Nathan rubbed his side and grinned. "A man has to eat," he explained.
Sophie shook her head. "And you eat more than most," she said and smiled.
Rosalind laughed and glanced at Gideon. Rosalind saw Gideon look questioningly at her, as if he wanted to say something else. But, before he could, Nathan hurried Sophie and Rosalind toward the steps of the church.
Inside, Rosalind took her place next to Sophie and Nathan down at the front. The church filled up quickly. There wasn't an empty seat inside the compact building. She watched as the entire Buchanan clan took up the entire pew on the opposite side of the aisle. Eugenie and Caleb smiled at her, as did Micah. Zane and Johanna nodded to her. It was clear that the whole family still approved of Rosalind. Maybe the afternoon at the ranch wasn't going to be quite as awkward as she'd thought, she told herself.
Sitting next to his parents, Gideon didn't look across at Rosalind. Instead, his whole attention was fixed on the pastor as he prepared to begin the service.
At first, Rosalind's attention was distracted and she found it hard to give the pastor's words her full attention. She kept glancing toward the Buchanan's, watching how intently they were listening to the opening words. A hymn was announced, one of the psalms, and Rosalind stood, book in hand, singing words she hadn't sung for a long time. Too long, she told herself. The melody evoked instant memories, and she felt emotion rise within her. She wondered if her reaction would be noticeable to others.
After the hymn, Rosalind sat down. Sophie smiled at her. Nathan nodded reassuringly at Rosalind. Did they know how emotional this must be for her? Her first visit to church in such a long time? She glanced across at Gideon. The only reason she was here was because of him, she told herself. If he hadn't invited her, she wouldn't even be at this service.
Gideon still did not look across at her. His attention was fixed on the pastor. Rosalind listened to what the pastor was saying. His sermon was on the subject of the willingness to trust God. No matter what happened in our lives. The pastor's words were wise and carefully expressed. Rosalind listened attentively, realizing that some of what the pastor was saying matched her own thoughts of the night before.
Then, suddenly, the pastor quoted a passage from the Bible. Rosalind felt a chill race up her spine as she listened to the words.
"This is perfectly illustrated by Paul's words in his letter to the Romans," the pastor said. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," the pastor announced, his clear voice filling the room.
Rosalind was stunned. They were her mother's favorite words. And the pastor was speaking them aloud during Rosalind's first visit to a church since her mother's passing!
Rosalind could hardly believe what she was hearing. She drew in a sharp breath, and tried hard to maintain a completely impassive expression on her features.
Rosalind listened with rapt attention as the pastor proceeded to speak about the importance of understanding that even the worst tribulation could be God's way of bringing us, eventually, to a good place. The place where He really wanted us to be. All that was required of us was faith and confidence that everything would turn out well in the end. All we had to do was want what God wanted, the pastor announced. To want exactly what God gave us every day. And nothing else.
Rosalind sat rigidly on the hard wooden seat, barely daring to move a muscle. She thought about the journey she'd made. The mistakes she'd made along the way. Her lack of faith. How she had turned away from God. How she had refused every grace. And how she had faced some truly momentous choices.
And then she glanced across at Gideon. This time he was looking at her. There was a kindly expression in his eyes. An expression she'd seen the day before. It was as if he'd realized the relevance to her of the pastor's words. As if Gideon recalled that he'd said the same thing to her.
For the rest of the service, Rosalind attended to every moment carefully. The music was suddenly sweeter and the pastor's words somehow began to fill Rosalind's heart with the stirrings of hope. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time.
So many good things had happened to her since she'd arrived in Inspiration. Meeting Gideon for one, she told herself. And this morning's event at the church was just the latest.
Questions flooded into her mind. Could it be that this was the place to which God had been calling her to come all along? That Inspiration was where she was meant to be? That the Circle Cross ranch could actually be her home? And that Gideon Buchanan was the man she was being called to accept as her husband?
All she had to was choose to love God. To accept the grace she was being offered.
She walked out of the church, feeling herself almost dazed by the experience she had just gone through. The sunshine seemed brighter and the air had a new freshness about it.
Outside, all of the church's congregation gathered in front of the church, chatting for a long while. Sophie introduced Rosalind to some new people. All of them were pleasant and friendly to Rosalind. It wasn't only the Buchanans who were welcoming her to Inspiration, she told herself. It was most of the godly folk of the town who were determined to make her feel at home. That realization made Rosalind feel humble.
Soon, it was time to head on up to the Buchanan ranch. Gideon came to Rosalind. Behind him, she could see all his family getting up onto their carriages. "Shouldn't you be there with the rest of your family?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I just wanted to make sure you're coming," he replied.
