A Feisty Gracious Bride For the Rancher: A Christian Historical Romance Novel (Lawson Legacy Book 1)

by Chloe Carley

  Gideon reached behind him and swung Riley down to the ground, her wet skirts sticking to everything.

  “Goodness,” his ma exclaimed. “Gideon what is the meaning of this?”

  “I’m not rightly sure, Ma. I found her walking in the river.”

  “Walking in the river?” his pa asked, giving Riley a curious look.

  “I was looking for my other shoe,” Riley defended herself, lifting her chin.

  Gideon met his ma’s eyes and shook his head. “Probably better to just help her get into some dry clothing. She’s asked me to take her into town.”

  “Well, she surely can’t go like this,” his Ma declared. “What is your name?”

  “Riley, ma’am.”

  “Well, I dare say we can find you something to wear while your clothing dries out in front of the fire. Follow me.”

  Gideon watched Riley do so, frowning when he heard his ma questioning her and her responding that she’d been walking through the wilderness for two days.

  “What’s that all about?” his pa asked, having heard the same thing.

  “I really don’t know. She’s a confusing female, but I daresay after she gets dry, we might be able to ask some more questions.” Gideon had many questions he wanted to ask, but first he needed to get control of his emotions. Something about the little female stirred his soul in a way that hadn’t happened since … well, he wouldn’t go down that path.

  He’d been deceived once before by a pretty face. After everything he’d seen and done the last few years, he didn’t deserve the kind of happiness that came with falling in love. Now, if he could just convince his head and his heart to accept that, maybe he could get around to the job of paying penance for his friend’s deaths.

  His pa shrugged his shoulders and headed for the barn. “You going to take her to town?”

  As soon as possible. I don’t need her kind of distraction right now. “I said I would.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll do.” Pa didn’t say anything else. A man’s word was his bond out here and it was a code his pa lived by and expected his sons to do the same. Gideon had strayed from that during his foray into the criminal world, but his upbringing couldn’t be denied. Now that he was home, he would live like an honorable man, even if that meant going into town.

  Gideon watched his pa disappear inside the barn and then headed for his own bedroom inside the house. He needed a change of clothing and a dry shirt before tackling the problem that he’d found wading in the river.

  There was something about Riley that he found very intriguing. He had many questions running around his brain, but he waited patiently on the porch until she finally emerged from the house, dressed in clothing that clearly belonged to his sister.

  While their coloring was very similar, Sara Jane was a good five inches taller than this newcomer. The skirt of the dress dragged on the ground, threatening to trip her up if she wasn’t careful.

  “We’ll just hang your wet clothing on the line to dry …” his ma said as she followed her outside.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I really do need to get to town. Maybe I could return this way and bring these clothes back to you?”

  “That would be fine, dear,” his ma replied, with a disapproving look upon her face. “She insists on being taken to town right away. I couldn’t convince her to stay a moment longer.”

  Gideon looked at Riley. “What’s in Rio Arriba that you couldn’t wait until your clothing was dry to get there?”

  “I can’t explain, but it’s very important. I need to speak to the sheriff right away.”

  “Well now, that’s going to be a might hard,” Gideon informed her. He stood up, having been resting his arm on his knee as he stood by the porch railing with one foot on the second rung. “See, the sheriff in Rio Arriba is well, a bit difficult to deal with. There might as well not be a sheriff for all the good I’ve seen the man do.”

  Gideon watched Riley as his words sunk in, and for the second time that day, she seemed to deflate. What is going on with this young woman? Whatever it is, it can’t be good if she needs the sheriff’s help.

  Chapter 9

  Might as well not be a sheriff? Difficult to deal with? But surely the man will want to protect his town. He is the sheriff, after all. Otherwise, how am I going to warn the people of the town about my brother? They are in grave danger and don’t even know it.

  A new plan began to form in her mind.

  She’d start with the sheriff, and if he wasn’t able to offer her any help, then she’d go to each of the business owners and tell them about the Johnston gang. Maybe if everyone in the town banded together, they could figure out a way to protect themselves. Just in case she couldn’t convince her brother to change his plans.

  She blinked and looked up, seeing Gideon watching her carefully. She swallowed. “That is unfortunate, but I feel I must try. Whether the sheriff can help me or not doesn’t matter. The fact remains that I still need to get to town.”

