The Rancher Takes a Bride

  She stood and began to pace.

  "He acted like I had intentionally misled him. It's just a name. It's all part of the presentation of my skills."

  Eugenia laughed. "Travis certainly can get himself riled up. Almost as much as his father." She laid her knitting needles down. "You know, dear, you still owe me a séance to try to find my other son. Tanner was such a dear boy, I can't stand to think of him as dead."

  "What do you know about him?"

  "Only that at the Battle of Atlanta he disappeared. His body was never recovered, and as far as we know he was not taken prisoner." She sighed. "We just don't know what happened to him."

  "Eugenia, I don't want to get your hopes up. I don't think I'm going to be able to help you," Rose said, not wanting to lie to Eugenia.

  "But you promised you would try."

  "All right. We'll try, but not when Travis is around." Rose twisted her hands, an idea forming in her mind. "You know, Eugenia, I would really appreciate your help with a little problem. Isaiah told me about a theater troupe coming to town."

  Rose paused, watching the interest dawn on Eugenia's face. "I remember when you came to visit me, you recommended that I try acting before I went all the way to New York. Well, now's my chance. They're holding auditions in two weeks."

  Eugenia had stopped her knitting and sat gazing at Rose, her forehead drawn together in a frown.

  "I don't know what to say." Eugenia glanced at her knitting, picked up a dropped stitch, and then the sound of furious clicking resounded in the room. "I did say you should try acting." Eugenia sighed, the sound heavy in the room. "Didn't you tell me your mother was a famous actress?"

  "Yes," Rose said, trying to keep the rising excitement out of her voice.

  "This is very important to you, isn't it?"

  "Oh, yes."

  Rose watched Eugenia, her face a thoughtful reflection as her knitting needles went faster and faster, as if racing with her thoughts. "All right, I'll help you."

  "Oh, thank you," Rose said, feeling relieved.

  "Don't get too excited. There's a small condition to my help," Eugenia warned. "First you must talk to Travis and ask him to let you go to the audition."

  "You know he's not going to give me permission."

  "I won't help you until he refuses to let you go. Then, if he denies you, I'll do what I can."

  It wasn't an unreasonable request, and she had planned on confronting Travis. "All right. I'll ask him tonight."

  Thirty minutes passed before Rose heard the sound of Travis's boots clumping on the wooden porch. The sound made her breathing quicken, and her eyes were drawn to the doorway. His piercing brown eyes met hers as he paused before stepping through the door. He looked tired, the lines around his eyes weary from the long day. His clothes were spotted with blood.

  "Well?" Eugenia asked. "Did you save them?"

  "Yes, for now."

  "You did good work, son. They're both alive."

  Suddenly Rose realized how much he cared about his animals, even a mother cow and her calf. He'd wanted to save them. The realization left her oddly troubled. She wanted to hate Travis Burnett, yet she just couldn't.

  Everything about the man was decent and good, except for restraining her and believing she'd stolen his mother's ring. Somehow it hurt that he thought she could steal. Even in the roughest of times, she'd never stolen, just twisted the truth to fit her needs.

  "Yeah, if they live through the night, they'll probably be okay." He pulled his hat off and tossed it onto a hat rack and then proceeded to slump down into a chair across from his mother and Rose.

  "God, I'm beat!" he said.

  Eugenia glanced at Rose. "I think I'll retire now that I know about that poor animal."

  Laying her knitting aside, she turned her gaze upon Rose and gave her a knowing glance. "Good night, dears."

  Rose watched Eugenia walk out of the room, the sound of her skirts swishing as she left. She glanced over at Travis, who had laid his head back and closed his eyes. "Bad day, huh?"

  "Yeah, you might call it that."

  She sighed. Somehow this didn't seem to be the right time, yet she boldly blazed ahead. She had to know. "I need to talk to you."

  "Does it have to be tonight?"

  "Unfortunately, yes."

  Travis opened his eyes and gazed at her with a look that was a cross between annoyance and curiosity. "What's so important?"

