A Governess for the Grieving Rancher (Preview)

Chapter One

If dinner didn’t end soon, Evelyn Montgomery was sure to scream. Or perhaps she would find a way to pretend she was sick. Anything to flee the room and put an end to this horrible party.

It feels more like a funeral.

A funeral for my freedom.

Evelyn forced a pretty smile on her face, trying to exude warmth even though she wished to shrink back in her seat under the weight of Victor Blackwell’s intense gaze.

There was something about the way he watched her with those dark and calculating eyes. It was as if he stared at a possession to be claimed and not another person.

If there was anything worse than being forced to sit at the dinner table, it was her impending nuptials to a man who had the personality of a soggy loaf of bread. “How’s the town?” Victor asked, his gaze finally dropping from Evelyn and turning to her father.

She breathed a sigh of relief as Victor and his parents engaged with her father in a discussion about Dallas and the changes to the city that would be coming in the following weeks.

Her mother, Mina, leaned close to her. “Darling, there’s sadness in your eyes.”

Because I do not wish to marry a man who sees me only as a possession.

Because you can hear the tone of his voice the same as I do. You can hear that Victor is a controlling man, too.

Instead of saying her thoughts aloud, she gripped her fork a little tighter and grabbed her knife, slicing off a piece of her beef. “I’m well, Mama.”

Mama gave a soft sigh. “You aren’t. You’re cutting that roast as if you can saw your way through all the problems of life. What’s troubling you?”

“Nothing.”

Everything.

Mama took Evelyn’s hand and squeezed it tight. “If you’re worried about the wedding, then there is little reason. Victor loves you, and he’s a good man. Your father trusts him to be able to provide for you in the way that we always have.”

“How can Victor love me when he hardly knows me?” Evelyn kept her voice low, but it was a struggle. She wanted to make the proclamation to the entire table.

She wished that she could force them to see her for the person she was instead of the one they seemed to want her to be. Though she followed through with most of the obligations her family set before her, the weight of this one was too much to bear.

“Mama, please. You can see it clear as day. He doesn’t love me. He loves the idea of me, and perhaps not even that. I believe it’s more of a matter of he loves what I could be if he beats down my spirit enough.”

Mama looked between Evelyn and the others around the table. “Please, excuse her. I don’t believe that she’s feeling well.”

Her father, David, glared at Evelyn for a brief second before his best trying to charm everyone in the room smile appeared. “Just have a couple of sips of your water, dear. I find that it always settles my stomach.”

“Perhaps I may take some air.” Evelyn pushed back from the table before anyone could stop her.

She grabbed her jacket and pulled it on, fastening the buttons, and stepping out in the cool night. The chilly air did little to help the heat in her cheeks, caused by equal parts mortification and frustration.

Her parents were archaic, trying to make the best match for her regardless of the temperament of the man.

Though they tried, she didn’t have to tolerate it. If she wanted to grow old and have a couple of dogs to keep her company, then that would be her choice.

If only the craving she had for true love and independence would settle.

She paced out into the street, her arms wrapping around her torso as if she could hold herself together while she walked down the sidewalk. The more she thought about it, the more she knew that she couldn’t return home to settle into an arranged marriage. She couldn’t be the link between the two families.

The last thing she would be was a pawn in their game.

But what will I be?

Where do I go?

She sucked in a breath and stopped in front of the little mercantile, looking at the stack of newspapers out front, thinking of the letter hidden inside her mattress at home.

Margaret stepped out of the shop with a smile and a little custard bun. “Ma made some of these for dessert tonight. Thought you could use one.”

Evelyn smiled and took it, biting into the fluffy dessert. “Thank you. I needed this. I don’t think I’m going to go back there and finish that horrid dinner. It’s been nothing but small talk and pleasantries, and Victor keeps staring at me like I’m the prized pig at the livestock show.”

“Little skinny to be one,” Margaret said, giving Evelyn’s cheek a fond pinch. “What will you do? Your parents want you to marry him, and I know when Billy came calling after you the other week, your father sent him away and told him you were already engaged.”

