“There you are.” She pushed away from the corral railing and walked toward him. “I wondered when you’d get back.”
GW shot a look at Austin that warned him to be cautious. But of what? Surely he wasn’t warning him of his future wife. Not for the first time, he wondered if he’d done the wrong thing in writing for a mail-order bride. But then he wouldn’t be in this mess at all if not for his pa’s ultimatum.
In front of the barn, GW swung Robbie to the ground and dismounted. Austin slid down as Jenny approached him. He glanced past her to see Cody watching them. The cowboy jerked away when Austin’s gaze collided with his and turned the horse in the other direction.
“So, how were the horses?”
“Fine.”
Jenny glanced over shoulder then back at him. “How many do you have?”
“Several hundred.”
“Hundred?” Her blue eyes widened. “Why so many? I thought you raised cattle.”
Gage walked out of the barn. “Can I take your horse?”
Austin nodded. “Yes. Thank you.” He passed the reins to the wrangler.
He offered Jenny his elbow. “We need lots of horses to herd the cattle and patrol the ranch. It’s a big place, and fresh horses are a necessity.”
“I see. The only time I rode a horse was when I was about five.”
He stopped and stared down, surprised at her comment. But then she’d lived in a town and there probably hadn’t been much need to ride. “We’ll have to remedy that.” He chuckled when her eyes grew big again.
“Ma! I rode Grandpa’s horse all day!”
“Oh, look. There’s Rebekah and Annie.” Jenny tugged away and hurried toward her sister.
Austin shouldn’t feel jealous about her wanting to be with Rebekah, but he did. For the first time, they were actually talking a bit. He walked toward the buggy. Why hadn’t Jenny gone with the women? Had she been down at the corral for long?
He blew out a sigh. Being suspicious of his fiancée was hardly the right way to start out a long-term relationship. He glanced up at the sky. I could use some help, Lord. I realize that I sent for Jenny without consulting You first. I probably deserve to have some problems, but I never expected things to be so difficult. Show me how to win the heart of my bride and to make her happy.
Watching Robbie bounce alongside the buggy as he relayed the events of the day brought a smile to his face. What would it be like when his brothers started having young’uns? He glanced at Jenny. Would they have children? He hoped so, but that possibility seemed far away at the moment.
Austin thought about heading to the house, but the polite thing would be to escort the women. Jenny was yakking with Rebekah, while Annie listened to her son. Rebekah suddenly looked up as if she knew he were there and smiled. She gave a little wave, much like Jenny had done, but her gesture made him smile. He reached up and tipped his hat to her, realizing he hadn’t done the same for Jenny.
He strode toward the house. Why did he feel something warm when Rebekah looked at him, but felt as if a cold bucket of water had been thrown on him when he was with Jenny? It wasn’t right, and he didn’t like the guilt he felt because of it, but what was he to do? He’d made a commitment to Jenny, and he intended to honor it.
Chapter Seven
Rebekah turned over in bed and glanced at the window. She blew out a loud breath at not seeing any light yet. She had dozed on and off, restless for some unknown reason. Last night’s supper had gone well, with Robbie regaling them on his exciting day. Travis and Annie had looked so proud and happy.
She had been thrilled when she returned from Annie’s house to see Austin and Jenny arm in arm, but then her sister had left him as soon as she’d noticed them. She was having a hard time not feeling sorry for the big man. She knew he was tough, but she’d also seen his insecurities when he looked at her sister. He was having doubts about marrying Jenny.
Her heart quaked at the thought, and she bolted upright. What if he decided not to marry Jenny? What would they do then? It was far better for her sister to not return to Arcadia given the circumstances and the disparaging way people looked at her. There was only one thing to be done—she had to make Austin see Jenny’s good points and convince him to marry her.
So why was her heart not in the task?
Because Austin deserved better.
What he deserved was a woman who could love him. She could no more trick him into marrying her sister than she could marry him herself. She glanced at the lump of blankets next to her. Her heart bucked again. Why didn’t she hear Jenny’s breathing?
She slid her hand over to the blankets and gently pressed down. They gave way. Where in the world was her sister?
Rebekah slid off the edge of the big bed, crossed the room, and reached for the window. Someone had drawn the drapes. As she pulled them open, the light of dawn filtered in so that she could see. Jenny was not in their room. She must be in the washroom.