Chapter 4

The sun-dappled meadow was Honor’s favorite spot on the ranch, her thinking place. Water gurgled in the small creek, and tall trees lined its bank, offering cool shade without completely blocking the sun. She and Papa had often shared noon meals together in this serene corner of the ranch, and she came here by herself to reflect.

Was she ever in need of quiet reflection lately.

She dismounted beside the little brook and shucked her boots and socks. A couple of quick turns of her trouser legs, and she set off along the bank. The lush grass was cool underfoot. She dipped a toe in the tepid water.

Three weeks had passed since she and Ash had married, three weeks since she’d gained possession of Rancho Regalo de Esperanza. Except for that ridiculous kiss in Santa Rosa, Ash had been a perfect gentleman. He’d attempted nothing further, though she sensed he hoped for more than separate bedrooms in the rambling ranch house. She owed the man for helping her keep her beloved ranch, but she wasn’t yet ready to cross that line.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like him. Ash was kind. Good-hearted. The way he’d stepped in to protect her from Nate in the courtroom still warmed her heart. But ranch work was as foreign to him as living a pampered life back East would be to her. At least he’d attempted the tasks she’d asked him to do.

Add to that Ash’s seeming frustration with her favorite choice in clothing—men’s trousers and Papa’s large shirts. She could tell he didn’t approve, though in her estimation, women’s clothing was completely impractical for ranch work. Papa had understood and dressed her accordingly when she was a little girl. If Ash didn’t care for it, he should attempt to ride horseback, herd cattle, or deliver a calf in a dress, petticoats, and corset.

The image of her husband in such a getup brought a giggle to her lips, and it blossomed into a full belly laugh. She kicked the water, the fat drops catching the sunlight as they arced through the air.

Honor sighed. As unknowledgeable as Ash might be about ranch work, they had managed to find a little common ground. They shared a love of books, of which Ash had many. During their first week, he’d seen Papa’s checkerboard in the corner and challenged her to a game. She’d beaten him soundly. Then he’d introduced her to chess. He’d proven himself clear and patient in teaching her the game’s intricacies.

She meandered along the bank, ending up under a big oak. There in the shade, the grass had grown thin, and the chuckling water lapped at the bare earth to create a little eddy that formed a mud puddle. This was why she liked coming here. When she was a child, Papa had promised that sticking her toes in the mud could fix nearly any problem—and back then, it pretty much had. Something about it loosened all her bound-up thoughts, and after a while everything seemed better.

She stepped into the puddle and spread her bare toes. Could it work this time? As the goo squished between them, her chest ached.

Papa. I miss you. The ranch just isn’t the same without you here.

She lifted her father’s shirt to her nose and tried to catch a hint of his scent. It was gone.

Forever.

Ash pushed the wheelbarrow full of soiled straw behind the barn, dumped the contents, and paused to wipe away the sweat beading across his forehead.

He was under no illusions. Honor and her hired men had given him the menial tasks, those requiring the least skill or know-how, like mucking stalls. If he was honest with himself, it was probably a good thing. At least for now.

In the weeks since they’d married, Honor had taken him out riding several times to become familiar with the sizeable ranch. Being unaccustomed to the long hours of riding and physical nature of ranch work, his muscles quickly grew sore. He had not complained, though if he read her correctly, Honor had become impatient, more with his lack of knowledge than his obvious discomfort. She’d tried to hide her aggravation, but it hadn’t escaped his notice.

He rolled the wheelbarrow to the front of the barn and stopped short at the sight of a large gray horse. The saddled mount stood in the middle of the yard, no rider in sight. He left the barrow by the barn door and walked into the yard. “Hello?”

A man stepped away from the front door of the house. Warnings clanged in Ash’s brain.

Nate.

“What do you want?” The words flew out of Ash’s mouth unchecked.

“That’s no way to be neighborly.”

“After the threats you made at the courthouse, I’ve no confidence that you will be neighborly. Please leave.”

Nate stepped down from the porch and shrugged. “Just figured to come by and visit my sister and her new husband, but if you want me to go, I’ll go.”

He crossed to the big gray horse and swung into the saddle then reached back and pulled a burlap sack from one of his saddlebags. “By the way, I brought a gift for the happy couple.” He flung the sack across the distance. It hit the ground with a solid thump, only inches from Ash’s foot. Nate spurred his horse and rode away.

From the mouth of the sack, a triangular head emerged, followed by a long slithering body. A warning rattle sounded. Ash’s heart and breathing seized.

