Groom by Agreement

A real home—it’s what Vienna Howe dearly wants for her young daughter. Yet the ramshackle property she just inherited hardly qualifies. She can’t afford the repairs—until foreman West McCall suggests they start a dude ranch together. For propriety’s sake, they’ll need a marriage in name only...a practical solution for two wary hearts.

Years ago, West convinced Vienna to marry a man of means, never realizing how cruel her husband could be. Guilt-ridden, he intends to secure the lovely widow’s future. But despite his reluctance to get close to anyone, this union might do more than fix Vienna’s ranch. It could open the door to a warm, loving future...

STACY HENRIE has always had a love for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her BA in public relations before turning her attention to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. The wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother of three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to being an author, she is also a reader, a road-trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator.

Also By Stacy Henrie

Lady Outlaw

The Express Rider’s Lady

The Outlaw’s Secret

The Renegade’s Redemption

The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement

A Cowboy of Convenience

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

A Cowboy of Convenience

Stacy Henrie

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08444-4

A COWBOY OF CONVENIENCE

© 2018 Stacy Henrie

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

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“We could marry. In name only,” West hurried to add.

“Marry?” Her lips tightened in surprise. “I just told Bertram I wouldn’t be marrying for the foreseeable future—in name or not.”

West glanced down at her hand, which he still held. “I know, but it would be a marriage of convenience. A business arrangement. A way to make a go of this on our own, while still keeping things proper. You and Hattie would have the house and I’d bunk in the barn.”

It wouldn’t be as if she and West were actually married. Not like her and Chance had been. Vienna squelched a shudder at that thought.

“So what you’re saying is, if we do this, you’d get your dude ranch and I’d get a home?” The question sounded far more frank than she’d meant it, but she wanted to be certain she understood his motives before she made her decision.

A flicker of emotion that she couldn’t identify crossed his face. “Yes, I’d have my dude ranch and you’d have a home.” He withdrew his hand from hers, leaving her feeling a bit cold in spite of the sunshine.

Dear Reader,

After reading a fascinating article about the history of dude ranching, I knew I wanted to make that a part of Vienna and West’s story. Thankfully they didn’t complain!

The Eaton brothers—Howard, Alden and Willis—who were originally from Pittsburgh, are credited with operating the first dude ranch near Medora, North Dakota, in the 1880s. The tale is that a guest suggested the brothers charge people room and board to come visit, and the idea of the dude ranch was born. Howard Eaton is said to have been the one to coin the word dude in reference to their guests who came from back east to visit the Custer Trail Ranch. And he did, in fact, take guests on pack trips to Yellowstone National Park. The descriptions of the ranch as well as its numbers and buildings are based on accounts of the place in 1901.

Visitors to the Custer Trail Ranch weren’t mail-order cowboys; a lot of them could ride well. However, they did tend to dress more extravagantly than regular cowboys. The idea of traveling back east to recruit guests and needing references from them is also true. The story about Teddy Roosevelt, who was a friend of the Eatons, and his robber bedfellow is supposedly true, as well. In 1904, the Eatons left North Dakota and moved their dude ranch to Wyoming. Their ranch is still in existence today.

It wasn’t until 1904 that Golden Hair, from the story of the three bears, was named Goldilocks. Also, of interesting note—for years, the tale was meant as a cautionary one to children about not snooping about where they shouldn’t.

Having already set one story in the beautiful countryside near Sheridan and the Big Horn Mountains, I was excited to set another there. I also enjoyed giving Vienna and West, two secondary characters from my last Love Inspired Historical The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement, their own happily-ever-after. It was a lot of fun to write their marriage of convenience story, as well.

My hope is that, like West, readers will also realize God doesn’t love us just because we do what He wants. He loves us unconditionally. I also hope that, like Vienna, readers will recognize their own inner strength and abilities, and that with God that strength can be magnified.

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website at www.stacyhenrie.com.

All the best,

Stacy

To...give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

—Isaiah 61:3

To all of the Love Inspired Historical team and readers

Thank you! It’s been an honor to be a part of this experience with you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Near Big Horn, Wyoming, July 1901

Vienna Howe didn’t immediately take note of the knocking at the door. From inside the ranch house kitchen, she thought the pounding sounded more like the distant thwack of a hammer than anything else. She blew a breath upward to disrupt the blond hairs sticking to her damp forehead, her hands covered in pastry dough. The wranglers at the Running W Ranch never turned down her food—especially not dessert.

“Who’s at the door, Mommy?” Two-and-a-half-year-old Harriet, known as Hattie by everyone on the ranch, looked up from where she sat at the nearby table, pretending to feed her baby doll. The doll had been a gift from Vienna’s employers, though Edward and Maggy Kent had been and always would be her dear friends, first and foremost.

The thudding noise repeated and this time Vienna cocked her head to listen. “Is that the door? I thought the boys might be fixing a fence.” She grabbed a towel to wipe off her hands and headed for the door.

“I wanna see who’s there.” Gripping the doll about the neck, Hattie trailed her through the dining room and into the front hallway.

Remembering her apron at the last minute, Vienna untied it, hung it on the nearby hall tree and smoothed her hand down the front of her wrinkled white blouse and long skirt. She opened the door to find the sheriff standing there. Not the one from the nearby town of Big Horn, either. Sheriff Tweed, from seven miles away in Sheridan, looked relieved that someone had at last answered his knock.

“Just startin’ to wonder if no one was around, after all,” the man said as he removed his hat.

Vienna shot him an apologetic smile. “So sorry to keep you waiting, Sheriff. I was baking in the kitchen.”

“That’s all right.”

When he didn’t say anything more, she added, “I’m afraid my daughter and I are the only ones here. Edward is in town, and Maggy and Mrs. Harvey are gone on official detective business.” In addition to helping her husband run their successful horse ranch, Maggy Kent operated her own small detective agency with the help of the Kents’ head cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Harvey.

“I saw Mr. Kent earlier, which is how I knew you’d likely be here, Mrs. Howe.”

She blinked in surprise. “You’re here to see me?”

“Mommy, what does he want?” Hattie tugged on Vienna’s skirt, reminding her of her daughter’s presence—and the little girl’s rapt attention.

At that moment Westin “West” McCall, the ranch foreman, strolled across the yard toward the porch, a ready smile on his face. “Howdy, Sheriff. What can we do for you?”

“Howdy, McCall.” The sheriff smiled back. “I’m here to speak to Mrs. Howe.”

West glanced at her, his expression and honey-brown eyes as wary as the emotion now churning in her stomach. “Everything all right?”

“Not to worry, son,” the sheriff said, turning back to Vienna. “But I’m afraid I need to speak with Mrs. Howe in private.”

Vienna scooped up Hattie and walked past the sheriff. “West, do you mind watching her for a few minutes?”

“Not at all.” The man gave Hattie a gentle smile as he took her from Vienna and set her on her feet again.

The little girl gazed up adoringly at him. “You can help me feed my baby, Mr. West.”

“Now remind me what her name is again,” he asked as he led her in the direction of the corral.

“Hattie! Like me...”

Vienna felt both gratitude and pain watching the pair of them. While she was thankful her daughter had honorable male figures in her life such as Edward Kent, the wranglers and most especially West McCall—Hattie’s favorite by far—she still grieved and worried over her little girl’s lack of a father in her life.

“Come on into the parlor, Sheriff,” she said, waving the lawman inside. Once he stepped into the house and followed her into the room, she motioned for him to take a seat on the sofa.

He declined with a shake of his head. “I won’t be long, but you might wish to sit down, Mrs. Howe.”

“All right.” Her heart pulsed faster with dread as she sank onto the sofa and folded her hands demurely in her lap. “What is it you wish to tell me?”

The man shifted his weight, his gaze more on the hat in his hand than on her. “There’s no easy way to say this.”

She gave a stiff nod, though he wasn’t looking at her, then swallowed hard. “Is it something to do with my aunt?” After the death of her parents, she’d lived with her aunt and uncle, who had represented Sheridan’s high society for many years. Her uncle had passed away two years ago, at which time her aunt had gone to live with Vienna’s cousin in Buffalo.

“No, it isn’t about your aunt.” The sheriff finally looked her directly in the eye. “It’s about your husband, Mrs. Howe. I learned earlier today that Chance is...well, he’s dead, ma’am.”

Dead? Vienna blinked in surprise before staring down at her hands, waiting for some emotion to push through her shock. When it came, it felt more like resignation than sorrow.

Chance Howe hadn’t been her husband in the true sense for the past three years, which he’d spent in the Wyoming territorial prison for arson before being released just a few days ago. And before that... A shiver that had nothing to do with the sheriff’s news and everything to do with her five-year, turbulent marriage tripped up Vienna’s spine.

Reflexively the memories brought a flash of fear, but she reasoned it away. She’d been safe from Chance for a long time now, and that wasn’t about to change, especially if he was no longer among the living.

“How did it happen?” she asked.

Sheriff Tweed looked away again. “He...um...got in a fight in Sheridan after a card game. The other man had a revolver. I was told it was over quick, no suffering on his part.”

“I see.” And she did. The drinking, the gambling, the temper—they’d been Chance’s companions long before she’d married him. Unfortunately it hadn’t been until after their wedding that she’d learned that tragic fact.

The man sent her a contrite look. “I figured you’d want to know right away.”

“Yes, thank you for your trouble.” Vienna rose to her feet.

Placing his hat back on his head, the sheriff moved toward the open parlor door. “No trouble, Mrs. Howe. What’ll you do with your ranch now?”

She hadn’t set foot on the HC Bar Ranch since the night she’d finally found the courage to leave Chance in order to provide a stable home for their unborn child. Chance had owned the place outright before they’d married, so there’d never been a mortgage to be paid. Vienna had half expected he’d gamble away the place someday. Thankfully that was no longer a possibility. Perhaps that was one blessing to come out of his time in prison—it had kept Chance away from the card tables. Though Vienna couldn’t help wondering what sort of state the ranch was in after three years of neglect.

“I...I’m not sure,” she answered honestly.

While she loved living and working at the Running W and was grateful for the safe haven it had provided for her and her daughter, she still longed to have a home of her own again, something to pass down to Hattie. That longing had first sprouted inside Vienna when her parents had died and she’d been forced to sell their floundering ranch. And it had only increased after she’d gone to live with her aunt and uncle, in a home that never truly felt like hers.

