The Rancher’s Bride Arrangement (Brides 0f Inspiration Book 1)

by Maya Stirling

  Johanna let out a huge sigh. Just as she’d said. Sophie was always two steps ahead of her.

  “They don’t think any of that about you, Johanna,” Sophie reassured her.

  “How do you know that?”

  Sophie shrugged. “Eugenie told me. And Zane suspected there was more to you than met the eye. I didn’t want to stop him speculating.” Sophie grinned. “It made him interested. Intrigued.”

  “In finding out if I was pretending to be something I’m not?” Johanna blurted.

  Sophie sighed. “I knew the truth,” she said. “Right from the first time I saw you at the train station, I knew you’d fit in here. I told Nathan so.”

  Johanna gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wanted to give you a chance to settle in,” Sophie explained. “Get to know this place. Find your feet.” Sophie glanced down at Johanna’s ankle. “Seems like you did just that,” she added and smiled.

  “Sophie,” Johanna ejaculated. “You are very naughty. You know that, don’t you.”

  Sophie smiled. “From the start, my sister and I wanted to get this right. I’m sure you understand, Johanna.”

  Johanna thought for a few moments. There was no way she could harbor any ill-will toward Sophie. After all the woman had done for her, the only thing Johanna felt for Sophie was the deepest gratitude. Without Sophie, Johanna would never have met Zane. And, right now, Johanna thought that was just about the most important thing which had happened to her in a long time.

  “Of course I understand,” Johanna said.

  Sophie patted Johanna’s arm. “Good. We’ve sorted that out. Now. Do you want some tea?”

  “That would be lovely,” Johanna agreed.

  As Sophie stood and began to make her way to the kitchen, Johanna spoke: “Zane has asked me to a dance at the ranch, next weekend.”

  Sophie halted and planted a hand on her hip. She rolled her eyes thoughtfully. “Has he now? That’s kind of him.” Sophie glanced down again at Johanna’s ankle. “That means this ankle is going to have to be in perfect condition. If you are to dance with Zane Buchanan.”

  As Sophie walked out of the room, Johanna told herself that was just about the nicest thing she’d heard anyone say.

  ****

  Zane steered the buckboard up to the corner where the dusty road emerged out onto the Main Street. Zane pulled the buckboard to a halt and looked around. It was quiet in town today. On the right was a barbershop.

  Across on the opposite corner of the street, immediately to Zane’s left was the town bank.

  The only one.

  Inside the glass fronted exterior Zane saw some activity. Zane asked himself how come the bank was open on a Sunday. That just wasn’t right, he told himself. It went against everything he knew to be good and true.

  The door opened and out stepped two familiar figures. Brett Calhoun and the owner of the bank, Lucius Barnes. Both men glanced at the buckboard and looked surprised to see Zane.

  Zane considered moving on as quickly as he could, but Calhoun lifted a hand. “Zane,” Calhoun called out. “Just the man we wanted to see.”

  Zane scowled at Calhoun. “I find that hard to believe, Calhoun” he said.

  Calhoun and Barnes exchanged looks. “Now what kind of a way is that to talk to potential neighbors?”

  Zane froze, his fingers tightening around the reins. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to smile at Calhoun. “There’s no way you’re ever going to become neighbors of ours, Calhoun. And you know it. You missed your chance a long time ago.”

  Zane saw Barnes lift his gaze up to Calhoun. Barnes was a short, stocky little man. He was dressed in the only suit Zane had ever seen him wear. Black and thread-worn. Barnes drew out a kerchief from his top pocket, wiped the seat off his face. Then he ran the white cloth across the top of his shiny bald head. Every time Zane saw Barnes he felt something uneasy shift inside himself. Now was no exception.

  “Didn’t see you at church today, Mr Barnes,” Zane said.

  Barnes’ mouth opened. He was about to respond, but Calhoun placed a hand on the smaller man’s chest. “Mr Barnes and I had something to discuss,” Calhoun announced.

  “More important than confessing your sins to the Lord?” Zane challenged.

  Calhoun frowned. “What sins?” he asked.

  Zane lifted a querying brow at Calhoun but the man ignored him. Apparently Calhoun believed he was free of sin.

  “Our business was very important, Mr Buchanan. In fact, we’d like to talk with you.” Calhoun gestured toward the door of the bank. “Why don’t you join us?”

  Zane shook his head. “Can’t do that, Calhoun. Have to get back to the ranch.”

  “That’s right,” Calhoun said, taking a step closer to Zane. “I saw you and the lovely newcomer riding back into town. Sunday afternoon at the ranch?”

