The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience

by Maya Stirling

  There had been so much conviction in his voice that she was taken aback for a moment. She knew she'd been granted another glimpse of the depth of his faith. And it had been impressive, she told herself.

  In contrast, she felt herself shallow and almost empty. The truth was, the events of her mother's passing had drawn almost all of the faith out of Rosalind. The zeal which had once burned like a flame had diminished to a barely felt warmth, a memory of what it had once been. Bitterness and disappointment had nearly blown out that illuminating fire.

  Rosalind saw the expectant look on Gideon's face. He seemed to be waiting for some kind of response to his sincere declaration. For the moment, she didn't know what she could possibly say. The last thing she wanted to do was offend him, or crush his hopes. Because, it was clear to her that he did have hopes.

  Something had changed in him since their conversation in the garden. It was as if he'd had a change of heart. But, in spite of all the wonderful moments of today, all the family togetherness, her own heart still felt as cold as it had felt yesterday.

  Suddenly, she had a sense that what had, until now, been a perfect day, was about to end on a sour note. And she didn't want that to happen.

  "I think I'd like to go home, Gideon," she said softly. "It's been a long day."

  She saw disappointment flicker across his features, but he just as quickly masked it behind an expression of resignation and acceptance. He nodded. "Of course," he said flatly. "I'll get the carriage and take you back myself."

  The realization that she'd be alone with Gideon gave her pause. Of course she knew she could trust him, she told herself. She had no doubt about that now. He was a man of honor. A decent man. Perhaps the short ride back to town would allow them to talk a little more. That would only help things along.

  He walked away from her, his shoulders slumped slightly. Rosalind felt bad that she'd distressed him. He'd seemed on the verge of saying so much more to her, and she had cut him off. Maybe he'd planned to pursue his courtship with her this evening. Now that she'd seen the ranch, now that she'd been introduced to his family. But, she'd drawn a line, and he had respected it almost instantly.

  Rosalind made her way back to the house and bid the family goodnight. It didn't take long to get ready for Gideon. The carriage rolled up to the front of the house, with Gideon perched on front, the reins in his hands. Gideon helped her up onto the wide seat, and the whole Buchanan family bid her and Gideon farewell.

  As the carriage rolled out of the yard and down the moonlit trail, she couldn't help thinking that, sitting like this next to Gideon, his family must already believe that the prospect of marriage was real. That it was almost inevitable. But, Rosalind knew differently. They still had a way to go before they could reach that point. She had to be sure that her lack of faith wasn't going to be a barrier between them. And, right now, she still wasn't certain.

  Rosalind gripped the side of the seat as the carriage rolled on down the trail and told herself that she and Gideon Buchanan had a long and bumpy road to travel before she would be worthy enough to become his wife.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Gideon held on tight to the reins as the carriage made its way along the trail which would eventually lead back into Inspiration. They'd just left the ranch behind. Alongside him sat Rosalind. She had lapsed into silence again. He wondered what she was thinking about. Probably the words he'd spoken to her back at the ranch. His declaration of his faith and what it meant to him in his daily life.

  He drew in a deep breath and felt his jaw tighten. Maybe he'd gone too far, he told himself. Perhaps it would have been better to wait a while before explaining all of that to her. She'd seemed taken aback. But Gideon knew that his words had been sincerely expressed. It was what he believed, and he'd needed to see how she would react.

  Telling her straight about his beliefs had been something he'd had to do. Of course he could have wandered around the subject for days, even weeks. But, he didn't have that much time. There was a deadline. Marriage was an urgent need. His marriage. So he'd had no choice but to tell her straight out what he believed.

  The sound of the carriage's rolling wheels fought with the thoughts tumbling through his mind. The evening had gone perfectly. She'd seemed impressed with his family. His siblings and his parents had done an amazing job of making Rosalind feel welcome. Judging by how many times she'd laughed out loud, Rosalind had felt right at home. And that was all that mattered. Gideon had wanted her to see what her life would be like.

  If she agreed to marry him.

  Just thinking about asking her that question made nerves twist in his gut. It made his throat suddenly dry and swallowing real hard. He tightened his grip on the reins and focused his attention on the moonlit trail. There would be time to contemplate that very important step later, he told himself. Right now, he needed to get her back to Sophie and Nathan's. Tomorrow would take care of itself. It would be another day in his hesitant courtship of Rosalind Grover.

  Gideon's attention was caught by a flash of light some ways off to his left. That was the direction where the herd was kept penned in overnight. He squinted, realizing that the light seemed to come from what looked like torchlight. It was moving, slightly erratically from side to side, as if it was being held by someone on horseback. He heard the lowing sound of cattle drifting up from the valley.

  He saw Rosalind looking quizzically at him. She followed his gaze. "What is it?" she asked.

