Authors: Janet Dailey

Tags: #Romance, #Fiction, #General, #Contemporary, #Western Stories, #Suspense Fiction, #Domestic fiction, #Montana, #Ranch life, #Women Ranchers - Montana, #Calder family (Fictitious characters), #Women ranchers

Calder Promise (19 page)

BOOK: Calder Promise

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“Somewhere in there, it states that the buyer must appear in person to pick up any stock purchased,” she teased. “Which means, if you want that filly, you’ll have to come get her yourself.”

The minute he realized she wasn’t serious, Boone responded to her smile. “I might be able to arrange such a visit,” he said and flicked a glance at the crowd, nearly elbow to elbow. “Maybe there won’t be so many people around then.”

“I can almost guarantee it,” Laura replied.

Another private jet soared into twilight’s purpling sky, its navigational lights winking as it banked south. Laura glanced idly in its direction, then surveyed the ranch yard, now nearly empty of vehicles. The few that remained were clustered mainly around the tents. Now that the sale was over the cleanup would begin.

“The Rutledges are gone, are they?”

Laura turned as her mother walked up to join her. “About twenty or thirty minutes ago,” she confirmed. “Boone will likely be back at the end of the week to pick up the horses they bought.”

Jessy studied her daughter with a quietly inspecting look. “Chase tells me you’re thinking about marrying him.”

“It’s possible.”

“Is that your idea or Tara’s?”

“Mine, of course, although I’m not surprised that you might think otherwise.” Laura was too used to the dislike that existed between Tara and her mother to take offense at the comment.

“I suppose I’m really wondering if you’re in love with Boone or in love with what you think he can give you.” As one, both set out in the direction of The Homestead.

“Isn’t it possible that it’s both?” Laura countered.

“It’s possible,” Jessy agreed. “But when you’re with him, you don’t act like someone in love. You’re too coolheaded.”

“Maybe I’m like you,” Laura suggested. “You don’t act like a woman in love, either. But I’ve seen the way you look at Laredo sometimes. And the way he lightly rubs your back when he thinks no one is watching. Just out of curiosity, Mother, why haven’t you married him?”

“Don’t change the subject, Laura.”

“Don’t dodge my question. Is it because he’s nothing more than an ordinary cowboy—and not a particularly good one at that?”

“That has nothing to do with it.” The denial was quick and decisive.

“Then why?”

“The decision was Laredo’s.” She turned a look of cool challenge on Laura. “Maybe you should ask him.”

“Maybe the next time I see him, I will,” she replied.

But she didn’t. She was too busy plotting out how she wanted Boone’s next visit to go.

A cane thumped across the hardwood floor and halted in front of the doors to the den. Chase looked in and saw Laredo leaning against the desk, one leg hooked over a corner while Jessy sat behind it, her blond head bent over the stack of checks she was signing. Planting the cane in front of him, Chase rested both hands atop it and leaned his considerable weight on it.

“When’s dinner gonna be ready?” he demanded gruffly.

Laredo pushed off the desk and came erect. “As far as I know, we’re just waiting for Trey and Laura to come down.”

“They should be here shortly,” Jessy added and laid the pen aside.

“One of you needs to holler up there and tell them to shake a leg.” Chase swung away and propelled himself toward the dining room with his cane. “A man could starve to death around here.”

Laredo came sauntering after him. “As little as you eat anymore, I’m surprised you even know when it’s mealtime.”

“I may not eat much,” Chase told him. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t get hungry.”

As they rounded the archway into the dining room, the clatter of booted feet running down the stairs echoed through the big house. Trey swept into the dining room about the time Chase reached his chair at the head of the table.

Chase glanced at the doorway, but Jessy was the only one who came through it after Trey. “Where’s Laura?” He frowned.

“Better not wait dinner on her.” Trey pulled out his customary chair and lowered himself onto it. “She’s on the phone with Crockett. She’s likely to be cooing in his ear for another hour yet.”

“Now, Trey,” Jessy murmured in light reproval.

“It’s true.” He pulled his napkin off the table and laid it carelessly on his lap. “What do you want to bet we’ll have the dubious pleasure of his company again this weekend? What’s he been here—three or four times since the sale? For the life of me, I don’t understand what Laura sees in him.”

“You mean other than the fact he’s rich and good-looking,” said Laredo.

“And full of Texas swagger,” Trey added, his disgust for the man showing. “Or haven’t you noticed the way he walks around like he’s the he-bull of the prairie.”