  “Care to elaborate?” he inquired.

  Riley shook her head. “No, I really don’t.”

  “Gideon, don’t harass the girl. She’s been through enough for one day,” his ma chastised.

  Gideon sighed and, after watching her for a long moment, shrugged. “Fine. I’ll take you.”

  “Riley,” his ma inquired, “do you have a place to stay in town?”

  “I’ll find a room at the boarding house.” She looked at Gideon and inquired, “There is one of those, correct?” She had the money that had been in her pocket, and, although it had taken a soaking as well, she was sure it would still spend just as well as dry money.

  “Yes, there’s a small boarding house. Not sure it’s going to be up to your standards …”

  “What do you know about my standards?” Riley inquired.

  Gideon saw the disapproving look his ma sent him and he backed off. Quickly. “I apologize, I misspoke. I was just pointing out that the boarding house in town is used to miners and the occasional traveler staying there.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine,” Riley once more assured him.

  “Well, come on then. Ma, I’ll be back for supper.”

  His mother came closer and whispered, “Are you sure you should be taking her into town?”

  “That’s where she wants to go, and I gave her my word.”

  His ma looked dubious but stepped back. “Riley, you’re welcome to come and visit anytime you like.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. For your hospitality and for the food. I didn’t realize how hungry I had become.”

  “Well, I couldn’t very well have you passing out in my home, now could I?”

  “Passing out?” he whispered to his mother while Riley pretended to greet his horse.

  “She hadn’t eaten today and almost passed out while I was helping her out of her wet clothing. I don’t know what she’s been doing, but she had blisters on her feet and several bruises on her leg that look like she’s been kicked.”

  Riley wished she’d been thinking clearer and not given so much away. When Gideon turned and looked at her with questions in his eyes, she ducked her head, not wanting to invite further questions from the handsome man.

  His mother had asked her about the bruising and she’d just brushed it off, not wanting to think about Peter again. The little termagant had thought it funny to kick her calf under the makeshift table the day before at supper.

  Because his mother had actually been attempting to be civil, Riley hadn’t wanted to rock the boat by reprimanding her son.

  Instead, she’d waited until after supper--then cornered Peter and promised him that if he ever tried such a stunt again she would thrash him in front of his parents, the entire wagon train, and God himself if that was what was required for him to show some manners and behave properly.

  She almost smiled as she imagined Mrs. Young’s reaction when the wagon train stopped for the night and she realized Riley was no longer with them. No longer around to con
tend with her bratty son.

  No longer around to berate and blame for the conditions that being on the trail included. No, Mrs. Young would have to deal with Peter on her own and realize that her elegant, civilized life had been left behind when they first started their journey. She was now just like everyone else headed for California.

  “Shall we go?” Riley inquired now of Gideon, wanting to get to town, hopefully before her brother had arrived. She didn’t have time for woolgathering or thinking about the past few days. Time was not on her side right now.

  Gideon helped her up onto a second horse. “Can you ride?” he asked, holding onto the reins with one hand and the bridle with the other.

  “Yes, I can ride.” Riley pulled the reins from his hand.

  “I thought you might be more comfortable on your own mount. We have to ride a little over ten miles to reach the town.”

  Riley frowned. “I still can’t believe I was so far away. Why do you live so far from town?”

  “This is a big ranch. We can’t very well raise cattle and horses in the middle of the main street, now can we?”

  “No. Sorry, that was a silly question. Of course, you don’t live close to town. Most ranchers don’t.”

  Leaving the train and making her way to Rio Arriba had seemed like a sound plan at the time.

  The only one she’d been able to come up with that would offer her brother a chance to turn his life around. She’d come here to start a new chapter of her life, not realizing she would be called upon to act the part of savior to the brother she’d always idolized.

  Their roles had completely reversed, and Riley found she didn’t like it much.

  She’d been thankful for the wagon train. Even having to put up with Peter’s horrid behavior hadn’t been able to change that. When Peter had taken off, she’d seen her plan disintegrating before her eyes.

  Until Gideon had found her wading in the river. Seeing him standing there had been a shock, but then she’d found her other shoe and now she was heading into town to accomplish her goal.

