The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience

by Maya Stirling

  Jack grinned. "I just want to see you both happy. You deserve it." Jack thought for a moment before continuing. "Gideon has almost been like a father to me."

  Rosalind squinted at Jack. "In what way?"

  "I came to this ranch a year ago looking for work after my Pa died. I was left on my own, and I had nowhere to go. So, I came to the Circle Cross." Jack sighed. "I had no experience, but Gideon just talked with me for a while, asking me some questions. And then he hired me. Right there, on the spot."

  "What kind of questions did he ask you," Rosalind asked.

  Jack thought a moment, obviously recalling his conversation with Gideon. "He asked me if I believed in God."

  "He did?" Rosalind asked.

  Jack nodded. "I told Gideon that my faith had kinda weakened on account of my pa. He had no real belief in anything." Jack flashed a look at Rosalind. "Don't get me wrong, my pa was a good man. He just didn't believe. Certainly not the way Gideon believes."

  "What did Gideon think of that?" she asked.

  "He thought a while and then asked me if I wanted to have faith. Real faith," Jack said. "He said it would make me real happy. And I said maybe. Then Gideon spoke to me for a long while, explaining how he thought I could benefit from going to church. Regular. Like some of the ranch hands do." Jack shrugged. "So I started going. And before I knew it, everything had changed for me."

  "What do you mean?" Rosalind asked.

  Jack gazed up at the ceiling. "I don't know how to explain it. My life just felt different," he said and looked at Rosalind. "Better."

  Rosalind smiled. "I know just what you're talking about, Jack," she said. And she did. She'd experienced something special today in church and it sounded just like what young Jack had been encouraged to do by Gideon. Take the faith seriously. Seek God.

  That was what she'd seen when Jack had been lying out there in the dark with a bullet wound in his side. There had been a unique trust between Jack and Gideon. Now she understood where it had come from. Gideon had led Jack back to the faith. Was that what Gideon had been trying to do for her?

  "I'm real grateful to Gideon for what he's done for me," Jack declared. "He's given me hope."

  "I think God had something to do with that, Jack," Rosalind replied.

  Jack smiled. "I guess you're right, Rosalind."

  There was a knock on the door. Rosalind turned and saw Gideon standing there. He was looking right at her, and she could tell he had something on his mind. Gideon looked at Jack. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

  Jack smiled. Rosalind noticed a deep respect in the way Jack looked at Gideon. ""I'm doing okay," he said. "I can't wait to get back to work."

  Gideon nodded reassuringly. "There'll be plenty of work for you to do once you're recovered. You just take it easy for a while."

  Gideon glanced at Rosalind. "I was wondering if you wanted to go for a ride," he asked.

  "Ride?"

  He nodded. "I've got two horses ready. I was thinking I could show you some parts of the spread."

  Rosalind looked at Jack. The young man was smiling at her. It was clear he was happy for her to go. Rosalind stood. "I'd be delighted," she said to Gideon. She said farewell to Jack and followed Gideon out to the front yard. There were two horses there, just as he'd said. They were both saddled up.

  Rosalind glanced down at her gown. "I'll have to ride side-saddle."

  Gideon smiled. "That's a good idea," he replied.

  Within a few moments, they were both up on the horses and riding away from the big house and out across the gently sloping rangeland.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  They rode through some valleys and emerged onto a flatland. There was a grove of trees alongside a slow-flowing river. It was similar to the place Zane and Johanna had chosen for their own home. This was the part of the spread which would be allocated to Gideon. Where he would build his own stone cottage.

  If he married.

  Those three words rang in his mind as they drew their mounts to a halt on a low rise. The view toward the distant mountains was one of which he never tired. He glanced across at Rosalind. She seemed to have enjoyed the ride and was gazing at the mountains with visible pleasure. Gideon felt something tug at his heart as he looked at her.

  Rosalind sat side-saddle, just as she'd said she would. She held herself upright, looking poised and confident on top of the horse. He figured she must have learned how to ride like that back on her parents' farm. The profile of her pretty features was perfect, he told himself. Her skin looked clear and fresh out here. Her blonde hair was tied back in a neat bun. She grasped the reins in her delicately shaped hands.

  Gideon sighed quietly and realized that, right now, he was mesmerized by the sight of this beautiful woman who had been brought onto his life. He told himself he'd never seen her look more happy than she did at this moment. The corners of her mouth were creased slightly with a contented smile.

  Gideon had seen the way she'd reacted back at the church. Since then, he'd been eager to ask her just what had happened. Because he was sure something had affected Rosalind. There had been a brightness in her eyes that had been in stark contrast to the anguish he'd seen the day before at the restaurant. He really wanted to know, but he'd decided to remain patient. She'd tell him in her own time.

