The Deceptive Bride: The Ladies Club of Laramie. Book 10

by West, Everly

  Arielle interjected before Eva could answer. "I am here for the experience and since I have a mind of my own, I shall decide whether I accept or not."

  Caleb saw the pointed look Arielle gave to Eva and then to Levi before she turned back to speak to him directly. "I'll do it. I'll accept your position. When do I start?"

  3

  The next morning passed in a rush of flurried activities. Arielle finished packing the two trunks she planned to take with her to the ranch. All of her other things she would leave at Eva's house.

  Just before noon, Eva joined her in her bedroom. "Looks like you are almost ready to go. Levi will be here soon to take you out to Caleb's ranch. Are you certain you want to do this? It isn't too late to change your mind, you know."

  "I don't want to change my mind, Eva. I think this is exactly what I need to do. It was my wish to spend this summer having adventures before I return to Boston. I think this adventure is the perfect scenario to let the wind blow me in a new direction."

  "Cousin Ari, I just hope you know what you are getting yourself into. You have already admitted you’re attracted to Mr. Montgomery. What will happen if you succumb to those feelings for him? Are you prepared to fall in love and then have to go back to Boston and marry someone else?"

  Arielle thought about Eva's question before she answered. "I don't know Caleb, Eva. Any attraction I have to the man is strictly physical and I'm adult enough to know how to refrain from giving in to my baser desires. He isn't the first man that has caught my attention. I dare say, he won't be the last.

  "Besides, what on earth would I do with a cowboy?" She teased her cousin even though she was aware there was a sting of truth to what Eva was saying. She was attracted to Caleb, but she knew nothing could come of it. Their backgrounds were worlds apart. They had nothing in common.

  "Anyone up here?" Arielle heard Levi's voice call from the hallway.

  "We’re in here, sweetheart," Eva answered.

  Levi entered the room, his gaze immediately finding his wife. Once again, Arielle felt the pinch of envy at her cousin's good fortune. She knew she wasn't jealous of Eva, and she knew she wished her beloved cousin nothing but the best. But she also knew she wished for that same kind of happiness and that same kind of connection with her own husband that Eva had with Levi.

  Eva greeted him, and they kissed briefly.

  Levi turned to her. "Are you about ready? The carriage is downstairs. I hope it’s big enough. Maybe I need to go back and get the freight wagon."

  Arielle knew he was teasing her, so she simply grinned at him and threw her hat box. He nimbly caught it and grinned back.

  "I'm ready. Those two trunks,” she pointed at the two trunks sitting packed and ready to go next to the door. “They are all I'm taking."

  Levi glanced around the room. "And everything else?"

  "Is staying right here until Arielle returns at the end of summer. Or whenever she needs to," Eva replied and shot a pointed look in her direction.

  "I don't plan on coming back until September, but it isn't like you won't see me until then. I'll be coming into town with Melody and I'm certain there will be things I’m going to need at the ranch. A shopping trip will be in order then, don't you think?"

  "I suppose that's true. And, perhaps I can convince my husband to bring me out to the ranch from time to time. I would like to see this remarkable ranch I've heard so much about."

  "Sounds like it’s all decided then. Shall we go? I want to get you settled at the ranch and be back to town before dark." Levi handed her back her hat box. "Here, you take this. I'll head on down and have the two men I hired come up and get your trunks."

  "We'll be down shortly, Levi. There's something I want to say to Arielle."

  Levi kissed Eva again and left the room. Eva turned to her. "My dearest Ari. I think the world of you and if you think this decision will be good for you, then I fully support you."

  "Thank you, Eva." It was all she could say. The unexpected emotions she felt at her cousin's belief in her threatened to bring tears to her eyes.

  "But, if at any time things change and you no longer think this arrangement is in your best interest, send word and I will have Levi on your doorstep with a wagon post haste. Promise me, Ari. You will not stay longer than prudent."

  Arielle was touched by her cousin's concern for her welfare, but it was unwarranted. She was perfectly capable of protecting herself.

