The Rancher’s Bride Surprise

by Maya Stirling

  "They can't just do that," Johanna exclaimed. "It isn't fair." Zane's strong-spirited wife seemed indignant about what she'd just heard. Micah knew that Johanna hated injustice even more than anyone. She'd been through a lot of hardship in her life, and she just hated seeing people being forced into difficult circumstances. Especially by those with power and influence.

  "They're going to do it, no matter what we say," Caleb announced. Micah could hear the defiance in his father's voice. Caleb turned to Micah. "You know what this means, son," he said slowly.

  Suddenly all eyes were on Micah. He felt the intense pressure of the abrupt change in the room. The mood was somber. Attention was fixed on Micah. "I guess I do, pa," Micah forced himself to say evenly.

  For long moments, it seemed like no-one knew what to say. They were all watching him, as if awaiting his next words. As if they didn't know what to say to this sudden change in Micah's circumstances.

  Micah stood and faced his entire family. He ran his gaze around each one of them, his three brothers and their beautiful wives. Then looked at his father. When Micah spoke, he forced his voice to remain steady. "I need to find a wife within the next fortnight. If I don't, all of this will have been for nothing."

  CHAPTER THREE

  "Jack told me that Micah is your beau," Lily declared to Rachel as they made their way along the dusty track which led back to Main Street. The class had just broken up and all the other children had already made their way back into town.

  Rachel restrained a gasp. "Jack is being very nosy," Rachel replied quickly, hoping she sounded dismissive. "Mr Buchanan has some work to do to fix the schoolhouse. And that's what he'll be doing." Desperate to change the subject she said: "Aren't you hungry? What do you think Sophie has made for lunch?"

  Ignoring the effort to divert the conversation, Lily continued her investigation. "So Micah isn't your beau, then?" Lily pressed. The little girl stared up at Rachel. Rachel smiled patiently back at her. Lily resembled her late mother so much there were times when it took Rachel aback. More than that, it made her heart ache. Rachel missed her sister so much. The pain in her heart would take a long time to heal. She couldn't imagine how Lily must be feeling. Couldn't even begin to comprehend what the little girl must be going through. Knowing the reality of that pain, Rachel had long ago resolved to make every moment of Lily's day as pleasant as humanly possible.

  "He's a very friendly young man," Rachel offered. "And we've only just met, today." Rachel smiled. "I could hardly call him my beau if we only just met, could I?"

  "Do you like him?" Lily asked casually. There were times when Rachel found it hard to deal with the innocent determination of her niece. But, determined Lily most certainly was. It made for interesting days.

  Rachel shrugged. "He was very polite," Rachel said. Lily's brows furrowed. "And he seems very capable," Rachel added. Lily's mouth pouted with obvious dissatisfaction. "He seems like a very nice man."

  "I liked him," Lily declared and lifted her chin. "Cowboys are fun."

  Rachel smiled at Lily. "He's a rancher. Not a cowboy."

  Lily squinted up at Rachel. "What's the difference?"

  For a moment, Rachel was at a loss for words. She hesitated before answering. She'd never spent even a moment on a ranch, so she had to admit that her knowledge of ranch life was limited. All she knew had been gleaned from magazine articles, and she was sure they were filled with hopeless exaggerations. "Maybe we can make that a school project," she suggested.

  Lily didn't seem immediately taken with that idea. "He can tell us all about it the next time he comes," she stated. "Is he coming tomorrow?"

  "I think so," Rachel replied.

  This seemed to finally satisfy Lily, who nodded appreciatively. They walked in silence for a while. Rachel had a chance to think over what had happened this morning. A rancher had walked into her life. It was that simple. She'd known someone was coming to the schoolhouse, and there had been some talk of the Buchanans over the dinner table at the Cameron house where Rachel and Lily were currently staying. Until Rachel found a husband. And she had no idea how long it would take for that to happen. Perhaps months.

  The arrangement at the sheriff's residence was only temporary. And Rachel was already feeling the pressure to find a husband. After all, that was why she had uprooted herself and Lily and come all the way out to Montana. To find a husband who could be a father to the little girl who was walking right alongside her. And someone to whom Rachel could be a wife.

  It was a daunting task, and Rachel was under no illusions about how hard it was going to be to find someone suitable. Lily's mother, Andrea, had died months before, after a brief illness. Lily's father, John, who'd come over to America from England, had died in a riding accident only a year after Lily had been born.

  The last few years had seen more than enough tragedy in the life of Rachel and her sister. Living in Philadelphia had proven hard for Andrea. Rachel had done as much as she could to help out while working in a local school. But, in the end, grief and hardship had taken its toll on Rachel's beloved sister. She had passed at the beginning of the year and, with no living relatives other than herself, Rachel had been granted custody of the child.

