Chapter Fourteen

Mid-morning the next day found Penny sitting on a bench in the gardens sketching dress designs. She had hoped to see Ace at breakfast and possibly get a chance to speak to the man, but he hadn't been there. It seemed Jeremiah had taken very ill and Ace had taken him into town just after dawn to see the doctor. The men hadn't yet made it back.

As Penny listened to the bees buzzingaround her, she thought of her own trip to town the day before. Her lunch withGavin had been rather..... odd. He was a pleasant enough man and had been nothingbut polite, but Penny simply hadn't felt anything even almost resemblingromantic affections for the man.

Nothing like what she felt with Ace.

Her solitude and thoughts were both interrupted when Maggie and Patricia joined her in the garden, settling down on the bench on either side of her.

"What ya doin' out here?" Maggie asked.

Penny held up her sketchbook. "Working." She was highly suspicious of the two women who had nothing in common with each other, coming out to the garden together to talk with her.

"Those are real nice, Penny. I'm as proud as a big sister could be that you're going to have your own shop," Patricia beamed.

Penny flushed a bit. "You've already told me.... Several times."

Patricia smiled. "And I've meant it each time."

"I don't mean to sound rude, but what are you both doing out here?" Penny questioned.

Maggie snorted, while Patricia averted her gaze and gave a sheepish grin. "We were hoping to speak to you."

"About?"

"About politics," Maggie quipped. "About Ace, you darn fool-headed woman. And the lack of lovin' goin' on between the two of ya."

Penny's jaw dropped. "What... um...why....uh...."

"My brother is wild in love with ya," Maggie continued, unfazed by Penny's stammering. "And yet all you wanna do is break his heart and accuse him of bein' just like your bastard of a father."

Patricia laid her hand on Penny's. "Maggie, while quite blunt and vulgar, is right. I've known Ace a while now, Penny, and he is most certainly not our father. He's a good man. He might be a bit impulsive and like to have fun, but that isn't a bad thing. Your life with him would certainly never be boring."

"I saw him with those ladies in town, Patricia. I won't be with a man who can't be faithful."

"Get over yourself," Maggie snapped. Penny stared at her wide-eyed. "My brother was only bein' surrounded by those jezabels because Billy Henkley paid 'em to come out and harass the man in order to get rid of you. Clearly that worked."

Penny bit her lip. "Are you sure?"

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Sure I'm sure. And he hadn't been drinkin' neither. Billy broke a whiskey bottle on Ace's back after Ace attacked him for sayin' some rather ugly things about you."

Penny bit her lip and swallowed hard as she stared down at her sketchbook. "Why didn't he tell me?"

Maggie nudged her with her shoulder. "Probably figured you weren't real keen on listenin' to him."

"Penny, our life was hard for a really long time, and I know you're probably scared. You're scared of being too happy. Scared that if you give your heart to someone, it's only going to end up broken. I can't promise that Ace won't hurt you—I'm not a reader of the future. But, I can say that I really don't think he will."

"He won't hurt ya," Maggie assured her. "Hell, Ace has never been serious about a woman in all his life. He's serious about you."

Penny felt her heart swell as butterflies danced in her belly. She wanted so much for what Maggie was saying to be true. She wanted Ace to love her. Was it possible that the man he had been in town with her, the soft, caring, affectionate man who made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world, was really who Ace was?

"I'll talk to him as soon as he returns from town," Penny vowed.

The sound of an approaching wagon, caught all three women's attention. "Now's your chance," Patricia urged.

Rising from the bench, Penny's legs were shaking as she clutched her sketchbook and headed around the house. Would Ace forgive her for acting so horribly since that day? She prayed he would.

When she stepped around the house, her heart fell. The wagon was not Ace returning from town. It was Gavin. What did the man want? Penny had not been overly receptive to his advances and she certainly hadn't said or done anything to make the man think she was interested in courting him.

As a matter of fact, she found his advances inappropriate; given the fact that she was dealing with him for a business loan. He smiled when he saw her and pulled the wagon to a stop. "Hello Penny," Gavin greeted. "You look beautiful this morning."

Penny offered a polite smile. "Thank you, Gavin. Is there a problem with the paperwork for the loan? Or did you bring it for me to sign?"

Gavin shook his head. "No, dear, the paperwork has not been completed yet. I came to spend time with you."

"Oh," Penny deadpanned. She certainly hadn't expected him to do that. Or to call her dear. "Gavin, I think you may have gotten the wrong...."

Gavin stepped toward her and pulled her into a hug. "I am so glad I found you, Penny. I was sure I would spend my life lonely and alone. Now that you're here, I am seeing my future in an entirely new light."

Well what in the world was she supposed to say to that?! Gavin pulled away and smiled as he took her hands in his. "As I was riding in, I saw a glimpse of flower gardens. Let's take a walk through them. I've heard that Carol Anderson's garden is something every person should enjoy at least once."

