Brodie's Gamble (27 page)

After supper, Sam and Nate rode back to town, leaving Brodie to stay another night at the ranch. He left early the day after Thanksgiving, never having another chance to get Maggie alone. Although he’d ridden back after church the following Sunday, staying until dark, they’d had little time to talk.

The women kept Maggie busy with plans for Christmas and a tea party they wanted to give for Sarah in January to celebrate her being with child. The men discussed plans for the horse breeding program, as well as a new partnership the MacLarens were entering into with August Fielder.

It had come to the attorney’s attention that one of the holders of an original Mexican land grant, Juan Estrada, had built up substantial debt during the protracted period of defending the grant per the California Land Act. He’d won his right to the grant, but took on a financial burden which now forced him to sell. August, along with Ewan and Ian MacLaren, arranged to buy a major portion of the grant. They would purchase sixty thousand acres, giving Estrada enough money to pay his debts and remain the owner of ten thousand acres. Although a fourth of his original grant, it would allow him and his family to continue their tradition of ranching, debt-free. In addition, other grant owners were now reaching out to Fielder and the MacLarens to discuss a similar deal.

The MacLarens were taking on considerable responsibility and doubling their current holdings, making them the second largest landholder in the area. In addition, they’d be managing the grant owned by Fielder. Without putting too much pressure on him, each of the men in the family made it clear they wanted Brodie to return to the ranch.

It had been a tense discussion. At least his father, Ewan, had stayed silent most of the time, not wanting to put pressure on his son. After several hours, Brodie had agreed to think about returning, with the caveat he wouldn’t make a decision until after the first of the year.

By sundown, Brodie had spent less than thirty minutes close to Maggie, most of the time including at least one other MacLaren. The visit had been frustrating, as well as disappointing.

“I’m sorry we’ve had no time alone.” They sat together on the front porch swing, holding hands while keeping a somewhat respectable distance.

“It wasn’t your fault, Brodie. The women kept me as busy as the men kept you. I don’t suppose you’d be able to ride back out Tuesday for supper. It’s my turn to cook, and well…”

He squeezed her hand. “Of course I’ll be here…under two conditions.”

Maggie’s eyes flew open. “What are they?”

“One, you walk with me to the barn tonight to get Hunter, and two, you promise you’ll make time for us to talk after supper on Tuesday.”

She let out a breath. Those were conditions she could give him. “All right.”

Taking her hand, he led her into the barn.

Chapter Nineteen

In the weeks since Thanksgiving, the weather had turned from chilly to frosty. For at least nine months of the year, nearby Boundary Mountain sat covered in snow at the higher elevations. Between mid-December and February, the storms hit the Circle M Ranch in sporadic bursts. Their first storm came early this year, blanketing the ranch in a foot of snow weeks before Christmas.

“It’s none of my business, Brodie, but when are you going to ask Miss King to marry you?” Sam stood next to him in Buckie’s Castle, turning the glass of whiskey in his hand, trying to keep his thoughts off of Jinny MacLaren.

“Aye, Covington. It’s not your business.”

Sam chuckled, noticing the narrowed eyes and disgruntled expression on Brodie’s face. “Most of the town knows you bought a wedding band.” He sipped the whiskey as Brodie turned toward him.

“Most of the town?”

“Well, perhaps not everyone. You are a MacLaren, however, and there appears to be a good deal of interest in each member of your family. And since you
are
the sheriff…” He didn’t continue, getting perverse pleasure at watching Brodie draw a hand down his face.

“The lass is skittish.”

“You’ve already bought the ring. I’m assuming you plan to offer marriage whether she is skittish or not.”

Brodie sucked in a deep breath, then downed the amber liquid in his glass. Setting it down, he looked at the clock behind the bar, his stomach churning. Waking up that morning, he’d spent the day building up his courage, ready to see if he and Maggie had a future. Plans had already been made for him to ride out to the ranch and spend the evening with her and his family. As the day progressed, his courage diminished until he’d accepted Sam’s invitation to meet him at Buckie’s for a drink.

The love he felt for her increased each moment they spent together. Brodie had never been like some men who never planned to marry. Someday, he knew he’d meet the right woman and fall in love. At twenty-two, Brodie never expected it would happen so soon. He figured he had years ahead of him to enjoy his bachelor status, settle into his job, and pick the right woman. Then he’d met Maggie.

“Go ahead. Nate, Jack, and I have the town covered.”

Brodie nodded, sparing Sam a slight glance before he walked outside, heading toward the livery, never slowing his stride. In his heart, Brodie knew Maggie loved him and would agree to marry. Yet a sense of foreboding gripped him as he swung into the saddle and turned Hunter toward the ranch.

“There’s no need for you to help us clean up tonight, Maggie. I know you and Brodie want to spend some time together.”

“Thank you, Mrs. MacLaren.” Maggie looked at Brodie. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“I have Jinny and Kenzie to help. Plus, the other boys always do their share.”

Brodie stood, holding his hand out to Maggie. “Thanks, Ma.”

