Stolen Heritage (Historical Christian Romance) by Barbara Goss

Author:Barbara Goss [Goss, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian, Faith, Inspirational, Love Inspired, 19th Century, Bachelor, Single Woman, Frontier & Pioneer, Western, Cowboys, Hearts Desire, American West, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Clean & Wholesome, Mystery & Romantic Suspense, Action & Adventure, Native American, Heritage, Multicultural, Comanche Indians
Publisher: Barbara Goss; 2 edition
Published: 2015-02-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The man dressed all in black squinted; touched the gold band on his hat, turned his horse, and sped away.

Laurel blinked and breathed deeply. Who was this intimidating man? Had it been one of the two she'd heard talking in the shanty? She shivered. If so, had he seen her listening? Did he know she'd heard their plans?

Picking up her skirts, she ran all the way back to the ranch house, climbed back over the balcony, and slid into her room.

Someone had pressed the pink party dress and brought her hot water and towels. After she'd washed and dressed, she sat upon the bed and began unbraiding her hair.

Running the conversation she'd overheard back through her mind, she wondered, Who were those horrid men? She must find a way to warn Jeremy. But how?

Maggie came in at exactly six and brushed Laurel's hair briskly, then surprised her by not rebraiding it but tying it at the nape of her neck with a pink ribbon. Her auburn hair fell thickly down her back. Laurel gazed at herself in the mirror and decided she liked the hairstyle.

“It's beautiful, Mag— Grandmother. Thank you.”

Maggie beamed. The steel gray of her dress highlighted her blue eyes, which danced with pride in her granddaughter. Arm and arm they walked down the long corridor to the dining room.

Angus, seated at the table head, looked up at Laurel with shining eyes. “You do our name proud, lass.”

She kissed his forehead. “And I wear the name proudly.”

“Sit here.” He patted the green velvet chair beside him. Maggie sat across from her. Ada entered next and, smiling coldly, took the seat at the table's foot, across from her husband. One seat remained empty, the chair between Laurel and Ada.

Angus pounded the table with his fists. “Where is your son? Why does he always keep us waiting? Especially tonight, he could have made an effort to be here on time!”

Calmly, as if used to his behavior, Ada remarked, “He came home late.”

Angus turned to Laurel. “As soon as—”

The sound of a man clearing his throat made all eyes fly toward the doorway. There, smiling broadly, stood the man in black, who'd stared at Laurel on the trail. His brown eyes sparkled with mischief, and his cheeks dimpled. Laurel stared in amazement. Not only is this the same one, she thought, but he is handsomer than any man I've ever seen. She could almost understand poor Melita's confusion, having to choose between an absent army captain and this charming young man.

Angus stood. “Ram Atwood, I'm proud to present my daughter, Laurel McCallister.”

Ram walked to her chair and bowed. “Pleased to meet you, Laurel. Welcome to Three Gates Ranch.” His eyes, still smiling, pierced hers meaningfully, as if to say, I know it was you, and I know what you heard.

The words he'd uttered in the shanty echoed through her mind. “You leave them out of this! I'll take care of them!” Unnerved, she could only nod and smile feebly at him.

Ram took the seat beside her, and immediately a heavy-set woman began setting hot dishes before them.

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