Aidan's Arrangement: (The Langley Legacy Book 4)

by Peggy McKenzie

  Maura saw the relief on Nola's face. "That's wonderful news, Maura. We were all so worried. Everyone wants you kids to be happy, no matter what happens with the arrangement to save The Legacy."

  A wave of nausea hit Maura again. "Oh, my. I hope I'm not coming down with something."

  Nola touched her forehead with a cool hand. "You don't have a fever. Does your stomach hurt anywhere?"

  Maura shook her head. "No, I feel fine, except for the nausea."

  "Could it be you are—with child?”

  Shock at the possibility kicked Maura’s heart into a breath-stealing rhythm. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm the erratic pace. "No, it’s only been a few weeks, and we only slept together on our wedding night—until recently. No, it’s not possible. Is it?” Could she be carrying Aidan’s child? The thought both thrilled her and terrified her.

  Nola grinned. “Sometimes once is all it takes, my dear. Perhaps you will be a fertile one and have dozens of Langley babies. You know, Rachel and Sully are going to be over the moon when they hear they are having a grandchild."

  "Don't get excited, Nola. At least not until we know for sure.”

  Maura couldn't remember if she had missed her monthly time or not. Damn it. Think, Maura.

  "Would you be unhappy to be pregnant so soon? I know you and Aidan haven't had much time as husband and wife, but you have everyone's support. You won't have to do everything on your own, you know. Why, I imagine you'll have to fight off your mother and Rachel—"

  “I can’t be pregnant,” Maura repeated, but she was no longer convinced. All the signs were there.

  Nola grinned. "I can’t wait to tell everyone—”

  “Don’t tell anyone until we—I know for certain,” Maura pleaded.

  “Of course, I won’t tell, honey. It’s for you and Aidan to decide when to share the news. Now, I need to get back to the main house. If you want to go with us to the church, we are leaving around lunchtime.”

  Maura nodded her understanding, but she was deep in her own thoughts. She thought about what Nola had said. Could she be pregnant? Her heart thumped with anxiety. Was she even ready to be pregnant? After all, she and Aidan had only been married a little more than a month—six weeks to be exact.

  She rushed into the tiny living room and ripped the Farmer's Almanac calendar off the wall. Sitting at the table, she counted backwards to the wedding. Yep. It was possible. Fifty-two days to the day since her last cycle. Oh, boy.

  She and Aidan were in a better place after last night, but was he committed to her and their marriage? She wasn’t convinced. Not yet. She wanted to give Aidan more time to prove Aidan was committed to her before he was forced to commit to becoming a father. She did not want him to stay with her because she was carrying his child—because he was obligated. She wouldn't live like that. She couldn't.

  Tommy’s words rose up, reminding her there was also another piece to this complicated puzzle. Beth Chaplin. Did her husband still have feelings for this woman? Was he still in love with her? That was something she needed to find out, and until she knew for certain, she would wait to tell him about the baby.

  Chapter Twenty

  Aidan followed behind the seeder along the furrows in the dirt. It was his job to make certain the precious wheat grains fell into the narrow ruts and not on top of the soil where it wouldn't grow. Willow followed two steps behind him. He reached down and rubbed her ears. "Look at us, Willow. It won't be long now until all our worries are behind us."

  His dad joined him at the back of the seeder. "You look happy this morning? Things improving on the home front?”

  Levi drove the tractor, pulling the machine slow enough to allow him and his dad to have a conversation and still do their jobs.

  Aidan grinned at his dad. "Maybe."

  "Anything I should know about?"

  "No. Well, yes. Maybe." Aidan hesitated a bit before telling his dad. He didn't want him to get his hopes up, but Aidan admitted to himself, his hopes were rising.

  "Son?" They were still walking behind the seeder, monitoring the casting of the seeds, but the engine of the tractor out front didn't interfere with conversation.

  "Maura and I talked last night after I said—you know, all that stupid stuff yesterday. I told her it was just a misunderstanding. She was really mad at first, but then she listened. We realized we didn't find each other so repulsive and would like to give this marriage thing another try."

