Teagan: Cowboy Strong: The Kabvanagh Brothers Book One Read online

  “I heard that Mr. Parks is still in the area,” a rancher’s wife, Ellen, said. “You poor thing. Your story breaks my heart.”

  Gemma quickly glanced at Jenny and was glad to see her outrage.

  “Thank you, Ellen, I appreciate your kind words.” Most of the women in the circle nodded.

  Finally, she could breathe and not be expected to hang her head in shame.

  The afternoon went by quickly, and before she knew it, she was helping to serve the supper. More than one woman commented on the efficiency of the already sliced pies. Gemma couldn’t help but smile.

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

  Gemma gazed at Teagan’s honest face. “Thank you. I was so nervous coming here. Dolly was of great help to me, and I think they might actually like me.”

  “What’s not to like? I’m not making light of it. I know you’ve had a hard time. I’m glad things are changing.” He smiled until her face heated unbearably. After a bit, he walked away and found a space on a bench to sit.

  He confused her at every turn. He promised to introduce her to a few widowers yet the way he grinned at her made her almost forget about anything but him.

  Dolly was the one who introduced her first to Cal Meagher, the host of the raising and widower with six sons. Gemma smiled and thanked him for such a pleasant day.

  “There will be dancing later. Save one for me?” His coffee-brown eyes showed kindness within. He also looked exhausted. Was it from the busy day or from taking care of the boys? “If you’ll excuse me? My sons are wrestling with some younger boys and I hear yells of pain.” Hurriedly he tipped his hat before he raced to the boys.

  “He’s a very busy man,” Dolly observed.

  “Yes, he could certainly use some help around here.”

  Dolly chuckled. “Let’s see who else is here before you decide on the first man you meet.”

  Next, she was introduced to Ed Calver. He had hard black eyes and his gray hair looked unwashed.

  “I’ve heard of you, Miss. Maguire. You’re prettier than you were described. I’m sorry for all your troubles. I’ve had enough of my own to last a lifetime. I wish you well.” He turned and walked away.

  Insulted, nicely but still he’d insulted her. He wanted nothing to do with her, which was fine.

  Dolly shrugged. “He’s too old for you. Come.”

  “Adam Johnson, this is my friend, Gemma Maguire.”

  Adam smiled. “Yes, Gemma, I remember you from school. You always had the correct answer if I recall correctly.”

  “It’s nice to see you again, Adam. I remember you pulling my hair,” she said with a laugh.

  “It’s good to see you. So many we knew back then have gone. I have to confess I listened when others spoke of you. I’m so sorry you’ve had a hard time. I liked your parents, and I’m sorry for your loss.” He looked down and took his one-year-old daughter from his oldest son.

  “Thank you, Eddie.”

  He gave his baby a kiss on her cheek and she smiled and then put her head down on his broad shoulder. “I have four children. Their ma died birthing this one.” He patted the baby’s back.

  “It must be hard to work your ranch.” Gemma liked the way he was so sweet to his daughter.

  “It is. I wish I could steal Dolly here to keep house for me.”

  Dolly smiled. “You’ll find yourself a sweet wife soon enough I expect.”

  “I don’t have any love to give a woman. Not now and possibly never.”

  “Perfectly understandable,” Gemma said as she gazed at the blond-haired, blue eyed man.

  “I need to put her down for her nap. If I’m still here for the dancing, I’d love it if both of you saved a dance for me.” He nodded and left.

  “His heart is taken.” Gemma sighed.

  “So, he says. You never know, he glowed talking about knowing you from your school days. You know, you don’t have to limit yourself to widowers, you’ve been accepted by many in the community.”

  “Perhaps but they might expect… relations. That is my only condition. I don’t want to be touched.”

  “There’s John Dew. Let’s walk in his direction.”

  Gemma followed Dolly. Somehow, she had thought it would be easier. She hadn’t thought about the fact that they’d loved their dead wives. Just because she wanted to have her supposed husband in jail…

  “This is John Dew. John, this is Gemma Maguire.”

  John nodded. Poor man, he looked downright done in.

