The Rancher’s Beloved Bride

by Maya Stirling

  Once outside the stable, Veronica allowed Molly to run off to the house. Molly wanted to tell her grandparents all about her time on the pinto. Watching Molly racing across the yard, Veronica sensed Kyle easing up close to her. She turned and looked up into his eyes. Sensing the sheer strength of his presence, she felt something warm awaken in her middle. It was a sensation she'd felt before, when she'd been with him at the ranch after the wedding. It was a mixture of safety, ease and something else for which she couldn't find words. "Thank you for doing that," she told him.

  "You don't need to thank me, Veronica," Kyle replied. His warm gaze triggered heat in her cheeks. "It was a pleasure and a privilege."

  He sounded like he meant it, Veronica reflected. Now she was alone with Kyle, she wondered what she could say to him. Maybe he wanted to speak about what had happened on Sunday in the garden. Or perhaps he'd want to talk about the fact that he'd been away from the Flint place for days. She was curious to know what he'd been doing since the weekend. Before she had a chance to ask him he spoke: "What do you know about Vogel?" he asked her quietly.

  Taken aback, Veronica looked at Kyle. A sudden change had come over him. Gone was the jovial, teasing expression of earlier. Now he looked serious. "Vogel?"

  Kyle nodded. "How long has he been with you father?"

  Veronica blinked, trying to remember when Vogel had first worked with her father. "About fifteen years, I guess. I was young when he started working in the family business."

  Kyle thought for a moment before replying. "What kind of things did he do for your father?"

  "I don't know. In recent years I got the impression he was like my father's general advisor. I used to hear them talking about property deals back at the house in Chicago," she said. "When I married Jack, I left home and I didn't see much of Vogel."

  That last mention of Jack had made Kyle's brows furrow visibly, she noticed. She realized she hadn't spoken much to Kyle about her time with Jack. She wondered how curious Kyle might be about her time with Jack. He was obviously trying to treat the subject tactfully. But, if she was going to spend more time around Kyle, a time would come when she'd have to tell him about those years. For now, though, she dragged her attention back to Vogel. "Why are you so interested in Vogel?"

  His lips tightened into a thin line. When he did reply a few moments later, his words were guarded and careful. "He interests me. I've seen how much your father seems to trust him. There's a bond between the two of them. I guess that comes from working together for so long."

  "I can tell you one thing about Vogel," she said. "He wasn't too pleased about coming out here to live. In fact, I recall he told my father not to come here."

  "Did he say why your father shouldn't come to Montana?" Kyle asked.

  Veronica thought for a moment, recalling the heated discussion back at the house in Chicago. "It was more to do with what Vogel felt my father was leaving behind. All the business contacts they'd built up over the years. I think Vogel felt my father was just throwing something valuable away."

  Kyle nodded slowly. She could see he was thinking carefully about what she'd just told him. Then Kyle said something which surprised her. "Do you trust Vogel?"

  "What do you mean?"

  Kyle sighed. "Do you think he's still on your father's side?"

  "What makes you ask that?"

  As Kyle started to walk slowly toward the house Veronica followed alongside him. "During this morning's meeting Vogel was bad tempered. Angry."

  "What about?"

  "Every one of my suggestions," Kyle said. "No matter what I advised your father to do about turning this place into a ranch, Vogel had something negative to say about it."

  Veronica frowned. She didn't know what she could say. Kyle seemed really concerned about Vogel. As they made their way toward the house's front door, it opened and Vogel strode out. Kyle froze and took hold of Veronica's arm. It was an instinctive reaction. Vogel hesitated a long moment. He met Kyle's questioning gaze. For a moment, both men looked as if they wanted to say something. Then, Vogel pushed past Kyle and headed for the stable.

  Veronica watched the man stride across the yard. "He seems like he's going somewhere in a hurry," she observed.

  Kyle shifted nervously for a moment. "Look. I have to be getting back to the ranch."

  "Right now?" she asked.

  Kyle nodded. "I'm glad Molly likes her pony. I'll be back tomorrow."

  Veronica's heart lifted when he said that. But she was still concerned about Kyle showing so much interest in her father's assistant. "You should say goodbye to my father," she suggested.

  Kyle nodded. "You're right." He followed her inside. They found her father and mother in the parlor. Kyle bid Dominick farewell, explaining he'd return the following day to continue their discussions. Standing near the window, Veronica heard the pounding of horse's hooves and saw Vogel riding off down the trail. She saw Kyle watching that scene over her shoulder. Then he bid them farewell and left the house, heading for the stable to claim his horse.

  "Kyle seems agitated about something," Augusta observed.

  Veronica nodded. "Yes. He is," she said thoughtfully.

  And, a few moments later, when she watched Kyle riding away from the Flint home, she thought about the one thing she hadn't mentioned when they'd been discussing Vogel's unusual conduct.

