Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) (2 page)

A wild torrent of thoughts and images flashed rapidly through her mind. Included in those were memories of her father, her mother, even Arabin. Everyone involved in her life. She couldn't make sense of what was happening. Her normal firm grip on reality had slipped, and she'd been thrown into a whirling and confusing maelstrom of impressions, none of which made any sense to her.

Eva glanced out the window. There he was. The man her father had chosen to be her husband. Jude Arabin had turned and was facing the house. He seemed to be watching what was going on between Eva and Dunn with intense interest, as if gauging her reaction. Eva was absolutely determined not to show how she was feeling about this awful news.

Eva peered at Dunn. She cleared her throat. "Just so I understand what you've told me Mr. Dunn. My father is happy for me to inherit the ranch, provided I agree to marry."

Dunn nodded and looked down at the document. "It appears that he specifically wants you to marry Mr. Arabin. If you want to gain control of the ranch, that is," he said.

Eva frowned. "Why would my father attach such a condition? Mr. Arabin and I are hardly the closest of associates. He has been a loyal employee on this ranch for a number of years. But he and I seem hardly fit for each other," Eva stated with a disapproving glance out the window.

Dunn shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I don't claim to know much about matters of the heart, Miss. Gillespie," he said.

Eva stiffened. "I don't think I made myself clear, Mr. Dunn," she said feeling irritation rise inside her. "There are no matters of the heart between myself and Mr. Arabin. That's the point. May I see the document," she said extending a hand.

Dunn handed her the will. Eva looked down at the sheet of paper and noticed that her hands were shaking. Her eyes seemed to blur as she scanned the words. The scratchy ink handwriting shimmered on the paper. Eva tried to contain the urge to rip up the document, pretend it didn't exist, destroy this insane suggestion that she submit to a man like Arabin in order to preserve the legacy of years of hard work and dedication in building up the ranch. How could her father inflict such a burden on her?

"Are you sure there is no way for me to challenge this condition?" she asked.

Dunn frowned. "I don't know what you mean, Miss. Gillespie."

"Can I use the law in any way to remove this condition that I become Mr. Arabin's...wife?" she demanded, struggling to get the last word out of her tight throat.

Dunn's eyes widened. "If I may be allowed to be indelicate for a moment. Is it the case that you find the prospect of marrying Mr. Arabin to be something you're not entirely comfortable with?" he asked.

Eva sighed. "I would have thought that would be obvious, Mr. Dunn." Eva glanced out the window. Arabin was still watching what was going on, his eyes narrow. "Mr. Arabin and I can hardly be said to have anything in common. This suggestion by my father is...frankly ridiculous," she stated firmly.

Dunn nodded. "I see," he said slowly. He pointed at the will document. "However, I'm afraid that from a legal point of view the terms of inheriting the ranch are very clear. Mr. Arabin must become your husband..."

Eva interrupted Dunn with a firm hand that landed noisily on the table. Dunn stiffened and his eyes fixed on Eva as she leaned across the table, her gaze penetrating and intense. Eva didn't care whether her reaction was that of a lady. She wasn't going to take this.

"Please do not use that word when talking about myself and Mr. Arabin," she demanded.

Dunn's mouth opened. The man looked genuinely shocked by the firmness of Eva's declaration. He gathered the papers together and stuffed them quickly into the satchel.

"I understand this has been a difficult day. Feelings are bound to be running high. Perhaps I best give you some time to consider all of this," Dunn said.

"There is nothing to consider, Mr. Dunn. I cannot contemplate marriage to Mr. Jude Arabin," Eva stated. Her breathing was coming faster now, and the collar of her dress suddenly felt tight around her neck.

Dunn stood up. "Then in that case, the future of the Gillespie ranch is in serious doubt, Miss Gillespie," he said standing up. "Failure to follow the terms of the will means your father died intestate. The ranch may have to be sold off as a consequence. I'm sure you don't want to see that happen, Miss Gillespie. Perhaps if you sleep on it, you can give me an answer in due course. You know where my office is in town," he said extending a hand.

Eva nodded, unable to say anything in reply, and shook his hand, determined to maintain the civilized demeanor her mother had instilled in her ever since Eva had been a little girl.

Dunn followed her to the door. His horse was tied up in the yard. Eva saw Arabin start to amble his way across the yard toward the house.