“If he seems a bit standoffish, maybe it’s because you haven’t acted all that friendly to him,” Jessy suggested.

“I’ve met his kind before.” Trey’s tone was dry with cynicism. “I have a hunch he figures he’s too important to need friends. And I’m not the only one who thinks that. Quint feels the same way about him.”

Trey’s assessment of the man was one that Chase shared. What he disliked about Boone was more an aura than any overt action. It pleased him that Trey had picked up on it. It certainly didn’t surprise him that Quint had.

“Speaking of Quint,” Jessy began, making a tactful change of subject, “have you talked to Cat lately? I was curious how Quint’s getting along since he reported back for work.”

“Fine, I guess,” Chase replied. “Although Cat did say that he tires quickly.”

Trey smiled. “I talked to him last night. He said he was getting stronger every day. Now that they put the walking cast on him, he’s gotten rid of the crutches and started using a cane. Sort of like you, Gramps.”

“With one difference: he’s a few years younger.”

They were halfway through the meal before Laura joined them. “Sorry I’m late,” she offered in breezy apology as she slid into her chair.

“Trey explained that you were on the phone with Boone,” Jessy said in a show of understanding.

“I was. Then I had to call Tara and talk to her.”

“About what?” It was Chase who made the challenge.

“Boone wanted to fly up this weekend, but he’s going to be tied up at the ranch. He wants me to fly down there instead.” She took the platter of roast beef that Laredo passed to her. “So I had to call Tara and see whether she would be free to go with me. After all, it wouldn’t look right for me to stay at the ranch with Boone without someone to serve as a chaperone, and I knew it would be impossible for you to get away, Mother.”

“It is,” Jessy confirmed, yet it stung that she hadn’t been asked first. “So, are you going?” she asked.

Laura nodded and forked a slice of beef onto her plate. “We’ll leave Friday morning, probably around ten o’clock, and fly back Sunday afternoon sometime.”

The wheelchair made almost no noise as it rolled across the stone floor of the living room in the sprawling ranch house. Ignoring the soft whirr of its motor, Boone crossed to the bar, took a glass off the shelf, and reached for the bottle of bourbon.

“I heard the phone ring.” Max Rutledge’s voice reached across the room to demand his attention. “Is she coming or not?”

“She’s coming.” Boone poured a full jigger of liquor into the glass, added some ice cubes and a splash of water. “So is Tara.”

“Smart girl,” Max said with approval. “There are some who’d look sideways at a woman who’d spend the weekend here alone.”

“That’s what she said,” Boone acknowledged.

“Tomorrow you go into town and buy her a ring. Get her something big and flashy that she can show off, but nothing as ordinary as a diamond—unless you can find a yellow one. A yellow diamond,” Max repeated, warming to the possibility. “That’s exactly what you need to get.”

“Isn’t that rushing things a bit?” Boone countered. “I’ve only known her a little more than a month.”

“If you haven’t gotten her to fall in love with you in a month, you never will.” His dark eyes narrowed on Boone in sharp suspicion. “Or is that the problem? You figure she’s going to turn you down.”

“I don’t think that at all.” But at the same time, he wasn’t certain she’d accept him, either. It was the pressure of that uncertainty that had Boone downing a hefty swallow of bourbon.

Chapter Twelve

T
he clip-clop of shod hooves on brick pavers echoed through the stillness of the English afternoon. As a groom walked the chestnut gelding up the ramp and into the horse van, Sebastian exchanged the bill of sale in his hand for a check from the buyer. A glance confirmed it was made out for the correct amount, and Sebastian slipped it into his inside jacket pocket.

“I’m confident the horses will make suitable mounts for young riders, Mr. Melrose,” Sebastian stated. “I know they served my nephews well.”

“They’re fine, sound animals. My daughters will be thrilled to have them.” The heavyset man threw a look over his shoulder as the groom emerged from inside the van to load the second horse. “Myself, I’ve never understood the connection between horses and young girls, but mine are completely daft about them.” When the second gelding walked up the ramp, the man touched his hat to Sebastian. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, Your Lordship.”

Nodding, Sebastian murmured an appropriate response, his attention distracted by the approach of a vehicle. Quick to recognize the driver behind the wheel as his sister, he turned to meet her while the man went to help the groom secure the horse van for travel.

Helen stepped out of the car, greeting him with a wide smile. “Since I was in the vicinity, I thought I would join you for tea.”

“I’m glad you did.”

She threw a curious glance at the horse van. “Is that Jaspar and Big Mike in there?”

