Love Inspired September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: Her Montana Twins\Small-Town Billionaire\Stranded with the Rancher (12 page)

“Good to know.” Then, to his surprise, she took a step closer to him. “I can't thank you enough for coming to get me. I was so relieved to see your lights down the highway.”

“Alfie was there,” he said, taking a stab at humor to deflect his own emotions.

“He was the other reason I was relieved to see you,” she said, her smile deepening.

“I'm glad I could help.”

She released a light laugh. “You know, I feel bad now. I didn't trust you with Corey on that horse, yet I counted on you to help when me and the kids were in trouble. I'm sorry about that. I should have trusted you.”

“It's okay. I understand,” he said. She looked up at him again, and Brody, once again, went for broke. He laid his hands on her shoulders, waited a moment as if she was a nervous filly he was ready to tame, then he slowly drew her closer, his arms slipping around her slight figure. He looked down at her, gauging her reaction and, when she didn't move, didn't say anything, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

She melted into him, her arms sliding around his shoulders, her fingers tangling in his hair as she returned his kiss.

And Brody knew, in that moment, everything had changed for them.

* * *

“You don't need to do this if you don't want to,” Brody said, standing inside the corral, holding the reins of a pinto mare that had the most benign of names. Blossom. The mare was saddled up and stood, head hanging down, eyes half-closed, looking docile. Brody's horse was also saddled up and tied to the fence.

The late-afternoon sun shone warmly on Hannah's back, but she still felt a chill feather down her spine at the sight of the saddled horses.

This morning, when Gina picked up the twins, she had told her that Brody had a surprise for her back at the ranch when she came. Apparently this was it.

“I wouldn't put you on a horse that would hurt you,” Brody assured her. “My sisters rode Blossom for years. She's bombproof. I would trust her with my life. Besides, she's also had twins, rare for a horse. I thought you two might have something to talk about.”

He gave her a broad smile that helped his cause. A bit.

“Why are you doing this again?” she asked as she slowly climbed over the rail fence and into the corral.

“Because I can't imagine anyone being afraid of horses, and it bothers me that you are. I think you're missing out.”

Hannah wiped suddenly sweaty palms over her pants, then walked over to the horse.

“Just pet her for now,” Brody said. “Get used to her and let her get used to you.”

The sharp scent of horse mingled with old leather and rope brought back a quick stab of fear, but Hannah fought it down and reached out and petted Blossom.

The mare opened her eyes and lazily turned her head as if checking Hannah out.

“We're going to be best friends, right?” Hannah said, stroking her carefully, the horse's rough mane tickling the back of her hand.

“She likes you,” Brody said. “I can see it in her eyes. You okay to get on now?”

“That was a pretty brief introduction,” Hannah said.

He just smiled again, his one hand holding the reins as he held his other hand out to help her. She took it, but just before he was about to help her on, he bent over and brushed a quick kiss over her lips.

For some reason, that kiss rocked her more than the one they had shared last night. This kiss was like the kiss of two people comfortable with each other. Trouble was,
comfortable
was not a word Hannah could use around Brody. He made her feel confused, alive, energized and excited. Not comfortable.

“Okay. I'm ready to get on,” she said, feeling a need to create a bit of space from which she could examine the situation better.

Last night, after he left, she had lain in bed, staring up at the ceiling, reliving their shared kiss again and again. It had shifted the ground beneath her feet. Thrown her off balance.

But at the same time it had created a feeling of rightness.

It was all too confusing and right now, sitting on the back of a horse seemed like an easier task than analyzing her changing feelings for Brody Harcourt.

Brody looped the reins over Blossom's head and handed them to her. “Hang on to these and the pommel of the saddle at the same time, put your foot in the stirrup, lean ahead to get your center of balance and swing your leg over her back as you get on.”

“Like in the Westerns,” she said with a shaky laugh.

“Sure,” Brody said.

She pulled in another breath just as Blossom blew, signaling her impatience. Then Hannah did what Brody told her and put her foot into the stirrup to get on. It wasn't the most elegant of mounts. Her leg caught the back of the saddle and she fell forward, but she recovered and managed to get her other foot in the stirrup.

“Looks like the length is good.” Brody ducked under the horse's head to check her other foot. “We're good to go. You ready?”

Hannah gripped the reins so tightly she thought she was going to lose all feeling in her hands, and gave Brody a curt nod.

