The Rancher’s Bride Blessing

by Maya Stirling

  "How is your ranch coming along?" Caleb asked Noah.

  "Still putting things back together," he replied.

  Caleb frowned. "Heard the previous owners cleaned the place out. Didn't they include everything you need in the price?"

  Noah hesitated before replying. Abigail saw him glancing at everyone. He clearly wasn't comfortable talking about his personal business like this. Abigail decided it was time for a bold move, if she was to avoid giving away the real reason why she'd invited Noah to the ranch. The invitation to Caleb and Eugenie had been Abigail's idea. But there was no sense in spoiling things so soon. Abigail had hoped Eugenie would tell Caleb to keep his powder dry and not go telling Noah what he had in mind.

  Abigail swept forward and hooked her arm inside Noah's. His brows rose and he peered down at her arm.

  "Men!" she scoffed. "Always wanting to talk business," Abigail complained, smiling broadly. Abigail saw her mother and Grace gaze, wide-eyed, at her. There was a hint of scandal in those looks, but Abigail didn't mind about that.

  Caleb's brows furrowed. "What else is there to talk about?" he retorted. "Mr MacKendrick here probably wants to know all he can about setting up a ranch." Caleb fixed Noah with an inquiring look. "Isn't that right, Noah."

  Before Noah had a chance to respond, Abigail tugged him away from the group. "I have an idea. Instead of Jake, let me show you around the ranch before we have dinner." She smiled at Noah. "How does that sound?"

  His mouth opened, although he looked genuinely lost for words. After a long moment he nodded. "I couldn't possibly refuse."

  Abigail looked triumphantly at her siblings and her mother. Then she quickly led Noah away from the ranch house and in the direction of the stable. For a few moments, she and Noah said nothing to one another. Once they were out of earshot, near the stable entrance, Abigail paused and released Noah's arm. She glanced back and saw everyone was making their way into the house.

  Abigail stood right in front of Noah and gazed up at him. "I'm sorry about all the fuss. It's just that we don't often get such special visitors."

  Noah's brows furrowed. "I wasn't aware that I was anything special."

  "You are," Abigail exclaimed. "It's not every day we get people from back East paying a call to the ranch."

  He leaned closer. She caught his scent on the air. "Maybe you'll have to get used to having an Easterner around."

  His gaze softened, and she felt a warm glow in her middle. The same sensation she was beginning to notice every time she was around Noah MacKendrick.

  He ran his gaze around the front of the ranch. "As I said yesterday, I'm not planning on leaving any time soon. If my place gets to be this good, I'll surely be glad." He seemed genuinely impressed with the ranch.

  "I said I'd give you the tour before dinner," she reminded him.

  He gestured with his hand. "Lead the way." He grinned at her. "You know this place better than me," he added, quirking a brow at her. Noah seemed more relaxed than he'd been yesterday in town. She wondered what could have caused the change in him. Maybe he was just getting used to being in his new home. Inspiration. The place in which he seemed so determined to settle down.

  She showed him the stable, the barn and the corral. He asked her about horses, and told her how he needed to buy some as soon as he could. Abigail forced herself to avoid any mention of buying horses. Or anything else he might need. That was a conversation for later.

  They made their way down to the bunkhouse. It was smaller than the one at the other Buchanan spread. Abigail's family had only twenty ranch hands, since their herd was a small one. Noah talked about how he'd need to hire some men, once he got hold of some head of cattle. This time she was sure he was going to tell her about something. But, at the last moment, he seemed to change his mind. Once again, Abigail bit her tongue.

  Hearing about how much he needed, she realized the enormity of the project he'd taken on by himself. Surely he didn't think he could do the whole thing by himself. Didn't he realize that the myth of the independent cowboy, the self-sufficient rancher was just that? A myth? She knew the magazines back East were filled with descriptions about the romance of being a cowboy. And being a rancher. About how there was freedom to be found out here in the frontier territories.

  Maybe Noah had been reading too much and had gotten some crazy notions into his head. One thing Abigail knew was that ranching was hard work. She didn't doubt Noah understood hard work. To Abigail, he seemed like the kind of man who liked a challenge. Judging by his questions, he knew exactly what he'd let himself in for.

  Noah MacKendrick still seemed as determined as ever to make himself into a rancher, she told herself as they made their way back toward the ranch house. Pausing outside the ranch house, Noah gazed out across the rangeland. "This is fine country," he said warmly.

  She followed the direction of his gaze. "Sure is. It gets into your bones. Kinda becomes a part of you after a while." She glanced up at him. "You'll discover that soon enough, Noah."

