Page 23 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

“Emmaline’s hair isso long and out of control.” Madeleine’s words reached Jesse as she made her way through the living room area and into the formal dining room. Prior to the woman’s arrival, meals had been taken in the informal dining area just off the kitchen with a view of the patio, pool, and to the hills beyond the stables. She slowed her steps and drew in a long breath and then exhaled. She caught her reflection in the mirror beside the doorway. She had gone through three outfits trying to decide what to wear not so much as an ode to fashion but to fortify herself with a suit of armor. Jesse wished it were just that instead of a pair of cream slacks, and a silk tunic with swirls of blues, golds, and greens on a cream background. Gold studs and a simple gold wristwatch along with gold-colored slip-ons completed the look. She decided to leave her hair loose around her shoulders. Jesse lifted her hand to smooth a strand, and the light caught the large solitaire on her left hand. It winked at her as if to solidify her strength. Fanciful thoughts.

“Good morning, all,” she said with a bright smile and breezed around to hug Emmie’s shoulders as she sat with an unusual, unsmiling face. Then she noted Cole stood from his seat at the head of the table and pulled out the chair next to his…directly across from where Madeleine was seated dressed in a red and black silk caftan that was another fashion statement in the dramatic sense. The long black hair was expertly wound in a coiled knot on top of her head. The makeup was flawless but still looked very cold to match her demeanor.

“Good morning, beautiful. Marcella is bringing your plate. I heard you coming down the stairs and hope you don’t mind but I poured your coffee knowing you prefer it first. I left the sugar and cream to you.” He then bent and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before resuming his seat. He was certainly playing the adoring fiancé to the hilt. Jesse smiled warmly, her thanks for his thoughtfulness. Settling into her seat, she took a sip of her coffee and then looked at the guest.

“I hope you slept well. Is your fiancé here with you? Should we wait for him to join us also?”

“Such a dutiful hostess.” Madeleine smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “No, we do not need to wait. Philippe and his dear friend, Father Hildago, will be arriving later today. I simply could not wait another moment to see my little treasure, Emmaline.”

Jesse smiled and couldn’t help thinking to herself that her lack of sincerity matched the fact she had not hurried to meet her ‘little treasure’ in the last two years. But she simply nodded and hopefully gave a small look of commiseration for the poor mother missing her daughter.

“She is indeed a treasure,” Jesse said, her gaze going to the little girl sitting quietly pretending to eat a breakfast that she seemed to hold no interest in. “Emmie is very smart and a brilliant horsewoman already. I know her teachers think highly of her as do the townspeople. She is very genuine. I am proud to soon be part of her family.”

“Really?” The woman’s tone was chilly at best. But her gaze spoke her true thoughts. Jessie saw it plain enough. The woman had no empathy and even less of a space in her cold heart for anyone but herself. Jesse felt her instincts to protect rise to their highest level.

“Isn’t that sweet of you? Such a protective stepmother to be. Long distance may temper those feelings.”

“Long distance?” That did wake Emmie from her silence. She shot a look at the woman and then at Jesse and finally it homed in on her father. “What does that mean?” the child asked her father.

“Only that…” Madeleine began but was cut short.

“Only that conversation is still ongoing and nothing to worry about. If you are finished, you do have your chores to get to and I believe Uncle Joe will be by later to take you to that auction with him that he promised earlier.”

Emmie hesitated as if she wanted to speak more about the earlier discussion, but she thought better of it and grabbed the escape card her father had handed her. She rose and excused herself from the table, ignoring the woman who offered a cheek for a possible show of affection, or in Jesse’s mind, a show of submission that certainly was not the case. Either way, Jesse was glad that Emmie escaped. She wanted to go with her.

“It’s not the time or place to speak of legal matters in front of Emmie,” Cole spoke after Emmie was out of earshot. “And you know that. As long as you are under this roof or on my land, you will follow that rule.”

“I do hope you see what a tyrant you are thinking of marrying, my dear,” Madeleine commented to Jesse, ignoring Cole. “You should run while you can.”

