“I think she’s missing home some. We’ve lived our whole lives in Missouri, and she had to leave her friends.” What few she still had after the bad choices she’d made.
“That’s understandable.”
“How would you feel if you had to leave El Regalo, knowing you might never return?”
His fingers brushed across his chin, making a rasping sound she found intriguing. “I see your point. I’ve been on several cattle drives that lasted a couple of months, as well as business trips to purchase new stock, but I’ve always known I’d be coming home again. I can’t imagine how awful I’d feel if I knew I’d never see my home again.”
She took a step toward him and almost reached out before closing her hand and keeping it at her side. “Please give her time. She only met you yesterday. I think the idea of getting married needs to soak into her mind. I don’t think it seemed real until she met you.”
“I understand, but I would have thought she’d already made up her mind. That was the point in writing letters.”
Rebekah didn’t know what to say. She wanted to defend her sister, but more and more, she didn’t want to see Austin hurt. He was a good man. She could tell Travis looked up to him as his older brother. And Jenny could be unpredictable.
“I’ll be patient, but I have to be honest. I have a deadline to get married.”
“What?” Rebekah stared at him. What in the world did that mean?
He rubbed his jaw again, and she noticed that he seemed to favor one leg, even wincing when he put his full weight on it.
“I should have told Jenny before she came, but I was afraid she’d stop writing me.” He blew out a loud sigh. “Pa gave all of us an ultimatum—get married by the end of this year or lose our inheritance.”
A loud gasp slipped out before Rebekah could stop it. “Why would he do such a thing?”
Austin scratched his ear and stared out into the darkness. “I honestly don’t know.” He faced her again, looking serious. “I suppose he made the ultimatum because he wants to see his sons married and maybe even enjoy some grandchildren soon. He isn’t getting any younger. I’ll admit we were all upset at first—well, maybe all but Hays. The crazy thing is that it’s turned out better than any of us thought—at least for those who are married.”
And he was the eldest brother and still not married. No wonder he felt the pressure to find a wife.
“It’s even a bit worse for me than the others, but I stand to inherit this house and the surrounding lands, as well as another nice section of land.”
She couldn’t help reaching out and touching his arm. “Surely your father wouldn’t turn you away simply because you didn’t marry.”
“I can’t take that chance. This land—this family—is all I have.”
“That’s not true.”
He stared down at her, frowning. “I’ve lived my whole life here. I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else.”
“I understand. But this isn’t all you have. You have the knowledge of being a rancher, and no matter where you end up, that will serve you well. From what I’ve seen, you’re a good, honorable man, and whether you live here or somewhere else, that won’t change.”
Her gaze locked with his, and her heartbeat escalated. What was she doing out her alone with Jenny’s fiancé? She stepped back. “I … uh … should probably go inside.”
“Let me tell Jenny about the ultimatum, if you will. She should know before we marry.”
And Jenny had something she needed to tell him, too. “I won’t say anything. I promise.”
“Good night, Rebekah.”
“Good night.” She rushed inside, her heart racing. It wasn’t until she was back in her room that she realized she’d left the lantern outside. A light under the door told her Austin had returned it to the table. She felt her way around the room and dropped down into the chair, thinking of her conversation with Austin. Why had he told her about the ultimatum? Did he feel as comfortable talking with her as she did him?
She laid her head back, tears gathering in her eyes. Over the years there had been many times she and Jenny had swapped places to play a prank on someone. For the first time in her life, she wished she could change places with her sister permanently.
Chapter Six
After a delicious breakfast, Rebekah followed Jenny back to their room. “I’m excited to see Annie’s house, aren’t you?”
Jenny strode to the window overlooking the porch and stared out. “I don’t think I’ll go. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’m still tired from traveling. I was thinking I’d stay here and repair the hem on my petticoat and maybe read for a while.”