Seconds ticked by. He stayed frozen as the rattlesnake coiled and adjusted, tail rattling. The thin black tongue flicked over and over until the reptile dived for the open space beyond Ash and slithered into the lush grass.

Ash watched it until it was out of sight, then wobbled toward the front porch. With a huff, he sank into the nearby chair, heart racing and limbs trembling. It took a couple of moments before his mind engaged in logical thought once more.

Nate had some nerve. If he’d be so bold as to openly try to harm Ash, what things had he done to Honor, and what might he yet try? Thank goodness, she wasn’t there when the rogue threw that bag at him. Ash wouldn’t be quick to forgive if his half brother-in-law endangered his wife.

The rumble of wagon wheels drew his attention, and Ash looked up to see the Donovans approaching.

Mr. Donovan drew the team to a halt in front of him. “Morning. Thought we’d stop by since we didn’t see you at church today.”

Sunday again, already? Somewhere in the past three weeks, he’d lost track of the days. Ash rubbed at the ache developing behind his eyes. He and Honor had yet to make a church service in the weeks since they’d married, and now they’d have to wait another. He shuffled to his feet, knees still soft like warm butter, and stepped off the porch. “Good morning.”

Mr. Donovan glanced around the ranch yard. “Where’s that bride of yours?”

“She rode off up the hill behind the house about an hour ago.” He waved in the path’s direction. “I stayed behind to work on a few chores.”

“Oh, she probably went to the meadow,” Julia chimed in.

Ash looked at her. “The meadow?”

“She hasn’t taken you to the meadow yet?” The young lady’s brows arched.

Ash shook his head slowly. “I don’t believe so, no.”

“Oh … it’s, well … she’s quite partial to that spot. Stay on that path and you’ll run right into it.”

“Thank you.”

Mrs. Donovan grinned at him. “Has she mentioned that her birthday is Wednesday?”

Her birthday. “No, ma’am.”

“It’s been our tradition to invite Honor and her father, as well as Teagan’s brother Cody and his family, and Reverend Pritchard and family over for dinner on her birthday. We don’t want to impose, but if you’d like, the offer stands.”

“We accept. I look forward to meeting everyone.”

“Believe me, folks are anxious to meet the man who claimed Honor’s heart.”

He hung his head. If only it were true.…

Mr. Donovan set the wagon’s brake and turned to his wife. “I’ll be back in a moment.” The man swung down and motioned for Ash to follow. He was silent until they reached the barn.

“You all right, son? You’re lookin’ a little peaked.”

Better that his bride’s friend didn’t think him weak or ill-equipped for the life he’d chosen with Honor. Ash smiled. “I’m fine, thank you for asking.”

Mr. Donovan turned a wry grin on him. “You want to put all those Eastern pleasantries aside and tell me what’s going on? You look pale as a ghost.” His voice filled with concern.

Ash chuckled. Mr. Donovan might not have the polish of an Easterner, but he was nobody’s fool. “Nate just paid us a call. I asked him to leave, and before he did, he tossed a sack containing a live rattlesnake at my feet. He said it was a wedding gift.”

Mr. Donovan’s expression turned grim. “Didn’t get bit, did you?”

Ash shook his head. “It certainly made my heart pound, though.” He shrugged. “I’m just glad Honor wasn’t here when it happened.”

“Agreed.”

Ash folded his arms and leaned against the wall. “Can I ask you something about Honor?”

“Reckon you can.”

He stared at the barn floor. “I don’t mean to be indelicate, sir, but is there a reason she’s so averse to wearing the types of attire befitting a lady?”

A humorless chuckle spilled from Mr. Donovan’s lips. “There’s something you should understand about your wife, Ashton.”

“Sir, I prefer Ash.”

“Then call me Teagan.” He folded his arms. “Honor’s mama died when she was just a little thing. Three, maybe four. Her papa raised her by himself. When she was just a wee thing, her papa would put her in the saddle in front of him while he was working. As she got older, she’d go to school during the day then rush home to work alongside her papa and the vaqueros until sundown. Every year, Ellie made her two dresses for school and church. The rest of the time, she wore Nate’s hand-me-downs.”

Honor had told him that her father raised her alone, though it hadn’t occurred to him just how immersed in ranch life she’d become as a result.

“You need to understand,” Teagan continued, “she’s been raised in a man’s world, doing a man’s chores. Her father loved her dearly, but he never paid much mind to the fact that she was a young lady. Don’t reckon he knew how to nurture that in her. She may never fit with your high-society friends, but she’s got a good heart, and if you pray and you’re willing to work at it, I’m betting you’ll discover there’s a lady hiding deep inside her, wanting to be found.”