The Rancher Takes a Cowgirl

by Misty M. Beller

  He grabbed her waist, pulling her back up and tucking her close to his side. “What’s wrong, Grace?” The words were insistent, with an undertone of fear. “Are you sick?”

  She forced air through her lungs, steeling her jaw against the lightness in her head. “I’m fine. Just…ready to go home.”

  He wrapped the other arm around her, snugging her tight against him as he turned toward the door. “I’ll be back in a minute to get that saddle, Teddy.”

  The moment the afternoon sun hit her face, Grace ducked into Monty’s side. What had she been thinking to walk out of the store in plain view of the street? She grabbed for the half-pint hat she’d borrowed from Anna. It barely covered part of her cheeks. Ripping the hat pin out, she pulled it forward so it shadowed her face.

  “Grace, did you hit your head? Do you need a doctor?” Monty’s voice held an edge of panic.

  “No, Monty. I think my eyes are just tired from the sun.” Not that she didn’t work out in the sun every day. “Can we go home? Please?”

  She’d slipped out of his hold when she turned to fix her hat, but he gripped her elbow again. “If you’re sure.”

  By the time they drove through the white limecrete wall marking the outskirts of Seguin, numbness had taken over her body.

  What was she going to do now? There wasn’t really a choice.

  She had to run.

  And soon. If Leonard had tracked her to Seguin, he must have found a solid lead. One that could likely place her on the Double Rocking B.

  But who could have seen her? Someone she’d passed in San Antonio? She’d only spent an hour in that city before hightailing it back to her campsite in the woods.

  Maybe it had been one of the men at round-up. In truth, that was the only other time she’d been off Double Rocking B property since she’d arrived. She couldn’t imagine any of her fellow cowpunchers from the ranch would turn her in. No matter what pretty picture Leonard had spun about how he was trying to help recover his poor lost sister.

  So she had to run. Tonight. And pray Leonard wasn’t, even now, on the road ahead of them to the ranch.

  But where would she go? North to Kansas? Abilene was said to be quite a city since the train started going through. Or east? She’d have to go pretty far to find a city large enough to hide in. Maybe all the way to the coast. But an eastern city? Where hundreds of people covered each block and she’d be forced to wear a dress every day.

  There weren’t cattle in a grand city. So what in the world would she do to support herself? She still had money saved from the small amount of cash Papa named for her in his will. Leonard and his mother had taken everything else. The ranch, the accounts—everything except the diamond. But that she’d never part with. Not ever, for any reason.

  “You sure you can’t tell me what’s wrong?”

  Grace jumped as the words broke through her thoughts. She turned and forced a smile for Monty. “I’m sorry, Monty. I’m all right. Really. Just tired.”

  He eyed her. “Is it something I said? Or…did?”

  Oh, Monty. Could she really leave this man? A vice clamped around her heart and squeezed tight enough to send a burning sensation up her throat. “No. You’ve been wonderful. Today was wonderful. I’ll always treasure it.” The sting in her throat reached her eyes, and she turned away so he didn’t see her weakness.

  She’d need to find a backbone if she was going to leave. And she had to. Her family’s legacy would be lost if she didn’t. And maybe even the lives of those she’d come to love.

  ~ ~ ~

  SOMETHING WAS WRONG. And he’d be jiggered if he could figure out what.

  Monty cut another glance at Grace as he turned the horses at the post signaling the entrance to the Double Rocking B. She’d drifted into another world, and nothing he said or did seemed to pull her back.

  What had happened in that leather shop? One moment, she was looking at him like he’d gifted her a trick horse, and the next she was white as new snow and more wobbly than a newborn foal.

  Some of the color had come back to her now, but she still looked…ill. There was no other way to describe it. He’d almost taken her to the doctor against her argument, but maybe Anna and Mama Sarita could help more than any male doctor.

  He reined the horses to a stop in front of the ranch house, set the brake, then jumped down to help her. Grace was already clambering down the other side, though. In a few long strides he'd made it around the horses and gripped her elbow to assist.