Evelyn sighed and finished her bun. “Of course he did. I don’t know why he bothers. I already told him that I didn’t with to get married or court anyone in town.”

“Then what are you going to do?” Margaret pulled her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders.

“This.” Evelyn reached into a pocket, pulling out the newspaper clipping. Her pocket was the only safe place to keep it. Her mother had a love of going through Evelyn’s belongings and her journals whenever Evelyn went out. It was only by some miracle that Mama hadn’t found Evelyn’s money hidden within her mattress.

Margaret took the clipping, her gaze skimming over it, her jaw falling open. She glanced up at Evelyn. “You can’t possibly be serious about this, can you?”

“Being a governess for a widowed rancher is the only way I’m going to get out of this town.”

“But I’ll miss you if you go.”

“I know, but I have to.” Evelyn took the clipping back and put it in her pocket. “I’m going to leave tonight. I was trying to make it through supper first, but that man is just so horrid.”

“He’s been telling anyone who will listen that he’s got ideas about how to turn you into a proper woman. My brother said so. He played cards with Victor last week.”

Evelyn resisted the urge to gag. “I’ll write to you as soon as I get there.”

“You better.” Margaret pulled her into a tight hug. “I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you here in Dallas with me, but if this is what you feel you must do, then I won’t be the one to hold you back.”

“Thank you.” Evelyn sniffled and held onto her friend a little tighter.

“I’ll promise to tell them I don’t know anything.” Margaret’s eyes shone with tears. “But please tell me that you’re going to be careful. Being a woman traveling on your own and settling in a new town isn’t safe. Promise me that you’re going to be smart.”

“I promise.”

Margaret bit the inside of her cheek. “Are you sure you want to do this? Working for a rancher is going to be different than life in the city. Think of the cattle and the pigs.”

“I don’t know, I kind of think I might like it.”

“I have no doubt that you’d be able to make the most of it, but you don’t know the first thing about working with animals, or being a governess for that matter.”

“Had enough of them.” Evelyn gave her a smile even though her friend was pointing out all the flaws in her plan that she had already thought of. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I know that going has to be better than staying.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Margaret bit her bottom lip. “I’m worried about you, but I’m going to trust that even though you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to be okay.”

Evelyn laughed and hugged her again. “I’ll be okay.”

“You will. You’re stubborn. Life is just going to be different.”

Which was exactly what she needed.

She said her goodbyes to Margaret, staying for longer than she should’ve. When she returned to her house, stepping inside and slipping out of her jacket, Victor appeared in the hall.

His gaze raked up and down her, his upper lip curling. “I hope you don’t think you’re going to be able to do this when we’re married.”

Evelyn gave him a tight smile. I just need to be civil to him for a couple more hours, and then I can leave. “Do what?”

“What you like, when you like.” He strode closer to her, his hands in his pockets as if he was relaxed, but there was a look in his eyes she didn’t like.

A darkness that shouldn’t be there.

She brushed by him, stopping when his hand clasped around her upper arm.

“Let go of me,” she hissed, trying to pull her arm free.

He held it a little tighter. “You will not be allowed to get away with the same disrespect that you do now.”

“If you don’t let go of me, I will scream.”

The glare he gave her made her entire body tense, and as he slowly released her, she knew she would stick close to her mother for the rest of the night.

She would rather die than marry Victor Blackwell.

And tonight at midnight, she would take her leave.

***

The grandfather clock downstairs struck midnight as Evelyn glanced at the wedding dress hanging over the door of the wardrobe. It had been a surprise from Mama a couple of days ago.

And now, it would be a reminder of the last nail in the coffin. The one thing that finally drove her from the city.

Evelyn grabbed her small satchel, pausing long enough to go to her jewelry box. She opened it up and pulled out the little gold necklace with a tiny rose pendant on it. After slipping the necklace on and tucking the pendant into the front of her dress, she let out a sigh.

For a moment, there was nothing she could do but sit on the edge of her bed, glancing around her room. She stared longingly at the little bottles of perfume and the small compacts of powder on her vanity. Bringing them with her would take up too much space in her satchel.

