Married to Claim the Rancher's Heir

by Lauri Robinson

  As he expected, David Barnes was in his office, with his black hat pulled low on his face and sitting behind a desk scattered with papers.

  “Hey, Gabe,” the sheriff said. “I heard you arrived on the train.”

  Gabe nodded. Word traveled fast and Barnes was usually the first to hear it, thanks to his deputy, who patrolled the town from sunup to sundown and half the night. “Have some business with the judge. Is he in town?”

  “Yes and no,” Barnes said, stacking the papers into a pile and pushing them to the corner of the desk. “He and his wife rode out to their daughter’s place today. She lives a few miles north of town. Married Brent Wagner last year and had a baby last week. The judge and his wife have driven out there practically every day to see the new arrival.”

  “Schofield’s first grandchild?” Gabe asked.

  Barnes nodded. “A boy. Schofield hasn’t stopped smiling since Mary gave birth.”

  Gabe’s thoughts jumped to his father and how excited he would have been over such an event. “You happen to know what’s on the docket for tomorrow?” It was a moot question. Hays didn’t have a courthouse so most all the hearings took place in the sheriff’s office.

  “You know I do,” Barnes answered, opening a drawer. “And your name isn’t on it.”

  “Not yet,” Gabe said. “But it needs to be. I’ll head over to Michael Paul’s law office and have him stop by to make it official.”

  “Something going on at the ranch?” Barnes asked, pulling out a ledger.

  Figuring others would hear soon enough, Gabe said, “Max died down in Texas. Have to see Schofield to make sure his affairs are all in order.”

  Barnes took off his hat as sincerity filled his eyes. “I’m sorry, Gabe. I hadn’t heard that. Real, real sorry.”

  A hot plug landed in his throat, and Gabe had to look away for a moment while he cleared it. “Thanks.”

  “Got a big case lined up, but I can pencil you in at nine o’clock.”

  “That would be fine.”

  After licking the tip of his pencil, Barnes wrote in the ledger and, as he closed it, said, “How’d it happen, if you don’t mind my asking? I always liked Max.”

  “Dysentery. Bad water. Most of the town.” Damn if he wasn’t having a hard time spitting out the words.

  Barnes shook his head as he replaced his hat. “That’s too bad.”

  “Yes, it is.” Gabe turned about and grasped the doorknob. “I gotta head over to Paul’s office.”

  “Say, Gabe, did that city slicker ever make it out to your place?”

  He turned back around. “What city slicker?”

  “Tall feller, walked with a limp and a cane.” Barnes rubbed his black mustache. “Was in town a couple of days ago. Took the westbound train out.”

  “No one like that has stopped out at the ranch, why do you ask?”

  “He specifically asked how far it was to the Triple C.”

  “He asked you?”

  “No, Jace heard him ask at the depot. The feller appeared a bit suspicious, so Jace kept an eye on him. He was only in town a day, until the next train heading west left.”

  Jace Beauchamp had been the deputy for almost as long as Barnes had been sheriff and was as good at his job as Barnes was his. If either one of those men thought this guy was suspicious, he probably was. However, there were eastern slaughterhouses that sent men out to buy cattle who didn’t know one end of a cow from the other, and that alone made a man in Hays appear suspicious. “I’ll keep an eye out for him,” Gabe said, opening the door. “Thanks.”

  “See you tomorrow,” Barnes said.

  Gabe waved and walked out on the boardwalk at the same time someone walked out of the Hays House across the street. A particular someone who made his breath catch. She didn’t look his way as she turned and walked up the boardwalk. She certainly was graceful. Every step she took flowed into the next one as smoothly as a mustang running across the prairie.

  Glancing ahead of her, toward the buildings, Gabe sighed. She was heading toward Michael Paul’s law office. He should have known she would. He should have visited Michael before the sheriff.

