“Why not? I don’t do much roping these days. Getting too old, I guess.”
Old? Him? Not in a thousand years would she call this vibrant man beside her old. He had a few lines in his face, particularly around his eyes, but the broad width of his shoulders and the strength in his stride gave him the appearance of someone who could rope and ride with one hand tied behind his back. Well, perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration, but still…
“Hear that, Ma? Doc Travis says I can have his old rope! I’ll be a real cowboy in no time.” Robbie grinned, his hair already wind-tousled. A stubborn cowlick flipped up on one side, and Annie smoothed it with her fingers.
“That’s very kind of Dr. Hart. What do we say when people do kind things for us?”
“Thank you, Doc Travis. You’re real nice. Can you sing that cowboy song again? The one you taught me when you was checking on my arm.”
Annie suppressed a smile. Travis, sing? She must’ve not been within earshot when that was going on. She made a mental note to eavesdrop when Travis next spent time with Robbie.
“Not right now. We’re almost there. You’ll be meeting some cowboys in just a few minutes.”
“Come a ti yi yippee, come a ti yippie yay!” Robbie pumped his fist in the air.
Travis glanced at her, amusement in his gaze. “Don’t tell me he learned that in Galveston.”
She grinned. “You know very well you taught it to him.”
He chuckled. “Guilty as charged, darlin’.” He accentuated his Texan drawl, prompting giggles from Robbie. Though it was meant as a joke, the endearment rooted itself in her mind. It would be easy to think of herself as this man’s darling. Easy to imagine the three of them together, not just for the afternoon, but for tomorrow and every day after.
Far, far too easy.
The moment El Regalo came into view it became easier still. Framed against the backdrop of gently rolling hills, the Hart ranch house could be termed only one thing—a mansion fit for royalty. Built of sandy brick, enlivened with ornately designed windows, it ought to have seemed out of place in this land she’d always thought of as wild. Yet it fit somehow. A tribute to George Washington Hart’s years of work, and most of all, a testimony to his abiding love for his beloved late wife. Annie’s breath caught.
“This ain’t no ranch. It’s a castle!” Robbie exclaimed. The moment the horses stopped, he jumped down.
“Isn’t,” Annie corrected. Her son had hit the nail on the head. When compared to the grandeur of El Regalo, the Parker ranch seemed like a rotting hogshead.
They made their way to the door. Before Travis could lay a hand on the door handle, it swung open. A tall, roguishly handsome man stood just inside. His face split into a grin, dimples emerging that could melt the heart of any Lone Star State gal.
“Well, well, look who’s come for a visit. My all-too-absent brother. Who’s the pretty lady, Travis?”
Was she mistaken, or did a hint of a flush creep over Travis’s face? “You remember Annie Lawrence, don’t you?”
“Of course. How could I forget? Heard you were back in town, Miss Gumdrops.” He grinned.
So this was Hays. Annie returned the smile. “Haven’t they tossed you in the clink for your thieving ways?”
“Still evading capture. My wife’s been keeping me close to home lately, and she’s pretty enough to beat general store candy ten times over.” He squatted down until he was eye level with Robbie. The boy gaped at Hays’s genuine cowboy attire of checkered shirt, brown vest, jean work pants, and tall leather boots.
“You must be Annie’s boy. How do you like this part of Texas?”
“Fine and dandy. Just give me a rope, some cows, a horse that ain’t lame, and I’ll be ready and rarin’ to go.” Robbie said this with such gravity that the three adults were hard-pressed to stifle their laughter.
“Sounds like a plan.” Hays matched Robbie’s serious tone. “Looks like you got a sore paw, partner. You’ll need plenty of grub to gain back your strength. Why don’t you come on inside. Don’t tell her I told you so, but our cook makes the best blueberry pie around. And if we sweet-talk her just right, I’ll betcha she’ll let us have a piece. But first, let’s say howdy to the rest of the family.”
They made their way into the vestibule, Hays and Robbie keeping up a steady stream of chatter. Annie smoothed her hand down the front of her dove-gray silk dress, hoping her hair hadn’t suffered too much in the dust and wind.
A mix of male and female voices drifted from the parlor. Annie swallowed hard. She’d grown up amongst these boys, so there was no need to be nervous. But they were grown men now. The war had no doubt wrought changes, some more obvious than others. Still, this was Travis’s family. And he didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable as he followed his brother into the room.
Mercy, what a sight…