The Rancher’s Beloved Bride

by Maya Stirling

  This morning, over breakfast, Kyle and Gabe's mother had made a suggestion. Invite the Flint family to Gabe and Lauren's wedding this coming Saturday. Everyone at the kitchen table had agreed it was a fine idea. Apparently Veronica had made a good impression on Kyle's mother, Miriam. And, like always, whatever pleased Miriam inevitably found favor with Kyle's father, Nathaniel. Landon, older than Kyle but younger than Gabe, had agreed, too. So, the resolution had been made and the two brothers sent out to deliver the invitation.

  They rode up the tree-lined trail, emerging into the broad gravel-covered yard in front of the house. Slowing his horse, Gabe ran his gaze across the mansion's exterior. He whistled softly. "This is impressive."

  Kyle drew his mount to a halt in front of the colonnades. Gabe came to a halt beside him. Both brothers dismounted and strode up to the front door. They each clutched their Stetsons in their hands. Kyle thumped his clenched fist against the tall wooden door. He saw Gabe's eyes narrow. "What is it?" Kyle asked.

  Gabe pointed at the large, metal door knocker set in the middle of the door. "Maybe next time you can use that instead of your bare fist," Gabe joked.

  "Who says there's going to be a next time?" Kyle retorted.

  The door was tugged open abruptly. Kyle had hoped Veronica would open the door. Or even her mother, Augusta. He felt his heart sink when he saw Rueben Vogel standing there. He wore the same drab brown suit Kyle had seen on his first visit to the Flint place. Standing in the hallway, out of the bright morning sunshine, Vogel's pale features looked even more unhealthy. Kyle figured Vogel didn't get out much.

  Vogel looked straight at Kyle. "What do you want?" Vogel snapped in a sharp tone.

  Briefly taken aback by the man's harsh tone, Kyle glanced at Gabe. His brother seemed similarly surprised by the man's unwelcoming tone of voice. Gabe cleared his throat. "We'd like to speak with Mr Flint." Vogel's eyes widened as Gabe added quickly. "If that wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience."

  "What about?" Vogel asked sharply.

  "A personal matter," Gabe replied.

  Kyle saw Vogel's eyes narrow. "I don't recall you having any business with Mr Flint."

  Kyle heard Gabe sigh heavily. Gabe took a step forward and Vogel drew the door over, clearly intending to slam it shut. "Mr Flint can't see anyone," Vogel sneered. He glanced quickly from Gabe to Kyle and then added: "Least of all two local ranch boys."

  Kyle felt every one of his muscles stiffen. Now it was his turn to take a step forward. Gabe reached out a hand and halted Kyle's advance. Kyle saw Gabe work hard to compose himself. It took a lot to annoy Gabe, Kyle told himself. His brother was usually good-tempered and slow to anger.

  Suddenly, from behind Vogel came a voice. "Let the gentlemen in, Rueben," Dominick Flint instructed. He appeared behind Vogel, resting a hand on the other man's shoulder. Vogel hesitated a moment, as if he was about to object. But then he stepped back, opening the door. Kyle followed Gabe into the hallway. As he passed Vogel, Kyle made sure he gave the man a stern look. Vogel appeared unaffected. Maybe he was used to people looking at him like that, Kyle reflected. The hallway was large, with polished wooden floor and a broad staircase which led up past paintings hung on the side wall to a gallery. Off to each side were doors leading to other rooms in the house. One pair of doors was open and Kyle could see an opulently furnished, and richly carpeted parlor.

  Dominick Flint leaned a hand on the banister at the bottom of the stairs. He was dressed in a perfectly-tailored gray suit and shiny, black shoes. Regarding Gabe and Kyle carefully, he asked: "What can I do for you today?" he asked. There wasn't much enthusiasm in his voice.

  Gabe shifted his Stetson from one hand to the other. "My name is Gabriel Baxter, sir. I assume I have the pleasure of addressing Mr Dominick Flint?"

  Flint nodded once and very regally. "I am Dominick Flint." He glanced at Kyle. "Your brother and I met the other day. And I believe he was quite gracious to my wife, daughter and grand-daughter yesterday when they attended his class." Flint narrowed his eyes at Kyle. "I'm told it was a riding class. Am I right?" There was more than a hint of sarcasm in the man's voice.

  Ignoring the provocation, Kyle wondered exactly what Flint had heard about the outing. "The thing is, Mr Flint, we came here today for a very special reason. My brother is getting married."

  Flint lifted a brow. "Is he, indeed. I suppose congratulations should be in order." Once again, it was hard to tell if Flint was being sincere. "Who is the lucky young woman?"

  Gabe smiled. "Miss Lauren Munro. Of the Munro ranch, east of town."

  "You'll have to forgive me," Flint replied. "I'm not familiar with any of the ranches in these parts." Flint forced a smile. "I hope you and Miss Munro will be very happy together." Kyle saw Flint glance at Vogel. Kyle got the impression he and Gabe were about to be asked to leave.