  His dad laughed. "Son, a woman doesn't want to hear she's less repulsive. She wants to hear she's beautiful."

  He grinned. "You know what I mean. We want to start over. Leave the past, where it can’t hurt us.”

  His dad was silent for a long moment. They walked along in companionable silence for a bit. Aidan was curious what his dad was thinking, but he filled the silence with more good news. "And the best part is that Maura thinks you and Mom are good people. That was important to me, to know she didn't think my dad was capable of murder, even if it was a horse."

  Now his dad was looking at him in an odd way. "I hadn't realized the past was destroying your future, Aidan. That's not something your mom and I wanted for you." His dad's gaze turned misty. He looked so sad. "You are our only child. We continue to build on this," his dad swept his arm around the landscape to include everything Langley, “for you and your family—the next generation.” His dad hesitated. "I think it might be time to sit down and talk about some things—decisions I made in the past that might affect you and your family—someday. Things you should know about."

  "Sure, Dad." Aidan had no idea what his dad was talking about, but if there were things his dad wanted him to know, he would listen.

  "Do you think you can handle this job alone? I gotta go help Nola round up the goats for milking. Mr. Whittaker, who owns the grocery store, says some of the farmers are refusing to sell their milk to him. Says he’s not paying them enough so they are hauling it over to Vista Butte where Silas Matthews is paying three cents a gallon more. But in these times, it ain't all about the money. We have to take care of each other. Those mommas who can't afford to buy milk for their babies need our help. We’ve had a run of good luck. I want to pass our good fortune on to others who need it."

  Aidan watched his dad walk toward the house. As much as this family needed cash, his dad was always willing to barter and trade to help someone in need. Yep, his dad was a good man. He wanted to be just like him. A good, decent husband and father.

  He saw Maura coming toward him when his dad and Maura met in the field. They talked and then hugged.

  Aidan wanted to stop and watch his wife, especially after the visions of her last night under him, on top of him, and everywhere in between. But he had to keep up with the seeder, so he waved her in.

  He had never known anyone like her, and he was thankful the good Lord and his parents were wise enough to point his stubborn head in the right direction.

  "Hey." He greeted her when she was close enough to hear him over the tractor ahead.

  "Hey," she called back. "Hi, Willow." Willow trotted to Maura and allowed her to pet her behind the ears. Aidan was amazed at how Willow warmed up to Maura. Hell, she still wouldn't let Tommy pet her, and she had known him since Aidan first got her as a puppy seven years ago.

  "She likes you." Aidan pointed out the obvious.

  "I like her, too. She's a lot like me. We are kindred spirits." Maura fell into step with him and helped him watch the seed cast. The machinery was working perfectly, so it made it easy to walk and talk.

  "How's that?" Aidan realized he wanted to know the connection between his two best girls.

  "We don't trust easily. And there's a part of us we hold back until we are sure we won't get hurt. Even then, we watch and listen, cautious to the very end."

  Aidan looked at Maura and perhaps for the first time saw the woman beneath all the fire and bluster. Maura was a brave, bold woman, but she was also unsure of herself at times. He felt ashamed he had contributed to her fears. Fr
om now on, he vowed to do a better job of being her husband.

  Aidan worked the rest of the day behind the seeder while Maura helped her mother cultivate more herbs. Aidan was quite impressed with his wife’s business sense. He was proud of her accomplishments. If everything held together, it looked like the Langleys were gonna overcome this insidious financial downturn after all.

  Morning turned into afternoon. He was all but done with the seeding in the last pasture when he spotted Tommy pecking his way across the field. Aidan whistled for Levi that it was time to stop for the day.

  "Ugh. Why are you always knee-deep in dirt?" Tommy wrinkled his nose in distaste.

  Aidan laughed at his friend's refined ways. “It’s the way we make money, Tommy. It’s an honest living, my friend. You should try it some time.”

  Tommy wrinkled his nose in disgust. “No thanks. I prefer making my living behind a nice tidy desk in a nice clean office. This stuff is disgusting."