  It was then she had been faced with the difficulties of establishing a family home for Lily. Polite society had frowned upon Rachel, and it had soon become clear that it would be difficult to find a suitable match for herself. There had been some men who had shown an interest, but the moment they'd realized the extent of Rachel's responsibilities toward Lily, their interest in matrimony had quickly cooled. So, Rachel had decided to come West, where the promise of a new start was offered to anyone willing to make sacrifices, work hard and live a dignified, devout life.

  God help me to make the right decisions, Rachel prayed silently. I sometimes fear I have taken on too much. That I am not up to facing this trial which You have placed in front of me. I worry I don't have the strength to face this.

  Rachel glanced down at Lily. She loved her niece so much. All she wanted to do was make sure that the little girl had the best possible life. During the long rail journey to Montana, Rachel had reflected on the fact that God had chosen her to protect Lily. To keep her safe in this world. And that meant one thing. Making whatever sacrifice was necessary to follow the path which He had laid out for her. If that meant marrying a man who could provide a stable home, then so be it.

  Rachel pushed away some of the thoughts which came to mind as she considered entering into an arranged marriage. Because that was what it would be, she told herself. She knew about mail order brides and how they had been coming out West in great numbers. She'd read about some of the happy outcomes. And also some of the less happy results. She knew she had taken a great risk coming out here. There were dangers even in a place as welcoming as Inspiration.

  The arrangement offered by Sophie whereby Rachel and Lily could stay with her and the sheriff seemed a sensible way of reducing the risks of such an escapade. The position of town schoolteacher had come up at just the right time when Rachel had made her inquiry to Sophie's sister back in Philadelphia. Both sisters were determined to bring as many brides as they possibly could to Inspiration. Rachel had applied at just the right time, it seemed.

  She and Lily had only been in Inspiration a week, and already she was beginning to feel at home in Inspiration. Sophie and Nathan, her sheriff husband could not have been more welcoming or helpful. And Lily had taken to Sophie and her husband, which just made things even easier.

  All in all, Rachel felt she had made the right move in coming to Inspiration. She glanced down at the skipping figure of her niece. Lily seemed happy. For the moment, at least. Nights could be difficult. Lily still suffered nightmares. The healing from losing her mother would take a long time. But, with faith, and with responsible guidance, Rachel was sure He would lead them on the right path.

  They turned the corner and made their way along the boardwalk. Midday crowds were out in force on this fine sunny day.
Rachel was beginning to adore this little town. She knew, from listening to sheriff Nathan, that it had the same kinds of problems as any town out in these parts. But, she also knew that he was more than capable of keeping law and order in Inspiration.

  They walked past a cake shop. Lily halted abruptly and pressed her face up against the window, examining the tasty delights on offer. Rachel knew what was coming next. Lily looked up at her. "Can we get some of those?" she said pressing a finger against the glass.

  Rachel squinted, gazing at the pile of cakes displayed upon a silver stand. She glanced at Lily. "Why don't we get Sophie a nice surprise," she suggested. "She did say she likes those."

  Lily yelled excitedly and started to run toward the door. Rachel called out. "Lily, wait for me."

  Lily halted obediently, her hand on the handle of the door. She couldn't contain the smile on her face. "Let me go first," Rachel said. Lily released her hand from the door as it opened suddenly. An elderly woman emerged from inside the shop. She was dressed in a finely crafted blue gown, wore a matching bonnet and held the carved handle of a walking stick in her right hand.

  The woman glanced down at Lily, who stood, hands clasped at her middle, feet planted close together. Rachel thought that Lily looked suddenly like the most perfectly behaved child in town. The woman examined the tiny figure. Lily's eyes widened expectantly. For a moment, Rachel though there might be some kind of disapproving comment coming. "What an adorable young child," the woman stated sharply. The woman peered at Rachel. Gone was the previous disapproval. Now it had been replaced by apparent delight. "So well-behaved. You must be very proud."

  Rachel looked at Lily and smiled. "I am, indeed," she agreed. Lily smiled right back at Rachel. Her niece looked delighted by the compliment. It wasn't possible to give Lily too much praise, Rachel told herself.

  With another appreciative look, the woman strode away along the boardwalk, her boots clacking noisily on the boardwalk planks. Rachel shrugged and Lily giggled. Then, Rachel led Lily into the shop. They had some cakes to buy.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  "There's going to be a problem with this," Micah said to Zane as they walked alongside the corral fence. "It's not as simple as you and everyone thinks."

  "What are you talking about, Micah?" Zane asked. "I thought Sophie said there was a newcomer in town. And, that she's come to find a husband."