  As they rode, she watched him from behind, noticing how strong he seemed as he handled his horse and led her around potential hazards. He was dressed like a cowboy, with a leather vest over a shirt that had seen many washes.

  His hair was red, and she knew from seeing him with his hat off that it was very curly. His deep green eyes seemed to be able to see right through her.

  His shoulders were very broad and when he’d swung her up onto the back of his horse, she’d been shocked at the strength he concealed beneath his clothing. He’d lifted her up with one arm as if she weighed nothing more than the wind. Riley knew differently.

  She turned her attention to the rest of him. He had a belt with two holsters slung around his hips. Leather chaps tied around his legs, and scuffed boots on his feet.

  Her eyes were naturally drawn back to the gun belt he wore low on his hips. The holsters were hand tooled with elegant designs etched into the leather. They reminded her a lot of the holsters her brother wore, and she wondered if all cowboys wore their guns at their sides, or just outlaws.

  She’d not met enough cowboys to know the answer to that question.

  “Gideon?”

  “Yes,” he half turned in the saddle. “Everything okay?”

  Riley nodded. “Have you always been a cowboy?”

  He paused before answering, “Not always. Why?”

  “Do all cowboys wear their guns that way?”

  “What way?” he asked.

  “Well, on your waist.”

  Gideon gave her a strange look and shrugged. “I guess many cowboys probably wear their guns like this. Why are you asking?”

  “Not really any reason, it’s just … well, wearing your belt like that kind of makes you look like an outlaw.”

  Riley was shocked at the transformation that came over Gideon’s face at her comment. She pulled her horse’s reins back as Gideon turned his horse toward her, narrowing his gaze at her.

  “What do you know about outlaws?”

  Riley shook her head. “No-nothing. I was just making an observation.”

  Gideon rode his horse back so that he was directly opposite her and asked, “What do you know that you aren’t telling me?”

  Riley sniffed and lifted her head. “I’m sure I know all sorts of things that you don’t know.”

  “Riley, I’m going to ask you again. What do you know about outlaws?”

  “I know that it is a way of life that causes hurt and destruction.” She couldn’t keep her own hurt and disappointment out of her voice. “Sorry, I’m just asking questions and I know we should be riding. I’m sure you have other things to do besides babysit me. As soon as we get close to town, you can have your horse back and I can take things from there.”

  Gideon gave her one last look, turned his horse around and urged it forward. Her own mount followed, keeping pace with the other horse. Over an hour later, she could see the town up ahead. She glanced up at the sky and realized there were still several hours before the sun would begin to set. Enough time to spread her warning and find a place to spend the night.

  “This is close enough,” she announced, pulling her horse to a stop and drawing a frown from Gideon.

  “I said I would take you into town and that’s what I meant. We’re still a mile out.”

  “I can walk from here.”

  “I’m sure you can, but you’re sitting on a very nice horse so there is no need for you to walk anywhere.”

  “I’ve inconvenienced you enough,” she tried.

  “I said I would take you into town, so let’s go. You’ll be rid of me soon enough.”

  “That’s not what …” Riley stopped speaking, deciding it was best if Gideon did think she was tired of his company. He needed to return to his ranch and stay there. The Lawson’s lived far enough away from the town; hopefully her brother’s gang of outlaws would restrict their activities to the town and leave the outlying homesteads alone.

  “Not what?”

  “Never mind. Thank you for the escort.”

  Gideon nodded and they resumed their travels. Once in town, he pulled them to a stop outside the mercantile. Riley slipped off the horse without waiting for his assistance, earning her yet another glare of disappointment. She pushed it aside. “Thank you for your help. Both at the river and for bringing me to town.”

  “You are welcome,” he replied. “So, you’re in town. Now what?”

  “I have business to attend to. You are free to leave for home. I no longer require your assistance.”

  She felt badly for dismissing him in such a way, but she didn’t want Gideon anywhere near the town. She had already developed a soft spot for this man and his parents. His ma reminded her of her aunt.

  Aunt Lydia had been her father’s sister and nothing at all like her own mother. When visiting Aunt Lydia, Riley hadn’t needed to worry about conventions, or following some unwritten social rules of how proper ladies were to behave. She could wear trousers and no one, especially her aunt, said a word.

  There had been an odd sort of freedom at her aunt’s farm, but sadly, her aunt had passed away years earlier.