  "I promise," Arielle vowed. "I will leave the moment I am no longer needed. I shall not stay a moment longer. Now, if I don't get downstairs sooner rather than later, your husband may leave without me."

  A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the men Levi spoke about.

  "Come in gentlemen. The trunks are there and there." Arielle pointed to the two she was taking to the ranch. "Everything else remains here."

  The two men lifted the biggest trunk and exited her bedroom.

  "They will be back for the smaller trunk. I need to go to the nursery school and collect my pastels. I'll let Levi know to pick me up there." Arielle pulled on her shawl and slung her reticule over her arm. Her hat box hung from her other arm. "I shall miss you, Eva. Please don't be a stranger."

  She hugged her cousin and Eva hugged her back. "I promise I will visit soon. Now go before your carriage leaves without you, Cinderella."

  Arielle laughed, "Cinderella indeed."

  * * *

  Caleb hurried around his house trying to clean and straightened from the three month’s he had neglected it. Well, that wasn't exactly true. He had attempted to clean up the place before Victoria arrived. A lot of good that did him.

  "Papa, why are we cleaning the house if Miss Arielle is coming to clean the house?" Melody asked, following in his frantic wake.

  He stopped short at her question. "I—that's a good question, Melody. I guess the reason is so we can give her a clean slate and she doesn't have to start on her first day with all of our dirt."

  "We have a lot of dirty clothes. Are we gonna do those too?"

  Caleb turned to his little girl and studied her inquisitive face. She looked so serious. And she had a point. He studied her a moment longer and something about her question and her innocence forced him to relax. He had nothing to prove to this woman. "No, sweetheart. We are not. We are going to sit on the front porch and wait for Miss Arielle to arrive. Do you like that idea?"

  Melody nodded and threw herself at him and hugged his knees. He bent down to her level.

  "Good. Now, how about we go outside and wait, shall we?" Melody nodded again and grabbed his hand. He let her lead the way out the door, onto the porch and straight to the swing. He sat in the swing next to her and pulled her snug to his side.

  "I know things are not easy for you, Melody, but I promise things are gonna get better now that you have someone to help you learn things a proper young lady should know."

  "Momma was a proper lady." He watched tears cloud her eyes. "Why doesn't Momma want to teach me to be a lady, Papa?"

  Caleb's pain hit him deep in his chest, but he pushed it deeper. He didn't have time to deal with his own emotions over Victoria's betrayal. He needed to protect his daughter from that same betrayal and that was all that mattered. "I'm not certain I have all the answers, sweetheart, but I do know your momma must be very sick. Otherwise, she would never have allowed her darling daughter to come here without her."

  "So my momma is sick? Should we call a doctor for her?" Melody's innocence concern gave him hope that she wouldn't turn out to be the selfish, spoiled creature her mother had become.

  "It's not the kind of sick a doctor can fix, sweetheart."

  "Can Miss Arielle fix it? Maybe if I tell her about Momma, she will know how to fix everything."

  Dread filled Caleb when he realized what he had done. He hadn't thought about what would happen when his misdirection of the facts to Levi and Arielle collided with his daughter's honesty.

  "Somebody's coming, Papa. There's a wagon. Look. It's Miss Ar
ielle. She's here! She's here!

  Caleb's gut twisted with nerves when he saw Levi and Arielle coming down his road. He couldn't ask his daughter to lie. That would be unforgivable, so how was he going to fix this mess? He had a decision to make. And quick.

  "Melody." He stood and helped her down from the swing.

  "Yes, Papa?" She waved at the oncoming wagon's occupants. They weren't close enough yet to see Melody so they didn't wave back.

  "I think we should not tell Miss Arielle that your Momma is sick. It might make her feel bad knowing she can't help her. And we wouldn’t want her to feel bad, now would we?" Caleb felt like a weasel enlisting his four-year-old daughter in his deception. But without Arielle’s help, he had no chance in hell at keeping this ranch going because his daughter's welfare came first.

  "You think she would be sad?" Melody looked up at him with clear trusting eyes. He shoved his guilt down with the knowledge he was doing this for Melody and that make his actions justifiable. His very livelihood depended on this woman caring for his daughter.