  She stopped and looked at him, the sadness in her eyes washing through him like a surging river. She pressed a hand over his where he held her arm. "I'm fine, Monty. But thank you. For everything."

  The force of that look—those words—slammed into him, and he swayed a bit from the impact. So much that he could only watch as she slipped from his grasp and disappeared inside.

  "You want I unhitch the horses, señor?"

  "Si, Juan. Gracias." But Monty couldn't tear his eyes from the front door as it pulled shut.

  And he couldn't shake the feeling something critical had just changed.

  ~ ~ ~

  AS SOON AS she stepped into her upstairs room, Grace dropped to her knees beside the bed. Reaching under, she grabbed the bedroll, then unfolded it across the bed.

  Her fingers fumbled with the buttons down the front of her dress as she tried to make a quick change into her trousers and working clothes. She’d ride out after everyone bedded down for the night. Unless something happened before then to make it expedient—like Leonard showing up. She’d have to be ready for either scenario.

  If she left in the middle of the night, would Georgina make too much noise and wake the men in the bunkhouse? Should she pull the mare out now and hide her in the woods somewhere? Or maybe she should pretend to go out for a short ride after dinner—and not come back.

  No, Juan always took special care of her horse. He wouldn’t bed down until the mare was safe and sound in the corral beside the barn. And if she was gone too late, he’d send out an alarm. The men would be on her heels before she made it to the next county. She’d have to take her chances leaving in the middle of the night.

  She folded the dress and undergarments inside the bedroll, and tucked in the few supplies she had left. Matches. She’d need to gather enough food to sustain her until she was several towns away. Her violin case would ride strapped to the saddle under the bedroll. So that only left…

  With unsteady hands, she pulled the velvet-wrapped bundle from where she’d tucked it with her undergarments in the drawer. Resting the treasure on the bed, she unwrapped layer after layer of protective quilting. She set the papers aside that told the story of the diamond, confirming its authenticity for over thirty years now. At last, the pocket that held the jewel secure. She slipped off the button hook and slid her fingers into the forest green pouch.

  The stone inside felt solid—cold to the touch. She pulled it out and almost dropped the gem against the brilliance of the rays. Nearly blinding.

  Sinking to her knees, she laid the pear-shaped jewel on the soft protection of its case.

  There it was, the Ahmed Shah Diamond. Seventy-two carats of pure translucent crystal. One of the most coveted diamonds in the world.

  Papa had spent his fortune to acquire it, out-bidding hundreds of other moguls at the sale in India. Outbidding even Mama’s own father. And the outcome of that sale had changed their lives beyond what any of them would have imagined.

  So many happy years the three of them had shared, even though Mama chafed under the remoteness of the California ranch. Especially compared to the English manor she’d been raised in. The diamond had been the catalyst for the wonderful life they’d lived.

  Yet now that it was solely in her possession, the diamond had brought nothing but pain. If only Papa had never shared the secret with his second wife—if only he’d never married her to begin with.

  Grace had tried to keep her distance from the woman once she took up residence at El Rancho de
las Rosas, which hadn’t been hard since she spent most of her time with the men and the cattle.

  But she still couldn’t quite reconcile Papa’s death just six months after the wedding. So strange that he would be thrown from a horse, the same animal he rode long hours each day. And with Leonard the only witness to the tragedy.

  She’d not had enough proof for the law. But proof wouldn’t have brought Papa back to life. Nor Rusty. A tear slipped past the burn in her eyes. Everything dear to her had been lost. Except this diamond. She cupped her hands around it and stared into the sparkling facets.

  A knock at the door nearly stopped her heart.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “WHO’S THERE?” GRACE fumbled to fasten the diamond inside its pouch, then wrap it back in the layers of quilted material.

  “It’s Anna. Just checking on you.”