  “I heard you were husband hunting, Miss. Maguire. I’d like to put my name in for your consideration. It’s taking everything I’ve got trying to keep things together for the sake of the children, but I’m drowning. I never knew how much my dear Nancy did.”

  He could have used a haircut, but he kept his beard nicely trimmed. Gemma bet he had smiled a lot when his wife was alive. He might just be the one.

  “How many children do you have Mr. Dew?”

  “Call me John. I have five. Three boys and two girls. Ages run from three to seven. Do you like children, Gemma?”

  “I do, I know little about taking care of them, I must confess, but it was always my dream to have a family. Tell me about your place.”

  Dolly quietly ducked out and walked to a group of women.

  “It was a grand place, but it needs a lot of work to even be called decent. I was making some headway, but things just kind of fell apart. I know you have had bad things happen to you and so have I. Truthfully, I was hoping to meet you today to see if we would suit. I know I can make the ranch profitable again. I just need time to do it. Look at me telling you all my troubles on our first meeting. My children are resting under that tree if you’d like to meet them.” His eyes were filled with hope.

  “Of course.” She walked with him to the two quilts laid side by side. They all had dark hair and blue eyes like their father except for the youngest. Her hair was strawberry blond, and her blue eyes were darker than the rest.

  “Children, this is Miss. Gemma. My eldest in Lorna, she’s seven but she does so much more than a wee seven-year-old. Next is John Junior. He is six years old and a strong lad. This is Clark and my other son is Martin. The little babe is Aubrey. She’s but three years old.”

  “It’s very nice to meet all of you,” Gemma said gently. The children seemed rather stiff but well behaved.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Miss. Gemma,” Lorna replied politely.

  “Are you gonna be our new ma?” Clark asked. John Junior jabbed Clark in the side with his elbow. Clark gave John Junior the look of the devil.

  “Clark, I’ve just met Miss. Gemma.” John said.

  “How long does it take?” Clark asked, sounding very impatient.

  “Sometimes it can take a while for two people to see if they are right for one another,” Gemma answered.

  “I thought we were here to catch us a ma, right Martin?”

  John turned red and shuffled his feet. “You may play if you like, but keep an eye on each other.”

  Clark was off and running with all but Lorna and Aubrey. Lorna watched the rest with a look of longing on her face. It tugged at Gemma’s heart. She reached down and picked up Aubrey. “I can watch her for a little bit so Lorna can play too.”

  Lorna gave her the biggest smile and then looked at her pa. He nodded, and she was running across the field with the others.

  “That’s a mighty nice thing you just did, Gemma. Lorna hardly ever gets time to be a child. Thank you.” He had a slight mist in his eyes. “Will you be fine with Aubrey? I have a barn to help finish.”

  “I’ll be fine. Plus there are many women here, so I’m sure I’ll get a lot of advice, wanted or not.”

  He chuckled. “I do believe you’re right.”

  Aubrey must have been half asleep when Gemma first held her; when they were alone, she pushed to get out of Gemma’s arms and began screaming.

  Dolly hurried over. “Hush Aubrey, you’ll scare Miss. Gemma.”

/>   Aubrey stared at Dolly and then at Gemma. She suddenly smiled and reached for a piece of Gemma’s hair and pulled it. Gemma tried to pretend it didn’t hurt, but they had a heck of a time getting Aubrey to let go.

  “What are you doing with this child?” Dolly asked.

  “I felt bad for Lorna. It seemed to me all she got to do was watch the children.”

  “You have a soft heart, Gemma,” a male voice behind her murmured. She grew warm. Teagan was behind her.

  She turned and Aubrey launched herself out of Gemma’s arms and into Teagan’s. Aubrey sighed in contentment and put her thumb in her mouth before she lay her head on his chest.

  Gemma’s lips twitched at the amazed look on Teagan’s face. “I didn’t know you had such a way with children.”

  “It’s not just children, look around at all the women who now want me as their husband.”

  She turned this way and then the other way. “Oh my, they’re looking at you like you’re a prized—bull.”

  He laughed. “I thought for sure you were going to say pig.”

  “I was,” she confessed, giving him her sassiest grin.

  “Any ideas what I should do with this girl?”

