The Rancher's Rules by Dina Chapel Page A

lyin’.”
    Will spoke up then, “I’ll handle Annie’s punishment once I get her home.”
    At that moment, the stagecoach driver came over with Annie’s satchel. “I take it the young lady is not plannin’ on gettin’ back on the stage? ‘Cause if that’s the case, them other folks is anxious to get on the way.”
    Will reached out and took Annie’s bag from the man. “That’s right, sir, she’s off the stage. Sorry for the delay.”
    “That’s all right, that’s all right. Good luck to you folks, then. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat to Annie and made his way back over to the stagecoach, climbed up top and grabbed the reins. They started off, with the other passengers watching them through the coach windows.
    Annie just stood in shock at Will’s words. He was taking her home with him. She looked at Rafe. “But... Rafe...” she started, but didn’t know quite what else to say.
    He looked right at her. “You promised yourself to him. That should mean somethin’, Annie.”
    “But... I thought...” She didn’t know how to say what she thought. She thought she loved him and she thought he might love her too. She thought he wouldn’t let Will Jameson take her away and make her his wife.
    Rafe took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, then he turned his head and looked off in the distance at nothing in particular. He shook his head slightly. “I just can’t reconcile with takin’ what belongs to another man.” Rafe looked at the ground, then out at nothing again. Seemed like he didn’t know quite where to look. “Ain’t never done that in my life, and I don’t intend to start now.”
    Annie could feel the tears starting as he spoke. Rafe glanced at her once, then quickly looked away. Annie’s tears could move him like no other woman’s had ever been able to do. He knew he wouldn’t be able to do what he needed to do, what he knew was the right and fair thing to do, if he saw those tears. He could not look at her again.
    “It’d be for the best if you go with Mr. Jameson here, like you was supposed to in the first place.” Rafe was angry. He had never felt this way about any woman before in his life. Now he did, and he couldn’t have her. She belonged to someone else.
    Annie continued to look directly at him, not wanting to believe him. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She loved him. She was sure of it. And she had let herself believe that he might just love her too. Now he wouldn’t even look at her. Annie felt her heart breaking.
    “Annie.” Will spoke up then. “I think it best if we get on our way now. There’s still plenty of day left and we’ve got a bit of traveling to do.” He proceeded to secure Annie’s bag to his horse.
    “You’ll ride with me,” Will stated firmly. Annie was in shock. This was all happening so fast – too fast.
    “Can I say goodbye to Jenny?” she pleaded. Annie wanted to do anything to not leave. She looked from Will to Tom.
    “Seein’ as you were on your way out of town, I’m guessin’ you already done that to your satisfaction.” Will then gestured for Annie to come over to him to mount his horse. He was leaving now and she was going to have to go with him.
    Annie looked at Tom again with tears in her eyes. Tom truly looked sympathetic. He was a good man.
    “You go on and get settled in and Jenny and I can make a trip to visit, if that’s okay with Will here.” Tom was trying to make Annie feel better. It did help to know that she would be able to see Jenny again. It didn’t help to know she might never see Rafe again.
    “You’re both welcome,” Will conceded. “I’ve got plenty of room for guests.” With that, he walked over to Annie, took her arm and led her over to his horse, since she didn’t seem to be moving.
    “You’ll need to learn to mind me,” Will stated quietly as he helped Annie up on the horse. She was still crying. Will settled himself behind her on the saddle, wrapping one arm around her, and