The Rancher’s Beloved Bride

by Maya Stirling

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  "What brought you back so early?" Landon asked Kyle when he reached the Baxter ranch. "I thought you said you'd be spending the day over at the Flint place."

  Kyle leaned against the porch support and sighed. It was late afternoon and the sun hid behind light clouds. The air was cool in Kyle's lungs as he dragged in a deep breath. "Change of plans," he murmured. Kyle, his brothers, their parents, Aunt Mabel and Lauren had just spent the last hour enjoying a simple lunch in the kitchen of the Baxter ranch house. However, as far as Kyle was concerned, there had been precious little to enjoy about being away from Veronica. He'd done his best to hide his disappointment at being ordered off the Flint property. He hadn't told anyone about that. And he wasn't sure he would.

  "What happened over at Flint's?" Landon asked. "Did you give Veronica's little girl her riding lesson?"

  Kyle nodded. "Sure. That went perfectly." He frowned. "It was what happened afterwards that didn't go so well."

  Landon lifted a brow. "Are we talking about woman trouble?"

  Kyle squinted at Landon. "What do you mean?"

  Landon grinned. "You trying to pretend nothing is happening between you and Veronica Flint? Our whole family has been talking about nothing else this past few days."

  Kyle groaned. "You're kidding me."

  Landon shook his head. "There's no fooling ma and pa. Nor Aunt Mabel and Lauren. Especially when it comes to courting."

  "Who said I was courting Veronica Flint?" Kyle asked incredulously.

  Landon's eyes widened. "Everybody!" he exclaimed. "It's the talk of the ranch hands, too."

  Kyle grunted and ran a hand through his hair. This was getting worse by the minute. First, he'd been cast out of the Flint house, probably never to be allowed back in. Now, he had to find a way to convince everyone at the Baxter ranch that there was no future between him and the beautiful Flint woman who had found her way deep into his heart. Because, as he'd ridden home from the Flint place, he'd told himself over and over that Veronica meant plenty to him. She'd become precious to him. Just the briefest recollection of her was enough to stir his heart. And now he faced the possibility that he'd never get a chance to tell Veronica how he really felt about her.

  Kyle sighed heavily. "Maybe it would best if everybody didn't get their hopes up, Landon. Especially about me and Veronica Flint."

  His brother frowned. "What happened?"

  Kyle thought for a few long moments. Maybe it was time to share with Landon his suspicions about what was really going on at the Flint place.

  For the next few minutes he told Landon about what he'd seen Vogel do during every one of the meetings Kyle had had with Dominick Flint. He told Landon about seeing Vogel with the suspicious-looking men in town. And he described in detail just how unpleasant Vogel really was. He ended by describing today's meeting with Flint and Vogel.

  Landon took a few moments to consider what Kyle had just told him. "So, what's all that got to do with you and Veronica?" Landon asked.

  Kyle peered at his brother. "Everything. If her father won't even let me on his property, what can I do?"

  "You'll find a way," Landon said casually.

  "How do you mean?"

  "If you love somebody, you can always find a way," Landon stated firmly.

  Kyle turned and faced Landon. "Who said anything about me loving Veronica?"

  Landon grinned. "You can't fool me, brother. I've seen that look before. When Gabe was courting Lauren. And we both know how that ended."

  Kyle sighed, realizing he wasn't going to end this talk with Landon without at least some admission of the truth. The Baxter brothers had been brought up to be honest and truthful in everything. And, when it came to matters of the heart, there was no time for lies. He'd seen the way Veronica had looked at him as he'd walked out the door of the Flint place. Her eyes had been full of pleading, almost like she had been begging him not to go. That look had burned deep into him. He'd hesitated at the door and briefly considered declaring to Dominick Flint just how he felt about the man's daughter. But he hadn't said a word. All he'd done was walk out on Veronica. There had been no persuading Dominick Flint. Not even about Vogel. It seemed like years of depending on Vogel had left its mark on Flint. He was reluctant to see the truth which was staring him in the face. There was no doubt in Kyle's mind that Vogel was up to no good. And that it threatened the Flint family.

  "What about you, Landon?" Kyle asked, trying to divert the conversation away from the subject of himself and Veronica. "Have you got your eye on anyone in town?"

  Landon's face flushed red. He never had been good at hiding his reactions, Kyle reflected. "No-one," Landon declared abruptly.

  Kyle lifted a brow. "You sure about that?" Landon's lips tightened into a thin line and he shook his head. "You know ma and pa want us both to find wives," Kyle said. "They still want all three of us to marry this year."

  Landon sighed heavily. "I know that. But, I can't change the fact that there's no-one in town I'd consider marrying." Landon squinted at Kyle. "What about you and Veronica? How serious is it between you two?"

  Now was the time for honesty, Kyle told himself. "Real serious." He paused. "I haven't felt this way about anyone before. And I can tell you, it's driving me crazy."

