A Rancher’s Surrender

by Michelle Beattie

  Sweat beaded Steven’s lip. He wiped it with his palm. “I’m telling you I had nothing to do with her rabbit. I swear it.”

  Shane leaned forward. “You can swear to it all you want. But I’ll be checking with all your friends, asking them where they were last night. You’d better be telling the truth that you had nothing to do with this or you’ll be seeing a lot more of this cell.”

  *

  Wade propped his elbows on the top rail of the corral and wondered how in hell his life had gotten so damn complicated. When he’d married Amy he’d envisioned a long marriage, a handful of kids, and eventually a ranch known for quality horse breeding. Instead, he was widowed, most of the time had no idea if he was doing right by Annabelle, the dreams of his horse ranch were fading by the day, and now he’d gone and made love to a woman who not only wasn’t his wife, but never would be either.

  He buried his face in his hands. Wouldn’t it all be so much easier if she could be?

  “Church go that bad?” Scott asked as he sidled up beside him.

  Wade lowered his arms, extended them over the rail. “The reverend took it upon himself to preach about acceptance and loving thy neighbor.”

  “Makes me glad I wasn’t there.”

  “Yeah, made me wish I hadn’t gone. Especially when over half the congregation converged on me afterward. I should tell you you’re talking to a ‘jackass’, a ‘moron’ and ‘a goddamn idiot’.”

  Scott propped a booted foot on the fence, the leather of his chaps creaking with the movement. “The town’s opinion has never mattered to you before, so I know you’re not out here gnawing on that bone. Is it the ranch?”

  “It’s everything.” Wade sighed.

  In the corrals, horses twitched their tails in an effort to escape the flies. Beyond them, the valley stretched wide and green before it rose to meet the mountains. Through the open windows in the house he heard the sound of pots clanging and his daughter’s chatter. Scott didn’t say anything else, but Wade had a feeling his friend had more yet on his mind.

  “May as well spit it all out, Scott.”

  Scott’s lips twitched. “Okay, but remember you asked for it. That horse ranch we’ve talked about? I’m willing to do more than talk about it. I live simply and I’ve tucked money aside. Let me help with the starting costs.”

  Wade was already shaking his head. “No, out of the question. As it is, I’m not paying you anything close to what you’re worth. I’m not taking your money on top of that.”

  “I’m not giving it to you. It’s not a loan, Wade, it’s my future, too. I’d like to be your partner in this.”

  Partner? They’d never talked about a partnership before. Dreams danced in Wade’s eyes. He could see it. And it was tempting. It really was, but there was debt yet and Wade couldn’t see to starting anything new until that was paid off.

  “Scott, I can’t. Not now. Maybe in the future but I have no idea how long it’ll take to get this ranch out of debt.”

  “Then we’ll wait,” Scott said. “In the meantime, I won’t quit trying to convince you otherwise.”

  Wade shook his head. “You could be foreman anywhere else, hell you’d make a lot more money. Not that I’m complaining, but why do you hang around?”

  The smell of fried meat carried from the house. Dinner would be ready soon.

  “I may have only been here for five years, but it’s the only home I’ve ever known.” Scott clapped Wade on the back. “Now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

  *

  “I feel like I’m wasting your time,” Jillian said.

  Yet she wasn’t sorry Silver was there. Whiskers was still in the barn and Jillian felt less rattled with her friend around. At Shane’s suggestion, Silver had accompanied Jillian home from town. Since Jillian had raced to Marietta without a weapon and considering what had already happened to her things, both Silver and Shane thought it best Jillian not go anywhere unarmed.

  And so, with Silver tucking a derringer in her dress pocket and tying a shotgun to her saddle, they’d headed out of town. Shane didn’t want Jillian touching anything in the barn until he got there, but first he was going to talk to Steven. While they waited on Shane, they sat on the porch where they were mostly sheltered from the wind.

  “Saloon’s closed today; I didn’t have much else to do.” Silver turned to her, her smile coy. “Besides, it’ll mean riding back with Shane.”