Lorna and Ewan watched their oldest son and Maggie walk toward the study. “I believe he has something on his mind, Lorna.” He wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist.

“Aye. I believe you’re right. I hope the next time we see them they’ll be wearing smiles.” She leaned her head back on Ewan’s shoulder and sighed. She’d seen Kyla go through losing her oldest son to marriage. The difference was, Colin and Sarah lived at the ranch. Without Maggie to visit, she didn’t know how often they’d see Brodie if they married. Of course, she and Ewan could both be wrong and Brodie’s mind might be on something different than his obvious love for Maggie.

Brodie closed the door behind him, escorting Maggie to the leather sofa he’d sat in so many times since they’d arrived in California. This time, he didn’t sit. Instead, he watched as Maggie settled at one end, then paced to the window, looking out at the heavy snow, trying to calm his racing heart.

He pushed aside the sounds of Banner and Clint arguing in another room, concentrating on what he wanted to say. The thought of Maggie turning him down created a hard ball of ice in his stomach. It felt about as large as the snowman he stared at through the window, the one the younger MacLarens had built after chores. Shoving hands into his pockets, he took in an unsteady breath.

“Brodie? Are you all right?”

The concern in Maggie’s voice caused his mouth to go dry. He knew the time had come.

He could hear the sound of her dress rustling, footsteps moving toward him. All the plans he’d made, the words he wanted to say, fell from his mind, his concentration failing. Feeling fingers touch his back, Brodie turned, taking her hands in his.

“I’m all right, Maggie.” His voice shook, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

“Are you sure? You don’t act like everything is all right.”

“No? How am I acting?” He continued staring into her eyes, her voice comforting as he began to gather his thoughts.

She bit her bottom lip, her gaze falling to the floor, then back up to lock on him. “Unhappy, like something is bothering you. Is it me, Brodie? Have I done something wrong?”

Brodie’s eyes widened, registering alarm. “No, Maggie. You could never do anything wrong.”

Laughing, she squeezed his hands. “I know that’s not true.” Sobering, she moved her hands up to rest on his chest. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

An image of his cousins flashed through his mind. Colin, Blaine, and Quinn standing outside, watching, laughing at how he’d lost his courage over a woman. Determined to get past his fear, he turned Maggie toward the sofa, sitting down beside her, not letting go of her hand.

“We’ve spent a good deal of time together, lass. You must know how I feel about you.”

Her expression softened, although her eyes flashed with amusement. “I can’t read your mind, Brodie. Why don’t you tell me how you feel?”

He stifled a groan, wondering how this had become so hard. “Well…” He cleared his throat, staying silent.

“Do you like me, Brodie?”

Her question seemed to shock him. “You know I do.”

She nodded. “Do you enjoy spending time with me?”

“I could spend every minute of every day with you, lass.”

Again, she nodded. “Do you go to sleep at night thinking of me, waking with me in your thoughts?”

“Every night and every morning.”

“And touching me…do you enjoy touching me?”

This time the groan escaped his lips. “Aye, lass. I do enjoying touching you.” With each answer, his voice became more strained. “I can’t imagine a life where I can’t reach out and hold you, be with you whenever I want.”

Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she nodded again, taking his other hand. “I’m glad because I feel the same about you. I love you, Brodie, and I’m afraid there is nothing I can do about it.”

Without thought, he slid to the floor in front of her, knowing his eyes revealed everything he felt for this woman. “I love you, Maggie. I’ve loved you when I shouldn’t have and love you more with each passing day. I want us to build a life together in Conviction.” He drew in a breath to clear his head. “Marry me, Maggie King. Be my wife.”

It was then he noticed the bright smile and tears streaking down her face, her head nodding almost imperceptibly as she looked into his eyes.

“Yes, Brodie MacLaren. I will marry you, build a family, and wrap my whole life around yours.”

Standing, he picked her up, twirling her in a circle as he let out an ear-splitting shout.

In an adjacent room, Lorna looked into her husband’s eyes and swiped away a tear of her own. “I believe she said yes.”

The next two weeks passed in a blur as everyone prepared for a Christmas wedding. Lorna and the aunts worked on the dress, while the oldest daughters planned the food. A few people from town were invited, including Sam, Nate, Jack, and August Fielder.

The original layer of snow had melted, only to be replaced by almost two feet from a freak storm which moved through the week after Brodie had proposed. He’d ridden back to the ranch once, then was forced to stay away. Between a surge in drunken brawls, petty crime, and problems due to the unusual weather conditions, travel to the ranch had become impossible.

Whenever Brodie became frustrated with his inability to see or touch Maggie, he remembered the look on her face when she’d accepted his proposal. They may be separated, but she was safe with his family. He knew as far as they were concerned, Maggie was already a part of the MacLaren clan.

“MacLaren, you need to come with me. There are some visitors who made it up the river and are staying at the Gold Dust.” Sam took off his hat, shaking off the melting snow, and stomped his feet. “I wish it would either snow enough to stay or let the current cover melt.”