  Yesterday, when she'd been in the pastor's home, she'd looked out of the window and had seen Vogel stealthily making his way down the street. At the time, it had struck her as odd that Vogel hadn't mentioned it when she and her father had emerged later. So now, just like Kyle, she had plenty of questions of her own about the man who was her father's closest advisor.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Kyle made sure he kept his distance from Vogel. Over the years, living in this territory, Kyle had learned how to tail someone when it was necessary. And now was certainly one of those times. Vogel was in a hurry. There was no doubt about that. He rode his horse at a brisk gallop for most of the trail into Inspiration. That just made it easier for Kyle to follow him. He just had to make sure he stayed out of sight.

  Thinking back to the time at the house, Kyle reflected on the fact that Veronica's attitude toward him had changed. Arriving at the Flint place earlier, he'd expected her to still be cool after the kiss in the garden on Sunday. He'd even expected her to treat him with complete disinterest. But that hadn't been the case. And he was sure happy about that. He'd gone into town this morning and arranged to buy the pinto from Curt and arranged for Curt to bring it to the Flint place later this morning. Kyle had seen the way Molly had looked at the pinto last week. He'd predicted she'd be pleased to be its new owner, and he hadn't been wrong. Even better had been Veronica's reaction to the gift of the pony. She'd looked genuinely touched by the gesture. And when they'd spent that wonderful time in the corral, with Kyle giving Molly her first real lesson, Kyle had felt a simple joy at being with Veronica and Molly again.

  The truth was that both mother and daughter were swiftly finding a way into Kyle's heart. And that was something he could never have predicted on that day when God had placed them on his ranch. Because that was how he was beginning to think of this whole business of him and Veronica. The Lord worked his ways without his people fully understanding, Kyle reflected. But that was fine as far as Kyle was concerned. If it meant that Veronica and Molly had been brought into his life, then Kyle knew his job was to cooperate with God's will. Veronica and Molly were fast becoming precious to him.

  And that made the question of what Vogel was up to even more urgent. This morning, Kyle hadn't just gone back to the Flint place to deliver a surprise gift for the sweetest little girl in Inspiration. As important as that had been, Kyle had also needed to know more about Vogel. He'd wanted to see for himself, up close and personal, just how much influence Vogel had over Dominick Flint. After what he'd witnessed yesterday in town, Kyle had genuine concerns. Vogel was still important to Flint. Kyle had seen that plenty of times during th
e meeting in the house. And now Kyle had to dig deeper. He needed to know what Vogel was up to, and if it would affect the family to which he was becoming increasingly attached.

  Arriving at the southern edge of town, Kyle rode by the train station and entered the lower end of Main Street. It was still the busy part of the day. Riders, wagons and buckboards crowded the dusty street. The boardwalks were busy with locals attending to the needs of their ordinary lives. Kyle slowed his mount and edged closer to the shadow of a nearby building. For a moment, Kyle scanned the crowd of riders, searching for Vogel. He thought he might have lost him, and was about to chide himself for not arriving quickly enough, when he caught sight of Vogel emerging from inside the post office on the west side of the street. Kyle dropped further back, easing his mount into the corner of an alley. He saw Vogel pause and look probingly at the crowd around him. Did he know he was being followed?

  Then Vogel got back on his horse and headed northward up Main Street. Kyle let him make some headway before edging his horse out of the alley. He dismounted and tied it up at a hitching rail. He made his way to the town post office and entered.

  Closing the door behind him, Kyle touched the front edge of his Stetson. Gustav Anders, the man who'd taken over the running of the post office a year ago, was tall and blonde and stockily built for someone who worked behind a desk all day. "Hi, Gustav," Kyle said. "How are things today?"

  Gustav, who'd always been friendly to all the Baxter family, smiled. "Kyle." Gustav leaned on the tall counter which stretched across the width of the small office. "How are Gabe and Lauren?" Gustav had been at the wedding at the church on Saturday.

  "They're both fine. Just starting to get used to married life."

  Gustav nodded. Kyle knew that Gustav was currently courting a woman a few years younger than his thirty years. "I might be getting married soon," Gustav revealed. He sounded both pleased and slightly worried about the prospect. Maybe he wasn't sure if his proposal would be accepted, Kyle told himself.

  "That is good news," Kyle said brightly. And he meant it. Anytime a couple agreed to even consider getting wed was a good day as far as Kyle was concerned.

  "What can I do for you, Kyle?" Gustav asked.

  Kyle cleared his throat. He knew what he was about to ask might make things awkward. Leaning his elbow on the counter, he peered at Gustav. "That fella who was here a few moments ago." Kyle saw Gustav's eyes narrow slightly. "Did he send anything?"

  Gustav peered at Kyle. Now he looked uncomfortable, Kyle told himself. Confidentiality was important when it came to running the post office. "Mr Vogel?" Gustav asked. Kyle nodded. "You know I can't tell you that, Kyle," Gustav said evenly.

  Kyle nodded. "I understand. And I wouldn't want you to do anything which would make you feel uncomfortable." Kyle frowned, knowing that he was already doing exactly that to Gustav. He felt bad, but he also needed to know what Vogel might be doing in the post office. There had been no mention of him coming here when Kyle had been back at the house.

