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

you insist on calling Hunter, Mr. Sinclair?" Gretchen demanded.
    Gretchen glanced at Trent and saw the discomfort on his features. He looked like he wanted to be on his way.
    "Gideon. Don't be so foolish," Beatrice said loudly, turning to face her husband. "He's Hunter to all of us. Always has been and always will be," she said with a disapproving scowl. Gideon's lips drew tight into a thin line and he sighed noisily, admitting defeat once again.
    Gretchen looked up at Trent. He was peering down at the two baskets, and he looked like he was trying to figure out the contents. But from his angle atop the horse Gretchen was sure he couldn't make out what lay inside either basket. She placed a protective arm across the basket by her side.
    "I suppose we best be going," Gretchen said quickly. "It's been so nice seeing you Trent. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Send my best wishes to your lovely wife," she said.
    Trent frowned, a hint of surprise at the haste with which he was being dismissed. For that was what Gretchen was doing. She dearly wanted to avoid putting Trent in an awkward position, especially if he was to learn what was in the baskets.
    Trent nodded and touched the front of his hat. "It's been a pleasure seeing you folks again," he said. "You all take care now."
    Gretchen smiled at Trent. "Thank you, Trent."
    And with a tug on the reins and a flurry of dust Trent rode quickly off, heading away along the trail.
    Gretchen glanced at the baskets. She was amazed that they hadn't been disturbed by the temporary halt to their journey. They'd both slept since the arrival at the train station. Gretchen thought that, at the very least, the sound of the stranger's voice and the presence of the horse would have woken one of them.
    Gretchen leaned down and pulled away the blanket and looked at the tiny face of the baby tucked safely inside the basket.
    Still asleep.
    Gretchen looked over toward her mother who similarly leaned into the basket by her side. Beatrice looked up, nodded and smiled.
    "Still asleep," she informed Gretchen.
    "Are we ready to continue?" Gideon asked staring straight ahead.
    Gretchen pulled the basket closer to her and held it firm against her side. "We're ready, papa."
    Gideon flicked the reins and the carriage started to move once more along the trail.
    Gretchen glanced down at the baby's face.
    Her daughter.
    Hunter's beautiful daughter.
    The little pink face looked so serene, so peaceful inside the protection of the layers of blankets. The pink hat was tied with a bow around the neat little chin. The baby's lips were set into a heart-achingly cute pout that never failed to make Gretchen's soul light up with pleasure. Gretchen could hear the soft breathing of her bundle of joy.
    Gretchen glanced across at the other basket and saw that Beatrice was holding the basket close against her side as if her very life depended on it. Inside that basket was yet another bundle of joy.
    Her son.
    Hunter's beautiful son.
    Gretchen looked up and wondered just how long it would take them to get to the ranch. Because she was suddenly very eager to get this whole thing over with. More eager than she'd ever been since giving birth to the children; more anxious than ever to tell the man she had married almost a year before that she was coming back to the ranch.
    And that she was bringing back a truly wonderful surprise.
    Two beautiful twin babies.

CHAPTER THREE

    "This is your last chance to change your mind, Gretchen," Gideon said as he pulled the carriage to a halt under the high wooden gate that marked the entrance to the ranch. The wide wooden board that stretched between the high posts on either side of the trail had letters carved into them. "Ranch HG" it said. She remembered that Hunter had said he was going to rename the ranch after their wedding, but she hadn't realized he'd actually gone and done it.
    HG. Hunter and Gretchen.
    She peered ahead. There was the house. She felt a flurry of nerves in her stomach as she