Calder Promise

by Janet Dailey

Helen stepped out of the car, greeting him with a wide smile. “Since I was in the vicinity, I thought I would join you for tea.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  She threw a curious glance at the horse van. “Is that Jaspar and Big Mike in there?”

  “It is.” Sebastian opened the front door for her.

  Helen stepped inside then waited for him, her expression puzzled and slightly uncertain. “Did you sell them?”

  “To Mr. Melrose,” he confirmed and led the way toward the twin library. “It seems his twin daughters have outgrown their ponies.”

  “I had no idea you were thinking of selling them.”

  “Under the circumstances, a six-horse stable is a luxury I can’t afford.” Upon entering the library, he crossed to the desk and rang the kitchen. “Inform Grizwold there will be two for tea. We’re in the library.”

  “I hope you received a good price for them.” Helen sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs and curled her legs underneath, making herself at home.

  “The sum is more than enough to finance a trip across the pond,” Sebastian replied.

  It took a moment for the significance of his statement to register. “Are you going over there to see her?” Helen asked as if none too sure of his reason.

  “If I don’t, I will always wonder what might have happened if I had made one more attempt to win her.”

  His expression was much too serious for Helen to doubt the truth in his words. Neither had to say Laura’s name; they both knew to whom he was referring. The mere reference to Laura prompted Helen to glance at the wall where the portrait hung. But the space was blank.

  Her gaze flew to Sebastian. “What did you do with the portrait of Lady Crawford?”

  “As soon as Melrose agreed to buy the horses, I had Grizwold take it down and crate it for shipment.”

  “You’re taking it to America with you.”

  “I thought it might make a useful peace offering.” His mouth quirked in an attempt at a smile.

  Helen saw through it. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

  “I must. It’s been impossible to get her out of my mind.” The portrait was merely one reminder of Laura. Sebastian knew there were few rooms in Crawford Hall that he could enter without seeing Laura in them.

  Logan drove into the ranch yard and headed straight for The Homestead. A car was parked in front of it. There was nothing unusual about that, but the compact sedan wasn’t one that he recognized as being from the area. As he pulled up beside it, Logan automatically glanced at the license plate and saw it was a rental.

  It was a habit to be interested in any stranger, and his attention quickly shifted to the man standing near the top of the veranda steps. Tall, and well-dressed in a sports jacket and slacks, he looked to be somewhere in his early thirties. Most distinctively, no hat covered his head, and he wore shoes, not cowboy boots. Lean of face and fair-complected, he had a touch of red in his light brown hair.

  Logan climbed out of the Jeep Cherokee and approached the steps. “Afternoon.”

  “Good afternoon,” the man replied with a British accent, then glanced in the direction of the front door. “No one seems to be in. I knocked, but there was no answer.”

  “No one knocks at the Triple C.” Logan gestured toward the door in invitation. “They just walk in.” He continued past him to the door.

  “Unannounced?” the man questioned.

  “That’s right.” Logan opened it and smiled, waiting for the man to join him. “Only strangers knock.”

  A wry amusement curved the man’s mouth as he crossed to the door. “Then it must be obvious to you that I am a stranger here.”

  “It is,” Logan confirmed easily and followed him into the house. “By the way, my name’s Logan Echohawk.”

  “You’re the sheriff, aren’t you?” The man looked at him with new interest. “Laura mentioned you.”

  “You’re a friend of Laura’s?”

  “We met in Rome.”

  Hearing the familiar thump of a cane, Logan turned as Chase hove into view. “Oh, it’s you, Logan. I thought I heard voices,” he said in lieu of a greeting. He started to turn away, then paused to peer intently at the stranger. “Who’s that with you?”

  “A friend of Laura’s,” Logan replied. “Is Jessy here?”

  “In the den.” Chase bobbed his head in its direction. “Why? What’s up?”

