma didn't even want to think about.
Emma glanced at Matilda and saw a skeptical expression on the woman's features. She clearly thought that Emma had been avoiding Jake. Emma knew it was the case, but the last thing she wanted was to upset Matilda. Jake's mother had been kind and generous to her from the moment Emma and the girls had set foot on the ranch. "Jake's been working the ranch. I haven't had a chance to talk with him."
Matilda's brows knitted into ridges. Emma could tell Matilda wanted to say something to her. But, as she'd been doing all afternoon, Matilda appeared determined to keep her lips shut tight when it came to the subject of her beloved son.
Both women knew exactly where Jake had been earlier. They'd left before he'd returned from town. In spite of the guidance of her common sense, and the hurt in her heart, Emma couldn't help speculating about how Jake's visit to Sophie Cameron's house might have turned out. She pushed those thoughts away and focused on the trail.
During their time in town, she and Matilda had done some shopping and taken tea and cakes at the cafe. Emma had also carried two every important errands. One that had made her heart ache as she'd done it. The other had involved sending a telegram to the Foundling Society, confirming her intention to head back east as soon as it could be arranged. Handing that piece of paper to the telegraph operator had triggered a mixture of emotions. Pain at the prospect of leaving. And relief that, finally, she was about to do something for the children. She still hadn't figured out how she was going to tell them their time in Inspiration would be coming to an end.
Emma saw Matilda straighten, her grip on the reins becoming tighter. "Do you mind if I say something kinda personal, Emma?" Matilda asked.
"Sure," Emma replied, immediately feeling trepidation.
"I can't help thinking that something happened the other night at the social. I saw the way you went running after Jake."
Emma's brows rose. "You did?"
Matilda nodded. "Not much happens to my children without me knowing about it," she replied. "I guess its just the way things have always been. I like to know how Grace and Jake are doing. Just like with my Abigail." Matilda smiled. "Although, with Abigail, I have to say I'm relieved she's settled down, married and expecting."
"I'm sure you are," Emma agreed, wondering where Matilda was going with all of this.
"Abigail was a wild one," Matilda said, her voice filling with obvious pride. She laughed quietly. "I knew it would take a special man to rein her in. Thankfully, she met Noah." Matilda sighed. "He's real special. And he's taking real good care of Abigail. The Lord has been gracious to my family," Matilda concluded.
"He has indeed. You must be so proud," Emma said, gazing at Matilda.
Matilda nodded. "I sure am. All I want is for each of my children to find happiness," she said and turned, peering straight at Emma. "And to do God's will. There's nothing more important than marriage for ensuring a happy household. I should know. My husband, bless his soul, did everything he could to raise three good children."
"He succeeded," Emma agreed. It occurred to her that perhaps Matilda was about to tell Emma that Jake had finally found someone with whom he could settle down. The woman currently staying at Sophie Cameron's house.
"Well?" Matilda asked.
Confused for a moment, Emma looked quizzically at Matilda.
"I know you told Jake that you and the children might be leaving soon," Matilda explained.
Shock coursed through Emma. Had Matilda been watching Emma in town when she had briefly gone off on her own? Hesitating, she tried to find the right response to Matilda's bold statement. "I did mention something like that," she replied tentatively. "Nothing has been finalized."
"I'm glad to hear it," Matilda responded. She nodded. "We like having you and the children around the ranch," she said. Glancing at Emma and lifting a brow she added: "You understand what I'm trying to say to you, Emma?"
Emma frowned. "I think so, Matilda."
"Truth is, I haven't seen Jake as happy in a long time. I know he can be ornery from time to time, but that's the way his pa was. You could say, it's a Buchanan family trait." Matilda drew in a deep breath and sighed. "Jake usually gets what he wants," Matilda added.
Emma thought there was something cryptic about that statement. Surely Matilda knew what Jake had been doing this afternoon. He had paid a call which might result in him courting a newcomer. It was that simple. And devastating to Emma, especially after that kiss on Saturday.
"We're home," Matilda announced as the carriage crested a ridge and thundered down toward the ranch house. Matilda squinted her eyes. "Looks like Jake's back already. And he's busy."
Emma followed Matilda's gaze as the carriage raced beneath the tall wooden entrance and into the ranch yard. Across, on the other side, Emma saw Jake in the corral. Instantly her heart leaped and she gasped when she realized what she was looking at.
"What's Jake doing?" Emma moaned, reaching her hand down and grasping the side of the carriage seat.
"Looks like he's teaching those girls of yours how to ride a horse," Matilda exclaimed with audible satisfaction in her voice.
Emma saw that Matilda's observation was correct. Jake, dressed in jeans, plaid shirt, boots and Stetson was standing inside the corral. He was holding onto a rope which was tied around a horse of relatively small stature compared to some others Emma had seen around the ranch.
Sitting atop that horse was Bethany. Clara was leaning against the corral fence, apparently transfixed by the sight of her sister on the horse. Or was it she was just awaiting her turn? Emma felt her breath tighten. She glanced at Matilda, who seemed oblivious to Emma's concern.