  “No, she looks content. Don’t you think so Dolly?”

  Dolly’s eyes widened. “Don’t try to get me on the wrong end of Teagan. But she does look blissful.”

  “I’ll take her,” a well-dressed young woman said as she practically pressed herself against Teagan to get Aubrey. “I’m Lisa Andies. Your daughter is beautiful; she looks just like you.” She shifted the girl in her arms. “What’s her name?” Lisa never once took her gaze from Teagan.

  “Nice to meet you, Miss. Andies. You are holding Aubrey and while she is beautiful, she doesn’t belong to me. I was helping Miss. Maguire with her.”

  “You’re the nanny?” Lisa immediately shoved Aubrey back into Gemma’s arms.

  “My word! Gemma is no nanny. She is just a sweet woman doing a favor.” Dolly turned her back on Lisa. “Come, Gemma, we can go sit over there. The ladies there are forever missing their grandchildren. We could both learn a few tips on child rearing.” She led Gemma to a table that had been moved under a tree.

  Dolly laughed. “Teagan will get rid of her. He always does. You know he hasn’t shown any interest in anyone except for you.”

  “We’re just friends.” Gemma sat down and the other women immediately admired Aubrey.

  Later the men put the tools away and John came and got his daughter. He graciously thanked all the women and gave Gemma and extra-long smile.

  “Save a dance for me, don’t forget.”

  Chapter Seven

  Teagan gritted his teeth. He’d spent the last few hours watching Gemma meet the widowers. It looked as though John Dew was the winner, and Teagan was irritated to no end.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t hit your thumb with the hammer with all the staring you’ve been doing.” Sullivan gave him a wide grin. “I haven’t seen you this interested in anything except for bulls in a long time. Are you going to dance with her? I’ll be happy to take your turn if you like. I can tell her you have a weak ankle or something.”

  Teagan shook his head and chuckled. “I can take my own turn, brother. There are women here you could dance with.”

  “I suppose but none so pretty as Gemma. I’m glad you two are friends again. So, which lucky lady do you think I should ask first?”

  “There aren’t too many of our age. They seem to be older or too young. But there are plenty who dance.”

  “I noticed the same thing. I’m going to go by dress color. I will start with green.”

  “That’s a new way. It almost makes sense.”

  “Teagan I always make sense. The fiddle is playing. Let’s go.” Sullivan quickened his walk and Teagan shook his head. Maybe blue dresses would be the way to start.

  He almost groaned when he saw Gemma dancing with Adam Johnson. Adam had that one-year-old to entice Gemma with. He was a nice man too. There didn’t seem to be much spark, but the baby was a very heavy draw.

  Lisa was suddenly standing in front of him. If he’d been paying attention, he could have avoided her.

  “May I have this dance?”

  She smiled like it was a great surprise. “I’d love to.”

  A clingier woman he’d never danced with. He’d put a bit distance between them, but she found ways to press against him. He glanced up and saw Gemma starring daggers at him. He smiled at her, and she turned away.

  So, she was jealous. Good, maybe she’d realize his worth. He frowned. He didn’t want that, did he? Part of him was attracted to her but he couldn’t get past her betrayal. It still made little sense to him. Pieces of her story were either missing, or she’d lied. Besides, he would have a true marriage when he got married. She didn’t want to marry him; he didn’t already have children.

  The song was finally over, and he disentangled himself. He glanced at her dress. Violet. No more violet dresses for him tonight. He gave her a short quick bow and didn’t escort her back to wherever she came from. He had a feeling he’d be hiding from her before the night was through.

  He glanced at the people dancing to the next song and Gemma was in Cal Meagher’s arms. Cal had a newborn. This was not playing fair. He watched and they talked at great length. He’d dance with her the next dance.

  But that wasn’t to be. She was now dancing with John Dew. Enough was enough. He could no longer stand there, so he went in search of the whiskey. He refused to watch her all night.

  Ten minutes later, he was watching her with a shot of whiskey in his hand.

  “You got it bad,” Quinn teased.

  “You don’t have to rub it in. Have you heard anything more about her dress?”