  "How much longer are you going to keep me here? I need to know, Travis."

  He laid his head back against the cushion once more and closed his eyes. "That's simple. Until you give the ring back."

  Irritation blazed through her, yet she tried to restrain herself. It would do no good to lose her temper. "Then I guess we're staying forever, because I don't have the ring."

  "Glad that's settled. Anything else?"

  Rose took a deep breath. "I'm serious. You can't mean to keep us here forever."

  "I mean exactly that," he said, his voice level without emotion. "Unless you'd rather go to jail."

  "Of course not. I have to get out of here, Travis," she said, her voice rising, her frustration mounting.

  He opened his eyes and glanced at her. "What changed today while I was gone? You didn't want to leave this badly before. Did Isaiah tell you it was time to go?"

  "No." She twisted her handkerchief. "No ... I mean, yes. I wanted to leave. It's just that now I have something I need to do."

  "Like what?"

  "There's a theater troupe coming to town next week. They're having auditions. I want to be in this play."

  She waited for his response, certain of the outcome.

  "Like hell! There's no way I'm going to let you leave here to be part of a theater group that probably has the morals of a gang of carpetbaggers." He sat up and rubbed his hands across his face.

  "And just who made you my keeper?" she asked, her voice rising along with his. She'd made a promise to herself that she would not get upset and argue with Travis, yet that was exactly what was happening.

  "You did, when you stole my mother's ring. You're confined to the house, until I deem it time to let you go. And I guarantee that won't be soon."

  "Travis Burnett, you're impossible." Rose stood up, her skirts flowing away from her as she walked up to him. She stood over him, her hands on her hips. "I want to be in that play. And I'm going to do everything I can to get there, whether you like it or not."

  ***

  "You're not going to let her audition, are you?" Eugenia asked the next morning over breakfast. Rose had yet to make an appearance this morning.

  Travis couldn't help but wonder about his mother. She was obviously taking that little liar's side once again. "Nope. Not till I get your ring back."

  The thought of letting Rose go into town alone made him feel anxious, and that frightened him. He didn't need to start caring what Rose did, except returning the ring. It could lead to nothing but trouble.

  "Why not?" Eugenia asked, exasperated.

  He raised his eyebrows at his mother. "You think I should let her go audition for a play? Where she would have the chance to meet up with all kinds of ruffians? Sell your wedding ring, her body, or anything else she might take from the house? Even skip town if she wanted."

  "She's not going to sell anything to anyone. You're overreacting."

  "You know, Mother, for someone whose most precious possession was stolen by Rose, you seem mighty cozy with her. You're not angry, and you almost seem to enjoy her company."

  "What do you want me to do? Flog her? Rose is a delightful girl, who just happened to be the last person I was with when my ring disappeared. It's most likely her, but I can't prove it."

  "Mother, I've basically kidnapped this woman, held her hostage to retrieve your ring. I'd be very upset if I found out she didn't steal your ring."

  Eugenia swallowed. "Who else could it be?"

  "Then I see no reason to let her go audition to be in a play. That will only put her in touch with o
ther questionable characters and give her a chance to escape."

  The thought of never seeing Rose again was disturbing, way too disturbing. It had to be because of his mother's ring. That's all it could be.

  "But she has nothing to do. And this has always been an interest of hers. I even suggested she try acting before going to New York."

  He shrugged his shoulders. "Too bad."

  Eugenia threw down her napkin. "Travis, you're being unreasonable. Let the poor girl audition."

  "No. Rose or Desirée or whatever name she's going by today will remain here on the ranch until the ring is returned."

  Eugenia shook her head. "Sometimes I think you're more difficult than your father."

  Why was his mother defending the girl? She'd always been a strong defender of their family. She had instilled in him his sense of duty and honor. So why this time was she so eager to absolve this woman?

  "I'll take that as a compliment, Mother."

  ***

  Travis spent the day riding the range, checking out the herd, seeing to the new calves, and examining the cows that had yet to deliver their calves. It'd been a long, hot, dusty day spent in the saddle and he could hardly wait to reach the house and relax a couple of hours before turning in for the night.

