The Reluctant Rancher Read online

  “You are beautiful.” He stopped when he heard her snort of disbelief and took her chin in his hand. He forced her to meet his gaze. “We’re both intelligent adults, Mary. I can’t lie and say you’ve got the figure of a pin-up. But I can tell you I don’t want that type of woman in my bed. I want a woman I can hold on to. You’ve seen pictures of my great-grandmother and my grandmother. Those women had curves in all the right places, Mary. Just like you. I think my great-grandfather and grandpa were two of the happiest men on earth. Because they had women who loved them by their side.”

  “So where do we go from here?”

  He felt as if she was still withholding a part of herself and he couldn’t blame her. He’d hurt her. He knew her insecurities, and his own, couldn’t be wiped away quickly but he hoped they’d find that place of love and happiness – together.

  “We grow old together, Mary Carter. That is, if you’ll have me.” He rushed on before she could respond. “I’ve been a stubborn fool according to Grandfather, so let me set the record straight. I love you and I think you’re the most beautiful woman to ever walk across the face of this earth. I want you by my side forever. I want you to teach me how to love. I want you to be my friend, my wife, my lover, my partner.” His hand caressed her stomach. “The mother of my children.”

  She said nothing as she looked away.

  “Why is it so hard to believe I love you, Mary? You love me don’t you?”

  She nodded her head.

  “I’ve broken more bones than I can count and I’ve got a scar or two as well. Hell, lady, I’m no Tom Cruise in the looks department,” he drawled.

  “That doesn’t matter.” Mary protested just as he knew she would.

  “So why can’t I love you just as you are?”

  “You really love me?”

  “I love you more than life itself.” Luke bent his head to take her mouth. Without words he set about convincing her that she was the love his life, the object of every erotic fantasy he’d ever have, and the very hope for his future.

  * * * * *

  The wedding took place two weeks later at the small church on Main Street. Mark officiated.

  Mary and Jennifer waited in the tiny side room, making last minute adjustments to their wedding finery. Both women looked stunning. Mary had found a white satin dress overlaid with antique lace that suited her frame and figure. Jennifer, as matron of honor, wore a lavender dress that hid those last ten pounds of baby fat.

  A soft knock sounded at the closed door and Joseph’s deep voice came from the other side. “May I come in?”

  “Of course.” Jennifer opened the door and ushered him in. “I think Mary could use another familiar face right now and I need to go let Mark know we’re ready to begin.”

  “You look beautiful,” Joseph said as he took hold of Mary’s cold, trembling hands.

  “Thank you. Thank you for everything.” She fingered the delicate pearls in her ears that he had given her that morning. They’d belonged to his late wife, Emma. “These have made me feel very special, a part of your family.”

  “You are a part of the family. I’m so happy for both of you. I can’t think of two people who belong together as much as you and Luke.”

  She heard the faint sound of music and knew her father waited outside to escort her down the aisle. Despite her protests, Luke had flown her whole family in for the ceremony.

  Joseph kissed her on the cheek. “I hope you have as many happy years as me and my Emma.”

  Mary returned the kiss blinking away the tears that threatened to gather in her eyes. “I hope so, too, Joseph.”

  The older man cleared his throat. “Enough of that. Now come on, your daddy’s waiting and I don’t like the way he’s been looking at Luke. You did say he retired from the army, didn’t you?” He didn't wait for an answer. ”Because I’d hate to see Luke sentenced to Fort Leavenworth for marrying you.”

  Moments later she walked down the aisle. She leaned on her father’s arm for support while concentrating on not stumbling. She trembled so badly even her feet shook. She heard a slight rustling and lifted her eyes. The congregation rose as she passed by, but Mary paid them no mind.

  She focused all her attention on Luke’s tall figure waiting for her at the front of the church and her eyes filled with more tears. He looked so handsome standing there, waiting for her. His broad shoulders filled out the jacket of his black tuxedo to perfection and his face beamed with one of those rare Tanner smiles.

  As she neared, he held out his work-roughed hand, its strength solid and sure. She placed her smaller one in his and felt a serene peace settle within her. She had finally come home. Home to her reluctant rancher.

