“Jail would keep them apart. I want them together. They should be married.” And that’s when the ideal plan occurred to Maggie Branigan.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“I won’t take no for an answer, Rachel. You’re going with me. We’ll have lunch with Tucker. He’s expecting us.”

“Oh, Maggie. I’m too tired to go into town.” Rachel wasn’t about to admit the real reason she wanted to stay home. She was afraid she might run into Gavin. She didn’t want to see him. With each passing day, it had become more and more difficult to refuse him when he came to call.

“Well, you’re going,” Maggie said firmly.

“I’ll not have you sitting and moping your life away. It’s time you got out and socialized. After lunch, we’ll stop and see Fiona. Now put on something pretty. I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour.” Rachel could tell from the tone of Maggie’s voice that it wouldn’t do

any good to argue.

When her sister made her mind up, it was nearly impossible to change it. Besides, she thought as the bedroom door closed behind Maggie, maybe it would do her good to get out. The weather had been unseasonably warm this week, and a buggy ride in the fresh air might be just what she needed to pick up her spirits. Yes, it might be just exactly what the doctor ordered.

“I’m Mr. Blake,” Gavin told the clerk.

“Judge Branigan sent for me.”

“I’ll tell him you’re here, sir.” The young man rose from his desk and disappeared into the adjoining office. Gavin remained standing as his eyes perused the waiting area. The leather upholstered furniture was large and impressive. Dark wood paneling rose to a high, ornate ceiling. The room smelled faintly of cigar smoke. He wasn’t sure exactly why he’d been summoned here, but he had a few suspicions. There was a strong likelihood that the judge meant to order him to quit pestering Rachel. He had no intention of following such orders and could very well land in jail for his refusal. Of course, there was the remote possibility that Judge Branigan might be willing to help him. Gavin sensed that Maggie understood that he loved her sister. Perhaps the judge believed it too.

“You may go right in, sir,” the clerk said as he reappeared. He stepped back, holding the door open for Gavin to pass through.

“Thank you.”

The judge’s chambers were even more vast and impressive than the outer office. The walls were lined with books from ceiling to floor. Burning wood crackled in a wide-mouthed fireplace, throwing dancing fingers of light across the ornate rug spread before the hearth. A massive oak desk stood before tall windows cloaked in heavy brocade draperies. Judge Tucker Branigan sat in a high-backed chair behind the desk.

“Come in, Mr. Blake. You may close the door, Sedgewick. See that we’re not disturbed.”

“Yes, sir.” The door closed behind Gavin. Tucker motioned toward a chair opposite him.

“Have a seat, Mr. Blake.” Gavin strode across the room and sat down in the indicated chair. He rested his hat on his knee as he leveled a curious gaze on the judge. He would guess that Tucker wasn’t more than five or six years his senior, yet he had a great air of confidence and authority about him. What’s more, he commanded a sense of trust. Gavin began to relax. Tucker drew a cheroot from a redwood box on his desk. He motioned with his hand, offering the same to Gavin, but Gavin declined with a shake of his head. As Tucker ran his fingers over the cheroot, his gaze narrowed, never wavering from Gavin’s face. Then he struck a match and lit the thin cigar. Exhaling a cloud of bluish smoke, Tucker said, “I suppose you know my wife’s taken an interest in you, Mr. Blake.”

“She’s been very kind to me, under the circumstances.”

“Maggie loves her sister a great deal and wants to see her happy. She seems to think you could make her happy, given a chance.”

“I’d like to think I could.”

“My sister-in-law has the same stubborn streak as my Maggie, I’m afraid. Sometimes they don’t see what’s best for them, even when it’s as clear as the nose on your face. Sometimes they have to be forced to see it. Do you understand what I’m saying, Mr. Blake?”

“I suppose so,” Gavin answered, although he wasn’t sure that he did. A light rapping on the door interrupted them. The door eased open just enough for the clerk to show his head.

“I’m sorry, sir, but Mrs. Branigan insisted I let you know she was here.” Tucker stood.

“Of course, Sedgewick. Show my wife in.” He walked around the desk and headed for the door.

“Oh! I’m sorry, Tucker. Mr. Sedgewick didn’t tell me you had someone with you. We’ll just wait in ..”

“It’s all right, Maggie. Come in. Gavin rose and turned in time to see Rachel entering the room. She was wearing something dark blue and shimmery and a bonnet with matching blue feathers over ringlets of blond curls. She stopped the moment their eyes met. The color drained from her cheeks. He tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat.

