Aaron's Montana Bride Part 13

Eva's fist clenched and she slammed it down on the table. McRae and Aaron stiffened and peered at Eva. "Those lowlife, no good sc.u.m! How dare they. You can't imagine what I've been through these past few days," she said. McRae looked at Eva. His hand began to reach out to her, but he hesitated on seeing the strength of Eva's feeling.

"And I'm sorry you've had to go through that, Eva," said McRae. "If I'd known about your father's pa.s.sing sooner, all of this could have been avoided."

Eva took control of herself and smiled gently at John McRae. Of course none of it was his fault. He hadn't known. All that mattered was that he had come, and that he'd brought the authentic will.

"So what's happened to Dunn and Arabin?" Aaron asked.

"Arrested. Both of them."

"Really! On what charges?" Eva asked breathlessly.

"Conspiracy to defraud," McRae said with a visible smile creasing his lips.

Eva gasped. She leaned back in the chair and glanced at Aaron. This could only mean one thing. She wouldn't have to marry Jude Arabin after all! Her nightmare was over. The ranch would belong to her, after all. Just as it should have all along.

John McRae peered at Eva. She got the sense that he was sizing her up, a.s.sessing her reaction.

McRae cleared his throat and glanced at Aaron. "The thing is, Eva. Your father drew this will up last year. It was lodged in the proper fas.h.i.+on, and not superseded by any other." He tapped the envelope again with a finger. This time Eva was sure she could see McRae's fingers shake ever so slightly. Was he nervous about something?

McRae glanced again at Aaron. "I asked you in here Mr. Stewart for a reason," he said to Aaron.

Aaron's brows rose in surprise. "Really? Why?"

McRae swallowed and glanced at Eva. "The truth is you figure in Gabriel's final wishes, Mr. Stewart," McRae said flatly, with another glance at Eva.

"What?" Eva exclaimed. "Aaron? How does he figure in all of this?" she asked.

McRae took the envelope up. "Maybe I should just read the contents. Then things will be a whole lot clearer," he said.

He broke the seal and withdrew the single piece of paper, laying it down flat on the table. He glanced up at both Eva and Aaron and started to read the contents.

"I, Gabriel Gillespie, being of sound mind and body do hereby declare that this is my last will and testament, and that the final instructions written down here are a true reflection of how I wish to divest myself of my estate."

Eva glanced at Aaron and saw that his lips were tight, his shoulders rigid, his eyes fixed on the paper that McRae was hunched over.

McRae continued. "In the matter of my ranch holdings I wish the entire estate to be pa.s.sed to my beloved daughter Eva Gillespie in recognition of the years of care and love she has provided me," McRae said. He paused and looked up at Eva. She did her utmost to hide the surge of emotion that had risen up inside her.

"However, it is my a.s.sessment that the time has come to acknowledge that, for my daughter to be both secure and have the best possible chance to prosper in the future, I have decided to attach one condition to her taking possession of my ranch holdings."

Eva's heart stopped momentarily. It was happening again. Her father was attaching conditions to Eva getting what she felt was rightfully her own. Why would he do that? Again. Eva felt a rush of panic. The nightmarish memories of the past few days seized her once again.

McRae cleared his throat, ran a nervous finger around his collar and continued. "My relations.h.i.+p with my neighbour Aaron Stewart has often been a challenging one. We haven't always seen eye to eye on everything. But one thing hasn't escaped my notice in the last few years. His obvious affection and respect for my daughter, Eva," McRae said.

Eva looked at Aaron, seeking any kind of reaction. But, he merely glanced at Eva for a second, before fixing his gaze on John McRae worried features.

McRae continued reading looking like he wanted to get to the end as soon as possible. "I believe Mr. Aaron Stewart to be a honorable man of his word. He has demonstrated to me his skill as a rancher, as well as his fine qualities as a man. And, on more than one occasion he has made it plain that he thinks most highly of my beloved daughter. Therefore, I have decided that he would be an entirely suitable companion and husband for Eva. So, I make it a condition of Eva taking possession of the Gillespie ranch that she agree to marry Aaron Stewart," McRae concluded leaning back from the table and removing a handkerchief from his pocket. He wiped some sweat from his brow and looked across the table at the two stunned individuals sitting across form him.