  “It looks like we have some rustlers working the area. Miller has about ten head of cattle missing from his west pasture, and a black pickup with a gooseneck trailer and Wyoming plates was seen in the area,” Logan explained, aware that even though Jessy was technically in charge of the operation, Chase liked to know all that went on. “I thought I’d better pass the word so you and your people could keep an eye out.”

  Chase nodded and made a wordless sound of approval then fired a look at the stranger. “If you’re here to see Laura, you’re out of luck. She left yesterday.”

  “I see.” The answer was clearly one the man had not anticipated. After a momentary pause, he asked, “When do you anticipate she will return?”

  Chase treated him to a hard stare, then turned, leaning heavily on his cane, and yelled, “Jessy! Come here a minute.” The minute she walked out of the den, he waved a hand at the stranger. “There’s a young man here who wants to know when Laura’ll be back. I can’t remember what she told us.”

  “She said she’d be flying back tomorrow afternoon.” Jessy directed her answer to the man and stepped forward, stretching out her hand in greeting. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Laura’s mother, Jessy Calder.”

  “Sebastian Dunshill. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Calder.” He grasped her hand and bent slightly at the waist.

  “Dunshill,” Jessy repeated with recognition. “You must be the current earl of Crawford. Laura told us about her visit to your home in England. I’m afraid she never mentioned that you might be coming.”

  “She didn’t know. I wanted it to be a surprise.” He smiled with a touch of self-deprecating humor. “But it turns out that I am the one who is surprised. I should have known Laura would find it difficult to remain in any one place for long.”

  Chase studied him with sharpened attention. “You seem to know my granddaughter rather well.”

  “Well enough to know she likes places that are loud and crowded. I mean no offense, but from what little I have seen of Montana, it is neither.”

  “None taken.” A smile deepened the corners of Chase’s mouth.

  “It’s clear you have important matters to discuss,” Sebastian said with a glance at Logan. “So I will take no more of your time. If you could perhaps direct me to a place nearby where I might find suitable lodging, I’ll be on my way.”

  Chase didn’t think twice. “The most suitable place is right here on the Triple C.”

  There was a small hesitation during which Sebastian appeared to consider something more than the invitation. “As much as I would like to accept your offer of hospitality, there are some things you should know, and I would rather you heard them from me.”

  Chase studied him with a steady and close regard. “Sounds like this might involve some heavy talking. Why don’t we go into the den and sit down?” He started to lead the way, then paused. “Your business isn’t so urgent that it can’t wait, is it, Logan?”

  “No. I’ve already said most of what I came to tell you anyway.”

  “Good. Let’s go.” Pushing off with his cane, Chase headed for the den.

  Heat lightning flashed in the east while the Texas sky overhead glittered with stars. The night air had a sultry feel to it that added to the languor Laura felt as she stood within the loose circle of Boone’s arms and gazed into the land’s thickening shadows.

  The low-built ranch house sprawled behind them, its thick walls and wide overhangs designed to ward off the scorching summer heat. Light spilled from some of its windows onto the broad patio, but none reached the corner she occupied
with Boone.

  “I love lazy summer nights like this,” Laura murmured candidly, tightening the wrap of his arms around her waist. Her glance drifted to the shimmering surface of the swimming pool. “If I wasn’t so full from dinner, I’d go change into my suit and take a dip in the pool.”

  Boone buried a kiss in her hair. “I have a better idea.” His hands shifted to the sides of her waist and turned her to face him.

  Laura let her hands slide to the top of his shoulders and tilted her head to one side in an alluring pose. “And what might that be?”

  She hadn’t missed the touch of his right hand until it was there in front of her. But it wasn’t his hand that captured her attention; it was the small velvet-covered box it held. She stared at it, conscious of the exultant leap of her heart.

  “What’s this?” Laura feigned ignorance even as her head told her the jewelry box had to contain a ring.

  “Open it,” Boone instructed.

  Careful not to allow more space to come between them than necessary, she took the box and snapped it open. There was nothing faked about her sharply indrawn breath of surprise as Laura caught her first glimpse of the ring. It was a marquise-cut diamond, the same pure yellow as the Texas sun, and just about as big and brilliant, set in a platinum mounting.