  “A family get together, you might say,” Zane said.

  “Just family?” Calhoun asked.

  Zane felt indignation seize hold of him. He leaned forward in the seat. “That ain’t none of your concern,” Zane muttered, trying to keep his voice low.

  “Really?” Calhoun said acidly. “You and the young lady looked mighty pleased to be in each other’s company. Or do I misunderstand what’s going on.”

  Zane fixed Calhoun with a stern look. “Leave it, Calhoun.”

  One or two people walking close by had taken heed of the conversation. They were looking far too interested for Zane’s liking. He gave them a stern look and they moved quickly on.

  “This is hardly the place to discuss such a delicate matter as the land rights to your family’s ranch,” Calhoun sneered. Zane shook his head and smiled sarcastically at Calhoun. “I’d be obliged if you’d keep your opinions on that matter to yourself, for the moment.”

  Calhoun shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Calhoun took a step back. “Step inside and we can go over a few details.”

  Zane sighed heavily. That last thing he wanted was raised voices out here. Not while there were still listening ears around.

  Zane nodded. “Okay, Calhoun. Two minutes. No more,” Zane stated. He secured the reins and leaped down off the buckboard.

  Zane followed Calhoun and Barnes into the dark interior of the bank.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Barnes closed and locked the door. The room was deathly silent for a few moments. When anyone did move, their boots sounded heavily on the wooden floor. Zane knew there wouldn’t be any trouble. Even if a ruckus did break out, he knew he could handle anything Calhoun could throw at him.

  There was a wide counter across the middle of the room. On the right were two small tables. In the back, there was a door which led to an office. Zane inhaled and tensed himself, ready for whatever was going to be said. The air had a dry, dusty feel to it.

  It was a simple room, the perfect front for every kind of evil a man like Calhoun could create. He knew that Barnes was deep inside Calhoun’s pocket. Rumors had abounded for months about how close Barnes and Calhoun had become. Zane guessed that Barnes had helped Calhoun with some of the crooked deal which had probably made both men richer. Also, being deep into all the land deals made Barnes real useful to a man like Calhoun.

  Zane couldn’t imagine anything good happening in here. There had been talk of bringing in a new bank. But that was still a long way off.

  “What’s this all about?” Zane asked.

  Calhoun’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not going to work,” he said.

  Zane peered at Calhoun. “What isn’t.”

  “Your little scheme.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Calhoun,” Zane said.

  Calhoun glanced at Barnes. “We’re aware of the details of the land grant. What it means for your family. And we know about your father’s plans.”

  Zane shook his head. “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Marriage,” Calhoun said taking two steps toward Zane. “And not
just one,” Calhoun added. “But all of you Buchanan boys.”

  Zane shrugged and forced his features to adopt an impassive, blank mask. He hoped it would be convincing. Calhoun gazed steadily into Zane’s eyes.

  “The clock is ticking on this lease, Buchanan,” Calhoun said slowly. “It won’t do your family any good trying to get out of it.”

  “What crazy idea have you got into your dumb head, Calhoun?” Zane asked.

  “Don’t take me for a fool. I can see with my own eyes what that sheriff’s wife is up to,” Calhoun said.

  “Sophie?”

  Calhoun nodded. “Seems like she’s poking her nose into other people’s business. Where it doesn’t belong.”

  “Just because she has a visitor? A friend?” Zane retorted.

  “Don’t try to fool me,” Calhoun replied. “I know she’s no friend. On the contrary, it looks to me like there’s quite a business opportunity there. But, maybe she should be more careful who she takes on as a client.”

  Zane stiffened. “Are you threatening the wife of the town’s sheriff?”

  Zane saw Barnes’ eyes widen. Barnes glanced sharply at Calhoun. Did the little man not know who he was in league with? What Calhoun was capable of? How could Barnes be so foolish as to trust a man like Calhoun?

  “I wouldn’t be so stupid,” Calhoun said shaking his head. “I’m more concerned about Mrs Cameron’s new best friend. The newcomer in town.”

  Zane’s fists clenched into tight balls and he leaned forward, pushing his face up close to Calhoun’s. Both men glared at one another for a few moments.

  “If I was you, I’d think carefully before saying my next words, Calhoun,” Zane barked.

  “Or what?” Calhoun roared.

  “Gentlemen,” Barnes interrupted stepping between them. “Let’s not disagree over a matter which I’m sure can be resolved amicably.”

