Page 63 of Willing to Wed the Rancher
His tan Stetson sat low over his face, shadowing him and keeping her from gauging his expression. He carried a bundle in one arm, as if he had an important delivery.
At least she would be able to say goodbye to him before she left Colorado. She wouldn’t be able to say farewell to Tanner, her other adopted brother, since only the good Lord knew where in the mountains he was on any given day.
Her bag was heavy and cumbersome, and by the time she made it outside and down the stairs of the raised porch, Ryder had already dismounted and was talking with Maverick near the mare barn. Clementine was in the process of leading her horse out of the other barn, saddled and ready to ride into town.
Clarabelle lowered her bag to the ground, hoping Clementine would at least hug her goodbye. As much as she was resolving to put Franz first, she couldn’t fathom parting ways with Clementine if they were still at odds.
Maverick was bending over Ryder’s bundle, peeking carefully. As a wail filled the air, Maverick jumped back and threw up his hands as though he wanted nothing to do with the wailing creature.
Was it a puppy or a kitten?
Clementine, obviously seeing the commotion, veered toward the two men. Even though Clarabelle knew she needed to go straight to the barn and retrieve her mare, she made her way toward Ryder too.
“She doesn’t want him.” Ryder’s voice held a note of panic. His brown eyes were almost frantic, and as he locked in on her approach first, then Clementine’s, he expelled a breath. “Thank the heavens you’re both here. I need your help.”
Clarabelle was close enough to see that Ryder held a wiggling bundle... a red-faced newborn, who was scrunching up his face as though preparing to release another cry.
“Sadie gave birth to the baby yesterday.” Ryder held the child out toward Clarabelle, his expression begging her to take him.
As much as Clarabelle wanted to hold the newborn, she had to go. Every second she delayed meant more of a chance that she’d miss catching the stagecoach.
Clementine shot Clarabelle a look of censure before taking the baby from Ryder and cradling him in her arm. “Aw, he’s adorable, Ryder.”
“Sadie doesn’t want him. She said I had to take him, or she’ll put him in an orphanage.” At the mention of the wordorphanage, Ryder’s tone hardened. He didn’t have fond memories of his time in orphanages, and no doubt he’d do anything to keep his own son from going there.
“Why doesn’t she want to raise the baby?” Maverick was still a couple feet away and watching the baby with wide eyes.
“Who knows with Sadie.” Ryder shook his head, the frustration rolling off him as it usually did whenever he talked about his wife—now his ex-wife since she’d run off with Axe Lyman, the owner of Wild Whiskey Saloon, and had gotten a divorce from Ryder.
The whole ordeal had been difficult. Now Sadie was making things even more challenging. With a new ranch to look after, how would Ryder be able to care for a newborn too?
“I’m planning to hire help.” Ryder took off his hat and jammed his fingers in his hair, a habit he had whenever he was nervous. “But until I can locate someone, I need you girls to take care of the baby.”
Clementine smiled down at the infant. “Of course I’ll help. I’ll do whatever I can.”
Ryder’s expectant gaze swung to Clarabelle.
“I’d like to, I really would—”
“Good. Thank you both. I knew I could count on you.”
The same panic from earlier began to pulse through Clarabelle. She had to say no. Again. Why was this still so hard?
The desperation in Ryder’s eyes was beginning to wane. “I promise, I’ll place an ad today or tomorrow.”
Clementine tucked the blanket around the infant more firmly. “Maybe it would be best if you look for a wife who could be a mother to this fellow. You could put a notice in one of the matrimonial catalogs.”
Ryder arched his brow. “What’s wrong with hiring someone?”
“It costs money you don’t have.” Of course Clementine was as blunt as always.
Clarabelle drew in a breath and willed herself to be equally as fearless. “I can’t help you, Ryder. I’m sorry.”
Ryder had opened his mouth to reply to Clementine, and now it hung open.
Clarabelle didn’t want to cause conflict, hated the idea that she was letting anyone down, wanted to please everyone. But she couldn’t. She had to stay strong. “I’m moving to Germany with Franz and the children.”
Silence fell over the yard except for the grunting half cries of the baby.