  Yet all day long his thoughts had repeatedly turned to Rose. All he could think about was the feel of her soft, satiny skin beneath his fingers. The way she smiled up at him, teasing him about something. The way she tasted when he kissed her. The way she passionately argued with him.

  What would she be like in bed if she were naturally this ardent?

  He shook himself. He couldn't think those kinds of thoughts. She was everything he despised in a woman. But if he felt nothing but disdain, why did he want to carry her upstairs, consequences be damned? Why did the woman have the ability to make him feel more alive than he'd felt in his entire life?

  With determination he pushed the disturbing questions out of his mind.

  As the barn came into sight, the sun slid below the western sky, creating an amber glow. Travis was suddenly eager to get to the house and see what kind of mischief Rose had been up to today.

  Since she'd come into his life, it certainly was not dull.

  He pulled on the reins, bringing his horse to a halt in front of the building. From inside came a strange sound, almost like a wailing noise, that caused him to shudder. Swinging his leg over the saddle, he dropped down to the ground and tugged on the reins of his horse. Opening the barn door, he glanced inside and felt like someone had punched him in the gut.

  Some of his workers were gathered in a circle, along with his mother, who had her head bowed as if she were in prayer.

  He wanted to rant and rave. He wanted to scream and shout. He wanted to pick Rose up and carry her from the barn and make love to her until she never thought about holding another séance.

  A candle flame burned on the center of the table.

  His men knew better than to have an open flame in the barn! With mounting fury, he couldn't believe they had been so careless. One spark would send it up like a bonfire, trapping the animals in their stalls.

  Rose's voice crooned in the candlelit barn, "Tanner, come to us and let your loved ones speak to you once more."

  "What in the hell is going on here?" Travis shouted, anger causing his voice to sound loud and harsh. "Put out that candle at once."

  One of the men jumped up and blew out the light, plunging them into darkness. A match was struck, and a covered lantern was lit

  "Before you get too upset at Rose, son, I asked her to hold this séance."

  "Get to the house, Mother. I'll talk to you later. In fact, why don't all of you take a walk, while Miss Severin and I settle this."

  Eugenia stood with a huff and hurried out the door. Rose watched his workers leaving, a stiff smile on her face. Finally they were alone.

  Rose turned and faced him, her eyes narrowed as she raised an eyebrow. "Once again, cowboy, you've managed to ruin one of my séances."

  "Miss Severin or whatever your name is, I don't give a damn whether I ruined your séance. I've been very explicit about how I feel about you holding a séance on my ranch."

  She smiled. "I did it for your mother. I was trying to locate your missing brother."

  "I don't care if you did it for the queen. There will be no séances held at this ranch. Do you understand me, Miss Severin?"

  "Mr. Burnett, I must do something with my time, and since I cannot go to town and audition for the play, then I will hold séances. Here, on your ranch!"

  "Tell me, you didn't take money from my men?"

  She lifted her chin. "Of course I charged them a small fee. Not nearly what I normally charge, but I don't do this for free."

  "Return it! Now!"

  "No!"

  "If you don't give me the cash you took from my men right this moment, I promise I'm going to search you until I find it."

  "You wouldn't!"

  He took a step, marching determinedly toward her. God, please don't make me carry out this stupid threat because I know if I touch her, I'm lost.

  "All right! She walked over to a small box, lifted the lid to reveal a stash of cash, and then handed the coins to Travis. "Here! Take it!"

  Travis reached out and accepted the coins. "You knew how I would feel about you doing this on my ranch, yet you did it to spite me."

  "I held a séance because I am bored out of my ever- loving mind with nothing to do. I did it because your mother wants me to find your brother. I did it to earn some cash. I did it to show you I must go into town for that audition. I need that part in the play."

  "No."

  She took a deep breath and released it slowly. "You know, cowboy, I think I've been pretty patient, hoping you would realize I didn't steal your mother's ring. But I don't have time for this anymore. I'm leaving."