  “No, and we can’t even come up with a suspect. Someone apparently has an innocent act down.”

  “We’ll get to the bottom it.”

  “Teagan?” Gemma stood before him looking hopeful. “Would you mind awfully dancing with me?”

  “I told you to save me a dance, and it seems you have.” He handed Quinn his whiskey and took Gemma’s hand then led her to the dancing and pulled her into his arms. She should have been his years ago. She fit him as no one else did or ever would. He brought her in closer than he probably should have, but he couldn’t help himself.

  “You look lovely, Gemma. I’m glad you decided to come. Everyone wants to dance with you. I’ve seen you in one man’s arms after another.” She stiffened. “I didn’t mean it that way. I guess I didn’t enjoy having to wait for my turn to dance with you. Have you decided?”

  She gazed into his eyes. “No, John wants to court me but doesn’t have the time, so I offered to come out next week and cook dinner for them all. None of them want a wife, and I thought that was what I wanted, but I also want friendship and a bit of affection.”

  He smiled. “Feel how nice it is in my arms?”

  “But—”

  “Shh, feel and let the moment linger. There is a spark I only experience when you are near. Do you feel it too?”

  Confusion crossed her face. “I don’t understand.” She let go of him and walked away.

  She experienced the spark too… he knew it.

  * * *

  When the night ended and they were back at the ranch, Gemma walked out onto the wrap-around porch. She stood in the shadows.

  Please God, I’m lost and alone. I know not what to do. I need your guidance more now than ever. I’ve only loved one man, but I don’t think he truly loves me. His pride was hurt, and I think he’s trying to redeem it. It’s not meanness… it’s just misguided feelings. Lord, I long for his love, I see him in my dreams. He’s with me in my heart always, and I don’t want to be tempted into making a mistake. He deserves more than the trouble of me. Amen.

  A cloud passed in front of the full moon, and she allowed a tear to fall in the darkness. Teagan had loved his parents, and the truth would put that in jeopardy. A man should hold on to his happy
memories of his mother and father. No, the secret would only tear the family apart and she couldn’t do that even if it meant she had to walk away from Teagan forever.

  With a heavy heart, she went back inside and up to her room. Someone had filled a vase with yellow roses and set it on her bedside table. She picked the vase up and smelled the flowers. They soothed her and she was grateful. After setting them back down, she got changed. She had sewn granny gowns, but she put ribbon bows on each. A small one at the top front. They made her feel pretty.

  She climbed into bed and leaned over to turn the oil lamp off, but a knock at the door stopped her. Before she uttered a word, the door exploded inward, and Brogan rushed in and closed the door behind him.

  “You are to stay away from my brother. I thought we had this conversation before, but I saw the way you looked at him while you danced with him. You will not lead him on the path of despair. No matter what. Evidently, you don’t get the hint you’re not wanted here. Unless you crave pity, because that is all there is for you here. I’ll use every penny I have and buy you furniture so you can go home. I’ll expect an announcement of you leaving in the morning.” He practically growled each word. It was obvious now who had cut her dress and bonnet.

  Her eyes burned while he stared mulishly at her. She leaned over and turned the lamp off. She lay down with her back to him waiting for him to leave. It seemed to take forever, but she finally heard the door open and close.

  That settled it. She would marry John Dew. Teagan might hold the loan on her property but there was something not right about the whole thing. She couldn’t count on that land ever being hers again. She bet Brogan would be happy to let John know that tomorrow she’d be by to cook supper for the family.

  What was she supposed to do with the love she held in her heart? She was an adult. She sighed heavily. She’d have to live with it. No one ever said she’d be happy. Once she heard her mother tell her she’d grow up to be a happy young woman. But then she started to say no one owed her happiness and it would behoove her to remember that. Her poor mother. Gemma never walked in her shoes so she couldn’t judge. That was for God to do. What had happened when her ma stood in front of God? Did He tell her how sinful she’d been? Maybe her mother had asked for forgiveness before she died. Could you ask after you died? Would God be merciful? What if she wasn’t sorry and hadn’t asked for forgiveness? Her thoughts went round and round. She’d read the Bible in the morning. Maybe she would find some answers.