“It is.” Sebastian opened the front door for her.

Helen stepped inside then waited for him, her expression puzzled and slightly uncertain. “Did you sell them?”

“To Mr. Melrose,” he confirmed and led the way toward the twin library. “It seems his twin daughters have outgrown their ponies.”

“I had no idea you were thinking of selling them.”

“Under the circumstances, a six-horse stable is a luxury I can’t afford.” Upon entering the library, he crossed to the desk and rang the kitchen. “Inform Grizwold there will be two for tea. We’re in the library.”

“I hope you received a good price for them.” Helen sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs and curled her legs underneath, making herself at home.

“The sum is more than enough to finance a trip across the pond,” Sebastian replied.

It took a moment for the significance of his statement to register. “Are you going over there to see her?” Helen asked as if none too sure of his reason.

“If I don’t, I will always wonder what might have happened if I had made one more attempt to win her.”

His expression was much too serious for Helen to doubt the truth in his words. Neither had to say Laura’s name; they both knew to whom he was referring. The mere reference to Laura prompted Helen to glance at the wall where the portrait hung. But the space was blank.

Her gaze flew to Sebastian. “What did you do with the portrait of Lady Crawford?”

“As soon as Melrose agreed to buy the horses, I had Grizwold take it down and crate it for shipment.”

“You’re taking it to America with you.”

“I thought it might make a useful peace offering.” His mouth quirked in an attempt at a smile.

Helen saw through it. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

“I must. It’s been impossible to get her out of my mind.” The portrait was merely one reminder of Laura. Sebastian knew there were few rooms in Crawford Hall that he could enter without seeing Laura in them.

Logan drove into the ranch yard and headed straight for The Homestead. A car was parked in front of it. There was nothing unusual about that, but the compact sedan wasn’t one that he recognized as being from the area. As he pulled up beside it, Logan automatically glanced at the license plate and saw it was a rental.

It was a habit to be interested in any stranger, and his attention quickly shifted to the man standing near the top of the veranda steps. Tall, and well-dressed in a sports jacket and slacks, he looked to be somewhere in his early thirties. Most distinctively, no hat covered his head, and he wore shoes, not cowboy boots. Lean of face and fair-complected, he had a touch of red in his light brown hair.

Logan climbed out of the Jeep Cherokee and approached the steps. “Afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” the man replied with a British accent, then glanced in the direction of the front door. “No one seems to be in. I knocked, but there was no answer.”

“No one knocks at the Triple C.” Logan gestured toward the door in invitation. “They just walk in.” He continued past him to the door.

“Unannounced?” the man questioned.

“That’s right.” Logan opened it and smiled, waiting for the man to join him. “Only strangers knock.”

A wry amusement curved the man’s mouth as he crossed to the door. “Then it must be obvious to you that I am a stranger here.”

“It is,” Logan confirmed easily and followed him into the house. “By the way, my name’s Logan Echohawk.”

“You’re the sheriff, aren’t you?” The man looked at him with new interest. “Laura mentioned you.”

“You’re a friend of Laura’s?”

“We met in Rome.”

Hearing the familiar thump of a cane, Logan turned as Chase hove into view. “Oh, it’s you, Logan. I thought I heard voices,” he said in lieu of a greeting. He started to turn away, then paused to peer intently at the stranger. “Who’s that with you?”

“A friend of Laura’s,” Logan replied. “Is Jessy here?”

“In the den.” Chase bobbed his head in its direction. “Why? What’s up?”

“It looks like we have some rustlers working the area. Miller has about ten head of cattle missing from his west pasture, and a black pickup with a gooseneck trailer and Wyoming plates was seen in the area,” Logan explained, aware that even though Jessy was technically in charge of the operation, Chase liked to know all that went on. “I thought I’d better pass the word so you and your people could keep an eye out.”

Chase nodded and made a wordless sound of approval then fired a look at the stranger. “If you’re here to see Laura, you’re out of luck. She left yesterday.”

“I see.” The answer was clearly one the man had not anticipated. After a momentary pause, he asked, “When do you anticipate she will return?”

Chase treated him to a hard stare, then turned, leaning heavily on his cane, and yelled, “Jessy! Come here a minute.” The minute she walked out of the den, he waved a hand at the stranger. “There’s a young man here who wants to know when Laura’ll be back. I can’t remember what she told us.”

“She said she’d be flying back tomorrow afternoon.” Jessy directed her answer to the man and stepped forward, stretching out her hand in greeting. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Laura’s mother, Jessy Calder.”