  Gabe moved closer to Flint. Kyle saw Vogel react, his eyes widening. Maybe Vogel considered himself Flint's protector. Not knowing the history of the two men, Kyle could only make a guess that might be the case.

  Gabe grinned at Flint. "I'd like to extend an invitation to you and your family, Mr Flint."

  Flint frowned. "Invitation?"

  Gabe nodded. "It would be a great honor to myself and my wife-to-be if you would come to our marriage ceremony on Saturday. And to the celebration at my family ranch afterwards."

  Flint's features were suddenly blank. His gaze flickered toward Vogel and then back to Gabe. "You want my entire family to come to your wedding?" he muttered, his voice containing more than a hint of incredulity. Kyle felt something heavy sink in the pit of his stomach.

  Gabe kept smiling at Flint, even though Kyle was sure his brother had taken note of Flint's reaction. Gabe always did try to look on the bright side of everything. And now was no exception. "It would give us great pleasure to see you at the church at noon on Saturday."

  A long, heavy silence filled the hallway. Then, Flint scoffed aloud. "I don't think that will be possible, Mr Baxter." Flint shook his head. "I appreciate the generosity of your invitation, but I'm afraid I couldn't possibly accept."

  Abruptly, as if the issue had already been settled, he gestured toward the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important matters to attend to."

  Gabe and Kyle exchanged astonished looks. After witnessing Flint's abrupt manner when he'd returned Veronica to the Flint mansion, Kyle knew he shouldn't have been shocked by the rudeness of Flint's instant refusal. But the disregard for Gabe's feelings had triggered indignation in Kyle.

  Kyle saw the corner of Vogel's mouth crease with a smile. Gabe hesitated a moment before beginning to follow Kyle to the door. As Vogel opened the door, and Kyle readied himself to step out into the bright sunshine, he heard a voice from high up in the hallway.

  "I believe we can accept you kind offer, Mr Baxter."

  Kyle turned and looked up at the gallery at the top of the staircase. Veronica was standing there, her hands leaning on the carved, wooden banister. Kyle saw Flint turn and stare disbelievingly at his daughter.

  Veronica raced down the stairs, keeping hold of the skirts of her pale blue gown as she moved. Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, she looked defiantly up at her father. Then she smiled at Gabe and Kyle. "I think it would be wonderful to come to your wedding," she said.

  And Kyle couldn't help noticing that his own spirits had instantly lifted.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  By the time the Baxter brothers left the Flint mansion an hour later, it had all been agreed. Veronica, her father and mother, and Molly, and Mr Vogel, would all attend the wedding of Gabe Baxter and Lauren Munro at noon on Saturday at the church in Inspiration.

  Veronica had seen Kyle and Gabe's arrival from the window of her bedroom. And she'd heard the way her father had refused to accept Gabe's kind proposal. Realizing her father was about to reject another opportunity to draw closer to becoming a part of life in town, Veronica had acted. Luckily, she'd caught the Baxter brothers before they'd been escort
ed out of the house. She wasn't angry at her father for turning down the offer. The truth was she was never angry at her father. His cold manner with relative strangers was a habit which he'd acquired over the years in business. But she was disappointed at the abrupt manner of the refusal. Kyle deserved better than that, Veronica told herself. And his brother Gabe seemed so similar to Kyle in character that Veronica would have hated it if he'd left the Flint mansion under a cloud.

  Instead of being asked to leave, Veronica had insisted on Kyle and Gabe staying for coffee while the situation was resolved. Veronica persuaded her father to join them in the parlor while the housekeeper brought the coffee and cakes. Throughout the time in the parlor, Veronica had noticed Kyle's nervousness. In contrast to his confident demeanor yesterday, he seemed awkward and unsure of himself. She put that down to the presence of her father, who always liked to dominate conversations. Gabe had talked enthusiastically about the arrangements for the wedding and the celebratory lunch at the Baxter ranch. Accustomed for so long to some of the finer things in life, Veronica saw her father shift impatiently on his chair as Gabe described his family's homely preparations for the big day.

  Veronica's mother joined them during the coffee and did everything she could to convince her husband that spending Saturday at a wedding would a wonderful blessing.

  They said farewell to the Baxter brothers and made their way back into the parlor.

  "This is a bad idea," her father complained as he threw himself down onto the heavily-upholstered green sofa.

  "Nonsense, Dominick," Augusta replied as she sat alongside him. "It will do you good to show the good folks of Inspiration that you are not the ogre they believe you to be."

  Dominick's eyes widened and he gazed incredulously at Veronica who had taken her place on the seat near the window. "Who says I'm an ogre?" he demanded to know.

  "I've heard questions being asked when I was in the mercantile," Augusta said.

  "What kind of questions?" Dominick asked leaning forward.

  Veronica smiled at her father. "Don't you realize that, by cooping yourself up here, you've become a figure of mystery. You're inviting speculation. People are making up stories about you."