  Rosalind had been quiet for most of the ride out to this place. He hadn't wanted to spoil her enjoyment of the afternoon, so he'd remained silent. Gideon gazed up at the sky. There were some dark clouds heading in from the west. The kind that promised rain. For the moment, they were far enough away that he was sure they wouldn't cause himself and Rosalind to go racing back to the shelter of the big house.

  Rosalind followed Gideon's gaze. "You think it's going to rain?" she asked.

  He shook his head. "I don't reckon so. But, I'll keep an eye on those clouds." He gazed at her. "I wanted to ask you something," he said.

  Her brows rose. "You did?" He saw a brief flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. As if he'd taken her by surprise.

  He leaned on his pommel. "Back at the church," he said. "You looked like you were thinking about something during the pastor's sermon."

  Gideon saw her expression change. Her brows furrowed slightly and she looked suddenly thoughtful. "I was," she replied in a quiet voice. "I was thinking about my mother. But, it wasn't only that," she said glancing at Gideon. "The pastor quoted Scripture words that were my mother's favorite."

  "Romans?" he asked.

  She nodded. "My mother was fond of reading passages of that aloud. Along with the Gospels, especially Matthew." She smiled as memory took her back to another place. "It always made her so happy."

  "What was it about that passage that meant so much to her?" Gideon asked. Although, even as he asked the question, he could guess what her answer might be. That passage spoke of the need to love God with whole heart, mind and strength. Gideon had meditated many times on the passage, so he understood the power the words contained. It was about finding God's purpose for your life and accepting it, no matter where it took you, Gideon told himself.

  "My mother always said it was a call to love God and follow where he was leading you," she said evenly. "To put aside your own worldly ideas and allow yourself to be led."

  Gideon narrowed his eyes. "And, right now, that touches you somehow?"

  Rosalind thought a moment and then nodded. She gazed at Gideon as she replied. "There in the church this morning, I just had a feeling that this is where God has been leading me all along." She gazed around the vista and sighed. "And that he is calling me to love him. To obey him." She frowned. "In spite of the fact that I've been doing everything I could to refuse his call."

  Gideon held his breath, barely daring to speak. This was what he wanted to hear her say. He'd been trying, gently, to lead her to this point. And she had arrived at it by her own efforts. Not through anything he'd done.

  "How do feel about that?" he asked tentatively.

  He brows furrowed. "I'm happy about it,
" she said slowly. "But there's one thing I need to do," she added facing him. "I have to tell you about what happened before I came to Inspiration."

  "Has this anything to do with what Calhoun said?" he asked.

  She nodded. "It does. Although I'm sure he doesn't know the whole story."

  "Story?" he asked. Now he was really wondering what she was about to tell him.

  She smiled weakly. "Thankfully, it's a short one. I hope you understand, I couldn't really tell you. Or anyone. I didn't see the need to. Not until Calhoun threatened me."

  Gideon felt indignation sweep through him at the thought of Calhoun causing even the slightest distress to Rosalind. "Never you mind," he said. "Calhoun isn't going to bother you again."

  She smiled at him. "And that's why I need to tell you about what happened to me just before I came to Inspiration," she said. There was emotion in her voice, and worry in her eyes. "You deserve to know. And I should have told you sooner."

  Gideon shifted his mount so that it was closer to hers. "Tell me, Rosalind," he said in a low voice.

  He listened as she recounted the details of her three days in the city. How she had gone there before coming to Inspiration, expecting to become a mail order bride to a well-heeled and kindly man. Only to find the exact opposite of all her expectations. Gideon felt tension grow within him as he heard Rosalind describe the cruelty of the godless Jesse Brown. He felt his jaw tighten as he listened to her talk about how Brown had been mean and demanding to her.

  Brown had assumed he'd acquired a weak and desperate woman. Someone with whom he could do whatever he wanted. But he had been wrong. Rosalind was nothing like that, Gideon told himself. Rosalind was stronger than probably any woman Gideon had ever known. She had a mind of her own, and a spirit that would not allow her to become the slave of a vicious man.

  She completed her story with a description of her escape from Helena and how she had only had enough money to make it to Inspiration. Gideon thought there was more than a hint of providence in that.

  Now he understood what Calhoun had been talking about. But he couldn't help wondering how Calhoun had discovered Rosalind's recent past. Also, Gideon was immediately worried that Calhoun might put that knowledge to his own selfish use.

  But, right now, Rosalind was looking at Gideon, having completed her story. He could see she was waiting for his response.