  Chapter Nine

  Rose's anger built with each step, until she stomped into the house. Travis had yelled repeatedly for her to stop, but she hadn't even turned and glanced in his direction. Just kept marching on, determined to get as far away from Travis Burnett as possible.

  The man had brought her to his ranch and she'd stayed, trying her best to make him understand she had not stolen his mother's wedding ring. He didn't believe her, but her life had to carry on. She was leaving. And he'd have to follow her and drag her back before she'd return.

  She advanced up the stairs, threw open the door to her bedroom, and located her valise. Picking up her few toiletries, she tossed them in her bag. As soon as she collected Isaiah, the two of them were heading to Fort Worth. She didn't care that it was almost dark, didn't care about the dangers on the road. She'd faced her biggest danger right here, and still he didn't believe she was innocent. Still he refused to consider that she hadn't stolen his mother's ring.

  With a click she closed the clasp on her bag, picked it up, and glanced around the bedroom one last time. It was a lovely room, yet to her it had become a prison. A beautiful jail cell with a jailer who tormented her in ways she'd never imagined.

  Rose walked out of the room and closed the door firmly behind her. Hurrying down the stairs, she was surprised when she didn't run into Eugenia, but she couldn't wait to say good-bye. Eugenia would try to stop her, and Rose was determined that this time she was leaving.

  She had to get away from Travis before his accusations stung more than her pride. She had to get away before they damaged her soul. She had to get away before he broke down her barriers and eased his way into her heart.

  Opening the door, she half expected to see Travis; instead the sight that met her eyes sent her heart plunging to her feet.

  Smoke billowed like storm clouds from the barn's hayloft, signaling its death and destruction.

  "Oh, God! The horses," she cried, dropping her suitcase on the front porch and running for the barn.

  "Fire!" she screamed, her voice shrill with panic. "Help, fire!"

  The door to the barn was closed
, and she could hear the animals screaming in terror. Tears clogged her throat, her heart pounding in tune with her panic. She yanked open the heavy wooden door and a blast of smoke and soot hit her full in the face. She choked and coughed on the vile smell. Gazing into the blaze, her eyes teared from the fumes and heat. The frightened thumping of a horse kicking at his stall spurred her into action.

  "Travis?" she called into the hazy barn, praying he wasn't in there. Fear pulsed with each beat of her heart. God, she didn't want to enter this inferno, but the horses were in danger.

  Before her panic overwhelmed her, she stepped into the barn. As she lifted the rope latch on the first stall, she tried not to think about the large horses. She tried not to remember their massive hooves, slicing through the air in fear. Through the hazy smoke, she could see the horse's pupils wide with terror and fought to remain calm.

  Swinging open the wooden door, Rose stepped back as the horse raced out of the stall, its hooves thundering through the barn and out the main door.

  Coughing, she tried to hold the air in her lungs for as long as possible between each searing breath, knowing that with each gulp of air, she breathed more smoke.

  Quickly she ran from one stall to the next, releasing the animals. Wood crackled and popped with the flames, the sound eerie and wicked along with the high-pitched wails of the animals. With each breath she drew, her chest felt scorched from the hot air and smoke.

  "Travis!" she called over and over again. Rose had never been so scared in all her life. She kept looking for the man who was both her adversary and her protector, to no avail.

  She ran to the next horse stall and swung open the door, but the horse shied away from her. Frightened of the animal, she pushed the door in further and called to the horse.

  "Come on, gittee up, get going," she sputtered between coughing spasms.

  The air was getting worse, and she knew she was quickly running out of time. But the horse just cried in fright and stomped nervously at the ground with his hoof. Taking a deep breath, she reached in and grabbed him by the halter, trying to keep as far away from the animal as possible. The horse shook his head, but she held on tight.

  "Come on, please come out," she pleaded. "You don't want to stay in here. I promise."

  The horse made a snorting sound and finally took a step toward freedom. As soon as the animal was out of the stall, she let go of the bridle and he took off through the barn and out the door.