  He looked at her and his gaze softened and she was sure she could see emotion wash a subtle change in his coloring. Or maybe it was the softening light of early evening, she told herself. "I hope so, Abigail," he replied softly.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "I'd like to have a word with you, Noah," Caleb Buchanan said to him as he swept an arm across Noah's shoulder. Noah smiled at Caleb. They were standing out on the porch. The sun was beginning to set and the blue of the sky was fading into a subtle darkness sprinkled with shimmering stars.

  Dinner had been completed and everyone else was in the sitting room of the ranch house. Noah heard laughter from inside the house. A fine time had been enjoyed by all. At least that was how it seemed to Noah. "What do you want to talk to me about, Caleb?" Noah asked.

  Caleb smiled. "What you're going to do with that ranch of yours, Noah."

  Noah lifted a brow. "Is that right?"

  Caleb nodded and led Noah out toward the corral. As they walked across the yard, Noah thought about the last couple of hours. He and Caleb were now on first name terms. That didn't surprise Noah. He'd witnessed something remarkable during the dinner over the last two hours. Noah's heart warmed just thinking about it.

  A family in complete harmony.

  It was something he'd never experienced himself. Not even close. Something he'd hardly believed could exist. Not after the coldness and lack of tenderness of his own upbringing. He understood the reasons for the emotional distance he'd always felt from his parents. Noah told himself he felt no resentment against his parents for the way they'd brought him up. Forgiveness was central to his faith. But, what he'd seen this evening had reminded him of what he had missed through all the years of his childhood. Maybe it wasn't too late to claim some of that, he told himself.

  Seeing how close a family could be had shocked Noah to his core. He'd sat at the long dining table and watched, amazed and elated, as he'd listened to tales of how the Buchanans had built up their ranch over the years. Stories of life on the rangeland. How they'd battled against the elements, rustlers, and the greed of local men, to emerge triumphant. Every imaginable obstacle had been faced and swept aside.

  All through the power of family and thanks to a deep and abiding love for God. Because it was obvious to Noah it wasn't just Abigail, Matilda, Grace and Jake who possessed a powerful devotion. It was clear that Caleb Buchanan had brought up his own family to be God-fearing and righteous. From what he'd heard at the table, it seemed like Caleb and Eugenie had brought their children up to do all they could to obey the will of God.

  And it seemed Matilda had done exactly the same with her own children. The absence of Abigail's father was something about which no-one had spoken throughout the evening. But, Noah knew there was a hidden heartache regarding her father. Maybe she'd share that with him at the right time, he told himself.

  In the dining room, Noah had sat, mostly in silence for large stretches during the meal. Even when fists had been pounding good-naturedly on
the table and joyous laughter had been filling the room. Noah had tried to join in as best he could. But, this had been like nothing else he'd ever seen. The kind of dinner gatherings he'd been used to in years gone by had always been cold, clinical affairs.

  There was one other thing which had delighted him throughout the meal. He'd been aware Abigail had been watching him with an eye filled with barely disguised curiosity. Noah wasn't about to complain that his beautiful, strong-spirited neighbor was interested in his well-being.

  Because, one thing was true. She was beautiful, he'd told himself repeatedly throughout the dinner. Abigail Buchanan was a fine looking young woman. Every time his gaze settled on her even features and met her bright eyes, Noah felt something stir in his heart. He did his best to disguise her effect on him. But, he couldn't deny how much he admired her natural beauty.

  There was more to Abigail than that. She possessed a keen intelligence and she was unusually sensitive to the needs of others. He saw those virtues on full display throughout the meal. Noah found that combination of qualities irresistible. He'd detected them yesterday when they'd been together in the cafe. And, tonight, sharing happiness with her family, those attributes were even more apparent.

  It was clear to Noah that Abigail had more than a passing interest in him. He knew she was trying her best to disguise her scrutiny of him. Her gaze flickered in his direction over and over. Because of his background, Noah was well-versed in all the signs that a young woman harbored an interest in him. He'd seen the little hesitant glances. And he'd witnessed the subtle changes in color on her face every time he'd caught her looking his way.

  He'd noticed the way she'd looked at him on his arrival at the ranch. The approval he'd seen in her eyes had stirred a deep feeling in him. Of course, she'd tried to hide her reaction, glancing quickly way from him, but she hadn't succeeded.

  And now Caleb was about to talk with Noah. Both men reached the corral. Caleb thrust a booted foot onto the lower part of the wooden fence. He turned and peered at Noah. "Fine dinner, this evening. Don't you think?"

  Noah nodded. "I couldn't agree more, Caleb. Good food and even better company. You have a fine family in there," Noah said glancing back at the ranch house. Lights were on inside the sitting room. He could see Abigail and Grace standing by the window, talking with each other. He saw Abigail glance in his direction. Maybe she was wondering what Caleb was going to talk about with Noah.

