Wishing for the Rancher’s Love (High Country Ranch #5)

Chapter 5

5

Everything was fine. No one was watching her.

Clementine walked along Main Street with her basket of goodies, straightened her shoulders, and forced her lips into a smile.

Everything really was fine, wasn’t it? The sunshine was warming her. The morning was beautiful. Even though the air was cool, it was fresh and crisp and clean. And she hadn’t seen any more roses since last night when she’d found them on her bed.

Even so, with every step she’d made over the past couple of hours, she’d been filled with a quiet sense of dread about where she’d find the next rose.

But so far, there hadn’t been any.

She was hoping that meant the secret admirer had listened to Grady’s rant last night to leave her alone.

Before going, Grady had made her promise to shut her curtains and lock her door. She’d been too frightened to do her usual arguing with him, and once she was alone, she’d double- and triple-checked to make sure her door was locked. This morning, before heading down to the store, she’d also made sure her door was locked.

Apparently Grady had informed his dad about the situation, and when she’d entered the store, Mr. Worth had hovered around her, following her nearly everywhere she went. He’d cautioned her against making her usual charitable deliveries.

But today was her day of the week to visit the town’s widows—Mrs. Meriwether, who was older with one grown son, and Mrs. Raleigh, who was younger and had three children. Clementine hadn’t wanted to let the roses and messages scare her from living her normal life. Besides, what harm could really come from silk flowers and little pieces of paper? She just had to keep reminding herself of that.

“Good morning, Mrs. Livingston,” she said as cheerfully as possible to the reverend’s wife, who was crossing from the parsonage to the church. The petite young woman, attired in a modest winter coat and hat, was holding her baby bundled up in blankets. She called a friendly greeting to Clementine in return.

“Good morning, Doctor Howell.” Clementine waved at the doctor emerging from his office with his leather doctor’s satchel.

“Good morning, Mr. Irving,” she called to the lawyer heading up the street to his business.

With each greeting to those she passed, Grady’s words from the hockey game haunted her: “Stop being so careless with men. One of these days, all your flirting will get you into trouble.”

Was he right? Had her cavalier attitude toward potential suitors given someone the false idea that she was interested in them when she wasn’t? Because the truth was, as much as she enjoyed mingling with the fellows at Mill Pond or at dances or church dinners or sing-alongs or other parties, she hadn’t found any man yet that had captured her attention.

Well, maybe Franz had captured her attention at the beginning of the summer when he’d arrived in Breckenridge. She’d mostly been enamored because he was a foreigner, a professor, and a gentleman with manners, so unlike most men in Summit County.

She’d thought Franz was interested in her too. But it had turned out he’d fallen in love with Clarabelle at first sight—or so he claimed. At the time, Clementine had been hurt by the secretiveness of Clarabelle’s relationship with Franz.

After she’d had time to think about everything, Clementine had realized she’d been selfish and should have helped her sister win the man she loved. Unfortunately, Clementine hadn’t figured out how selfish she’d been until after Clarabelle had left the high country.

Since then, she’d written numerous letters to her twin, apologizing and asking forgiveness for all that had happened. Clarabelle had written back, sending her love and wishes for Clementine to find the same kind of love and happiness that she had.

“I haven’t yet, Clarabelle,” she whispered.

Even though she hadn’t found the same kind of love and happiness yet, it wasn’t for lack of trying. She’d been doing her best all summer and autumn to meet men and get to know them. But what if she’d been trying too hard?

Grady’s warning again sifted through her mind: “Stop being so careless with men.”

She’d obviously been careless with someone who now thought she was interested enough for him to leave roses and notes and other gifts. Who could it be?

It could be anyone, because the truth was, she could count half a dozen men she’d flirted with during just the past two weeks, not to mention the past few months.

With a sigh, she rounded a corner and started up the street toward Mrs. Meriwether’s small home located on the rise along the western side of town. A lone fox stood in the middle of the road ahead, and at the sight of Clementine, it darted off between the clusters of lodgepole pines that filled the hillside between the residences.

“Clementine!” came a call from behind her on Main Street.

She halted and turned to see Grady jogging toward her, his Stetson pulled low and his long coat open, revealing his usual denims and flannel shirt—and a pair of revolvers on his hips.

“Wait up,” he said.

She hadn’t seen him yet that morning, which wasn’t unusual since he was always up before dawn and at work in the livery, tending to the horses. Although he had hired a couple of local men to help him, he still liked to have a hand in the daily chores—at least, that’s what Mr. Worth claimed.

She could admit she was grateful Grady had been with her last night when she’d found the rose on the step as well as the roses on her bed. She’d appreciated his support and his levelheadedness. And he’d hugged her...

That had been totally unexpected. But surprisingly, it had been nice. She’d been so overwhelmed and scared and unsure what to do, but when he’d wrapped his arms around her and held her, she’d suddenly felt safe and calm and not so alone.

Of course, he’d taken charge in typical Grady fashion, bossing her around and then throwing the roses out the door and yelling into the darkness. “Take your blasted flowers and throw them into the toilet.”