Dunn glanced over in Arabin's direction and then back at Eva. "Would you like me to inform Mr. Arabin of what we've been discussing?"

Eva shook her head. She didn't want Arabin knowing any of this. Not now. Not yet. She had to think; had to try to figure out what could be done.

"I'd prefer if this is a matter between ourselves, for the moment, Mr. Dunn," she said.

"Fine. I look forward to hearing from you, Miss. Gillespie," he said. Dunn got on his horse and rode quickly out of the yard and away from the house.

Eva started to make her way back into the house. She didn't want to speak with Jude. Not now. She didn't trust herself to keep a lid on the raging emotions she was feeling, didn't want to create a scene, especially on a day like today. She needed the memory of this day to be only about one thing. Her father, and all that he'd meant to her.

Eva could hear Jude's footsteps behind her. As she turned to close the front door behind her, Jude thrust a hand out and held the door open. "Is everything alright, Miss.Gillespie?" Jude asked. His eyes were so piercing, so fixed on her that Eva had to wrench her gaze away from him.

"It's fine Jude. Everything's fine. I'm alright," she mumbled. She pushed on the door but Jude's hand held it firm.

"It's just that you look so worried," Jude said. "Did that lawyer say something that upset you?"

Eva looked at Jude. "That's none of your concern, Jude," Eva stated bluntly.

Jude took a step back and let go of the door. He seemed taken aback by the directness of Eva's statement.

"Now, if I may. I'd like to get inside, Eva said firmly. "It's been a tiring and difficult day. I'm sure you understand."

Jude's features softened. "Of course. I know this has all been hard for you," he said. He suddenly took a step closer and tried to reach out a hand toward Eva. She frowned and leaned away from him. What did he think he was doing? Who did he think he was? Hadn't she just made her feelings absolutely clear?

Eva had a sudden thought to call on her housekeeper, Mrs. Bell. She would be in the kitchen preparing lunch, keeping a respectful distance from Eva, knowing that there was important business to attend to. Mrs. Bell always knew how to sort out unruly ranch employees. And that was all Jude Arabin was to Eva right now. An employee. He had to understand that nothing had changed between them. He didn't even know the contents of her father's will. But she had to put her foot down, reestablish the boundaries. She could handle Jude on her own, just as she'd always done.

"I appreciate your concern, Jude. But I need to be on my own for a while," Eva said. She started to close the door. "So if you don't mind...I'm sure you've got plenty of work to be getting on with," she concluded.

But, Jude once again put his hand on the door, this time taking another step closer. Now it was impossible to close the door. She could just walk away, but that would be admitting defeat. She had to stand her ground, make sure he understood her meaning.

"The work can wait, " Jude said. His voice was firmer now. He seemed to be gaining confidence.

Eva looked at Jude and frowned. "Just what do you think you're doing here, Jude? Didn't you understand me?"

Jude smiled. "Of course I understand you, Eva."

Her breath caught in her chest and her mouth dropped open. He'd never called her by her first name. Why was he doing that now?

Jude leaned closer and Eva could smell his scent, a mixture of sweat and leather and something else, curiously unpleasant. "I just don't like to see you upset. Not when I can be of help to you," he said quietly.

"How on earth can you be of help to me?" she demanded.

Jude grinned. His voice dropped to a murmur. When he spoke, his words were slow and cut deep into Eva. "I've always admired you, Eva. Always found you to be mighty pleasing to my eye. I think you and I have always been good friends," he said.

Eva stiffened and she felt her face rapidly warm. "Look, Jude. I know you've been a loyal employee," she said. Jude's brows furrowed at the use of those words, but Eva pressed on regardless. "The idea that you and I could be more than just employer and employee is just plain out of the question," she stated.

Jude's lips drew tight into a thin line and his eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath and then sighed. "Your father didn't seem to think so," he said finally.

Eva felt as if her chest had been hammered by an invisible hand. She leaned forward, grasping the edge of the door. "What did you say?" she said, her voice sharp and firm.

Jude stood his ground. "Your father seemed to think that you and I might make a mighty fine couple." His voice was soft and sure. A wry smile creased his lips.

Eva's throat tightened but she managed to force out some words after a long pause. "I don't believe you," she said.