The sheriff dipped his head in acknowledgment as he stepped out the front door. “I’m sure there’s time enough to decide. The funeral’ll be tomorrow.”

“Oh, of course.” Should she attend? Would she be expected to say something? Panic clawed at her throat at the thought of addressing a crowd, especially if she had to talk about Chance, until Sheriff Tweed spoke again.

“I took the liberty of speakin’ to the pastor myself. He’ll conduct a short service at the grave site at the cemetery in Sheridan.”

Vienna didn’t have to conjure up her relieved smile. “Thank you, Sheriff.”

“These things are never easy, ’specially under the present circumstances.”

He’d been the one, along with Edward and West, to come to her rescue that awful night when Chance had kidnapped her after she’d left him. Few knew the real reasons for Vienna separating from her husband prior to his arrest and most of them, with the exception of Sheriff Tweed, lived at the Running W.

After asking what time she needed to be there for the funeral, Vienna bid the man goodbye. She shut the door and returned to the kitchen. But even the thought of making pastries didn’t fill her with her usual calm and delight. She covered the dough with a towel, stashed it in the icebox, and headed outside through the back door.

The afternoon felt warm, but a nice breeze kept the air from being too hot. Vienna glanced in the direction of the corral. Hattie sat on the top rung of the fence, while West stood beside her, holding her in place so she wouldn’t fall. As if sensing Vienna’s presence, West turned his head in her direction. She pointed toward the mountains to indicate she needed a walk. With obvious understanding, he dipped his chin in a nod.

The wordless communication between them had been one of many things Vienna had appreciated about their friendship, both prior to her marriage to Chance and then again since coming to the Running W. There’d even been a time when she’d thought—hoped, really—that she and West were becoming more than friends. But she’d been wrong.

Vienna pushed aside recollections of the past as she slowly walked toward the Big Horn Mountains. The pastures, fields and trees, cloaked in their summer greenery, never grew old to her. She’d moved to this area with her parents at the age of eleven, six years after the tragic death of her older brother, and had quickly fallen in love with the wild beauty of the land. Her appreciation for ranching, though, had never fully developed. She still preferred gardening, and more recently cooking and baking, than she did riding or caring for horses.

Did she want to keep the HC Bar, then? Vienna plucked up the long stem of a wildflower and ran it along the tall grass growing beside the horse trail. Moving into town and opening a café or a restaurant sounded more appealing to her than running a ranch. Besides, she couldn’t operate such a spread by herself. That had been one of the reasons she’d sold her home after her parents’ deaths. If her brother hadn’t died as a child, perhaps the two of them could have managed the place together. But at sixteen years old, and an orphan, Vienna had had little choice except to leave.

The thought of selling yet another property, even if she’d only lived at the HC Bar for two miserably unhappy years, filled her with a physical ache. She wanted—no, needed—to give Hattie the sense of home and purpose she herself had lost. And she couldn’t do that if she stayed at the Running W. This was someone else’s dream, someone else’s land. She was simply borrowing security and stability here; she hadn’t yet created them permanently for herself and her daughter. And a café or a restaurant... A business like that would be hers, yes, but would it give her the same sense of permanence that came from standing on her own land?

“Help me know what to do, Lord,” she murmured out loud as she came to a stop, her eyes rising to the mountain peaks.

She’d managed to keep the little remaining money she had from the sale of her parents’ home hidden from Chance and she had saved most of her wages from working for the Kents as their assistant cook. It might be enough to reestablish the HC Bar as a working ranch again or to do something else if she sold it. But which path should she take?

Tossing aside the flower, Vienna spun around and walked briskly back the way she’d come. Chance’s death might have been a complete shock, but she had enough faith to believe there was purpose and timing in it, too. And while she might not have all the answers yet regarding her future, she did know one thing for certain. As much as she hated the thought of leaving this place and its people or of being entirely on her own, with a child this time, it was time to go.

* * *

West McCall threw another glance in the direction Vienna had gone on her walk. He’d wanted to press her for information about Sheriff Tweed’s news, but the pensive look on her pretty face when she’d exited the house had told him that she needed some time to herself first.

This undercurrent of protectiveness for Vienna wasn’t new, and it had only grown stronger when she’d come to live at the Running W three years ago—and then when West had learned her scoundrel of a husband was bound for prison. And now that protective instinct included taking care of the little girl he held firmly in place on the fence post next to him.

He’d thought Hattie Howe fairly cute when she’d been a squirmy, bright-eyed baby with a healthy set of lungs he could often hear clear down at the bunkhouse. But the moment the little girl had taken to following him around and calling him “Mr. West,” he’d been a goner. The kid had wormed her way into his guarded heart, which no one, not even her mother, had completely breached in years.

“What’s the new horsie’s name?” Hattie asked him.

West pushed up the brim of his hat. “Don’t know that Mr. Kent has named her yet. What would you name her?”

“Um...” The little girl peered up at him with large green eyes that matched her mother’s. “How ’bout Hattie?” A triumphant smile lit her face.

Pressing his lips over a laugh, West pretended to think the suggestion over. “You don’t think that’d get a bit confusing? We already have Hattie the girl and Hattie the doll.” He tipped his head toward the toy she still held under her arm.

“But it’ll be Hattie the horsie,” she countered with an arch look. “So it’s different.”

How could he argue with that? he thought ruefully. Hattie began kicking her shoes against the fence, sending the new horse skittering away at the loud, repetitive sound.

“Remember what I taught you about makin’ noise around the horses?”

She squinted up at him, then brightened. “We have to be real quiet.” Bringing her pointer finger to her mouth, she made a loud shushing sound.

“That’s right,” West said with a chuckle. “Which means no kicking the fence, especially with a new horse around.”

Her brow furrowed as she glanced down at her feet. “I’ll tell them to be quiet.” Then she shushed her shoes.

West laughed fully this time, and Hattie joined him a moment later, even though he suspected she didn’t know what they were laughing about.

“There’s Mommy.” She wiggled in his grip, indicating she wanted to get down.

Sure enough Vienna was walking back toward them. West lifted Hattie off the fence and set her on her feet. The little girl darted across the yard to greet her mother.

“Mommy, there’s a new horsie, and I want to name her Hattie. And my feet weren’t bein’ quiet so I had to shush them. Like this.” She repeated the quieting action, her narrowed gaze on her black shoes.

A faint smile lifted Vienna’s lips. “That’s wonderful you’re learning to be quiet around the horses, Hattie.”

“Mr. West teached me.”

Vienna looked at him, a mixture of appreciation and regret in those beautiful green eyes. They reminded him of a pair of jade earrings his mother used to wear. The color of the stones mirrored the exact shade of Vienna’s eyes.

Did his mother still own those earrings? It had been more than ten years seen he’d last seen them or their owner. The reminder threatened to pull him toward darker thoughts—ones he typically buried under an easygoing demeanor and plenty of hard work.

“Mr. West has been a wonderful friend and teacher to you, Hattie,” Vienna said as she glanced away.

Has been? A feeling of foreboding settled in his stomach at her use of the past tense. Maybe it had only been a slip of the tongue...or maybe whatever news the sheriff had brought her meant something in their lives was about to change. Though he hoped not.

“You all right?” he asked in a low voice, falling into step beside her and Hattie.

Vienna nodded. “Hattie, will you go pick those wildflowers by the stable there? I’d like to put some on the supper table for the Kents tonight.”

“All right, Mommy. But you gotta hold Hattie for me.” With that, the little girl shoved the doll at her mother before racing toward the small stable that stood next to the ranch house.

When her daughter was out of earshot, Vienna turned toward him, her hands clutching the doll to her middle. “Chance is dead,” she said without preamble.

“What?” West gaped in shock at her. “When?”

“Yesterday apparently. There was a...a fight and he was shot, though it sounds like he didn’t suffer.”

A desire to comfort Vienna filled him, a longing to reach out and take her into his arms as he’d done years ago—and then again the night he’d helped rescue her from Chance’s crazy kidnapping scheme. But things had been more formal between them for a long time and he wasn’t sure if Vienna would appreciate the comforting gesture or not.

“I’m real sorry, Vienna,” he said, hoping she sensed his sincerity. While he despised Chance Howe for the way the man had treated his wife, he didn’t fault Vienna for feeling grief over her husband’s demise.

She offered him a thin smile of acknowledgment. “Thank you. I don’t really know how I feel about it.”

West could relate far better than she knew. How did one respond to loss when it had been preceded by so much conflict and harshness?

“I suppose I feel mostly sad, more for him than for myself or Hattie,” she admitted. “He and I have lived apart for so long now that it’s more like hearing about the death of a distant acquaintance than a spouse.”

“I’m glad to hear he didn’t suffer.” No matter his anger toward Chance and his choices, West didn’t like the idea of him suffering any more than the man already had. After all, Chance Howe had lost his wife and child long before he’d lost his life.

Vienna dipped her head in a slow nod. “Me, too.”

“Will you tell Hattie?” West still didn’t know how much Vienna had told her daughter about the girl’s father and it wasn’t his place to ask. He was their friend and possible protector but nothing more.

Gazing at her daughter who was filling her tiny fist with flowers, Vienna sighed. “I’ll tell her soon. In some ways, it may be easier to explain that her father passed away than if he’d lived and I’d had to prepare her for him coming back here. Someday I’ll need to tell her the truth of all of it, but not yet.”

“Sounds wise to me.” He matched her steps as she moved toward the house.

Her expression conveyed genuine relief. “I appreciate that. More often than not, I feel anything but wise.”

“What will you do now?” Not that Chance’s death was likely to have much of an impact on her. West already knew how little Vienna cared for ranching and how much she enjoyed working at the Running W—same as he did. Having his own spread was still his ultimate dream, but in the meantime, he couldn’t ask for a better or more generous employer than Edward Kent.

Vienna stopped walking, and for a second, West didn’t think she was going to answer his simple question. Then she darted a quick look at him.

It might have been short, and yet, it was long enough for him to see unmistakable remorse in her eyes. The sight set off a warning bell inside his head. He had a sinking suspicion he wasn’t going to like what she was about to tell him.

“Hattie and I will be leaving the Running W soon,” she said in a quiet but resolved tone.

