The Rancher’s Marriage of Convenience

by Maya Stirling

  Sophie grasped Rosalind's arm. "Let's go, Rosalind," Sophie said abruptly.

  Rosalind allowed Sophie to lead her back in the direction from which they'd just come. As she did so, Brown moved quickly to block their way. It was vulgar gesture, carried out with haste, and a touch of desperation, Rosalind told herself.

  Sophie stopped and faced Brown, staring straight into his dark eyes. "I'd appreciate it if you would move aside, sir," she demanded.

  Brown didn't move a muscle. He just stared from Sophie to Rosalind. Then he spoke. "That's not right friendly, is it? Not to someone who's new in town."

  "Maybe you should reconsider your decision to come here," Rosalind said sharply. "Perhaps you ought to go back from where you came."

  Brown's eyes narrowed. "Yeah?" She saw sudden irritation in his eyes. His composure of moments before had vanished. He started to move closer to Rosalind. She didn't flinch, resolved to show him who she really was. She was no longer the same person who'd stepped off the train a few days ago. So much had changed, including what she was willing to put up with from the man facing her.

  Rosalind's gaze met his. Brown opened his mouth, about to say something. She didn't doubt that his next words would be unpleasant.

  Then, Rosalind heard a voice. A very familiar voice from behind her. Relief swept though her. She had to suppress the urge to smile in triumph at Brown.

  "I think you should do what these two fine ladies say," the voice declared.

  Rosalind whirled around and gazed at Gideon.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Gideon glared at the man who was moving toward Rosalind and Sophie. "I think you should step back there," he ordered. "In fact, I think that would a mighty good idea," Gideon added with grim humor.

  The darkly-dressed man glared at Gideon. "You don't say," he muttered, clearly annoyed that Gideon was even talking to him.

  Gideon moved closer. The man's gaze was steady. He didn't move as Gideon advanced toward him. Behind the man, Gideon saw Calhoun watching, with obvious pleasure. This was the kind of situation Calhoun relished, Gideon told himself.

  Rosalind glanced at Gideon. He was shocked to see the concern on her features. The visible worry in her eyes. She looked like she wanted to say something to him, but Gideon couldn't guess what that could be. All he knew was that a stranger was bothering Rosalind. And he wasn't prepared to allow that to continue.

  "This is Mr Brown," Sophie announced suddenly. Her words made Gideon's heart quicken. Brown? Wasn't that the name of the man Rosalind had spoken about yesterday at the ranch?

  "Mr Brown?" Gideon replied sharply.

  Gideon stared at Brown. The man fitted the description Rosalind had given Gideon. And not just physically. His entire attitude matched what Rosalind had spoken of. Gideon could see the cruelty in the way Brown was looking at him. Brown's eyes flickered toward Rosalind. At that moment, Gideon saw the disdain, the harshness in Brown's gaze as he looked at Rosalind.

  It was true! This was the man who had almost taken Rosalind as his wife. This was the man who had been willing to condemn Rosalind to a life of misery. Instinctively, Gideon felt his shoulders tighten. He drew in a deep breath. This wasn't what he'd expected when he'd set out from the ranch this morning.

  Gideon moved quickly, stepping in front of Rosalind. "As I said," he stated. "You should think about moving along." He flicked his head to one side and added. "Now," he barked.

  Brown's eyes narrowed. "And who might you be?" he snapped. He gazed down at Gideon's waistcoat. "I don't see no sheriff badge there." Gideon was amazed at how little self-control the man had. Only seconds had passed since meeting Brown, but already the tall, ashen-faced stranger was willing to face Gideon down in broad daylight. The man obviously had a natural inclination toward violence. Gideon told himself he'd have to be careful with this one.

  "My name is Gideon Buchanan," he declared. "And I don't need a badge to tell you what to do. Especially since you're bothering these fine ladies here," he said glancing urgently at Rosalind and Sophie.

  Brown's eyes widened. "Buchanan?" He turned and looked at Calhoun who waved a hand in confirmation. Calhoun said nothing. He didn't have to, Gideon told himself. Calhoun was probably enjoying himself too much seeing this little drama play out on the Main Street.

  Brown peered at Gideon. "I think you and I have something in common, Mr Buchanan."

  Gideon stared at the man, determined not to show even a hint of weakness. To do so would let Rosalind down. And he wasn't about to do that.

  Gideon shook his head. "We got nothing in common, sir," he declared. Gideon ran his gaze down the length of the man. Peering into Brown's eyes, Gideon turned his mouth down in disdain. "Of that I have no doubt," he added. "You and I are strangers. And that's the way it's going to stay."

  "On the contrary," Brown replied, looking straight at Rosalind. "I think you and I might have to do some talking. About a very pressing matter."

  "Now why would I even want to talk to someone like you, Mr Brown?" Gideon said evenly.