“Sebastian Dunshill. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Calder.” He grasped her hand and bent slightly at the waist.

“Dunshill,” Jessy repeated with recognition. “You must be the current earl of Crawford. Laura told us about her visit to your home in England. I’m afraid she never mentioned that you might be coming.”

“She didn’t know. I wanted it to be a surprise.” He smiled with a touch of self-deprecating humor. “But it turns out that I am the one who is surprised. I should have known Laura would find it difficult to remain in any one place for long.”

Chase studied him with sharpened attention. “You seem to know my granddaughter rather well.”

“Well enough to know she likes places that are loud and crowded. I mean no offense, but from what little I have seen of Montana, it is neither.”

“None taken.” A smile deepened the corners of Chase’s mouth.

“It’s clear you have important matters to discuss,” Sebastian said with a glance at Logan. “So I will take no more of your time. If you could perhaps direct me to a place nearby where I might find suitable lodging, I’ll be on my way.”

Chase didn’t think twice. “The most suitable place is right here on the Triple C.”

There was a small hesitation during which Sebastian appeared to consider something more than the invitation. “As much as I would like to accept your offer of hospitality, there are some things you should know, and I would rather you heard them from me.”

Chase studied him with a steady and close regard. “Sounds like this might involve some heavy talking. Why don’t we go into the den and sit down?” He started to lead the way, then paused. “Your business isn’t so urgent that it can’t wait, is it, Logan?”

“No. I’ve already said most of what I came to tell you anyway.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Pushing off with his cane, Chase headed for the den.

Heat lightning flashed in the east while the Texas sky overhead glittered with stars. The night air had a sultry feel to it that added to the languor Laura felt as she stood within the loose circle of Boone’s arms and gazed into the land’s thickening shadows.

The low-built ranch house sprawled behind them, its thick walls and wide overhangs designed to ward off the scorching summer heat. Light spilled from some of its windows onto the broad patio, but none reached the corner she occupied with Boone.

“I love lazy summer nights like this,” Laura murmured candidly, tightening the wrap of his arms around her waist. Her glance drifted to the shimmering surface of the swimming pool. “If I wasn’t so full from dinner, I’d go change into my suit and take a dip in the pool.”

Boone buried a kiss in her hair. “I have a better idea.” His hands shifted to the sides of her waist and turned her to face him.

Laura let her hands slide to the top of his shoulders and tilted her head to one side in an alluring pose. “And what might that be?”

She hadn’t missed the touch of his right hand until it was there in front of her. But it wasn’t his hand that captured her attention; it was the small velvet-covered box it held. She stared at it, conscious of the exultant leap of her heart.

“What’s this?” Laura feigned ignorance even as her head told her the jewelry box had to contain a ring.

“Open it,” Boone instructed.

Careful not to allow more space to come between them than necessary, she took the box and snapped it open. There was nothing faked about her sharply indrawn breath of surprise as Laura caught her first glimpse of the ring. It was a marquise-cut diamond, the same pure yellow as the Texas sun, and just about as big and brilliant, set in a platinum mounting.

“Marry me, Laura.” His words had more the ring of demand than a proposal.

More than anything she wanted to slip the ring on and see how it would look on her hand. But Laura knew this was no time to appear too eager. Instead she looked up at him with questioning eyes. “Are you sure, Boone?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” The heat of need was in his voice and in the possessive rake of his eyes.

“In that case, my answer is ‘yes.’ ” She took the ring and slipped it on her finger. The fit was perfect, and the look of it was stunning, just as she had known it would be.

“Laura Rutledge,” she said, as if trying the name on for size, then declared with feeling, “I definitely like the sound of that.”

Boone didn’t bother with words to make his feelings known as his mouth claimed hers. Laura welcomed the crush of his arms and returned the heat of his kiss, for now holding nothing back.

The afternoon sunlight flashed on the ring as Laura ran lightly up The Homestead’s front steps, still riding on a triumphant feeling. She spared a backward glance at Tara, who followed more slowly.

“There’s so much to do, my head’s spinning just thinking about it all,” Laura said on a wondering note.

“You have to start first with ‘where’ and ‘when,’ ” Tara replied, ever the practical one.

“But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Laura crossed to the front door.

“You really need to bring a wedding consultant on board,” Tara told her.

“The sooner the better,” Laura agreed and opened the door. “Would you get the names of some for me?”

BOOK: Calder Promise

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