  Landon grinned. "I suppose that is a good sign."

  "You think so?" Kyle asked peering at Landon. "Maybe you're right. There's something about that woman I just can't get out of my head. She's real pretty, and no mistake. But she's got a fighting character that I just can't help respecting. When I think about what she's been through, I'm just filled with awe that she's survived."

  "Can't have been easy losing a husband," Landon said. Of course everyone knew about Veronica's tragedy. She'd been forthright about herself on more than one occasion.

  Kyle shook his head. "And she's bringing up that sweet daughter of hers, all on her own. Judging by that little girl's character, Veronica sure is doing a fine job." Just talking about mother and daughter filled Kyle's heart with warm, good feelings.

  Landon paused a while, looking thoughtful. Finally he said what was on his mind. "Have you considered asking her to marry you?"

  This was no time for fake reactions of surprise or outrage, Kyle told himself. He peered steadily at Landon for a long moment and then nodded. "I sure have."

  "That means you'll become father to that little girl," Landon said. "That's a big responsibility."

  Kyle dragged in a deep breath and drew himself up to his full height. "One I'm happy to take on," he stated with all the sincerity he could summon. And he meant what he'd said. He'd thought long and hard about what it would mean if he asked Veronica to marry him. The idea of acquiring an instant family, of becoming a father to a wonderful young girl, was genuinely appealing to him. Only a few months ago such an idea would have seemed impossible to Kyle. But not now. Not after all he'd been through in helping Gabe win Lauren's hand. Not now Veronica Flint had taken up a place in his own heart.

  Landon laid a gentle hand on Kyle's shoulder. "I hope you can get her to marry you."

  "So do I," Kyle said. "One way or another, I'm going to do whatever it takes."

  Landon grinned warmly. "If there's anything I can do to help, you let me know, Kyle," he said.

  Kyle nodded. "I will."

  Landon headed back into the ranch house. Kyle decided he'd wait outside before following Landon. Kyle had some serious thinking to do. Figuring there was no way he'd be able to go back to the Flint place, at least for a while, Kyle asked himself what his next step could be. There had to be something he could do to drag the truth about Vogel out into the open. Thinking about his recent visit to the sheriff's office, he recalled Sheriff Nathan Cameron words. The sheriff had been doing some digging and had heard rumors that two men, newcomers into town, had moved into a deserted cabin in the woods to the east of town, just south of the Munro ranch. Maybe they were the same two men he'd seen with Vogel, Kyle told himself.

 
; Before now, he hadn't had a reason to go searching for that cabin. When the sheriff had told him about it, Kyle had figured it would be best to leave it to Sheriff Cameron to go investigate.

  Now, things had changed, Kyle reflected. If there was one last chance of exposing Vogel's treachery, it might lie in that forest cabin. Kyle started to walk toward the stable. Maybe it was time to get some answers.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Veronica made her way stealthily along the upstairs corridor of the Flint home. A floorboard creaked beneath her booted foot, and she froze. From downstairs, she could hear the voices of her parents. They were in the parlor, talking, no doubt about that had happened earlier. Over lunch, there had been no mention of the unpleasant incident. Augusta had made sure the conversation had been focused on happier subjects. Veronica had also been anxious to make sure Molly didn't realize anything untoward had taken place. Thankfully, she'd remained in her room until she'd been called for lunch. Now Molly was safely back in her room.

  Veronica took a few more steps. The polished wooden floor gleamed in the soft light. Ahead she saw her destination. The door to Vogel's room was closed. He'd disappeared upstairs soon after lunch. She hadn't seen him since then. And now she was determined to get some answers out of him. Veronica knew Vogel wouldn't talk with her in front of her father. That was the territory he was happiest on. Using her father against her. Just like he'd always done. However, he might be prepared to speak if she confronted him in his own room. She knew there were risks involved in doing this. Veronica had seen plenty of evidence of Vogel's short temper. But she was prepared to take the chance that the man would reveal something to confirm Kyle's suspicions. And then her father would have no choice but to believe Kyle. Then he might agree to allow Kyle back on the property. That way she and Kyle could resume what they'd started. And what was that? Simple.

  A courtship.

  Veronica smiled in the semi-darkness of the corridor as she thought about Kyle. It was nothing less than her very own courtship with a handsome rancher. And she wasn't going to throw that away. Not for someone like Vogel.

  Veronica reached the door to Vogel's room. She paused, listening intently. There were no noises coming from behind the door. She frowned. She'd expected to hear at least something to confirm that Vogel was in his room. Maybe he was sleeping, she told herself. That didn't matter to her. Not now that she felt the urgent need for answers.

  Veronica knocked gently on the door. "Mr Vogel. Are you there?" she said quietly. No answer came from behind the door.

  She knocked once more. This time she spoke in a louder voice which echoed down the corridor. "Mr Vogel. It's Veronica. Can I speak with you for a few moments?"