There was a long silence in the room. Eva couldn't find the words to describe how she felt. She sat rigidly in the chair. Her entire body had gone completely numb. Her heart was racing so fast she was sure that both of the men next to her could hear the rapid thudding in her chest. Eva felt the sensation in her arms and legs disappear for a brief few moments. She tried to draw in a deep breath, but somehow she just couldn't force it into her lungs.

John McRae looked across the table. He slid the doc.u.ment across toward Eva. "If you would like to see the will. Just so you know for sure that I have read it correctly," he said.

Eva shook her head and, from somewhere deep inside, she summoned up a few hesitant words. "No, John. Thank you. That won't be necessary," she murmured.

Aaron leaned across, suddenly close to Eva, and she saw him glance quickly at the doc.u.ment. He shook his head at McRae and the lawyer took the paper back and folded it into the envelope.

"Perhaps I should leave you both to consider things in private," he said standing up.

Eva breathed deeply and looked up at him. "Thank you, John," she said extending a hand to him. When he took her hand and shook it Eva realized that there was no sensation in her fingers.

McRae left the room and the silence that had begun moments before seemed to stretch on interminably as she sat next to Aaron.

After a while Aaron turned to Eva. "Would you like a gla.s.s of water, Eva?"

Eva shook her head. "No. Thank you, Aaron. That won't be necessary," she said.

Aaron sighed and s.h.i.+fted in his seat. The creaking of the wooden chair seemed unnaturally loud.

At last Aaron spoke, his voice quiet but cracking with nervous tension. "Well. I have to say I didn't expect that," he said.

Eva turned to Aaron and frowned. "Really? You knew nothing about this?"

"Of course I didn't. How could I? That was your father's will we just heard."

"Just what did you and my father say about me?"

Aaron's brows furrowed. "Only what you heard your father describe, Eva. Him and I would talk. About everything. And sometimes the conversation would be about you," Aaron explained tentatively.

"About me? What kinds of things were said about me?"

Aaron took a deep breath. Eva saw his jaw tighten and a muscle twitch below his ear. "It was your pa that asked me, one day, if I'd ever had any thoughts about asking you out, seeing as how he thought you and I looked..."

Eva's eyes narrowed. "Looked what?"

Aaron peered at Eva a sudden look of determination in his eyes. "Your pa thought that we looked sweet on each other," Aaron said directly. It seemed to Eva like Aaron had said it to her almost as a challenge, demanding a reaction from her.

Eva's mouth dropped open and she gasped. "You're saying my father thought that I was sweet on you?"

A dimple appeared at the corner of Aaron's mouth and his eyes widened, a sudden teasing glow in them. "He said that to me on more than one occasion," Aaron said.

"Why, that's..." Eva started to say, but Aaron leaned closer causing her to pause.

"It's what, Eva?" he asked. His eyes were fixed on her own, searching for a truth that Eva was determined to do her utmost to conceal. But, why should she conceal anything from Aaron? Why did she feel the need to hold the truth back?

Aaron leaned even closer. Eva could smell the glorious combinations of scents that she'd noticed earlier. But now those scents seemed to draw her closer to Aaron, even as a part of her tried to implore her to leave the room, keep to her earlier plan. But she couldn't do that anymore. Her life had changed irrevocably in the last few minutes. Once again her destiny had been laid out in front of her. Only this time, she could believe that the choice she was being asked to make was a true choice, one that she could have faith in. She could trust John McRae.

She could also trust Aaron Stewart. After what he'd done for her these past few days she knew that now.

"Was your father right, Eva?" Aaron asked her, his features filled with an earnest, intent expression. He looked like he was burning up, waiting for an answer. And that was what Eva had to do. The tables had been turned. It wasn't Aaron who had to decide. Eva could see that he had already made his mind up. Probably had made his mind up a long time ago.