  "Well?" she asked. "What do you think?"

  Gideon shook his head and sighed. "I can't believe how he thought he could do such a thing," he said. "He tricked you into going there."

  She nodded. "I was foolish."

  "No. You weren't. This kind of thing could have happened to anyone. How were you to know he was a liar?" Gideon asked. He leaned forward, feeling an impulse to be closer to her. Anything to help take away the pain he could see etched on her features.

  "I guess you're right," she agreed. "I can't imagine how many brides get tricked like that."

  "That's what Sophie said when she got the idea of making sure that mail order brides are safe when they come out here," he explained.

  "She got lucky with Nathan," Rosalind said.

  "They both got lucky," Gideon corrected her. "With each other."

  She smiled. "You're right."

  "But all that is behind you, Rosalind," Gideon declared. "Brown is a long way away. You don't have to worry about him any more. You're safe in Inspiration. And here, on this ranch."

  For a long moment, their eyes met. An understanding passed between them. It was as if, for the first time, she really believed that he wanted only the best for her. For no other reason than that she was fast becoming one of the most important people in his life.

  She frowned. "I'm not so sure. Calhoun seemed mighty interested. You don't think he can do anything. If he knows about Brown." Her concern made her voice quiver with emotion.

  "I'd like to see him try," Gideon announced defiantly. "Calhoun likes to think he's in charge of things in the town. He got a bloody nose when he interfered in Zane and Johanna's life. Maybe he wants revenge for that."

  Rosalind sighed. "What can we do to stop him?"

  "I'll speak to Nathan," Gideon said. "We'll come up with something."

  A cold wind blew across Gideon's face. He glanced up at the sky. The clouds were scudding faster than before. He knew that the weather could change fast out in this country.

  He shifted his mount closer to Rosalind. "You don't have to worry, Rosalind. No-one is going to bother you," he murmured. "Not any more." He gazed at her. "I won't let that happen."

  He saw her cheeks flush pink. Her beautiful blue eyes widened slightly and her lips opened. He felt a tightness in his chest, an ache that called out for him to lean even closer. The temptation seized him with an inexplicable force. He held himself in check and drew in a deep breath.

  Once again, a cool wind blew across him. This time it was colder than a few moments before. With great difficulty, he dragged his gaze away from Rosalind's pretty features. In the middle distance he saw the tell-tale signs of rain sweeping down onto the land. A thin, gray curtain was spreading across the wide plains.

  "I think we better go," he said quickly.

  Even as he finished saying the words, he heard a low rumble, not just of approaching thunder, but also like a warning. He needed to get Rosalind to safety. And there was only one place she could be safe. Back at the ranch house.

  He tugged on his reins and saw her do the same. She glanced nervously at the darkness coming their way. "I can see what you mean," she announced. There was a hint of frustration in her voice. Had she thought, like him, that out here the temptation of a kiss might be too much to resist?

  They turned back in the direction of the house and started to ride as fast as they could. As he rode, he glanced across at Rosalind, anxious to be sure she was riding safely at this pace. She looked like she was in total control of her mount. He wasn't in the least surprised at that.

  They rode on, the cold wind at the backs. The air began to feel noticeably damp and he knew a rainstorm was about to descend upon them. Once more, he glanced across at her. This time she was looking at him, and there was a good-natured smile on her face. She was enjoying this wild moment of adventure with him. He could see that. And, for that matter, so was he.

  It felt good to be racing across the land he loved so much with this unique, deeply fascinating woman by his side, apparently enjoying herself every bit as much as him. Maybe they shared more than he'd thought, he told himself. So much had happened during the last few days. He could never have imagined they'd become so close and so quickly.

  Finally they crested a ridge and rode down toward the cluster of buildings that was their refuge. That maybe, in the near future, would be a home for them both, he reflected. Even as they prompted their mounts to a greater speed, there was a roar from above and the rain started to fall. It caressed his face, cool and light. But, as they neared the ranch yard, it started to fall heavier.

  Both of their mounts pounded into the yard, past the front porch and across to the stable. They slid to halt in perfect unison. Rain started to hammer down as Gideon leaped off his horse and went to Rosalind. He stretched up his arms and she didn't hesitate to ease herself down and into his embrace. She stood facing him for the briefest moment, their eyes meeting. A momentary understanding passed between them. He sensed it, and he was sure she did, too.

  Then Gideon released Rosalind and grasped the reins of both horses and led them quickly into the stable. Outside, the rain started to hammer down, heavy and loud, pounding against the earth outside the open stable doors. They'd only just managed to escape a drenching.