“You’re the one who accepted Mr. Hart’s proposal.” This had to work. She needed to see her sister settled in a home with a good man so she could return to Arcadia and her future. She decided to pull out the big guns. “Besides, you don’t want to end up working in Toby Nelson’s saloon, with all those half-drunk men leering at you every night, do you?”
Jenny’s expression instantly changed. “No. Of course not.”
“Then paste on a smile and give your beau some encouragement before he changes his mind.”
“Fine.” Jenny lifted her chin as if strengthening her resolve. “I’ll bat my lashes and win his heart, if that’s what it takes.”
Rebekah sighed. “Just be friendly. Talk to him.”
Mr. Hart stopped at an open door to one of the larger buildings in town. “Here we go, ladies.”
Rebekah turned into the hotel lobby, delighted to be out of the hot sun, although the temperature inside was only marginally cooler. She wished they’d worn more summery clothing, but with it being October, she’d chosen their normal autumn wear. As her eyes adjusted to the dimmer lighting, she noticed the clerk staring at her and Jenny from behind the registration counter. She should be used to people’s stares since she’d been a twin her whole life, but they still made her uncomfortable.
Mr. Hart strode past her and set their satchels down. “I had two rooms reserved, Hank, but I’ll be needing a third, if you have it.”
She rushed forward. “Jenny and I can share a room. We always do.”
Mr. Hart turned toward her. “Are you sure? It’s not necessary.”
“Yes. Please. We’d prefer it actually.”
Something warm flickered in his eyes, but he faced the clerk again. “Just the two then.”
The clerk slid one key across the counter. “I’ll put the ladies in the room across the hall from yours, Mr. Hart. It’s also at the back of the building, away from the street.”
Rebekah wondered if everyone in town knew Mr. Hart. It made sense since the town was probably named for his family and they more than likely visited it regularly. She appreciated the fact that their room wouldn’t face the street, not that the town was overly noisy. Just the opposite, from what she’d seen so far, but they had passed a saloon, so cowboys would probably fill the streets come evening.
“Would you ladies like to take a seat in the restaurant while I run your bags upstairs?”
“I can take care of the baggage, Mr. Hart.” The clerk stepped out from behind the counter. “You tend to the ladies.” The man actually chuckled. “I’m guessin’ one of them pretty gals is your bride—or Bowie’s. Or maybe both! Now that Crockett’s wed his bride, you two’s the only ones left unmarried.”
Mr. Hart slowly turned toward the man and lifted one brow. He stared at the clerk until the man squirmed.
“Uh … sorry, Austin—I mean, Mr. Hart.” He snatched a bag and grabbed a second one. “I’ll just see to the ladies’ baggage.”
“There are a couple of trunks out front of my brother’s medical office. If you have someone to assist you, I’d appreciate if you’d fetch them. If not, I can help you later, or maybe Travis and I can see to the task.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll take care of them.”
Mr. Hart gave a brief nod then held out his elbows to her and Jenny. “Shall we eat, ladies? I imagine the stage food hasn’t been the best at times.”
“That’s an understatement,” Jenny mumbled as she tucked her arm through Mr. Hart’s. Rebekah felt odd touching her sister’s fiancé, but it would be rude to refuse his kind gesture. “That sounds lovely.” She lightly reached her hand around his upper arm, unprepared for the jolt of awareness that bolted through her as she touched his muscular bicep. What was wrong with her? She’d never had such a reaction to a man before.
As they entered the dining room, the clink of silverware and soft buzz of conversation suddenly stopped as all eyes followed them to a table in the back of the room. Mr. Hart held out the chairs for both of them. He selected the chair at the end of the table, so that he sat next to her and Jenny. The room was deathly quiet. Jenny glanced at her, and then around the room.
Mr. Hart blew out a loud breath and stood again. He glanced from table to table, where four groups of people sat. “What’s wrong? Y’all never seen twins before?” He swatted his hand in the air. “Go on back to your eating.”
Almost as one, people started dining and quietly talking, although they still shot glances their way. Mr. Hart sat again. “Sorry about all of that. People here are naturally curious about strangers, especially two pretty ones like yourselves.”
Rebekah was thankful for the low lighting at the back of the room, which she hoped hid the blush that unwillingly rose to her cheeks at Mr. Hart’s compliment. Very rarely had anyone said she was pretty, other than her father.
“I get the feeling there’s more to their stares than curiosity about strangers.” Jenny pursed her lips.
Mr. Hart fidgeted—she thought—but a heavyset woman hurrying toward them with a plate of biscuits snagged her interest. The woman set the plate on the table.