As it was, there was little room in there to fit her journal, but she couldn’t leave it behind. Not when she was going to be journeying to a new life. She needed a place to gather her thoughts, to write about her new days, so she wouldn’t forget anything while writing letters to Margaret.

The West is a dangerous place, Evelyn. There are robbers there. Murderers.

There are bandits on the road. You should be glad I give you the comforts of the city.

You should be happy to be my daughter. You know what other girls in the West must suffer through? Do you know the jobs they have to do, how hard they have to work?

Do you know of the crimes they commit in the West? It’s a lawless land.

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get rid of her father’s voice playing over and over again in her head. She couldn’t spend time worrying about what he said.

He didn’t know what the land farther west was like. He hadn’t been there himself.

And beyond that, why would she face heinous crimes when she was taking care of a child?

With that in mind, Evelyn rose to her feet. Her hands shook as she reached for the strap of her satchel, slinging it over her shoulder. She took the letter from within the mattress with her travel tickets and the name of the man who would grant her a small modicum of freedom.

Floorboards squeaked beneath her feet as she crept out of her room. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, her gaze cutting through the dark to the closed door at the other end of the hall.

It didn’t open.

She took her time stepping down the stairs, making sure they didn’t creak. As she eased the door open, she nearly turned and backed out of her plan.

But then the horse pulling the carriage started tossing its head, and Evelyn tried to steel her nerves.

She took a deep breath.

It’s now or never.

Chapter Two

Carter glanced at the sun still hanging high in the sky, though there were dark clouds on the horizon, slowly rolling in.

Is it an omen?

A sign that bringing a governess to care for my son is a horrible idea?

That I can do this on my own, even though it feels impossible most days to run a ranch and manage a child at the same time?

Carter sighed and tried to relax as he climbed the steps to the sheriff’s office and pushed open the door.

Sheriff Jameson sipped his afternoon coffee, setting the mug on the corner of his desk and nodding to the chair in front of it.

The routine was the same one they’d held for years. Carter sat down while Jameson poured him a mug of coffee, setting it on the desk in front of Carter.

Jameson dropped down in his chair, taking off his hat. “I swear, there’s been nothing going right this week.”

“Things that bad in town?” Carter grabbed his coffee, swirling it around.

“Nothing too particularly horrible, but several people have claimed grain was stolen from them.”

“And by people, you mean old Mrs. Hayworth?”

Jameson laughed and nodded. “Yes. Bless her heart, but the woman doesn’t know which way is up and which is down anymore. Her family is doing all they can to take care of her, but it’s a Thursday and you know as well as I do that she comes down here every Thursday to report a grain theft.”

“You said several incidents.”

“Well, she’s coming on Tuesdays now, too. Bringing some of her church friends who insist that theirs has been stolen as well.” Jameson gave a playful roll of his eyes. “When we go to investigate, they then say that it’s only Mrs. Hayworth’s that’s missing.”

Carter shook his head and sipped his coffee, wincing at the bitter taste. He never quite grew used to it, but after his wife passed away, he found the drink a necessity for continuing the afternoon and trying to care for his son.

Logan was a handful at only six years old, and there were times when Carter thought he was more wolf pup than boy.

“The governess arrives soon, doesn’t she?” Jameson asked as he leaned back in his chair and kicked his heels up on the desk.

“In a matter of another three hours.” Carter scrubbed a hand over the lower half of his face. “I’m still not certain about her either.”

“You need the help with Logan. The boy needs someone to teach him, and with all the time you spend with the cattle, you don’t have that time.”

“I’m aware.” Carter drummed his fingers on the table. “Don’t know much about the woman beyond the fact that she’s moving to Marfa to take care of Logan, and she’s well-educated. From Dallas.”

“So, a rich girl then.” Jameson chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know what you think you’re going to do with a woman in the house.”

“Probably spend more time out in the barn.” Carter sighed and stared into the empty mug, debating getting another. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for someone to storm their way into my life. If I have to figure out how to knead another loaf of bread, I may scream.”