"Of course I'm coming," she said and grinned at him. "I wouldn't miss a Sunday lunch with your family for the world."
Gideon seemed pleased with that comment. He grinned. "I can promise you a decent meal and good company."
She tilted her head. "I see you're as modest as ever," she said.
"Jack told me he's looking forward to seeing you," Gideon said. "He was real sad not to be able to come to church today."
She frowned, feeling suddenly serious. "I really want to see how he is," she announced.
A voice called from behind Gideon. It was Micah and he was waving impatiently at Gideon. "I better go," he said. "I'll see you up there."
"You certainly will," she agreed.
Gideon nodded and then turned and made his way toward the carriage where his brothers were waiting for him. Rosalind watched Gideon take his place on the carriage seat. Then all the carriages were driving away down the dusty road.
Sophie appeared next to Rosalind. "I think he wanted to make sure you were going to the ranch," she said.
"I know he did," she said.
Sophie glanced at Rosalind. "That sermon really seemed to mean something to you. Was there any particular reason?"
Rosalind looked at Sophie and then at the church. Something had changed for Rosalind inside that building, she told herself. She'd been granted a glimpse of something important. Maybe now, it was time to act upon that insight. Perhaps it was time to talk of the recent past with the one woman who had done so much to make Rosalind feel at home in this special little town.
"I have to tell you something, Sophie," Rosalind said.
Sophie's eyes narrowed. "You do?"
Rosalind nodded. "Have you got a few minutes before we leave for the ranch?"
Sophie nodded. "Nathan got called over to the jailhouse to attend to something. He'll be back soon to take us up to the ranch." Sophie frowned. "What do you have to say to me, Rosalind?"
"Let's take a stroll," Rosalind said to Sophie. "I have to tell you about something that happened before I came to Inspiration."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The lunch at the Circle Cross ranch was finished by the middle of the afternoon. A sudden chill had appeared in the air by the time everyone made it back to the ranch after church. So, the meal had been served in the dining room of the house instead of outside on a long table in the front yard as had been planned. For Rosalind, it was good to return to the same place where she'd enj
oyed such a good time two nights before. She was really beginning to feel at home at the Circle Cross.
She'd made sure to look in on Jack the moment she'd arrived. He'd been pleased to see her. Rosalind couldn't help feeling sorry that Jack had to accept being confined in the little room at the back of the house. But, at least he was comfortable. And he seemed to be past the worst of his injury. She'd promised to go back after the lunch so she could talk with him. Halfway through lunch the doctor had appeared at the ranch, eager to check up on his patient. After having done so, the doctor had been more than happy to accept an invitation to remain at the ranch and share the lunch with the Buchanan family and
Earlier, as Rosalind had traveled to the ranch with Nathan and Sophie, she had seen clouds gradually building up in the sky. They weren't dark and she was sure it probably wouldn't rain. But, there had definitely been a chill in the air. It matched the chill in her heart as she'd recollected telling Sophie the manner of her coming to Inspiration.
Riding on the carriage up to the ranch, across the flat plains, sitting alongside Nathan, Rosalind had reflected on her brief conversation with Sophie. Rosalind had told Sophie about her journey from out East, and how, in spite of already possessing an invitation to Inspiration, she had gone to Helena first. She had told Sophie about the disastrous situation with the man, Jesse Brown, who had wanted Rosalind to become his mail order bride.
Sophie had reacted with real concern when Rosalind had recounted her time in Helena, and the danger she'd felt. Sophie was equally shocked to hear about Rosalind's escape from there. Rosalind had confessed that she had chosen Inspiration as a means of getting away from Jesse Brown once and for all. But, Rosalind had been quick to add that Inspiration had proven to be a place where she'd found something truly amazing. Something she'd thought she'd lost forever.
Hope.
All of this had been recounted while Rosalind and Sophie had awaited Nathan. Rosalind had recounted her tale with breathless haste. As she'd concluded, she'd become worried that Sophie would be angry with her. That perhaps Sophie would accuse Rosalind of abusing her generosity. Or even ask her to leave.
But there had been none of that. In fact, Sophie had gently grasped Rosalind's arm and spoken of how brave she'd been in escaping from such a treacherous man as Jesse Brown. Relief had swept through Rosalind as Sophie had continued to reassure Rosalind that everything would be fine, and that she belonged in Inspiration.
Rosalind's heart had filled with good feeling. She'd hardly been able to believe that Sophie could accept Rosalind like that, especially after having withheld the full extent of her recent secret life.
