Aaron's Montana Bride Part 9

Zack and Joshua both frowned.

"Eva thought she was going to inherit the ranch after her father pa.s.sed. She just a.s.sumed it would all be clear and simple. But it wasn't," Aaron said.

"How so?" Joshua asked.

"Her father made it a condition of the will that Eva get married, if she was to get her hands on the ranch."

Zack smiled suddenly and let out a laugh. "And you're the lucky fellow he picked?"

Aaron's brows furrowed and he shook his head firmly. "No. Not me. Jude Arabin is the man he picked."

"What! That fool? You've got to be joking," Joshua e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.

Aaron looked at his friend. "I'm not joking. Eva has to marry Jude Arabin if she wants the ranch. And you know she ain't gonna give up the ranch," Aaron said evenly.

Zack shook his head. "I don't believe it," he said. "Old man Gillespie would never have done that to Eva. Not in a million years."

"He did," Aaron stated.

There was a long silence.

"I think Jude might have set the fire at the ranch," Aaron declared evenly.

The expression on Zack and Joshua's faces was of shared incredulity.

"Why in h.e.l.l would Jude do a thing like that. Especially if he thought he'd just about gotten his hands on it, thanks to Eva's father?" Joshua asked.

Aaron rubbed his chin. The feelings of discomfort had intensified tenfold now. Compared to what he'd told them about Eva's problems, what he was about to tell them about his own issues really put things in perspective.

"You see. That's the thing, guys. There's something else I haven't told you," he said.

Joshua and Zack leaned in closer, but neither of them said anything. The pale color of Aaron's face had put paid to that. There was nothing else to do but come straight out with it.

"Eva asked me to marry her," Aaron said.

He looked at the faces of his two friends. There was no reaction at first. Then the two men simply moved their eyes, heads fixed and immobile, peering at each other, as if making sure that they'd heard right.

"Did you just say what I thought you said?" Zack asked.

"Eva asked you to marry her?" Joshua said.

Aaron nodded. Slowly. Wordlessly.

Then Zack and Joshua smiled at each other and let out a deafening harmony of bellowing howls, like a pair of yelling banshees. The sound echoed down into the valley catching the attention of the riders who were busy herding.

Aaron was mortified at the reaction of the two men. "Guys. Keep the noise down," he demanded.

Zack stopped his delighted wailing and stared at Aaron. "Why? That's fantastic news."

"Congratulations, buddy," Joshua said reaching out a hand. "Welcome to the club."

Aaron withheld his hand and shook his head. "That's not everything. I haven't told her I'll marry her, yet," he said.

Jaws dropped and the sound of the wind from down in the valley suddenly seemed unnaturally loud.

"What are you talking about? Eva Gillespie is the most beautiful woman in these parts," Zack said and then looked at Joshua when he realized what he'd just said. "After the lovely Laura McKenzie, of course," he said averting his gaze from Joshua's withering stare.

"Things have been crazy the last couple of days," Aaron explained. "I haven't had a chance to give her my answer. The doc told me she needed to rest. No excitement. I figured I might give her the answer real soon," Aaron said.

"Real soon? How soon is that?" Zack demanded.

"When the time is right. But there's one thing I need done. And fast," Aaron said. "I need to find out if that will's true. Something about it just doesn't feel right. Gabriel would never have chosen Jude as a husband."

"Which lawyer drew it up?" Zack asked.

"Dunn," Aaron said simply.

Zack scowled. "That critter? You've got to be joking."

"Why?"

"I've been hearing things about him in town," Zack explained.

"What kinds of things," Aaron asked.

Zack shook his head. "Bad things."

"But he was Gillespie's lawyer. He must be okay," Aaron said.

"Not necessarily," Joshua said. "I've heard some bad stuff about him too."

Then he recalled that Eva had mentioned that Gabriel had changed his lawyer only a few months before, after the lawyer who'd looked after their affairs for years had moved to Billings.

"How can we find out if there's something wrong with that will?" Joshua asked Aaron.

Zack frowned. "I know where John McRae went. He's practicing in Billings. Wanted more town business. Decided to leave the ranching law behind. I can contact him. Find out if he knows anything."

"It's a long shot," Aaron said.

"Look. If it's the difference between you marrying Eva or her getting stuck with a lowlife for the rest of her days, then long shots will do me fine," Zack said.

