Daddy Wore Spurs (Mills & Boon Cherish) (Men of the West, Book 32) (8 page)

Her gaze drifted over to the stuffed horse he’d purchased and he watched a melancholy expression creep over her features.

“It’s been a labor of love, Finn.”

An uncomfortable lump collected in his throat. He tried to clear it away as he turned and took a seat on one of the bar stools. “Uh—what I wanted to talk to you about, Mariah—there’s a reason I don’t want any money for the feed and hay. And it has nothing to do with charity. I want to purchase the horses from you.”

The look on her face turned to one of disbelief. “The horses? All of them?”

He nodded. “The stallion, the geldings and the mares. Just shoot me a fair price and I’ll write you a check. With one stipulation, that is. That I don’t have to ship them out immediately. I’d like for them to stay here until the test comes back and we—uh, get everything settled about Harry. By then I’ll have found a place to put them. Besides, from the looks of the mares, they’re all getting close to foaling. It would be much safer for them to deliver before they have to travel.”

Her thoughtful gaze roamed his face. “You’re not going to haggle over the price?”

Finn shook his head. “I trust you to be fair.”

Easing onto the stool next to his, she stared at the floor. “This past month I’ve prayed for a buyer to show up. Now you’ve come along and answered my prayers. But I don’t feel good about it.” Her head swung back and forth. “Doesn’t make much sense, does it? I should be happy. But I—”

“Feel like you’re turning loose a part of yourself. I understand.”

Thrusting a hand through her hair, she looked at him. “How did you know I felt that way? I didn’t even know it myself until this moment.”

The torn look in her eyes bothered him far more than it should have. “I know how I’d feel to be giving up a part of my home—what this place had been built on. I figured it would be the same for you. If it will make you feel any better, I can assure you I’ll give the horses the best of care.”

“I have no concerns about that.” Biting down on her bottom lip, her gaze turned away from his. “All right. I’ll sell the horses to you. Just give me a bit of time to think over the price. In the meantime, I’m curious about one thing, though.”

“What’s that?”

She looked at him. “You said you’d have to find a place to put them. I don’t get it. You live on a huge ranch. Surely you have space for ten more horses.”

Avoiding her gaze, Finn rubbed the heels of his palms against his thighs. “Not these horses—they’re mustangs. My father and grandfather refuse to have any wild horses on the ranch.”

Totally surprised, she said, “Oh. I thought you’d have a say in things on the Silver Horn? I mean where the horses are concerned?”

He frowned. “I manage the horse division of the ranch. I oversee the breeding, foaling, training and care of all the equines on the ranch. That includes show horses and working horses.”

“Well, clearly they believe you know your job. I don’t understand.”

He didn’t understand it, either, Finn thought grimly. After all these years, he wanted to think his father and grandfather respected his ideas and plans. Instead, they refused to consider them. “The Silver Horn has its own foundation breeding. The same bloodlines have continued on for a hundred years or more. Dad and Gramps don’t want it tampered with. You see, they’re all about tried-and-true tradition.”

“But you could keep the mustangs in a separate area,” Mariah argued. “If the ranch covers thousands of acres, what could they possibly hurt?”

“The Silver Horn image.”

She mulled that over, then finally replied, “Your folks must be snobs.”

“Only where horses and cattle are concerned.” The notion had him grunting with wry amusement and then he cast her a meaningful glance. “If I didn’t know better, Mariah, you sound like you’re proud of those mustangs.”

“Well, they were my father and sister’s dream. And though there’ve been plenty of times in my life that I wish I’d never seen a horse, I guess a part of me is proud that Stallion Canyon was founded on mustangs. But I can’t keep hanging on to them,” she said huskily. “It’s not possible. Much less practical.”

“And you must be practical.”

She left the bar stool and returned to the cabinet. As she sliced an apple into a plastic bowl, she said, “Dad and Aimee were always dreamers. I was always the one who worried over the ranch’s finances. And I’m still worrying over them. A person with money has the luxury of being sentimental rather than sensible. I’m not in the position you are, Finn. I have to think about surviving.”

So she’d never been the happy-go-lucky sort. Was that the reason her engagement had ended? Finn wondered. Because she’d been all business and no fun?

Hell, Finn. It doesn’t matter why or how her engagement ended. That part of her past has nothing to do with you. She loved a man once and he wasn’t you. So what? You’re not looking for love or marriage.

