Amanda Barratt has won several awards for her work and enjoys writing about eras such as Regency and Victorian England, and the Gilded Age. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in northern Michigan with her family, where she reads way too many old books, watches period dramas to come up with new plotlines, and dreams of taking a trip to England. Amanda loves hearing from her readers on Facebook and through her website amandabarratt.net.
A Love Returned
by Keli Gwyn
Chapter One
July 1, 1874
Twelve years was a long time to wait for a tamale. Sam Houston Hart forked a bite and savored the spicy taste.
Travis, who had met the stagecoach earlier that day, watched from his place at the massive dining room table opposite Houston. “Are they as good as you remember, Huey?”
“Better. Perla outdid herself.” He’d thought about the meal that awaited him when he reached El Regalo several times during the long ride from California. The tamales the family’s cook had prepared in the days before he’d left home back in ’62 were delicious. These were an explosion of flavor well worth the wait. “I hope the rest of you aren’t too hungry, because I plan to tuck in my fair share—and then some.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Hays reached for the platter in front of him and plopped another tamale on his plate.
His lovely wife, Emma, patted his arm and smiled. “Be nice.”
Hays feigned surprise. “I am nice.” His exaggerated expression gave way to a grin. “But I’m hungry, too. Can’t let Houston get my share.”
Chisholm took the steaming dish his wife, Caro, passed him and added another tamale to the mound on his plate. “It’s every man for himself around here. You have told your son that, haven’t you, Trav?”
Nine-year-old Robbie, seated beside Travis’s new bride, Annie, piped up. “He didn’t have to. I’ve watched y’all and learned to grab what I want the first time around.”
Laughter erupted. Although Houston had enjoyed his time in California, he’d missed sitting around this table with his family. His brothers were all there, with the exception of Crockett, who was out on the cattle drive. They were older, of course, but there were other changes, too. Austin wore his authority as the oldest with more confidence. Bowie, left scarred due to war injuries, had retreated behind a wall. Travis, now a doctor, possessed an air of calm competence. Rough, rugged Chisholm did the Texas Rangers proud. And Hays, a carefree boy when Houston left, now overflowed with optimism.
Pa sat at the head of the table looking larger than life and as formidable as ever. When it came to men getting what they wanted, he was a prime example. George Washington Hart had set out to expand his father’s cattle empire into one of the largest in south-central Texas, and he’d succeeded. The herd this year had been the biggest ever, a fact Austin had announced with pride. His brother had contributed to that success, unlike Houston himself. He’d left days before his eighteenth birthday, eager to leave this life behind—along with his inability to measure up to his father’s expectations.
But he was back now, and he had plenty to prove. Folks in Hartville had sent curious glances his way when he’d emerged from the cramped quarters of the stagecoach. Some had been disapproving. Travis had warned him in his letters that there were those who thought Houston should have stayed and fought, as his three older brothers and Crockett had. But Houston hadn’t. He’d left, and there were those who weren’t all that excited about his return.
Was Coralee among them? Perhaps he’d find out Friday night, when the family was holding a barbecue to celebrate his homecoming. His former sweetheart never missed a social gathering, so she was sure to be there, whether he was ready for their reunion or not. He was curious to see her, of course, but nothing more. He’d proposed, eager to take her to California as his bride, and she’d turned him down. He wasn’t about to risk rejection a second time.
The meal passed pleasantly enough, with the usual talk of cattle, the drive currently underway, and plans for the future. Pa was always looking ahead to bigger herds and larger profits. With three of Houston’s brothers now in possession of their shares of the ranch, they exchanged friendly banter about besting one another as they strived to emulate their father’s success.
If all went well, Houston would find a woman willing to be his wife, claim his share of the 7 Heart, and earn his father’s approval. Not an easy task. Ranching ran in his brothers’ blood, but not in his. They enjoyed spending hours in the saddle. He didn’t. Although he sat a horse as well as any man, he preferred running a business over riding the range. His hardware store in California had done quite well, enabling him to carry out his dream of—