The Lawman's Rebel Bride Page 5

  She reached over to the passenger side and unlatched the seat belt. “It was all worth it, wasn’t it, Lillie?” She lifted the carrier and climbed out of the truck. “Let’s go make sure you’re okay.”

  “Good morning,” Lydia greeted her from the supply room. “Is this our newest patient?” She peered in the carrier. “Wow, she is tiny. Let me take a better look at her.” The piglet squealed in Lydia’s deep, bronzed hands. “Shh. It’s okay, baby girl. I don’t like the look of this sunburn. She already has a blister forming.”

  “I’m estimating she’s only a couple days old.”

  “I agree. What did you name her?” Lydia placed the piglet on the scale.

  “Lillie with an i e. She reminds me of a pink lily-pad bloom.”

  “She’s close to the size of one of those flowers, too. Lillie only weighs 1.2 pounds. She’s severely underweight for a newborn commercial pig. Let’s start a round of antibiotics and treat the burn. We’ll vaccinate in three weeks and begin her boosters in four. You never told me how you acquired her.” Lydia raised one perfectly arched brow. “Or will my knowing make me an accessory after the fact?”

  “No, no, she’s been bought and paid for.” Belle gnawed on her inner cheek.

  “That’s good to know.” Lydia smoothed a light coat of ointment on Lillie’s back. “She’ll need this reapplied throughout the day. As soon as it looks dry again, apply another layer. Do you even have room for her at your apartment?”

  “Not quite. I got evicted last night.”

  “To be honest, I thought it would have happened long before now.” Lydia’s dense spiraled curls bounced as she shook her head. “Where are you staying?”

  “With Harlan.”

  “Harlan? The same Harlan who left you crying at the altar?”

  “I did not cry.” Her mind tumbled to push that day further into the past. She had relived it enough times over the last eight years.

  “Oh, honey, I was there and you not only cried, you ugly cried. When did this reunion happen?”

  “Well...” Belle wrung her hands. “Technically, two days ago. But then there was our wedding yesterday and we had planned to live separately until he had to bail me out of jail.”

  “Say what now?” Lydia stilled.

  “That’s how I got Lillie. I rescued her from the Johnson farm.”

  “What would a Belle Barnes rescue be without a trip to the hoosegow? But that’s not what concerns me. Well, it does but we’ll discuss that later. What is this about you marrying Harlan? You mean you told Trudy you were getting married at city hall, right? Please tell me you didn’t actually marry him.”

  Belle slid a stool toward Lydia. “You’ll need to sit down for this one.”

  Twenty minutes later, Lydia was still cradling Lillie and staring at Belle in disbelief. “You could have at least invited me to the ceremony.”

  “It happened so fast.” Belle still hadn’t sorted her thoughts about the entire situation. “No one was supposed to be there, but the news of it spread. Unfortunately, it didn’t reach you out here.”

  “That’s all right. I would have tried to stop you, anyway.”

  “I know you would have.” Despite the fifteen-year age difference, Lydia was Belle’s closest friend. “I had to do this for my grandmother. You should have seen her face light up yesterday. And I’ll always have that memory, long after she forgets.”

  Lydia reached over and squeezed her hand. “I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you.”

  Belle fought back the tears threatening to spring free. “Every time I walk into her room, I wonder if this will be the day she doesn’t recognize me. Some days she takes longer to make the connection. And poor Harlan. She asked him where his parents and Ryder were. He handled it without missing a beat, but I’m sure it hurt just the same.”

  “I won’t say he’s the man for you, because he’s not. But if he’s willing to go along with this charade for Trudy’s sake, then he’s earned a few redemption points in my book.”

  “Wait until you hear what he gave me this morning.”

  “Oh, yuck.” Lydia stood up. “Keep your sex life to yourself.”

  Heat rose to Belle’s cheeks. “I assure you we didn’t and we won’t. He offered me part of the ranch for the rescue and I accepted.”