  Then again, maybe not. This way, after she left and he paid a visit to the law office, he wouldn’t have to repeat the story. Michael would already know all the details. That plan suited him just fine, and he headed up the street, as well. Conveniently, or maybe because there were over a dozen of them, there was a saloon directly across the street from the law office. Gabe entered through a set of swinging doors. The air was as stale as that on the train had been and just as smoke filled. Still, he took a seat at a table near the window and ordered a beer.

  The glass mug that was set in front of him was covered with fingerprints, proving how often it had been washed. If ever. He handed over a coin and pushed the mug aside as he stared at the law office across the street. Anna may have been cute enough to snag a man’s attention, but Janette’s beauty was such that it went deeper. It caught and held a man’s attention until those purple eyes had him thinking of nothing else. They sparkled brighter than stars when she was trying to hide a smile, turned almost black when ire pinched her lips tight and had smoldered like coals when he’d almost kissed her. Why was it that he knew more about Janette in less than a day than he’d learned about her sister in weeks?

  Gabe took a long swallow of beer, which was warm and stale, but it didn’t change the route of his thoughts, nor pull his gaze off the lawyer’s office. He’d never wanted to kiss Anna, to kiss any woman, as badly as he had Janette back there on the train, and that was dumbfounding. Control of his emotions, his thoughts, his actions had never tested him to that level.

  Wouldn’t again either. He’d make sure of that.

  Schofield was sure to see things his way. Agree that Max would have wanted Ruby to live at the ranch, her rightful home. It soured his stomach slightly to think of how sad that would make Janette. For she would be sad. Mad, too. He’d tell her she could visit Ruby, from time to time, for Ruby would surely miss her, too. At least in the beginning. As time went on, it would get easier on both of them. That’s how life was.

  He took another swallow of beer. Life was also full of men who were attracted to beautiful women. Michael Paul had been married for years and had a passel of kids and should have sent Janette back out the door already. The fact that hadn’t happened yet had Gabe’s jaw tightening. If Paul wanted to continue to be the lawyer who oversaw much of the Triple C’s affairs, he’d better send Janette out the door. Soon.

  After several more minutes of brooding, Gabe tossed back the last swig of beer in the mug and pushed away from the table.

  Across the street, as he reached for the doorknob, the door opened and Janette nearly collided against him in her hurry to exit.

  “Whoa,” he said, grabbing her shoulders.

  She slumped momentarily, as if relieved to see him but then stiffened. His fingers tingled, and he had a hell of a time letting go of her. In fact, he didn’t let go of her.

  “Were you able to obtain an appointment with the judge, Mr. Callaway?” she asked as she stepped back.

  Glancing through the still-open doorway, Gabe noted Michael Paul watching their interaction. “Yes. Tomorrow morning at nine. At the sheriff’s office.”

  “Very well, thank you. Now, if you will kindly release me, I have things to do.”

  Gabe released his hold and considered offering to escort her back to the hotel, but that would be about as useless as insisting he pay for her hotel room. Hays was a safe enough town while the sun was up, and he didn’t need to be around her any more than necessary.

  “I suggested she see Wayne Sutherland.”

  Gabe turned toward Michael, who stood in the open doorway.

  “Who’s that?”

  “Another lawyer in town,” Michael answered. “Been here about a year now and doing
a fair amount of business.”

  “Where’s his office?” Gabe asked, still watching Janette walk up the boardwalk.

  “She’s almost at his office now,” Michael said.

  Something in the man’s tone had Gabe glancing toward Michael again. The lawyer had one brow raised, along with a very curious gaze.

  Gabe nodded toward the inside of the building while digging in his shirt pocket. “Need to give you Max’s will. I’m assuming she told you about the situation.”

  “That she did,” Michael answered, stepping inside. “Let’s go to my office.”

  Michael’s office was a room off the main entrance, with one wall full of bookshelves and another hosting several wooden cabinets with wide drawers. Gabe took a seat in one of the chairs facing the desk but positioned so he could also look out the window if he wanted to. Michael took a seat behind the desk while opening the envelope.