  Grace’s pulse thundered through her chest as she scrambled. “I’m all right. Just…a minute.” She had to secure the diamond, then hide all her other packing. With clumsy hands she stuffed the re-wrapped diamond into her bedroll, folded it quickly, and pressed it under the bed with the violin case.

  Lurching to her feet, she stumbled toward the door, caught herself, and paused for a deep breath. Get yourself together.

  She was still in her stockinged feet, though her working clothes were all fastened properly. Padding to the door, she cracked it open.

  Anna stood on the other side, head tilted and brow furrowed. “Grace?”

  She tried to summon a smile. “Yes. I’m fine, Anna. Just worn out from the trip to town. Thought I’d rest some.”

  Anna didn’t look convinced. “Monty said he thought you were ill.”

  Monty. Why did he have to care so much? A lump lodged in her throat. “Just a headache. A nap will have me good as new.”

  Anna’s gaze roamed over her, then settled back on her face. “Can I get you something? Dinner will be ready soon. How about if I bring up a tray?”

  The mass in Grace’s throat crept upward to sting the backs of her eyes. Anna was becoming such a good friend. How hard it would be to leave these people. Would they think her ungrateful? Think she’d lied? She hadn’t really lied, had she? Just not told all of her story. Not let them know she’d be leaving in the dead of night when danger drew near.

  But it was for their good as much as hers. Leonard would be ruthless in his search. If Anna or Monty or any person tried to stop him, he’d not hesitate to dispose of them. Just like Papa.

  She swallowed hard. “No need for a tray. I’ll rest for a while, then come down and roust up a snack. You don’t need to worry about me, Anna. I promise.” And that would give her an excuse to gather food supplies.

  “If you’re sure.” Anna’s mouth pinched.

  “I’m sure. Thanks for checking.”

  As Anna walked away, Grace closed the door and sank against it, her knees almost buckling. That was much closer than she should have cut it. Did Anna suspect something? She surely thought it was strange Grace didn’t invite her past the threshold. But hopefully she’d chock it up to exhaustion.

  Turning, Grace moved back to her belongings and quickly finished securing the bundle.

  There. Everything was ready now, save the food. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on the bed. Maybe she should take a nap since she wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

  But as Grace curled on her side in the cozy bed, her mind began to torment her. Not with thoughts of Leonard—that would have at least put some starch in her backbone.

  The face that came alive behind her closed eyes belonged to Monty. Her mind replayed that kiss, her traitorous body reliving every part of it. Why had she let down her barriers enough to allow it? But she didn’t really regret it. That kiss was one she’d take with her and savor forever. The memory that would likely spoil her to any future connections. No man could ever come close to Monty.

  A pang sliced through her chest, spilling out in a tear that slipped down her cheek. How could she have come to love him so much in such a short time? Would he hate her after she left? Would he think she’d only used him, then moved on?

  Oh, God, no. Please don’t let him believe that. Leaving Monty would be bad enough, but making him think badly of her…

  Grace jerked up to a sitting position. She had to tell him. Otherwise she’d spend the rest of her life regretting her choice. Even if she couldn’t say where she was going or why, she’d tell Monty what he’d meant to her.

  Slipping into the chair at the desk, she pulled a piece of paper from a drawer and picked up the quill. As she stared at the blank parchment, thoughts swirled in her mind. So much to say, but would it be too much?

  ~ ~ ~

  MONTY EYED GRACE’S empty chair at breakfast the next morning as he took his second bite of boiled oats. The gruel burned down his throat, settling in a lump in his gut.

  Anna had said Grace was merely tired last night, although he’d have bet a month’s wages it was more than that. Surely she’d checked on Grace this morning. Would Anna have come to find him if Grace still felt poorly? She was his hired hand after all, he needed to know if one of his people was sick.

  Pushing back from the table, he strode toward the kitchen where Anna’s voice murmured amongst Emmaline’s chattering. He stepped through the doorway, and both voices halted.

  “What is it, Monty? Do you need more toast or oats?” Anna’s innocent gaze stared up at him from the small kitchen table where she snuggled baby Martin.