Jameson laughed. “If it weren’t for the way it sticks to your fingers, it might not be so bad.”

The corner of Carter’s mouth twitched. “It’ll be a relief when there’s another person at home, though I know it will feel odd to have Miss Evelyn there.”

In truth, he knew that she was twenty-two, eleven years his junior, and that she was the daughter of someone with a political standing in Dallas, though she never mentioned who. He knew of her education and that she had a fondness for children, but beyond that, there was still much to be discovered.

“If you tire of taking care of the household, you could become sheriff again. I would gladly step down if it meant a reprieve from Mrs. Hayworth.”

Carter stiffened and shook his head. “No.”

“Sorry.” Jameson swallowed. “I hadn’t thought before speaking. You know Lillian always says that I spend more time with my foot in my mouth than I do without.”

Though Carter tried to force a laugh, not much came out, and he was left feeling worse than he did when he sat down. The reminder of that time in his life felt like rubbing salt into an open wound.

“I should be going. I have a few things to pick up from the mercantile and the chores on the ranch to finish before the train arrives.”

“Before you do, there’s another matter I wanted to bring to your attention, though I know it’s a sore subject.” Jameson grimaced and got up to fill his mug with more coffee. “There are rumors of gangs a few hours’ ride from here. Do you suppose they’ll come this way?”

Carter stood and tucked his hands in his pockets, his stomach giving a sharp twist. “For the sake of the people here, I hope not. Be wary of new people in town. If there are rumors spreading, then listen to them.”

Jameson nodded, looking a little unsure of himself as he looked down at the papers in front of him. He had only been in the sheriff’s position for a little over eighteen months, and there was still much to do to prove himself, but Carter thought Jameson had the makings of a good sheriff one day.

A much better one than I ever was.

Carter nodded to Jameson. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

***

As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he let out a deep breath. It was turning out to be a hotter day than he’d expected, warm spreading beneath the collar of his linen shirt. He stopped hauling a bale of hay long enough to roll up the sleeves of his shirt.

Logan grinned and sat on top of the fence on the other side of the pasture, his warm amber eyes shining bright with mischief. It was the same mischief that used to linger in Amelia’s eyes when she was still alive.

Carter squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, letting it out and trying to ease the pain in his chest that was present whenever he thought of her.

Nearly two and a half years later and the pain, while dulled, still cut him to the bone when he least expected it.

After letting out another breath, he opened his eyes and hauled the bale of hay back up, carrying it into the pasture with the cattle. He took the bale into the center and put it down, watching as the herd grazed in the distance.

As he turned around, Logan caught his eye, dark hair wild and unruly, hanging long and loose.

He’s the spitting image of Amelia.

Swallowing that pain once more, Carter made his way over to his son. One of the horses started wandering its way to the fence as Logan leaned forward, reaching out a hand.

“Logan! What did I tell you about giving the horses sugar cubes?”

With a grin, Logan looked over his shoulder and shrugged.

“He knows,” Carter muttered to himself as he drew closer to the fence.

They had the same conversation at least once a week, and yet it never seemed to imprint itself in Logan’s mind. The boy was determined to do as he pleased.

And I only have Amelia’s free spirit to blame for that.

“Logan!”

Carter took off at a jog as the horse drew closer. Just as Logan was about to stand on the top of the fence and climb onto the horse’s back, Carter grabbed him and hauled him down.

He set Logan on the ground. Carter’s heart slammed into his ribs, and time seemed to slow down around him. He couldn’t lose another member of his family, and yet Logan seemed to be tempting fate by trying to climb onto an unsaddled horse without supervision.

As Carter looked down at Logan, his hands shook. “I’ve told you countless times you’re not to ride the horses unless I’m watching you.”

Logan scuffed his toe in the dirt, but there was still that look of mischief in his eyes. “You’re busy, though.”

“Yes, which means that you will have to wait another day to ride the horses, and you will only do so when I have the time to watch you.”

“You said I could ride this evening!” Logan scowled up at Carter. “You promised.”