“Just hold the reins loosely,” Brody told her as he picked up a rope attached to the halter Blossom still wore. “And release that tension in your shoulders.”

Hannah didn't even realize she had her shoulders hunched up until Brody pointed it out. She rotated them, trying to loosen them. She wished she didn't feel so uptight. She wanted to be all cool and casual and confident.

She wanted Brody to be proud of her.

“We'll just make a few laps around the pen so you feel comfortable,” he said. “Anytime you want to stop, just let me know, okay? You're in charge here.”

“That's something I haven't felt for a while,” Hannah managed to joke.

“That's the beauty of riding. You are always the one in charge. You're the one who tells the horse when to stop and when to go.”

Blossom started, then gave a little stumble, which sent Hannah's heart into her throat. But then the horse recovered and soon they were keeping an easy pace. Hannah kept her gaze fixed on Brody's broad shoulders as he walked ahead of her, turning now and again to give her an encouraging smile.

As they made a few more rounds, she found herself relaxing, letting the rhythm of the horse's plodding hooves reassure her.

“You're doing great.” Brody's approval made her feel more confident as they walked for a few more minutes. “Now I'd like you to make her stop by pulling on the reins,” Brody said. “But don't jerk. Just a gentle pull back until you feel some resistance.”

Hannah nodded and slowly drew the reins toward her, pleased when Blossom stopped at the faint pull. They repeated the exercise and after that, Brody got her turning the horse first one way, then the other. All the while he walked alongside her, encouraging her and correcting.

But with each command, each new thing she tried, Hannah was surprised to feel her fear easing away. “Do you want to try on your own while I ride beside you?” Brody asked.

Hannah looked down at him and as she looked into his eyes, she felt a desire to show him that yes, she could do this. That something that he enjoyed so much she could try to share with him.

“Yeah. We can do that.”

So they spent what was left of the daylight walking the horses side by side around the corral, stopping, going, turning and twisting. And each time Blossom responded to the faint movements of the reins, Hannah felt her confidence growing.

Then Winston came to join them, leaning on the top railing of the fence, his hat tipped back as he watched. “Way to go, girl. Very brave of you.”

She gave him a thankful smile, then suddenly realized how late it had gotten. “The kids—”

“Are fine. Gina just told me to come and get you for supper.”

“We'll be there in about ten,” Brody responded. He turned back to Hannah. “You okay to quit? I don't want you to get too sore.”

“Yeah. That'd be good.”

He dismounted, then helped her off Blossom. “Just stay here. I'll unsaddle and unbridle the horses and bring them out to the pasture.”

She nodded, crossing her arms against the cooling air, watching as he worked, his movements quick and efficient. He talked to the horses while he worked. The horses stood quietly for him, and in no time the saddles were returned to the shed just off the barn. He brought the horses to the pasture and then returned, his casual grin creating an answering warmth.

“Hey, there,” he said, his voice growing quiet as he stopped in front of her.

“Hey, yourself,” she returned, her voice growing breathless. “Thanks so much for giving me that. For making me try something that scared me.”

“I hope you're okay with it?” he asked. “I didn't want to push you, but I really wanted you to experience how enjoyable riding can be.”

“And why would you want that?” she asked, unable to suppress her slightly flirtatious tone.

He gave her a crooked grin, as if he knew what game she was playing. “I don't know. I thought, maybe, you and I could take the horses out on a longer ride. If you're ready.”

“I might be. With more practice.”

“That, I can give you.” Then he ran his finger lightly up and down her neck, sending delightful shivers dancing down her spine. “So, you're okay?”

She sensed his question held more than a mere inquiry after the state of her nerves. She let the thought settle, giving it proper weight. Then she returned his smile, laid her hand on his shoulder and stood on tiptoe to brush a kiss over his cheek. It was rough, faintly whiskered, but the contact created a quiver of happiness.

“I'm just fine,” she said.

“As for the horses, would you be interested in an easy ride tomorrow? Dad and I have to ride up to the south pasture to check on the cows.”

A picture of herself on the back of a horse, roaming the hills, looking all adventurous as she rode beside Brody, flitted through her mind. Then, with a sigh of regret she shook her head, reality dissipating the daydream. “I have to clean my place up and get caught up on laundry and groceries. All those typical, boring Saturday things that take up so much time.”

“Too bad. It would have been fun.” He brushed his knuckle over her cheek. “Will I see you Sunday?”