  "It's true," Micah admitted. "But, there's more to the situation than that."

  Zane frowned, but said nothing immediately in response. Micah glanced across at some of his family members as they were emerging from inside the big house. He saw Johanna, Rosalind and Honora huddled together on the long porch seat. They were talking earnestly, Micah assumed, about what had been revealed inside the house. Reese was standing next to Honora, his arms folded. He was listening intently. Micah saw his parents walking away along the pathway at the side of the house. They were arm in arm and locked in what looked like a serious conversation. These were hard times at the Buchanan ranch, and no mistake.

  The meeting had gone on for a long time. Too long. There had been plenty of fierce exchanges of views. Zane was all for going to the government office in Helena and confronting the officials. But Caleb had already been there once, soon after this whole madness had been revealed. There was no negotiating with the government, Caleb had announced bitterly.

  Micah was glad to be outside. And to be able to finally talk with his oldest brother. Right now, he could do with all the brotherly wisdom Zane could offer.

  Micah leaned against the corral fence. "I met Rachel today." He hesitated. "The teacher. Down at the schoolhouse."

  "You did?" Zane asked, his brows lifting. "What's she like?"

  Micah nodded slowly and paused for a long moment before replying. "Nice," was all he could manage to say.

  Zane frowned. "Nice?" he exclaimed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "That's what Reese asked me," Micah replied. "Isn't nice a good thing?"

  "It doesn't say much," Zane retorted. "Is she pretty?"

  Micah nodded. "She sure is."

  "And she's smart," Zane said. "Otherwise she wouldn't be a teacher, right?"

  Again, Micah nodded.

  "And, it goes without saying she must be good with kids," Zane added.

  Micah nodded silently. He knew Zane had him against the ropes on this one. But there was still one thing Zane didn't know.

  "She sounds perfect," Zane announced.

  "There's just one catch," Micah said. "She has a child."

  Zane's brows rose and he nodded slowly and thoughtfully. He peered at Micah. "I already knew that."

  Astonished, Micah gasped. "You did? How come you didn't tell me?"

  Zane tilted his head. "There wasn't much call to. I didn't even know you'd have to consider marrying Rachel until the meeting in there," he said jerking a thumb in the direction of the house.

  "You thought someone else would come to town before the end of the summer?" Micah asked.

  "Haven't you noticed how resourceful Sophie is?" Zane asked. He gazed over toward the porch. "I mean, look at that. She brought two of those women to town. And she had a hand in bringing Reese and Honora back together again." Zane drew in a deep breath. "The sheriff's wife is a force to be reckoned with. And no mistake."

  "That's what worries me," Micah confessed. "If she tries to push me and Rachel together, she might not get the result she wants."

  "What do you mean? You and Rachel got along, didn't you?"

  Micah lowered his head and said nothing. Zane leaned in closer. "Are you telling me you and Rachel had some kind of disagreement?"

  Micah lifted his head abruptly. "Not exactly. I just got the impression she didn't think much of me."

  "Don't tell me you went and made a bad impression," Zane said.

  Micah tilted his head. "I didn't do anything that would put her off me, if that's what you mean."

  Zane grinned. "You still got some learning to do about the ways of women, Micah."

  Micah groaned. "You know me, Zane. I haven't ever been that comfortable with courting and suchlike."

  "That's putting it mildly," Zane agreed.

  "I've been too busy learning how ranch life works," Micah suggested.

  "Is that your excuse?" Zane asked teasingly. Micah's brother shook his head and sighed quietly. "So, what's wrong with the fact that Rachel is looking after her sister's daughter?"

  Micah groaned. "Does everyone except me know about that?" he exclaimed.

  Zane laughed quietly. "Seems like it." He lifted a brow. "As you say, Micah. You've been too busy on the ranch this past week to pay attention to the comings and goings in town."

  "It's not just a temporary thing with Lily," Micah explained. "Rachel looks set on bringing Lily up long term." Micah frowned. "That's a major commitment. Real serious. For her and for anyone who marries her." He peered at Zane. "Don't you think?"

  "It sure is. Kids change how a man looks at life," Zane said in a suddenly distant tone of voice. Micah wondered why that could be but, before he had a chance to ask, Zane continued. "You don't think you're up to it, Micah?" Zane asked.

  Micah was taken aback by the bluntness of the question. But that was Zane's way. Being the eldest, he was used to getting straight to the point. He was used to being the guiding influence amongst the brothers. "It isn't something I've been thinking about a whole lot, Zane," Micah confessed. "This has been a crazy time for our family. Three new wives and we still haven't finished saving the ranch." Micah sighed. "This has been a real trial for all of us."