  "Yes, sweetheart. I think she would be very sad to know how sick your mother is. And, since there is nothing she can do to help, it would make her very sad. I think it would be best if we don't say anything about your mother being sick. Will that be okay with you?"

  He watched his innocent blonde-haired angel frown. He could tell she was weighing her decision. Finally, she raised her face to him. "Of course, Papa. I won't tell Miss Arielle my momma is sick because I don't want her to be sad."

  Relief flooded Caleb as the breath he had been holding rushed through his lungs. "Good girl. Now, let's go meet your new teacher."

  4

  Arielle sat next to Levi on the cushioned buggy seat underneath the fringed canopy. The sun was high in the sky and she was glad for the shady protection it provided. Levi's quick-footed bay mares had trotted at a steady pace since they left Laramie. Within half an hour, the carriage topped a hill revealing the place she would call home for the next few months.

  "Oh my. This is such a breathtaking view. Now I see why Caleb is so adamant on staying here." Arielle exclaimed as the ranch and its surrounding land came into full view.

  "It is a prime piece of property. It has everything Caleb needs to run his horse breeding business. There's plenty of water running through the property. Caleb's uncle was a smart businessman. He spent the time and money to build a watershed to retain some of the water in case of drought."

  "What's a watershed?" Arielle had never heard the term before.

  "See that big body of water there?" Levi pointed to a lake of sorts in the distance."

  "Yes. I see it. The stream runs into it and then out the other end." Arielle saw the tree-dotted shoreline of the pool of water. It looked quite refreshing after her dusty trip.

  "The stream runs downhill and into the lake. When the water level gets too full, the water flows down the spillway. See the dam. It is holding the water in a bowl. When the bowl overflows, the water makes its way on down the stream to other farmers and ranchers."

  "It is a beautiful place. Look at all the horses in each pasture. There must be fifty or more." Arielle was in awe of the beauty spread out below her. She supposed she had misjudged the place. She had envisioned a much smaller place with less appeal. This adventure was becoming more and more interesting by the moment.

  Levi guided the carriage down the wide hard packed dirt road until she could see movement on the front porch. Caleb stepped into view the moment they approached. He was holding Melody's hand and it was an endearing sight to see such a strong, virile, and handsome man protect his sweet little girl.

  Arielle's breath caught in her chest. She would have to be very careful around this rugged cowboy. Eva's words came back to her reminding her that there was a very real possibility her attraction to him could cause her trouble. And yet, Arielle knew she would never allow him to get close enough to steal her heart.

  Levi pulled the carriage up to the porch steps and reined the horses to a stop.

  "Hello. I'm so glad you made it. Melody has been anxiously awaiting your arrival." Caleb stepped out of the porch's shadow and into the bright sunlight. His smile ready and welcoming. Yes, she would definitely have to keep her guard up where Caleb Montgomery was concerned.

  "Miss Arielle, you’re here. I'm so happy to see you." Melody let go of her father's hand and rushed to Arielle's side of the wagon. The horses nervously stomped in place.

  "Melody. Stay back from the horses. You'll get stepped on."

  Caleb rushed to catch up with his daughter.

  "I just wanted to welcome Miss Arielle with a kiss," Melody declared as she made her way toward the carriage.

  Caleb caught up with Melody and pulled her into his arms. Arielle's heart skipped a beat when Caleb looked up at her. "I think Miss Arielle would love a welcome kiss, Melody.” His eyes dropped to her mouth.

  “Yes, I would like that very much,” she heard herself saying.

  Caleb pulled his eyes away from her and refocused his attention to admonishing his daughter. “But you must always wait for an adult to guide you. You can’t rush out in front of horses like that. It is very, very dangerous for a little girl."

  "Like me, Papa?" Melody turned to him and placed both of her hands on either side of his face to gain his full attention.

  "Yes, darling. Like you. Now, let's help Miss Arielle down from the carriage and then you can give her that welcome kiss."

