Page 42 of The Rancher's Wedding

But what if he was there? Suffering, right now, because she didn’t go over to rescue him? He could die, and it would be her fault.

Wait, what number was I on?

It didn’t matter—she was going to go over and check on him.

But just when she made the decision, she heard his voice.

“It’s nothing!” Michael said, walking out of the tall grass and back to the horse. “Just a little gopher snake. I nudged him away so he didn’t spook the cattle.”

Her eyes must have been red because when he got closer, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Estelle nodded her head. “Yes. I was just thinking about the cows again.” She wiped away the tears. Why was it so difficult to tell someone how you felt? Was he this worried about her dying? It seemed impossible.

“Let’s go,” she said.

And they drove the cattle the remainder of the way to town.

***

On the way back, Estelle asked Michael how he managed to run the ranch after his parents died.

“I imagine they were in charge before the fire, weren’t they?” she asked.

“That’s right,” Michael said, “and, to be honest, I didn’t know what I was doing at first. Or, at least, I didn’t think I did. But the fact of the matter is, they’d shown me everything I needed to know. I just had to find the confidence to do it.”

“Do you think, if I had to, I could run the ranch just like you did?”

Michael adjusted his hat to get the sun out of his eyes. “Estelle, you’d be amazed what people can do if they absolutely have to do it. Why, I heard of a fella who was out in the middle of nowhere out here, maybe five miles from anywhere, when he was thrown from his horse. Doctors later said he cracked two ribs.”

Just the idea ofonebroken rib sent phantom pains into Estelle’s chest. “How did he make it back?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you how. He got right back on that horse like it was nothing and he trotted his way into town in unspeakable pain. I talked to him about it and he made it sound like it was nothing. It wasn’t nothing. But you put yourself in a situation like that, where it’s do or die, well… you’d better get busy doin’, ‘cause the alternative don’t sound too appealing.”

Michael looked over at Estelle and gave her a smile that filled her with warmth. “So, you’re asking me if you could run the ranch? Well, you’ve still got a lot to learn—you ain’t even been here a whole season yet—but you’re a smart woman and pretty resourceful. If you really had to? If it was do or die like the man on the horse? Yeah. I’d bet you could run the ranch on your own.”

Estelle blushed. “You’re just saying that.”

“No, ma’am. On my mother’s grave, I believe it with all my heart. You’re a tough’n, Estelle. And you got a mind to match. I expect it won’t be long before you start teaching me the right way to do things around here.”

She didn’t fully believe him, but she had to admit it was nice to hear. And, if she was being honest with herself, she had improved around the ranch. She’d adapted and turned what once felt like a fantasy into a reality. It wasn’t so long ago, she was stuck indoors all the time and her biggest concerns were what dress to wear and what book to read.

Now, her days were full, and she actually felt like she was living life instead of just letting time pass.

She looked at Michael and felt her heart flutter. It wasn’t just him, though she found him even more handsome than the day they’d met—it was what he represented and what he offered her.

She stopped herself. From the way she was thinking, it almost sounded like she was in love.

Don’t confuse yourself, Estelle. You’re in love with the life, not with him.

A few quick breaths to calm herself and get her mind back on track let her focus on the riding.

She did get one more quick glimpse at Michael, with the sun behind him, offering a light silhouette. It looked like the vibrant scene of a painting.

Yes, she thought, this life is what I’m in love with. Not Michael. I can’t love him and, no matter what he thinks, he can’t love me. As long as I hold a secret and, so long as I do, I’m betraying him.

Chapter Sixteen

When Estelle came back into the house, ready to lie down after the long ride, she saw the envelope on the floor. The handwriting was unmistakable. She picked it up and ascended to her room, where she tore it open and sat at her desk.

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