The Rancher’s Devout Bride

by Maya Stirling

  Emma laughed quietly. "Of course not. It's all lovely." She turned and gazed back at the ranch house. "And so is your family's home." She peered up at Jake. "And that's the point, Jake. This is your family's place. We don't belong here."

  Quirking a brow, he smiled at her, trying to bring some levity to the conversation. "You don't like my family?" he asked, giving Emma a mischievous grin.

  She laughed quietly and shook her head. "You don't take no for an answer, do you?"

  "You're all our guests," Jake countered. Just as he'd seen back at the stagecoach station, there was a stubborn streak in Emma. And it was on full display, right now. Another thought occurred to him. "Are you planning on leaving Inspiration?" he asked abruptly.

  He saw her hesitate a moment. "I've got to send a telegram. And then I'll have to wait for the reply." Emma frowned. "So, I guess we won't be leaving Inspiration until I get the answer I need," she added with a sigh.

  Her response unleashed a whirlwind of questions in his mind. To whom was she sending the telegram? Was it it something to do with the children? Why did she need to wait for the reply? Jake just about managed to keep his lips shut tight. Curiosity could be a dangerous thing, he told himself.

  "So, maybe you all can stay here while you wait? I'm sure the children will be happy to be here. There's plenty for them to enjoy."

  His insistence seemed to take her aback. She leaned heavily onto the wooden fence and was silent for a few moments. When she shook her head, Jake felt frustration bubble inside him. "I don't think that would be wise," she said.

  He frowned. "What do you mean?"

  Emma's features tightened. He could see deliberation in her eyes, as if she was trying to find words. It was the same look she'd had on her face when she'd refused to explain about Vance.

  Emma leaned away from the fence and wrapped her arms around her middle. "The children have been through so much. Maybe they need some calm time," she said thoughtfully. "Just to be with me. A chance to settle, after the last few days."

  Jake wondered exactly what had taken place during the last few days that would make her worry so much. Maybe now was the time to ask Emma. A question hovered on his lips. But, even as he contemplated probing some more, he knew he shouldn't. She had the right to her privacy. Who was he to press her to open up and reveal her secrets?

  Emma turned quickly and peered at Jake. "There's something you need to know," she said abruptly.

  Jake felt a tightness in his chest. He drew in a sharp breath. "Emma," he started to say, but she cut him off.

  "I'm a complete stranger, Jake. And you're asking me to consider staying with your family." Her voice quivered with emotion. "You have a right to know what brought me here. What kind of person you're accepting underneath your roof."

  Jake shook his head. "I don't care."

  Her eyes widened and she gasped quietly. "What do you mean?"

  Jake gazed into her eyes. "I said you and the children are welcome here at this ranch, and that's all there is to say about the matter." He wondered if he'd spoken too harshly. Too sternly. He sighed. "If there's anything else you need to tell me, I think it can wait." She looked like she was about to object, but Jake raised a hand. "It's been a long day, Emma. Probably best you get some sleep."

  A single, final flash of resistance flickered in her gaze. Then she nodded. He realized he'd probably only delayed an awkward conversation.

  Emma smiled wearily. "You're right. I am tired." She started to turn. "I think I'll go to bed."

  "Goodnight, Emma," Jake said softly.

  She nodded. "Goodnight, Jake."

  And then Jake watched as she made her way back toward the ranch house.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The excited yelling of the two girls woke Emma early next morning as they tumbled into her room, their footsteps thundering on the wooden floorboards. She sat up in bed, wiping the sleep from her eyes, and tried to gather her faculties. Tiredness clung to every one of her muscles. Maybe Jake had been right. Yesterday had taken more out of her than she'd been willing to admit.

  "What are we doing today?" Clara asked animatedly.

  Judging by their bright eyes, both girls had slept soundly. "I have to go into town."

  "Really?" Bethany said and grinned. "Can we do something nice when we're there?"

  Emma thought for a moment, still not quite fully awake. "I suppose we could take a look around. See what the town is like. Try some of the shops," Emma suggested.

  "Shopping?" Clara exclaimed. "Can we by some things?"

  Emma frowned. "We'll see."

  Both girls exchanged looks upon hearing Emma's cautious assent. They probably knew she wouldn't deny them even the slightest pleasure.

  A short while later they all made their way downstairs, the tempting odors of breakfast wafting up the stairs. In the kitchen, Emma found Matilda and Grace busy setting breakfast out on the wooden table. There was no sign of Jake. Emma felt a tinge of disappointment about that. Since it was Wednesday, she figured he would have plenty to do around the ranch. He'd probably made an early start.

  The girls' appetites proved as healthy as during dinner the previous night. Matilda, Grace and Emma watched and smiled as the girls made short work of what had been laid out on their plates.