  "Like me?" Brown said, clearly offended by Gideon's remark. "What do you know about me, Mr Buchanan?"

  Gideon smiled at Brown. "Let's just say, your reputation has preceded you."

  Doubt flickered in Brown's weary eyes. Gideon could see the man wondering just what Rosalind had been saying about him. "And what might that reputation be?" Brown asked.

  Gideon could tell the man wasn't going to back down. Even at the risk of some cold, hard truths being spoken out here in the open. Again, though, he knew that might hurt Rosalind, even if it would provide Gideon with a measure of temporary satisfaction. Sometimes sacrifices were needed, he told himself. Caution dictated a man's choices. And this might be one of those times.

  Gideon looked past Brown. "Was this your idea Calhoun?" Gideon challenged. Of course, Gideon knew this had been what Calhoun had been talking about at the sheriff's office on Saturday. He'd planned this, just like he'd planned every nefarious scheme he'd hatched since arriving in Inspiration.

  Calhoun took a step closer. "Mr Brown was making some urgent inquiries about a particularly important issue." Calhoun peered straight at Rosalind. "And I was happy to help out." Calhoun gave Gideon a sarcastic look. "You know how I like to help people get what they want, Gideon." He shrugged and puffed on his cheroot. "It's what I like to do."

  Gideon could have told Calhoun what he thought of that last remark. If there was one thing Calhoun liked to do it was to grease the wheels of disorder in town. Anything to stir things up and set people against one another. It was Calhoun's reason for living.

  "Of course, Calhoun. You were being helpful," Gideon replied in an ironic tone of voice. He moved toward Rosalind and took hold of her arm. He saw her glance at his hand and then into his eyes. She looked like she wanted to say something. But, for now, he was glad she was leaving the talking to him. "I think it's time we went," he said quickly.

  Gideon saw surprise in Rosalind's eyes. She stiffened, resisting his attempt at moving away from Brown and Calhoun. Had she expected him to get caught up in some kind of physical conflict with Brown? That wasn't Gideon's way. It had never been the way he dealt with personal conflicts.

  Worried she was about to do something they might both regret, Gideon looked at Sophie, seeking some persuasive help.

  Sophie's eyes brightened with understanding. He saw a familiar sudden resolve in her eyes. "Gideon's right, Rosalind." She smiled at Gideon. It was a forced smile, but there was determination in Sophie's eyes now. "We've got a cake to buy." Sophie rolled her eyes at Gideon. "It was supposed to be a surprise." she snapped and then frowned in the direction of Brown.

  "Cake?" Gideon exclaimed.

  Sophie took Rosalind's arm and tugged her away from Gideon. "Excuse us, gentlemen," she said as she started to force her way past Calhoun and Brown. Both men were wide-eyed with astonishment as Sophie led Rosalind past them.

  Gideon saw Sophie give Calhoun a powerfully disapproving look. Gideon almost la
ughed at that. Sophie halted and peered at Gideon. "I assume you are going to accompany us, Gideon," she stated. With one more look at Calhoun, Sophie added: "There's nothing more to be said here. Don't you think?"

  Rosalind's mouth opened. She looked lost for words as she gazed at Gideon. He placed the back of his hand against Brown's chest and gently, but forcefully, pushed the man aside. "Excuse me," he said disdainfully. "I believe these ladies need my assistance with the buying of some cake."

  Brown didn't react to Gideon's gesture. He simply stared at Calhoun, maybe seeking some kind of explanation for the two women's casual humiliation of him. Because that was what Sophie had just done, Gideon told himself. She had put Brown in his place, fair and square.

  Gideon strode after Sophie and Rosalind. He didn't even turn around to see the reaction of Calhoun and Brown. But, if he had, he was sure he would have enjoyed seeing the disbelieving expressions on their faces.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  "Did you know he was coming to town?" Gideon asked Rosalind later back at the Cameron house.

  Rosalind shook her head. "I had no idea, Gideon. Really, I didn't," she said.

  They were both seated on the long sofa in the sitting room. Sophie had stepped out of the room for a while to let them talk privately for a while. The table in front of them had empty plates with the remains of the delicious chocolate cake they'd all enjoyed. The half empty coffee cups rested by the side of the plates.

  Two hours had passed since the confrontation in Main Street. Little had been said of it since they'd returned from the bakery. Thankfully, on the way home, there had been no sight of Calhoun and Brown.

  Rosalind sighed. "I can hardly believe he found me here," she confessed. "How could he have done such a thing?"

  Gideon thought for a few moments. "Calhoun said that Brown had been making inquiries. Maybe he found something that led him to Inspiration," he suggested. He narrowed his eyes. "Could you have left something behind that gave him a clue?"

  Rosalind shook her head. "I didn't even make my mind up to come her until I was at the train station." He saw her thinking for a long moment. Her eyes widened. "Of course," she exclaimed. "The ticket man at the station. Brown must have found my train ticket back in my room. I left it behind in my rush to get away from him." She frowned. "If he went to the station the ticket seller might have remembered me buying the ticket to Inspiration with the only money I had left."

