Austin shook his head. “They’re not here. Our horses are at the livery, though. Seems Cody left them there with a note saying he’d only borrowed them.”
“That’s good that he returned them. At least we won’t have to get the Rangers after him.” Travis scratched his ear. “So what now?”
“I checked at the stage office, and Cody and Jenny were on the one that left just before we got to town.”
“Are you going after them?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know. Jenny left a note for her sister.”
Travis leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Did you read it?”
“No.”
“Don’t you think you should? It might determine whether or not you should ride after her and bring her back.”
“I can’t marry her after this.” Austin sighed. “If I brought her back, it would only be for Rebekah’s sake. But what good would that do? Jenny would probably only leave again.”
“I’m sorry. I know that puts you in a real tight bind with Pa’s deadline looming so close.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw. “What about the other sister?”
Austin narrowed his eyes, not sure what Travis meant. “What about her?”
“Have you considered asking her to marry you?”
He had to admit the idea sounded better than he thought it might, but given the circumstances … “She’s engaged. She only came here to be with Jenny for the wedding.”
“That’s unfortunate. What are you going to do? I can’t believe Pa would actually turn you and Bowie out just because you didn’t find a bride by the end of the year.”
“I’m not willing to take the chance. I’ll marry, one way or another.”
Travis pushed away from that wall, crossed the room, and stopped in front of him. He placed his hand on Austin’s shoulder. “I know how important the ranch is to you, but I can tell you honestly, the love of a good woman is far better. It’s worth taking your time to find the right one.”
“But if I do that, I’ll have nothing to give her.”
Travis pursed his lips. “Not nothing. You’ll have yourself—and in the eyes of most who know you, that’s a lot.”
Austin barked a harsh laugh. “Thanks, but women want houses, security, not a man with empty pockets.”
“Guess maybe it’s time to take things to the Good Lord.”
The bell chimed again, and Austin moved out of the doorway as Miss Spanner, the town gossip, entered, holding one hand in the other. She glanced at him then at Travis. “I burned my hand on some hot grease.”
Travis stood aside and gestured toward the rear of his office. “Come on back to my exam room and let me check it.” He cast Austin an apologetic look.
Miss Spanner paused at the doorway and turned back. “Is it true your bride ran away with another man?”
As Austin rode into the ranch yard, Miss Spanner’s question still nagged him. If she knew about Jenny, the whole town—maybe even the county—did by now. He’d be the laughingstock of southern Texas before long. And except for Bowie, he’d be the only Hart brother who hadn’t landed a wife. Sighing loudly, he dismounted. He tied his horse and the two he’d picked up at the livery to the hitching post rather than heading to the barn, knowing Rebekah would be dying to hear news of her sister. He still hadn’t read Jenny’s note and wondered what it said.
The front door opened, and Rebekah rushed out. She hurried down the stairs and stopped in front of him, her eyes dim. “You didn’t find her.”
“Not exactly, but she left this for you.” He pulled the note from his vest pocket and handed it to her. “She and Cody left the horses at the livery and caught the morning stage.”
Her hands quivered as she unfolded the paper and read the short note. Her chin wobbled. “It says not to follow her. That she wants to be with Cody. Then just the word sorry.” She crumpled the paper and gazed up at him. Her miserable expression cut him to the quick. “What are we going to do?”
He glanced at the house and saw several of his sisters-in-law staring out the parlor window and two others at the open door, looking concerned. “Let’s take a walk.” He held out his arm, and she took it without hesitation.
He headed toward the pasture where the cattle grazed. They’d be within sight of the others for propriety sake but out of hearing range. Once they’d reached the fence, he stopped and turned to face her. “There’s not much we can do. I can try to find her and bring her back, but from what I know of your sister, she’d be spitting mad and just leave again.”
“I honestly can’t believe Jenny would do such a thing. She’s always been headstrong, but this is deplorable.” Rebekah turned her sad blue eyes on him as she clutched his arm. “I’m so sorry for the horrible predicament this puts you in. What will you do?”
He had no idea. “I don’t know. Need a little time to think.”
“I should probably pack my bags and leave. My presence will only make everyone uncomfortable, all things considered.”
The thought of her leaving created a crevice in his heart so wide it hurt. Was it possible he’d actually developed feelings for Rebekah? Or was his desperation to marry causing the ache? “There won’t be another stage today.”