  Dominick lifted his chin. "It's best that folks keep themselves to themselves. That way we avoid any unwelcome questions."

  "About what?" Augusta asked abruptly.

  "You know very well that we left things behind us in Chicago when we came here. Things were becoming complicated. Owing to my past and some of my business associates being less than pleased about my success in my chosen profession." Dominick lowered his voice and glanced toward the open door to the parlor. Veronica wondered why he was suddenly careful about being overheard. "That's why I brought us here, Augusta. To make a fresh start."

  "By hiding in this mansion?" Veronica's mother asked. She sighed heavily. "And don't think it hasn't been noticed that you don't attend church. Those two lovely Rushton sisters asked me yesterday. And I was embarrassed with the reply I had to give them."

  "What did you say?" Dominick asked urgently.

  "The truth, of course," Augusta declared. "I don't lie, Dominick Flint."

  Veronica's father nodded. "Of course you don't," he agreed. "I wouldn't ask you to do that."

  "I told the sisters that you have been considering your faith very carefully this past year," Augusta explained. "And that you would be attending church very soon."

  Dominick's eyes widened. "You told them that?" he exclaimed.

  "It's the truth, isn't it?" Veronica said to her father. "You can't stay away from church forever, pa. It's not right. And it's not what mother and I want for you." Veronica looked at her mother. "Is it ma?" Augusta shook her head slowly and smiled at her husband.

  Dominick stood and began to pace in front of the empty fireplace. After a few moments he paused. He leaned one hand imperiously on the mantlepiece of the fireplace and tucked the thumb of his other hand in the pocket of his waistcoat. Gazing down at Veronica, he spoke quietly. "You know why I've stayed away from the church."

  Veronica felt her heart become heavier. She'd had this conversation with her father many times during the past few years. But it was the first time the subject had come up since she and Molly had arrived at the mansion. "God wants you back there, pa," Veronica said softly. "He wants you back at church."

  Dominick looked thoughtfully at Veronica. She could see her words had touched him. In public, her father was all sound and fury. He'd always been like that outside the family home. But, behind closed doors, with his wife and child, Dominick Flint had a softer, kinder demeanor. Here, surrounded by his own family, he could be reasoned with and persuaded. He had nothing to prove to them. He'd fought all his battles in the business world and had won more often than not. This palatial residence was a testimony to her father's effectiveness in the world. But there was another world her father had to consider.

  Even as she thought about it, pain flared into life in Veronica's heart. Dominick Flint had taken a turn away from God in recent years. Pain had caused that turning away. The hurt of losing his son-in-law. Veronica's husband, Jack, had passed away in Illinois four years ago and it seemed her father still hadn't forgiven the Lord for taking him away. It was that serious.

  Dominick frowned. "You know how I feel about that. It's not that easy."

  Augusta stood and went to her husband. "Now that Veronica is here, maybe it's time to make a new start, Dominick. Time to put the past behind us." Augusta smiled at Veronica. "She's right. He wants you back where you belong. Amongst the faithful." She reached up and ran the back of her hand down the side of Dominick's craggy features. If the Baxter brothers had been able to see him now, they wouldn't have recognized her father.

  "How can I show my face in church after all the things I've said and done?" Dominick pleaded. There was doubt in his voice. Like he didn't believe it was possible for him.

  "The Lord forgives everyone, pa. If they repent with a true heart," Veronica said. "No exceptions."

  Dominick nodded slowly and the sighed. He looked from Augusta to Veronica. "What will folks say when they see me at the church on Saturday?"

  Veronica stood and went to her father and mother. "They can say whatever they like. All that matters is that you'll be back where you belong."

  Up close to her father, she could see doubt hover behind his eyes. Veronica wanted to believe that it could all be this simple. That it would take just one visit to the church for her father to be healed. For his faith to be renewed. But, she knew it wasn't going to be that easy. Still, this was an important first step. It occurred to Veronica that maybe the Lord had placed her in the path of the Baxter family for this exact purpose. For her own part, Veronica knew she'd been through hard times herself. After Jack had died, her own faith had pulled her through. Without it she wasn't sure she would have survived. Maybe it had been the fact that Jack's faith had been as strong as hers. It had been one of the many things which had drawn them to each other.

  "Saturday will be a day of joy, pa," Veronica reassured him. "For us as well as the Baxter family. And, I'm sure you're going to like the ranch when you see it."

  "Ranch?" Dominick said skeptically. He grunted quietly. Even though he'd owned the Flint residence and grounds for a year, her father had still refused to do anything to use the extensive rangeland surrounding the property. He resisted the idea of himself becoming a rancher. She could understand that since almost all of his business and property dealings had taken place in the city. Holding back from using the land was his way of building a wall between himself and the town.

  Dominick sighed and nodded. "You know I never can resist the two of you when you get like this," he said giving them both a pretend disapproving look.