“I promised, provided you were on your best behavior. Disobeying my rules certainly isn’t behaving as you should, which means there will be no ride this evening. Now, go get cleaned up. Run a comb through your hair.”

Logan kept his frown in place as he stomped back toward the house, making a show of closing the door behind him.

Carter stared after him for a moment. One day, Logan would learn that everything Carter did or said was out of love. And sometimes fear. But he would ensure that nothing happened to his son.

And that was worth all the tantrums in the world.

Hopefully, having a governess would make life easier, though. She would be able to teach Logan and offer him a good role model. Show him what life could be when you weren’t so lost to the cloud of your own grief that it was hard to focus.

Carter sighed and pulled out his watch, checking the time. He let out a soft curse and hurried toward the house.

They were late for the train.

Chapter Three

Evelyn took a deep breath. I can do this. I just have to put one foot in front of the other.

Except, when she started to step off the train, all she wanted to do was run back to her seat, where it was safe. Where she could continue pretending to be someone she wasn’t, off on a grand adventure.

Perhaps this was a mistake.

She bit the inside of her cheek as she stepped down off the train and looked around the platform at the men and women. Several of them were moving trunks and carrying satchels.

As she clutched the strap of her satchel, she looked around for a man and a young boy. Mr. Hale said he would be waiting for her in the last letter he sent. Though it would be easier to pick him out of a crowd if she knew what he looked like.

Evelyn spun around, clutching her satchel, her heart still racing.

However, people started to filter from the train platform quickly. As the number of men and women dwindled, children running off to play with one another, it became quite clear that Mr. Hale wasn’t there.

In fact, there was nobody there.

Her pulse raced and blood rushed in her ears as she looked around. It would be only a matter of time before it got dark out. Then she would have to find a place to stay. Perhaps there would be a boarding house. She could rent a room for the night, and then in the morning, she could find the sheriff’s office and ask after Mr. Hale.

Or perhaps I was entirely misguided in my choice to leave home.

“Miss Evelyn?”

The voice came from behind her, making her jump. She turned and looked over her shoulder, finding a man with a hat in his hands, his dark hair shining beneath the late afternoon sun, the streaks of silver at his temples complementing the lighter flecks in his blue eyes.

If she thought her heart had been racing before, it took off at an extraordinary pace now.

“Mr. Hale?”

“Carter, please.” He put his hat back on his head, nestling it into place and hiding his face in the shadows once more. “Evelyn, correct?”

“Yes.” She swallowed hard and stepped closer to him, holding out her hand. “Evelyn…Harper.”

He arched an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion in his eyes before it was gone. Can he tell that I’m lying? Will he put me back on the train if he suspects me of it?

Carter shook her hand firmly. “I’m sorry for being late. Logan got into a bit of trouble, and then he locked me out of the house.”

She worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she followed him to a waiting horse hauling a wagon. “Waiting was no worry at all. It’s a nice day.”

Carter held out a hand for her bag, taking it from her and setting it in the back of the wagon. He glanced around, stopping only for a moment before a child with the most unruly head of hair she had ever seen popped out from behind a barrel near the road.

And then he looked at her with mischief shining in his eyes before he turned and took off running up the stairs and onto the platform.

Without thinking, Evelyn turned and rushed after the child as the train let out a low whistle, smoke beginning to billow.

“Come back!” she shouted, weaving through the people who seemed to have appeared from nowhere, hurrying toward the train to board it before it left.

The boy got close to the edge of the platform, and she rushed forward, but the toe of her boot caught on something, her ankle twisting to the side as the boy darted away from the train.

The ground rushing toward her stopped when a pair of strong hands gripped her waist, pulling her upright.

She looked over her shoulder, her gaze connecting with Carter’s as he held onto her. His fingers pressed a little harder on her waist, sending tingles racing along her spine.

For just a moment, there was a flash of something in his eyes, and then he cleared his throat and released her, taking a step back.

The boy appeared at Carter’s elbow, the devilish look in his eyes gone, though the amusement still lingered. “I’m sorry for making you fall, Miss Evelyn.”