  Kyle glanced at the individual pigeon holes on the wall above Gustav's desk. Each of the spaces, used for keeping messages and post arranged, had letters of the alphabet marked on them. The space where any message for Vogel might be was conspicuously empty.

  Kyle didn't want to press the matter too hard. He leaned back from the counter and sighed. "I understand, Gustav."

  As if he didn't want Kyle to leave completely empty-handed, Gustav leaned forward and spoke in a low voice. "All I can tell you is that Mr Vogel has been in here quite frequently these past few weeks."

  "Has he?" Kyle asked. He paused, hoping Gustav would continue.

  "And that a couple of times, he's been here with two men," Gustav added. Kyle lifted his brows. "Newcomers. I haven't seen them around town before."

  "What kind of men do you think they are? Did you get any names?" Kyle asked.

  Gustav shook his head. "No names. But, they're not the friendly types." Gustav frowned. "If you know what I mean."

  Kyle nodded. "I think I know exactly what you're talking about." He didn't want to tell Gustav what he'd seen down the alley by the hotel. What the man had just told him confirmed Kyle's suspicions. As far as Kyle was concerned, Dominick Flint's trusted assistant was definitely up to something.

  Kyle thanked Gustav and left the post office. Pausing outside, he drew himself up to his full height and peered up the length of Main Street. Maybe it was time to pay the sheriff a call.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  As Kyle had promised, he came back to the Flint home on Thursday morning. Veronica was waiting by the window, gazing out at the trail. When she saw his horse riding up the tree-lined trail, she felt her pulse quicken. Turning quickly, she went to the hall and stood at the foot of the stairs. "Molly! Kyle's here to give you a riding lesson," she called up.

  Veronica heard an excited squeal and then the pounding of little feet. Molly came racing down the stairs. When she arrived at the foot of the stairs, Veronica took Molly gently by the shoulders. Her daughter was already dressed in her riding pants and neat-fitting pink shirt. "Are you going to be warm enough wearing that?" Veronica asked, fussing with the buttons at the collar of Molly's shirt.

  "It's not that cold," Molly objected.

  "I'm thinking you might put on that jacket we talked about this morning," Veronica reminded Molly. "The morning air is still cool at this time of year." The little girl's shoulders slumped. "Now, go on upstairs and put on the jacket," Veronica instructed Molly. She watched as Molly made her way back upstairs, footsteps heavy and slow on the stairs. "Hurry," Veronica called out. "Don't keep Kyle waiting."

  At this command, Molly started sprinting upstairs and was soon lost to sight. Veronica smiled. Molly had talked about nothing else since waking this morning. And she'd said one or two other things about Kyle which had made Veronica think that her daughter was beginning to notice just how friendly Veronica and Kyle were becoming. Veronica had carefully steered the conversation away from Kyle. But, finally, Molly had laid her cards on the table. Much to Veronica's shock, Molly had declared, in her sweet, small voice that she thought Kyle was the best. When Veronica had politely agreed, Molly had taken Veronica aback by declaring that she thought Kyle was Veronica's best friend, too. She then asked Veronica if she and Kyle were going to continue to be nice to each other.

  Veronica knew what that had really meant. Molly was beginning to get the idea that Kyle might be more than a good friend to the Flint family. Molly was thinking Kyle might be a good husband for her mother. And new father to Molly herself. That meant Molly's enthusiasm wasn't only about horse-riding. She liked Kyle. Veronica knew she hadn't dealt with the conversation particularly well. She was certain that Molly had noticed the way her mother's cheeks had flushed with color at talk of Kyle being more than just a friend. Children could see through adults, Veronica told herself. There was no use trying to hide the truth from Molly.

  Turning from the staircase as she heard Molly returning, Veronica concluded that there wasn't much that escaped her daughter. Like most children, they could see the truth, even if the people around them were doing their best to pretend otherwise.

  Molly raced down to the hallway and Veronica led her outside. Kyle had tied his horse up and was walking toward the door. Veronica quietly and secretly admitted to herself that Kyle Baxter sure did look handsome this morning. He was dressed, as usual, in his jeans, plaid shirt and buckskin jacket. His Stetson was tipped attractively to one side on his head. As he strode toward her and Molly, Kyle grinned at her. Butterflies tumbled in her stomach. Veronica admitted to herself that it was good to see Kyle back at the Flint place.

  Molly raced to Kyle and leaped into his outstretched arms. Lifting her effortlessly up Kyle smiled warmly at her. "You ready for another lesson?"

  Molly nodded vigorously. "I sure am. Can we ride outside the corral today?"

  Kyle lifted a brow in surprise. "You don't wait around, do you?" Kyle glanced across at Veronica. "Morning, Vero
nica," he murmured. "How are you today?" His voice had dropped to a deep, confident growl. The effect on her was instantaneous. Her heart warmed. She folded her arms and wrapped them around herself. Could he tell how he was affecting her with that look and that voice? There was a steadiness about his gaze, a confidence in his demeanor, which told her he knew exactly how she was feeling.