  Gideon shook his head. "Looks like torchlight."

  "Fire?" she exclaimed.

  Gideon nodded. He peered into the distance and saw a second light appear, this one moving in the same manner as the first. Then another light appeared.

  Gideon felt a tightness in his belly. It was the feeling he always got when his instincts warned him of trouble. He pulled on the reins and slowed the carriage to a stop. He watched the lights for a few moments. Rosalind didn't move a muscle as she peered into the darkness. Unlike her, Gideon knew what the lights meant. And that realization gave him a real dilemma. One that he'd have to solve in the next few moments.

  But, before he had a chance to say anything to Rosalind, he heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot. One sharp report that echoed across the dark landscape. He heard the accompanying distressed screams of horses and roars of male voices. Cattle uttered distressed moans. Rosalind gripped his arm, wrapping her fingers tightly around his forearm.

  "Was that a shot?" she exclaimed.

  "Sure was," Gideon replied. He peered at Rosalind. Her eyes were wide and some of the color had drained from her face. But, there was something else, he noticed. She didn't just look shocked, she also looked at him expectantly, as if she waiting for his decision. As if she knew Gideon would have to act.

  Gideon knew what had to be done. And the explanation of the gunshot. Gideon though hard for a few moments, wondering what he could do. He needed to attend to the trouble down there. He needed to know what was going on. But, he also had to make sure Rosalind was safe. That she would not come to any harm.

  Before he had a chance to say anything, he heard the thundering of horse's hooves. He gazed along the length of the trail and saw two horseback riders emerging out of the darkness and heading straight for him. Trepidation seized Gideon and he readied himself to reach for the rifle tucked down at the side of the seat.

  The riders drew up in front of the carriage. Gideon breathed a sigh of relief. It was Sheriff Nathan and one of his deputies, a dark-haired young man Gideon recognized as Luke.

  "Gideon," Nathan called out. "We got word there are rustlers on your spread tonight. Got here as fast as we could." His brows furrowed. "But, we heard the gunshot. Maybe we're too late."

  "My ranch hands are down there," Gideon said. "Whatever it is, I know they can handle it."

  "I'm sure they can," Nathan replied. "But, me and Luke still need to check it out."

  Gideon saw Nathan glance at Rosalind. There was surprise on the sheriff's face, but he didn't say anyth
ing.

  "I was just taking Rosalind back to your place," Gideon said. "Now though, we need to get to the herd," he said glancing in the direction of the flickering torchlights. "Pa thought there might be some unwelcome visitors. Looks like he was right."

  The sheriff looked impatient to be going, Gideon told himself. It was decision time.

  "Maybe your deputy can take Rosalind back into town," Gideon suggested.

  The words were barely out of his mouth before he heard Rosalind snort loudly. "No," she exclaimed. "I have to come with you."

  Gideon glanced at Rosalind. She was peering at him, an expression of sheer determination written on her face. "I can't allow you to do that," Gideon replied.

  "Why not?" she asked.

  As if wanting to stop any disagreement before it even got going, Nathan spoke: "Gideon's right, Rosalind. It might not be safe."

  She shook her head. "Someone might need help down there. You both heard the shot."

  Gideon's gaze flashed in the direction of the torchlights moving down near the herd. He saw more movement and heard voices, some yelling. The distressed moaning of the herd was getting louder. He heard some neighing sounds of horses. Chaos was breaking out down there, he told himself. He had to know what was going on. He didn't have time to argue with Rosalind.

  "Okay," Gideon blurted out, seizing the reins and turning the carriage in the direction of the herd. "Let's go," he stated.

  Gideon knew the large carriage wheels would have no trouble making it down there, although it would be a bumpy ride. He saw Rosalind nod approvingly at him as he flicked the reins and got the two horses moving. Nathan and Luke rode alongside them.

  "You sure about this?" Gideon asked her, as the carriage started down the slope toward the herd.

  Rosalind was holding on tight to the side of the seat. She nodded. "Sure. I want to help any way I can."

  "There might be more trouble than you think," Gideon objected. He figured it still might not be too late to turn back. But, Rosalind sure looked determined to go with him, Gideon told himself. "You might need to stay back with Luke. Just in case there's a situation that needs handling."

  She gave him a steely look. "And you don't think I can deal with that?" she asked lifting a brow.

  Gideon tightened his hold on the reins as the carriage picked up speed down the hill. "I never said that," he replied. "It's just that I don't want you coming to any harm."

  He saw Rosalind smile. He'd meant what he'd just said. He'd been put in an impossible situation, but she looked so determined to help out that he knew he couldn't have refused.

  "I'll stay back," she said. "If that'll keep you happy. But if anyone needs help, I'm pitching in."