Without giving Penny time to form a reply, Gavin hooked his arm around hers and was all but dragging her to the garden. Penny staggered several times before righting herself. This man certainly was persistent!

They meandered through the gardens. Gavin kept her arm locked with his despite her attempts to pull it away. She wondered if she should yell for someone to come assist her, but Gavin didn't seem as if he was going to harm her. He simply seemed like a man desperately avoiding seeing the truth.

Penny decided to enjoy the sights and smells of the garden, the buzzing of the bees, and the butterflies lazily fluttering from one flower to the next. She truly did love the garden. She was not focusing on Gavin at all and very nearly fell when he suddenly stopped.

Penny was happy when his arm released her. "Penny, I know that this is sudden, but I feel confident in saying that I believe I have found the one woman I am meant to be with forever."

Penny cringed. "Do I know her?"

Gavin's eyes narrowed. "You, Penny. That woman is you."

She took a step back. "Oh well.... Gavin, I don't...."

He dropped to one knee and grabbed her hand, holding it tightly so she couldn't pull away. "Penny, you have been an unexpected, but quite welcome, shining light in my life. It is my intention to marry you. Will you do me the honor of wearing this ring?"

Penny's eyes widened at the sight of the diamond ring Gavin pulled from his pocket. It had one large center stone that shimmered as it caught the sunlight. Six smaller stones wrapped around the ring, three on each side of the larger one. It was a beautiful ring.

She bit her lip before squaring her shoulders. "Gavin, I'm afraid you have gotten the wrong impression...."

Gavin rose quickly and put his hand over her mouth to silence her. "Don't turn me down so quickly. Please?" He implored, his pale blue eyes searching hers. He dropped the ring down into the pocket on the skirt of her blue dress. "Keep it. Think about it. I could make your life so happy, Penny. You would be a queen in my home."

He removed his hand and Penny remained silent. She was angry. Angry that he didn't seem to take no for an answer. Angry at the woman she used to be that thought men like Gavin were the only men that mattered—the only type of man that would ever make her happy.

"Will you at least think about it, Penny?"

With a roll of her eyes, Penny shrugged. "Fine. I'll think about it."

Gavin didn't seem quite satisfied with that answer, though whether it was her words or her mood while saying them, she didn't know.

The sound of another wagon approaching had Penny racing around the house and leaving Gavin far behind her. Ace! Her hopes were not dashed this time. It was most certainly Ace driving that wagon with Jeremiah riding beside him looking quite miserable.

Maggie came out of the barn and approached Jeremiah. She helped him from the wagon and shook her head. "You look like hell. Are you dyin'?"

"No," Jeremiah mumbled. "I gotta stay alive so I can see your angry face and have you snippin' and snappin' at me a few more years."

Maggie laughed. "Come on then. Mama has some broth in the house, you can come on in and kick your feet up a while."

The duo disappeared in the house as Ace motioned for Jose. "Get this wagon and the horse took care of."

Jose nodded. "Yes sir."

Ace's brown eyes met hers. Penny bit her lip. Ace smiled, stealing her breath. Then he turned his attention back to the barn. "Michael?" he called. Michael came jogging out. "Go get Gregory and Luke out of the fields. We all need to talk with dad."

Penny realized Gavin had come up behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Before Penny could shake it off, Ace's eyes returned to them. She saw anger flash in those impressive eyes of his. Then, he turned quickly and strode away into the house without a word.

Penny's heart fell to her feet. Why hadn't he spoken to her. She supposed she'd waited too long to approach him after what had happened between them. He had changed his mind and decided that she was no longer worth his time.

Biting the inside of her cheek to hold back the tears that wanted to fall, Penny pulled out of Gavin's grip and went inside as well. She was careful to avoid being seen as she slipped up to her room.

Once there, Penny realized she needed to get away to help herself think about the mess she'd made. Changing into a light blue blouse and a tan split riding skit, Penny placed her hat on her head and slipped again, unnoticed, from the house.

Annoyance filled her when she realized that Gavin was still there. "Penny?! Are you going somewhere?"

She squared her shoulders and headed for the barn. "Riding."

"A horse?"

"Certainly not one of the milk cows."

"That sarcasm is quite unbecoming of you," Gavin scolded.

Penny simply snorted and approached Jose. "Can you saddle Molly for me? I want to go for a ride."

He frowned. "Alone?"

"Yes. Alone."

Jose shook his head. "Mr. Anderson doesn't want the women going out alone."

Penny clenched her fists at her side. "I will be just fine."

"And she won't be alone," Gavin spoke up. "I will ride along with her."

Penny wanted to scream. But, Gavin's words made Jose nod. "Okay. I'll saddle two horses."