As Matilda drew the carriage to a halt in the yard, Emma jumped down and, lifting her skirts slightly above the dusty yard, started sprinting toward the corral. Clara turned and, seeing Emma, smiled. "Isn't it wonderful, Emma?" Clara said as Emma advanced toward her. "It'll be my turn next."
Holding back the first words which sprang to mind, Emma reached the corral fence and peered at Bethany and Jake. "What's going on?" she demanded breathlessly.
Jake turned and smiled at Emma. Her first thought was why he could look at her like that, after where he'd been, today. As if he was happy to see her. "Bethany's doing real well on Thunder," Jake explained.
"Thunder!" Emma shrieked. With a name like that, did it mean this horse could be dangerous? "Bethany. I'd like you to get down, right now," Emma called out.
Bethany's features darkened with disappointment. "But I'm having such a good time. Jake is teaching me how to sit on a horse." Bethany grinned at Jake who shrugged back at her. "He says once I get used to this, I can get some real riding lessons."
Nerves still quivering, Emma bent down and forced her way through the bars of the corral fence. Her skirt caught on the fence post, but she managed to tug it loose. Standing inside the corral, she turned to Clara. "Stay there," she ordered. The girl's brows furrowed, but she obeyed.
Emma strode toward Jake and the horse. Her boots sank into the soft earth as she walked. Halting, she jammed her fists against her hips and glared at Jake. "I think Bethany has had enough for today," she stated.
Jake lifted a brow and then peered up at Bethany. "What do you think?" he asked. There was an irritatingly mischievous tone in his voice, Emma realized. "Do you think you've had enough?"
Bethany peered at Emma, thought carefully for a moment, and then defiantly shook her head. "Uh uh," she replied.
Emma couldn't help noticing that, even as Bethany had uttered her rebellious grunt, she glanced tentatively at Emma, as if she was wary of the immediate reaction.
Emma dragged in a deep breath and tried to compose herself. Jake was watching her with a wary eye. There was also a glint of something else in that eye, she told herself. How come he could be looking at her like that when only hours before he'd been in town courting a newcomer to town?
Emma glanced at the horse. Up close the animal was bigger than she'd thought at first. Bethany looked like she was sitting on top of a mountain of horse flesh. Anxiety flickered inside Emma. Thoughts stirred about what would happen if either Bethany or Clara got injured. Then, she'd have to stay in Inspiration. Worse, the Foundling Society wouldn't be happy. They might even take action to compel Emma to return with the children.
She took a step toward Jake. His eyes narrowed and then he did the last thing she expected. He reached out the hand in which he was holding the rope attached to the horse. "Try holding this for a minute," he suggested. He reached out his other hand and stroked the side of the horse's head. "See for yourself. Thunder here is real calm. Nothing spooks her." Jake leaned closer to the horse. "Ain't that right, girl," he murmured.
Emma peered disbelievingly at Jake. Did he really think she was going to take charge of a horse while Bethany was sitting up there?
Jake looked at Emma. "What do you say?"
Emma frowned. She wanted to tell him it was the worst idea she'd heard in her life. She didn't know the slightest thing about horses. Didn't even trust them that much. But, there was something about the way Jake was looking at her that stirred a vague sense that she might be able to do as he was asking. But she had to trust him.
One glance up at Bethany's smiling face, at the girl's eager expectant gaze, told Emma that maybe Jake had a better idea of what was right. Of what was possible.
Emma nodded and swallowed nervously. She reached out her hand and took the rope from Jake. He smiled at her as he handed it over to her. The rope felt heavy in her hand. She curled her fingers around it.
Seeing Jake take one step back, Emma felt instantly nervous. "It's fine, Emma," he said reassuringly. "Just lead her around in a circle. Real slow."
Emma's heart was pounding as she tugged gently on the rope. Thunder responded immediately, walking slowly alongside Emma. She looked up at Bethany. The girl smiled down at Emma, clearly thrilled by what was happening.
Leading the horse in a wide circle, Emma completed one full circuit of the corral. She halted and offered the rope back to Jake. Taking it, he grinned at her. "You did real well, Emma," he murmured. "I told you. There's nothing to worry about."
She nodded. "Seems you were right, Jake."
His chin lifted and he gazed at her for a long moment. Emotion filled his eyes. For a moment, she was sure he was going to say something to her. Instead, he turned and looked up at Bethany. "What do you say we give Clara her turn?" Jake suggested.
Bethany nodded and, with some help from Jake, dismounted. Landing firmly on the sandy ground, Bethany raced across to Clara. Both girls started talking animatedly. Emma gazed at them. Once more, the girls were happier than she'd ever seen them. In recent days, Jake had done many things to ensure their stay would be remembered fondly. A thought occurred to Emma. Maybe he'd been doing all those things for a whole other reason. Not just to make them all happy.
Jake moved to her side. "I think the girls just found a new favorite pastime," he observed.
The Rancher’s Devout Bride Page 15