  Gabe waited for Michael to read each page, wondering the entire time what this Sutherland fellow was like. Young. Old. Married. Single.

  Michael cleared his throat and glanced toward Gabe’s hand, where his fingers were drumming against the arm of the chair. He pulled his hand off the chair arm and asked, “Why haven’t I heard of Sutherland?”

  “Probably because you haven’t been to Hays in almost a year,” Michael answered, once again scanning the papers.

  “What happened to Clive Martin and that other lawyer, Robbins or Roberts?”

  “Clive Martin’s still in town, and Jon Roberts moved to Dodge about two years ago.”

  Michael hadn’t looked up, but Gabe still asked, “Why didn’t you send Jan—Miss Parker to Clive?”

  Setting the papers on his desk, Michael leaned back in his chair. “Because Clive specializes in trials. I’m assuming you don’t want to go to trial with this.”

  “No, there won’t be any need for that,” Gabe answered, but when a tingle sliced over his shoulders, he asked, “Will there be?”

  “No. That’s why I sent her to Sutherland. He knows more about family law than Clive.” With a nod toward Max’s will, Michael said, “Was sorry to hear about this. I always liked Max.”

  Gabe didn’t reply. Everyone had always liked Max. Including him.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Michael asked. “Raising Max’s daughter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she’s my niece and a rightful heir of the ranch.”

  “What about your children? When you have them, that is? You want them to share the Triple C with her?”

  Gabe shook his head. “I won’t be having any children. Won’t need to with Ruby.”

  Michael ran a hand through his thinning dark hair. “You sure about that, Gabe? You might find the right woman and—”

  “No, I won’t.” Gabe pointed at the papers. “We have an appointment to see Schofield at nine in the morning.”

  “I heard you tell Miss Parker that,” Michael said, leaning forward. “She went through a lot to make sure you knew about Ruby. Met her.”

  Although that made Gabe’s heart thud fast enough his nerves ticked, he shrugged. “That was her choice.”

  “A very honest one, if you ask me.”

  “I’m not asking you,” Gabe said. “I’m here to make sure you see that Ruby is raised at the ranch. Her family’s ranch.”

  Chapter Eight

  Wayne Sutherland was rather stoic and curt compared with Michael Paul. Sy had said Mr. Paul was the best lawyer in town. She should have known that would also mean he was Gabe’s lawyer. Had been for years. Though he’d been kind and sincere about the deaths of Max and Anna, Mr. Paul refused to take her case, stating he assumed Gabe would be along to see him soon. Which he had. It had been as if Gabe had known she’d been thinking of him, being right there when she’d opened the door.

  Of course, she’d been thinking of him. She’d just spent half an hour talking to his lawyer about Max and Anna and Ruby. And Gabe. She couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him. About how generous he’d been with the young man who used to work for him. How he’d shared the food basket with others on the train. The attention he’d paid to her condition and comfort. All in all, his actions were making her question her judgments about him.

  Mr. Paul had seemed truly saddened and shocked to hear the news of Max’s death, yet happy to hear about Ruby. Wayne Sutherland hadn’t. Scratching his neatly trimmed black-and-gray beard, he’d admitted that he’d heard of Gabe Callaway, but never of Max or Anna. He was also taking an extremely long time reading the will, taking off his glasses several times to wipe the lenses with his handkerchief.

  Janette forced herself not to sigh or fidget but couldn’t stop her toes from tapping inside her shoes as she waited. And waited.

  When the silence was making her ears ring, she said, “Did I mention that Ga—Mr. Callaway has already secured an appointment time with the judge at nine o’clock tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, you said that, Miss Parker.”

  He still hadn’t looked up, and she glanced around the room. The books on the shelves that covered two walls all stood neatly side by side, and his desk was completely clean, except for an inkwell, pen and lamp. The floors were clean, too, as was the window that faced the street. There was another window behind his desk. That one was open, but no breeze blew in. Probably because the building next door was close enough to this one she could have reached out the opening and touched it.

