The Rancher’s Frontier Family

by Maya Stirling

  The air shook suddenly. A flash of lightning lit up the rangeland. Beth heard a soft rumble of distant thunder. Feeling calm with Landon, Beth hardly reacted to the sound. Whenever she was around him, she felt safe. Raindrops caressed her face. Landon smiled at her. Glancing upwards, she saw rain falling against the leaves of the cottonwood. It was time to go back inside the ranch house. Landon reached out and she took his hand. They both stepped out from beneath cottonwood's canopy of branches. The rain started to fall harder now.

  "Quickly!" Landon exclaimed and sprinted forward.

  Holding onto his hand, Beth started to run alongside Landon, heading for the house. Once, her feet slid on the earth, but Landon held on tight to her hand, preventing her from falling. By the time they reached the porch, the rain was falling heavily. They both shook the rain from their hair. Landon took special care with his bandage which had become damp.

  Beth pointed to the bandage. "I'll change that for you inside," she told him.

  He quirked a brow. "Now how did I know you were going to say that?" he asked teasingly.

  The front door of the ranch house opened and Sally leaned out. Squinting along the darkened porch, she shook her head. "You two better get inside."

  Another rumble of thunder shook the air. Beth agreed. It was time to get back into the safety of the ranch house. Then Beth led Landon back into the ranch house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  The next morning, over breakfast at the kitchen table, Sally, seated to his left, looked at Landon and asked: "Is your head feeling better?" Sitting at the head of the table Landon looked to his right. Max gazed questioningly up at the freshly changed bandage. Sitting alongside Max, Katie glanced up from her plate. At the far end of the table, Beth peered expectantly at Landon. Seemed like everyone was real curious about his head, Landon admitted to himself. The only person missing was Doyle. After yesterday, maybe he'd decided to skip breakfast and make an early start.

  Touching his head Landon smiled. "Never felt better," he said brightly. Landon saw Beth squint at him carefully. She didn't seem so convinced.

  "That's good news," Sally said. "You Baxter boys must be made of strong stuff."

  "I'll take that as a compliment," Landon said tentatively.

  Sally busied herself with her plate of bacon, biscuits and beans. "You can take it any way you like," she said and glanced at Beth. "Isn't that right, Beth?"

  Beth smiled softly at Landon. "I'm sure Landon appreciates the compliment."

  "I think we can take that bandage off, this morning," Sally said. "I saw that wound yesterday when we were changing the dressing. It could do with some fresh air around it." Sally peered at Beth. "What do you think, Beth?"

  Beth nodded. "I agree," she said and looked evenly at Landon. "Then you won't look like a hospital patient any more," she added. Max and Katie giggled. Beth smiled and Landon knew she'd been teasing him.

  Landon felt his face flush red. "You're all going to embarrass me if you keep on like this," he said. Now it was his turn to focus his attention on the delicious-looking breakfast.

  "Is it true someone stole some of our cattle?" Max asked excitedly.

  "Hush, now, Max," Beth said quickly. "We don't talk about that kind of thing at the breakfast table."

  Max looked sheepishly at Landon. Beth caught Landon's eye with a look that told him his co-operation would be appreciated. "We can talk about that later, Max," Landon said.

  Max's disappointment vanished in an instant. Now he had something to look forward to.

  "Where's Doyle?" Landon asked Beth.

  "He went out early this morning. He said he was going to make sure the hands finished work on mending the fences," she explained.

  "It shouldn't take too long." Landon agreed.

  "How do you fix a fence?" Max asked breathlessly.

  Landon laughed quietly. "You sure are full of beans this morning, ain't you, Max."

  Sally gestured to Max's plate with her fork. "The only beans Max should be interested in are those ones on his plate." Sally turned to Beth. "Ain't that right, Beth."

  Beth gazed patiently at Landon. "Landon's right. Maybe you boys can talk ranch business later." Then she added quietly. "It's going to be a long day."

  Maybe Beth understood what Landon was trying to do with Max this morning. Landon had decided that there would be no riding today. Yesterday, Beth had given him that message. Loud and clear. Today, he wanted to make her happy. And that included staying off a horse. Instead, he figured he'd continue his man-to-man talks with Max. Every conversation he'd had with the little boy had merely ignited even more curiosity in Max. This morning was typical. Max seemed to have an endless supply of questions for Landon.

  As he ate breakfast, Landon reflected on what had happened last night over by the cottonwood tree. Everything was different now. The kiss had changed things between himself and Beth. He knew that to be the truth. This morning, preparing breakfast, Landon had hovered around the kitchen, helping out, eager to be close to Beth. Every once in a while, her gaze had drifted to him as he'd sat at the table. And, more than once, that gaze had lingered. Exquisitely so. There was a new look in Beth's eyes this morning. Landon figured he could see affection in her gaze. And, when he looked back at Beth, making sure Sally didn't notice, Landon could feel his own growing affection for Beth.

