The Rancher's Temporary Engagement

by Stacy Henrie

  If there was a woman out there for him, one he could truly open his heart to and trust, it would be someone like Maggy. Someone of strength, cleverness, and tenacity. Someone with whom he could laugh, race horses, share his faith.

  He’d caught sight of Maggy reading the Bible during the past few weeks and it had made him smile each time. She still let him say the mealtime prayers, but he sensed a softening, a relaxing, to the awkwardness his praying had once trudged up.

  These characteristics were different than the ones he’d envisioned wanting when he’d met Beatrice. And yet, he feared this new list of qualities would only ever bear one face—and that was Maggy’s.

  “Before I go, there’s something I need to tell you.” Kitt’s expression held none of its earlier lightheartedness.

  Edward nodded, feeling wary. “What is it?”

  Kitt looked around, then motioned for Edward to join him on the other side of his carriage. “Howe was talking to me yesterday.” He kept his voice low.

  The mention of Howe set Edward on edge. “What did he say?” Would Kitt reveal something that would provide more clues?

  “He seems to have taken a disliking to his wife and your fiancée being friends.” Kitt shook his head as if he thought Howe’s sentiment absurd. “Says he doesn’t want her being a bad influence on Vienna.”

  Edward frowned. “How has Maggy been a bad influence on her?” He’d seen the way Vienna brightened whenever Maggy spoke with her during the Saturday dinners. Howe’s accusation made no sense. If the man had written that last hostile note, was that why the wording had included Maggy? Did Howe have such an aversion to Maggy that he’d orchestrated the potential buggy accident, too?

  “I don’t know what he meant.” Kitt shrugged. “Thought it best to warn you, though. Might want to mention it to Miss Worthwright, too.”

  “Thank you.”

  Perhaps it would be wise if Maggy interacted less with Vienna. Edward suspected she wouldn’t fancy the suggestion. She seemed more at ease conversing with Howe’s wife than with any other woman, except for Mrs. Harvey.

  “I think I’ll head on over to the general store while I’m waiting for Matilda.” Kitt slapped the side of his carriage. “You wanna come?”

  “No, I need to head back.” On sudden impulse or inspiration, he added, “I have a business idea I’d like to run by you, though.” He respected Kitt and had been relieved when Maggy had dismissed the other rancher and his wife as possible suspects. That respect and trust had only increased today with Kitt’s willingness to share with him what Howe was saying. Kitt would be a good one to join the Cavalry venture.

  “What sort of business idea?” Kitt asked with mild interest.

  After glancing around to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard, Edward continued. “I’ve been in contact with the British Cavalry, and they are very interested in buying horses from this area.”

  “The British Cavalry?” Kitt’s tone sounded a bit dubious, though he did look impressed. “How’d they find you?”

  “An acquaintance of my father is employed there. I contacted him earlier this year about the possibility of them purchasing horses from here.”

  Kitt rubbed at his clean-shaven chin. “And they liked the idea?”

  “Very much so,” Edward answered with a genuine smile. “They’re going to need far more horses than I can provide, though. Which leads me to my question. Would you be interested in contracting with them for your horses?”

  The fellow rancher grinned. “Course I would. Have you talked to any of the others?”

  “I haven’t.” And he hoped Kitt wouldn’t, either. “It’s not a guarantee, but I believe the Cavalry’s interest is genuine. Still, I’ll ask you to keep this between us for now.”

  Kitt looked him straight in the eye. “I can do that.” Then he gave a disbelieving shake of his head as he chuckled. “This could be huge. Thanks for thinking of me, Kent.”

  “You’re welcome.” Edward decided to hazard one more question. “Other than Howe’s upset over Maggy befriending his wife, no one else has voiced a complaint against me or anyone else at the Running W, have they?”

  “Not that I’ve heard.” The confusion on Kitt’s face brought as much relief to Edward as the man’s words. They also confirmed again that Kitt wasn’t involved in trying to ruin Edward’s ranch. “Got a reason to think otherwise?”