  “And you’ll live where? With him?”

  Well, that wasn’t the reaction she expected. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I guess I could live on the ranch—my side of the ranch. Maybe I’ll get one of those cute vintage trailers.”

  All Belle’s plans had factored in her still having an apartment. And she couldn’t stay above the stables forever. It was too close to Harlan. Too tempting to create new memories to erase the old. But the old ones would never die. Her scars wouldn’t let her forget even though her heart ached for a fresh start.

  “Belle?” Lydia waved her hands. “Where did you go?”

  Belle fought to regain her composure. “Nowhere. And there’s plenty of time to work out my living arrangements. The point is, I can finally move forward. Are you still willing to partner with me?” A few other people were interested in the event Lydia changed her mind, but she’d always envisioned the project with her friend by her side. “I need two signatures on the articles of association to show its creation.”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” Lydia’s terse response surprised her. “I thought you’d be more enthused than this.”

  “I’m concerned your arrests will kill your dream before it ever gets off the ground.” Lydia gently placed the piglet in Belle’s arms. “I suspect you and Harlan had this conversation last night. That man has aspirations, too. I’m no fan of his, but it sounds as if he’s trying to do right by you. You need to grant him the same respect, despite what happened.”

  “We’ve already discussed it. From now on, I am on my best behavior.” Belle swaddled Lillie to keep her core body temperature warm and placed her in the carrier. “Last night was an exception to the rules. The other pigs would have trampled her to death if I hadn’t acted when I did. I’m surprised she survived at all.”

  “Do me one favor. When you begin to remember the good times you once shared with Harlan, remember the aftermath, too.”

  “I promise.” She’d never give Harlan that power over her again.

  “Okay, then.” Lydia handed her one of the mobile supply bags. “Today’s castration day. Let’s take the world by the balls.”

  Chapter Five

  Belle’s pickup spit and sputtered the entire way to Harlan’s ranch, reminding her to change the oil sooner than later. She was glad to be home—well, her temporary home. Lillie had been with her, but between the castrations and visiting her grandmother at the nursing home, she’d had to run back to the ranch throughout the day to check on Samson and Olive.

  Samson had been orphaned at birth and required feedings throughout the day. Olive was born last fall and lost her ears to frostbite during the winter. She was a third of the size of a normal goat, but healthy and full of mischief. Belle hoped to find her a forever home with other goats to bond with, but until then she’d play surrogate mom. It wasn’t ideal and she had to keep Olive separated from Samson for fear she’d head butt the black fleecy bundle, but at least her wards were safe.

  She’d picked up a salad and looked forward to a hot shower followed by a relaxing evening. The instant she parked in front of the stables, all thoughts of relaxation ceased. Harlan stood near the doorway grooming one of his horses while Ivy sat on a hay bale, petting Imogene.

  Harlan had warned her Ivy wanted to meet her. And Belle was okay with that. She couldn’t help but think the seven-year-old should have been hers...not Molly’s. Belle wanted kids. She had once envisioned her and Harlan having a houseful of them. Maybe she would still have the chance one day. Not wi
th Harlan, but with another man if she ever found one worthy of her love. At this point, she didn’t believe anyone was worth the risk. Except animals. They provided unconditional love.

  “Hi.” Only Harlan’s deep voice had the power to make her body tingle with one syllable. She needed to correct that and fast. “I hope it was okay for her to visit with the duck. I forgot her name.”

  “Ivy can visit Imogene whenever she wants. These animals need as much love and affection as they can get.” So do I. Belle shook the thought from her head. “Are you going to introduce us?”

  “Sweetheart, this is my friend Belle.” Harlan rested a hand on the small of her back, weakening her knees more than they already were. “Belle, this is my daughter, Ivy.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Belle knelt before the girl, freeing herself from Harlan’s touch. “I see you made friends with Imogene. She loves attention.”

  “She’s so soft. I’ve never petted a duck. Daddy won’t even let me have a dog.”

