The Rancher

by Lily Graison

  Alex sniffled and scrubbed a fist across her nose. "I know."

  "I only want you to be happy, Alex. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

  "I know."

  He bit his tongue for a moment, wondering exactly how to say what he wanted to. She looked up, her large, luminous eyes still glassy with unshed tears. "You stayed all night with her, didn't you?"

  Holden's face heated and he knew he was blushing. Having your ten year old daughter know you'd been sleeping with a woman was about the most embarrassing thing he'd ever have to live through―he hoped. He cleared his throat and avoided her gaze. "I want her to be my wife, Alex." She opened her mouth, to protest, he was sure, but he silenced her with a raised hand. "Let me finish, all right?"

  She sighed and nodded.

  "I love you Alex, you know I do, and as much as I enjoy taking care of you and this ranch, I need more." She glanced up at him and it was all he could do to keep looking at her. "I get lonely, Alex. Every man does at some point in his life."

  "Why? I'm here. Grandpa Avery is here. Aren't we enough?"

  He grinned. Talk like this he hadn't thought would come at such an early age but with Alex, he'd stopped trying to predict her long ago. She was wise beyond her years, most days, and today was one of those days.

  "Thing is, Alex, a man wants certain things out a life. He wants a home, a family and having someone there to share all that with him just makes it all the better." He glanced down at her, kissing her forehead again. "I have you and grandpa but most days, it just isn't enough. I want more. I want someone I can talk to about anything. Someone to take care of me every once in a while and… and I want that person to be Laurel. I want a wife, Alex, but I can't choose between the two of you."

  Her eyes brightened a bit before she sat up. "Then you mean if I say no, you'll stop going to see her?"

  His heart ached at her words but he nodded his head. "If that's what you want, then yes. I'll stop seeing her."

  The smile she graced him with brightened her whole face. She laughed and threw her arms around his neck, giving his stubbled cheek hard, smacking kisses before she let go, jumped to her feet and danced a jig, right there on the second floor landing. She ran all the way back to her room, her little girl giggles filling the house while the ache inside his chest constricted until he couldn't breathe past it.

  He sat there staring at the banister, thoughts of Laurel playing in his mind relentlessly before he pushed the images away. Alex would never like her, regardless of what he said or did and her refusal to even try told him he'd failed in raising her right. She shouldn't be so close-minded but she was an Avery. If he knew anything, he knew they were a stubborn lot. Always had been and Alex proved they always would be.

  And his future with Laurel was over before it even got started.

  * * * *

  Teaching, most days, was as pleasant an experience as Laurel always thought it would be but today was different. The children were rowdy, more so than usual, but for once, it wasn't Alexandra causing the uproar. She'd been unusually quiet most of the day, keeping her head down but every once in a while, Laurel would see her peeking up at her.

  A nervous flutter caused her stomach to tremble every time she saw that look. It meant she knew things between her father and her school teacher had taken a turn and if Laurel had to guess, she'd say the girl wasn't happy and had their positions been reversed, she would have been in the exact same foul mood. Alexandra had asked her right out if she wanted to court her father and Laurel had said no. Now, not even two weeks later, that had all changed.

  She'd barely spoken to Holden when he dropped Alexandra off that morning. He'd looked rather subdued and she just assumed he didn't want to talk about what had transpired between them in public. With children clamoring to get inside the building and people walking the street outside the school, stolen kisses weren't an option either so she'd dismissed the whole thing as him just being discreet.

  But now, as the children got more wild with every passing minute, and Alexandra still giving her those silent, death-stares, she had to wonder. Had Holden not spoken more than a few words to her for a reason? And was that reason sitting in front of her now, watching her like a hawk circling her prey?

  The uneasy feeling didn't go away. It grew worse when she dismissed class and Alexandra lingered behind, taking her time gathering her things. Laurel was on the front stoop, wishing the children a good day but kept glancing over her shoulder at Alexandra. Something wasn't right. Alexandra was usually the first one out the door at the end of the day, seeing her lag behind meant something was wrong.

  Glancing at the road, and not seeing Holden on his black stallion coming her way, Laurel turned and walked back into the classroom. She gave Alexandra a glance as she walked to her desk. She busied herself sorting the books and slates left piled on one corner while casting small glances up at the girl.

  Five minutes later, Alexandra was still there, standing by her desk, staring at her. Dread filled like venom in Laurel's stomach. She sat the books in her hand aside, cleared off the corner of her desk and perched on the edge of the desk, folding her hands into her lap. "Is there something you'd like to talk about?"

  Alexandra blew out a bored breath. "No. Would you like to talk about anything?"

