The Rancher’s Reunion Bride

by Maya Stirling

  Lauren moved quickly up the stairs, along the narrow corridor and into her bedroom. Closing the door behind her, she leaned back against the door, wanting to keep the world at bay. Wanting to keep the truth out of the room. But she'd heard the truth. And it had been awful. Painful. Gabe had been seeking a marriage of convenience. It explained his determined manner these last few days. Everything made sense now. All the invitations; the accidental encounters; even the decision to bring Kyle to the ranch so that Gabe could have an excuse to be present and court Lauren. Thinking more carefully, recalling their conversations, she realized there had been times when he'd been evasive. When he'd dodged her questions.

  Why had he done it? That was the question which swirled around inside her mind. Hadn't he trusted her to understand? Hadn't he believed in the truth of the feelings they shared for one another? Because, one thing had been true all along. She had come to love Gabriel Baxter. And her faith in him had grown by the day. She'd seen the way he looked at her, with that dark, sincere gaze, and believed utterly that he loved her. And she'd opened herself up to him in a way she'd never done with anyone before.

  There weren't butterflies in her stomach now. They'd vanished. She laid a hand over her middle, feeling the heavy sinking sensation of hurt. Lauren went to the bed and threw herself down onto it. The urge to groan her outrage aloud welled up inside her. Laying a hand across her brow, she asked herself how she could have been so foolish. It was simple. She'd believed in Gabe. She'd been certain that something special had been brought into her life. And she'd allowed herself to have faith in Gabe. She'd opened up her heart.

  Glancing toward the window, she saw clouds drifting across the blue expanse. What had once been bright and perfect now seemed ready for darkness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Gabe drove the buckboard fast. Sitting alongside him, Landon gripped tightly onto the edge of the seat. From time to time, Landon looked sharply across at Gabe, as if he couldn't quite believe the urgency with which his brother was driving the buckboard. As far as Gabe was concerned, he couldn't get to the Munro ranch quick enough. He had things to say to Lauren. The frustrations of earlier, at the cafe, had been forgotten. He'd gone over in his mind how he was going to explain things to her. How he'd had to wait before telling her about the need to marry because of the problem at the Baxter ranch. Gabe hoped she'd understand. He figured the careful choice of words would go a long way to justifying keeping her in the dark.

  And there had been another good reason for doing that, even though not being able to tell her had cut deep into Gabe. He hated even the slightest idea of keeping things from Lauren. But, he'd had to be sure that their feelings for each other were genuine. Certain. And now he knew for sure. Gabe was convinced Lauren's feelings for him were true and real. As were his for Lauren. If she did him the honor of agreeing to become his wife, Gabe knew he'd feel like God had granted him the greatest gift. Lauren as his beloved wife.

  They were near the Munro ranch. Gabe felt nerves twist in his middle. He was eager to speak with Lauren. Desperate to hear her response to his confession and, hopefully, her consent to his proposal of marriage. Gabe lifted his gaze to the sky. A few clouds drifted across the azure blue, but he knew they could do nothing to dim the brightness of this day. The day he'd ask Lauren to be his wife.

  Landon pointed up ahead to a ridge on the trail. "Who's that coming?" he asked.

  Gabe narrowed his eyes. A lone rider was making his way toward them. Moments later, he recognized Kyle in the saddle. "What's Kyle been doing at the Munro place?" Gabe asked Landon. "Did you know he was going there, today?"

  Landon shook his head. "He didn't say anything to me."

  Gabe felt a heavy sensation in his gut. What business had brought Kyle to the ranch? He knew his work for Josh and Wyatt was finished. Maybe he'd wanted to meet and talk with the Munro brothers, Gabe speculated. Or even apologize for the way he'd run off the other day. Kyle rode up to them and slowed, bringing his mount to a halt by the side of the buckboard. Gabe pulled hard on the reins and felt the wheels sliding in the trail's soft earth. He squinted at Kyle. "What's going on, Kyle?" Gabe asked.

  Kyle flicked a thumb back in the direction of the ranch. "I've just been to see Victoria."

  Gabe's throat tightened. "Did you see Lauren arrive?" he asked Kyle.

  Kyle frowned. "What are you talking about?"

  Gabe shifted in his seat and peered at Kyle. "She was coming back to the ranch when I last saw her." He furrowed his brows. "You didn't see her arrive home?"

  Gabe saw Kyle's face turn visibly white. His brother dragged his gaze away from Gabe. "No. I didn't see her. But, now that you mention it, I did see a carriage over by the corral."

  That bad feeling in Gabe's gut intensified instantly. "She was there. And you didn't know it?"

  Kyle shook his head. "I didn't. Victoria and me were taking in the kitchen." As if recalling something, Kyle's brows furrowed into deep ridges. He glanced at Gabe and seemed about to say something. But, he hesitated, as if he couldn't bring himself to confess something.

  "What were you and Victoria talking about?" Gabe demanded.

  Kyle sighed heavily and peered straight into Gabe's eyes. "We were talking about the situation at the ranch."