“You shouldn’t have run away like that,” she said, her voice soft as she looked down at him. “You could’ve gotten hurt.”

He shrugged and turned on his heel, striding toward the wagon and pulling himself up into the back. Evelyn stared after who she could only assume must be Logan, wondering if that was what each day would look like with him.

Carter nodded to the wagon before striding away, and Evelyn trailed behind him, considering rushing back onto the train and going with him as it pulled out of the station. Perhaps it would be better that way.

But then I’d have to return to being Victor Blackwell’s future wife.

The thought alone was enough to leave a sour taste in her mouth as Carter helped her climb into the wagon. She sat on the bench, arranging her skirt around her neatly, tucking it in so it wouldn’t tug in the wind too much once they were rolling.

Logan popped his head between the seats, his gaze locked on hers. “Did you live on a farm?”

“No.” Evelyn twisted so she could better look at him without straining her neck when she spoke. “Do you?”

He shrugged. “Pa says it’s a ranch. I think it’s a ranch missing a bunch of animals.”

Carter scoffed. “We have cattle. And some horses. And more chickens than you can seem to manage to feed.”

Evelyn laughed and leaned her arm on the back of the bench. “And what do you think a proper ranch ought to have then?”

Logan pursed his lips as if he was thinking about it, but the curve of his mouth and the slight dimple in his cheek made her think that he was simply toying with her.

If he enjoyed testing new people when they came into his life, then she would rise to the challenge.

“I suppose,” he started, drawing out the word, “that a ranch should have more cattle. Dozens of them. And more horses. And goats. Maybe some chickens.”

Carter twisted slightly to eye his son. “We have chickens.”

“We have two hens and an old rooster who crows at dusk.” Logan picked at the dirt beneath his nails before looking up at her. “I think he’s a little strange. He likes to chase me.”

“And you’ve done nothing to warrant this chasing?” Evelyn arched a brow, already suspecting the boy was going to be more of a handful than she had anticipated.

Logan shrugged again, shifting to kneel, leaning over the bench. “Don’t think so. Rooster’s mean.”

Carter scoffed and shook his head, sitting up a little straighter, the reins loose in his hands. “You go near the rooster, and you know he doesn’t like you.”

Smirking, Logan mimicked the scoff back. “The rooster doesn’t like you.”

Evelyn pressed her lips together, trying to smother the laugh that started bubbling inside her.

When Logan’s gaze cut to her again, his eyes narrowing, she knew she was in for more questions. He hummed, steepling his fingers beneath his chin as if he were a man of sixty thinking about a conundrum and not a child of six testing his limits.

“Can you ride a horse?” he asked.

“Yes.” Evelyn glanced around at the trees lining the road, the soft grass blowing in the breeze. Perhaps when she had a day off, she would go riding.

“Girls can’t ride horses as good as boys. Can’t run as fast either.”

Evelyn arched a brow. “Girls can be just as fast as boys.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Fine then.” Evelyn stood and hopped down from the still-moving wagon, landing on the dirt road and kicking up a slight cloud of dust. The wagon rolled to a stop.

Carter looked back at her. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Come now,” she said, motioning to Logan. “If you believe that boys are faster than girls, we’ll race.”

Evelyn got into position to run, waiting for Logan to take his place beside her. She felt Carter’s gaze burning into her back, but it didn’t bother her. Not when she was trying to win over the boy she was going to be taking care of.

“We’ll race to that tree and back. If I win, I don’t want to hear you say that boys are faster than girls ever again, understood?” Evelyn looked over at Logan.

He nodded. “Okay.”

“Three, two, one, go!”

She gave Logan a short head start before she took off after him. Though it was only a jog, she passed him in a moment and continued to jog to the tree and back to the wagon, touching it a few seconds before he did.

Logan scowled before forcing a smile on his face and holding out his hand. “Good race.”

Carter glanced at Evelyn as she shook Logan’s hand. “Would the two of you mind getting back in the wagon so we can continue home?”