  She snapped her attention back to Mr. Sutherland as he cleared his throat. And then waited as he laid Anna’s will on his desk and patted it with both hands. He finally looked up.

  She smiled.

  He didn’t. “Tell me again, Miss Parker, why you are here.”

  She had to bite the end of her tongue and draw a deep breath before she opened her mouth and explained the details of Max’s and Anna’s deaths all over again.

  * * *

  Although she’d had her reservations in the beginning, by the time Janette left Mr. Sutherland’s office, she was satisfied with his abilities to handle her case. He was an intelligent man, and, due to not only being a parent but a grandparent, he knew a lot about raising children. Furthermore, he’d stated that custody of children was most regularly provided to the woman. That made her smile as she started down the boardwalk toward the Hays House. Gabe would be disappointed, but she would assure him that he could travel to Kansas City whenever he wanted to see Ruby, and if that wasn’t enough, she would write to him regularly, telling him how Ruby was doing. Once she was old enough, she’d have Ruby write to him herself.

  The dusty roadway was as full of people as it had been earlier, and she kept her gaze averted from most of them. Which is why a display in a window she was passing caught her eye and she stopped to take a better look. The dress was indeed pretty. A light lavender with cream-colored piping. The top was fitted at the waist and stitched to a gathered skirt. Janette let her thoughts run free for a moment. She’d been wearing the same two outfits for weeks now, and though they were both still presentable, especially after being washed and ironed back at the ranch, a new outfit would be a wonderful change. And considering the importance of making a good impression upon the judge tomorrow morning, a new dress would be quite logical.

  She made her way past the window and inside, and a short while later, she left the dress shop with the dress, as well as half a yard of extra material wrapped in paper. The gown itself didn’t need any alterations. It fitted as if she’d sewn it herself, except for the holster pocket she sewed in every one of her dresses. She would use the rest of the material on her hat, creating a wide sash to tie beneath her chin. That and the high collar would hide the poison ivy. It must be her lucky day.

  Janette walked to the hotel, and was instantly greeted by Sy, who said the evening meal was ready. Assuring him she’d be down as soon as she put her th
ings in her room, she climbed the stairs, wondering if Gabe was in his room. He should have been back by now. His appointment with Mr. Paul couldn’t have taken as long as hers with Mr. Sutherland.

  Her wondering was answered as soon as she arrived at her door. Just as she slid the key in the lock, Gabe opened the door to his room and stepped into the hall.

  “I waited so you wouldn’t have to eat alone,” he said.

  She’d almost forgotten how her heart took to racing every time he was near. She really had to get that under control. “That wasn’t necessary. I’m used to eating alone.”

  “It’s not a good idea here,” he said. “I’ll wait while you put your things away.”

  Unlocking the door, she pushed it open. There was no sense arguing with him, he’d merely insist, and eventually she’d give in because she truly didn’t want to sit in the dining room alone. She hadn’t been afraid while walking to and from Mr. Sutherland’s office, but she had been aware. Hays was smaller than Kansas City, but it certainly wasn’t as refined. Besides more saloons than she’d ever seen, the street had been full of rough-looking characters. Not one of the several men she’d caught staring at her had pretended not to be. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”

  “Take your time,” he said.

  She left the door open. After setting the package on the bed, she removed her hat and set it on the table beside the bed. Turning about, she walked to the door. “I’m ready.”

  Gabe reached behind her, pulled the door shut and turned the key she’d left hanging in the lock. As he handed the key to her, he said, “Don’t do this again.”

  Janette was appalled she’d done it the first time. Never in her life had she left a key in a lock. He was the reason. If he hadn’t been standing there, clouding her thoughts, she wouldn’t have this time. Taking the key, she said, “I won’t.”

  “Was your meeting with Mr. Sutherland successful?” he asked while they walked along the hallway.

  Keeping her gaze straight ahead, she said, “Mr. Sutherland advised me to not discuss anything we spoke about with you.”