  "What!" Gabe exclaimed, his booming voice echoing out across the rangeland. "What did you and Victoria say about it?"

  Kyle shifted uneasily in the saddle. "Only that you were going to tell Lauren about having to marry to save our life at the ranch."

  Gabe gasped and glared at Kyle. "You did what?" he groaned. "Did you see Lauren?"

  Kyle shook his head. "Maybe she came into the ranch house when me and Victoria were in the kitchen."

  Gabe grunted. This was getting worse by the minute, he told himself. "Could be she heard every word you were saying." Gabe glanced incredulously at Landon, whose eyes were wide with concern. Turning back to Kyle, he saw something on Kyle's features he hadn't expected to see. Genuine remorse. Kyle looked sorry, and that was something Gabe hadn't seen in a while.

  Kyle reached out a hand. "Look, Gabe. I didn't know she would be there. She might not have overheard me and Victoria. There's a chance she didn't hear anything."

  Gabe shook his head. "And an equal chance she heard every single word." Gabe grasped the reins of the buckboard. He gazed up at Kyle and sighed. "It wasn't your fault, Kyle. If she did hear you and Victoria, you weren't to know." Those words didn't do much to reassure Kyle. Gabe resolved to talk with his brother later in the day. There were other things he and Kyle had to discuss. Right now, though, there was only one thing on Gabe's mind. Getting to the Munro ranch as quickly as possible.

  Gabe flicked the reins and started to drive the buckboard up the dusty trail. After a minute, Gabe shook his head and turned to Landon. "Did I do right, Landon?" Gabe asked his brother. "Should I have told Lauren earlier about what ma and pa want us to do?"

  Landon thought for a moment and then shook his head. "According to what you told me, when you found out, you didn't even know if Lauren still had feelings for you."

  Gabe knew Landon was probably trying to be kind by saying that. It was partly true. On the day he'd told Victoria, and shown her the letter, Gabe had had no idea how well things would go between him and Lauren. In fact, everything had been improving so fast, he'd barely had time to keep up. Barely had time to reflect on the possible consequences of not telling her. He'd chosen today because he'd felt a freshly renewed certainty about his prospects of asking Lauren to become his wife. But, somehow, everything seemed to be arranging itself so that Gabe had insurmountable obstacles standing in his way. And now he faced the worst of all. Possible rejection by Lauren.

  Arriving at the Munro ranch, Gabe pulled the buckboard to a stop alongside Lauren's carriage. Just looking at it made something ache in his heart.

  "I'll wait here," Landon announced. Gabe nodded and leaped down from the seat. Gabe strode over to the front door of the ranch house. He half-expected to b
e greeted by his sister, Victoria. But, no-one came to the door. The ranch house was eerily silent. He knocked on the door and waited. Standing there, Gabe wondered if Lauren would come to the door. He asked himself what he could possibly say that would explain his decision. He was convinced Lauren must have heard something when she'd arrived at the ranch house. If she hadn't, he was sure she'd have come to greet him on his arrival. The fact that she was nowhere to be seen triggered a growing sense of dread.

  Gabe lifted his hand to knock on the door one more time. Before he did so, the door swung open. Hope swelled in Gabe's heart, but it was instantly crushed when he saw the figure of Zacharias standing in the hallway. Judging by the stern expression written across Zach's features, Gabe knew his worst fears were about to be confirmed.

  "Gabe," Zacharias said evenly.

  Gabe forced himself to stand tall. He nervously wiped his hands against his side and nodded. "Zach. I think you know why I'm here."

  Zacharias nodded slowly. "I think I do, son," he murmured.

  Knowing he had to ask the question, Gabe spoke, his voice cracking with emotion. "Is Lauren at home?"

  Zacharias paused and then turned his head, gazing up the length of the staircase. Turning back to look at Gabe, Zacharias nodded. "She is."

  The abruptness of Zach's reply made Gabe feel immediate unease. Gabe shifted on his heels. "Would it be possible to see her?" he asked. The question was almost impossible to utter. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the reply.

  Zacharias stepped out onto the porch. Gabe stepped back watching Zacharias close the door behind him. Zacharias frowned. "I don't think that would be a good idea, right now, Gabe," he said.

  "Why not?" Gabe asked quietly.

  Zacharias sighed heavily and lowered his head, shaking it slowly. Fixing Gabe with a firm look, Zacharias said: "I don't know what passed between you and Lauren today. Whatever it was, she doesn't want to see you."

  A heavy weight sank into the pit of Gabe's stomach. He tried to swallow, but his throat was too tight. Clearing his throat, Gabe peered intently at Lauren's father. "Did she say why?"

  Zacharias shook his head. "No. And, right now, I don't need to know. All I can say is that she doesn't want to see you, or anybody today." Zacharias glanced at the buckboard and raised a friendly hand to Landon. "Maybe it might be best for you and your brother to get along back to your ranch." Zacharias gently laid a hand on Gabe's shoulder. "Sometimes it's best to leave things be for while, son," he said. "Time can heal most things." Zacharias narrowed his eyes. "Prayer can help, too. But I think you know that already."