  Jillian’s eyes went wide. “Shane? Are you two—”

  “Only in my dreams, Jillian,” Silver said and her laugh held a shadow of sadness.

  “Does he know?”

  “I don’t think so. At least I’ve tried not to let it show.”

  “Why?”

  “I haven’t seen any sign that he feels the same way.” Silver had braided her hair today. It fell over her shoulder in a golden rope. “He seems smitten with Melissa.”

  Jillian had seen them together at the picnic when Shane had won Melissa’s basket.

  “That’s why you didn’t stay long at the picnic. I’d wondered.”

  “I don’t know why I bother, Jillian. I’ve done this since moving to Marietta and he never bids on my basket. I guess I have a hard head.”

  Jillian took her hand. “No, a soft heart. Are you so sure he wouldn’t change his mind about Melissa if he knew your feelings?”

  “I’m scared, Jillian. I’m scared I’ll give him my heart and he won’t want it.”

  “Then he’d be a fool, Silver.”

  “Thank you.” She took a deep breath. “Now that you know how I feel about Shane, are you going to tell me how you feel about Wade?”

  “I was planning to, this morning. I was going to come see you after chores.” She tugged at the sleeves of her blouse. “Wade came by last night, after the dance.”

  Silver scooted closer. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”

  “Several times.” Despite feeling very self-conscious, Jillian looked at Silver. “Last night wasn’t the first time we kissed, but it was the first time…”

  It didn’t take long for Silver to understand what Jillian meant.

  “Oh!” Silver’s hand flew to her mouth.

  Her golden-brown eyes held no judgment and Jillian let out a breath, realizing she’d feared her friend would think less of her.

  “Really?” she whispered. “You’d never been with your fiancé?”

  “No!”

  “Despite what everyone thinks, I’ve never been with a man either.” She smiled. “Was it beautiful?”

  Jillian had been flooded with many conflicting emotions since Wade had left last night. Happiness, confusion, uncertainty. But at no time had she regretted it. Remembering the tender way he’d kissed her, stroked her, the way he’d brought her body to life, she sighed.

  “It really was.”

  “I’ve always imagined it would be with the right man. I’m so excited for you both. Wade’s such a great father and I know he was a good husband to Amy.” Her eyes widened. “Do you think he’ll propose?”

  Jillian held up her hand, shook her head. “We didn’t talk about the future, other than he can’t make any promises.”

  Silver looked taken aback. “But that doesn’t make sense. Between Wade, Scott, and Shane, Wade was the only one who married, had a child. That’s who he is.”

  “Well, maybe he’s changed. At any rate, it’s just as well. I’m not sure what I would have answered.”

  Silver looked appalled. “Why ever not?”

  “I moved away from my family and left a fiancé to pursue being a vet. What if Marietta never accepts me as a doctor? Silver, I couldn’t stay here. Following in my father’s footsteps is all I’ve ever wanted.”

  Jillian shook her head. “But after being with Wade, I can’t imagine being without him either. He makes me feel beautiful, desirable. I want to be part of his life, his family.” She smiled. “I’ve never spent much time around children, but Annabelle makes it easy. She’s curious and bright. I think I could be a good
mother to her.”

  Silver squeezed her hand. “Of course you would be.”

  “Do you suppose if Wade and I were to be together, that eventually I’d win the town’s favor? That they’d actually come to accept my skills?”

  “I wish I could say yes, Jillian. But the truth is, this town is stubborn. Look at me; they’ve yet to accept what I do.” Silver looked at her closely. “What if they couldn’t? What if you married Wade and they never changed their minds? Is that a chance you’re willing to take?”

  Jillian pressed a hand to her heart.

  “I guess that’s what I need to find out.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  After seeing Whiskers and the mutilated dress she hadn’t thrown out yet, Shane helped Jillian bury the rabbit while Silver wandered the woods nearby for a handful of wildflowers. She stuck them in the fresh mound of dirt, lest the wind toss them away, while Shane put the shovel back in the barn.

  The wind billowed the sleeves of his white shirt when he stepped outside. His hand flew to his hat just as the wind tossed it off his head. Grabbing it, he gestured to the porch. Away from the brunt of the wind, Shane put his hat on and addressed Jillian.