  Belle side-glanced at Harlan. “Since when are you against dogs? You had a bunch of them growing up on your parents’ ranch.”

  Ivy’s eyes widened. “You did?”

  “You’re not helping.” Harlan’s lips thinned into a smile. “Between my work and her school, I don’t have time to come back here during the day. We don’t exactly live in the center of town.”

  “Tell me about it.” It was one of the reasons she and Harlan had chosen the ranch. “I made that drive three times since I left this morning just to check on these guys.” Belle could see the longing on Ivy’s face as she petted Imogene. A child, especially an only child, needed that companionship and the chance to experience an animal’s love. But she had to give Harlan some credit. At least he wasn’t leaving a dog outside during the frigid Montana winters, or allowing one to run free to terrorize neighboring farms. He had made a responsible decision.

  “Can I see your piglet?” Ivy asked.

  “Would you like to help me get her from the truck?” The girl nodded and Belle immediately noticed the resemblance to Harlan at that age. “Okay, come with me.”

  “I’m sorry your grandma is sick.” Ivy reached for her hand as they walked outside, instantly melting her heart. “And I’m glad my daddy married you to help make it better.”

  “Thank you.” Belle choked down a sob. What was it about this man and his daughter that annihilated any remaining resolve she had left? She didn’t dare look back at Harlan. One Slade was more than she could handle at the moment. She opened the passenger-side door and lifted out the carrier. “Do you think you can bring this inside for me while I grab my bags?”

  Ivy nodded.

  “Hold on tight.” The girl’s ponytail swayed from side to side as Belle followed her back to the stable.

  “Can I help you feed her?” Ivy asked.

  “We have to check with your dad first.” Belle looked over her shoulder at Harlan. “Is it okay if she comes upstairs with me?”

  He quickly tugged his hat down to shield his glassy eyes and nodded wordlessly. Belle’s first instinct was to go to him, but she thought better of it. The man deserved his privacy. It couldn’t be easy seeing another woman with his daughter on their ranch. She could only hope Molly had a good reason for leaving Ivy the way she had. She’d hoped the same for her own mother. At least Molly had the good sense to leave her daughter with a responsible adult. Someday Ivy would realize that fact alone counted for something. Belle hadn’t been so lucky. She’d found no trace of her mother...alive or dead. And maybe it was for the best. The reality that she was the last surviving member of her family smacked her in the face every time she visited her grandmother. And it hurt. It really hurt.

  “Don’t be sad.” Ivy hugged her around the waist.

  “I’m okay, sweetie.” Belle instinctively hugged her in return. So this was what Harlan’s daughter was like. It had taken her all of two seconds to fall in love with the child. And that meant trouble. Trouble for Belle and what was left of her heart. “Let’s go feed Lillie.”

  Ivy climbed the stairs as Belle picked up the small carrier. She glanced in Harlan’s direction, but his back remained to her. She followed her pint-size assistant to the makeshift kitchenette area of the studio apartment. Ivy chatted happily to Lillie while Belle mixed up more formula. She filled an oral syringe and grabbed a towel before joining Ivy in the middle of the floor. The piglet began to push on the front of her carrier door in anticipation of her next meal. It was one more positive sign she’d make a full recovery.

  “Here, let’s cover your lap.” Belle spread the faded blue terry-cloth towel she’d brought from her old apartment across Ivy. “She’s wiggly. And you have to be careful of the sunburn on her back. Are you ready?”

  Ivy’s enthusiastic nod and wide toothless smile warmed her soul. This was how a child should grow up. She’d only been a year younger than Ivy when her mother abandoned her in that terrifying hotel. For years, she had wondered what she’d done wrong to make her mother leave. Sometime in her early teens she realized it hadn’t been her fault. While that epiphany had been freeing, the damage had already been done. She’d learned not to trust at such an early age that she’d struggled with it her entire life. Belle wanted to shield Ivy from that pain and privately vowed to remain the child’s friend and protector long after her marriage to Harlan ended.