West didn’t feel one ounce of pleasure at knowing his suspicion had been correct. “Where will you go?”

“Back to the HC Bar. I don’t know yet what I’ll do with it or where we’ll end up. But it’s time Hattie and I found a home of our own.”

Chapter Two

“McCall?”

West frowned, his arms resting against the door of the stall where the new mare stood eating. He couldn’t keep his focus on his work. Instead, he kept thinking about Vienna’s announcement earlier. Truth be told, he’d struggled to concentrate on anything the rest of the afternoon and evening.

“McCall? Did you hear me?” Edward asked in his slight British accent. “You look as lost in thought as Vienna tonight.”

At the mention of Vienna’s name, West straightened away from the stall and threw his employer a contrite smile. “Sorry, Boss. Where were we?”

“I asked after the new mare here.”

West dipped his head in a quick nod. “Right. She seems to have settled in well. And I don’t think she’ll give us much trouble with breaking her in.”

“Excellent.” Edward moved away from the mare toward the open doors of the ranch’s main barn. “What about the south pasture fence?”

“Nearly all fixed. We’ll finish tomorrow.”

He joined his employer outside where the first stars had begun to glitter overhead. The unimpeded view of their brightness in the vast stretch of sky never ceased to amaze him. It was one in a long list of things he cherished about living out west.

“How did Thurston do overseeing the fence project today?” Edward asked next.

The wrangler had been working at the ranch longer than any of the other young men, and West had been recently tasked with giving him more opportunities to lead. “Did real well. You gunnin’ for him to replace me?” he half teased.

“Not right away.” Edward chuckled. “But I know you still want to run a dude ranch of your own someday.”

West had confided that dream to Edward about a year after coming to work at the Running W. His visits to a dude ranch in North Dakota as a young man had inspired his future plans as well as the pivotal decision to fully embrace a life out west. He’d been relieved and grateful when Edward, a man he fully respected, hadn’t scoffed as some ranchers did at the notion of building a career helping wealthy guests experience Western life.

“Which is why,” Edward added, “when the time comes, I want to be sure Thurston will be ready to take over as the next ranch foreman.”

West expected Edward to head to the house right then as the man usually did. Not that he could blame him. If West had a wife and a baby on the way, he’d probably wish to spend every possible moment with his family, too. But while a family meant potential for great joy, as Edward had clearly discovered, they could also be the means of immense heartache. West had learned that sad, hard fact years ago—one was loved and important as long as they were doing what everyone wanted. Once the usefulness wore out, so did the strength of familial ties.

Rather than go inside, though, Edward loosely folded his arms and regarded West curiously. “You want to share what was on your mind earlier?”

“Just thinking,” he hedged.

Edward glanced in the direction of the house. “Did you hear Chance Howe is dead?”

“Yep, Vienna told me earlier.” West kicked at a clump of grass with the toe of his boot. “Did she tell you what she’ll do now?” He didn’t want to share her plan to leave the ranch if she hadn’t yet told the Kents.

“She and Hattie will be moving back to the HC Bar.”

West felt Edward’s gaze on him as he stared hard at the ground. “I suppose that makes sense.”

“Then what’s the reason for your scowl?” the other man asked with a laugh.

Crossing his arms, West lifted his chin and did his best to school his expression into his usual relaxed one. “Just surprised. Vienna seems to really like working and living here. Hattie, too.”

“I believe they did, that they do. However, Vienna wants a home of her own.” Edward looked out across the ranch and pastures. “Now that Howe’s gone, she can return to her home without any fear of him interfering.”

West swallowed back an uncharacteristically sarcastic remark about the Running W being her and Hattie’s home. Still, he wasn’t surprised by Vienna’s desire to have her own home. He’d known nearly from their first meeting, seven years ago, how important home was to her and how much she missed the one she’d had to sell after her parents had both passed away.

He’d wanted to tell her that earlier, but after revealing her shocking news, she’d retreated into the house. West had seen her later when she’d served dinner to the ranch staff, but there hadn’t been a chance to talk privately with her again.

“You can still look out for them, you know.” Edward’s words intruded into West’s thoughts. “They won’t be far away.”

Heat rose up his neck at the realization that his need to protect Vienna and her daughter hadn’t gone unnoticed by his good friend. “I’ve never acted in a way that wasn’t aboveboard, Boss. I promise.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute, McCall. And I apologize if you think I was implying something to the contrary.” Edward maintained West’s gaze as he added, “You’ve been the perfect gentleman in honoring your past and present friendship with her.”

The relief he felt at Edward’s reassurance was short-lived. More than friendship had motivated West to watch out for Vienna since the night he had helped rescue her from Chance. It had only been a few days prior to that when he’d learned, to his shock and dismay, the kind of husband the man had been to Vienna.

But he couldn’t share his true motive with Edward for wanting to protect Vienna—not yet, maybe never. To do so would mean giving voice to his ever-present guilt. Guilt that told him Vienna’s unhappy marriage to Chance was all West’s fault. After all, he’d been the one to encourage the match in the first place, and he’d be the one to make things right by her now, even if no one, including Vienna, understood why.

“It’ll be strange, won’t it, not having them here anymore?” he said as much in truth as to steer the conversation away from himself.

Vienna might have only been on the ranch for three years, but West could hardly remember what things had been like prior to that. He wasn’t sure he wanted to imagine what it would be like not having her around anymore. Nodding, Edward looked toward the house again. “It’ll be an adjustment, no question about that. And not simply because we’ll need to find a new cook to help Mrs. Harvey. Maggy and I will miss them both.” He shot West a sad smile. “Maggy, in particular, is having a hard time of it, though she understands Vienna’s reasons for going.”

West wasn’t surprised to hear Edward’s wife was struggling with the news. Anyone could see that the bond between Maggy and Vienna ran as close and deep as sisters. Which meant West wouldn’t be the only one to grieve Vienna’s departure when the time came, no matter how close the Howes’ ranch might be to the Running W.

He hoped to visit there as often as he could, but it wouldn’t be the same as seeing Vienna’s soft smile every day or having the chance to teach Hattie something new about the horses and the ranch.

The reality of their leaving sunk deep inside him with that last thought, leaving West feeling hollow with loss in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

* * *

The Kents’ wagon rattled along the road from Sheridan to the ranch. Vienna sat in back, along with West who had been oddly somber since yesterday. She missed his usual smiles and laughter. Still, she’d been relieved when he, Edward and Maggy had asked if they could accompany her to the graveside service at the cemetery today. Mrs. Harvey had volunteered to watch Hattie, so the four adults had set off in the wagon shortly after breakfast.

The sunshine seemed to mock the reality of seeing Chance’s coffin and listening to the pastor’s short speech. The only other people present besides Vienna, the Kents and West were Sheriff Tweed and Chance’s friend Gunther Bertram.

Not knowing the circumstances, the pastor likely hoped his words would bring all of them, especially Vienna, solace—but she wasn’t a typical grieving widow. She needed comfort, yes, but more from the shock of how drastically life could change from one moment to the next than from sorrow over losing a husband she hadn’t seen in three years—a husband she had left, hoping to never see again.

After the short service, as the other guests had visited quietly, she’d remained beside the open hole. “I’m sorry, Chance,” she whispered, “that you were so troubled and broken. I realized shortly after befriending Maggy that I couldn’t fix that for you. Only you could do that.”

Tears blurred the freshly turned earth beside the grave as old memories and remembered pain filled her thoughts. She wrestled them back with the reminder that she was now forever free of Chance’s mistreatment.

“I wish we’d both known that you were responsible for yourself. Maybe then things would have been different. Or maybe not.” She sniffed back the salty moisture. “Either way, I’ve forgiven you and I’m grateful for the gift of our daughter that you gave me. She’s beautiful and smart...and best of all...she isn’t afraid or timid.” Not like Vienna used to be. Not like she still felt sometimes. “Goodbye, Chance.”

She’d felt sapped of all energy even before Bertram had approached her with condolences and news about her horses, which he’d apparently been caring for at Chance’s request. West had thankfully interrupted, cutting the conversation short, and led her to the wagon. Once inside, she’d slumped onto the boards and had been lost in her thoughts ever since.

“Have you given any more thought to your idea about opening a café or restaurant?” Maggy asked, turning on the wagon seat to look at Vienna.

She shook her head. “No, not really.”

“You want to open a café?” West’s question sounded genuinely curious, but the look in his brown eyes told her that he was surprised and possibly hurt that she hadn’t shared the idea with him sooner.

Vienna hurried to explain. “It’s only something I thought of yesterday.”

“I’d definitely come eat at any place you run, Vienna.” Maggy smiled as she massaged the small of her back. Vienna could readily identify with the discomfort that came with being eight months pregnant. “I didn’t think anyone could bake or cook as well as Mrs. Harvey, but you’re now as competent in the kitchen as she is.”

Vienna’s cheeks heated with a blush, though she appreciated the sincere compliment. “Thank you. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to love making food.”

“So you’d sell the HC Bar and buy a place in town?” West lifted his knee and rested his arm on top. The casual pose belied the tension she noticed in the lines of his shoulders and jaw. Was he upset with her?

The thought brought remembered fear and an instant need to smooth things over, as she had so often done with Chance. But West wasn’t a threat, she reminded herself.

She met his level gaze with one of her own and swallowed back her fear. “Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do yet. I like the idea of running my own business, but I’m not sure I can picture me and Hattie living in town.”

“If you open something in Big Horn rather than Sheridan, you’d be closer to the Running W,” Maggy pointed out.

Having a café or restaurant in the small town a few miles from the ranch sounded more attractive to Vienna, too, though a larger town like Sheridan would likely mean more visitors. Either way, did she want to raise her daughter among the hubbub of town, large or small? Or would they both miss the sprawling openness of the prairie? They would certainly miss the people, especially the ones right here.

A lump filled her throat at the thought of leaving them and the Running W behind. And yet...it was past time she proved to herself and to everyone else that she was capable of being on her own.

While she’d been grateful for a roof overhead and food to eat after she’d lost her parents, Vienna had often felt frustrated at being beholden and dependent upon first her aunt and uncle and then her husband for nearly everything in her life. She’d greatly appreciated the opportunity to earn her keep with the Kents, but she still wished to live in and manage a home that was entirely hers.

“How much work does your ranch need?” The question came from Edward.