  “I talked to Steven. It wasn’t him.”

  “You’re sure?” Silver asked.

  Shane turned his head, looked at her. Now that Jillian knew how her friend felt about the sheriff she couldn’t help but will him to see it as well.

  “He was already at the dance long before you got there and, as you know, he left with me.”

  “What about his friends?”

  “I don’t know yet. All I can tell you, Jillian, is to be careful. And don’t go anywhere unarmed. Even if it’s just to go to the outhouse or the barn.”

  Chilled at the thought of not being safe on her own property, Jillian hugged herself. “I won’t.”

  “I really hate the idea of you being alone out here.”

  “Steven’s trying to scare me, Silver. He’ll tire of the game soon.”

  At least that was her hope. But clearly she didn’t only have Steven to worry about and apparently they weren’t above acting without him.

  “I’ll let you know if I find anything. I have a few things I’m working on. In the meantime, since most of those men work in town, I should also be able to keep an eye on them, at least to some extent.”

  “I appreciate that, Shane. Thank you.”

  “You won’t reconsider Silver’s offer to stay at the saloon?”

  “First of all, I don’t want to put Silver in harm’s way.”

  “You wouldn’t. We’d be perfectly safe and Shane would be just down the street.”

  Jillian smiled her thanks but shook her head. “What if they leave me alone while I’m at your place but the moment I’m back here it starts again? I can’t live at the saloon indefinitely.”

  “I know.” Silver acknowledged, though her eyes remained troubled.

  Shane rested his hands on his hips. Though the mood couldn’t be more serious, Jillian had to fight a smile when the movement drew Silver’s undivided attention.

  “I don’t want to scare you, Jillian, but I can’t stay awake all night and neither can you.”

  “I’ll keep the rifle handy.”

  “And your doors locked.”

  “I’ll see they are.”

  Shane blew out a frustrated breath. “I wish there was more I could do, but there just isn’t.”

  “I’ll be fine. I won’t let my guard down.”

  “All right then. I’ll check in when I can.” He turned to Silver. “Ready?”

  He helped Silver mount then, side by side, Shane dark and handsome and Silver fair and beautiful, Jillian watched them ride out of the yard. They made a stunning couple.

  If only Shane could see it and Silver wasn’t afraid to tell him how she felt.

  *

  The thick blanket of grey clouds blocked the sun and the gusty wind tugged at his hat. Wade ducked his head to keep the dust from his eyes. A small whirlwind spiraled across the yard. His shirt flapped against his chest and he put his weight into the gate to close it. He slipped the rope over the post and sighed.

  Taking the saddle off the fence, Wade spit out the dust the wind was determined he eat and headed for the barn. He nearly bumped into Shane on the way out.

  “Twice in one day. You must be lonely.” Wade chided.

  “Anyone else in there?” Shane nodded toward the barn.

  “No, why?”

  “Good. I’m tired of eating dirt.” Shane brushed past Wade and made himself at home on a bench.

  “Did Steven give you more trouble?” Wade asked, taking a seat next to Shane.

  “Not yet. But I let him out, just before dinner.”

  “You worried he might come after me?”

  Shane shook his head. “Not you, so much, but I do recommend you keep an eye open. He’s not real pleased with you at the moment. Also wouldn’t hurt to carry a weapon.”

  Wade scowled. “He threatened me, didn’t he?”

  “No. Actually, when I spoke to him he was almost cooperative.” He took a deep breath, let it out. “It’s Jillian I’m worried about.”

  It took everything Wade had to sit and listen as Shane recounted the trouble Jillian had been having. By the time Shane was done, Wade’s jaw throbbed from clenching it.

  It hadn’t occurred to Wade when the bull deal with Liam had gone bad that Steven was also hurting Jillian. Goddammit, it should have.

  “Look, I’m not telling you this for you to go tear into Steven. I’m just warning you. Who knows? Maybe now that I’m involved, things will settle down.”