  Aidan didn't fault Tommy for not wanting to work on a farm. It wasn't for everybody. But these days, people had to learn to be resourceful. He was afraid Tommy hadn't learned that lesson yet.

  "If you know you are coming to visit, why do you insist on wearing those fancy shoes out here?" Aidan laughed at Tommy's discomfort.

  "I have an image to maintain. Who knows when the next big opportunity comes along?"

  Aidan felt sorry for his friend. Everyone knew it was going to be a long time before business opportunities reappeared. The stock market crash had eviscerated everything associated with money. His family was among the fortunate ones.

  Aidan chose to keep his thoughts to himself. No point in dampening Tommy's dreams. Time would do that on its own.

  "Why are you out here anyway? Did we have plans?"

  "No, but I ran into Mike and Jerry in town. They are in town to check on their grandma and wanted to get together later this evening.”

  Aidan liked the sound of that. He'd been working non-stop for the last month, and he was ready for a break.

  "Sounds like fun. I'll bring Maura."

  "Probably wouldn't be a good idea. All guys. Maybe they will still be here at the end of the week for your birthday party. We can ask them when we see them. Whatta ya say?"

  Aidan didn't feel comfortable going off and leaving Maura. But it wasn't as if they were tied at the hip. And she was working in the herb garden today.

  "What's the matter, Aidan? The old ball and chain got you under lock and key? Do you need to get her permission before you go?" Tommy's words taunted him.

  "Of course not. I was trying to be considerate. But if there are only going to be guys there—?"

  "That's right. Only guys. Now get your stuff and let’s go. They are going to meet us at Gino’s Bar."

  Aidan nodded in agreement. "I'm in. Let me clean up. And, I need to leave Maura a note, so she'll know where I went."

  Tommy rolled his eyes at him. He didn’t care. He wasn't hen-pecked, and Maura wasn’t a clinging vine either. But he had grown up watching the respect between his parents. They had done alright by each other. He intended to follow their example.

  "I'll go with you in case you are sideswiped by the permission cops and can't go."

  Aidan laughed at Tommy. His friend didn't understand what it meant to be part of a team. A couple. But he would. Someday he would meet someone special, and then it would be Aidan's turn to tease.

  Aidan went upstairs to his bedroom in the big house and showered. He quickly dressed in clean jeans and a shirt and headed for the homestead cabin out back.

  Maura wasn’t home, so he flipped a clean page from the notebook sitting on the table and scribbled his note to let his wife know where he was going.

  Maura, Went to town with Tommy. Meeting Mike and Jerry, friends from college you met at the wedding. Be back before you go to bed. Don’t go without me. A.

  "Okay, let's go." Aidan led the way. He and Tommy were halfway to Tommy's beat-up roadster when Tommy stopped. "I left my hat on your table. I'll be right back."

  Aidan nodded and headed on to the car. He knew Tommy wouldn't be far behind.

  Tommy was gone less than a minute, but he didn't have his hat. Aidan waited until he was closer to ask what happened to it.

  "I guess I left it at home." Tommy shrugged and jumped in the car, cranking the engine to life. He grinned in Aidan's direction. "Now, let's go blow off some steam."

  Aidan grinned. "Yeah, I'm ready to have some fun." He sat back and watched the landscape roll by as Tommy steered them into town. He used to have a lot of fun with Tommy and his friends in college. But something was different now. Something had changed.

  And he knew exactly what that something was. Maura.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  One more week until Aidan’s birthday party. Nola and Rachel had taken the lead on planning it since Maura was so busy helping her momma with the business of herbs. The herb garden was thriving, and every day someone came by the ranch to barter for the fresh herbs and flowers.

  Basil. Oregano. Thyme. And then there were the medicinal herbs such as lavender and purple cone flowers—echinacea. Its properties encouraged the immune system and reduced many of the symptoms of colds, flu, and similar illnesses, infections, and conditions. Mothers who couldn't afford a doctor's call gave their children homemade chicken soup and echinacea tea. It worked.