  Laurel opened her mouth but shut it with a snap. Was this girl really only ten years old? She wasn't overly tall but looked her age for the most part, until you looked into her eyes. The intelligence Laurel saw there most of the time was astounding. Today was no different. A little girl in boys trousers and a chambray shirt, her pigtails laying across her shoulders, she looked every bit as mature as most teen girls. Holden would have his hands full very soon. She was positive.

  "Will your father be late in picking you up?"

  Alexandra shrugged one shoulder in reply.

  "All right," Laurel said. She stared at the girl until the uneasiness grew and sent cold chills down her spine. "What is it, Alexandra? If you have something to say, then just say it."

  "Fine. I don't like you much."

  Laurel smiled. "That's obvious."

  "I don't want you for my momma, either."

  A nod of her head was all Laurel could give her in response. Alexandra crossed the room and stopped in front of the desk, her big blue eyes shining up at her. "My grandpa said I was being selfish."

  "I thought your grandpa didn't talk?"

  Alexandra shrugged. "He talks to me all the time." She shifted her weight to one foot and sighed. "He said I can't tell pa who to marry and me saying he can't marry you is wrong. That I have to be happy for him no matter how much I don't like ya. He said that my pa's let his life pass him by so he could take care of me and it's wrong to not let him have something that would make him happy."

  She looked away, sighed again and shook her head in defeat. "I'll probably never like ya but my pa does so I'll just have to be okay with it." She looked up, raised a hand to scratch at her cheek and lowered her hand to the desk. "Pa always takes me to eat supper in the hotel on Monday. I guess it would be okay if you wanted to come along. Heaven knows he'll just be wishing you was there anyway."

  Laurel held back the beaming smile trying to form and was able to keep it restrained as she nodded her head at her. "That's very nice of you, Alexandra, but if supper in the hotel is your special time with your father, then I'll not intrude."

  Alexandra shrugged her shoulder and turned. "Suit yourself." She gathered her things, clasping them in her arms before turning back to face her. "Just let him know I offered, all right?"

  "I'll do that."

  Laurel watched her walk away and exit the building, pulling the door shut behind her, her invitation to dine with them still playing through her head like a soft musical note. She grinned and stood, walking to the window at the front of the room, peering outside. Alexandra was by the gate, Holden coming down the road on his black stallion, and when he reached the girl, he scooped her from the ground with one arm and headed to the h
otel without stopping. Just as they were about to ride out of sight, Holden turned his head, peering over his shoulder. He smiled back at her and Laurel lifted her hand, waving as they rode away.

  Alexandra's words whispered themselves to her on repeat as she cleaned the classroom, putting away the lesson books and straightening the desks. The smile on her face, she knew, would be permanent. Alexandra still didn't like her but the girl wasn't going to fight her father in his attempts to court her. As much as she'd like to have joined them for supper, she knew it was too soon. Alexandra would need time to ease into the situation and after so long a time running from her past, Laurel would too.

  She was turning toward the door leading to her little room in the back of the school when the front door opened. Turning to find Holden there surprised her more than Alexandra's admission that she would be all right with her father courting her. He smiled, crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her breathless before she could even get a word out. When he lifted his head to look at her, his eyes were dancing with laughter. "So I hear you refused Alex's supper invitation?"

  Laurel grinned. "I don't think she really wanted me there so I declined."

  "Well, she probably wasn't sincere when the offer was made but she's mad as a wet hen now." He chuckled and stole another quick kiss. "To her way of thinking, you weren't refusing her, you were rejecting me and for some reason, even though she claims not to like you, she'll not let you just toss me away. Now go grab your things and come have supper with us."

  They walked side by side all the way to the hotel and entering the building was nerve wracking. Alexandra was sitting at a table in the back of the room, toying with her napkin and looking as bored as she ever had. When she looked up and saw them, the corner of her mouth quirked into a half-smile.

  "I knew you'd come if pa asked."

  Laurel thanked Holden as he held the chair beside of Alexandra and waited for her to settle before sitting across from them both. "Well, I can't say it was for him I came. Truth is, I really did want to have supper with you but I wasn't sure you really wanted me here, so I declined."

  "Oh, well, from now on, take my first offer. I'll not be giving you any more second chances."

  Her heart hadn't felt so light in ages. Laurel smiled and said, "Yes Ma'am," assuring Alexandra things wouldn't be so difficult in the future.

  Supper passed with surprising ease, the banter at the table filled with laughter and as Holden and Alexandra escorted her back to the school, Laurel couldn't remember a time when she'd been so happy.

