Cowboy Pride Read online

  Cowboy Pride

  Lacy Williams

  Contents

  Exclusive invitation

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  Exclusive invitation

  Dear Reader

  Also by Lacy Williams

  Exclusive invitation

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  Chapter 1

  "Everyone knows a rancher in possession of a large spread needs a wife."

  At Mama's outlandish statement, Liza Bennett glanced up from the measurement she was taking of a stirrup strap. Her sister Janie, who was sorting belt buckles into two small bins, didn't look up. They worked together in the storeroom of Bennett's Leather Goods, Cobbler and Saddlery. Calvin, Wyoming's, finest, and only, store of its kind.

  From the table where she worked, Liza could see to the front where Mama was leaning over the display counter, speaking loudly enough that her voice carried throughout the store. And, Liza was sure, to the horses hitched out front.

  Lydia and Kitty, Liza and Janie's younger sisters, were supposed to be tagging an assortment of items to be put on display, but their task remained forgotten in the excitement of Mama's topic of conversation.

  Fortunately for Liza's—and her sisters'—reputations, the shop was nearly empty. Martha Stoll, Mama's closest friend and the biggest gossip in town, was the only shopper at the moment.

  Unfortunately for the family's income, the shop was empty except for the gossipy woman.

  Liza frowned, determined to concentrate on her project. She had the sense that her older sister was listening just as raptly as the younger ones were, though Janie's head remained down.

  Or not.

  After Albert Rogers had jilted Janie and his mother had run them out of Cottonwood Cove, Janie's naturally bashful nature had worsened into intense shyness. Often Liza couldn't tell what her quiet sister was thinking.

  Mama was determined to make an advantageous match for each of her daughters.

  Liza was just as determined to ensure Mama couldn't humiliate Janie with her sometimes outrageous antics. Meanwhile, Liza would find her sister the perfect man.

  It was the least she could do, after all.

  "...he's all set to arrive on the afternoon train," Mama was saying now. "Hopefully he'll come to the dance hall tonight, and the girls can meet him then."

  "Who’s coming, Mama?" Lydia bounced, unable to contain her excitement.

  "The man buying the Parrott spread, dear."

  Two years ago, a prominent local rancher, Joe Parrott, had been implicated in the murder of the local marshal and attempted murder of the man's wife, the new marshal, Danna O'Grady. Parrott’s property had remained unsold—until now?

  Mama leaned further over the counter, maybe trying to lower her voice, though it still carried throughout the shop. "His name is Nathan Bingley, and if he can afford the Parrott spread, he must be well off. The perfect catch for one of you girls."

  The bell above the shop door jangled, and Liza looked up sharply, expecting to shush her mother as a customer entered. Instead, Liza caught sight of a set of broad shoulders and a head of dark hair as a man strode away.

  Had someone been loitering in the corner of the shop? Had Mama been gossiping in the presence of a real customer?

  Liza ground her teeth. The shop was failing, and Mama didn't seem to care. Despite the door having just opened, Mama’s mouth hadn’t slowed. She was now extolling the virtues of the large ranch.

  Liza forced herself to focus on each pencil stroke as she crafted a matching pattern for the stirrup that was nearly worn through. There wasn't anything she could do about the offended customer now. But she would speak to Papa later about Mama's actions. If she wouldn't curb her tongue, she should stay out of the shop.

  Mama had no idea that her run-on mouth was only making life harder for the sisters. Liza's determination to help Janie find a match would be tested at the town dance later tonight.

  "I think your blue poplin will be perfect for tonight," Liza said offhandedly to Janie. "It highlights the blue of your eyes."

  Janie didn't look up as she tossed two brass buckles into a bin. "I was thinking of staying home."

  "You must go." Liza didn't know or care about this Nathan character, but she knew that two eligible young men—the banker's son and a young widower who owned a homestead south of town—would be in attendance, and she was determined Janie should be introduced to them.

  But she couldn't tell Janie that.

  "If you don't come, Mama will turn all her matchmaking attentions on me."

  Janie looked up at this, a tiny smile playing on her lips. "A definite benefit of staying home."

  "Janie, please come. At least if we band together, we can help each other avoid Mama's machinations."

  Janie was considering it. Liza could tell by the slight tilt of her head.

  "You're my dearest sister.” Liza pressed her advantage. “Don't abandon me to Mama tonight." Liza knew it was cheating to play on her sister's sympathies, but if she left Janie to her own devices, she would be a spinster in no time.

  "Fine," Janie said. "For an hour, only."

  "An hour."

  It would have to be enough.

  * * *

  "And we become prey for the buzzards," Rob Darcy murmured as he entered the town dance hall. He'd been told the multi-purpose building was used for many events, including Sunday morning worship services, fundraisers and the like.

  But tonight's event was the worst. A town dance. It had been planned to allow the entire population to mingle.

  "What was that?" his friend Nathan asked.

