“Will we live in the big house or have one of our own?”
“When Pa dies, the family house will belong to me, as the oldest son. I can’t justify building us another one knowing that.”
“I understand.”
He studied her face but couldn’t tell if she was pleased with his response or not.
Gunfire sounded at the other end of the street, along with loud yelling. Jenny jumped. He pulled her behind him and sought out Rebekah.
Chapter Four
Rebekah stared at the beautiful sunset. Pink and orange washed over a sea of darkening blue, bathing the clouds in beauty. Gunfire jerked her from the pretty view. Holding her hand against her chest, she looked in the direction of the commotion down the street. Two cowboys raced past her, hooting and firing their guns.
The tension flowed from her. Evenings here were probably similar to those in Arcadia. The local cowboys, excited to be off the ranch, often created a ruckus when they first arrived in town. Most were harmless. The duo charged past Austin and Jenny, still hollering.
Austin pulled to a sudden halt in front of the saloon. He quickly stepped in front of her sister, as if ready to defend her, but his gaze shot straight to Rebekah’s. Her heart jolted at his concerned expression. The stiffness in his shoulders deflated, he took Jenny’s arm, and started forward again.
“Don’t worry about them. They’re just happy to be off work and in town.”
Rebekah glanced at the dandy who had exited the hotel while she stared at the rabble-rousers. “Cowboys in Missouri often do the same thing.”
The dandy smiled. He was nicely dressed in a gray suit, which looked good with his black hair and mustache. “So you’re from Missouri. What brings you to Hartville?”
She wasn’t used to chatting with strangers, and she wasn’t about to spill Austin and Jenny’s news. “Oh, this and that.”
The stranger glanced in the direction of Austin and Jenny, who had nearly reached the hotel. His head swiveled between her and Jenny several times, almost making her smile.
He twisted the corner of his mustache. “Say, that woman is an exact copy of you.”
“That’s a good thing since she’s my twin sister.”
He pushed his bowler hat back, revealing his thick, brown hair. “Well, that’s not a sight you see every day, especially in such a small town.”
Rebekah was used to people commenting about her and Jenny. She watched her sister as Austin talked. Jenny didn’t seem any more excited about marrying him now than she had before she met him. What would she do if Jenny changed her mind? Herman had made it clear that he wouldn’t allow her sister to live with them. If only she had a better option, but there were no jobs available for unmarried women in Arcadia or any of the neighboring towns. Becoming a mail-order bride had been Jenny’s only option. If only her sister were willing to marry Herman … As if hearing her thought, Austin looked at her, his brow furrowed. Shame on her for thinking such thoughts. Why couldn’t Jenny see what a nice man Austin Hart was?
The stranger tipped his hat to Jenny as she and Austin approached. “Good evening.”
Austin nodded. “Austin Hart. And you are?”
“My apologies. I was so flummoxed at seeing two of the same lovely ladies that I fear I was tongue-tied for a moment. Elrod Hewgley. Of the St. Louis Hewgleys.”
He said the last part as if it should mean something to her, but it didn’t. She’d never known anyone with the last name of Hewgley.
When no one responded, the dandy scratched his chest, looking a bit put off. “My family owns the St. Louis Ledger.”
Jenny giggled. “Austin Hart of Hartville.”
Austin and Mr. Hewgley both cast her sister an odd look. Austin cleared his throat. “I was born on the 7 Heart Ranch, not here in town.”
Mr. Hewgley’s gaze snapped to Austin’s. “You’re one of the seven Hart brothers? I heard about your father’s deal to marry you all off in a year and came to write a story about it. How about an interview?”
Austin shook his head. “It’s getting late, and I need to see the ladies inside.” He motioned for Rebekah to enter the hotel then followed with Jenny still at his side. Mr. Hewgley followed them.
“I can wait until you say good night to the ladies, or we could talk tomorrow, if it’s more convenient for you.”
Austin stared at the short man. “It’s not. My pa isn’t in the habit of airing the Harts’ private business publicly.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He gestured toward the stairs then touched the brim of his hat. “Ladies, I bid you good night.”
Rebekah took the hint and started up the stairs, glad her sister followed. As they turned the corner and started walking down the hall to their room, Jenny giggled again.
“What’s so funny?” Rebekah had been pleased with how Austin had put that snoopy reporter in his place, both efficiently and fairly politely.