  “I can’t even feel her on me,” Ivy said as Lillie circled on top of the towel.

  “She’s extremely underweight.” Belle placed the syringe in Ivy’s hand. “You hold it close enough for her to reach it and I’ll push the plunger so she can eat.”

  “Okay.” Ivy cradled the piglet’s backside and held the syringe in front of Lillie’s mouth. “Eat it all up so you can get big and strong.”

  Belle laughed. “When she grows up, she will probably weigh over six hundred pounds.”

  “Really?” Ivy’s jaw dropped. “How much do my daddy’s horses weigh?”

  “Almost double that.”

  “That’s a big pig. Will she stay here with you?”

  Belle winced. Ivy had already decided she was staying with them long term. Maybe she wasn’t too far off. If Harlan gave her the acreage he’d promised for the rescue, then she’d be on the other side of the ranch.

  “Unless I find a safe forever home for Lillie, she’ll stay with me.”

  “Will you teach me how to take care of the animals?” Ivy asked.

  “Sure, unless your daddy says otherwise.”

  “He won’t.” Ivy lifted her chin. “I already told him I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. He promised to make it happen.”

  How had she been lucky enough to befriend a child with her same passions? Maybe it wasn’t such an anomaly. Both Harlan and Molly had been her best friends. It stood to reason their daughter inherited their positive traits.

  “I’ll do whatever I can to help you make that dream happen, too.”

  There it was again...her commitment to a child she’d just met. Harlan’s child. And being around her meant being around him. Indefinitely. Belle never believed she’d ever warm to that idea, but somewhere between the wedding and Ivy, she’d let go of the anger. And it felt good. Maybe forgiveness wasn’t as impossible as she’d once thought.

  * * *

  HARLAN HADN’T INTENDED to take Outlaw for a ride, but after seeing Belle with his daughter, he needed to clear his head. He tightened the saddle’s cinch strap and mounted the horse. Halfway down the ranch road he realized he should have asked Belle if she would mind watching Ivy. He trusted her with his child. That alone bothered him, but not like he thought it would. The two had taken to each other much quicker and smoother than he’d expected. His daughter’s desperation for a mother just collided with Belle’s desire for a family, and the outcome—at least from where he stood—felt right. As if Belle was
finally home.

  But it wasn’t her home. Ivy wasn’t her daughter and Harlan once again feared he would hurt the two people he loved more than anything in this world. He nudged his horse into a run once they reached open land. The animal’s powerful muscles flexed under the weight of his body, giving Harlan the much-needed strength to make the best decisions for his family. And he wanted that family to include Belle even though he had no right to that desire.

  Harlan walked Outlaw back to the ranch, allowing the horse to cool down. Once they reached the stables, he removed the tack and filled the trough with fresh water. When Outlaw finished drinking, Harlan hosed the animal off, then walked him on the shaded side of the stables. The sun didn’t set behind the Mission Mountains until nine this time of year and it almost always produced a spectacular display. The colors were equally gorgeous when the sun rose over the Swan Range every morning. He’d never tire of the views from his ranch. He was just tired of watching them alone.

  Ivy bounded down the stable stairs with Belle in tow. “I fed Lillie, Daddy!” She animatedly danced in front of him. “She’s so cute. But she has a blister on her back and Belle said I can help take care of her.”

  Harlan smiled at Belle in acknowledgment before turning his attention to Ivy. “Go clean up for dinner. I made chili. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Can Belle eat with us?” Ivy reached for both of their hands and swung them back and forth.

  “Honey, Belle doesn’t eat meat,” Harlan said. “It wouldn’t be fair for her to sit and watch us.”

  “I don’t mind eating with you. I picked up a salad on the way home.”

  “Then we’d love to have you join us.”

  Belle laughed. “Remember when we were kids? You’d order a burger, and I’d eat all your fries.”