  She'd expected the door-handle to turn and Vogel's slim, narrow features to peer at her from the narrow crack in the door. But there was no movement. No sound from inside. Concern awakened in Veronica. She knew had a decision to make. Drawing in a deep breath, she turned to handle to the door. Pushing gently, she opened the door and peered inside. Veronica gasped. Forcing the door wide open she stepped into the room.

  Vogel's room was well-furnished. His bed, in the center of the room, was freshly made and undisturbed. But what had drawn the gasp from Veronica was the sight of the drawers left empty, the various items of Vogel's clothing which had been tossed onto the bed, and the empty wardrobe with its doors flung wide open. Striding across the carpeted floor, Veronica halted and gazed around the room. There was no sign of Vogel. But there was plenty of evidence of something far more significant. The chaos around her spoke volumes. There was only one conclusion she could come to as she surveyed the scene.

  Vogel had gone. She strode to a bureau in the corner of the room. Small drawers had been left open. Some papers and envelopes were strewn around the leather-covered surface of the bureau. Veronica ran her fingers across the pile of papers. There were letters and telegrams heaped together. In his rush to leave, Vogel had clearly decided he couldn't take everything but essentials. She wondered where he could have gone. She was certain she knew why he'd left with this urgency which almost bordered on panic. Something which had been said today had been the truth. Vogel had feared exposure and even capture.

  For a moment Veronica paused, realizing what this meant. Kyle had been right. Vogel had been a danger to her family. He'd tried to expose that danger and, in the process, had been cast out of her life. Her heart sank as she thought of Kyle's absence from her life. He'd taken a risk on her behalf, and had paid a heavy price. Just like Jack had done so many times when he'd protected her during their marriage.

  Veronica raced to the door, her mind filled with a sudden torrent of competing thoughts. Her first instinct was to try and find Vogel. Out in the corridor she realized there was a rear staircase at the back of the house. The access to that staircase was located at the end of the corridor. Almost running down the corridor she reached the door which led outside. It was open. Pushing the door away from her she stepped out onto the narrow balcony. It must have been so easy for him, she told herself as she made her way down the stairs. No-one would have heard him take the back way out of the house.

  Reaching the garden at the foot of the stairs, she saw clear evidence that a horse had been ridden on the loose earth near the pathway. Working her way around to the front of the house, she followed the tracks. He'd taken the trail beyond the house, she realized. Probably not that long ago. She stood a moment, hands on hips and shook her head. The man was a coward. And he'd planned to do something bad to her family. Kyle had stopped him, just in the nick of time. Realizing she should tell her parents, Veronica strode across the yard. As she reached the porch she halted, looking down at an envelope which was lying on the porch in front of the door.

  She picked it up and saw that it had her name on it, written in a neat hand using capital letters. She opened the sealed envelope and tugged out the slip of paper inside. Gasping, she raised a hand to her mouth. The letter was from Kyle. There were only five words written on the piece of paper.

  COME TO THE RANCH

  KYLE

  He'd been here, and she hadn't known it. Veronica chided herself, realizing Kyle had been reluctant to knock the front door. Maybe he'd feared a repeat of the unpleasantness of earlier. Veronica heard voices from inside the house. Her mother and father were still talking. An idea took hold of her. She'd tell her parents later about her discovery. There was only one person she wanted to tell about Vogel's departure, she told herself as she started to make her way toward the stable.

  And that was Kyle.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Kyle found the cabin after exploring a few trails in the forest. Some of the trails still looked freshly used, but others had been abandoned long ago. He'd figured one of those trails would lead to the old cabin. At some point in the past, when the cabin had been in use, whoever had lived there would have used a trail. His patience was rewarded just as the sun was starting to sink low. Shadows darkened the forest as he guided his mount through the forest. The scent of the trees caught in Kyle's nostrils. At any other time the smell would have evoked good memories. But, right now, all it did was make it harder for Kyle to control his breathing. It was colder now, and he was glad he'd worn his heavy jacket. He was armed with a pistol at his waist, but he hoped he wouldn't have to fire it. There were better ways of dealing with situations like this than the use of lead, he told himself.

  He slowed his horse and peered through the darkening gloom. The cabin, no more than a rough wooden structure with an almost flat roof, was nestled in a hollow by a stream. Trees were tightly packed around Kyle. Branches brushed against him as he guided his horse forward.

  Kyle tugged on the reins, halting his mount at the sound of the cracking of broken branches beneath his horse's hooves. He dismounted. Gripping his pistol, he crept forward. If the men were inside he knew he'd have to maintain the element of surprise. They wouldn't be welcoming. He knew the type of man he was sure lurked inside the cabin. They were used to rough l
iving, and were quick to violence. Kyle felt nerves twist hard in his gut as he edged forward, keeping his head low. He halted when he saw a single horse tied up outside the cabin door. Frowning, he searched for any sign of another horse, but saw none. Why would there be only one horse?