  "Nothing." Rob knew better than to use sarcasm with his friend. Nathan was too much of a straight-shooter to catch it.

  Rob felt the weight of dozens of stares as the corner of the dance hall where they’d walked in quieted. No surprise. He and Nathan were strangers. Conspicuous.

  Of course the dance had been scheduled for the day of their arrival, when Rob was worn slick from the train journey, having been crowded into a passenger car like so many cattle. He wanted nothing more than to sit in a rocker near a fireplace with a cup of coffee. And retire early.

  Nathan—who was more a brother than a friend—had been invited to the dance no fewer than five times. And since Nathan was jovial and kind, of course he'd wanted to come.

  And then there was Mindy, Nathan's half-sister. Though they hadn't known each other long, Nathan would do anything to make the seventeen-year old happy. Including escorting her to tonight's dance in an attempt to win a smile.

  Rob tapped his hat against his thigh. If he were lucky, he’d make an escape before too long. He didn't want
to relinquish his favorite dress Stetson. Perhaps he could hide out at his sister and brother-in-law's home until he could return to the ranch Nathan was considering for purchase.

  Nate was already drawing curious and flirtatious glances from several women as he circled among the crowd. Rob wanted to groan.

  Perhaps he wouldn't have an early escape. Nate was handsome and drew women like flies to honey. But after Rob had helped Nate discover his fiancé's duplicitous behavior, Rob had come to realize that Nate needed help determining women's true motivations.

  Which was humorous only because of Rob's history.

  Nevertheless, he was determined not to let Nate get hurt again.

  And if that meant fending off the local women until Nate settled in Calvin, Rob would do his duty. He owed his friend nothing less.

  "How long do we have to stay in this hick town?" Mindy’s nose twitched as if she’d smelled something rotten. "The prospects here are disappointing."

  Rob ignored her even as Nate attempted to soothe her.

  It didn't work. She turned away from her brother, crossing her arms over her middle.

  The crush of bodies inside the large hall was stifling, made worse by the scents of too much pomade and rose water.

  They were quickly besieged by folks wanting introductions. So many that Rob couldn't remember half the names.

  Nate didn't seem to have that problem, jovial and unruffled as always. So Rob noticed immediately when Nathan froze.

  "What's the matter?" Rob glanced around for the person who could've elicited such a strong reaction from his unflappable friend.

  "There, by the punchbowl," Nate murmured. "No, don't stare! She'll see you."

  "You must be joking," Mindy said.

  Rob did his best to glance sparingly in the direction Nate indicated.

  He, too, froze when he found himself caught in a pair of fathomless brown eyes. Attraction sparked in a way he’d never felt before.

  He fought the urge to go to the woman, to wrangle an introduction, and then to find a quiet corner where they could get to know each other.

  But his loyalty to Nate went deeper than a pretty face. He forced himself to turn to his friend and ask, "The brunette?"

  "The blonde," came Nate's swift response. "She's captivating."

  Rob looked again, probably less surreptitiously than Nate had hoped, and searched for a blonde woman. Not the brunette.

  He refused to acknowledge the cinch that eased from around his chest, allowing him to breathe again.

  Again, he met a pair of intelligent dark eyes. There did seem to be a blonde the periphery of his vision, but he couldn't tear his gaze away—

  Was she laughing? There seemed to be a definite spark of humor in the depths of her eyes.

  "Let's go over," he heard himself say.

  He was unaccustomed to the sensations traveling up his spine as he navigated the crowd, Nate by his side.

  Strangely, the dread he usually felt in the presence of a pretty girl was absent. All he felt was anticipation.

  And then he caught sight of the matronly woman standing between the girls.

  The same woman whose shrill, social-climbing mouth had caused him to abandon the leather goods store.

  Chapter 2

  "He's coming over here!" Janie murmured beneath her breath.

  "Ow!" Liza rubbed the inside of her upper arm, where her sister had just pinched her. Mama was wearing too much cologne, and she wished for a breath of fresh outside air.

  "Wait, they're stopping."

  Liza's heart banged against her ribcage. "Who?" She looked at the crowd and tried to figure out who Janie was looking at.

  Surely not the dark-haired man. The handsome one with the shadow of stubble at his jaw and the intense eyes.

  "That's Mr. Bingley," Mama gasped. "The blond man. And his sister with him."

  Liza glanced at Janie beside her. Her fair-skinned sister was blushing. Janie was interested in someone. Perfect.

  Another glance into the crowd showed that the dark man was in fact accompanying the fair-haired siblings. Curiosity peaked. Who was he?

  Mama was speaking again. "The man with them is Rob Darcy. He's rumored to be even richer than Mr. Bingley, supposed to have a nice ranch up near Sheridan."

  Mama was getting excited, and Liza felt herself coloring as Mama's voice rose.

  And kept rising. "And he's the marshal's brother."

