Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) (4 page)

Hunter seemed bewildered. Beyond stunned. He lifted his booted foot and set it upon the edge of the open carriage door. He looked toward Gretchen. "I had no idea," he murmured.

"Of course you didn't," Gretchen said quietly.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Hunter asked.

"We can talk about that later, Hunter," Gretchen reassured him.

He looked at her with puzzlement on his face. "Later?"

Gretchen looked at little Hannah. "I think she needs to be attended to," she said.

Hunter looked confused for a moment. "Attended to? Where?"

"Why, here of course," Gretchen said looking toward the house.

Hunter glanced back at the ranch house. "But, I..." he started to say.

"We met Trent on the way here," Gretchen said.

"Trent? What did he say?" Hunter asked.

"He told us you've been busy."

Hunter frowned. "How?"

"Making the ranch house bigger?" Gretchen teased.

Hunter looked toward the end of the building where the work had been done, work that still had some way to go before being complete.

"Are you trying to tell me something, Gretchen?" he asked.

She loved the sound of her name on his lips. Always had. "Of course I am, Hunter," she answered.

Gretchen heard Gideon sigh impatiently. "Don't you get it, son. Your wife has came back to you. She wants you both and the children to live in this here ramshackle dump," he said bluntly.

"Gideon. I told you to behave yourself," Beatrice said, still rocking little Lewis against her shoulder.

"But it is, Beatrice. Look at it? Is this the kind of place you want our grandchildren to grow up in?" Gideon said.

Gretchen felt her face redden. "This is my decision, papa. You know that I think this is the best for the children," she said defiantly.

Gideon's shoulders slumped. "It was your own fool decision to marry in the first place. I tried to tell you. But you wouldn't believe me," he said.

Gretchen glanced at Hunter and saw the irritation on his features once again. How could he not be annoyed, she asked herself. Her father was being his usual difficult self. There was nothing she could do about that. But there was one thing she was determined to do. And that was, make sure that Hunter knew that she had come back. For good.

But taking one look at Hunter, Gretchen wasn't so sure that her husband was in a similar frame of mind. He looked suddenly so darned unsure. He seemed to have taken some of Gideon's words too much to heart.

"Why didn't you come back sooner?" Hunter asked.

Gretchen sighed and clutched Hannah closer to her. "Maybe I can explain inside," she said.

Hunter stood stock still once again, deliberating. Then suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. He took hold of the side door to the carriage. "We best get inside. Those babies of ours need some tender care. And they aren't going to get it out here in the yard."

Had he said "babies of ours"? Gretchen glanced at her mother and saw a flicker of recognition on her face. She had heard right.

"I'll wait here," Gideon said quickly and firmly. He stiffened in the chair, looking for all the world like he was prepared to sit there all day. Gretchen saw Beatrice shake her head in exasperation.

Hunter reached out and helped Gretchen step down out of the carriage. Standing next to her husband for the first time in almost a year felt so good. So right. Even more so since she was holding one of their babies in her arms. Hunter looked at Gretchen, his eyes still filled with a confusing welter of emotions. Gretchen knew he must be finding the entire situation more than overwhelming. The truth was, she was finding it hard to stay steady on her feet, but the realization that she held her precious daughter in her arms, gave her the strength she so badly needed.

Hunter reached in and gave Beatrice assistance in getting out of the carriage. Mother and daughter stood side by side, each cradling an infant in their arms. Hunter picked up one of the baskets and turned to Gideon. "You sure you don't want to come inside?"

Gideon simply shook his head. Gretchen saw Hunter smile and shake his head. There'd be time for the two men to work out their differences later, she thought.

Hunter turned, holding the baby basket tight, his knuckles white. He nodded toward the front door. "Please. After you," he said. "I'm sure Mrs. Roper is going to be mighty surprised to see you, Gretchen," he said.

There was that feeling again. The sensation that rippled through her as she heard her name slide off his tongue. Would she ever get used to that? There was so much to talk about. So much explaining to do. So many unanswered questions.

But right now, all that mattered was that she was here with Hunter and their children.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hunter held the door open for Gretchen and Beatrice and felt his hand shake as it held the cold metal of the handle.