Wasn't this just fantastic? Penny wanted time alone but the only way she was going to be allowed to ride was to take Gavin along with her. Life was just full of huge, giant, flapping annoyances. Thankfully, Gavin remained silent as Jose readied their horses. Penny hopped on Molly's back and, without a word to Gavin, she urged her into a run and headed off across the grass covered, rolling hills.

***

"Yeah, I'm sure," Ace assured his brothers and father. "Sheriff Potter stopped me in town. Said, he'd promised dad he'd let us know if he heard anything more about those rustlers. They killed that ranch hand on the Masterson ranch and took off with quite a few of their cattle."

"The Masterson's land connects to ours," Gregory remarked.

"That's a bit too close for comfort," Ed agreed. He rubbed at his mustache. "Did the Sheriff say what he's doing about it?"

"He said he and his deputies were gonna head to the Masterson's land and see if they can't track the rustlers."

"This is getting out of hand," Ed grumbled. "We've all lived in peace around here for decades."

"Stealing cattle is one thing," Lucas agreed. "Killing folks and trying to kidnap women is another. For the first time I'm real worried about my wife's safety out here."

Gregory nodded. "I'm worried about all the women. And all of us when we're out in the fields working."

Ed walked to the window and stared out a while. Finally, he turned back to his sons. "Bring all the cattle in to the closest pastures. I don't want any man in the outer fields after today. We're gonna keep everyone close. And no one goes to town by themselves. There always needs to be at least two." Ed turned his attention to Ace. "And Ace, I'd prefer if you stayed at the home with your mother and I until this gets settled."

Ace shook his head. "I'll be fine, pa. I can look after myself."

His pa fixed him with a stern gaze. "Montgomery, don't argue."

Ace sighed. "I'm not leaving my home empty for some murdering rustlers to ransack."

Ed practically snarled. "Ace, for once in your life, just do as you're told."

Ace stood his ground. He'd worked too hard on his home to risk it to thieves. Plus, he was an able-bodied man, plenty capable of looking out for himself. He told his father as much.

It seemed Ed recognized defeat as he sighed. "Can you promise me two things at least?"

"Let me hear what I'd be promisin' first," Ace replied, fully aware of his father's love of scheming to get his way.

"Ace, why do you always gotta be so difficult?" Luke demanded.

Ace batted his lashes. "Because, I love to hear you grumble."

Gregory laughed, earning himself a glare from Luke as well. Ace crossed his arms over his chest. "What exactly is it you want me to promise, pa?"

Ed sat down behind his desk. "Take one of the ranch dogs out to your house. If someone comes sneaking around, he'll let you know."

"I reckon I can do that."

Ed seemed satisfied with Ace's agreeance. "And I want you to keep a gun loaded and close at all times. Don't leave it by the front door while you to go to sleep in your room."

Ace knew his father meant well, but damn, he wasn't an idiot. "I reckon I can promise to do both."

Ed rubbed his neck tiredly. "That'll have to do, I suppose."

"Where's Maggie?" Gregory asked, looking around as if realizing their sister wasn't there for the first time. "It ain't like her to miss a meeting like this one."

Ace grinned. "She's tending to Jeremiah. It seems our little sister is a regular old nursemaid."

Eyes widened comically around the room. Luke shook his head. "She's liable to put a bullet in the man."

Ace shifted his weight to his left food. "Naw, she won't kill Jeremiah. She's sweet on him."

"Ace you've always been stupid," Luke stated. "But that statement was dumb, even for you."

With a chuckle Ace shrugged. "If you say so. But when they get hitched, you'll see I was right."

"Daddy, what do you think about that? You're the matchmaker in the family," Gregory inquired.

Ed stood up and walked to the window. He rubbed his chin as he gazed thoughtfully out at the ranch. "Ace might not be wrong. I'll have to start paying attention."

"Well I gotta get back to work," Gregory said, heading for the door. "I'll let the hands know what's going on."

"I'll come with you," Luke agreed.

Ace followed the workaholics out of the office, through the hall, down the stairs and out onto the front porch. He saw a cart he didn't recognize sitting beneath a nearby tree. He'd seen it when he'd returned with Jeremiah as well.

"Hey y,all?" His brothers turned to look at him. "What the hell is Gavin Hendershot doing here?" Other than hovering over Penny as if she belonged to him.

Ace's fists clenched. "What the hell is Gavin Hendershot doing here?"

Gregory grinned. "Ain't it obvious? He's spending some time with his lady love."

Ace's fists clenched and he could help but snarl. "Damn that little weasel. Where the hell are they? I'll put a stop to his wooing right now."

Now Luke was chuckling. Ace's brothers were a bunch of jackasses. "Jose said something about the two them goin' out on a romantic ride. He saddled their horses."

Over his dead body. Gavin needed to back the hell off and leave his Penny alone. Ace would interrupt their little ride and make sure Gavin knew that a claim had already been staked on Penny Burkart.