  He stepped closer and lowered his voice so the men didn’t hear in the room behind him. “Is Grace ill?”

  Her brow knit in innocent confusion. “I don’t think so. Is she? I haven’t seen her yet this morning.”

  His jaw clamped against the fear rising in his gut. “She’s not at breakfast. Haven’t you checked on her?”

  She rose to her feet, bouncing the babe as he let out a squawk. “I’ll go see now.”

  He didn’t offer to hold the youngster, wasn’t sure he’d be decent company at the moment. But he did follow Anna out to the hallway and watched her ascend the stairway.

  At the top, she gave him a wry glance, then disappeared down the hall. He strained to hear sounds from above. A soft knock, the murmur of Anna’s voice, the creak of the door.

  His heart pounded a steady gallop in his chest. Something had to be wrong with Grace for her to skip breakfast. Meals were important, especially the morning grub, and every cowpoke with a week’s experience knew that. He’d be sending someone for the doctor this morning whether Grace wanted him to or not.

  Anna’s face reappeared at the top of the stairs—white as the paint on the wall. “She’s not here, Monty.”

  He tilted his head, the words not sinking in the way they should. Surely she was up there. If not, where would she be? Maybe in the barn?

  Whirling, he strode toward the front door. “I’ll see if she’s in the barn.”

  “Monty.” The quiver in Anna’s voice caught him up short.

  He eased around to look at her. “What?” That gallop in his chest froze to a dead crawl as ice took over his veins.

  “Her clothes are gone from the drawers.” She held up a folded paper. “This was propped on the bed.”

  As if he’d slipped into a dream, his body moved forward but his vision grew hazy—distant, like he was watching from somewhere overhead.

  When he took the paper, it felt stiff in his hand. Turning it over, he had to blink several times before his eyes registered the single word written on one side.

  Monty.

  He raised his gaze to Anna, the meaning of it all still not quite sinking through the fog in his brain. “This is for me? What did she write that she couldn’t say to me herself?”

  Anna propped the baby higher on her shoulder and nodded toward the note. “Open it.”

  The words were enough to penetrate his mist like a blistering sun. He fumbled with the wax seal holding the paper shut, then opened the folds and scanned the paper. A neat feminine scrip
t jumped out at him, covering three-quarters of the page.

  Monty,

  I’m very sorry, but I have to go. My reason has nothing to do with you or the ranch, but pertains to what forced me to leave California. I’m afraid that’s all I can say about it, but I couldn’t go without telling you how much you’ve come to mean to me.

  You, Monty, are one of the best men I’ve ever known. Your character, your loyalty, and your strength surpass all others, and have broken the barriers I’d built around my heart. I shouldn’t be writing this, I know, but as much as my heart breaks at the thought of leaving you, it would shatter completely knowing you thought ill of me.

  I hope that is not the case. Please know I wouldn’t leave unless it were absolutely necessary. I hope you can find the grace to forgive me.

  Yours,

  Grace

  He stared at the words, emotions roiling in his gut. Then he read them again. She was gone? She’d really left the ranch? And what was she saying about her heart? If his eyes could be believed, she’d all but said she loved him.

  Elation sluiced through him. But it died away as the slow burn of anger took over, boiling up as his focus landed on one of the final sentences. I wouldn’t leave unless it were absolutely necessary.

  The tiny hairs on the back of his neck raised on end. He’d known it since that first day Grace arrived. She’d been in trouble, and he’d lulled himself into a false security once he got to know her.

  Who was threatening her? It had to be a threat for her to get spooked so suddenly, but how had she gotten wind of renewed danger? He thought back to their day in town. She’d seemed a little distant when they first left in the morning, but warmed up quick enough. And at lunch, she’d been more than open. That kiss… His body responded now to just the thought of it.

  But after they left the saddlery...no, it was while they were in the shop she’d turned white as an albino. When she’d been looking out the window.

  “Monty?”

  He blinked at Anna as she shook his arm. “What?”