Aaron felt a wave of relief power into his body. It was almost too much to hope that there was something underhand about the will. But, if there was anyone who could find out for him, while Aaron was concentrating all his energy on making Eva better, then there was no-one better than Zack. His friend was like a determined hound who, once he got the scent of something, wouldn't let go until he'd gotten things sorted out.

Zack leaned in close and a broad smile stretched across his face. "So? You and Eva? Is it going to be yes?"

Aaron frowned at his friend and glanced over at Joshua who had a similar expectant expression on his face. They were both waiting for his answer, but it wouldn't be fair to tell them before telling Eva. Let them guess. Keep them on tenterhooks.

"You just get me that lawyer," he said to Zack. "Then we'll see what's going to happen."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

She had to get better! Eva stood at the window of her bedroom. She'd forced herself out of the bed, made her way to the table, and stood steadying herself with one hand, looking out at the view of Aaron's ranch.

It was a beautiful sunny day and she wanted to get out of the bedroom, needed to breath in the fresh air, had to move her weakened and unsteady limbs so that she could start to feel alive again. There was so much to do, so many questions that needed answering. She'd never get those answers while she was cooped up in the bedroom. She knew that Aaron and the two lovely housekeepers only wanted the best for her. They had kept her in the room on the orders of the doctor. But, Lou had seen her the day before, and had p.r.o.nounced her much improved. Which Eva had taken to mean completely recovered, an a.s.sessment not shared by anyone else in the house. But that didn't matter to Eva so much as the need to get an answer from Aaron and get back to the ranch as soon as possible.

Eva felt her legs weaken underneath her and she gripped the wooden table, gazing out at the scene below. In the corral two ranch hands were busy dealing with an ornery horse that just wouldn't budge. Eva smiled watching the two men trying to use everything they knew in order to persuade the horse to behave itself. She knew they'd be at it for quite a while. That was what she loved about ranch life. The chance to tame the wild, make something that had meaning out of the dangerous and fierce landscape. It was a challenge that you couldn't encounter in the soft, pampered living of town life. That kind of life would never be for her. She would never give up the joy and excitement of ranch life. Even if it meant marrying someone like Jude. She shuddered at the thought of that. If that was what it would take, then she'd have to do it.

She looked down and saw Aaron make his way out of the stable and across toward the house. He looked so tall and handsome in his blue s.h.i.+rt and matching jeans. His stride was purposeful, his gaze held low. He looked thoughtful and she could see the furrowing of his brows. Eva wondered what he was thinking, whether he was thinking about her.

Eva stepped back from the window lest he see her standing there. If he did, she knew he'd be furious at her for getting up out of bed. But Eva knew that she was strong enough to be getting up and about, even if she might not be fit for going back to the Gillespie ranch to survey the wreckage she knew she'd find there.

Eva had the sudden thought that maybe Aaron was coming up to see her. She turned and was suddenly aware that her bedgown wasn't something Aaron should see her in. She went to the wardrobe and opened the doors. Inside she saw a selection of gowns. Eva sighed. All of the outfits looked way too big, and all of them looked like they belonged to Mrs. Lang, Aaron's housekeeper. To say that Eva didn't share the housekeeper's substantial stature was an understatement. If she tried to wear any of those outfits, Eva knew she'd looked like she was wearing some kind of expertly sowed tent. That was unkind, by true, she realized with a frown.

Eva looked down at the bedgown she was was wearing. She pulled at the sides, shocked at how large it made her look. It was a plain, white calico gown and certainly not something she could be seen out in out of bed.

Eva let out an exasperated groan. How was she going to get out of this room?

She heard some footsteps coming down the hall. Before she had a chance to make it back to the bed, there was a gentle knock at the door.

"Eva. Is it okay for me to come in?"

It was Aaron. Eva felt a panicked tumbling in her middle and she started back toward the bed. "Just a minute," she said.

Just as she was about to crawl back under the bedsheets she paused. No. She wouldn't do that. She wanted Aaron to see just how much she had improved these past two days. She'd take a stand on this one.

Glancing into the mirror she composed herself, fixing her hair and tying up the top b.u.t.ton of her bedgown. Eva knew she didn't look her best. She even doubted that was she was doing was seemly or appropriate. But she knew that Aaron could be trusted. He'd shown that so many times in the way he'd tended to her every need with such care and attention. Satisfied that she looked vaguely acceptable but still struggling to control the tumbling sensations inside her, she called out to Aaron.