Now, it was up to Eva to decide, to make the choice that would decide her own destiny. Eva looked into Aaron's eyes and saw the glittering of emotion and even, what she decided, was a barely restrained pa.s.sion. Aaron's lips were set in an even line, the stubble on his chin dark, his nostrils flared ever so slightly. His gaze was at at once expectant and impatient.

"I guess he might have known me better than I thought," Eva said after a long pause.

Eva saw Aaron's blink slowly and his lips widened with a tiny victorious smile. He still hadn't touched her, but he was as close as he could be without doing so.

"And you, Aaron. What do you think?"

Aaron sighed and his face set into an expression of tenderness quickly replaced by a firm resolve. "I'll tell you what I think, Eva Gillespie," he said his voice firm.

And then he did something which made Eva's mouth open and her eyes widen. Aaron rose slightly, pushed back the chair and kneeled down on the wooden floor on one knee, right in front of Eva. He gazed up at her, his brows furrowed, his lips tight. He took in a deep breath and reached out a hand, taking Eva's in his gentle grasp. Eva felt the color drain from her face and her heart started to race once more. There was a roaring in her ears and then she heard Aaron speak.

"Eva Gillespie. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Aaron asked.

Eva gazed into Aaron's eyes seeing fierce determination and worry in them. The world stopped, time seemed to slow and her body felt suddenly more alive ever. Here was a handsome, kind man, down on his knees, requesting her hand, and, judging by the expression on his face, about to burst if she didn't give him an answer in the next few seconds. How had things come to this? Could she marry Aaron Stewart?

Eva drew in a deep breath. Of course she could marry Aaron Stewart. Deep down a little voice whispered that she had always wanted Aaron Stewart, always known that they could be happy together, always held a quiet, small secret close to her heart, never having the courage to bring it out into the open.

But, now it could be revealed.

Eva squeezed Aaron's hand gently and looked into his eyes, feeling the truth of a connection she had denied for far too long.

"Of course I'll marry you, Aaron," she said. "I would be honored to become your wife."

Aaron eyes widened at hearing her words and then his head lowered suddenly, his shoulders rising as he drew in a deep, controlling breath. When he looked back up at her she could see the joy on his face. A sheer, intense unalloyed pleasure that spoke volumes.

Aaron leaned in closer to her. "Thank you, Eva. I promise you I will devote myself to the only thing that maters to me. Making you happy. Nothing will stand in my way when it comes to providing you with what you need in this world, no-one will stop me from ensuring that you are safe and secure. You are the only thing that's important to me from this moment on," he said. His voice shook with true, heart felt emotion. Eva had no doubts that the words Aaron had just uttered had been drawn from the core of his heart.

Eva leaned a little closer to him and, on seeing that, Aaron lifted up his hand and placed it under Eva's chin, drawing her mouth to his. When he kissed Eva this time there was no hesitation, only certainty and commitment. As his lips persuaded her own of his affection Eva felt that this was how it felt to be truly kissed by someone whose heart was filled with tenderness, fondness and even that most sacred of things.

Love.

When he drew his head away from her she saw the sheer unalloyed happiness in his eyes.

"You have just made me the happiest man in Montana," he said quietly.

"I'm glad," Eva said quietly.

And in so many ways, after such a hard and fearful time, it made Eva's heart sing to know that, at last, she'd gotten the answer she'd been waiting for, ever since she had first met Aaron Stewart all those years ago.

EPILOGUE.

One month later "I now p.r.o.nounce you, man and wife," the minister announced with a broad grin.

Eva looked across at Aaron and saw an equally large smile stretching across his face. Behind them the seats of the Great Falls church were filled with ranchers from both the Gillespie and Stewart spreads. Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Lang were in the front seats. Each of them had a handkerchief in their hands and both were busy wiping tears of joy from their eyes. On another bench sat Zack and Joshua with his wife, Laura. All three were smiling broadly at the sight of Aaron standing proudly next to his new wife.