  EPILOGUE

  A year later, Luke and Mary joined the line at the end of the buffet table located in the community center. Since the flood, the town had declared every Saturday night dance night. The drama had made most realize how precious friends and family really were.

  Luke wrapped his arms around her waist, laughing when he had to bend forward to complete the circle. “You sure are getting big, honey.”

  Mary smacked at his hands and tried to loosen his hold, but he didn’t let go. “Why, you inconsiderate clod. How dare you tell a pregnant lady she’s fat.”

  Luke nuzzled her throat. “I didn’t say you’re getting fat. I said you were getting big.”

  “It’s the same thing.” She relaxed into his strength.

  “No, it’s not.” His eyes narrowed into green slits even as his hands caressed her stomach. He laughed as he felt the baby move beneath his touch.

  Mary watched the delight spread across his rugged features and realized he was right. It wasn’t the same thing. The insecurities that had haunted her were a thing of the past. She felt beautiful. She felt loved.

  As they made their way through the buffet line, Mary insisted all she wanted were the chocolate covered strawberries. She knew Jennifer, at Luke’s insistence, had made extra just for her.

  Once seated, he lifted a chocolate covered morsel to her mouth. She took a bite and remembered that first dance. As she swallowed she gasped.

  Luke pulled the fruit away. “Doesn’t it taste good? I knew I should have had some flown in from the coast but Jennifer insisted these would be fine. But they aren’t ripe enough are they?”

  “They’re fine, Luke. I just think I’m a little over ripe.” Her hands went to her stomach. The last of her words came out between short pants as she tried to control the pain that sliced through her body.

  “Damn it, Mary. Why didn’t you say something?” Not daring to leave her side, he motioned across the room for help.

  Joseph hurried over to them with Sara, his bride of two months in tow. Mark and Jennifer were right behind them. They all talked at once until Logan arrived and took charge with calm professionalism. Placing a hand on Mary’s extended stomach he counted the minutes on his watch as another contraction hit.

  “About ten minutes apart?” He looked at her for confirmation. She nodded her head without speaking.

  “What!” The three men shouted together which drew the other partygoer’s attention. Jennifer just grinned and gave Mary an encouraging smile.

  Luke shook his head in admonishment. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Mary hung her head and avoided the look of censure in her husband’s eyes. “I didn’t want to worry anyone.”

  Luke helped her to her feet. ”You mean to tell me you’ve been in labor for the past several hours and didn’t think I needed to know?” His tone of voice promised they'd discuss this later.

  “Actually, I’ve been in labor at least eight hours,” she said, tossing her hair defiantly.

  “Why, you little minx,” he growled, his expression a mixture of fear and exasperation.

  “I hate to break this up folks,” Logan broke into their teasing banter. “But we do need to get the mother-to-be to the hospital.”

  Once there, nurses whisked Mary away and left Luke pacing the wait
ing room with his grandfather. As they prepared her for delivery, Mary remembered that night not so long ago when she lay alone in the narrow hospital bed, dreading moving away from Fiddler Creek. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Now Luke stood by her side, his love clearly written across his rugged features.

  “She’s ready now, Mr. Tanner.” When they pressed a pair of green surgical scrubs into his hands, he looked as though they’d handed him a snake. “Luke.”

  “I’m here,” he hastened to reassure her.

  Another contraction hit.

  “Breathe, sweetheart, breathe.” His face contorted as if he shared her pain.

  Mary grimaced as the pain eased. “That’s easy for you to say, mister.”

  Luke smoothed the hair from her eyes. “I’d trade places with you in a minute, lady. And you know it.”

  “I know.”

  And she did. No shadows lingered in her eyes. During the last year they had forged a solid, lasting bond she knew would only grow stronger with time. And love. Always love. The love they had for each other and now the love for their baby. He had made her life complete. But before she could tell him that, another nurse walked in.

  “We have to get you to delivery, Mary. Come along, Mr. Tanner, you don’t want to miss the big event.”

  “No, I don’t,” Luke grinned foolishly, his heart in his eyes for the entire world to see. “I’ve missed too much already.”

  One hour and fifteen minutes later, Luke introduced the newest member of his family, Joshua Adam Tanner, to his great-grandfather.