The Rancher’s Devout Bride

by Maya Stirling

  Emma peered into his eyes. "Promise me, you won't let them near a horse unattended," she pleaded.

  Jake nodded. "I'll make sure," he replied.

  Up close, attired in the jeans and blue plaid shirt, Jake's presence was masculine in every sense of the word. Being so close to his powerful physique sent shivers of hidden delight through Emma's body. His gaze flickered at her and, for a moment, she was sure he had guessed the effect his proximity was having on her.

  Emma cleared her throat and wrapped her arms around her middle. "I'll let you deal with Clara," she said as she saw the little girl duck through the fence and come racing toward them.

  There had been no chance to ask Jake anything about his visit to Sophie Cameron's place. But, judging by how cheerful Jake looked, things had gone his way.

  As she stepped away from the horse and watched Jake lift Clara onto the saddle, Emma told herself this was no time for regrets. But how was she going to tell him that today, in town, she had bought three train tickets and that she and the girls would leaving on the Saturday train?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  "You wanted to see me," Jake heard Emma say from behind him. It was evening and dinner had been finished a while back. He was leaning against the supporting pillar of the porch. Turning quickly, he saw Emma standing at the ranch house door. Jake's heart jumped. Dressed in a blue gown which he knew she'd recently bought in town, she looked beautiful. No other word seemed appropriate.

  Emma pointed upwards. "Grace knocked on my door and said you were waiting for me down here."

  Jake nodded. "I didn't want to disturb you myself. So I asked Grace to do it for me," he explained with a shrug.

  Bethany and Clara were safely tucked up in bed. Grace and Matilda were in the sitting room, their ears probably pricked up to hear even the slightest hint of what was being said out on the porch.

  Jake took a step toward Emma, but was instantly dismayed when he saw her curl her arms around her middle. Was she already feeling uncomfortable? "I figured you and I have a few things to say to one another," he said, needing to quickly get to the point.

  "You think so?" She nodded. "Maybe you're right. I have had a few things on my mind."

  Ignoring the instant desire to know what she'd been thinking of, Jake nodded. "First off, I want to apologize."

  Her eyes narrowed. "What for?"

  "Being presumptuous."

  "How do you mean?" she asked.

  "I didn't ask your permission before showing the girls how to sit on a horse," he explained. "I worried you unnecessarily."

  She smiled and shook her head. "You don't need to apologize for that, Jake." She sighed. "Although, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't shocked when I saw Bethany sitting on Thunder." Emma squinted at Jake. "How did that horse get that name, anyway?"

  "He was born in the middle of a thunderstorm."

  Emma lifted her chin and nodded. "Makes sense, I suppose."

  Jake tilted his head. "You want to walk with me?"

  "In the dark?" she retorted. She narrowed her eyes. "I recall what happened the last time you asked me to walk with you in the moonlight."

  For a moment, he thought she was merely joking with him. But, gazing closely into her eyes, he saw that she was being serious. "There's a well-lit path down by the cookhouse. There's a bench where we can talk in private."

  "Sounds good," she said, giving him an inquiring look. Emma stepped off the porch, halted in the yard and looked at him. "I suppose I could trust you." Lifting a finger, she added with a smile: "Just this once."

  Now he knew she was teasing him. She had that look in her eyes. Playfulness could be useful sometimes. Maybe it was a defensive attitude designed to keep him on the back foot. Or keep him at bay.

  They headed out past the stable, down the path until they reached the crest of a ridge which looked out over the semi-darkness of the rangeland. Just like on Saturday, the moon cast a silvery light across everything. The evening was cool, but not so cold that he needed to be concerned that Emma wasn't properly wrapped up. The high collar and long sleeves of her gown would ensure she was warm enough.

  They sat next to one another on a wooden bench. Jake made sure he kept a respectful distance from Emma. The risk of a repeat of what had happened on Saturday was all too real. They were both quiet for a while. The moonlit rangeland had a magical appearance. The distant rolling hillsides were hypnotically beautiful.

  Occasionally, he could hear the lowing sound of the cattle echoing up the valley. The air smelled fresh and a scent of nearby flowers swirled around them. Stars shimmered in the night sky. It felt good to be here with Emma, Jake told himself. But then again, every time he was with her, he felt good. There was no use denying that fact. Not anymore.

  "How was your visit to Sophie?" she asked suddenly, catching him off balance.

  He paused, wondering where he could begin. A moment's reflection later, reminding himself that she deserved the complete truth, he replied: "It didn't go exactly as planned."

  "Oh?" she said, lifting a brow. "Why is that?"

  "To begin with, I wasn't the only one there."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Who else came?"

  Jake peered at Emma. "Judd Foley came calling just as I was arriving."