  “Marry me, Laura.” His words had more the ring of demand than a proposal.

  More than anything she wanted to slip the ring on and see how it would look on her hand. But Laura knew this was no time to appear too eager. Instead she looked up at him with questioning eyes. “Are you sure, Boone?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” The heat of need was in his voice and in the possessive rake of his eyes.

  “In that case, my answer is ‘yes.’ ” She took the ring and slipped it on her finger. The fit was perfect, and the look of it was stunning, just as she had known it would be.

  “Laura Rutledge,” she said, as if trying the name on for size, then declared with feeling, “I definitely like the sound of that.”

  Boone didn’t bother with words to make his feelings known as his mouth claimed hers. Laura welcomed the crush of his arms and returned the heat of his kiss, for now holding nothing back.

  The afternoon sunlight flashed on the ring as Laura ran lightly up The Homestead’s front steps, still riding on a triumphant feeling. She spared a backward glance at Tara, who followed more slowly.

  “There’s so much to do, my head’s spinning just thinking about it all,” Laura said on a wondering note.

  “You have to start first with ‘where’ and ‘when,’ ” Tara replied, ever the practical one.

  “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Laura crossed to the front door.

  “You really need to bring a wedding consultant on board,” Tara told her.

  “The sooner the better,” Laura agreed and opened the door. “Would you get the names of some for me?”

  “Of course.”

  Once inside the entryway, Laura set her small carry-on on the floor and called out, “Hello! Where is everybody?”

  The answer came from her mother. “We’re in the living room.”

  Eager to share her news, Laura sailed down the wide hall to the living room. Her bright-eyed glance made a sweep of her mother, grandfather, and Laredo, all seated in the room. She came to a stop when she saw that the man standing by the fireplace wasn’t her brother.

  “Sebastian,” she said his name on a breath, soft and warm.

  But it was the shining look in her eyes, completely uncalculated, that caught and held Jessy’s attention, though that moment of surprise and complete spontaneous reaction didn’t last.

  “Hello, Laura. Surprised to see me?”

  The minute Sebastian spoke, a practiced smile of beguiling charm curved Laura’s lips. “Surprised and pleased,” Laura declared, moving toward him. “And your timing couldn’t have been better. Now you can join in the celebration. Congratulations are in order.” She lifted her left hand and wagged her ring finger at him, letting the yellow diamond catch fire in the living room’s light.

  Jessy’s estimation of the young Englishman went up a notch when he glanced at the ring and never turned a hair. “I think I am supposed to ask who the lucky fellow is?”

  “Boone, of course.” Laura swung toward Jessy, but Jessy found it impossible to tell whether the excitement in her daughter’s expression was genuine. “He asked me last night. If it hadn’t been so late, I would have called you. Then this morning I decided I would much rather deliver the news in person. Have you ever seen such a rock?” She crossed to Jessy’s chair to give her a close-up look at the ring.

  Chase leaned over to see it. “It’s yellow,” he observed dryly. “Is that for caution?”

  “Well said,” Sebastian replied. But Laura ignored him as she gave her grandfather an admonishing look.

  “Gramps,” Laura said in a tone of indulgent reproach. “It’s yellow for happiness.”

  “And when’s the wedding to be?” Sebastian inquired.

  “We haven’t set the date yet,” Laura replied easily.

  “But it will be soon,” Tara inserted with ringing certainty. “Boone made it clear that he was not in favor of a long engagement.”

  Sebastian merely smiled. “It’s a viewpoint shared by most men, I dare say.”

  “Where’s Trey?” Laura asked, then held up a hand to stave off any answers. “I forgot. He told me he was jackpot roping somewhere this weekend. I suppose it’ll be after sundown before he gets home.” The opening of the front door was accompanied by a hard thud. Laura glanced in its direction. “That must be Vince. He said he’d bring my luggage from the plane.” Her glance ran to Sebastian in light challenge. “Instead of standing there looking decorative, you can be useful and carry them upstairs for me. I’ll show you the way. Come on.”