  Last night, his heart had been fit to burst when he'd kissed Beth. Landon had never known a feeling like it. An inexpressible joy had seized him when he'd embraced Beth. And, judging by the way she was acting around him this morning, he figured she was feeling the same way. He hoped so. Landon knew he was new to the ways of courting. All his previous attempts, over at Inspiration, had been faltering and awkward. None had resulted in anything more than polite friendship. But, what he was experiencing with Beth was something entirely different. And he knew it.

  When Landon had awakened this morning, one question had come immediately to mind. Now that he'd shown Beth how he felt for her, what could he do about it?

  After breakfast, Landon and Max went out onto the porch and took their favorite place on the wooden bench. For a while, Landon and Max talked about ranch things. Max had an insatiable curiosity about how the ranch was run. Landon figured that, once Max was grown up, he'd be an expert in ranching. Landon tried to answer every one of Max's questions as honestly as he could. At the same time, he wanted to encourage Max.

  Landon still recalled what it had been like when he and his family had taken over the Baxter spread near Inspiration. It had been a new life for them all. Their father had taken a chance buying the spread. But it had been their father's dream to own a ranch. And, with three grown-up sons and one daughter, Nathaniel Baxter had reckoned the time had been right for his family to start their new life. There had been hard times. Even times, during harsh winters and problems with rustlers and diseased cattle, when it had seemed the ranch would never become a going concern. But, with the family's rock-solid faith in the Lord and plenty of hard work, they'd fought their way to the position they enjoyed now. The Baxter ranch was a solid proposition and would remain so for years to come.

  So, it was only common sense that Landon should feel like he wanted to share as much of his experience with the future owner of the Circle D. There would come a time when Beth would want to step aside and let Max take over. Landon was sure of it. But, that time was years in the future. For now, Max was only starting out. He still had plenty to learn.

  After they'd been talking ranch stuff for a while, Landon noticed Max become unusually quiet. Landon let the boy have his time. Maybe he'd ran out of questions to ask. Then, Max peered up at Landon. Gazing down at the boy, Landon was shocked to see moistness in the boy's eyes. It was then that he knew Max was going to talk about something entirely different.

  "Can I ask you something, Landon?" Max said quietly.

  "Sure you can."

  "Did ma tell you about my real pa and ma?" Max asked, sounding suddenly very young and very small.

 
; Landon felt an ache in his heart. He rested a hand across Max's shoulder. "She did."

  Max's eyes widened. There were definitely tears in those eyes, Landon told himself. He felt his throat tighten with emotion. This wasn't going to be easy.

  Max clasped his hands together tightly and looked down at his fingers. "I miss my pa and my ma," he said in a soft voice. Something clutched at Landon's heart. He paused for a moment, trying to compose himself.

  "I'm sure you do, Max," Landon reassured him. "It's only natural." Drawing Max closer to him, Landon sighed. When he spoke, it was in a low voice, filled with sincerity. "I think you and your sister, Katie are real brave. You know that, don't you?"

  Max lifted his chin and looked at Landon. "You think so?"

  Landon gave Max a serious look. The kind of look you gave someone when you wanted them to know you were being honest. "And I'm sure your pa and your ma are real proud of you and your sister."

  Max's brows lifted. "Are they in heaven?" His voice was suddenly filled with wonder. It was such a huge question. But there was only one answer Landon could give Max. The one he believed with all his heart.

  Landon nodded emphatically. "I'm sure they are. And they will be looking down on you every day from now on. Seeing everything you do and smiling with joy and pride."

  Max gasped quietly and his eyes brightened. Color flooded his cheeks. Landon could see what such a thought meant to the little boy. Landon cleared his throat, sensing he was about to choke up. He lifted his chin and gazed out across the yard to the rangeland beyond. "Beth is your ma, now. And she's done an amazing job bringing you and Katie out to this beautiful place." He glanced down at Max and saw the boy watching him intently. Listening to every word. "I know you love Beth. I've seen it in your eyes. And those of your sister. You know Beth will do anything it takes to make sure you both are happy and safe." Landon tugged gently on Max's shoulder. "You know I'm speaking the truth, don't you?"

  Max smiled. "Katie and I love Beth. We know she loves us, too."

  "You hold onto that," Landon told Max. "Love is all that matters in this world.

  Max nodded. Landon hoped he hadn't made things too complicated for Max. He'd simply tried to put himself in Max's shoes and think what he would have liked someone to tell him at this difficult time. Landon felt deeply for the boy. Losing parents in a tragedy was about the worst thing Landon could think of.

  Landon mussed Max's hair. "You know something?" he said to the boy who grinned up at him. "You're going to make a fantastic rancher." Landon quirked at brow. "When you're all grown-up, of course."