  "I can see we're going to have to order in some extra supplies," Matilda joked.

  Grace laughed. "I'll see what I can do when we're in town today," she said lifting a brow in Emma's direction. "We are going into town, aren't we? We can take the buckboard."

  Emma nodded. "That would be nice. I've got some errands I need to run."

  "That's settled," Grace declared. Emma noticed Grace had avoided inquiring what those errands might involve.

  After breakfast, they all got dressed up for their trip into town. Emma chose the same white gown she'd worn last night at dinner. The truth was, she had no real choice. She'd have to make some visits to the local dressmaker if she was going to remain in Inspiration.

  The buckboard was brought to the yard by one of the ranch hands. Emma and Grace got up on the front seat, while Bethany and Clara sat on the long, flat board behind the seat. As the buckboard rattled away from the ranch house, Emma turned and saw that both girls were holding on tightly to the sides of the vehicle. Their eager expressions told Emma one thing. As far as the girls were concerned, today was just another day of adventure. Emma was fine with that.

  During the journey into Inspiration, Emma got the chance to see the rangeland. This was the Buchanan ranch, Emma told herself as she gazed across the landscape. Yesterday, the light had been fading when they'd all arrived. Now, in the early morning light, Emma could see the rolling plains of the grassland. Colors were bright and the air was fresh and clean. Away in the distance, she could see valleys, forests and distant mountain peaks. Wide open spaces like this could make a person feel small, she told herself as Grace drove the buckboard at a steady pace along the dusty trail.

  This was where God had brought her after the days of trial and hardship. Emma allowed herself to begin to hope there was a purpose behind her and the children being brought to this place. Of course there was a purpose, she chided herself. The Lord was protecting the children. And he was using Emma as the means to ensure their safety. If he'd brought them here, there had to be a reason for that. Even if, right now, that explanation was hidden. She had to have faith and hope they would be led to a good outcome.

  At one point during the ride, the girls squealed excitedly when they saw two riders making their way across the rangeland. They pointed and babbled loudly, exclaiming that there were real cowboys living on the ranch. Emma reflected that maybe the girls had been reading too many magazines during their stay at the orphanage.

  The girls were silent as the buckboard trundled into Inspiration, making its way up Main Street. Even though it was early morning, the boardwalk was already quite busy. Emma gazed at the shopfronts, wondering where she and the girls could begin their shopping escapade. Emma had come we
st with funds enough to deal with any unforeseen eventualities. But that money was limited. She'd have to make some prudent decisions in the coming hours and days, she told herself.

  Knowing that Emma wanted to send a telegram, Grace drove the buckboard to the telegraph office at the far end of the street, near the train station. After it drew to a halt, Emma stepped down onto the dusty Main Street and told the children to wait on the buckboard. Grace promised she'd keep a close eye on them.

  Emma went into the telegraph office, and took only a few minutes to compose a brief message and have it sent for the attention of the office of the Foundling Society in New York. She knew that, in doing so, she had set in motion wheels which would take her in an unknown direction. But, given the circumstances, she had no option but to inform the Society that the children were still in her care, the placement having proven inappropriate, and that she was awaiting further instructions.

  As she left the office, she tried not to think about how the message would be received. No doubt it would trigger some kind of action. In the meantime, she had to remain in Inspiration. It was the only solution open to her for the time being.

  Then it was time for Grace to steer the buckboard back up the street and park it outside the general store. Grace had things of her own she had to buy. The girls leaped down off the buckboard and waited impatiently while Emma and Grace discussed what they would do. Finally both women agreed the girls' excitement couldn't be contained any longer. So, for the next two hours, all four of them went from shop to shop, gazing in the windows and, in a few cases, spending far too much time and money inside the shops.

  By the time they'd finished, the back platform of the buckboard was piled high with boxes and bags. Some of what they'd bought were necessary items. Clothing, personal effects and items for daily living up at the ranch. Emma knew this was only the beginning of her expenditure, but she tried not worry about how long her money would last.

  Finally, Grace got her chance to purchase some items from the list Matilda had given her before leaving the ranch that morning. As they were all leaving the general store, a pretty, blonde woman, neatly-attired in a green dress, halted Grace with a hand to her arm.

  "Grace?" the woman said.

  Grace smiled. "Sophie. How nice to see you."

  Emma saw the woman called Sophie peer carefully at her and the two girls. Clearly Sophie was a friend of Grace's, and she was waiting for an introduction.

  Grace gestured toward Emma and the girls. "Sophie. This is Emma Dunbar. And these beautiful, delightful girls are Bethany and Clara."

  Emma saw the girls blush visibly at being described in such a generous manner. Everyone exchanged handshakes.

  Emma curled her fingers across Sophie's hand. "And this is Sophie Cameron. Wife to our sheriff, and just about the best matchmaker in this territory," Grace added brightly. "Isn't that right, Sophie?"