  Jessy couldn’t help noticing that Tara looked anything but happy when the two retraced Laura’s steps to the entryway together. She wasn’t surprised that Tara disapproved of Laura associating with a man who had little money. Personally, Jessy had her own reservations about Sebastian Dunshill, but his lack of wealth wasn’t one of them.

  “A wedding here at the Triple C, won’t it be wonderful?” Tara declared. “Of course, Laura hasn’t said that she wants it here, although I’m certain she will. Naturally it would have to be an outdoor affair to accommodate all the people who will come. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have the ceremony on the veranda?”

  “Very lovely,” Jessy agreed. “Although it might be a bit difficult seating people on the slope.”

  “I hadn’t considered that.” Tara appeared to give the matter some thought, but Jessy noticed the way her attention covertly strayed to Laura and Sebastian when they started up the oak staircase. “Perhaps something on the lawn. It would be simple enough to bring in beautiful white arbors, or even some pillars to echo the front of the house.” The moment the pair reached the top of the stairs, Tara leaned forward and lowered her voice to a secretive level. “There is something about Sebastian that you really need to know—”

  Jessy didn’t give her a chance to say more. “If you are referring to his current financial problems, we already know. He told us.”

  “How very clever of him.” But there was contempt in Tara’s voice. She smoothed the lay of her skirt. “I’m surprised you allowed him to stay. It’s obvious his chief interest is in Laura’s bank account. You should have ordered him off the ranch the minute he arrived. He’s nothing but a fortune hunter.”

  Chase made a small snorting sound. “If we had done that with everyone whose motives or sincerity we doubted, your foot wouldn’t have crossed our doorway in years.”

  Tara tilted her chin at a combative angle. “My concern is strictly for Laura, and I don’t particularly care whether you believe that or not.”

  “I’m sure you believe that,” Jessy said. “But it doesn’t really matter. Sebastian came here to see Laura. If she wants him to leave, she can te
ll him so.”

  Upon entering the bedroom, Laura gestured to the walnut dresser’s curved front with a sweep of her head. “You can put them down over there,” she told Sebastian.

  Her luggage consisted of no more than a garment bag and a slim, weekender-sized suitcase. He set the suitcase on the floor and draped the bag over it, then turned to her expectantly.

  His gaze was alive to her, compelling in its warmth. The spacious and slightly grand bedroom suddenly seemed small with him in it. But Laura knew it was purely her own reaction to him, the livening of all her senses and that faint thrum of excitement that ran through every nerve.

  “What? No tip?” He smiled with his eyes.

  “Since when does a gentleman expect a tip for helping a lady,” she countered, matching the lightness of his tone even as her gaze wandered over his lean, smooth features. Laura remembered every detail of his face, including the scattering of pale tan freckles. She turned slightly serious. “I was surprised to see you when I walked in today. At the same time, though, I think I always knew you would show up sooner or later.”

  “What made you so certain of that?” His look seemed to delve for the deeper meaning behind her words.

  “Under the circumstances, you couldn’t afford not to, now could you?” Laura taunted without an ounce of malice, then made a little pout of mock regret. “What a pity that you arrived too late.”

  “What makes you think it’s too late? Surely you don’t believe that gaudy rock on your finger changes anything, do you?” Sebastian replied with amusement. “You know as well as I do that that ring can come off as easily as it went on.”

  She laughed in her throat. “It can, but it won’t.”

  “You don’t truly expect me to believe you’re in love with him, do you?” Skepticism riddled his voice.

  “I’m marrying Boone, aren’t I?” Laura reasoned, then snapped her fingers in an exaggerated show of dawning realization. “That’s right. I forgot. You don’t regard love as an essential part of marriage, do you?”

  “Was that supposed to be a wounding blow—or merely a knife flick?” Sebastian smiled as if to show that she had drawn no blood with it.