  “Or get worse. Whoever wants her gone bad enough to do this isn’t going to be happy the sheriff’s on her side.”

  Shane nodded. Wade figured it was just habit for him to set his palm on the gun that rode in the holster.

  “We all need to be careful. Silver was at Jillian’s this afternoon. She’s in with your ma now, but I’ll be riding with her back to town.

  “Wade, don’t make this worse. Stay away from Garvey and his cohorts.” The men came to their feet. “I have a real bad feeling about this; that it’s going to get ugly. But in case I’m wrong, you going after Steven or anyone else associated with him just might push things further than anybody wants.”

  The thought of Jillian hurt turned Wade’s blood to ice. “What if we do nothing and he takes it further anyway? What if he goes after her next time, instead of her property?”

  “I’m going to do everything I can so that doesn’t happen.”

  “But you can’t guarantee it, can you?”

  Shane held up his hands. “Wade, I—”

  “You can’t, can you?”

  “No,” Shane admitted, looking about as happy about that as Wade felt. “I can’t.”

  *

  Jillian picked at the food on her plate, created a pile of mashed potatoes, and then flattened it down again. She’d cut the ham into bite-sized pieces but after stacking them until they toppled over, gave up on her supper. She hadn’t been hungry to begin with but she’d prepared her small meal because she’d needed to do something.

  “Maybe I should get a dog,” she said, looking at her plate of uneaten food.

  She’d said it in jest, thinking of being able to give her leftovers to an animal rather than throwing them away, but now that she thought about it, she realized it wasn’t a bad idea. She was alone; she couldn’t stay awake indefinitely. A dog would alert her if someone or something came into her yard.

  After the day she’d had, it was a relief to feel something other than dread. A dog! She smiled, threw her leftovers in a pail she’d toss outside later when she did her evening chores. Tomorrow, she’d go into town. Surely Letty, as the owner of the mercantile, would know if anyone had puppies to give away.

  Until she found a dog, though, she was sleeping in the barn. With her rifle. Nobody was going to kill another of her animals. Jillian dug into the chest at the foot of her bed f
or extra blankets. The sound of hoofbeats approaching carried through the bedroom window she’d left open for just that purpose. Jillian flung the blankets on the bed and ran to grab her gun. Once it was firmly in hand, she braced herself and looked out the kitchen window.

  She wilted like a flower in the heat of July. It was only Annabelle. Not wanting to scare the girl, Jillian placed the weapon behind the door.

  “Miss Matthews!” Annabelle called the moment Jillian stepped outside.

  Jillian waved, but waited for the girl and her horse to get closer before talking. Annabelle’s shadow was taller than she was when she jumped from the saddle. As always the little girl’s eyes glittered with life and energy.

  “Hello, Annabelle. What a nice surprise.” Jillian looked down the road and beyond. Her stomach jittered, thinking Wade may be coming along. Though she’d had a busy day, she’d secretly been hoping he’d come see her. To talk. To…

  “You didn’t come alone, did you?” The thought left Jillian nauseous.

  She didn’t know Steven well enough to truly know what the man was capable of, but Annabelle was Wade’s daughter and if he was mad enough at Wade…

  The little girl clutched her horse’s reins. “I heard Papa talking to Uncle Shane today. Uncle Shane says you might be in danger.”

  Jillian scowled. She might not be a mother but she knew enough not to say such things around a child. Why scare the poor child for something she couldn’t control?

  “I’m not, really. Your Uncle Shane just wants me to be careful.”

  “Is this because of me? Because of what I said to Papa last night?”

  Jillian held her hand out for the pony to smell, and then patted the warm hide along its neck. “Let’s get your pony some water, then we’ll talk.”

  They walked to Hope’s enclosure where Hope came to make her introductions. The horses snuffled each other over the fence rail while Jillian let herself in and brought Hope’s water bucket out. With Annabelle’s horse tied and drinking, Jillian turned her attention back to the little girl.

  “Why would you think this is your fault?”

  “Because after I told Papa what I heard Mr. Garvey say about you, he got into a fight. I’ve never seen Papa in a fight before.”