She couldn’t hold back a smile at the memory of his words.

He wasn’t smiling, though, as he drew nearer. In fact, his forehead beneath his Stetson was furrowed into a deep scowl, and his brown eyes radiated with familiar angst. “Dad told me you left by yourself.” The words were accusatory.

Her smile shriveled up. “Is that a crime now?”

His jaw remained rigid. Freshly shaved, it was smooth with just the hint of a shadow. “It is until we find out who’s watching you fix your hair and sending you weird notes and fake flowers.”

“And as I told your dad, I can’t stop living my life.”

“You can stop making every fellow think you like him.”

She’d already come to the same conclusion, but she wasn’t about to say so to Grady—not with how arrogant his attitude was at the moment. “Thank you for your concern, Grady, but I can handle this myself now.” She lifted her chin and started walking up the hill again. She only made it two steps before his fingers closed about her arm, drawing her to a halt.

“Clementine, stop.” His tone was exasperated.

She jerked against him.

“I need to tell you about John—”

“C-l-ementine?” came a timid call from up the hill.

Next to the yellow boxlike one-story home that belonged to Widow Meriwether, her son Elbert stood in the side yard with a rake in hand and a pile of leaves at his feet. He wore a bowler over his bald head, but his ears and nose were red with the cold.

She guessed his age to be somewhere in his mid-twenties, although with his nearly bald head and well-rounded stomach, he looked older. He hadn’t gotten married yet and still lived with his mother. He was sweet, but he was also incredibly shy and could hardly get words out past his stutter.

The only work Elbert was able to do with any measure of success was landscaping. He did a little here and there for businesses or homes in the summer months and offered shoveling services during the winter.

The widow had taken in mending since her husband’s passing several years ago. Somehow she earned enough combined with Elbert’s meager income to provide for the two of them, but the dear woman never had any extra, and Clementine loved delivering candy that was getting too old to sell. She always added in some of her newest creations, and last week, she’d even brought Elbert a box of his favorite candy—sugared almonds.

Now, as Elbert watched her struggle with Grady, his eyes were wide and filled with concern.

She offered him a smile. “Don’t mind Grady. He’s on his way back to the livery. Aren’t you, Grady?”

“No, actually, I’m not.”

“Of course you are.” She tugged her arm to free it, but Grady didn’t budge. She forced herself to keep on smiling even as she sent daggers into Grady. “You’re a busy man, and I’m sure you have plenty of busy things to do.”

“Finish up. I’ll wait.”

“I loathe you.”

“You love me?”

“Loathe. There’s a big difference between loathing and loving. Maybe you should learn it.”

“Since you love me so much, you won’t mind me waiting.”

A prickle formed on the back of her neck, and she glanced around to the few houses that lined the street. Was that same someone watching her again? Maybe it was for the best if Grady was with her this morning, just until she could determine more about what was going on—especially if the news he had about John was serious.

“Fine. But I refuse to hurry.” She lifted her shoulders, and this time he released her, and she resumed her trek toward the house.

Grady followed on her heels but stopped when he reached the front gate and the stone path that led to the house.

The middle-aged widow was already opening the door and greeting Clementine. She was thin with wispy, pale hair, and her shoulders were slightly hunched, likely from all the time she spent bent over her mending. Even if life had been difficult for Mrs. Meriwether over recent years, she was a genuinely caring person, never failing to ask Clementine about her life and family and how she was doing.

As with every week, Elbert left his yard work to help unload the goodies from her basket and carry them inside. When he’d finished, she looped the basket over her arm again with the remaining items for Mrs. Raleigh and her children. Clementine chatted for several more minutes before saying her goodbyes and crossing the yard toward Grady outside the gate.

With the brim of his hat pulled low, he was peering at the town below, his jaw flexing, making the lines of his face harder and more forbidding.

“You’re welcome to come to dinner next week too, Grady,” Mrs. Meriwether called from the stoop where she stood, her shawl gathered over her bony shoulders.

Grady shifted his attention to the widow, his brows rising with the questions he didn’t ask.

“Your father is coming on Wednesday night.” A flush began to color the widow’s cheeks.

“Is he now?”

“He paid me a visit last night,” she said simply, as if that explained everything.

Grady nodded. Apparently, the widow’s answer was enough for him.

But Clementine could only stare at Mrs. Meriwether with an open mouth. What was happening? Why had Mr. Worth visited the widow, and why was she inviting him to dinner? They weren’t considering courting each other, were they?

Grady gave a pointed look at Clementine’s gaping mouth.

She snapped it closed.

“Just think about it,” Mrs. Meriwether called. “I’d love to get to know you better too.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Grady nodded politely. “But I’ll have to pass this time since I play hockey most evenings. But maybe another time.”

“Sure, Grady.” She smiled warmly, clearly not taking offense at his refusal. “Definitely some other time, then.”

Clementine was speechless as she walked beside Grady away from the Meriwethers’. Of course, Mr. Worth could get remarried. Plenty of middle-aged people did. But she’d never pictured him as the marry-again type, never thought he’d want another woman, especially after how devoted he’d been to Mrs. Worth. Quiet and introspective, Mrs. Worth had been a ravishing, dark-haired beauty, and it had always been clear that Mr. Worth adored her.