Vienna frowned. “I’m hoping not much, beyond some cleaning inside the house and a few repairs outside.” If the ranch needed significant work to get it up and operating again, or at least in a fit state to sell it, that would likely require more money than she had.

“We’d like to help how we can, Vienna.” Edward turned far enough around on the seat to send her a genuine smile. “Whether that’s with getting settled in or assisting with repairs.”

A fresh swell of gratitude rose inside her at all that he and Maggy had done for her. “I appreciate the offer. I thought I’d drive over to the ranch later today, when Hattie takes her nap, to see what the place looks like.”

“I can drive you in the wagon if you’d like,” West volunteered.

His earlier tension had seemed to drain away, to Vienna’s relief. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, West.”

He nodded. “I can help with any repairs, too—if the boss is all right with that.”

“Certainly,” Edward answered. “It’ll be good practice for Thurston to manage things without you hovering over his shoulder.”

Vienna offered West a thankful smile. “I’d appreciate the help.”

When he smiled back, she felt her lingering shock and regret over Chance’s death fade away. She was grateful for West’s friendship—his presence had been a steady and welcome one to both her and Hattie the last few years. And she hoped it would remain so, wherever she ended up.

* * *

As she viewed the wooden arch of the HC Bar for the first time in three years, Vienna felt a clammy sweat collect beneath the collar of her blouse. She shifted on the wagon seat, causing West to glance her way. Not able to muster up a smile, she kept her face trained forward, toward the ranch in the near distance.

The last time she’d been here it had been summer, too. Chance had been drunk—again—and hurling insults and curse words at her like bullets. During the midst of the barrage, words from her new friend Maggy about worth and strength had pierced Vienna’s mind and wouldn’t let go. So, for the first time in the two years she’d been married, she finally stood up for herself. She told Chance that she was through, that she would no longer stay in a house with someone who treated her as less valuable than his precious horses.

Chance’s retribution was swift, though not entirely unexpected. He landed a solid slap across her cheek before raging all over again. Vienna steeled herself for another blow, but it never came. Instead her husband marched out the door, disappeared into the barn and rode away a few minutes later.

Vienna waited by the window, her cheek smarting, certain Chance would be back at any moment. The moments stretched to minutes, though, before she realized the opportunity he’d unintentionally presented to her. If she saddled her own mount, she could make good on her vow to ride away from Chance and the HC Bar forever.

The lure of freedom propelled her into action. She went to the barn, which was thankfully devoid of any of their ranch hands, and prepared a horse, but dark thoughts threatened her progress. What if Chance returned before she could get away? What if she got away, but he tracked her down and dragged her back from wherever she went to finish his punishment?

Vienna froze beside the saddled horse. Her heart crashed so hard against her ribs that she could hardly breathe.

She shut her eyes and whispered a prayer. It wasn’t like the others she’d offered in hopes of softening Chance’s heart or becoming a better wife. No, this time she petitioned God for courage and any particle of strength she might possess in order to follow through with her plan—a plan that included providing her unborn baby with a safe and loving home. She also prayed she would make it away unharmed if possible.

With slightly calmer breaths but trembling hands, she’d mounted her horse and rode hard toward the one place she’d hoped she would be safe from Chance—the Running W Ranch, where Maggy was staying and West McCall worked as a foreman. She made it to the ranch without incident, and despite two other attempts by Chance to force her to come home, Vienna had been liberated both times. After that, she’d made a life for herself, and later for Hattie, at the Running W. A life of peace and happiness.

Did she really wish to leave that life now? she wondered as they passed by the HC Bar’s corral. Was she capable of being on her own? Of being strong? Could she live in this place that held so few happy memories?

Her heart sped up with dismay when she viewed the barn and house. Both buildings were in sore need of new paint, and tumbleweeds had taken up residence along their walls. Her once beloved garden was now a sea of weeds. The scene so accurately matched the bleak and lonely emptiness of her short marriage that her chest tightened, and she found herself flinching in preparation for some expected blow.

West’s hand settled on her arm, startling her from her panic. Looking from his strong fingers to his face, she vaguely noted that he’d parked the wagon. He hadn’t spoken much on the drive over, but then, neither had she.

“You’re safe, Vienna,” he said in a low voice, his brown eyes devoid of any levity.

They were the same words he’d murmured to her the night he’d helped rescue her after Chance’s kidnapping. As they had then, they soothed her agitation and fear now.

“Yes, you’re right.” She exhaled slowly and rested her hand on top of his for a moment. Beneath the solid comfort of the friendly gesture, a strange sensation flittered through her stomach—not so unlike the one she’d felt when they had first met.

Vienna twisted on the seat, breaking his hold and ending the bizarre butterflies in her middle. While their interactions were only that of friendly propriety, she’d long thought West McCall handsome with his black curly hair and warm brown eyes. He was thirty, which put him at only five years her senior, and his easygoing personality and kindness were as recommendable as his good looks. The girl who successfully won West’s heart would be blessed indeed.

A prick of regret followed such a thought, surprising Vienna. Setting aside the odd path her thoughts had taken, she waited as West climbed down from the wagon and circled around it to come help her. She could do this—she could make something of this place.

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear,” she reminded herself. It had become her favorite scripture.

“Let’s give the house a closer look first,” she said as West assisted her to the ground. “Then I can figure out what needs to be done to make this place livable again.”

Chapter Three

West had never been to the HC Bar Ranch before now. Yet even knowing what a scoundrel Chance Howe had turned out to be, he was impressed at the man’s extensive property. And to think, Vienna’s late husband had owned all of this outright.

Still, the signs of neglect and absence were everywhere. The moderate-sized house featured dusty, cobwebbed furniture, a roof in need of new shingles and a back porch with missing boards. Vienna’s earlier determined look lost more and more of its resolve as she led him through the house.

“Maybe the barn has fared better,” she said with what sounded like false cheer.

West followed her around the broken porch boards and into the yard. But a gaping hole in the barn’s roof and the scratching of tiny claws in one of the stalls told an unpromising story.

“I knew it might need work.” Vienna’s shoulders slumped. “But not this much.”

He lifted his hand to touch her arm as he had on the wagon before remembering how she’d twisted away from him after a moment. Clearly she didn’t wish for more than comforting words right now.

“There is a lot to do,” he said, lowering his arm back to his side. “Both structures appear to be sound, though.”

Vienna shot him a rueful smile. “Sound for whom, West? The mice?” She motioned to the stall where the scurrying noises hadn’t stopped.

“Where are all of your livestock?” he asked as he glanced around the empty barn.

She retreated into the yard. “Gunther Bertram told me this morning at the graveside service that he and Chance had an arrangement that Bertram would care for the horses while Chance was...away. As far as the cattle we used to own, most of them were sold to pay off gambling debts. The rest may have been stolen or they could have wandered off as I suspect the milk cow and the chickens did. I heard Chance had to let our ranch hands go before he left, but I don’t know if they took any of the animals with them or not.”

West moved in the direction of the corral. The fence looked in decent condition. Beyond the house and barn, he spied several empty pastures. There were likely spots that needed fixing along their fence lines, though all in all the necessary repairs to the ranch weren’t as significant as he’d expected after being deserted for three years.

One look at Vienna’s expression told him that she begged to differ. “It’s going to take some time and money, Vienna, but you can get this place up and running again. And you heard what Edward said earlier—there are people willing to help you do it.”

He might not like the idea of her leaving the Running W, but he’d accepted it. If living here was what she wanted, then West would do all in his power to help her.

“It’s not that.” She folded her arms as if chilled, despite the pleasant temperature. “I want a home of my own, for me and Hattie. But even with all of the money I’ve saved, I don’t think I have enough to pay for the repairs and buy more livestock. And even if I choose to give it up and move to town, if I don’t fix up the place, it’s hardly livable and unlikely to sell for a good price.”

He felt the familiar squeeze of his heart at her predicament. “I have some money...” He’d been saving for years for his dude ranch, but he would gladly use it to help Vienna. He owed her that.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I appreciate it, West, really I do. But I don’t want to be a charity case anymore.”

He frowned. “That’s not how anyone sees you. Least of all me or the Kents.”

“I’m sure you don’t, but I want to do this on my own. Besides—” she gave him a knowing look “—I seem to recall you saying years ago that you planned to save all you could to have a ranch of your own someday. Is that still true?”

Nodding, West decided not to press her. “What will you do, then?”

“Well—” she spun in a slow circle, her hands resting on her hips “—I think I ought to finish my conversation with Bertram about my horses this afternoon, and sometime in the next while, I’ll need to come back and clean the house. Once that’s done and Hattie and I are moved in, I’ll just have to see how many repairs I can afford.”

As he trailed her back to the wagon, he glanced over his shoulder at the barn. He could easily repair the roof with materials he knew Edward would donate. Plus the Kents had several cats, any of which would solve the current mouse problem. Maybe he could convince Vienna to allow him to do that much. It would be a paltry attempt to appease his deep-seated guilt, but it was still a small chance to begin to make things up to her.

“The boys and I will sure miss your cookin’,” he said to fill the silence between them as he drove the wagon toward Bertram’s place. And while it was the truth, he couldn’t say that what he’d miss most was her and Hattie.

Still, his words brought a tentative smile to her face. “I think I’m actually going to miss cooking for a crowd. The ranch hands at the HC Bar were responsible for their own cooking, so I never cooked for more than Chance and me. Maybe that’s why running a café or restaurant sounds appealing.”

“Maggy is right—your food is incredible. Any establishment you set up is sure to do well.”

Her cheeks flushed an attractive shade of pink. “How do I know you aren’t just saying that?” she teased, though her blush and the sparkle in her green eyes showed she appreciated his compliment.

He’d thought her beautiful from the first moment they’d met. And while he’d kept things between them appropriate and above suspicion ever since, he hadn’t failed to notice that she’d only grown lovelier the last seven years. She’d also lost most of her timidity since coming to live at the Running W, which West had been relieved to see. Vienna wasn’t weak, regardless of what Chance had made her believe about herself. She was strong and lovely and full of faith. Her blond hair had also once been silky to the touch, and he figured that hadn’t changed, though he’d long ago lost the right to test that theory again.

“Is something wrong?” She threw him a puzzled look, which alerted him that he’d been staring at her and hadn’t answered her initial question yet.