The need to comfort her suddenly pushed away the irritating voice in his head and he walked over to where she stood and rested his hip against the cabinet. “Mariah, money doesn’t fix everything. It doesn’t stop you from losing loved ones. Wealthy people get hurt and betrayed. They also get sick and lonely and lost. Just like poor folks do.”

She closed her eyes and it was all Finn could do to keep from bending his head and placing his lips on hers. Kissing her stirred more than libido, he realized. It made him dream and want and wish for things that, up until now, he’d never considered important. And he wasn’t quite sure if that was a good thing or bad.

“I don’t expect selling the horses and the ranch to feel good. But I have to climb out of this hole some way.” She opened her eyes and attempted to smile. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d better go check on Harry.”

He didn’t want her to go. He wanted to pull her into his arms, stroke her hair and whisper words of reassurance in her ear. He wanted to feel her body go soft and yielding against his, to know that she trusted him completely. But she didn’t trust him. He wasn’t sure she trusted anybody.

And as he watched her scurry out of the room, Finn decided she was like a little wounded bird, determined to fly away from the very person who wanted to help her.

Chapter Seven

B
right and early the next morning, Mariah and Finn left the ranch to take Harry to the health department in town. After a qualified nurse took swabs from both Finn’s and the baby’s mouths, she managed to get to school just in time to start the second-hour class, while Finn took Harry back to the ranch, where Linda was waiting to take over her usual role as nanny.

Now a few hours later, Mariah was sitting in a small staff lounge with her friend and fellow teacher, Sage Newcastle, as the two women enjoyed the last few minutes of their lunch break.

“You’re actually going to Nevada with this man?” Sage asked in a shocked voice. “I don’t believe it!”

Mariah looked over at the blonde thirty-one-year-old divorcée, who’d given up on marriage but not romance.

“Shh! I said I’m considering it. But I don’t want the whole staff to know about it!” When Aimee had become a single mother, Mariah had been forced to deal with all sorts of gossip. The rumor mill would surely run rampant if any of the school staff learned she was going to make a trip with Harry’s father.

“Besides,” she went on, “we only took Harry to the health department this morning to get the DNA swabs sent off. And until I learn that Finn is the father I don’t plan on going anywhere with him.”

Sage glanced at her with concern. “Having that Nevada cowboy in the house must be causing you a lot of extra work. You look exhausted.”

Mariah had to bite her lip to keep from groaning. No way did she want Sage to know she’d lost sleep the past two nights because her mind was fixated on Finn. The way he smelled. The way he looked. The sound of his voice, his laughter. And then there were his kisses. She’d relived them over and over in her mind, as though she’d never been kissed before.

That’s because you hadn’t been really kissed, Mariah. Not until Finn took you into his arms and like a starving man, made a meal of your lips. Now you’re besotted with the way he touched you. The way he made you drunk with desire.

“Yoo-hoo, Mariah! Are you with me?”

Shaking away the mimicking voice in her head, Mariah focused on her friend’s earlier remark. “Finn isn’t causing extra work. It’s—well, everything is going to be in limbo until the DNA comes back.”

Sage reached over and placed a comforting hand on Mariah’s forearm. “I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage to call Mr. Calhoun and tell him about Harry. I’m afraid I would’ve kept the baby all to myself.”

“My conscience wouldn’t let me do that,” she said ruefully. “Harry deserves to have a father.”

“Will this Finn make a good one, you think?”

Sage’s question caused images of Finn and Harry to flash in the forefront of her mind. She couldn’t deny that Harry had already bonded with Finn. And Finn handled the baby as though he were the most special thing on earth. “Finn will make an excellent father. I have no doubts about that.”

She didn’t add that Finn was a wealthy man and would be able to give Harry every wonderful opportunity in life. That part of the puzzle hardly seemed important now. As he’d told her last evening: money didn’t equal happiness. And she figured if Finn didn’t have a dime, he’d still have a grin on his face.

Sage said, “Well, that’s a relief. Uh—you haven’t really told me much about the man. Does he look anything like Harry?”

Mariah shrugged. “Actually, the more I look at the two of them together, the more similarities I see.”

“Hmm. Then he must be handsome. Because Harry is adorable,” Sage said. “You know, the more I think about it, the more I think you should have me over for dinner one evening. Before Finn goes back to Nevada.”

Mariah rose from the long couch where the two women had been sitting and gathered up a stack of books and papers from the corner of a nearby table.

Deliberately changing the subject, she said, “It’s almost time for the bell to ring.”

“I’m right behind you,” Sage told her.