  Emma twisted on the bench, facing Jake. "What was he doing there?"

  "He came to see Miss Alexander."

  "That's the newcomer," Emma said in an even voice.

  Jake nodded. "So, Foley figured he'd just pay a call. Came all dressed up like he wanted to impress Miss Alexander."

  "And did he?"

  Jake frowned. How was he going to explain to Emma that Foley had just about succeeded in winning Miss Alexander's favor just by being the exact opposite of Jake? "Everything was polite enough," he admitted. "Let's just say that Miss Alexander has her own ideas of what kind of a husband she's interested in."

  Emma drew in a sharp breath. "And what kind is that?" He could tell by her tone of voice that she was trying to pretend she was only mildly curious. But, he could tell she was burning to know what had happened.

  Jake rubbed his chin, feeling the day old stubble there. "There's only one type of man she's interested in. The smooth kind," he replied.

  Emma squinted at Jake. "She doesn't like men with beards?"

  Jake laughed. "That's not what I mean. Before coming out here, Miss Alexander was used to what you might call the high society life." Jake tilted his head thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, that was my brother-in-law's problem when he first came out here. Noah was a high society dude before he decided to give it all up and become a rancher."

  Emma smiled. "Are you saying she's rich?"

  Jake shook his head. "Miss Alexander hasn't got two beans to her name, as far as I can tell." Putting it as clearly as that, he wanted to make sure Emma didn't get the idea that there was money involved in this particular matrimonial arrangement. "She was companion to a rich elderly woman who recently passed on."

  Emma lifted her chin and thought for a few moments. "And Judd Foley? What did he think?"

  Jake leaned back on the seat. "I think he was mightily impressed by Miss Alexander."

  "Really?"

  "In fact, I would say that Judd and Miss Alexander got on like a house on fire," Jake stated. He paused before adding the rest. It was important Emma understood exactly what had happened at the Cameron household. That she comprehended the full significance for him. And for Emma. "So much so, that I'd even go so far as to say that Miss Alexander has quite a strong preference for Judd over myself."

  Emma gazed at Jake, suddenly very still. He could see that his words had affected her greatly, but she was still doing her best not to show it. "What are you saying, Jake?" she asked in a steady voice.

  Jake turned and faced Emma. "I'm telling you that Miss Alexander doesn't think much of ranchers."

  He saw Emma swallow. Her face flushed pink and she lowered her gaze. She was silent for a few moments. Jake was wondering if coming straight out
with the truth had been the wrong decision. Maybe he'd been too blunt.

  When she did speak, her voice quivered with emotion. She lifted her gaze. "But, I thought this whole thing had been arranged by Sophie Cameron. Didn't this Miss Alexander know she was coming out to Inspiration with the possibility that she'd end up marrying a rancher?"

  Jake shrugged. "Maybe I didn't measure up," he suggested.

  Emma looked disbelievingly at him after he said that. Jake figured he already knew one woman who did think he measured up. She was sitting right next to him.

  Emma gazed at him. He saw a sudden intensity in her eyes. As if what she was about to say could make or break everything. "Are you telling me there isn't going to be a wedding? That you and Miss Alexander won't be getting married?"

  Emotion flooded his heart as he gazed into Emma's eyes, realizing just how much this meant to her. And to him, for that matter. The time had come for him to take a risk. He'd known this moment would come. Anticipated it. He was ready for it.

  Jake shifted closer to Emma, reached out and gently took hold of her hands. They were cold. He was sure he could feel them shaking slightly. Emma's eyes widened, but she didn't draw her hands away from his. Jake gazed into Emma's eyes, feeling a sudden desire to sink into those limpid pools. But, first he had to tell her the truth. Straight.

  "Even if I wanted to, I don't think Miss Alexander would have me," Jake declared. "As I said, I'm not her type. Foley is, though. I guess that's good news for Judd." Jake drew in a deep breath. "And, now that I've met her, I can safely tell you that there is no way I will be marrying Miss Alexander."

  Even in the soft moonlight, Jake saw Emma's face flush. Her eyes moistened slightly, glinting in the silvery light. Her gaze didn't shift from him. Jake knew this was an important moment. For both of them. He wanted to reach up and trace his thumb on her cheek just beneath her eyes. Wipe away the single tear he could see running down there.

  Suddenly, a feral, high-pitched cry cut, knife-like, through the night air. Startled, Emma jumped and gasped, gazing out into the semi-darkness. Almost instinctively, she scooted toward Jake. Within a moment, she was in Jake's arms, leaning against him. He embraced her, feeling the warmth of her body. "It's a coyote," he reassured her. "Nothing to be afraid of."