  Gideon nodded. "That makes sense." He gazed at Rosalind. "It can't be every day he sees such a beautiful woman in such dire circumstances." Gideon saw Rosalind's cheeks flush pink, but that didn't stop him from continuing.

  Rosalind waved a hand. "Shush, Gideon," she said, smiling. "Don't embarrass me."

  "It's true," he insisted. "The man at the station must have remembered you. Then Brown came along asking questions. Gave your description. Found out where you'd bought a ticket to. Once he was here in Inspiration, it was only a matter of time before he hooked up with Calhoun. Anyone who gets off the train in this town is always watched by someone from Calhoun's crew."

  Rosalind gasped and Gideon saw sudden emotion in her eyes. Brown's appearance in town had really affected her badly. He reached over and curled his fingers across her clasped hands. Her skin felt soft and warm. She glanced into his eyes. For a moment, he wondered if he'd gone too far. Become too familiar. But, she didn't move her hand away from his. Instead, she smiled warmly at him. Gideon let his hand rest there a while.

  After what had happened at the ranch, after the way they'd kissed, the sweetness he'd felt holding her in his arms, Gideon felt emboldened to show his affection for Rosalind. Because that was what he was feeling. Real affection. Strong and clear, and in a way he hadn't felt before.

  Coming here today, he'd hoped to find a similar sentiment in Rosalind. Instead, those hopes had been dashed when he'd been faced with a very unwelcome visitor. In fact, Brown was the last person Gideon would have expected to face. Especially on a day when Gideon had other, much more important, matters on his mind.

  Like asking this beautiful woman to become his wife.

  He'd worked himself up during the entire ride into town. He'd rehearsed, over and over, what he was going to say to Rosalind. He'd had everything figured out. And he'd summoned up every ounce of his courage.

  But, all of that had been scuppered by the appearance of Brown. And the prospect that Calhoun was using the man to somehow thwart Gideon's plans. Just like he'd tried to do with Zane and Johanna.

  None of that mattered, though. Because, the only thing Gideon cared about, right now, was Rosalind, and her happiness. He worried whether or not this was, in fact, the right time to be asking her such a momentous question. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel worse. That wasn't what today was supposed to be about.

  Maybe her mind was full of contradictory thoughts. Confusing thoughts. Perhaps the last thing she wanted was to be put into a situation where she had to give Gideon an answer to a marriage proposal.

  Meeting her nemesis, the man who had come so close to ruining her, had upset Rosalind. He could see that. He wondered what she must be thinking. Maybe she was worried that Brown would find some way to force her into a marriage. Or perhaps she was worrying about how Gideon was going to react to the new situation.

  Well, she didn't have to worry about that, he told himself. Nothing was going to shake his determination to claim Rosalind as his wife. That was all he wanted. And nothing was going to stand I his way.

  But, first, Gideon knew he would have to deal with Brown, once and for all. Even if that meant taking some risks. Even if it meant waiting a day or two before asking Rosalind the only question he wanted answered.

  Gazing into her eyes, and seeing the turbulent emotions in them, he wasn't too sure he could wait. All the confidence he'd felt earlier, had been sapped out of him. But he knew he had to act. The situation demanded decisiveness. And, there was one thing for sure. He wasn't going to go back to the ranch until he'd persuaded Brown that he wasn't welcome in Inspiration. And that he should keep well away from Rosalind.

  Even if that meant some awkward and uncomfortable conversations with the man. Even if it meant kicking the man out of town.

  "I'm staying in town, tonight," Gideon stated firmly.

  Rosalind frowned. "Aren't you due back at the ranch tonight?" She looked puzzled by his declaration.

  He shook his head. "I've got some business to attend to. Sometimes it keeps me in town a while. There's some folks I need to see."

  "Where are you going to stay?" she asked.

  "The hotel is as good a place as any," he said. "They've got a room I use whenever I have to stay in town."

  She looked surprised by his confession. And he could see a hint of doubt in the way she was examining him. "How often do you do that?" she asked.

  He shrugged. "Not much. Only when I feel I have to."

  "And you feel that now?"

  He nodded. "Yup." He gave her a look. And he was sure she probably understood the real reason why he'd decided to remain in town.

  To protect her.

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. She looked like she wanted to press him for more information about his own intentions.

  "What are we going to do about Brown?" she asked.

  "You don't want him staying here, do you?" he asked tentatively.

  Her eyes widened and she gasped. "I want him out of town as fast as possible," she exclaimed. "He has no business being here."

  Relief swept through him as he heard her utter those words. For a moment, he felt like a fool. How could he have doubted Rosalind? Even for a moment. Of course, she wanted rid of the varmint, Gideon told himself. But, hearing her say the words had made him feel real good.