Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) Read Free

What would they find once they got there?
    Gretchen gripped the side of the basket by her side. She reached inside and fixed a loose corner of the blanket back into place.
    She turned as she heard her father's voice boom out above the sound of the rattling wheels. "It's not too late to change your mind, Gretchen. You know that, don't you?"
    "Gretchen's made her mind up, Gideon. And you know what that means," Beatrice said twisting around to address Gideon. "We've talked about this more than enough. The decision has been made. It's what Gretchen wants. And that should be enough for you," she concluded with an emphatic nod.
    Gideon's shoulders tightened visibly, and Gretchen wasn't sure whether it was because he needed to control the reins of the carriage, or because of his usual frustration that he was, once again, having to give in to the firm wishes of his wife and daughter.
    Gretchen called out to her father, while trying to keep her voice down for the sake of what was on the seat by her side. "Papa. You know this is what I want. It's for the best. For all of us."
    Gretchen saw her father's head shake from side to side, just as it had done so often back at their family home in Helena. Every time the conversation had turned to the subject of doing what Gretchen knew to be the right thing, it had always ended up with some kind of family disagreement. It seemed like that would continue for the time being. At least until they made it to the ranch. After that? Well, Gretchen had no idea. And it was with that realization that Gretchen understood just what a risk she was taking.
    The biggest risk of her life.
    How would he respond to her return? Especially like this, bringing such a surprise into his life.
    And then she recalled how she had left him. How she had turned her back on him.
    It had all happened so quickly. So soon after the wedding. The day after their marriage vows had been exchanged. The day after the most wonderful night of her life. Gretchen felt the familiar surge of emotion tighten her throat as she recalled her wedding night. She reached up and loosened the collar of her blue dress.
    He liked blue.
    That was why she had chosen it for today. The color matched the bonnet which was set at just the correct angle on her head. The angle he had told her so many times that he found curiously fetching. She felt the corners of her mouth crease slightly with a smile at that memory. She looked across at her mother and saw that Beatrice was watching her intently with gentle, understanding eyes.
    Gretchen glanced up at her father's wide back and powerful shoulders. He had worn a dark suit in spite of Beatrice's protestations. Gretchen's mother had complained that today was a day of reconciliation, a time to put the past behind them. Black was simply not the appropriate color for such an occasion.
    Glancing across the hillsides, she recalled the many times she had spent together on horseback, enjoying her time in this place, taking in the delights of the Montana landscape. She recalled how proud he had been every time he'd shown her the different parts of his ranch. How he had told her the ranch would belong to her as much as to him, once they were married. And she had shared in his delights, hopeful of their future together in this place, in this beautiful, inspiring land.
    She took in a deep breath. The air was so clean here. Better for the health of everyone than living in a town filled with the odors and physical dangers of modern living. Gretchen glanced down at the basket by her side and laid a steadying hand on it's side. Better for the health of everyone, she thought.
    "There's someone coming up the trail," Gideon called out.
    Gretchen looked ahead and saw a rider on horseback coming toward them. She glanced at her mother and saw that she had turned around in her seat and was trying to see the rider.
    "Looks like he's slowing down," Gideon said starting to pull on the reins. The carriage slowed to a halt and the rider