Jude cocked his head and rolled his eyes. "He told me so. On more than one occasion. He seemed pretty sure of it."

Eva gritted her teeth. When she spoke, she kept her voice as quiet as she could. "I do not believe my father would ever have said that to you," she stated drawing all her strength up from deep inside.

Jude's head lolled casually to one side. He seemed so sure of himself now, as if he felt like he was gaining the upper hand. Eva hated to see him like that, especially when making such a claim about what her father may or may not have said. But there was the will. With a jolt Eva realized that the will only confirmed what Jude was claiming. A hollowness opened up inside Eva's chest.

Eva tried to push the door shut but Jude's stiff arm held it firm. Eva stared at Jude. Maybe she should call on Mrs. Bell after all.

"Look, Eva. You and I need to talk," Jude said. His breath was close and had a familiar smell to it.

"Don't call me Eva," she told him, her voice rising. "Do you understand? I am Miss. Gillespie to you. And I always will be. Do I make myself clear?"

Jude smiled, seemingly unaffected by her tone or the finality of the words.

He leaned in closer and when he spoke the words made Eva's legs go weak. "Maybe when you've had a chance to think about things we can have a talk about you becoming Mrs. Arabin," he said. He sounded almost completely certain, even confident, and it made Eva's heart beat fast. Years of unwanted glances, ignored comments, resisted advances rushed into her mind and she realized that right now there was only one thing she had to do.

CHAPTER THREE

Aaron Stewart drew his horse to a halt on the border between his own ranch and the Gillespie spread. He gazed down into the valley from the ridge. The land on the Gillespie spread looked no different than the rolling grasslands, wide plains and gentle hillsides of his own ranch. But, the fencing that separated their lands was more than just a barrier of wood and nails. It represented years of haggling and conflict between Aaron and Gabriel Gillespie.

Now, the old man was dead. Aaron's disagreements over land and water and every other detail of ranch life were a thing of the past. He didn't know what was going to happen with his neighbours, now that there was only Eva Gillespie in charge of the ranch. But that wasn't so important now. Not on a day when someone was being laid to rest. Aaron knew that the burial was taking place in the late morning. He'd decided it would be more respectful if he delayed his visit until after it was over. Aaron wondered how Eva was coping with whole situation.

The clouds parted and a bright sun emerged. The Montana land around Aaron glowed with a natural beauty. It reminded him of something else that had a natural beauty.

Eva Gillespie.

Aaron took a deep breath in and thought about Eva. She must be finding things hard. He'd witnessed enough of her feisty, spirited ways to be sure that she'd deal with the emotions of such a momentous day. But he had no doubt that things must be real hard for her on a day like today.

Aaron moved his horse on, guiding it through a small gap in the fencing. The Gillespie spread was as beautiful as his own. Aaron felt a tingle up his spine as he spurred his mount toward the distant trail.

The Montana landscape affected a man, no matter whose spread you were on. Montana had burrowed deep into Aaron's bones, had became a part of his sinews, even flowed in his veins. Small wonder, given the incredible beauty of the place. It was an awe inspiring place to live, and Aaron thanked every day that passed, even if the work was hard and the future was always uncertain.

Fitting then, that someone as beautiful as Eva would be living virtually next door to Aaron. She made a magnificent place even more exquisite.

Aaron encouraged the horse to pick up speed. He guided it onto the trail he knew would eventually lead him to the Gillespie ranch house. He'd promised to be there sometime in the afternoon. He'd been wondering, ever since he'd gotten the message from her to come and visit, what Eva wanted to talk to him about. The truth was, he was surprised she even wanted to talk to him at all, after everything that had passed between them.

He immediately pushed those memories out of his mind.

One thing was for sure. The mood at the ranch would be sad and gloomy. Gabriel's passing had been on the cards for a while now.

Aaron wondered what was going to happen with the Gillespie spread. If Eva inherited it herself, she'd be more than capable of taking things on by herself. Of that Aaron was sure. Eva was no shrinking violet. Aaron smiled as he recalled the many times she'd stood up to the challenges of ranch life. Her parents had taught her well, made her a tough and resourceful young woman. The fact that she also had the grace and elegance, fine features and trim figure of any of the finest ladies in Montana only added to Aaron's absolute confidence that she'd need none of his help.