The Rancher’s Beloved Bride

by Maya Stirling

  "I didn't get a chance to tell you about it," Kyle objected.

  "Not even at the ranch?" she asked. "You could have mentioned it before I left with my parents." Her booted feet crunched rhythmically on the gravel path. Her pace was steady as she walked, head dipped, with her hands clutched behind her back. Kyle knew what that posture meant. Veronica was unhappy about something.

  "Would it have made any difference?" Kyle asked.

  Veronica lifted her chin. There was something both appealing and petulant about the way she did that, he told himself. Her pretty features had a defiant expression on them. "Maybe," she said abruptly. "I don't like people keeping secrets."

  "It wasn't a secret," Kyle objected, lowering his voice. Kyle knew that, from behind them, in the house, her parents might be watching them. Kyle had seen Augusta's delight as she'd carefully watched how he and Veronica had spoken to one another when he'd returned to the house. The assessment of the Flint spread had taken longer than Kyle had anticipated. There was plenty to be done if Dominick was to have any chance of achieving his dream of a working ranch. For now, Kyle was just glad to be back in Veronica's company. Even if she seemed touchy and ill-at-ease, it was still better than being away from her.

  "My father didn't tell me about it this morning when he had a chance." Veronica's brows furrowed. She halted and rested one hand on her hip. Examining him carefully, she asked: "Is there anything else I should know?" In spite of himself, Kyle felt his cheeks flush with heat. He dragged his gaze away from her, but it was too late. "There is something else," she added with a note of triumph in her voice.

  Veronica took one step closer to him. Her scent, sweeter than the nearby flowers, enveloped him. He took a moment to savor it before replying. "There is one other thing," Kyle admitted. Veronica's eyes narrowed. Catching her eye for the briefest of moments, he made his gaze linger longer than usual. Instantly, he saw her cheeks flush pink. Feeling a momentary victory, he allowed himself to smile.

  "What's so funny?" she asked. She lifted a hand to some stray locks of hair which had fallen down by the side of her face. She twisted one of the locks around her finger. There had been times during the lunch this afternoon when Kyle had wanted to do exactly that. Reach out and touch her dark hair. Feel the softness of it against his fingers.

  "I'm not laughing at anything," he responded. "In fact, quite the opposite. Everything couldn't be more perfect." Veronica's mouth opened slightly. She looked shocked. Her lips were moist. For a moment, Kyle found it impossible to keep his gaze off them.

  As if sensing his growing interest, Veronica glanced once more back to the house and then started walking again along the gravel path toward the distant seat beneath the trees. Was she worried they were being watched? Maybe once they'd sat down for while, he might be able to talk to her about what had happened.

  After a short while, she spoke again. "You still haven't answered my question. What else has my father asked you to do? Apart from giving him advice about how to turn this estate into a ranch."

  Kyle debated with himself how he could tell her about her father's wish that she and Molly learn how to ride properly and safely. After all, that was how all of this had started. By her own admission she'd been reckless on that day when she'd ridden out with Molly. It made perfect sense that she'd benefit from extra instruction. And, at the riding club in town he wouldn't be able to give her the personal attention he really felt she needed. Kyle wasn't sure she would see it that way. Veronica Flint definitely had a mind of her own.

  Veronica's pace quickened. Kyle wondered why she was so ill-tempered. He wasn't aware of having done anything to annoy her. Unless she felt that he'd crossed one of her own unspoken boundaries by not being perfectly truthful with her. Thinking about that a few moments, Kyle decided he'd be honest with her.

  They reached the circular group of stone seats beneath the trees. As she sat down onto one of the seats, Kyle took a moment to enjoy the way the shadows of the trees played across Veronica's pretty features. Looking up at him she planted her hands in her lap. Her lips twisted into a bow-shaped pout and he felt something flare into life in his middle. For some reason he couldn't understand, Veronica looking at him like that made him feel something he'd never felt with any of the other girls he'd come close to courting.

  Kyle sat down next to Veronica and sighed. "I do have a confession to make to you."

  Veronica turned her head quickly and lifted her brows. "You do?"

  Kyle nodded. "It's true your father wants to turn this land into good ranching land. That's why I came up here today. And it's why I agreed to give him my opinions about how it can be done."

  "Did he listen to you?" she asked abruptly.

  More than a little surprised at the presumption of the question, Kyle furrowed his brows. "Of course he listened to me!" he exclaimed. "Why wouldn't he?"

  Veronica shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know." Now she just looked petulant again, Kyle told himself. There were times when he couldn't make head nor tail of Veronica Flint. And this was one of them. And then she made it even worse by adding: "You're still young. It's not as though you've been a rancher for years and years."

  Kyle straightened and turned, facing Veronica. "You think I'm too young to know what I'm doing around a ranch?" He could hardly believe she'd said such a thing to him.

