The Rancher Takes a Bride

Isaiah smiled and clicked to the horses, putting the wagon in motion. "I remember your mama saying those same words. Rehearsing ain't easy. She used to come out of the theater and want to go straight home and to bed. She would be plumb tuckered out at the end of a play."

  Rose glanced at Isaiah as she hung on to the side of the rocking wagon. She sighed. "I wish she were here now to help me. I feel like there is so much to learn."

  "You'll get it, Miss Rose. Don't you worry."

  "Either I'll start to understand what the director wants, or he'll be looking for a new Bianca." She gave a little laugh. "I'm certain that would please Mr. Burnett."

  Isaiah reached up and scratched his head. "I was surprised he let you act in this play."

  "He didn't have any choice. I was not going to miss this opportunity."

  Isaiah gazed at Rose, his black face wrinkled in a frown. He turned and glanced at the man sitting in the back of the wagon. His hat was pulled down low, and a soft snore occasionally drifted out from under it.

  "Why is acting so important to you, Miss Rose? Is it because of your mother or do you have a real love for it?" Isaiah asked, slapping the reins of the horses, to pick up a little speed as they left the city of Fort Worth behind.

  Rose turned and glanced at the older man. "It's all I've dreamed of since I was a little girl. I can't remember anything else I've ever wanted as much."

  Isaiah glanced at her, his dark eyes full of understanding. "But why have you wanted to be an actress? Because of your mother?"

  Rose grabbed the edge of the wagon to keep from bouncing off the seat as they hit a rut in the road.

  "You know I can't remember very much about my mother. Only hazy images of her all dressed up on her way to the theater."

  "Do you remember your father with her?" Isaiah asked.

  She looked at him oddly and searched her memory. Strangely enough, the few memories she had were not of her parents together. She had images of them, but they were always apart.

  "No, Isaiah, it seemed that there were men with her, but I don't remember who they were, only that they weren't my father."

  "Miss Rose, your mother was a good woman, but she made a lot of mistakes in her life. You were probably the best thing that ever happened to her."

  "What are you saying, Isaiah?" Rose asked. She gazed quizzically at the Negro man as he controlled the horse, his strong hands managing the reins.

  "After you were conceived, your mother didn't see your father until right before she took ill and died. He'd already moved on down the road, looking for a new game and a new woman."

  A breeze blew across the prairie, swirling the dust in odd twists and patterns. Rose turned her face away from the stinging crystals.

  "If you think I didn't realize what kind of man Daddy was, then you're wrong. I knew a long time ago he was not the kind of man who kept a promise to a woman. So if you're trying to tell me my parents didn't live together, it's really all right." She sighed, wondering what her life would have been like if her mother had lived. "Daddy was not the kind of man I'd ever consider marrying, and I'm sure Mama must have regretted falling in love with him."

  "Miss Rose, your father had a good heart. He just had a roving eye and a restless spirit that kept him on the move all the time."

  "I know, and after Mama died, I was fortunate he made room for me in his life. He wasn't a bad father, just not the kind of man a woman would want to marry." She considered her thoughts carefully for a moment. "Actually, living with Daddy was often fun. Right up until he met that witch of a woman he married. I still can't believe he ran out on us for her."

  Isaiah shook his head. "I never understood how he could abandon us that way either."

  "I guess he felt he'd found something better," she said, glancing out at the spacious land surrounding her. "Still, I can't imagine growing up in such wide- open spaces."

  Isaiah shrugged. "It's a lot quieter than those northern cities you were accustomed to."

  Rose couldn't help but think of Travis as a young boy, riding the range with his father. "I bet growing up at the Bar None was nothing like my childhood either."

  "Uh-huh. Different as milk and rum." Isaiah turned the wagon in a more southerly direction. "As different as fire and rain. You were taught how to make a living as best you could. Mr. Burnett was taught how to take care of himself and his family."

  "True." She laughed. "If Travis only knew I could have picked their pockets clean anytime I'd wanted to, he would be more understanding concerning his mother's ring."

  "Oh, Lord, Miss Rose, please don't say that to Mr. Burnett. He'll lock you up in that jail for sure."

  "You're right, Isaiah." She sighed, the sound heavy in the lengthening twilight. "It probably would be better not to tell Travis the truth about my father and how I spent my childhood, learning the art of the con. Travis certainly could not trust me at all if he knew the truth."

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rose glanced around at the family mingling in the yard of the big house and felt completely overwhelmed. Never in her entire life had she been in one place with so many people who were related to one another. Of course, she knew very little regarding her own family and had very limited contact with people who were related to her, besides her parents. Her father had mentioned a brother once, but she'd never met him and didn't even know his name.

  The whole concept of a family reunion was foreign to Rose.

  A warm summer breeze stirred the curls that lay against her nape as she watched small children chase one another among the tall oak trees that graced the yard. She glanced at the crowd of fifty or more people and was awed by the fact that all of these people shared a common bond. They were a family, and she'd never experienced that tradition, never really thought much about it until now.

