“I’m sure they would have if Annie hadn’t had the good sense to let us be.” He needed to thank her next time he saw her.
Jenny flicked the edge of her napkin with her finger. “Do you think they suspect that we’re … um … talking about getting … married?”
Austin pursued his lips. “More than likely they’re gabbing about that very thing right now.” He needed to get Jenny to agree before his pa found out and questioned him. “I wonder if you’d consider going ahead and getting maried, then going straight to the ranch tomorrow instead of staying in town another day or two as we had planned.”
Rebekah’s heart lurched at the same time Jenny’s eyes widened. She knew Jenny had hoped to get to know Austin before meeting his family, but it was too late for that now. Those women were sure to tell their husbands about running into Austin and his two ladies. She knew by the stares they’d given her that they were curious.
Having met the women, though, she felt better about leaving her sister here. Surely they would rally around Jenny and make her feel welcome as Austin’s wife.
Jenny cast her a panicked glance then cleared her throat. “I … um … would prefer to wait a few more days to marry, as we discussed, but it would be fine to visit your ranch if that’s what you want.”
Austin pursed his lips but nodded, obviously disappointed at having to wait to marry. Rebekah searched for a safe topic. “How did the town come to be named after your family?”
While they finished their meal, Austin told them his family’s history and how they came to settle in Texas. He was fortunate to have such a rich heritage. Rebekah took a bite of her lunch, thinking how different their lives had been. Her father had been a pastor, and the family had moved from one church to another, every few years, until his death two years ago. Her mother and grandparents had all died when she and Jenny were young.
“So, do you currently live with your parents?” Austin asked, pulling Rebekah from her thoughts.
Jenny shook her head. “Both of them are gone. We’ve been living with our aunt, but she recently passed, too.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Jenny looked at Rebekah as if asking if she should share more.
Rebekah gave a tiny shake of her head. Austin didn’t need to know that the bank was repossessing their aunt’s house at the end of the month, leaving them homeless and desperate enough that they both looked at marriage as the answer to their dilemma.
Tillie put a fat slice of peach pie in front of Austin, and had cut the slice of apple in half that she and Jenny were sharing. Rebekah took a bite and closed her eyes. The sweet cinnamon flavor reminded her of the pies her mama used to make. “This is delicious. I’m half tempted to just eat pie for dinner.”
Austin smiled. “No one bakes pies as good as Tillie’s. It’s why I usually eat here whenever I come to town.” He took a swig of coffee then set the cup down. “Speaking of supper, I’m going to let you ladies rest up from your travels this afternoon, and then I’ll return around five to escort you to our evening meal. Does that meet with your approval?”
Rebekah almost grinned at his formal tone. Not much about this cowboy seemed formal, but she liked what she’d seen so far. As much as he hadn’t wanted his sisters-in-law to join them, he’d been courteous and mannerly to them. She could understand his not wanting three more women to listen to, but she had thought something was off. Had he not told them he was expecting a bride? He certainly hadn’t mentioned Jenny was his fiancée when he’d introduced them.
Ten minutes later, Austin bid them farewell at the bottom of the stairs then strode out of the hotel. Inside their room, they both flopped onto their beds.
Jenny yawned as she untied her balmorals. The boots thudded as they hit the floor. “I can’t believe how exhausted I am after all the bouncing and rattling around in that uncomfortable stagecoach.”
She watched as her sister reclined. “What did you think of Austin?”
“I suppose he’s all right. He sure doesn’t make my heartbeat speed up.”
Rebekah nibbled her lip. Austin Hart made her heart rate take off like it was running a race—more than once. She liked his dark eyes, emanating with kindness, and the deep rumble of his voice. She sighed. She supposed it was a good thing she liked her future brother-in-law, but she didn’t dare tell her sister that she’d trade places with her in a second. “Herman doesn’t make my heartbeat increase either, but that’s not what’s important in a marriage. Austin Hart is a good man. You saw how nicely he treated those Hart women when they barged in on us. I could tell he didn’t want them to join us, but he never said an unpleasant word to them.”
Jenny giggled. “He did squirm a time or two while they were there.”
“You do realize those women will be your new sisters, of sort.”