“Yes. I'd like to try church again.”

His smile made her even more determined to make the effort. “I think the kids will be okay.”

“I think so, too.”

“And thanks again for taking me out on the horse,” she said quietly. “I was afraid at first, but I'm glad you made me do it.”

“So I'm not a bully?”

She laughed at that. “No. Not at all. It was good for me to push myself past my comfort zone. And...” She hesitated a moment, still uncomfortable with baring too much of her soul.

“And what?” he prompted, his hand squeezing her shoulder lightly, encouraging a response.

“And to let myself trust you.”

That netted her a moment of silence. Then Brody brushed a kiss over her cheek. “You can always trust me” was his quiet response.

His words settled into her soul and she held them.

When he took her hand and they headed toward the house, brightly lit on the hill, she felt a sense of rightness and homecoming that was both exciting and, if she was honest, a bit disconcerting.

An image of David slid into the periphery of her thoughts and she brushed it aside.

Later,
she promised the memory as she and Brody walked, hand in hand, up the walk to his parents' house where her children waited.
I'll think what to do about you later.

Chapter Eight

“T
he kids were fine.” Janet Hearn handed Corey to Brody, then picked Chrissy up and gave her to Hannah. “They didn't cry at all.”

“I'm so glad,” Hannah said, taking her diaper bag from Janet. Though she had been assured that the nursery staff was more than capable of taking care of the twins if they fussed, and though Gina had often commented on how happy they were when they were at the ranch, Hannah still had a hard time leaving them in the nursery. All through the church service she kept expecting to be called out to deal with them. It made it difficult to concentrate on Pastor Ethan's sermon, but she could have easily blamed Brody's presence beside her for that same distraction.

“Do you need a ride to your parents' place?” Brody asked as he settled Corey on his hip.

Hannah regretfully shook her head. “Julie said she and Ryan would bring me.” Though Gina had made it clear that Hannah was more than welcome to come to the ranch for Sunday dinner, and though part of her wanted to take Gina up on the offer, Hannah also wanted to visit with her parents.

And to give herself some breathing space from the feelings Brody created. Since that kiss Wednesday night and the days she and Brody had spent together since then, she had felt herself being pulled through a variety of emotions and she wasn't sure how to sort them out.

“And how has your mom been feeling?” Brody asked as he held open the door leading outside.

“Good enough to have me and the kids over. She said she might be ready to take care of the twins again this week,” Hannah said, walking down the ramp toward the parking lot.

She wasn't sure how to feel about that, either. Having the kids at the ranch had been amazing. She loved that Gina took them out every day. That they got exercise and fresh air. That they could play with the kittens and have Chance follow them around. It was an idyllic setting. But at the same time, she felt as if things were moving so quickly between her and Brody that maybe some breathing space and stepping back might be a good idea.

“That's too bad,” Brody said. “I was getting used to having the munchkins around every day.”

She glanced over at him and caught him looking at her. Another one of those moments they seemed to share so frequently the past few days. They walked down the wooden ramp, through the group standing around outside.

“Lots of new faces in church this morning,” Brody commented as they worked their way around a knot of chatting people.

“There's been a lot going on in Jasper Gulch.” Hannah's diaper bag bumped against a young couple as she made her way through the gathered crowd. “I'm so sorry,” she said, pulling the bag closer to her.

“No need to apologize,” the young woman said, turning to Hannah. It wasn't hard to see the baby bump under her black-and-white polka-dot dress. “How old is your girl?”

“Thirteen months,” Hannah said. “And how far along are you?”

“Not far enough. Seven months. But I'm expecting twins, so I can be excused for my size,” she said with a light laugh. “Your children must be twins, too?”

Hannah nodded. “This is Chrissy and that's Corey.”

The woman's eyes shifted from Hannah to Brody and she smiled. “They sure look like you,” she said to Brody.

Hannah's heart shifted as she shot Brody a glance. But he didn't look fazed by the women's comment. “They do resemble their father,” he said, neatly avoiding explanations to someone who didn't need to know.

“Such a lovely family,” she said, adding further to Hannah's discomfiture.

“Thank you,” Hannah said quietly. “I hope you have a lovely Sunday.”

“We will. We plan to take in the fair at the end of the week. Anyhow, you and your husband and kids have a great day,” she said.

Hannah mumbled her thanks, then walked away, unable to look over at Brody and equally unable to stop the flush that was now warming her cheeks.