  As if in response, the coyote cried out again. This time the call was answered by another one, further off in the night. Judging by the sound, experience told Jake the animals weren't close. But Emma couldn't possibly know that.

  Her head was pressed against his shoulder. Heart beating furiously, mind whirling with battling thoughts, he leaned his head back and, with a gentle touch beneath her chin, lifted her head. She gazed up at him, her eyes still moist. Looking into her eyes caused his senses to spin out of control. There was a questioning look in those eyes, he told himself. But at least the sudden fear had gone, he told himself. It had been replaced by something for which he couldn't find the words.

  His pulse was pounding in his ears. Since the Saturday of the social, he'd thought often about kissing Emma again. So many times, he'd recalled that delightful memory. Until now, he'd lost all hope of ever being able to do so again. But, maybe he'd been wrong. Perhaps he was being given a second chance.

  He dipped his head and kissed Emma, cupping her chin gently in his hand. Her lips were soft, her breath sweet. There wasn't even a hint that she was about to pull away from him. He held her tenderly, feeling her delicate skin against his work-hardened fingers. She responded to his touch by lifting her head, making it clear that she wanted his kiss. Jake's entire being awakened with delight as he held Emma in his arms. Her scent was intoxicating.

  When the coyote yelped again, this time Emma didn't even flinch. He was glad she felt safe in his tender embrace. Finally, their lips parted. He smiled at her. Joy filled his heart when she smiled right back at him. Still, she rested in his arms, without the slightest hint she felt awkward. He entertained the thought that they had pushed through a barrier. That things might be different now.

  Then he saw her become suddenly thoughtful, as if she too realized the consequences of that kiss. She moved away from him and dropped her hands into her lap. "I have to go back to the house, Jake," she said.

  "So soon?" he objected softly.

  She looked at him and smiled. "I've got to be up early tomorrow. And I have lots of things to do."

  Jake wondered if any of those things would have anything to do with what had just taken place. Already he was beginning to feel the delight of the previous moment begin to fade.

  Emma stood and Jake rose and faced her. "You said you had something to tell me," he reminded her.

  Her eyes narrowed. "Maybe it can wait," she said. He didn't know what that could mean.

  And when she turned and started to head back to the ranch house, all Jake could do was follow her, wondering where he and Emma could go from here.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  "Jake told me all about yesterday," Grace announced as she guided the carriage away from the ranch house and down the trail toward Inspiration. It was the morning after kissing Jake, and Emma still felt tired from the lack of sleep during the night. The mixture of whirling emotions and confusing thoughts had kept her awake all night.

  Emma masked the sudden panic which gripped her heart. "He did?"

  Grace gripped the reins and nodded. "Seems like the newcomer, Miss Alexander, didn't take to Jake." Grace laughed quietly. "Maybe not all women are interested in having rancher husbands. Can't say I'm surprised."

  Relief washed over Emma that Grace didn't know what had happened on the bench last night. "He did tell me things didn't go according to expectations."

  "I expect Sophie will just be happy that Judd is interested enough that he might get serious about courting Miss Alexander," Grace said.

  Emma nodded hesitantly. "Is it normal for people to propose marriage so soon after meeting?"

  Grace shrugged. "It happens all the time out here." She smiled at Emma. "This isn't like back east. If folks out here take a shine to someone, they usually don't waste time with long, drawn-out courting." She giggled. "They just get married."

  Emma's mind filled with thoughts of Jake. Was that what he was doing? Was he really courting her? Last night, she'd seen evidence he might be serious about his intentions toward her. Emma sighed quietly. And here she had been thinking he'd only been trying to help her and the girls. Maybe, all along, Jake had intended to try and win her heart. Well, he was sure making progress, she told herself. The way she'd felt last night proved that Jake Buchanan had already found a way into her heart.

  Grace glanced at Emma. "What did I tell you about Judd Foley? I'll give the man his due. He wants a wife, and he's working hard to find one. Looks like he's finally become tired of the bachelor life."

  "I'm pleased for Judd," Emma admitted. "Even though I don't really know him, it's good for him to have found happiness." What she really wanted to say was that she was glad she'd no longer have to endure Foley's unwelcome attentions.

  "That's if the marriage takes place, of course," Grace declared.

  Emma frowned. "Do you think it won't go ahead?"

  "I don't know," Grace replied. "I've seen some of these weddings happen in days. Especially of the arranged variety. Once in a whole, though, something goes wrong, and it gets called off at the last minute."

  Emma's chest tightened at the prospect of Jake getting drawn into the situation again. Although, last night, she'd seen the genuine relief on his face when he'd admitted that he wouldn't be marrying Miss Alexander. In fact, Emma told herself, Jake had looked positively ecstatic, now that he believed he was free of that particular danger.