Rachel took a step or two backward, as if to retreat, but Tucker caught her arm and drew her into the office.

“I’m glad you’re here,” the judge said.

“My talk with Mr. Blake concerns you. Sit down, Rachel.” He guided her to one of the chairs near the fire. Gavin remained standing, continuing to watch her, only vaguely aware of Maggie sitting in a chair near her sister.

“Sit down, Mr. Blake.” Tucker’s voice had changed. It had deepened, harshened. As soon as Gavin had retaken his seat, the judge continued, “I don’t think there’s any point in beating around the bush. It’s come to my attention that you took liberties with my sister-in-law while she was living with you and your family up north.” Rachel gasped, but Gavin kept his gaze locked on Tucker’s implacable face.

“Rachel is as dear to me as one of my own daughters. She’s been with me since she was six years old. It’s my duty to protect her from harm and scandal. I’m sure you understand my concern over such behavior. If word of this got out, her reputation would be in shreds. And I may as well be blunt…” He turned his eyes on Rachel, directing his next question at her.

“Do we know that there won’t be a child resulting from this—this indiscretion?” Gavin twisted in his chair to look at Rachel. Her blue eyes were wide and rounded. Her mouth was parted, as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t. The silence stretched without a denial.

“I was afraid of that,” Tucker continued, his gaze swinging back to Gavin.

“But even if that isn’t the case, I’m afraid we must demand that you do the honest thing by my sister-in-law, Mr. Blake. I believe we can arrange for the wedding to take place without much delay, just in case there is that added… complication.” This wasn’t what he’d wanted. He didn’t want Rachel to be forced into marriage. He wanted her to come willingly. Gavin jumped up.

“Judge Branigan-”


“I think, under the circumstances, you should feel free to call me Tucker.” He also rose from his chair. He rested his knuckles on the desk and leaned forward.

“Let me make this clear to you, Gavin. You have no choice in this. If you refuse to marry Rachel, I will see that you’re ruined. A judge’s power stretches far, and I will use it if I’m forced to. Maggie and I insist that you do right by Rachel.” Was it something in Tucker’s voice or a subtle expression in his eyes? Something caused Tucker’s words of just minutes before to echo through Gavin’s head. Sometimes they don’t see what’s best for them, even when it’s as clear as the nose on your face. Sometimes they have to be forced to see it. Do you understand what I’m saying, Mr. Blake? Yes, he did understand. Now. Gavin sat down.

“All right. I’ll marry her.” Rachel stared at her hands in her lap. Could she be pregnant with Gavin’s child? When was her last monthly flow? Not since before she was ill. Not since before..

Gavin’s baby. Gavin’s son. He would have his father’s black hair and gray eyes, of course. And he would be tall and strong like his father too. Wouldn’t his sisters adore him! She could just imagine Sabrina and Petula leaning over the cradle, talking and fussing over him. A baby… Good heavens! What was she thinking? It wasn’t possible. They’d only shared that one time together. Surely… “All right. I’ll marry her.” Her head snapped up as Gavin’s voice intruded on her thoughts and she realized what Tucker had been saying. He was forcing Gavin to marry her. And Gavin was agreeing to it! Her traitorous heart knew a moment of joy. She would be Gavin’s wife. She would live with him and Sabrina and Petula. She would bear his children. She would… She rose from her chair, her chin held high.

“Do I have anything to say about this?” The men turned to look at her.

“What if I don’t wish to marry Mr. Blake? We don’t—” she steeled herself against the warm flush moving up her neck—“we don’t know that there’s a child.” Maggie spoke for the first time.

“Tucker is right, my dear. We can’t take a chance. If there is to be a child, it would already be difficult to conceal its untimely arrival, but it might be possible, with you living so far from Boise. Besides, even if you are not expecting, if word of this should ever get out, your chances of marrying well would vanish forever.” Rachel couldn’t believe this was happening. Tucker was forcing Gavin to marry her. Maggie was in agreement, concerned that her sister wouldn’t be able to find a suitable husband now that she was “ruined.” And Gavin had acquiesced under only slightly veiled threats of losing his ranch, perhaps going to jail. And no one cared a whit about what she felt or wanted.

“I won’t do it,” she said emphatically, her gaze moving from Maggie to Tucker to Gavin.

“If she won’t have me-” Gavin began.

“You’re not getting away with this so easily, Mr. Blake,” Tucker said.