The time had come to make his declaration, come what may. “Ranching is good, honest work. I thought it could be enough for me, but it’s not. I’m a businessman.”
Pa rested his chin between his thumb and fingers and studied Houston for several seconds. “From what Travis has said, your hardware store in California did quite well. Calvin Culpepper’s singing your praises, too. When I stopped by to see him this afternoon, he told me he could have lost his ranch without your help. A father’s chest swells to hear his son praised like that.” He thumped his soundly.
Houston couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Pa wasn’t prone to compliments. “Thank you. That means a great deal to me.”
Pa glanced around the parlor, his gaze coming to rest on the photograph of Mother and him. “Of all my boys, you’re the most like your dear mother, God rest her soul. She was bright, too, and as quick to help others as you are. Victoria made up for my blustering ways. She understood why you had to leave. I was going to forbid it, but she urged me to reconsider.”
“She did? Why?”
“Your wise mother said the only way for you to find out who you were and grow into the man the Lord intended you to be was for us to trust you into His care. Letting you go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I prayed one day you’d come home. And you have.” Pa cast Houston a quizzical glance. “You are here to stay, aren’t you?”
“I am, but I can’t meet your terms.”
“Coralee’s being obstinate, is she?” Pa chuckled. “Give her time. She’ll come around.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You need a wife, right? She’s got a heart as big as yours. Might as well consider her.” Pa relaxed into the armchair once again.
“Actually, I have. I’m not sure she’ll take me, but I aim to try.”
“Glad to hear that. So, why the long face?”
Houston rushed out his answer. “I’m going to buy the hardware store in town and run it myself.”
“Are you now? I’m sure you’ll make a success of it.” Pa’s eyes narrowed. “But why turn down your share of the 7 Heart? Run your store and your ranch, too.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Really? I thought I’d have to spend all my time ranching.”
“Travis doesn’t. He runs his medical practice and oversees things at his ranch, but he hires ranch hands to tend to the chores.”
The shackles that had bound Houston fell off. The realization that he could run the store and claim his land sent a jolt of excitement through him. All he had to do was find a wife.
Hopefully, he’d been right about what he’d seen in Coralee’s eyes, and she would consider marrying him. He knew exactly how he would propose. The way he planned to go about it would leave no doubt of his intentions—or the depth of his love. He just had to take care of one important matter first.
Chapter Ten
I can’t leave.” Coralee completed her father’s midmorning exercises and laid his arm on top of the sheet.
“We’ll be fine, Miss C.” Sally gathered the dirty dishes on the bedside table. “Your daddy’s having a good day, and your brother is feeling a lot better. If Doc Travis would let him, Calvin would be out of bed and back in the saddle in two shakes of a calf’s tail.”
Sally was right on all counts. Daddy showed no signs of agitation. Of course, the fact that Travis had been by and said it was time to double the dose of laudanum had a lot to do with that. Seeing Daddy’s glassy-eyed stare as he lay there as still as the hot summer air sent a stabbing pain through her.
The news on Calvin was encouraging, though. His ribs appeared to be healing nicely, and he’d shown no signs of pneumonia. Best of all, he was more cheerful than she’d seen him in a long time. Whatever Houston had said when he stopped by to talk with Calvin yesterday had a profound effect on him. She would have to thank Houston later.
She’d have to guard her heart, too, because she couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d helped her with Daddy. Houston had been firm but gentle, lending his strength when hers had failed. She’d turned into a blubbering mess, and yet he’d held her close and looked at her with admiration in his clear blue eyes. Due to her overwrought state, she’d mistaken it for affection at first. Whatever it was, she was finding it harder and harder to keep from falling for him all over again.
If only she knew for sure that he was going to stay, but she couldn’t get that telegram from his partner in California out of her mind. Before they were interrupted, she’d been sure he was thinking about leaving. How she hoped she was wrong. Perhaps some time away to clear her head would be a good thing.
“Meribeth has been asking me to visit, and I do have those baby clothes I ordered. I’ll make sure I’m back in time to help with Daddy’s afternoon exercises.”
“Take your time, child. Olive and I can see to things here.”