Clearing his throat, he faced forward again. “No, nothing wrong. And the promise of your cookin’ after a long day working on the ranch isn’t something I’d joke about.”

“Thank you,” she said with a light laugh. “Hattie is going to miss you and the wranglers.”

West tightened his grip on the reins, making the horses toss their heads. Only Hattie? “We’ll miss her, too.”

“Is Thurston going to take over as foreman soon?”

He welcomed the change in topic. “Not sure.” West still needed to save more money if he wanted to build his dude ranch and procure the necessary livestock for it. But with Vienna leaving now, the thought of staying at the Running W for much longer held less appeal to him.

When they reached Bertram’s ranch, West helped Vienna down from the wagon. Several ranch hands eyed them curiously as they approached the main house. Bertram met them on the porch.

“Howdy again, McCall, Mrs. Howe.” He removed his hat and held it to his chest as he added, “Like I said earlier, it’s a real shame about Chance, ma’am. I’m sorry for your loss.”

West sensed Vienna’s tension from where he stood beside her. Bertram clearly had no idea what kind of husband his friend had been.

“Once again, I appreciate that, Mr. Bertram. And thank you as well for coming to the service.”

“What can I do for you?” the man asked as he clapped his hat back on.

Vienna’s gaze flicked to the barn. “You mentioned this morning that you have Chance’s...” She looked back at Bertram and raised her chin a notch. “I mean my horses.”

“That I do.” Bertram dipped his head in a nod. “Well, I got twenty of them, anyway, and a couple colts, too. Chance said I could keep three of the horses since I was carin’ for the rest.” He eyed Vienna as if unsure if she’d honor her late husband’s promise or not.

She offered him a quick smile. “I think that sounds like a fair exchange. Can I see the other horses? I can’t bring them home for a while longer, but I’d like to look at them.”

“Home?” Bertram scratched at his jaw. “You’re going back to the HC Bar?”

It was Vienna’s turn to nod. “I am.”

“Well, I’ll be...” The rancher waved them forward as he moved toward the barn. “Chance said you didn’t like ranching. Though that’s a nice-sized spread you got there.”

“It is,” Vienna said, apparently choosing to ignore Bertram’s first remark.

Inside the barn, the rancher showed them several of Vienna’s horses before leading them to a nearby pasture to view the rest. West could see Vienna was as relieved as he was to find all of them looking hale and well cared for.

“They all look very fit, Mr. Bertram.” Vienna offered him another smile. “Thank you for taking care of them.”

Bertram flushed red. “It wasn’t a problem, ma’am. I wanted to do my part to help Chance...and yourself.” He turned to West, a flicker of wariness in his eyes. It was the same look the rancher had given West after he’d interrupted Bertram’s conversation with Vienna at the cemetery. “Did you need somethin’ too, McCall?”

“Nope. Just here to drive Mrs. Howe to and from the Running W.”

His expression relaxed. “So you’re really going to start up the HC Bar again, Mrs. Howe?”

“It’s going to require some work and capital, but yes.”

Bertram led them back toward his house. “You planning on doing it alone?”

“Most of it,” she said, her tone slightly on edge, her shoulders tense.

If the rancher noticed the shift in Vienna’s demeanor, he ignored it. “A ranch is a lot more than one person can handle, especially if that person is a woman on her own.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops as if he was the authority on ranching and Vienna knew nothing about it. West barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Yes, I was raised on a—”

Bertram’s words ran over hers. “Seems to me Chance wouldn’t take kindly to no one looking out for his widow.”

“I don’t really—”

He leaned a little closer to Vienna as he continued. “I think there are those around here who’d readily agree with him, Mrs. Howe. Young bucks such as myself who might be willing to finally settle down when there’s a pretty woman and a ranch in need of helping.”

Was the man proposing to Vienna? West’s gut churned with disbelief and intense annoyance. Vienna’s face had lost all of its color.

“Of course any courting would need to wait a bit on account of Chance’s only been gone a few days.” He shot a glance at the sky and shook his head before he lowered his chin and grinned at Vienna, seemingly unaware of the awkward strain he’d created. “But my offer would still be good when your mourning was done, ma’am.”

She visibly swallowed, her cheeks still pale. “I...um...thank you for your concern, Mr. Bertram.” The rancher looked ready to crow until Vienna added, “However, for the foreseeable future, I have no plans to court anyone or to marry again.”

Relief washed through West, sweet and liberating, though he hadn’t really expected Vienna to take Bertram’s proposal seriously. The thought of her marrying any of the local ranchers didn’t sit right with him. It wasn’t jealousy, though, he told himself. He had no claim to be jealous. It was more a feeling of tight uneasiness in his chest like the tautness in the air before a heavy storm.

“I see,” Bertram said in a clipped tone, his brow furrowed. “No chance you’ll be changing your mind, then?”

Vienna gave a firm shake of her head. “No.”

“Still worth a try, I suppose.” The rancher shrugged. “I’ll keep the horses until you come to collect them.”

It looked as if she tried to smile but failed. “Wonderful. I’ll return in the next few weeks. Thank you.”

West followed her to the wagon and assisted her onto the seat. She wordlessly settled her skirt around her feet.

“That was kind of Chance to give him three horses,” he said as he drove away from Bertram’s ranch. “The others look well.”

She gave a wordless nod, silent anxiety emanating off her in waves.

“I don’t blame you for being angry.” He threw her a compassionate look. “His...uh...offer was rather unexpected.”

Her laugh came out soft but brittle. “You think I’m angry at him for proposing? Shocked, yes, but I don’t feel anger.”

“Then what are you feeling?” he asked in confusion.

When she regarded him, he couldn’t help noticing the depth of her jade green eyes. Why any man would treat her or any other woman so abominably West didn’t know. Were he to ever marry, though like Vienna that wasn’t in his foreseeable future, either, he would cherish his wife and treat her with the utmost respect and devotion—just as he’d hope she would do with him.

“I’m terrified, West.”

He pulled his thoughts to the present. “Terrified?”

“Yes.” She stared down at her hands, which rested decorously on her lap. “Now that Chance is gone and everyone knows his widow and the HC Bar are apparently up for grabs, how many other offers of marriage am I going to have to fend off?”

Her words pummeled him with all the force of a horse hoof to the gut. He hadn’t liked Bertram proposing to her, which meant he certainly didn’t like the idea of every other single rancher or wrangler in the vicinity doing the same.

“So they wouldn’t be welcome offers, then?”

She threw him an arch look, her eyes sparking with green fire. “No, they would not, West McCall.”

“Just want to be clear,” he said with a chuckle, feeling more than a little relieved to hear that her thoughts on the matter matched his own.

Pushing out a sigh, she fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve. “Most of them would probably mean well and they’d be right to think there is a lot of work to be done on the ranch, but I want to make a go of it on my own.”

“Because of last time, with your folks?” He kept his tone gentle.

She glanced at him, her lips tipping upward in a soft smile. “You’re probably the only one who understands why I want this so badly.” That knowledge pleased him, though he wasn’t entirely sure why. “But, yes, I couldn’t keep our home back then and I don’t want to lose another. This time I have some savings, and I have my daughter’s future to consider, too.”

“What about takin’ out a mortgage on the place?”

Vienna appeared to consider the idea. “I don’t think the bank would invest in the property as it stands right now, especially if I just turn around and sell it after making what few repairs I can afford.”

“Then I guess the question is...” He paused and pushed up his hat brim. He didn’t envy her position, though he wished there was more he could do to help her besides driving her around today and possibly patching up the barn roof. “What sort of home do you want for you and Hattie? A working ranch or a place in town above a café?”

* * *

Vienna didn’t have an immediate answer. Instead, she shifted uneasily on the wagon seat, West’s question repeating through her mind. What sort of home do I want?

“I love living out here,” she said after a minute. Her gaze moved to the landscape they passed by. “I’ve always loved the openness of the countryside and being right in the middle of nature’s beauty.” She unclasped her hands and studied them. “And while I love cooking, I miss working with my hands in my garden.”

West regarded her with kindness in his brown eyes. “You could probably still have a small garden plot in town if you wanted.”

She could, but would it be the same? Chance had protested against using their money for anything other than necessary seedlings, so Vienna had set aside her desire to try her hand at growing flowers or medicinal herbs or more colorful vegetables than just carrots, corn and potatoes. Now that he was gone, she could experiment—at least once she had other things on the ranch under control.

“I think I want to keep the ranch.”

The look of surprise from West matched the one that was surely on her own face. “You don’t want to run a café anymore?”

“I do,” she admitted with a laugh, “but even more than that, I want Hattie to keep experiencing life out here.” She lowered her chin and directed her next words to her lap. “Is that completely foolish?”

He didn’t respond, except to turn the wagon to the left and keep driving. After a few moments, she realized they were nearing the HC Bar again. But West kept silent until he parked the wagon beneath the archway.

“What do you see, Vienna?”

She smirked. “A ranch in need of a great deal of work and attention. Some of which I can pay for and some I can’t. I don’t even have enough money to buy new livestock, let alone employ the cowboys to care for them.”

“Wrong answer.” His teasing coaxed a smile from her—not unlike other times, both at the beginning of their friendship and since she’d come to live at the Running W. “You know what I see? I see the promise of a thriving ranch that any man or woman would be proud to call their own. I see it as a home. A place for Hattie to live and grow up where she can someday raise her own children.” He let that sink in before asking her again. “So what do you see? Do you see it as a home?”

The picture he created in her mind so closely mirrored the one in her heart that she had to swallow past the lump in her throat to reply. “Yes,” she half whispered. She could more easily picture this as her home than a place in Big Horn or Sheridan above a café or restaurant. “But how do I make it that way?”

It was as much a question for West as it was for God. She didn’t want to fear the future, and yet, her options were limited. Once Maggy’s baby came, the Kents’ ranch house was likely to feel crowded—something Vienna had already been concerned about the last few months. She didn’t want to be in the way of Edward and Maggy’s growing family. But now, even if her savings weren’t as large as she might have hoped they’d be before leaving the Running W, she had a place for her and Hattie to live, and the Kents could finally have their home to themselves.

“I have an idea.”

Vienna shook her head. “I already told you, West, that I can’t accept any more charity.”

“I’m not offering charity.”