  Edward had plenty, and though he trusted Kitt, he didn’t think it wise to share those reasons yet. Not when he and Maggy still had more suspicions than tangible proof. “Just want to know my neighbors feel I’m contributing to the community.”

  “I got no complaints about you,” Kitt said with another shrug. “You’re honest and hardworking, have been since you got here. Even Druitt seems to have changed his mind about you.”

  Druitt? Edward felt on the brink of learning something significant, but he kept his expression impassive to ask casually, “Druitt had complaint against me?”

  “Not you personally. It’s just that he hoped to buy up that spot of land that’s yours now, but at the time, he didn’t have enough cash on hand.” Kitt loosely folded his arms. “You know how he’s always trying to convince his son-in-law to quit storekeeping and be a rancher? Well, I guess Druitt hoped to sway him by buying the spread where the Running W now sits.”

  Druitt had once wanted the property that Edward now owned. Did the man still want it? Badly enough to threaten the current owner to try to make him leave? Excitement coursed through him at the new information. Perhaps this was what Maggy felt when something finally clicked with a case.

  Maggy! He needed to tell her—right now—that he’d found not only another suspect but someone with a real motive, too. And motives were things they’d been hard-pressed to figure out lately.

  “Good talking with you, Kitt.”

  Kitt dipped his head in a nod. “You, too, Kent. See you Saturday, if not before.” He waved and climbed into his carriage.

  Edward waited until the man had turned his vehicle around and was headed down the street before he jogged toward the inn’s front door. There was a great deal to tell Maggy, and he couldn’t wait another minute to do so.

  Chapter Twelve

  What had compelled her to kiss Edward’s cheek earlier? Maggy asked herself for the umpteenth time as she drank more tea she didn’t taste and listened to conversation she didn’t really hear. His protective look had been one reason. But she’d also acted without thinking. One moment she’d been listening to him voice his concern for her, and the next she’d leaned forward and brushed her lips against his jaw. What had seemed so natural, and wonderful, in the moment now felt awkward and overly bold.

  She tried to remind herself that Edward would likely think she’d kissed him like that as a public show of their role as a couple. At least she hoped he would think that. She wouldn’t allow herself to consider what he would think if he knew the truth.

  And what is the truth, Maggy?

  The truth was...she’d come to care for Edward. A great deal, actually. As far more than just a friend.

  She resisted the urge to plunk her forehead against the tablecloth and groan out loud. How could she have let herself come to care for a man she’d never see again when her job here was done? That was her real reason for being in Wyoming—to do a job. Not even the reprieve of the past few weeks could change the fact that someone was still trying to ruin and hurt Edward, and it was Maggy’s mission to figure out who and why.

  “Maggy?” Vienna murmured from the chair at her left. “Maggy?”

  She lifted her chin, pulling her gaze from the nearly full plate in front of her. “Hmm?”

  “I believe someone wishes to speak to you.”

  Maggy frowned. She was in no mood for guessing games. “What?”

  “It’s Edward.” Vienna smiled at her. “He’s waiting over there by the door.”<
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  Swiveling, she glanced in that direction. Sure enough, Edward stood in the doorway of the parlor, his gaze on her. The sight of his familiar, handsome face disrupted the rhythm of her pulse as if it had been days instead of minutes since she’d last seen him.

  Was he here to ask her about her kiss? Her stomach lurched at the thought, making her grateful she’d only nibbled at the finger food. He didn’t look angry, though. If anything, he looked excited.

  He motioned for her to join him at the door. Keeping her head high, she set down her teacup and pushed back her chair. “Excuse me for a moment, ladies.”

  “He just can’t bear to say goodbye,” Matilda murmured in a dreamy tone.

  Ignoring her, Maggy willed back a flush of embarrassment as she strode across the room. She could feel the eyes of the other women on her back with every step.