  Arielle watched Melody's blonde head shake vigorously. She was such a lovely sweet little girl. She didn't deserve to lose her mother at such a tender age.

  Caleb placed Melody on the ground, careful to keep hold of her hand. Then, he turned to her. "Miss Arielle, would you like a hand down?"

  "I would, thank you, Mr. Montgomery." Her heart stumbled at the touch of his hand on hers.

  "Please, call me Caleb, remember?" He stepped back and helped her down from the carriage. She liked his strength. It was something solid. Something she knew she could rely on. At least, until she left for home.

  Once she was safely on the ground, Melody rushed to her and wrapped her little arms around Arielle's skirt.

  "I'm so glad you've come to live with us, Miss Arielle. It's really lonely since my momma...”

  Arielle watched Melody stop short and cut a wide-eyed look toward her father. "I'm sorry, Papa. I didn't mean to say it."

  Caleb rushed to his daughter's side and lifted her into his arms. He hugged her tight against him and cast a look of regret toward Arielle.

  Her heart ached as she watched this father and his little girl struggle with the grief of their loss. "It's alright, sweetheart. It isn't your fault. None of this is your fault."

  Arielle felt tears sting her eyes. The poor little girl must feel so lost without her momma. And what must Caleb be feeling? She couldn’t imagine giving her heart to someone only to lose them forever. It was—unfathomable. She hoped she never had to experience such a loss.

  Levi walked around the horses and tied them to the hitching rail out in front of the house. "Caleb. How about Jeremy and I unload Arielle's trunks while you and Melody show her around your home. I'm sure she would be delighted to see it."

  Arielle shot him grateful look. He really was a dear man. That was the kind of man she pined for, but she often wondered if there was another one left on this earth like Leviticus Copper.

  "My pleasure.” He set Melody down on the ground and held her hand. Then, he extended an elbow to her. "Shall we go inside and see your new home?"

  She glanced at his forearm, his shirt was rolled up to his elbow leaving his arm bare. Arielle found that she liked the feel of his coarse arm hair under her fingertips.

  "Yes, I would love to see my new—your home."

  * * *

  Caleb tried to ignore the feeling of Arielle's fingers on his arm as he led her into the house.

  "Melody, why don't you run upstairs to your room and make sure you've tidied everything up for Miss Arielle'
s inspection."

  "Okay, Papa." Melody let go his hand and ran up the staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms.

  "She's such a dear. I shall consider it a privilege to teach her."

  "Yes, she is the joy of my life. And my biggest challenge. I try to keep all that energy contained, but as you can imagine, it is a job all by itself." Caleb grinned and escorted Arielle through the main living area and into the master bedroom. The one she would be living in for the next few months. The one that he should be sharing with his wife—his two-timing absent wife. Thoughts of Victoria pushed the bile in his stomach into the back of his throat. It burned. And it made him angry. Like it always did.

  "Are you alright, Caleb? You seem...tense." Her fingers squeezed his arm where her fingertips still rested. He looked down at the deep brown eyes that saw too much. He would have to be more careful and guard his emotions around this woman.

  "I'm fine."

  The doubtful look she gave him made him want to ease her concerns. "It's just that...I'm still getting used to the idea of Victoria not being here. That's all. It's just gonna take some time, but now that you are here, for Melody, things should be more manageable." It wasn't a lie. He was trying to get used to the idea of being a jilted husband and a single parent. And the fact he didn't have to worry about Melody's well-being now, well that much was true too. Things would be more manageable.

  She nodded in understanding. "I can only imagine what you are going through. And Melody." Then, he watched her look around the room. "This is a beautiful bedroom. And it is so big. Are you sure you want me to have this room? I'll be perfectly happy with another one. A smaller one."

  "No, this room is on the ground floor. I want someone between the outside world and my daughter upstairs, since I will be sleeping in the barn with Jeremy."

  "Yes, I suppose that is a good idea, although I do feel somewhat guilty knowing I will be sleeping in your bed." Caleb watched her cheeks pink with embarrassment. Her words were innocent enough, but the picture they created in his mind sent a jolt of desire through his body.