It couldn't be true! Gretchen was home.

And she had brought two children with her!

Children that Hunter had known nothing about. Twins that had come into the world without their father being even slightly aware of their existence. He simply had no idea how he should be reacting to such a surprise. In fact, he had felt like he could pass out with the shock of it all. But he'd held it all together. Especially since Gideon had been watching him so carefully. He wasn't going to show the slightest weakness while Gideon was around.

Gretchen moved past him, holding little Hannah. Gretchen's eyes met Hunter's as she squeezed past him. He caught the delightful scent of her perfume as she eased through the door and into the hallway of the ranch house. It was like a dream. But it wasn't a dream. Gretchen was here. Hunter had to take a deep breath once again to contain the emotions swirling inside him.

There was a sudden cry of delight and Mrs. Roper barrelled out of the kitchen, extending her arms, her face lit up with the joy of seeing Gretchen.

"My dear. You're home!" the housekeeper exclaimed. "What a delightful surprise."

Hunter saw Gretchen smile. "Mrs. Roper. How nice to see you," she said.

Mrs. Roper's eyes widened as she noticed the two little bundles held in both women's arms. "What's this?" she gasped.

Gretchen turned little Hannah toward Mrs.Roper. "This is Hannah," she said. The little one's eyes lit up at the sight of the rotund, friendly faced housekeeper.

Mrs. Roper screeched with delight and clasped her hands to her face. "Babies!" she cried, glancing toward Beatrice who held little Lewis on display. Like his sister, little Lewis' face had lit up on hearing the overjoyed tones of Mrs. Roper's voice.

"Two babies!" Mrs. Roper ejaculated. "My dear sweet Lord. What little treasures," she screamed, reaching out welcoming arms toward them.

She hesitated and glanced toward Hunter. Her brows lifted questioningly and Hunter smiled at her, because given the circumstances there was simply nothing else he could possibly do but smile.

"But..." she started to say, looking as incredulous as Hunter himself felt.

Hunter interrupted her. "I think these little ones will be better off in the parlor. Don't you agree Mrs. Roper?"

"Of course," she answered waving them all in the direction of the parlor. "Everyone get inside. Don't be standing here in the hall. I'll get some tea brewing. Or do you want coffee?"

"Either would be fine," Gretchen answered. Hunter thought Gretchen looked genuinely pleased to see Mrs. Roper. Given how long they'd both known each other it was no surprise.

Mrs. Roper went to Gretchen and laid a welcoming hand on her elbow. "It's so lovely to see you Miss. Gretchen," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "So good to have you back," she concluded with a glance toward Hunter. Once again there was a query in that look which went unanswered.

They made their way into the parlor.

"You'll have to forgive the mess," Mrs. Roper said picking up cushions and shifting chairs. Hunter smiled at how she was fussing, but he knew his housekeeper would move heaven and earth to make anyone in the house feel at home. Only after she was sure that everyone was fine, did Mrs. Roper head back toward the kitchen.

Gretchen took a seat on the sofa, still clutching Hannah. She glanced up at Hunter. He was still clutching the empty basket. He suddenly knew what she was asking him to do, without having said as much. It was as if he could read her mind. He rapidly laid the basket down by Gretchen's side on the sofa. She smiled up at him and he felt a surge of gratifying pleasure at having at least done something right without having to be asked.

Beatrice took a seat on the chair by the unlit fireplace.

"Do you want me to go and get the other basket?" Hunter asked Beatrice.

With a glance at Lewis's little face, Beatrice shook her head. "I think he's fine for the moment. Please, take a seat," she said gesturing toward Gretchen.

Hunter hesitated and glanced down. Gretchen looked up at Hunter. "Can you give me a hand to put her back in the basket?" she asked.

Hunter felt himself go rigid. "Give you a hand?" he asked quickly.

Gretchen smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes. Could you pull the blanket to one side so I can pop her in there?"

Hunter felt his throat tighten. He glanced at Beatrice who was watching him with intense interest.

"Uh. Of course I can do that, " he said, reaching down.