  Maura was happy. Well, mostly happy. The only thing spoiling her days was her deception about the baby. When she first thought she might be pregnant, she and Aidan were still trying to find their way to each other But now? She was starting to believe he cared for her, and that made all the difference in her decisions.

  Next week was Aidan's thirtieth birthday party, and it would be their two-month anniversary. That would be the perfect time to tell everyone about the baby.

  Rachel and Sully would be thrilled, as would her momma. Papa? She guessed he would be happy too. Papa wasn’t much for showing emotions, but she knew he would be relieved this baby would seal the agreement between families. And Aidan? Would Aidan be as happy with the news now that things were settled between their families? She hoped so.

  Her conscience pinched just a tiny bit. She touched her belly, knowing there was a tiny baby growing inside her. Aidan's baby. She smiled to herself and caressed her stomach. Just a few more days and she would share the news with everyone. Their family merger would be complete.

  Maura thought back over the past week. She and Aidan worked side by side during the day, and at night, they fell exhausted into bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Sometimes they made love, lost in their passion for each other. Sometimes they were too exhausted from the day's work to do anything but lie in each other's arms, their hands exploring secret places. She would tuck herself into her husband's side, loving the feel and smell of him.

  Maura had come to love the sound of her husband's tired snores. They no longer kept her up at night. Instead, she couldn't sleep without them. And, on those nights he came in late from the barn when she was supposed to be sleeping, those were the nights she would lay and dream of how Aidan would react when she told him about their baby. Just a few more days and everything she wanted would be hers.

  Maura arrived back at the little cabin she shared with Aidan around six to find a strange man sitting on the porch. It appeared he was waiting on her

  "Can I help you, sir? Are you lost?" she asked, a bit uneasy. How did a stranger get on the Langley property without being seen? He wasn't a panhandler for certain. He was dressed too nicely. And his car was parked out front. So, what did he want with her?

  "I'm looking for Aidan Langley. I stopped at the main house, but no one answered the door. I passed a ranch hand on my way out, and he said Mr. Langley was staying here. Do you know him? Is he here?"

  Maura relaxed a bit. "Yes, I know him. He's my husband. He's not home right now. Can I help you with something?" She wasn't comfortable inviting him in, so she joined him on the porch. Willow appeared and lay on the ground at her
feet. She felt a bit safer, knowing Willow wouldn't tolerate strangers.

  "I wanted to talk to him about the wheat contract with the government. His broker has expressed an interest in selling the land and the contract to my investors at one time. As you can well imagine, in this day and time, investors don't like to sit on an opportunity too long. I was hoping to catch him today and perhaps negotiate a deal with him. Do you know when he will be home?"

  Maura's ears were ringing, and her brain spun inside her skull. Aidan had offered to sell the land? But, her momma had told her no one could sell the land? What was happening?

  Did Sully and Rachel know about this? Did Papa? Her world shifted, and she was no longer sure of anything anymore.

  "I—don't know where he is. Or when he'll be home."

  The man leaned forward, and Willow growled. He leaned back in the chair, keeping an eye on the dog at her feet.

  "Are you alright, my dear? You look like you may be ill."

  Maura nodded. That was quite possible. "I'm fine. Do you have a card, Mr.—" Maura prompted.

  "Neddleman. Abe Neddleman. I'm the middle man for a group of men who have pooled what little cash reserves they have left after the market crash. They are very discriminating about where they put their money, and they feel this operation has merit. Especially with the government contract and subsidies promised for next five years." The man handed her a card and stood. Willow growled.

  "That dog isn't very friendly, is it?" The man stepped off the porch opposite of where she and Willow sat.

  Maura stood and watched the man back to his car, afraid to turn his back on Willow.

  "It's not that she isn't friendly, Mr.—" Maura's muddled brain couldn't remember the man's name. She looked at the card in her hand. "Neddleman. She just has a problem trusting people."

  He climbed inside his vehicle and spoke through the open passenger window

  "That's not a bad trait to have, if you ask me. People are too trusting these days. Look at the stock market. If people hadn't just thrown money at strangers, we might not be suffering through this economic depression like we are."