She didn't blame the woman for thinking they were a family. Brody was holding Corey. She was holding Chrissy. They were walking together.

“I'm sorry about that,” she said as she dug in her diaper bag for the keys. “That must have made you feel strange.”

“Not really. She didn't know.” His casual response gave her pause. “Did it bother you?”

He was looking directly at her, but she couldn't read anything from his expression. Then she shook her head. “It was an honest mistake.”

And yet, as she watched Brody buckle Corey into the car seat, she caught herself thinking about Brody and family and fatherhood. The twins would never know David as their father. The thought created a feeling of uncertainty braided with sorrow. And yet as Brody straightened, then smiled at her, she couldn't stop a feeling of fullness and promise.

Was she allowed to feel this?

* * *

“Looks good,” Brody called out to Dylan as he held his hand up. Brake lights flashed, the lumbering fire truck rolled to a halt and Dylan jumped out of the cab.

“We should get a lot of traffic in this spot,” Dylan said as he walked toward Brody, glancing at the setup. “Who did you have to flirt with to get this space?”

Brody grinned as he pulled open the back door of the truck's cab. “Hannah did this without any input from me.”

“Speaking of, here comes the lovely Hannah herself,” Dylan said, winking at his friend.

Brody couldn't stop the quick lift of his heart.

Sunday night Hannah had called to let them know that her mother was feeling much better and would be taking care of the twins again. Brody's disappointment surprised him. While he knew he would be seeing Hannah again, he also knew he would miss the kids. They were so cute and fun to have around. His mother had been mopey the past few days, and Brody could tell she was worried, as well. He wanted to console her, tell her that things seemed to be shifting between him and Hannah, but he wanted to be sure himself before he said anything to either of his parents.

There were days their expectations pushed at him, making him feel an extra tension around Hannah.

So it was probably just as well that when he saw her the past few days, it was without his parents hovering. Watching. Longing.

Yesterday he and Hannah had met at Great Gulch Grub for lunch; today they had arranged to meet at the fairgrounds.

“Hello, Dylan. Brody,” Hannah said as she stopped close to the booth. The wind was teasing her hair, tossing it around her face.

“Looking good,” she said, pointing her clipboard at the truck. “I'm sure the kids will be all over that.”

“We hope so. Too bad the twins are too young to fully appreciate it,” Brody said.

“Maybe in the future,” Hannah said quietly.

Another small promise.

“Brody loves kids, you know,” Dylan said loudly, as if Hannah might need reassuring.

“I know he does.” Hannah's eyes twinkled, and Brody was glad to see that Dylan's comment amused instead of bothered her.

Brody shot Dylan a knowing look and at first he looked puzzled, then he seemed to catch on. “I...uh...should check the cab. Of the truck,” Dylan said, making a big deal of pointing back to the truck. “Make sure we've got the books and hats and suckers and stuff.” He then beat a diplomatic retreat.

Brody turned back to Hannah and smiled down at her, a feeling of rightness settling in his soul. “So. How was your morning?”

“Busy. I received some last-minute applicants for booths that I had to turn down.” Hannah shrugged. “I hate doing that.”

They were quiet a moment, as if each trying to find their way around this new place they had come to. Finally, Brody broke the silence. “I was wondering if you were interested in heading over to Salem. There's a good movie playing. Could you get a babysitter?”

“Julie might help me out,” she said so quickly Brody was reassured.

“I could come and pick you up.”

“Great. That'd be great.”

He wanted to give her another kiss, but this was too public a place. And Julie was only a couple of tables over and he could see her watching them both like one of her own ewes would an innocent lamb.

“I...I should go and...and check with some of the other participants.”

Brody nodded, but as she walked away he felt it. A sense of homecoming. That the boundaries of his life had fallen into pleasant places, as the Bible said.

Then he turned and came face-to-face with Julie Shaw.

She had a big smile on her face, but he could tell that she came on serious business.

“What can I do for you, Julie?” he asked.

Julie looked at him and then shot a meaningful glance at her friend, who stood by another table, scribbling something on her clipboard.

“She's a great girl,” Julie said by way of introduction. Julie's blue eyes were enhanced by the color of her sweater, a sky blue that made her auburn curls even redder.

“I think we both agree on that,” Brody said, dropping his hands on his hips as if to give extra stability against whatever Julie might have to say.