He drew the blanket away and reached into the basket, pressing the empty space into shape for his daughter to lie upon. He glanced across at Gretchen who nodded in approval, leaning forward and placing the tiny little figure of Hannah inside the basket. As they both worked to ensure that Hannah was comfortably placed inside the basket, Hunter felt his hand touch Gretchen's as they drew the blanket into place. The sensation of their hands meeting while attending to the needs of their daughter filled his entire being with a torrent of confusing emotions.

His mind immediately filled with insistent questions. Could this even be real? What was he supposed to do? How was he expected to react?

Moments before he'd been idling on the porch, thinking about the usual things he'd been running over in his mind for so long. Now he was here with his wife, attending to one of their children in the most intimate and familial manner. It almost made him question his sanity.

Hunter glanced over at Gretchen as she patted the blanket and withdrew her hands. Hunter was almost certain that the momentary touching of their hands had affected Gretchen in a similar manner. Her face had flushed slightly and he guessed she was trying hard to maintain an appearance of calm.

Hunter stood up. "Are you sure Gideon won't want to come inside?" he asked Beatrice.

She looked at Hunter, all the while rocking Lewis gently against her shoulder. "He's a man who has his own ideas. Once he gets something into that skull of his, nothing will change his mind. I'd suggest letting him cool his heels for a while."

"Papa has been so rude to Hunter, mama. It's not fair," she said.

Hunter thrust his hands into his pockets, feeling suddenly awkward standing in front of the fireplace, looking down upon Gretchen and Beatrice. "It's okay. I guess Gideon had his reasons for saying what he said. He's entitled to his opinion," he said.

Gretchen looked up at Hunter. "Not when he's so patently wrong in those opinions," she said. Then she patted the sofa on the other side of the basket. "Please, Hunter. Have a seat," she said softly.

Hunter nodded and paused for a moment. Of course it was the most natural thing that Gretchen wanted him to sit by her side with their daughter by their side. So how come he felt such reluctance to consent to her request? After a long pause he saw Gretchen's brows furrow slightly. On seeing that look, he went to the sofa and sat down next to the basket. He immediately saw that she was pleased that he'd agreed to her request.

It felt good to be by her side. The same as it always had felt good to be with Gretchen. He'd never felt so good as when he'd been with the woman who had consented to become his wife.

A sharp and harsh thought edged it's way into his awareness. Unbidden and wholly unwelcome.

The very same wife who had gone away and had brought his two children into the world without him knowing the slightest thing about it.

How could that even have happened? How was that possible? The most precious moment they should have shared together had been denied him. He didn't know what to think. It added even more to the same jumble of warring emotions that had filled his every day for the past year.

How could Gretchen just sit there and smile at him like that? Didn't she understand just how he was feeling at this moment? Couldn't she tell that he was burning up inside, desperate for some explanation that he could make sense of for what had happened today?

Then he heard a soft cough and he looked over toward Beatrice. Lewis was coughing and Beatrice was patting his back. A reflex seized Hunter, emerging from inside himself in a way that took him completely by surprise. He rose to his feet and strode across to Beatrice, extending his arms. "Let me take him," he said quickly.

Beatrice smiled and handed Lewis to Hunter. Taking his son into his arms for the first time made Hunter's heart swell and quicken it's pace all at the same time. Lewis coughed a few times. Hunter felt the tiny frame of his son's body settle into the crook of one arm. With the other hand he supported the baby's head up against his shoulder, just the way he'd seen Beatrice do moments before.

After a few more gentle coughs, Lewis settled quietly against his father's shoulder. The little boy's breathing was slow and steady. Hunter savored the warmth of the tiny boy against his shoulder. He relished the sound of the cooing. Hunter inhaled the sweet scent of the baby. Gretchen had obviously scented his son's skin with some kind of delightful baby soap. It smelled clean and pure.

Hunter glanced across at Gretchen and he saw an approving smile on her face. Then her lips pursed. "Now where did you learn to hold a baby like that?" Gretchen asked, standing up.

Hunter frowned at her. "Looks like I'm doing a fine job," he insisted.