  Sophie smiled. "Well I have been responsible for quite a few marriages these past few years." She rolled her eyes. "I can't deny that."

  "Matchmaker?" Emma asked.

  Sophie tilted her head. "I just like to bring people together," she explained.

  Emma wondered how that would work. Someone could just arrange marriages in town? She'd heard of mail order brides coming out to the frontier in search of husbands. Or even sometimes having marriages that had been arranged prior to their departure. But, she'd never met anyone involved in such an endeavor.

  "Are you visiting someone in town?" Sophie asked.

  Before Emma had a chance to reply, Grace cut in. "They just arrived yesterday. Jake and I invited them to the ranch. They're just settling in." Grace lifted her brows. "Isn't that right, Emma?"

  Sensing that Grace didn't want to talk about private matters out here on the boardwalk, Emma nodded. "We're just here visiting with the Buchanan family," she said, feeling awkward about not telling the whole truth.

  When Sophie Cameron nodded quickly, Emma knew the woman was just trying to be tactful and polite. "I hope you like our town."

  "It's really lovely," Emma said and turned to the girls. "Isn't it, girls?"

  Bethany and Clara nodded in perfect unison. Sometimes, Emma felt the girls had become perfectly attuned to her mood. It was as if they could sense when it was right to simply be polite and not go into too many details about their predicament. Right now, she was grateful for that.

  Sophie squeezed Grace's arm, "Speaking of Jake, where is he?"

  "He's working at the ranch this morning," Grace informed Sophie. "Why?"

  Sophie glanced over her shoulder and waited until a passerby had moved out of earshot. She leaned her head closer to Grace and spoke in a quiet voice. "I have some news for him."

  Grace's brows lifted. "You do?"

  Sophie nodded. "You know that letter I got a few weeks ago. The one I mentioned to you and Jake."

  Grace frowned. "About the young woman who was planning to come to Inspiration to seek a husband?"

  Sophie smiled. "The same. Anyway, she has decided to come to Inspiration, and she will be here sometime next week." Emma thought Sophie looked extremely pleased with herself. "What do you think Jake will say to that?" she asked with a triumphant tone of voice.

  Grace looked suddenly uncertain. She glanced at Emma and then, just as quickly, dragged her gaze away from her. "I imagine he'll find that news quite interesting. Or maybe even just a little bit surprising," Grace admitted hesitantly.

  Sophie's neck stiffened and she peered at Grace. "You don't think he'll be pleased?"

  Grace cleared her throat, and now looked decidedly uncomfortable with the conversation. "I can't really say. You'll have to ask my brother." Grace didn't sound in the slightest bit convinced, Emma told herself. Was this what it meant to be a matchmaker? Constantly interfering in the private lives of the townsfolk of marrying age? If so, she wondered how that could be proper or acceptable.

  Sophie looked disappointed that her news hadn't been received with complete approval. "Maybe you can mention it to him when you get back to the ranch," she suggested.

  Grace nodded. "I'll do that."

  They chatted a while longer and then said goodbye to the sheriff's wife. Back on the buckboard and riding out of town, Emma thought about the curious conversation to which she'd just listened.

  Jake Buchanan was thinking of marrying a complete stranger? He hadn't mentioned that to her last night. Emma guessed she shouldn't have expected him to divulge his plans for marrying a newcomer. But, hadn't Grace told her that Jake wasn't the marrying kind? That, in fact, he was dead set against it?

  Emma thought about asking Grace for more details, but refrained from probing any further. As she held onto the side of the buckboard seat and gazed ahead at the trail back to the ranch, Emma toyed with a very significant thought.

  Her and Jake Buchanan had one thing in common. They each had secrets.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Across the dinner table that evening, Emma's eyes narrowed slightly at him from time to time, and her lips pursed almost imperceptibly as she played absent-mindedly with the food on her plate. She looked distracted. Jake was sure there was something on her mind. Grace's features, by contrast, were blank and unreadable. But then, Grace had always been good at hiding her thoughts from Jake.

  Emma had been looking at him in that curious way since he'd returned from working with the herd over an hour ago. Jake couldn't figure out what Emma was thinking, but it had been enough to put him off his food all through the dinner.

  The conversation throughout the dinner was generally light-hearted and cheerful. Bethany and Clara described their visits to the stores in town and itemized their purchases in excruciating detail. Seemed like Emma had been spending money, this afternoon. Jake wondered just how much money she had at her disposal. It couldn't amount to much, he told himself. Especially considering how she'd had to change her plans back at the staging station. A woman like her surely wouldn't have traveled stagecoach with a whole bankroll of money. But, the children
were happy with what she'd bought them, and that was all that mattered.