Rebekah studied the landscape once they were clear of the ranch. Even though it was autumn, wildflowers dotted the landscape. A roadrunner dashed across the road up ahead of them. “It’s a lot drier here, and there aren’t nearly as many trees as in Missouri, but there’s a beauty all its own.”
“Except for trees like the mesquite, most tend to clump around the creeks and rivers. You should see it in the spring when the bluebonnets are in bloom. Whole fields of delft blue. It’s breathtaking.”
“I can’t even imagine that. I would love to see them one day. Maybe I can return for a visit then.” She doubted Herman would be in favor of her taking another trip so soon though. Being this far away from him made her wish things were different. If only she could stay.
“Jenny would love that, I’m sure.”
“Could you tell me a little about Austin? He seems like an honorable man, but Jenny hasn’t told me all that much about him.”
Annie nibbled her lower lip for a moment. “Since Travis and I have lived at El Regalo for a few months, I’ve gotten to know him and Bowie better than the others, but I still don’t know them well. I can tell you that all of his brothers look up to him and respect him. He tends to be quiet unless he’s belting orders or talking about the ranch.”
“He was quite kind and generous to us when we arrived in town. He even offered to get me my own room at the hotel.”
“The Hart men are all that way.” Annie clucked to the horse and slapped the reins against the horse’s back, and it started trotting.
The breeze helped cool Rebekah. “I’m grateful the canopy blocks the sun.”
“It takes some time to get used to the warmer weather here, but the Harts are far better off than most folks. The thick walls of El Regalo keep the inside cooler.”
“I noticed that. I guess you don’t get snow down here.”
“No. Almost never.” Annie smiled. “So, can I ask what your plans are? Have you considered moving to this part of the country so you can be close to your sister?”
Rebekah watched a flock of geese overhead. “I’ll return to Missouri where I’m to be married.”
“Oh! Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Is your future husband as handsome as Austin?” Annie wiggled her eyebrows in a teasing manner.
“Um … no.” She thought of Herman’s overweight figure and pale complexion. “Herman is a bank clerk.”
“That’s honorable employment.”
Rebekah started giggling. “I think that’s probably one of the few positive things you could have said about Herman.” That and he was one of the few men willing to marry her after word of what Jenny had done had spread through town.
Annie cast her a serious look then focused on the road again. “I’ve been around quite a few women in love and newlyweds lately, I don’t sense the same excitement in you. I may be poking my nose where it doesn’t belong, but can I ask why you’re marrying him? Do you actually love him?”
“To be honest, I don’t.” Rebekah stared at the landscape, blinking as the wind whipped tears in her eyes. “It’s sad to say but there are few options for women to earn an income, and my sister and I will be homeless once the bank reposes our recently deceased aunt’s house, where we’ve been living. Our only choice was to marry.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Annie turned in the seat. “But, you have other options now. Come and live here. Half of the big house is empty. I’m certain GW and Austin wouldn’t mind. There’s plenty of room—and lots of men in Texas who’d love a pretty wife like you.”
The thought of not marrying Herman was more pleasing than she could express. It relaxed the tension in her stomach and gave her a sense of freedom that she needed to consider. Could she live here? Be around Austin and Jenny every day? The thought of seeing her sister’s handsome husband each day made her heart leap.
Shamed, she glanced down to her lap. That was her answer. Her senseless attraction to Austin was inexcusable.
There was no hope that she could stay.
Austin rode into the ranch yard alongside Pa, who rode double with Robbie, ready for a cool drink and a warm meal. He smiled at the boy. He’d done better today than Austin had expected, and the gleam had never left his eyes, in spite of the warm sun, dust, and long day.
“Isn’t that your fiancée at the corral?” GW pursed his lips and frowned.
Austin’s gaze shot to the corral, where one of the twins was watching Cody ride a green-broke mare. “I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s Jenny.”
GW shook his head. “She needs to learn not to venture out to the corral and barn without an escort. Most of the men we hire are reliable sorts, but you can never know for sure how they’ll respond when a pretty gal is around. It can do strange things to a man’s mind.”
“I’ll have another talk with her.” He was fairly certain it was Jenny, because he felt sure Rebekah would have better sense than to be so far from the house alone.
She must have heard them because she turned and waved. He thought her smile looked a bit forced, but then maybe it was the sun in his eyes. Had she been waiting for him? The thought stirred something in his gut that had laid dormant for a long while.