Something in his voice and handsome face hinted at concealed enthusiasm but also wariness as if he feared she’d dismiss his idea. The thought that he distrusted her reaction saddened her. He’d been as good a friend to her as the Kents, and like them, West only wished to help her.

“What is it?” she asked gently.

He swiveled on the seat to face her. “What if we turn the HC Bar into a dude ranch?”

“A dude ranch?” Vienna couldn’t help laughing, but the sound died away when she realized he was serious.

Nodding, West gazed past her to the house and barn in the distance. “This place would make the ideal location once we add housing for guests and just enough livestock to give them the ranching experience. There’s nearby fishing and hunting and horse trails for riding. Plus Yellowstone National Park is close enough for overnight trips.”

She couldn’t recall ever seeing West so excited. But questions crowded her mind, the most critical one spilling from her lips first. “When you say we, what do you mean?”

“I mean me and you, Vienna.” He clasped her hand in his, sending a ripple of feeling through her fingers and arm. Though from the look on his face, he wasn’t even aware of his gesture, let alone its effect. “You can cook the meals, providing the guests with the best food in the country. And I’ll see to the livestock and leading the excursions.”

Vienna turned to look at the ranch, trying to see it through West’s eyes. Only needing two people, at least at first, to run the place sounded far more doable than the large staff of wranglers she’d have to employ if she wanted a regular ranch for Hattie to inherit.

“It’s perfect, really,” West continued. “We’ll combine our resources up front. That way no one’s accepting charity.” He shot her a playful grin that she answered with a chuckle.

Is this what I’m meant to do, Lord?

“Best of all,” West added, “there aren’t likely to be any more unwanted marriage proposals, since we’d be running the place together.”

She had to admit she liked the sound of that. Bertram’s not-so-subtle offer of marriage had been awkward and unwanted. But the stir she and West would create among the area’s gossips, being at the ranch alone together, would certainly bring even more unwanted awkwardness.

“If we do this, the two of us, what would people say? I mean, I’m a widow, and well...” She waved a hand at him, her face flushing with embarrassment. “You’re a bachelor cowboy.”

The enthusiasm slipped from West’s expression, and he frowned. “True. We’d want to do all of this proper-like.”

“Yes.” But what did that entail? Hiring more people so they weren’t on the ranch unchaperoned? And yet, how could they afford to pay anyone wages and still have the money needed to start the dude ranch, even with their combined funds?

He cleared his throat and shot her a sideways glance. “We could marry. In name only,” he hurried to add when she gaped at him.

“Marry?” Her lips tightened in surprise and frustrated confusion. “I just told Bertram I wouldn’t be marrying for the foreseeable future.”

West glanced down at her hand, which he still held. “I know, but it would be a marriage of convenience. A business arrangement. A way to do this on our own, while still keeping things proper. You and Hattie could have the house and I could bunk in the barn. You’d oversee the cooking and housekeeping, and I’d handle the rest.”

The part about concentrating on the household tasks was more than a little appealing. Surely that would give her more time to resurrect the garden than she’d otherwise have as the ranch’s sole caretaker. As West had pointed out, a dude ranch didn’t require such a large volume of livestock, either—just enough to give guests the experience of what a ranch was like. And the less they spent on animals and the cowboys needed to care for them, the more money they would have for other things.

It wouldn’t be as if she and West would actually be married. Not like her and Chance had been. Vienna squelched a shudder at that thought. Was she actually considering the idea?

“So what you’re saying is, if we do this, you’d get your dude ranch and I’d get a home?” The question sounded far more frank than she’d meant it, but she wanted to be certain she understood his motive before she made her decision.

A flicker of emotion she couldn’t identify crossed his face as he glanced down. “Yes, I’d have my dude ranch and you’d have a home.” He withdrew his hand from hers, leaving her feeling a bit cold in spite of the sunshine.

“I do find the whole idea rather interesting.” And she did. “Would our combined savings be enough to get a dude ranch going, though?”

West rubbed his chin. “I think so. It wouldn’t be anything fancy to start, but as we got more guests, we could eventually expand.” When he looked at her again, it was with as much undisguised hope as consternation. “You don’t have to agree to any of it, Vienna. It’s one solution to some of your problems and a plan that could benefit us both, but I don’t want you to agree to anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

“I know, and I can’t thank you enough for suggesting it, West.” That he’d dreamed of owning a dude ranch wasn’t news to her, but the fact that he was willing to include her in that dream in order to help her meant a great deal. “Can I have some time to think and pray about it?”

“Absolutely.” He circled the team, then drove the wagon through the archway and back toward the main road. “If you’d like to see firsthand what a dude ranch is really like, we could take the train to the one I spent my summers at in North Dakota.”

The thought of taking a trip filled her with as much excitement as nervousness. She hadn’t left the area since coming here as a girl. It was a sound idea, though. If she was serious about this venture, she needed to fully understand what it would entail. And traveling with West would surely make the whole experience feel less intimidating.

“How much would it cost to travel and stay there?”

“Leave that to me,” he said. “The Eaton brothers are old friends and I’d like to pay for our train tickets and guest fees.”

Vienna twisted the button on the cuff of her sleeve. “How long would we be gone?”

“Six days ought to be enough time.”

Six days? It sounded so long. “Will Edward let you have that much time off?”

West didn’t hesitate to give a decisive nod. “I think so, especially since it’ll be good practice for Thurston. If you and I decide to move forward with the dude ranch, the young man will need to take over anyway.”

“All right,” she said after a long moment, the frenzy in her middle increasing.

He raised his eyebrows as he regarded her. “All right to which part? Taking the trip to North Dakota or considering my plan?”

“Both.” She laughed at his stunned expression.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in ages.” He grinned at her, and his renewed eagerness succeeded in quieting her concerns and restoring her earlier optimism and calm. “God willing, I think this may be an answer to both of our dreams.”

Chapter Four

“Don’t think that I can’t tell you’re moving slower on my account,” Maggy said, her belly leading the way down the drive of the Running W.

Vienna laughed but maintained her unrushed pace to accommodate Maggy’s. She well remembered how her friend had kindly done the same for Vienna when she’d been pregnant with Hattie.

“I’m going to miss living here.” She linked her arm with Maggy’s.

A flash of sadness appeared in her friend’s blue eyes. “We still have plenty of time before you leave. West only sent off that letter to his friends in North Dakota this morning.”

“Do you think I’m crazy?” Vienna asked her.

The battle of anticipation and anxiety inside her hadn’t stopped since she and West had formulated their plans yesterday. Which emotion was winning largely depended on the hour and the direction of her thoughts. This evening, with her regular duties completed, her nervousness had taken the lead.

“To start a dude ranch or travel to North Dakota?”

Vienna shot her a pleading look. “Both?”

“Then no to both,” Maggy answered with a laugh. “I don’t know that I would’ve pictured you running a dude ranch before now, but with the two of you as a team, I can see how it plays to yours and West’s strengths and interests.” She had said as much last night after Vienna and West had presented their idea to the Kents.

Vienna gave an absent nod. “What about agreeing to a possible marriage of convenience?” A confused sigh dropped from Vienna’s lips. “Am I being foolish about that, Maggy? We both know how unhappy my first marriage was.”

“True.” Maggy’s gaze moved to the ranch’s iron archway as they walked beneath it. “But that doesn’t guarantee a repeat in another marriage. That’s conditional on the person you marry.”

Her friend was right. After all, Maggy had found great happiness in her marriage to Edward. “Besides, it wouldn’t be as if it were a real marriage,” Vienna said in an attempt to reassure herself. “Not like you and Edward have, anyway.”

“Still, you’ll have a friendship to base your relationship on, even if it is in name only.” An impish expression crossed her face and had Vienna bracing herself before Maggy added quietly, “And you never know, a marriage of convenience could turn into something more. After all, West McCall is kind, hardworking, handsome... Mrs. Harvey and I have been trying to find him someone to marry for more than a year now.”

Vienna’s cheeks flamed with heat. She couldn’t disagree with Maggy’s assessment of her potential groom without lying. But what if someone overheard them? She glanced around and felt immense relief that no one—especially West—was walking nearby.

“It wouldn’t be like that. This arrangement isn’t a setup for eventual romance.” She’d felt the fickleness of romantic love, for West in the past and then for Chance. Neither had yielded what she’d secretly hoped it would.

Maggy’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “More unlikely things have happened.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind taking care of Hattie for me,” Vienna asked next, deliberately changing the subject, “while West and I are in North Dakota?”

Maggy shook her head. “Not at all. It’ll give you a chance to focus solely on learning what you can about dude ranching.”

“I appreciate that.” She gave her friend’s arm a gentle squeeze. “I don’t know what Hattie and I would’ve done these past three years without you and Edward and everyone else here.”

Returning Vienna’s squeeze, Maggy said in a slightly strained tone, “I don’t know what we would have done without you. And I’m not just talking about your excellent help in the kitchen, either.”

Her honest appreciation of their friendship made Vienna smile. From the moment she’d met Maggy, she had been in awe of the other young woman’s strength and no-nonsense attitude. But Vienna wasn’t the only one who’d grown since coming to the Running W. Maggy was still as courageous and matter-of-fact as ever, but her marriage to Edward had softened some of her blunter edges. She more readily shared how she felt with those she cared about. And Vienna felt blessed to be counted in that number.

“I’d still like to come visit often, me and Hattie. If that’s all right with you.”

Maggy stopped walking and threw her a narrowed look. “If you don’t, I will be staking out your ranch.” As Vienna laughed, Maggy steered her around and tugged her toward the house. “We’d better head back now. Otherwise Edward will have to collect me in the wagon, and you know how much I would hate that.”

“Oh, I most certainly do,” Vienna said with another laugh.

Things might be rapidly changing around her, but she could draw comfort from the knowledge that she had God and dear friends to see her and her daughter through anything.

* * *

The new mare nuzzled West’s shirt as he led it out of the corral. “Nope, no carrots on me. You’ll get your treat in a minute, though.”

“You were right,” Edward said, walking along beside them. He’d been watching West and the horse for the last while. “She doesn’t appear to be much trouble to break.”

West smiled at the horse. “She may be a bit stubborn still, but she’s learning quickly.”

“I believe it also helps that she has a talented trainer.”