  He nodded. "Okay. We'll see how it goes." He had to admit, he was impressed by her determination to help. He hadn't expected that. But, now that she was by his side, he realized he felt strangely pleased by her presence.

  The carriage hit a bump and Rosalind yelled, seizing hold of the wooden seat. Gideon stretched an arm across her, making sure she didn't fall. She grasped hold of his arm. He held tightly onto the reins as the carriage thundered through the dark. They'd almost reached the herd.

  "We're riding ahead, Gideon," Nathan called out. Gideon saw the sheriff reaching down, laying a hand on the gun at his waist. That just made Gideon more aware of the potential for danger. " Sure, Nathan," Gideon called out.

  Nathan and Luke raced ahead, their figures becoming vague and ghostlike in the moonlight. The sounds of the herd were louder now. Straining his eyes, Gideon could see the huddled shapes of the cattle. He was surprised they hadn't stampeded when they'd heard the gunshots. Gideon couldn't see the torches any longer. He knew they wouldn't have been used by any of the ranch hands. But still he worried what had happened as a result of that single shot.

  The herd was only a short distance ahead. Gideon pulled hard on the reins and slowed the carriage, drawing to a halt. He listened for a few moments and scanned the scene in front of him.

  The moon disappeared behind clouds. The darkness became impenetrable. Frustration seized him. Gideon heard voices, shouts of alarm and roars of inaudible exchanges between men. He desperately wanted to make sure all his ranch hands were safe. But, right now, he couldn't see a thing.

  "What's happening?" Rosalind asked quietly.

  Before he could reply, Gideon heard shouts and the thundering sound of horse's hooves. Voices roared, clearly alarmed. And then he heard the whistles of his ranch hands. It was a familiar call they used in the dark to locate one another.

  The moon appeared from behind the clouds and Gideon saw a rider on horseback heading straight toward him. He recognized one of his senior ranch hands, Ray.

  Ray drew to a halt in front of the carriage. "Boss," Ray breathed, obviously relieved and surprised to see Gideon.

  "What happened, Ray?" Gideon asked.

  "Rustlers again," he replied. "Same as last time. They got clean away. But, not before doing some shooting."

  "Did they hit anyone?" Gideon asked.

  Ray nodded. "Young Jack. And it's bad."

  Gideon's stomach lurched at the news. "Where is he?"

  "Follow me," Ray said, turning his horse. Gideon flicked the reins and followed Ray. They made their way alongside the stragglers of the herd until they came to three men huddled around a figure lying on the ground. Gideon's jaw tightened and he sighed heavily. This was the last thing he wanted. Jack was one of the younger ranch hands. He'd only been on the ranch a few months. Gideon had almost been a mentor to the young man.

  He drew to a halt and leaped down off the carriage. He went to the fallen man and crouched down. By the moonlight, he could see that Jack had been shot. His side was dark, too dark. The men had done all they could to stop the flow of blood. Jack's eyes were closed and his features were rigid with the pain. He gasped and one of the ranch hands moved closer. Jack seized hold of the man's arm and groaned, opening his eyes. He saw Gideon. His eyes widened, apparently shocked for a moment that Gideon would be crouching by his side.

  "Gideon," Jack breathed. He tried to smile, but failed. "Where did you come from?"

  Gideon laid a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Don't speak right now, Jack. We're going to take good care of you."

  Gideon glanced at one of the men and saw him shake his head, a grim expression on his face. Gideon frowned at the man, warning him that now wasn't the time to lose hope. In fact there was never a good time to lose hope, Gideon told himself.

  Gideon peered down at the pale-faced man. "Boss," Jack grunted. "Did we get them rustlers?"

  "We did, Jack. They're on the run, but sheriff Nathan is on their trail," Gideon said. "They won't get far."

  Jack smiled weakly and closed his eyes. He was silent for a moment, and Gideon feared the worst. But then Jack opened his eyes and peered up at Gideon. "I think I recognized one of them," he murmured.

  "You did?" Gideon replied, instantly curious.

  Jack nodded. "Just before he shot me, the mask slipped off the face of one of the rustlers. I got a look at him by the moonlight, and he didn't like it one bit." Jack winced again. "The critter took a shot at me. And then rode off like a coward."

  Gideon realized that must have been the shot he'd heard. "That's good, Jack. You did real good," Gideon said.

  Once again, Jack smiled, as if the praise from Gideon was all he needed to console him in this dark moment.

  Jack cried out and twisted his body. The men tried to restrain him, but the pain seemed to be so great that Jack could hardly be restrained.

  Suddenly, Rosalind appeared at Gideon's side. "Let me see," she said moving in close. For a moment, Gideon thought about advising her to stay back. This wasn't the kind of thing he wanted her to see.