They left the lounge and started down a wide corridor of the high school building. Teenagers were already scurrying past them, while others were opening and closing lockers lined along the walls.

In spite of the stress that went along with teaching young people, Mariah loved her job. To her, the idea of helping a child develop into a productive adult made up for the long hours and minimal salary. The school was her second home and without it these past few months, she would’ve been truly lost.

“You know,” Sage said wryly, “I don’t think you want me to meet Harry’s dad. That tells me he’s either really an ogre, or a dreamboat you want to keep to yourself.”

Mariah’s chuckle held little humor. “He’s a cowboy, Sage. Not your type at all.”

Sage’s grin was a bit naughty. “I’ll bet he’s your type, though. You—” She broke off as her gaze zeroed in on the silver cross dangling in the hollow of Mariah’s throat. “Oh, how pretty! It looks like a piece from that famous silver designer. Is it?”

Surely not, Mariah thought. Finn wouldn’t have spent that sort of money on her. On the other hand, his concept of a lot of money would be quite different from hers.

Unconsciously touching a finger to the cross, she said, “I have no idea. The necklace was a gift.”

Sage’s brows shot up. “Your birthday won’t be for several months. Who—?”

Thankfully, the bell sounded, giving Mariah the perfect excuse to leave Sage’s question dangling. “Gotta run. See you later.”

* * *

Back on Stallion Canyon, Finn was finishing the last of his lunch on the patio. Across from him, Harry’s nanny had taken a seat in one of the wicker chairs and settled the baby comfortably in her lap.

This morning when he and Harry had returned from town, Finn had found Linda Baskin already here and waiting to take over her duties of caring for Harry. A tall, slender woman with a long blond ponytail threaded with streaks of gray, she appeared to be somewhere in her midfifties. Her complexion was ruddy and weather-beaten, her brown eyes crinkled at the corners. For the most part she was quiet and reserved, but friendly enough.

Last night, Finn had tried to convince Mariah that the nanny was no longer needed. He could certainly take care of Harry while she was at work. But Mariah wouldn’t hear of it. She’d argued that he’d be wanting to spend time outdoors with the horses and he couldn’t do that with a baby on his hip.

Yet now that Finn had met Linda, he realized that Mariah’s reasoning to keep the nanny around was much more complex than giving him free time with the horses. The woman was totally enamored with Harry. Another fact that nagged at Finn. Linda would also be lost whenever he took his son home to the Horn.

Picking up a glass of iced tea, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his boots at the ankles. “Have you known the Montgomerys long?” Finn ventured to ask her.

“Twenty years or more,” she said. “I met Ray and the girls when they first moved here. We all went to the same church, you see.”

The baby was chewing his fist, while a stream of drool dripped from his chin. Last night Mariah had rubbed a soothing gel over his gums and predicted the tooth would be appearing soon. He wanted to be around to see Harry’s first tooth appear and the many other firsts the child would have. But then, so did Mariah. And this woman, too. Until this moment, Finn had never stopped to think about the connections a child created to all the people around him or her.

“That’s a long time,” Finn commented.

She handed Harry the green teething ring that Finn had purchased for him yesterday. The baby immediately jammed the piece of plastic in his mouth.

“I watched the girls grow up and Ray work to make this ranch into a fine home.” She turned a wistful look toward the barns. “I never thought he’d die like he did. But then life is unpredictable, isn’t it?”

Something in Linda’s quiet voice told Finn that she was more than just a family acquaintance to the Montgomerys.

“That’s why we should enjoy every day,” he said, then asked, “Did you know Mariah is selling the ranch? She’s already sold the horses to me.”

With her gaze still on the barns, she said in a flat voice, “Yes, I know about the ranch. And the horses, too.”

Finn had been wondering if Mariah had anyone close that she could talk to about private matters. Obviously Linda was that person.

“What do you think about her decision? About the ranch, that is.”

“If it wasn’t for her, this place would’ve already been sold through a sheriff’s auction. She’s gone as far as she can go. I don’t like it. But that’s the way it is. For now, at least.”

Finn gazed thoughtfully toward the paddock where the mares were pastured. Beyond it, a ridge of forest-covered mountains curved toward the east. He figured with a bit of rain the foothills would hold some hearty grasses.

“Such a shame,” he said thoughtfully. “I haven’t seen much more than this area around the ranch yard, but what I see is beautiful.”

Her features were stern as she looked at him. “Why don’t you buy it?”

For a moment Finn was too stunned to know how to answer. “Me? I live on my family’s ranch. I don’t need this one.”