The compliment pleased him, and yet, it also brought a flicker of regret. This would likely be his last horse to train for some time. Because if things went well in North Dakota, West could very well be leaving the Running W for good.

“You sure you don’t mind my taking the time off for this trip?”

Edward shook his head, not a trace of hesitation in the gesture. “No.”

“Can I ask why?”

His employer led the way into the main barn. “You have a great opportunity before you, McCall, a chance to make your own way. I don’t fault you for a moment for wanting to take it.”

“It may not happen,” he pointed out. “Vienna may decide after this trip to do something else with her ranch.”

Opening the mare’s stall door, Edward stood back. “Perhaps. But even if you don’t end up setting out on your own this year,” he added with keen perceptiveness, “it will happen eventually.”

He was right, and they both knew it. But more than that, West was grateful that Edward respected his dream.

In some ways, their situations were alike. Edward Kent had also come from a wealthy family—though no one in the area, Edward included, knew West shared that similarity. The third son of an earl, Edward had left England for the United States eight years ago, eager to make a name for himself and establish a successful horse ranch—and the man had done both. However, unlike West’s family, Edward’s family hadn’t disowned him for following his dream to create a different life than the one he’d known growing up.

“Thank you.” West didn’t feel the need to elaborate—Edward would understand that his gratitude extended well beyond the time off to go to North Dakota. The man had given him a job as foreman almost eight years ago, even though West hadn’t worked in that sort of leadership position before. And he would be forever thankful for the experience and the friends he’d made during that time.

West led the mare into the stall, then backed away so one of the wranglers could brush the horse down. “She’ll be a great horse.”

“She will,” Edward concurred. “Though we may need her trainer to return now and then to help break in some of the others. If he’s willing, that is.”

He grinned—as much at his boss’s words as at Edward’s confidence that running a dude ranch was most definitely in West’s near future. “Of course, Boss.”

“I’d pay you for the help.” When West started to shake his head, Edward interjected, “I mean it, McCall. You have a gift. Besides, this way I can be of some assistance with helping your dude ranch get up and running, while also getting top-notch help with training some of my horses.” He held out his hand to West. “What do you say?”

“I’d say thanks again,” he replied, clasping the other man’s hand in a firm, friendly handshake.

Ten days later

The train whistle pierced the morning air, a signal to all the remaining passengers that it was time to board. Vienna clasped Hattie to her once more, then stood to hug Maggy. She’d never been away from her daughter for an entire day, let alone six. The prospect had her rapidly blinking back tears. This trip was for their future, she reminded herself. Both hers and Hattie’s.

“She’ll be fine,” Maggy reassured Vienna, taking Hattie’s hand into her own. “We’ll make cookies with Mrs. Harvey and go exploring. It’ll be great fun, won’t it, Hattie?”

The little girl eyed Maggy with slight hesitation. “Can I sneak some of the dough like Mommy lets me?”

She’d been unusually quiet on the wagon ride to the station. That fact, along with Hattie’s pinched expression, nearly had Vienna calling off the trip, in spite of all the arrangements West had made.

“Absolutely.” Maggy grinned at Hattie. “And I might sneak some dough, too.”

West came to stand beside Vienna. “We need to board the train.”

“All right.” She gave Hattie one more kiss. “I love you, sweetheart. I’ll be home by the end of the week.”

“With a special surprise for you,” West added as he bent down and tousled Hattie’s blond hair.

Her little mouth lifted into a full smile for the first time all morning. “A surprise for me, Mr. West?”

“A surprise just for you, Hattie girl.” He straightened. “And that means your mother and I need to hurry and get on that train.”

The little girl nodded with palpable enthusiasm. “Okay, Mr. West. Bye, Mommy.” She waved to Vienna without an inkling of reluctance this time.

Giving her a wave back, Vienna hurried after West and up the steps of the train. “Thank you,” she said as they moved down the aisle toward two empty benches.

“For what?” he asked, motioning for her to take the one that faced the depot. He sat on the opposite bench—close enough to continue their conversation but still maintaining enough distance between them to keep things proper as they traveled.

Vienna slid toward the window. “I appreciate you helping cheer Hattie up just now.”

“It can’t be easy leaving her.”

She waved vigorously at her daughter and the Kents, who waved back, until they were lost from her view as the locomotive rolled forward. “I know she’ll be fine.”

“But...” West prompted gently.

The gnawing in Vienna’s stomach that had started before breakfast stretched wider. “But I’ve never been away from her for more than a few hours. Now it will be six full days until we return.”

“Tickets, please,” the porter announced before West could reply.

Vienna withdrew her ticket and handed it to the young man.

“Traveling all the way to North Dakota?” He flicked a glance at West. “You and your husband?”

She gave a nod as he passed her back the ticket. “He’s not my husband, though.”

“No?” He studied her with new interest as he leaned casually against the seat back in front of Vienna.

What would he think if he knew Vienna was likely several years older than him and a mother and widow to boot?

“Let me know if you need anything, miss. I’d be more than willing to look out for you on your journey.”

West loudly cleared his throat, jerking the porter’s attention back in his direction. “Here’s my ticket, young man.” His gaze held more steel than friendliness as he presented the stub of paper. “And if the lady needs assistance, I’m here to help her.”

“But she’s not your wife,” the porter stated with a frown.

Vienna might have chuckled at the confusion on his face if she hadn’t felt so vulnerable—at saying goodbye to Hattie and at being the subject of the porter’s interest. The idea of leaving the safety and familiarity of the Running W to embark on such a new and uncertain venture felt suddenly overwhelming. Surely she wasn’t brave enough to do this. She would likely say or do the wrong thing. Doubt had her twisting her gloved hands together where they rested in her lap.

“Nope, she’s not my wife,” West answered in a level tone.

“Your sister, then?”

West shook his head.

“Sweetheart?” The porter threw a puzzled look in Vienna’s direction.

The sight of the young man’s bewilderment somehow broke the choke hold of her fear. She was here, wasn’t she? Surely that was a step of bravery. Offering the man a polite smile this time, she spoke again. “He’s a good friend and may possibly be my future husband and business partner.”

“Ah, I see,” the porter said, still eyeing them in a way that told them he didn’t. Vienna suppressed a laugh. Then with a shrug of his shoulders, he tipped his hat to her. “Pleasant travel, folks.”

As the young man disappeared through the door to the next car, West swiveled on his seat and looked her way, his head cocked in thought.

“What?” she asked, touching her hair where it was pinned up beneath her hat. Was there something amiss about her appearance?

One corner of his mouth lifted in a languid smile. The kind that used to set her pulse tripping seven years ago.

Used to? her head argued. Then why is your heart jumping about right now?

“You’ve changed,” he said at last.

Vienna ducked her chin and brushed a piece of lint off her skirt. “I have? How?”

“Saying what you did just now to the porter—all confident with no reticence.”

Her cheeks grew warm. “Thank you, I think.”

“It’s a compliment, Vienna.” He chuckled. “Your confidence is coming back.”

Lifting her head, she glanced at him. “Back? I don’t know that I was ever really confident before.” Certainly not while she’d been married to Chance. Even before that, while living on her aunt and uncle’s ranch, she hadn’t felt much self-assurance.

“It was there.” His expression held a trace of seriousness. “I saw it in you.”

Something like regret emanated from him, though Vienna couldn’t identify its source. “I was still shy, even before meeting Chance. Don’t you remember the first time we met?”

Instead of prompting the smile she expected, West turned toward the window. “I remember everything about that day.”

“Then you’ll remember that you tried to talk to me three different times at that picnic before I finally said a word.” She sniffed with amusement at the memory of her own timidity. How she’d ended up with someone like Chance—gregarious and impatient and the complete opposite of West McCall—she might never know. Then again, Chance’s outgoing personality had meant that when she was by his side, she could stay quiet and view life from a distance. It hadn’t been so bad at first until she’d realized that was exactly where her husband had wanted her to remain, indefinitely—in his shadow, with no voice or authority of her own.

Now the smile she’d been expecting appeared on West’s mouth. “As I recall it wasn’t a word you gave me. It was a laugh.”

He did remember it well. She’d been as uncertain as she’d been flattered by West’s attention, and when he’d made some joke about himself, she couldn’t help laughing. After that, there was no longer any reticence at being around him. She’d felt seen for the first time since her parents’ deaths—a feeling that expanded over time from camaraderie to friendship to...to love. For her, anyway. West hadn’t come to the same conclusion about their relationship.

“So it will take all day to travel to the dude ranch?” she asked, changing the subject. It was better not to focus on the timeworn memories between them. Otherwise she’d dredge up old heartache, and she’d had enough of that to last a lifetime.

West studied her a moment, while Vienna stared innocently back at him. He might have once been able to read her thoughts, but just like her romantic feelings for him, that was long ago. “It’ll probably be past suppertime before we reach the ranch.”

“And they know we’re coming?”

He grinned, breaking the tension between them. “They know. And what’s more, they said they can’t wait to show us around.”

* * *

Excitement propelled West to be the first one off the train in North Dakota, though he did turn back to help Vienna down the narrow steps and onto the depot platform. It was more than anticipation that their long day of travel was at an end. He hadn’t been back here in eight years, and in many ways, it felt like coming home.

The Custer Trail Ranch had been a home of sorts to West, and Howard, Alden and Willis Eaton as well as their hired hand and horse doctor Alexander “Alec” Russell were like family. West had exchanged letters with Alec and Howard in the years since leaving North Dakota. But they couldn’t compare to an actual visit back to the ranch that had been so instrumental in shaping his life.

“They’ll have sent someone with a wagon,” West reassured Vienna.

She looked tired, her forehead lined with weariness. “All right.”

“West!” he heard a familiar voice call out.

He turned to see Alec striding toward them. Grinning, West met his best friend halfway across the depot, where they clasped hands in a hearty handshake before clapping each other on the back. “You came to collect us yourself?” He’d half expected someone with fewer responsibilities around the ranch to drive into town to fetch them.

“Howard insisted,” Alec said with a matching grin. “So I didn’t have to wrangle up an excuse, though I was prepared to do so when I found out you were coming. How are you?”

West nodded. “I’m well.” Especially now that he was back here again, his dream of owning a dude ranch closer than it had ever been.

“Where’s this prospective business partner of yours?” Alec glanced past West.