  "I figured experience counts for a whole lot when it comes to ranching," Veronica said. Then she narrowed her eyes at him. "But, what do I know? I'm only a girl."

  Kyle blew out an exasperated breath from puffed out cheeks. "Sometimes, Veronica, I don't know what to make of you. But, there's one thing I do know. You are anything but just a girl."

  Veronica's features tightened. Kyle wondered if he'd gone too far. What had started out as good-natured teasing could so easily turn bad. "Maybe you should change your mind about spending time here," she snapped.

  Kyle shook his head. "That ain't going to happen. Not unless your father changes his mind."

  "About what?"

  Kyle drew in a breath and prepared himself for her inevitable reaction. "About me giving you and Molly private riding lessons."

  "What!" Veronica exclaimed whirling around and glaring at Kyle. "Who says that's going to happen?"

  "Your father, that's who," Kyle replied sharply.

  Veronica groaned and stood quickly. Looking down at Kyle, she frowned and spoke, her voice quivering with emotion. "I don't need lessons. Haven't I said that before?"

  "It isn't for me to decide. It was your father's wish."

  "You could refuse," Veronica declared.

  Kyle shook his head. "But I won't." He looked up, seeing her eyes widen.

  "Why not?"

  Kyle stood and faced Veronica. "Because, your father's right. You need the lessons. You're not ready to go riding this territory on your own. And neither is Molly." Kyle moved closer. Veronica lifted her chin and peered defiantly up at him. "Surely you realize that, after what happened the other day at my ranch."

  Veronica shook her head emphatically. "I can take care of Molly."

  "I'm not saying you can't," Kyle replied. "I've already seen what a fantastic mother you are to Molly."

  Veronica's lips opened slightly. He'd taken her by surprise with that compliment, he told himself. But, he'd meant every word. As far as Kyle was concerned, Veronica was simply the perfect mother to her daughter. She was kind and thoughtful and clearly would make any sacrifice for her little girl.

  "It's not about whether you can stand on your own two feet," Kyle continued. "It's about facing up to the truth about life out here. This isn't some Chicago park where you go riding at the weekend. If you and Molly are to live here, you both need to be the best riders you can possibly be."

  Regaining her composure, Veronica peered into his eyes. "And I suppose you're the only man in this territory who can make that happen." There was a defiant tone in her voice. But he wasn't offended by it. In fact, he found it instantly attractive.

  Kyle fel
t his heartbeat quicken. Seized by an impulse he didn't want to control, he lifted his hand to her chin and touched her soft skin with the tips of his fingers. Briefly, he feared she would draw away from him. But she didn't. Instead, she gazed up into his eyes and her lips parted. Pink colored her cheeks and he felt his own face warm. The moment had come suddenly and without warning. Maybe all that disagreement had just been a pretense, he told himself as he struggled to restrain himself. It felt like they were dancing around one another. And like any dance it had awakened strong emotions in him.

  He saw her gaze soften and he knew what he had to do. Dipping his head, he lowered his lips upon hers and kissed her. Emotion swept through him and he heard her quiet gasp. Her lips were soft and tender. The kiss seemed to last an eternity. He leaned closer to her, noticing she did nothing to pull away from him. Nor did she try to push him back. The kiss was as exquisite as he'd imagined it would be.

  But then it was over as suddenly as it had begun. Veronica leaned her head back. Kyle gazed into Veronica's wondrously beautiful eyes and saw the glistening of emotion in them.

  Abruptly, she took a step back and raised a hand to her throat. She gasped and her brows furrowed. For a moment, he thought he'd been mistaken. Perhaps, after all, she was going to react with indignation. Veronica shook her head and frowned. He shouldn't have kissed her, Kyle told himself. It had been a mistake. Everything was ruined now.

  Her eyes flashed at him one last time. And then she turned and started to race toward the house. Kyle thought about calling out to her, but he restrained the impulse because he knew that, by kissing Veronica, he'd done the worst thing imaginable. He'd stepped over a line. Maybe she'd been right, after all. Perhaps he didn't have any business coming to the Flint estate.

  And perhaps he shouldn't even think about spending more time around Veronica Flint.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  "Is Kyle coming to the house this morning, Dominick?" Augusta asked her husband over breakfast on the Wednesday morning. At the mention of Kyle's name, Veronica lowered her head and examined the scrambled eggs on her china plate.

  Next to Veronica, Molly dropped her fork on her plate as she heard her grandmother's question. "Is Kyle coming? I hope so. I want him to show me how to sit on a horse. He promised he would."

  Veronica wanted to groan out loud. She wondered if her father had been talking to Molly again about Kyle. After what had happened in the garden on Sunday, Veronica had told her father that she would not allow Kyle to give her or Molly any instruction. And, since today was the day when she would have gone with Molly into town to attend Kyle's riding club, it was unfortunate that her mother had decided to bring up the subject.