  At last she reached the door...and Edward. “What are you doing here?”

  “I have something to tell you and it can’t wait another moment.”

  He took her elbow in his hand—making her heart thrum even faster—and steered her away from the ladies’ parlor to a secluded corner. When he stopped, though, he simply stood there, watching her.

  “Edward, what is it?”

  The corners of his mouth rose. “Did you know that dress is the exact same shade of blue as your eyes?”

  “Is that...” She had to swallow past her suddenly dry throat to finish her question. “Is that what you came here to tell me?”

  He seemed to collect himself. “Uh...no.” Shaking his head, he lowered his hand from her arm. “I just learned the most fascinating bit of information from Kitt.”

  Ah, the mission. That was why he was here. Not to tell her that he’d noticed her dress and eyes matched. She forced a smile. “What did he tell you?”

  “Before I bought the land for the Running W, Druitt wanted to purchase it.” He leaned forward, his anticipation palpable. “That way his daughter and son-in-law would have no excuse not to move here and set up their own ranch.”

  Despite her conflicting emotions where Edward was concerned, Maggy couldn’t be happier at this news. “That might still be a strong enough motive for getting you to leave now, especially with the ranch doing as well as it is.” She ruminated on that before adding, “If he could scare you off and you tried to sell the place in a hurry, he’d likely get it for less than it’s worth. He could gift Lavina and Felix with a fully operational ranch at a bargain price.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” he said, pocketing his hands.

  A triumphant smile lit his face and reminded Maggy of what she’d thought of him her first day here. She’d wondered what he would look like if he were to smile or laugh with abandon. That was no longer a mystery to her; she knew and cherished every one of his open, unabashed smiles as well as his deep, rumbling laughter. And she would miss both when she left.

  “This is pivotal information, Edward,” she said as she pushed back against her other thoughts. She must focus on his case and only that. “Excellent job.”

  His smile turned to a boyish grin. “As I’ve said more than once, any investigative skills I’ve garnered are only a credit to your own.”

  Maggy hoped her cheeks didn’t look as red as they felt. “Thank you. I’d better return to the meeting.” She fell back a step. “I’ll pay more attention to what Mrs. Druitt says. Especially any more hints about Lavina moving back.”

  “Wait. There’s one more thing.” His expression was no longer eager but subdued.

  Had something else happened at the ranch? She quickly dismissed the idea—Edward hadn’t even gone back home yet. “What?”

  “Howe has been talking to Kitt.”

  A knot tightened in Maggy’s middle at the mention of Vienna’s husband. “And?” she asked with wariness.

  “Apparently he doesn’t fancy the idea of you and Vienna being friends.” Edward glanced away as if embarrassed to relay more, but he continued. “He believes you’re a negative influence on his wife.”

  She folded her arms against the anger rising inside her. Of course Howe would feel threatened by her—she was strong and so was Vienna, though the young woman hadn’t fully realized it yet. That hadn’t stopped Maggy, though, from looking for opportunities to remind Vienna that every woman was of worth and not an afterthought of a person to be pushed around. Little wonder a bully like Chance Howe didn’t appreciate someone putting that idea in his wife’s head.

  “Kitt thinks it might be best to distance yourself some from Vienna, at least until Howe simmers down.” His gray eyes shone with compassion and concern. “After what happened today with the buggy, I’m afraid I am in agreement, Maggy.” He stated the words with a measure of apology, but they irritated her nonetheless.

  “Are you asking me to ignore someone who has become my friend—someone who might still prove useful to our investigation, I might add—because her scoundrel of a husband is unhappy?” She drew herself up to full height, though it still didn’t mean she was as tall as him. “Besides, I’m the detective here. I can decide for myself who to talk to and who to befriend.”

  The lines around Edward’s mouth relaxed. “I’m not making an edict here. And I know this isn’t something you wish to do. I simply want to keep you safe. Please trust me in that.”