  In spite of the raging emotion swirling around inside his body, Gabe knew Zacharias' words were wise. Gabe knew he'd messed up. Not telling Lauren sooner had been a mistake. And he'd been well aware of it. However, today he'd planned to put things right. Apparently it wasn't meant to be. For now.

  Gabe nodded. "You're right, Zach. Tell her I was asking for her." He gave Zacharias an earnest look. "And that I hope to see her soon."

  "I will do that, Gabe," Zacharias replied. He reached out a hand. Gabe shook Zacharias' hand, feeling the firmness of the man's grasp. For a moment, Gabe was sure Zacharias wanted to say one last thing to him. However, at the last moment, Zacharias' lips firmed into a thin line.

  Gabe released Zach's hand and made his way back to the carriage. "I left my horse here earlier," he explained to Landon. "You take the carriage and I'll ride home on my own."

  Landon looked concerned. "What happened?"

  Gabe shook his head. "You don't want to know." Landon opened his mouth, about to object, but Gabe held his hand up, silencing his brother. "I'll tell you later."

  Then Gabe started toward the stable where he'd left his mount. It would be a long ride home. But, then again, he had plenty of thinking to do. Not least of which involved trying to figure out if he had any future with Lauren.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  "You want to talk?" Lauren heard Zacharias say as she leaned back on the porch bench and gazed up at the blue sky. Turning, she saw her father standing near her. He was looking down at her, his features as serious as they'd been for the last two days. Since the day she'd found out about Gabe's decision to keep her in the dark about his reasons for courting her.

  She smiled at her father and nodded. "Sure." Shifting along the bench, she made room for Zacharias. He sat down next to her and leaned back, drawing in a deep breath of late-morning air. His silence made it clear he was willing to wait for her to do the talking. Lauren was glad to have her father close by. She had plenty she wanted to say to him, and she was sure he had things on his mind.

  The ranch house was quiet. Grace and Victoria had taken Ryan into Inspiration. He was attending the schoolhouse. Josh and Wyatt were out working on the spread and wouldn't be back until late. It seemed like everyone had things to do. Except herself, Lauren reflected. The last forty-eight hours had passed excruciatingly slowly. Her mind had been a whirlwind of thoughts; her body overtaken by so many mixed emotions. It had been a struggle to come to terms with what had happened the other day. And she was still finding it hard to accept what she'd found out.

  That Gabe had other reasons for wanting to marry. Not just because of any feelings he might have for her. But also to hang onto the ranch. To avoid having to give the place up and change his life. Just thinking about that simple fact still made her heart feel heavy. Made the sinking sensation in her middle impossible to ignore.

  Not for the first time, she asked herself if she was being unkind to Gabe, assuming his motives hadn't been right. That he'd merely been seeking some kind of marriage of convenience. But, just like every other time she had that thought, she recalled how Gabe had looked at her in the cafe. When he had been about to tell her the truth, his eyes had been filled with genuine emotion. Could she call it love? Because that was what she wanted to believe. That Gabriel Baxter loved her. But, how could she hold onto that hope when he hadn't been able to be straight with her? When he hadn't been willing to open himself up to her and give her the full picture.

  "What're you thinking about?" her father asked quietly.

  Lauren glanced at him and saw genuine concern in his eyes. "Can't you guess?"

  Zacharias nodded and smiled kindly. "You haven't been yourself these past couple of days. I've been worried about you."

  Lauren furrowed her brow and reached out, touching her father's shoulder. "You don't have to be concerned about me. I'll be fine."

  "Will you?" Zacharias asked, looking skeptically at Lauren.

  Lauren tilted her head and sighed. "It hasn't been easy. I'm still trying to figure out why Gabe did what he did."

  "He seemed shaken up when I met him at the door," Zacharias stated. "Like he knew he'd made a big mistake."

  Ignoring that remark, she shifted impatiently on the bench. "Why didn't he tell me he needed to find a wife so he and his brothers could keep the ranch?" she said abruptly.

  Zacharias was quiet for a long moment. Then he said: "It can't have been easy for him to keep that to himself. The only people he could tell were his sister and his brothers." Zacharias turned to Lauren. "Don't you think it was just Gabe trying to keep the whole thing a family matter? Something for the Baxters to work out for themselves? I guess he had his reasons."

  Lauren shook her head. "I understand why Victoria couldn't tell me. She told me yesterday that she'd given Gabe her word that she'd wait before telling me. She wanted to give Gabe and me a chance."

  "That's not a bad thing," Zacharias said. "Everyone has been rooting for you and Gabe. You know that, don't you?" Zacharias lifted a brow. "They still are."

  Lauren groaned quietly, wishing her father hadn't said that. She knew it was true. Had known that everyone had been watching her and Gabe getting closer by the day. Emotions swirled inside her. The same emotions she'd battled with for days. And nights.