All through the lunch, Gideon had attended to her with the same care and consideration as he'd done on her first visit. Only this time his attentions seemed a whole lot more earnest. Rosalind had joined in with the good-natured conversation around the table. This time, Sheriff Nathan had pitched in with some amazing stories of his own. The life of Inspiration's lawmaker was anything but dull, Rosalind concluded.
After the lunch, Rosalind managed to find a quiet time to go visit Jack in his room. She popped her head around the door and knocked gently. There was a single bed, a table and chair and chest of drawers upon which were laid some medical supplies the doc had left for use over the coming days.
Jack, eyes wide with surprise at seeing his visitor, tried to sit up, but he moved too quickly. Pain from his wound made him flinch. He tried to contain his groan, but Rosalind could see how much he was hurting. He did his best to give her a brave smile.
Rosalind went to him and sat down on the small chair next to his bed. "You best not move for a while, Jack," she told him gently. "That's going to take a while to heal."
Jack drew in a deep breath and touched a hand to his side. "You're telling me, Miss Grover," he said. "Thanks for coming to see me."
She smiled. "Call me Rosalind, please," she said softly. "I told you I'd come."
He nodded. "I heard all the laughing. Seemed like everyone was having a good time." He frowned. "The doc told me I was to stay in bed. I was desperate to join in, I tell you, Rosalind. Us ranch hands don't often get a chance to eat in the big house with the family."
Rosalind touched Jack's hand gently. "I'm sure they'll do something special for you. When you're up and about again."
Jack glanced down at the white wrapping of the wound which covered the entire middle of his torso. For modesty, his shirt was buttoned up halfway, but the needs of the doctor had to be met. It was important to be able to check the wound regularly. "How long do you reckon it'll take?" he asked.
"Maybe you'll be able to get up in a few days time," she said. "We'll see," she said. "The doc knows what he's doing," she added. "You're in good hands."
Jack nodded. "I know that," he replied. "Seems like there's nothing the family won't do to make sure I get better. I can't wait to get back on a horse," he said.
Rosalind smiled patiently. "That's going to take a while longer," she stated. "You just take it easy." She smiled at him. "Okay?"
Jack settled back and nodded. "If you say so," he replied.
Jack shook his head and sighed. Rosalind peered at him for a few moments. She guessed he was around twenty years of age. For someone so young, Jack possessed a determined spirit. She figured all of the ranch hands would have the same eagerness to get back to work, even if they'd suffered serious injury in the course of their work. That was the kind of loyalty the Buchanan family inspired in the men who worked the Circle Cross ranch.
It was admirable, she reflected. But also inevitable. There was so much to respect about the Buchanan family. Not only the achievement of the Circle Cross. But also their contribution to the life of the local community. The employment they created. The lives they touched.
Nathan had told Rosalind about some of the work Gideon did with the church in helping some of the poorer new arrivals to Inspiration. Gideon hadn't spoken about any of that with Rosalind. Perhaps he just didn't want to seem as if he was boasting about the charitable work he was doing for those less fortunate.
More likely it was to do with the fact that, for Gideon, humility was an essential virtue. She knew he wouldn't want to talk of such things, preferring to keep them private.
Suddenly Jack looked like he was eager to ask Rosalind a question. Then he just came right out with it. "Are you and Gideon going to get married?" he asked abruptly.
Rosalind felt her cheeks flush. She dragged her gaze away from Jack's penetrating look. How could she answer such a question? Even though she knew that Gideon was considering her as a wife, she still wasn't sure if it would ever happen.
Rosalind looked at Jack and smiled. "Is that what everyone is asking?"
Jack nodded. "All the ranch hands are sure you and Gideon are going to get married."
"They are?" she asked, wondering just how much gossip there had been on the ranch about her and Gideon.
Jack nodded. "Most of them say it'll happen pretty soon, too."
"They all know about the situation with the ranch?" Rosalind asked.
"We all do," Jack replied. He frowned. "None of us wants to end up working for Calhoun."
Rosalind saw the distaste on Jack's features. "I'm sure that'll never happen."
He smiled. "So you are going to marry him," he said. This time it wasn't a question. It was a statement of fact. At least as far as Jack was concerned.
Rosalind shrugged. "We'll just have to wait and see. Gideon and I are good friends. After all, we've only known each other a few days."
"Brides have come to this town before," he said. "Look at Sophie and Nathan. She was a mail order bride herself. And they married real fast."
"I can see it means a lot to you," Rosalind said.
The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience Page 14