She frowned. “Some men are independent and some aren’t. I took you for the independent sort. But then, I’m not always right about people.”

Finn had never expected to be having this sort of conversation with Harry’s nanny, but now that she’d opened up, he couldn’t resist the chance to find out more about Mariah’s family.

“Now that we’re on the subject, what sort of man was Ray Montgomery?” he asked.

A soft light entered the woman’s brown eyes. It was the sort of look that was born from deep affection.

“A good, simple man. This ranch, the horses and his girls. That’s all that mattered—all he wanted.”

“Did you ever meet his ex-wife?”

Her brown eyes suddenly squinted. “That’s a strange thing for you to be asking.”

Finn shrugged. “I’m trying to get an idea of Harry’s maternal family. Especially since they seem to be out of the picture. Mariah tells me her mother lives in Florida, but she never sees her.”

She sighed. “Selma decided she didn’t care for country life. She left the family long before Ray and the girls moved here. And that’s the way it’s stayed.”

Finn tried to imagine his own mother leaving her children behind, but it was impossible. Up until the day she’d died, Fiona had loved her five sons utterly.

“It takes a strong woman to be a rancher’s wife,” Finn mused aloud. “But why turn her back on her daughters?”

Harry began to fuss and squirm, prompting Linda to lift the baby to her shoulder and gently pat his back. “Because the girls wanted to live with their father and Selma never forgave her daughters for making that choice.”

“Mariah hasn’t mentioned ever having a stepmother around. Guess Ray never remarried.”

The stark expression that spread over Linda’s face spoke volumes to Finn.

“No,” she said. “He remained single until he died.”

Feeling as though he’d opened a diary that he had no right reading, Finn rose to his feet and gathered up the leftovers from his lunch. After putting the things away in the kitchen, he returned to the patio and picked up his hat.

“Going back to the barns?” Linda asked.

He tugged the brim of the felt low onto his forehead. “I have horses saddled and ready to be exercised.”

“Be safe with those mustangs, Finn. I don’t think Mariah could survive if you had an accident.”

Finn stared at her. Was Linda trying to imply that Mariah cared for him? The idea was ridiculous. Sure, she’d kissed him as though she liked it. But that hardly meant she had feelings for him.

He chuckled sardonically. “Mariah isn’t all that interested in my safety. In fact, she doesn’t much care for men who wears spurs. And there’s no chance of me ever taking mine off.”

Before Linda could make any response, Finn left the patio and headed quickly toward the barns.

* * *

Later that evening when Mariah returned home from work, she dropped her tote and handbag on the coffee table, then walked straight to the middle of the living room where Linda had spread a blanket on the floor in front of the television. She was sitting cross-legged with Harry lying on his belly next to her. The baby was doing his best to get traction with his toes and push himself forward.

Bending down, she picked him up and cuddled him tightly against her shoulder. “How is my little man?” she crooned to the baby.

“Give him two or three more months and he’ll probably be sitting on his own and crawling everywhere.” She studied Mariah’s drawn face. “You look drained. School must have been tough today.”

“No more than usual.” Closing her eyes, Mariah pressed her cheek against the top of Harry’s head and tried to swallow away the tightness in her throat. The DNA test was off to the lab. Whether Finn was the father or not, once the results were determined, her life and Harry’s would never be the same. The idea left a perpetual knot in the pit of her stomach.

Rising to her feet, Linda patted her shoulder. “It’s Monday. Tomorrow will be better. Want a glass of tea or something?”

“Maybe later. I need to change clothes. Uh—how did you get on with Finn?”

“We understand each other, I think,” Linda said, then gestured in the direction of the open doorway. “He’s been down at the barns since lunch. I hope you’re right about him being a horseman. That stallion isn’t safe to be around and it’s been four hours since I’ve seen him.”

Concern fluttered in the pit of Mariah’s stomach. Finn might be an expert horseman, but that didn’t rule out accidents happening. “Finn should be able to handle himself around Rimrock. But I’d better go check on him just the same.”

Mariah handed the baby over to Linda and quickly left the room. Once she reached the hallway, she didn’t bother going to her bedroom to change out of her dress clothes. Instead, she exited the house through the kitchen and made a beeline to the main horse barn.

Along the way, her gaze desperately searched the ranch yard for a sign of Finn. As crazy as it seemed, he’d already become a part of her life. The image of him lying in the dirt, hurt or worse, sent a rush of icy fear through her. If something had happened to him, she’d be devastated.