  "I'll see you tomorrow," Holden said, as he left Alexandra by the horse and walked Laurel to the front door of the school.

  "Tomorrow." She smiled when he glanced at her lips. Not being able to steal a kiss was probably as irritating to him as it was her but there would be plenty of time for that. The rest of her life if Holden has his way and for once, Laurel wasn't afraid of her future.

  Chapter Eight

  The week passed in a blur and by the time the weekend rolled around, Laurel was fit to be tied. Holden had been true to his word and not done anything embarrassing in his attempt to court her but the things he said to her every day when he picked Alexandra up from school left her skin flushed, her stomach clenching in anticipation and need so profound to wash over her body she could barely contain it.

  She tucked a few strands of loose hair back into the up-twist she'd pulled her hair into and looked at herself in the mirror one last time. Holden would be there any minute to escort her to the dance and she wondered what the night would bring. Inviting him into her bed again was a given but with Alexandra knowing they were officially a couple, he may opt to go home instead. She was still too impressionable to blatantly flaunt their doings in front of her and Laurel would bet money the girl would be watching the clock until her father returned.

  The knock on her door startled her and she gave herself one last look before turning to answer it. Holden was leering at her when she pulled the door open and wasted no time walking inside the room, elbowing the door shut and mussing her hair as he leaned down to kiss her.

  "God I've missed you," he whispered between nips at her lips. "I didn't think today would ever get here."

  Laurel moaned when he slid his tongue into her mouth, her bones felt liquid at the feel of his arms around her. He kissed a path to her ear, down the length of her neck and ended at the bodice of her dress, his lips leaving a wet trail over the top of her breasts.

  "What say we skip the dance and get straight to the loving?"

  Laurel giggled and shook her head. "Absolutely not. I've already had numerous people ask if I would be there and I've told them yes. If they discover us both not in attendance, my reputation will be in tatters."

  He sighed and lifted his head, nibbling at her lips before laying his forehead against her own. "Fine. I'll take you to the dance, make sure everyone we know sees us both and then we'll sneak off."

  "Now that, Mr. Avery, sounds like a very good idea."

  He grabbed her shawl and draped it over her shoulders, his hand lingering on the brown sateen dress she'd been wearing the night they met. He gave her a knowing smile and opened the door for her, closing it behind them.

  The street was filled with people, their laughter and voices carrying across town. Music could be heard filtering between the buildings and although the occasional gusty wind lent a bite to the air, Laurel had never felt so warm. Everything seemed perfect.

  They stepped onto the sidewalk to avoid the stagecoach and cut between the mercantile and the telegraph office, emerging into the clearing behind it where everyone was congregating.

  A make-shift dance floor had been erected and tables filled with refreshments laid out on top of colorful tablecloths. Lanterns hung from the trees, the soft glow from the candles casting the area in a soft, orange glow. Late summer flowers were tied in clusters to the tables, some gracing the chairs placed around the perimeter of the clearing and Laurel smiled when she took it all in. "For a town as small as Willow Creek, you certainly know how to throw a party."

  Holden laughed and guided her across the clearing. Abigail and Morgan were near the refreshment table, talking in hushed tones but both of them smiled as they approached.

  "I'm so glad you came," Abigail said, giving Laurel a warm hug. "I was afraid I'd be stuck with no female companionship for the evening. Edna would have insisted I spend the majority of my time talking with her had that been the case. For some odd reason, the woman likes to think of me as a schoolgirl with no direction in my life."

  "Well, I'm glad to have helped. I've only known Edna a short time but I've seen how trying she can be on ones nerves."

  They talked for long minutes amongst themselves until the musicians cranked up the volume of their instruments, strumming and picking the guitars louder to gain everyone's attention. The dance floor filled, happy couples twirling around the space and their happy laughter joined that of the music.

  When Holden turned to her and smiled, Laurel offered her hand to his unspoken question. He led her to the dance floor, took her in his arms much too close for an unmarried couple and guided her into a lively dance step that had her laughing within minutes.

  She couldn't remember a time when she'd been so happy. Holden's arms around her felt so―right. The scent of fresh hay and sun dried clothes that she'd come to associate with him was hypnotic and three dances later, she hoped the night would never end.

  He escorted her back to the refreshment table where they both took a cup of some fruity tasting drink and headed back to the edge of the crowd where Morgan and Abigail were. They were both laughing and when Abigail turned to look at her, Laurel knew she and Holden were the topic of conversation. A sly glance to her right and a tilt of the head and Abigail left her husbands side and beckoned Laurel to follow. She excused herself and met Abigail a few steps away from the men.