  It seemed Liza's fear that her mother would be overheard was well-founded, because Mr. Darcy grimaced as the trio neared.

  As usual, Mama was oblivious. She reached out for the men before they'd finished their approach. Liza turned her head at the last moment. She couldn’t watch.

  "Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy. What an honor to meet you," Mama bubbled. "I am Maude Bennett. My husband owns the leather goods shop here in Calvin. These are my two oldest daughters, Janie and Liza."

  Liza faced the men, feeling as if she were moving through a vat of molasses. Goose-pimples crawled up her arms. She lifted her eyes.

  Her gaze collided with Rob Darcy's. Time stilled. His eyes spoke to her.

  Vaguely, as if from a far distance, she heard Mr. Bingley say, "My sister, Mindy."

  Liza still couldn't look away from Mr. Darcy. Something passed between them, a moment of connection, as if he were a kindred spirit.

  And then her mother's voice broke into the moment.

  "My two youngest daughters are already dancing."

  Shaken, trembling but attempting to cover it, Liza glanced at Janie, who stared at Nathan Bingley with rapt attention. While Mr. Bingley was certainly attractive, Mr. Darcy was something more. Rugged, handsome. Intense. He was a bit older than she'd first thought; tiny lines fanned from the corners of his eyes as if he spent time outdoors.

  "Would you share a dance with me?" Mr. Bingley swept Janie into the swirling crowd, leaving his sister behind and Mr. Darcy at Liza's side.

  She waited for a similar invitation, but none was forthcoming. Finally, Liza asked, "Do you enjoy dancing, Mr. Darcy?"

  "Not as a rule."

  Stung at his cool tone, Liza turned back to look at the dancers, but not before she saw Mindy Bingley’s faint smirk.

  Maybe he hadn't felt anything at all. Maybe Liza’s imagination had run away with her. Before she'd known how dire the situation was for Papa's store, she'd loved to spend afternoons reading, lost in fanciful imaginations. Perhaps the connection she thought she'd felt had only been in her head.

  Liza made herself keep her gaze forward. She found Janie in the crowd. Her sister beamed up at Nathan Bingley. Janie was practically glowing.

  And Mr. Bingley seemed to return the sentiment. He stared down at Janie as if she were a treasure he'd found after searching his entire life.

  Perhaps here was a man worthy of her sister. It was too soon to tell, but Liza would hope so, for her sister's sake.

  Nearby, Mama's voice rattled over the sounds of the crowd, slightly discordant. Distracted by neighbors and friends, she was soon safely away from Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley.

  Liza loved her mother dearly, but she refused to allow Janie to be embarrassed. Not tonight. Liza could corral Mama and keep her away from Nathan Bingley, at least until he had adequate time to become smitten with Janie. Judging by his expression, it shouldn't take long.

  She left the still-silent Mr. Darcy and his companion behind, a little knot in her stomach urging her to remain, imagined connection or not.

  But Janie's happiness was more important than Liza's imaginations.

  * * *

  Nathan's heart raced as Janie twirled in his arms and the music from the fiddle and banjo faded away.

  She beamed up at him, her cheeks flushed and one blond curl escaping from her coif to lie against her cheek.

  His heart galloped like a horse that'd tossed its rider and run free. Meeting someone was not in his plan. What was he doing?

  Some of the quick trepidation must've shown, because her expression clouded over,
the beautiful smile muted.

  "Thank you for the dance," she said so softly that he was more reading the words on her lips than hearing them over the cacophony of voices in the crowded room.

  He didn't want her to walk away. He wanted to see her smile return.

  "Does your father own land nearby?" he asked. If she lived close enough to the Parrott ranch, he might come calling.

  "Papa owns the saddlery in town. We sell leather goods of all sorts. And do repairs."

  That's right. A shopkeepers daughter. Her mother had mentioned that in her brief introduction.

  "Ah. You probably meet a lot of folks, then." What he really wanted to ask was whether she had a beau. Whether one of the many cowboys or rancher's sons or bankers stopped in at the store regularly to chat and flirt.

  But he wasn't quite sure how to word it without being presumptuous.

  "And you've come to consider purchasing the Parrott land?"

  For a moment, unease flared at her innocent question. Remembering Hildy as she clung to his arm at a dance just like this... He blinked the memory away.

  Janie Bennett was not like Hildy. Probably not.

  He didn't actually know Janie. She seemed innocent enough. Perhaps she’d voiced the question to be polite.

  The fortune-hunters were the reason he and Rob had circulated the rumor that he was only viewing the Parrott spread. In fact, he'd already purchased the land, a few stock horses, and all the cattle outright.

  It had been Rob's idea. And Nathan valued his friend's advice more than anything else. Rob was five years older, and Nathan had worked on his spread in northern Wyoming for years. While the other cowhands had come and gone, some settling on their own homesteads, some drifting off to find more adventure, Nathan had stayed.