  Caleb rested a hand on the top of the fence. "I'll come straight to the point, Noah," he said. "I hear you need some head of cattle." Caleb faced Noah. "Is that right?"

  Noah nodded. "I do."

  "I think I can be of help to you," Caleb announced.

  "How?"

  Caleb drew in a deep breath. "I'm willing to sell you some of my herd."

  Noah's brows rose. "You are?"

  Caleb nodded. "We've been planning on taking some of our herd to market, soon. I figure we'd do better if we offered them to you, instead." Caleb quirked a brow at Noah. "For a price, you understand."

  Noah leaned back and sighed. "Caleb. I don't know what to say."

  Caleb grinned. "Yes, might be a good place to start. How many do you need? Most I can offer right now is one hundred head. That should be enough to get you started."

  Noah swallowed, taken aback by the sudden offer. He thought for a moment. Was that why Caleb had come all the way over for this dinner? With the idea of making this offer to Noah? If so, what had prompted him to do this? For that matter, who had made the suggestion? Noah held back a smile, realizing there was really only one person who could have arranged this. Abigail.

  "What do you say, Noah?" Caleb insisted. He narrowed his eyes. "You do realize I'll have to ask a fair price for the head."

  "Of course, Caleb," Noah replied. "I wouldn't expect anything less." Noah had done some reading up in the prices for cattle. He suggested a figure per head to Caleb, who nodded slowly, thinking for a while.

  Finally, Caleb reached out a hand. "I think you've got yourself a deal there."

  Noah grasped Caleb's hand and shook it. He couldn't help smiling as he shook the kindly rancher's hand. "Thank you, Caleb. I don't know what to say."

  "You don't need to thank me, Noah. We Buchanans believe in helping folks," Caleb declared. "That's what the good Lord instructs us to do."

  "He does indeed," Noah agreed. He frowned, a thought drifting into his mind. "How am I going to get the cattle to my ranch?"

  "You leave that to me," Caleb reassured Noah. "We'll work something out."

  From the direction of the ranch house, Noah heard a door opening. He turned and saw Abigail emerging. Caleb glanced at Noah. "Looks like my niece wants a word with you," he murmured.

  Feeling his heart beginning to pound quicker, Noah followed Caleb back to the house. He halted by the porch as Caleb wandered back into the house, but not before pinching Abigail's rosy cheek and giving her a warm smile.

  Then Noah was alone with Abigail. For a few moments they both stood, trying awkwardly to avoid eye contact. Abigail remained standing on the porch, while Noah stood on the dusty yard, looking up at her. Her eyes were bright, as if she was pleased at something. He figured he could guess what might be the cause of her joy.

  Finally, Abigail spoke. "What were you two shaking hands about?" she asked.

  He smiled at her. "I think you know."

  Abigail's eyes widened with pretend surprise. "How could I possibly know what you and Caleb agreed?"

  "Who says we agreed anything?" he asked, trying hard to hold back his laughter.

  Abigail's brows furrowed. "I saw you shake hands."

  Noah tilted his head and grinned. "I couldn't help noticing you and Grace had your eyes on us."

  "Curiosity, I guess," Abigail replied and quirked a brow at him.

  Noah grinned at her. "Your uncle sold me a hundred head of cattle," he announced.

  "That's wonderful news, Noah," Abigail replied. "Really wonderful. I'm so happy for you."

  "I don't suppose you knew he was going to do that," Noah suggested.

  Abigail shrugged. "I might have mentioned it to him," she admitted slowly. He was pleased she hadn't tried to cover up the truth.

  "In that case, I should thank you for putting in a good word for me," Noah said.

  Abigail waved a hand at him. "You don't need to thank me for nothing. Us ranchers have to stick together."

  Noah sighed. "That's funny."

  "What?"

  He gazed out toward the darkening rangeland. The dim light of the setting sun made everything seem almost dream-like. Perhaps his own dreams were beginning to come true, he told himself.

  Noah turned to Abigail. "For the first time, I feel like I really am a rancher. Now I've got hold of some real-life cattle."

  "Before you know it, you'll be chasing the herd around your own spread," she said playfully. "That's when the fun will really start," she added with a broad grin.

  "And I have you to thank for that," he insisted, holding his gaze on her. Even in the soft light of evening, he could see a subtle, pleasing color flush her cheeks. Her eyelids fluttered and she glanced downward. He recalled she'd done the same thing yesterday, in the cafe. It seemed like she had a habit of doing that whenever she was moved by something. Or whenever he touched something in her heart, he guessed.

  She lifted her head and gazed at him. Emotion simmered behind those eyes, he told himself. He felt his own heart warm softly. "Thank me once you've got the cattle on your land," she told him.

  "I might just do that," he replied.