“Cole is not a tyrant but a caring parent. Adult discussions belong with adults. Most grown-ups know that. And if you will both excuse me, I am going to get fresh air with Emmie.”

She stood, and then walked around Cole’s chair, stopping long enough to drop a swift kiss on his cheek. Something that surprised her and by the silent intake of his breath, it had taken him by surprise also. “See you later, darling.” She left the two antagonists in their respective corners as she departed the house.

If she expected to find Emmie in the barn alone, she was in for a surprise. She was there alright but not alone. And the person standing outside the stall watching in rapt stillness was a surprising sight in and of himself given the fact he was dressed in the long dark robes of a priest, his back to Jesse’s approach, and his whole concentration on the child who stood with the reins of the halter in her hands as if she had just been about to exit the stall door, but he stood in her way. Jesse read her body language, and she didn’t care for the tense rigid set of her small shoulders. Her eyes were wary but intent on what the man was saying in low tones. This had to be Madeleine’s guest, and no sign of the fiancé was evident in a quick perusal of the rest of the stable area. She approached, making her presence known.

“You must be Madeleine’s guest. She’s in the house. I understood that you and her fiancé were arriving later.”

The man slowly turned, and his gaze fell upon her. Jesse could understand what might have alerted Emmie. The eyes were almost black…so much so that she couldn’t discern any light in them. Then a slow smile curved his mouth but never reached his eyes. She caught sight of a scar that ran along his jawline and seemed to be noticeable only when the smile was produced. There was no warmth exuded and that was strange. She had met priests and other religious figures of other denominations in her line of work, but they generally left her with a feeling of welcome at the very least. His voice when he spoke was low and very deep. It also held a tinge of insincerity in the depths. Perhaps she was judging him based on his association with Madeleine?

“Forgive me, my dear, but I couldn’t help the desire to see the magnificent animals I have heard inhabit this ranch, and I found this enchanting creature talking to hers and had to speak with her. I apologize for transgressing the appropriate steps of a guest on your land. May I know whom I have the pleasure of speaking with?” His voice when he spoke was low and very deep. It also held a tinge of insincerity in the depths.

Smooth…too smooth for her liking.She gave a small polite smile in return. “I am Jessica McCord. I am Cole Connors’s fiancée and Emmie’s future stepmother. And you are?”

“Forgive me, I should have known. I believe Madeleine spoke of a fiancée. I am Father Hildago, but both she and Philippe prefer to call me simply Padre. Please do me the honor of doing the same.”

“Emmie and I were just departing for a ride. I’m certain Madeleine can be found in the house, in the dining room is where I left her and Cole. Marcella, the housekeeper will be happy to show you if you would like to make your way to the house. The path is very easy to follow to the main house. I would escort you, but Emmie and I must hurry to meet her uncle. Will you excuse us?”

She stepped to the stall door, and he had to move back a few steps. Emmie took the cue and moved down to the barn’s opening. At least she was away from the unexpected guest.

“I’ll just get my horse saddled and we will be on our way.” She closed the stall door with a loud sliding of the metal bolt. And she hoped the man read her move and waiting gaze correctly.

He did. “Please don’t allow me to keep you both. No worries as I saw the path earlier. I can find my way. I look forward to getting to know you both better during my stay. Have a wonderful ride and blessed day.” He moved past her, and she watched him go, following at a slower pace until she reached Emmie’s side. Her arm slid around the child’s shoulders. Neither spoke until he was out of earshot.

“I don’t like him. And I don’t feel blessed.” Emmie’s words echoed her own in her brain, but she needed to put Emmie at ease.

“Be charitable Emmie. He’s your dad’s guest and your mother’s friend so he must be treated as such unless he proves otherwise.” That was the agent in her trying to also keep a warning in there. Wolves could wear sheep’s clothing just as easily. But Emmie needed to hang on to her childlike beliefs as long as possible. Reality would come along as she grew older and wiser soon enough. “How about that ride?”

Emmie’s smile returned. “Really? Can we?”

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