“Then why are you resigning?”
He stared down at his gloved hands. “Because I have a duty to my father. I’m his only son and heir. He’s getting on in years and his health has been failing. The ranch has been in the family for three generations. What other choice do I have but to take it over?”
“There’s always a choice. Is it what you want?” Her question whispered across the quiet of the forest and wound its way around the thump and creak of the wagon wheels to sink deep into his heart. He’d been asking himself the same question day in and day out since he’d finally agreed to do his father’s bidding.
“No, it isn’t,” he admitted. Not even a little.
“Then don’t do it.”
He let out a short laugh empty of mirth. “Maybe you’d like to explain that to Vernon. Anyway.” He sighed. He couldn’t help but sigh every time he thought about it. “It’s what needs to be done.” It was a road he’d traveled before. Its familiarity didn’t make it any more pleasant the second time around.
“I can’t imagine you not being sheriff.”
He had no answer to that one. Truth was, he couldn’t much imagine it himself. They lapsed into silence once again and kept it until they reached the Circle S Ranch.
Rachel came out of the house to greet them, an apron tied around her waist, accentuating the bump growing beneath it. It filled him with relief to see her glow with such happiness. Hunter set the brake and jumped down from the wagon, coming around to the opposite side to assist Meredith. She set her hands on his shoulders and he lifted her down. Her body glided against his, setting off a riot beneath his skin. Lord have mercy, he wanted to hold her against him and never let her go, but Rachel was already on the doorstep calling their names in greeting. He closed his eyes, savoring the last few seconds of contact before he let her go. Maybe it was his imagination, or wishful thinking, but he was sure she hesitated before turning away.
Rachel pulled Meredith into a warm embrace. “I’m so glad you came.”
It was strange to see Rachel so demonstrative. She’d been like that once upon a time, before her first marriage, but he’d almost forgotten. “Hunter, thank you so much for bringing her.”
He gave her a look, the one that told her he knew exactly what she was up to. Not that he minded. Despite the tentative peace growing between himself and Meredith, he could use all the help he could get mending the broken pieces of their relationship.
The interior of Rachel and Caleb’s house was warm and inviting. It had changed significantly since Caleb had moved in. He had completed the unfinished work Rachel’s first husband had left undone. A plate of fresh-baked cookies sat on the counter and filled the room with the scent of spicy goodness. His stomach growled. The pot of coffee he’d had for breakfast had done nothing to fill his belly.
“Place is looking good, Rachel.”
“Thank you. Caleb’s a fine carpenter, among other things.” Her hand went absently to the growing bump on her belly before she gave him a stern look. “You should visit more often.”
“Would that I could, Mrs. Beckett. Unfortunately, I have a guest staying with me who, if you’ll recall, managed to excuse himself from our jail once before. I’d like to avoid that particular embarrassment again now that he’s returned.” Although, the more he got to know the outlaw, the less inclined he was to see him swinging from the end of a rope. He wondered if that was why McLaren had never mounted a posse to chase after him all those years ago.
“Sit down, you two.” Rachel waved at the long table cutting through the middle of the room as Freedom Jones stepped out of the pantry, her arms loaded down with supplies.
“Oh, as I live and breathe!” She dumped the supplies on the kitchen table and breezed past Hunter and his open arms to gather Meredith into hers. “Miz Rachel told me you was back in town but I said I wouldn’t believe it till I saw with my own eyes.” She stepped back and held a grinning Meredith at arm’s length. “Land sakes, jus’ look at you child! All dressed up in your fine clothes and whatnot. You is just a vision. Just a vision!”
Freedom pulled her in for another hug. Hunter knew Meredith had never erected the boundaries many in town had simply because Freedom’s ebony skin was a different shade than hers. Like anyone close to Rachel, himself included, Freedom was part of the family. He guessed Meredith more than most knew what it was like to be set apart by something you had no choice or control over. “It’s good to be home again, Freedom.”
“Awful pity about your pa. I was right sorry to hear the news. But the sheriff here made sure your papa got hisself a proper burial. Nice ceremony, too. We’s all made sure to go.”