But it had been three years since she’d succumbed to lingering pneumonia. During all of that time, Mr. Worth hadn’t once shown interest in any other woman—not even in the few single women who came into the store and flirted with him from time to time.

“So, your dad,” she started.

Grady snorted. “Two minutes.”

“Two minutes what?”

“You could only hold back your curiosity for two minutes.”

“I’m a curious person. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

He tipped up the brim of his hat, letting the morning sunshine touch his face. It highlighted the mirth in his eyes.

At least Grady wasn’t upset about his dad’s courtship efforts. Knowing how much Grady had adored his mom, Clementine had expected him to object to his dad’s showing affection to anyone else.

“So you don’t mind that your dad is visiting the widow?”

“No. Should I?”

“I guess not. It’s just that he’s never seemed interested in getting remarried before.”

“We had a talk about it.”

“You did?”

Grady shrugged. “He thinks it’s time for both of us to find wives.”

Clementine jabbed a finger into his arm. “Ah-ha! That’s why you walked Willa home and agreed to go to the dance with her.”

He shrugged out of her jab. “Maybe.”

“It is.”

Grady halted and eyed the intersection of Main Street warily. “Do you want to hear about John or not?”

A strange, unsettled feeling weighed upon her chest. She wasn’t exactly sure why except that the news that both Mr. Worth and Grady were looking for wives was unexpected. Yet she’d known that Grady would get married someday. He was too good-looking to stay single forever. He would have been snatched up by some young woman already if he hadn’t been so standoffish.

Would Willa be the one to finally push through his reserve and earn his love?

Clementine would be happy for her friend if that happened. She really would. Even if she and Grady hadn’t seen eye to eye on many things over recent years, she couldn’t deny he was still a good man with a good heart. And once he set his mind to having a relationship with a woman, he’d work hard at it, because that was just the way Grady was—determined and dedicated.

Grady quirked a brow at her, clearly waiting for her to respond to something he’d said.

She had to shake off this strange feeling. “What did you ask?”

“I came to tell you what I learned about John.”

“I hope it’s all good. Because he’s a very nice fellow—handsome, witty, fun—”

“I don’t want you talking to him again.” Grady’s tone turned demanding.

She’d gotten exactly the reaction from Grady she’d hoped for—although she wasn’t sure why she was baiting him. And she couldn’t keep from more. “Maybe I want to court him.”

Grady made a frustrated noise that sounded half huff and half growl. Either way, she liked it. And when Grady spun and grabbed her arm, she liked that too—more than she wanted him to know.

“I followed John and his friends up to their mine this morning.” Grady’s eyes were serious and intense. “And I cornered John and made him tell me everything.”

She could only imagine John’s fright at having a brawny man like Grady come after him again. No doubt Grady had roughed him up, threatened him, and then tossed him aside when he was done getting the information he wanted.

“So he admitted to being my secret admirer?”

“Not exactly. But he did admit to watching you through the front window of the store on a couple of occasions.”

Not that she made a practice of brushing her hair at the store. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever having done so. But it was possible she’d combed her fingers through loose strands. “What did he say about the roses and notes?”

“He denied any knowledge of them. But I got the feeling he was dishonest.”

“About what?”

“One of his friends finally admitted that John has a fiancée back home.” Grady watched her face, as though waiting for her reaction.

What was he expecting to see? Sadness? Despair? Humiliation? Whatever it was, she refused to give him a show. She shrugged and started forward. “That’s fine with me. I didn’t like him all that well anyway.”

“I thought he was a very nice fellow and that you wanted to court him.” Grady fell into step beside her. Was his tone condescending?

She picked up her pace. “Go away, Grady. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

He kept stride beside her. “I don’t want you spending any more time with him or any of his friends.”

“Fine. I won’t.”

“Good.”

“Now go to work and let me finish my errands.” She lifted her chin and forced her feet to move even faster.

He halted, leaving her to walk along by herself. When she glanced over her shoulder a moment later, he’d crossed the street and was heading in the direction of Vance Hotel. She stumbled but hurriedly caught herself before falling.

Was he going to call on Willa already this morning?

That strange feeling pressed on her chest again. She still didn’t know what it was except that it was uncomfortable. Was it jealousy? Maybe she was jealous of Willa.

Clementine shook her head. She would never begrudge her dear friend finding happiness with a fellow, even if that fellow were Grady.

What Clementine didn’t understand, though, was why Grady disliked her so much but was clearly willing to allow himself to have feelings for other women. What was wrong with her? Why wasn’t she as likeable, even as likeable as her twin Clarabelle?

She’d been left behind in her family as her siblings had all gotten married over the past year. Now she was being left behind with Grady and Mr. Worth, and she didn’t like that at all.

She was tired of being left behind, and she had to figure out a way to do something about it.

Maybe she had to get serious about finding someone to court now too—someone she could actually marry. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t been trying to find the right man. She had been. But clearly she had to try harder.