"Come in, Aaron," she said.

The door opened slowly. Aaron peered in from the hall. His eyes widened when he saw Eva standing by the side of the bed, dressed only in her nightgown. He immediately drew back and lowered his gaze. Eva smiled when she saw the change in the color of his face.

"Pardon me, Eva. I didn't realize you weren't decent yet," he said stepping back from the door.

Eva reached out a hand. "It's alright, Aaron. You can come in," she said.

Aaron's eyes lifted. They were fixed on Eva's face, locked in a determined gaze that refused to look at any part of Eva below the neck. It looked like he was having real trouble keeping his attention on her face.

"You sure you should be out of bed?" he asked.

Eva nodded. "I feel fine today," she responded. "I didn't mean to embarra.s.s you, looking like this," she explained.

Aaron ran a hand across the back of his neck. "I'm not embarra.s.sed at all, Eva. Although I don't know what a pair of friendly housekeepers might have to say about it," he said with a smile.

Aaron hesitated and looked back into the hallway. Eva presumed he must be checking to make sure Mrs. Lang wasn't around.

"There aren't many clothes that fit me in the wardrobe," she explained gesturing toward the open doors.

Aaron nodded. "It's funny you should mention that," he said with a knowing grin. "I took it upon myself to do a little bit of shopping."

Eva's face scrunched up into an expression of puzzled surprise. "You? Shopping?"

Aaron nodded. "I do know how to buy things, Eva," he said with a quirk of his brow.

"I'm sure you do," Eva admitted, still trying to figure him out.

Aaron bent over and for a moment all she could see was the length of his long legs and his hips. Eva turned quickly away, suddenly aware that the color of her face might betray her thoughts.

When Aaron twisted and stood upright again, Eva's hand went involuntarily to her neck, and she let out an uncontrollable gasp.

Aaron stepped into the room holding a pile of boxes in his arms. There were so many of them that his head had disappeared behind them. He peeked around the side of the boxes and looked at Eva. A smile of satisfaction had spread over his features at seeing her reaction.

"Where do you want me to put these?" he asked.

"What are they?" she answered.

A mischievous dimple appeared at the corner of Aaron's mouth. "They're for you, of course," he stated.

"Me?" Eva said.

For a moment Aaron s.h.i.+fted, and it looked like the boxes were about to tumble. "Tell you what. I'll put them on the table next to the window," he said.

"I asked Mrs. Bell about your size and the kinds of things you like," he said placing the boxes on the table.

"Are you telling me you went to buy clothes for me?" she asked.

Aaron turned and let out a relieved sigh. "Sure I did. I figured you and Mrs. Lang might not share the same dress size," he explained. His eyes flicked up and down briefly. "I can see I was right," he said with a cheeky grin.

Eva placed a hand over her middle and felt that the room had suddenly become very small and very quiet.

Aaron gestured with an open hand toward the boxes. "Go on. Tell me what you think," he said. Aaron looked at Eva looking pleased and expectant.

Eva hesitated and glanced at Aaron. She could tell he was enjoying every moment. She could hardly believe he'd gone all the way into Great Falls to buy her clothes. By the size of the boxes she could tell they were probably substantial outfits. She recognized the labels on the outside of the boxes. He'd gone to the main outfitter in town, one that she'd used a few times herself over the past few years.

"Couldn't Mrs. Bell have just brought my things over from the ranch?" Eva asked.

Aaron shook his head. "She went over there yesterday. Said a lot of your things were smoke damaged. Even the things that can be salvaged need cleaning. I figure it was time you had some new outfits," he said.

"You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble," Eva said stepping over to the boxes.

Aaron looked down at Eva, but he didn't reach over and touch her. She figured he knew that her still being in her nightgown, that kind of action would definitely be off limits for now. But, now that she was so close to him, she could smell the freshness of the outdoors from him. It was the scent of the freedom that being outside afforded. One that she liked. Maybe, once she'd tried on the outfits, she could go outside with Aaron. Perhaps they could even talk. That thought prompted Eva to take the first box and lift off the lid.

Eva's lower lip dropped as she peered into the box. It was beautiful. A powder blue gown with delicate white ruffles was folded neatly inside the box. Eva lifted it up and, holding it by the shoulders, let it unfurl in front of her.