  "I believe he has matters to attend to over at the Baxter ranch," Veronica's father announced. She was sure she could detect a touch of irritation in her father's voice. Was that because of Kyle staying away from the Flint household since Sunday? Because he hadn't been back after that kiss in the garden.

  "Veronica. I'd like you to come into town with me, this morning," her father stated.

  "You would?" Veronica responded.

  Dominick nodded and dragged in a deep breath. "I have something very important I must attend to. And I would like you to be at my side when I attend to it." Her father's voice was stern. His words struck Veronica as cryptic. She saw him glance at Molly who was busy with her food. Dominick hesitated a moment.

  Veronica's mother chimed in. "Your father has agreed to pay a visit to the pastor, this morning," she explained.

  Veronica frowned. "I see." Thinking back to Sunday, she assumed it must have something to do with her father's long conversation with the pastor.

  "I would like you to accompany me," her father said in a flat voice. Now he sounded uncertain. His voice was tentative, was less demanding. She felt that, instead of insisting, he was asking for her help.

  "Of course, father," she told him. Molly could stay behind with her grandmother. There was plenty to occupy Molly while she was away in town.

  Breakfast was soon finished. Up in her room, Veronica put on the same gown and bonnet she'd worn on the Sunday to church. As she prepared herself, she thought about the possibility of running into Kyle while she was in town. He'd be leading the riders group this morning. Knowing it would be awkward if she did meet him, she resolved to do her best to avoid such an encounter. It wouldn't be easy. But, she didn't know what she could say to him after the way she'd run away from him on Sunday. Some uncontrollable impulse had taken hold of her and her mind had become a terrified blank. The kiss had taken her by surprise. She still wasn't sure what it might mean. But, today wasn't the day to deal with that, she told herself as she left her room.

  Coming downstairs and emerging out into the yard, she saw Vogel seated on one of the carriages. Her father was sitting next to him. Veronica was surprised to see Vogel. There had been no mention of him accompanying them into town. Then again, Vogel was still an ever-present companion to her father, just like he'd been for years. Much like the familiar dark suit and Derby hat Vogel wore, it seemed some of the habits of Chicago would never be banished, she reflected.

  She took her place next to her father and soon they were riding down the trail and heading for town. Clouds hung low in the sky and there was a chill in the air. Unusually, her father was quiet for the entirety of the journey. The only time he broke his silence was to order Vogel to slow down the frantic pace of the horses as the carriage thundered down a steep hill.

  Veronica had wanted to ask her father why he'd arranged to speak with the pastor on this particular occasion. It seemed she'd have to wait for her answer. They arrived in Inspiration to find it busy as always. The boardwalks were full of townsfolk going about their daily business. All the stores were open and trade seemed brisk. Thankfully, as far as Veronica was concerned, the carriage turned left before it went anywhere near the livery at the north end of Main Street. Vogel drew the carriage to a halt outside the pastor's home. Stepping down from the seat, her father informed Vogel he would possibly be with the pastor for a considerable time.

  Veronica took her father's arm and followed him through the open gate of the picket fence and up the path to the porch in front of the pastor's residence. The door was opened by the pastor's wife. She greeted Veronica and her father and led them into the hallway. Before the door closed behind them, Veronica caught a glimpse of Vogel getting down from carriage seat. As the door closed, Vogel's dark gaze settled on Veronica. She felt a shiver up her spine. There had been indignation in Vogel's eyes, she told herself. Veronica couldn't help wondering where Vogel would go while he was waiting outside. She thought it was significant that her father did not want Vogel to be involved in whatever conversation took place with the pastor. It had been the same on Sunday when Vogel had stood alongside Veronica and watched her father talk animatedly with the pastor.

  They were led into the parlor. The pastor's wife told them she'd fetch him and left Veronica and her father alone in the parlor. It was plainly furnished with a dark gray sofa, four chairs, a table by the window and a writing bureau in one corner of the room. The wooden floorboards were freshly polished and the walls hung with simple, patterned wallpaper. The fireplace was unlit. Her father stepped across to a tall, wooden lectern upon which was set a large Bible. In fact, it was the biggest Bible Veronica had ever seen.

  Her father murmured appreciatively as he examined the Bible. Veronica went to his side and saw why he was so impressed. The Bible was about as large as the span from Veronica's elbow to the tips of her fingers. It was open at Matthew's gospel. The lettering of the text was large and crystal clear. The pages were made with what looked like the finest, cream-colored paper. The book looked old and well-thumbed. It had been a book which had granted great wisdom over the years to whoever had read it, Veronica told herself. Her father ran his fingers down the long page. His eyes narrowed with admiration. "This is beautiful," he said quietly.

  A voice rose from the direction of the parlor door. "I t
hink I would agree with that sentiment, Mr Flint," Pastor Joseph said entering the room. "God's word is the center of all our lives. And, in this home, it enjoys pride of place in our hearts." He pointed at the lectern. "Right there. Where I can see it every morning when I come downstairs."