  Zane and Calhoun both looked at Barnes. Zane couldn’t believe that Barnes could possibly be so simple-minded. Didn’t he understand what was at stake here? The entire future of the Buchanan family? And the future of a woman who had innocently walked into a dangerous situation?

  Calhoun backed away from Zane.

  “I just thought I’d warn you not to bother trying to stop me,” Calhoun said. “I’ll have the land. Soon enough. Just like always.”

  Zane knew that Calhoun had made huge profits when the railroad built the spur a couple of years back. Maybe that success was the reason Calhoun was so eager to get his hands on Buchanan land. It was greed, plain and simple.

  “You’ll need to take all of this up with my pa,” Zane told Calhoun.

  “Your pa and I have already spoken about this. He doesn’t seem to like me very much,” Calhoun said.

  Zane smiled sardonically. “Why am I not surprised at that?”

  “I made your pa a good offer,” Calhoun said. “But he threw it back in my face.”

  “Like he had every right to,” Zane said. “Our land has belonged to us for years. And it’s going to stay that way.”

  Calhoun looked at Barnes. “Seems like these Buchanan boys don’t understand the fine detail of property grants, do they, Mr Barnes?”

  Barnes smiled nervously and nodded. “It seems they don’t.”

  “Do you want to explain to him?” Calhoun asked Barnes.” Or shall I?”

  Zane snapped. “There’s no need, Calhoun. Pa explained it all to us. We know what you’re up to.” Zane scowled at Calhoun. “It ain’t going to work.”

  Calhoun’s mouth turned down. “Because of all those brides you and your family are planning on bringing into Inspiration?”

  “Who said anything about bringing brides into town?” Zane barked. “Anyone who wants to marry into our family will do it of their own free will. There’s not going to be any pressure put on any woman. That’s not the Buchanan way.”

  Calhoun’s brows furrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re talking about love,” he said, his voice burning with acid sarcasm. Calhoun laughed and turned to Barnes. “Ain’t that sweet, Lucius. They’re talking about marrying for love.” Calhoun glared at Zane, his eyes filled with deathly malevolence. “Not for convenience.”

  Calhoun scoffed with disgust and shook his head.

  “I’m talking about free will,” Zane replied. “The same free will God gave you and me. The one you use to choose your path.”

  “I can see you’ve been to church today,” Calhoun said.

  “You could do with spending some time there, Brett,” Zane said. He knew any attempt at persuading Calhoun would fall on deaf ears. But, there were times when he felt he had to try. Even with the worst, it was always necessary.

  Calhoun’s eyes were blank, filled with a deadness. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before my feet cross that threshold,” he said.

  Zane shook his head, feeling sadness take hold of him for a moment.

  “Have you finished?” Zane asked Calhoun.

  “I hoped you’d see sense, Buchanan. Since you’re the eldest,” Calhoun said. “But it seems you’re just as stubborn as your pa.”

  Zane smiled wryly. “It must run in the Buchanan family, I guess,” he said, sensing he’d won at least a temporary victory.

  Zane turned and opened the door. “Be seeing you, Brett,” Zane said and walked out. He closed the door firmly behind him.

  As he stepped out he saw Sheriff Cameron coming toward him. Nathan’s eyes narrowed as he saw Zane. “Zane? Is anything wrong?” Nathan asked.

  Zane shook his head. “It’s okay, Nathan. I was just having a few words with our favorite town troublemaker.”

  “Calhoun?” Nathan asked. “About what?”

  Zane saw through the window that Calhoun had taken note of the fact that Nathan had turned up. He was gazing out the window, but it was significant that he’d decided to stay right there. Calhoun was too much of a coward to repeat his threats in front of Nathan, Zane told himself.

  Zane jerked his head in the direction of his buckboard. Nathan followed Zane to it. Both men leaned against the side of the buckboard. When they spoke it was with lowered voices.

  “You might want to keep a closer eye on your house for a while,” Zane muttered.

  Nathan’s brows furrowed. “Why?”

  Zane shrugged. “Calhoun’s taking an interest in me and Miss Henderson,” Zane explained. “Johanna,” he added.

  Nathan’s eyes were steady for a few moments. Zane saw Nathan’s jaw tighten and he heard him draw in a deep breath.

  As if pretending he hadn’t heard what Zane had just heard, Nathan smiled. “Sophie told me you and Johanna are getting along real well.”

  “She did?” Zane asked.

  “Real well,” Nathan added and casually lifted a brow. “What’s Calhoun been saying?”

  Zane sighed. “I’ll tell you some other time. Right now, let’s say I don’t like his interest.” Zane glanced toward the bank. “Not one bit.”