He led his friend over to where Vienna stood, the handle of her valise clutched between her hands. “Vienna, I’d like you to meet my good friend and the Eatons’ right-hand man, Alec Russell. Alec, this is Vienna Howe.”

“How do you do?” Vienna said politely.

Alec lifted his cowboy hat, revealing his dark blond hair underneath. “Ma’am.” He threw West a puzzled look. “What about your business partner...”

“Vienna is my prospective business partner.” He’d left off telling them he was bringing a woman to the ranch, not wanting anyone to read more into his and Vienna’s relationship than was actually there. “She and I are thinking of starting up a dude ranch together.” He hurried to add, “Vienna was recently widowed and is looking for a way to revive her ranch back in Wyoming.”

His friend’s blue-gray eyes still widened with obvious shock. “Well, there you go. A potential business partner and a pretty one at that. Not to mention rather brave if she’s willing to work with you.” Alec chuckled at his own joke.

Vienna blushed, but unlike with the train porter that morning, she didn’t look uncomfortable at the flirtation. A tiny smile appeared on her pink lips as she ducked her chin. West felt a jolt of irritation shoot through him, though he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if she was interested in his friend...was she?

“Where’s the wagon?” West asked, eager to end the unsettling moment.

Alec pointed a thumb over his shoulder toward the opposite end of the train station. “Parked it out front. May I help you with your bag, ma’am?”

“Yes, thank you.” Vienna relinquished her valise to Alec’s care, then trailed them across the depot to the waiting wagon.

West quickly stowed his bag in the back so he could be the one to help Vienna this time. Offering her a hand, he assisted her onto the middle seat of the buckboard. When Alec took up the reins, West joined him on the front seat. As they drove away from the station and out of town, he couldn’t help staring at all the farms that had cropped up in his absence.

“It looks so different from the last time I was here.”

Alec nodded. “There’s a lot more homesteaders now.”

“When was the ranch built?” Vienna asked as she leaned forward.

Turning slightly toward her, Alec answered, “Howard started here in 1879. And he’s built up a fine reputation for the place. Even Vice President Teddy Roosevelt counts the Eatons as his friends.”

“Really?” Her tone suggested a touch of awe. “Does the ranch’s clientele usually consist of famous people?”

Alec pushed up his hat. “Typically, the ranch’s guests are from wealthy families back east. Like mine, for instance, or even Wes—”

“I’ve got a story to tell you about Roosevelt, Vienna,” he interjected, cutting Alec off. He managed to maintain his usual unaffected air and easy smile, but that didn’t stop the sweat from collecting beneath his collar and hat.

No one in Wyoming, including Vienna, knew where—or more accurately, what sort of life—he’d come from before leaving Pittsburgh for good. His family was every bit as prestigious and wealthy as Alec’s, but unlike his best friend, West had been cut off from his family and his inheritance after he’d decided to become a cowboy against his father’s wishes.

Some of the old envy he’d once felt for Alec returned. It was partly the reason West had sought to find a job elsewhere, rather than staying on indefinitely with the Eatons. He had found it increasingly difficult to keep working alongside his best friend, witnessing constant reminders that Alec’s family had not only accepted their son and his choice of employment but had encouraged him, too. They had even paid for Alec to attend college to become a veterinarian doctor, and now West’s friend saw to the health of all the livestock on the Custer Trail Ranch.

Back home in Pittsburgh, West had seen how people reacted when they learned he was the only son of one of the richest men in the city. And he’d hated it. He wanted to be known for his own character and successes—not forever wondering if someone wanted to get to know him or hire him based solely on where he’d come from or how they could wield him for their own purposes.

That was why, when he’d left North Dakota for Wyoming, he’d chosen to keep his wealthy background to himself. He was no longer the heir to Lawrence McCall’s great fortune, nor did West want or need it, so he wanted to be known simply for who he was—West McCall, a poor but hardworking cowboy and horse trainer.

“What’s the story?”

Vienna’s question broke through West’s troubled thoughts about the past. “Right, the story.” Alec threw him a curious look. Ignoring it, West turned to half face Vienna. “The story goes that one time while Roosevelt was staying in a hotel, he shared a room with several cowboys. In the middle of the night, he was woken up by some men holding a lantern and a gun aimed directly at him.”

“How scary,” Vienna murmured.

“He probably was scared until he heard the men say that he wasn’t the one they were looking for.” West smiled, warming to his story. “Then they turned to his bedfellow and told the cowboy to come quietly. Which the man did.”

Vienna shook her head. “What did they want with him?”

“I believe he’d robbed a train.”

Her mouth tilted up at the corners again. “A future vice president and a train robber sharing a room? I only hope we’re as fortuitous to have such interesting guests if we have our dude ranch, West.”

Our dude ranch. Why did those three words and the rare glimpse at Vienna’s lighthearted side have the power to command his heart to speed up with anticipation?

“I guess time will tell,” he drawled before facing forward again.

And wasn’t that the truth? Time would tell if anyone found out about his true origins or if he and Vienna went forward with creating a dude ranch and the venture proved successful. But in spite of the risks, on all accounts, West was ready and willing to move forward with their plans.

* * *

After a late supper that was as delicious as one she and Mrs. Harvey might have made back at the Running W, Vienna was more than ready to go to sleep. She bid West good-night. But when he started to rise from the dining table where he’d been catching up with his friends, she waved him back into his seat. It was obvious how much he was enjoying talking with Alec and the Eatons, and she was glad for it.

When she’d once asked about his family, shortly after they had first met, West had told her that for all intents and purposes he was an orphan same as her. And while Vienna had been close to her cousin Lavina, who now lived in Buffalo, Wyoming, she’d found a new family with the Kents at the Running W, just as West had. Still, she was pleased to see that he had others in his life here in North Dakota who, like Edward and Maggy, could also be called family.

“I’ll see you at breakfast,” she said to West.

He nodded. “Good night, Vienna.”

“Good night.”

She was led to a nice room on the second floor of the big house. After hearing the story of Roosevelt and the train robber, she was more than relieved to discover she was the room’s only occupant.

Thanking her hostess, Vienna shut the door and readied for bed. It felt strange that she only had herself to care for tonight, rather than getting Hattie ready for bed, too. A wave of missing her daughter brought a lump to her throat as she knelt beside the bed to pray. She thanked the Lord for her and West’s safe arrival, for the kind welcome and hospitality of the Eatons, for West’s friendship and for the help of the Kents, who in caring for Hattie had made this trip possible for Vienna. She asked that her daughter would be watched over and that she would know what to do about their future. Then before ending her prayer, she pleaded, as she always did, for strength and courage.

Vienna blew out the lamp and climbed into bed. But in spite of her travel-weary body and a longing to sleep, her mind was jumping about like a jackrabbit.

She’d liked what she had viewed of the Custer Trail Ranch in the dusky evening light earlier. The two-story main house, which featured logs on the bottom half and siding on the top, appeared spacious and comfortable, with living and dining rooms on the first floor. A peek into the former had revealed plenty of books for reading and even musical instruments for playing.

Tomorrow Alec had promised to show Vienna around the grounds—well, her and West both. Overhearing his friend’s invitation to Vienna, West had asked to come along, saying he needed to reacquaint himself with the place.

Vienna smiled into the dark at the memory. It seemed West didn’t want her touring the ranch alone with Alec. There’d also been that moment at the train station when she’d smiled at Alec and had caught what looked like jealousy in West’s brown eyes. Did he think she liked his friend?

Alec was nice-looking, with his dark blond hair and blue-gray eyes, and she had appreciated his compliments. But she didn’t fancy him or any other man. A recollection entered her thoughts of how her heart had tripped faster when West had given her a smile on the train and told her that she’d changed.

That didn’t mean she fancied him again, she told herself as her smile drooped. Her reaction to him likely only stemmed from the old feelings of attraction she’d once felt. He might be handsome, kind and hardworking, but anything other than friendship in their relationship would be strictly business-related. Even if they married for convenience.

Not for the first time, a shudder ran through Vienna at the thought of being married again—even in name only. How naive she’d been when she had married Chance. She hadn’t really known him and whatever warning signs she might have noticed she’d credited to comparing him too much with West. Then there’d been all the hiding and secrets regarding Chance’s many vices.

She blew out a steadying breath, rolled onto her side and shut her eyes. Her marriage with Chance was over; it was a thing of the past. And even if she did choose to marry West for convenience, she wouldn’t have to fear that he was keeping secrets from her. She might not know yet what do about her ranch, but she did know West McCall—and he wasn’t hiding anything.

Chapter Five

West was up before breakfast the next morning, eager to see the ranch in broad daylight. He also didn’t want to miss Alec’s tour with Vienna. Because he wanted to see the changes the Eatons had told him about last night, of course—nothing more. It wasn’t like he was worried that Vienna fancied his best friend. Although, if Vienna did like Alec, would she still be willing to consider converting the HC Bar into a dude ranch in partnership with West?

He frowned as he finished pulling on his boots and stood to collect his hat. Better not to meddle in matters of the heart, especially where Vienna was concerned. West had erroneously tread that path once before. He wouldn’t put himself or her through that again.

No, he thought, clapping his hat on his head. I’ll let things play out as they’re meant to this time. It wasn’t as if Vienna had made up her mind yet about the dude ranch, anyway. She could still choose to do something else with her house and property, which may or may not be influenced by a certain blond cowboy.

West wouldn’t petition the Lord for things to go his way, either. He’d done that once before, on a matter as dear to his heart as having a dude ranch, but it hadn’t materialized as he’d wanted. Experience was often a stern teacher, and it had taught him well. The safest course, the surest way to avoid disappointment or heartache, was to quit asking God for those things he deeply desired. Instead, he’d work hard toward reaching his dreams, but if they didn’t materialize now or in the future, he’d experience less pain for not having asked for them in the first place.

Leaving the building dubbed the “dude pen,” where he’d slept last night, West strolled toward the main house and into the dining room. There were already people seated at the table—likely guests who wanted to eat before they headed out on a full-day’s ride.

He was halfway through clearing his own plate when Vienna walked in. She was dressed in a white blouse, a brown vest and a matching brown split skirt for riding. Her hair hung down her back in a simple braid instead of the elaborate coiffure from yesterday. And while West had liked her traveling look just fine, there was something undeniably attractive about the simplicity of her attire and hairstyle today.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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