“Be careful with her. She's lost so much and she doesn't have a lot of reserves.” Julie folded her arms over her chest in a defensive gesture.

“What you're saying isn't something I didn't think of,” he said quietly. “And I respect that, but you need to know that I would never do anything to hurt her.”

Julie seemed to weigh his words. “Sometimes you guys can hurt without knowing you do it.”

“I've cared for Hannah ever since I first moved here,” he said, wishing he didn't sound so defensive. “But she was always David's girl and I respected that. Still do.”

Julie's expression softened and Brody sensed that he had scored a few points with Hannah's good friend. “I'm glad to know that.”

“I also think she's stronger than you might think,” Brody said.

Julie seemed to consider his comment, then as he and Julie exchanged cautious smiles, he sensed that he had gained an ally in Hannah's friend.

“Hey. Brody. Just got a call,” Dylan called out from the cab of the truck. “Fire close to the Shaw ranch. We'll need to take this truck.”

Brody shot Julie an apologetic look. “Gotta go,” he said and jogged over to the truck, jumped in. In seconds they were rolling out of the fairgrounds, sirens blazing, and leaving behind a group of surprised residents.

* * *

“I thought for sure the hero was going to give up on his brother.” Hannah stirred a spoonful of sugar into her coffee and set her spoon on the table beside it. “I was getting myself ready for an unhappy ending to the movie.”

“I'm glad it ended the way it did,” Brody said forcefully. “I hate sad endings.”

Hannah took a sip of her coffee, looking at him over the edge of her cup, unable to stop a grin at his vehemence, a feeling of utter contentment washing over her. They had just come from the movie, and when Brody suggested they go for a cup of coffee, she had quickly accepted. She wasn't ready to go back to Jasper Gulch. She was enjoying this sense of time out of time. Just her and Brody sitting in a café in Salem where no one knew who they were, the low lighting and quiet ambience creating a feeling of intimacy.

When she told Julie about the date, wondering who she should get to babysit, her friend had immediately volunteered.

“Did your emergency call this afternoon have a sad ending?” All evening the question had been hovering, waiting to be voiced. Brody hadn't said anything about it, and local gossip, via Rusty Zidek, was that it was just a grass fire most likely set by a prankster. That set her mind at ease, but it was still a call, and when she'd heard the wail of the sirens leaving the fairgrounds, her heart had jumped.

“No. We caught it on time. Though we suspect that whoever set it was hoping it would move into one of the stockpiles of hay the Shaw ranch has situated over its spread. We aren't usually this busy,” Brody said.

“Three fires in two months?”

“I think someone is up to something,” Brody said. “But we keep stopping them, so no harm, no foul.”

He sounded so casual about it all and Hannah wished she could feel the same. Thankfully, this last one wasn't anything major, which put her at ease.

“And how is Finney coming along with your car?” he asked.

“He said it would be ready Friday, so I'm going to walk over and pick it up.”

“That's the first evening of the fair, isn't it?”

Hannah couldn't stop a flitter of panic at the thought. So much to do yet. “It is. But that's the only day I could pick it up. I have to make my basket that afternoon, as well.”

“And? What are you going to put in yours?”

Hannah heard the leading question in his voice and angled her head to one side, toying with her hair. “It's supposed to be a secret who makes which basket.”

“Supposedly. I know that last year the Shoemaker girls made it fairly clear which ones theirs were. They got bid up pretty high.”

“I'm sure they'll be up to their usual shenanigans,” Hannah said.

“So how will I know which one is yours?”

“You're going to bid on mine?” she asked, unable to keep the coy note out of her voice, surprising herself with her flirtatious attitude.

It's fun,
she thought.
I never did this with David. Never had that teasing courtship.

“You bet I am. I don't want to end up with Rosemary Middleton's or Chauncey Hardman's. She's no lover of cowboys.”

Hannah chuckled, imagining Brody sitting with a very chatty Rosemary or a taciturn Chauncey. “Maybe I'll put a pink bow on mine,” she suggested.

Brody laughed and then reached across the table and covered her hand with his, toying with her fingers. “Maybe you'd better be more specific.”

Hannah released a light sigh as she twined her fingers around his, enjoying this give-and-take. The flirting, the coy glances. The hesitant dance of, what she assumed, was courtship. She and David had dated so long it was as if their relationship had settled into such a familiar place; she couldn't remember this fluttering of her heart, or the way her breath seemed caught in her throat.