  She wanted to argue further, if only to rid herself of the warmth his words inspired deep inside her. It wasn’t as if he meant anything more by them than gentlemanly concern. But she also sensed what he hadn’t said—that Edward cared about her. Even if it was only in the capacity of a dear friend, she felt a wash of gratitude. She hadn’t suspected in the beginning that they would get along so well.

  “I’ll try,” she said after releasing a long breath. “I don’t want Vienna to think I’m slighting her, but I’ll try to be equally as chatty with everyone.”

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  “I’d also like to see if I can gather any more information about the Druitts wanting your land.”

  With a nod, Edward followed her back toward the entrance to the ladies’ parlor. “You were right, you know,” he said in a low voice when they stopped.

  “I can’t say I don’t like the sound of that.” If she kept things light, then perhaps it wouldn’t hurt so much when she had to say goodbye.

  He chuckled, though the merriment faded after a moment as he studied her in a way that made her heart leap once more. “You were right about solving this case and the time it takes. We’re on the right path. I can feel it. So thank you, Maggy, for not giving up and walking out on me that first day when I was so convinced you should.”

  “I would never...” She hurried to swallow what she’d been about to say—that she would never walk out on him. It would sound far too familiar and hint at her deeper feelings for him. “I would never walk out on a case, even if the client turns out to be a bit conceited and obstinate.”

  His eyebrows rose, though the gleam in his gray eyes hinted at his amusement. “Are we talking about the client or the detective now?”

  “Ha.” She reached out to poke him in the ribs in feigned indignation, but he captured her hand.

  His fingers slowly stroked hers, robbing Maggy of breath. “I suppose you ought to return to the meeting.”

  She nodded, though neither of them moved.

  “Miss Worthwright?” Mrs. Druitt’s voice carried out the open door. “We’re going to be breaking into our committees soon. We must have everything ready for the ball this Saturday.”

  Lowering her gaze, Maggy pulled her hand free and stepped toward the door. “I’d better get in there.”

  “Right.” Was it her imagination or did he appear disappointed? “I’ll see you back at the ranch in a while.”

  She clasped her hands together, still feeling the touch of his fingers. “Thank you again, Edward. For coming to share the news.”
<
br />   “You’re welcome.” A full smile lifted his mouth before he turned to go.

  Maggy entered the room and returned to her seat. But her thoughts and feelings weren’t any less snarled than they’d been earlier—if anything they were more tangled. She felt elated at this significant turn in Edward’s case, sad at the prospect of speaking less with Vienna, and confused about her blossoming emotions for Edward.

  Forgetting her tea was now cold, she drank a sip and nearly spewed out her mouthful. The memory of Edward doing just that on her first day had her smiling to herself. She’d been annoyed at his reluctance to agree to her engagement plan, then terrified about actually pulling it off successfully. Now, being his fiancée felt like the most natural thing in the world.

  And given this new information, she would not need to fulfill that role for much longer. The smile fled her lips at the thought, her amusement now replaced by a sharp ache.

  “Maggy, are you all right?” Vienna asked quietly as they moved to one side of the parlor to meet with the rest of the decorations committee.

  She barely managed a nod. “I’ll be fine.”

  “You sure?” The young woman’s expression furrowed with perceptiveness.

  Forcing a quick smile, Maggy settled onto one end of the sofa. “Yes, thank you.” Then remembering her commitment to Edward, she turned to the rest of the women and asked, “What do we have left to gather up for the decorations, ladies?”

  * * *

  By the time the committee finally finished their discussion—including the latest debate on whether yellow or soft blue was a more appropriate color for the décor—Maggy had a headache. It hadn’t helped that she’d needed to appear as if she were conversing with everyone, while also surreptitiously asking Lavina questions about her husband’s store and the possibility of them moving to Sheridan. Away from her mother, the young woman chatted more easily about how much she enjoyed working in the store and living in Buffalo.