  Max giggled. "Mama said the same thing to me."

  "Well, she's right."

  The front door of the ranch house opened. Beth strode out onto the porch. She had changed clothes. Now she was dressed in a gray split riding shirt, tightly fitting beige jacket and riding boots. She was carrying a wide-brimmed hat and looked ready for a day's work. Seeing Landon and Max sitting on the bench, she paused. "You boys still talking ranch stuff?"

  Landon stood and smiled down at Max. "We're only just getting started." Smiling at Max, he added: "Ain't that right, Max?"

  Max nodded. Landon went across to Beth. "You going somewhere?"

  She furrowed her brows and then grinned. "I do have a ranch to run. In case you hadn't noticed."

  "Oh, I noticed," Landon replied. Running his gaze down and back up her petite physique, he added: "Anyone ever tell you that you look good in that kind of outfit?"

  She blushed. "No-one recently."

  Thrusting his hands into the pockets of his jeans, Landon sighed appreciatively. "Well you do, Miss Russell," he said in a good-humored tone of voice. "You need some help, today?" he asked hopefully.

  Beth shook her head. "What did I tell you last night?"

  Leaning closer, he murmured. "You told me a whole lot of things. As far as I recall," he said. He saw he was getting good at making her blush.

  "You're not riding today," she told him. "And that's an order."

  Landon's brows lifted. "Yes, ma'am," he agreed ironically. Turning back to Max, he said: "Max and I have got plenty we can be doing."

  "Then I'll see you later," Beth said. He watched her step off the porch and onto the dusty yard. She made her way to the stable. He desperately wanted to follow her. He wanted to get on his horse and ride alongside her across the rangeland. He wanted to spend the whole day getting to know her better. But he knew none of that would be happening. He decided he could just about wait until tomorrow. Or the day after. He'd already made his mind up he was going to remain on the ranch. For at least as long as she would let him stay. There was no sense in walking away from a woman like Beth Russell.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Beth returned to the ranch house just before lunchtime. Riding into the yard, she saw a carriage in front of the big house. Wondering who was paying a visit, she settled her horse in the stable stall and made her way into the house. As she walked into the hallway, she heard voices coming from the parlor. One familiar. And one female voice which was much less recognizable. The familiar male voice spoke loudly. "Of course that is the way of the Lord," he said.

  Beth heard Landon laugh quietly and agree. Beth hesitated. What was Pastor Joseph doing on the Circle D? Because it was the pastor's voice she had just heard. Pulling back her shoulders, Beth smiled and walked into the parlor. Landon was seated by the fireplace. On the sofa sat Pastor Joseph who, every day of the year, attended to the congregation in the only church in Inspiration. Next to the pastor sat a young woman. It was the schoolteacher from Inspiration.

  The pastor turned and saw Beth standing at the parlor doorway. He stood and walked around the sofa. "Miss Russell. How lovely to see you."

  "Pastor Joseph," Beth said softly. "What a surprise. I didn't expect you'd come all the way out here to the Circle D. What brings you here?"

  Pastor Joseph was dressed in a black suit and white shirt. Being tall and rather gaunt, he tended to stoop slightly. Beneath the parlor's low ceiling, his stoop was even more pronounced. "I come here on an important mission, Beth," he announced. His eyes shone brightly and he smiled. "But, then again, I believe all my trips outside the town are guided by His hand."

  "Oh," was all Beth could say. "I'm sure you're right, Pastor Joseph." She peered across at Landon seeking some kind of explanation for the pastor's presence. There was none forthcoming.

  Beth made her way to the sofa. "Miss Chalmers," she said to the pretty young woman dressed in white cotton dress. "How nice of you to come." Miss Celia Chalmers was the recently appointed schoolteacher in town. Beth had previously met with Miss Chalmers to discuss the possibility of Max and Katie attending the school. Even though it was a three hour ride from the Circle D, Beth believed it would be possible for the children to attend, if only for part of the school day.

  "Did Sally offer you all coffee?" Beth asked.

  As if she'd heard the question Sally strode into the parlor, carrying a tray with coffee cups, silver pot and cakes. "Seems like you arrived just in time, Beth," Sally commented, putting the tray down on a side table. "I'll get another cup for you."

  "Thank you, Sally," Beth said as she watched Pastor Joseph take his place back on the sofa next to Miss Chalmers. "Where are the children?" Beth asked Sally.

  "In their room," Sally replied. "I told them to wait there until Miss Chalmers is ready to see them."

  Beth glanced at Miss Chalmers. "You want to see the children?"

  Miss Chalmers smiled evenly. "I thought you and I could talk about what kind of teaching could be done with Max and Katie while they're here on the ranch."

  "I already do my best with them," Beth said. "I have some books and materials I can use. I try to make as much time as I can for their studies."