Eva felt a slight stab of regret. She would have loved to have had her mother and father at this joyous event. It would simply have made things complete. Even more perfect. But, she was happy that the church was full and everyone had smiles on their faces.

Aaron leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Eva's lips which drew a roar of delight from the crowd behind them. When their lips parted, and he leaned back Eva saw the look of sheer satisfaction on Aaron's face she had seen so many times in recent days.

The last few weeks had been hectic. There had been so much to do to get ready for the wedding. Eva had made an emotional visit to the Gillespie ranch to a.s.sess the damage done by the fire. She'd been relieved to see that the ranch house wasn't as badly burned as she'd antic.i.p.ated. Aaron a.s.sured her that repairs wouldn't take too long. The last thing Eva wanted was to abandon a place which harbored so many beautiful memories. That ranch house represented her childhood, her maturing, her growing into womanhood. Eventually, after much discussion, they'd decided that the joining of the two ranches made a whole lot of sense. Aaron was enthusiastic about building a new ranch house on a piece of land he'd had his eye on for a long time. It would be bigger and better than either of the ones that stood at the moment. But, there would be plenty of time to talk about those plans later.

Now, though, she was standing by the side of her handsome, elegantly attired new husband, and Eva couldn't recall a time in her life when she'd ever felt so happy.

Aaron extended an arm to Eva. "May I, Mrs. Stewart?" he asked her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Eva smiled and hooked her arm into his. "Of course, Mr. Stewart," she answered playfully.

They both turned and walked side by side down the aisle. Eva savored the admiring looks of everyone in the church. The doors opened and they stepped outside. The sun was bright and the autumnal air was clear and cool.

The buggy they had used to drive into town was waiting for them in front of the church. It was tastefully decorated with flowers and ribbons, something Aaron had insisted, despite Eva's protests that it would draw too much attention. And that was exactly what had happened. When they'd arrived in town for the wedding ceremony, the townsfolk of Great Falls had literally stopped in their tracks to watch the soon-to-be newlyweds ride up the main street. I didn't look like it was going to be much easier leaving, if the number of folk who were looking in their direction was any indication.

Aaron helped Eva up onto the buggy and ran around to his side. He jumped up onto the seat and grabbed the rails. Eva had never seen Aaron in such a hurry before. He guessed he wanted her all to himself, now that they were man and wife.

The guests filed out of the church. Zack came running up to the buggy and handed Aaron his hat.

"You forgot this," Zack said to Aaron.

Aaron smiled and took the hat from his friend. "Weddings do that to a man," Aaron explained. He glanced at Eva. "They make him forget everything else except the beautiful woman by his side."

Eva rolled her eyes. "Don't go embarra.s.sing me, Aaron Stewart," she said with a wave of her hand.

"It's going to be while before I go forgetting my hat at a wedding," Zack said with a smile.

Aaron's brows narrowed. "Really. That's what you think, Zack."

Zack looked around at Joshua and Laura. "Seems like marriage is in the air in Montana these days," Zack observed.

"It'll be your turn next," Aaron declared.

Zack shook his head. "Oh, no. Not me."

Aaron took the reins of the buggy in both hands and prepared to encourage the horses to move off.

"I think you'll be married by Christmas," Aaron said. "What do you think, Eva?"

Eva scrunched her nose and pretended to scrutinize Zack. "Well, he's certainly a handsome enough fellow. I'll give him that." Eva smiled and turned to Aaron. "I think you're right. He'll have a wife by Christmas."

Zack's face went pale and he waved a hand at the teasing couple on the buggy. "You get going. Before I lose my cool," he said.

Aaron and Eva waved at the guests. The reins were flicked and the buggy moved away, the cheers and applause fading swiftly behind Aaron and Eva.

They were soon out of town and on the main trail that led back to the ranches. For a while they didn't speak to each other, simply savoring the delight of being alone. Now that they were married Sitting on the buggy with her new husband driving her home, Eva thought about what was awaiting them back up in ranch country.