  As a child she had often wondered what it would be like to have siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles gather together at the holidays, but it had never been a reality. And now she doubted she would ever experience the connection these people seemed to have, and that saddened her. A family didn't have a place in a successful actress's life.

  Eugenia came up behind Rose, startling her as she lightly touched Rose's arm.

  "Come along, dear, I want to introduce you to everyone," she said excitedly, tugging Rose along.

  "But . . . I'm busy," Rose said in protest.

  "Oh, come on, it will be fun and stir up all sorts of speculation about who you are." Eugenia's dark eyes sparkled.

  "Don't you mean it will start rumors regarding my association with Travis?" Rose asked, not needing any more complications with that stubborn cowboy.

  Eugenia smiled and began walking toward a group of women. "I have no control over what people are talking about. And besides, I do want to show you off. You're the closest thing to a daughter I have."

  Rose swallowed to keep the tears at bay. How could she turn the woman down, when she made her feel so special? "Thanks—Eugenia." Her voice almost broke. "That's quite a compliment."

  "You're welcome. Now come along, dear."

  "Why do you think everyone will assume that Travis and I are together? You know he won't like it."

  "I've waited years for my sons to get their lives in order, find wives, settle down, and give me grandchildren, and not one of them has managed to even have a steady girl that I know of. So they can indulge me in this brief moment when the family wonders if one of them is finally settling down. They can indulge me by letting me pretend."

  Rose shook her head at the older woman. "Let's get started."

  For a moment Rose felt uncomfortable; then she shrugged. Eugenia was right. People would believe what they wanted about her relationship with Travis, whether or not Eugenia introduced her. And there was definitely something between them; it just wasn't what Rose had expected.

  But then, what had she expected from a man who had taken her from that roadhouse in Waco against her will?

  At first she had not wanted to acknowledge the attraction she felt to the ha
ndsome rancher, but then she'd been drawn to his honor, his fierce protectiveness, his loyalty to his family. But after the morning at the pond, when they had made love, she didn't know what to expect or what she wanted from the rugged man who held her captive.

  They had barely acknowledged one another since that morning by the pond. For over two long weeks, she had wondered why he suddenly acted as though she was invisible. Why, he had all but refused to talk with her.

  His disregard hurt more than she'd ever expected. But as soon as she was able, she was going to leave the Bar None. When the play moved on, she was hoping there would be a permanent need for her to play the part of Bianca.

  Rose sighed. Until that time, there was nothing she could do to change the situation with Travis. She'd be damned if she was going to go to him begging for his attention, and she was not going to mope after him like some starry-eyed, helpless female either.

  People were standing around in small groups talking, laughing, and even occasionally giving each other hugs. They seemed genuinely happy to see one another, and Rose was infected with their enthusiasm.

  The rehearsals for the play were going better, it was a beautiful summer day, and she was outside enjoying the warm sunshine and what appeared to be a cheerful group of people. And Travis stood apart watching as Eugenia took her through the crowd introducing her. She was determined to be joyful, even if inside she felt like crying.

  Her father had warned her about giving herself to a man, and she had disregarded his warnings. But she had no regrets. She'd wanted Travis. She'd longed for him.

  She glanced over at the fierce man who stood beneath the shade of an oak tree watching her. Their eyes locked, and for a moment she felt transported back into his embrace. Her heart fluttered, and she almost sighed. No, she had no regrets. She'd enjoyed every moment—until Travis had left her alone and naked on the bank of the pond.

  Eugenia stopped beside an older woman who was setting a bowl of sliced peaches on one of the long tables the men had set up for lunch. The smell was fresh and sweet, and Rose ran her tongue along her lip, savoring the aroma, eager for a bite of the tangy fruit.

  "Martha, dear. I want you to meet Rose Severin. She's a good friend of Travis's and is staying with us for a while."

  "So, you're Travis's lady," the woman said, smiling at Rose as she winked at Eugenia. "Is she the girl you wrote me about?"

  Eugenia smiled. "Yes, Rose has been with us now for over a month."

  Martha reached out and patted Rose on the arm. "You're very lovely, dear. I'm sure Travis must be so pleased to have made your acquaintance."

  Rose shrugged. "I don't know if pleased is the correct term, probably more like vexed."

  Martha giggled. "Good. That boy has always been way too serious. He needs someone to lighten him up a bit, put a smile on his face."

  "Rose is an actress, Martha. She's going to be in that new play that is opening up in town, The Taming of the Shrew," Eugenia said, obviously bursting with pride.

  '' Congratulations.''

  "Thank you." Rose smiled at the older lady. "It's my first play, actually. My mother was Rosalyn Severin, and I've always dreamed of becoming an actress just like her."

  "Well, good luck to you, dear. I daresay we'll be waiting to hear of any announcements the two of you might wish to make."

  Eugenia hurried Rose away.

  "Did you hear her? She thinks we're close to announcing our engagement," Rose said, stunned.

  The older woman just laughed. "Oh, well."

  Eugenia fairly beamed as she took Rose around, introducing her to the various family members. Rose felt honored that Eugenia and her family treated her as special, but she couldn't help but wonder about Travis. What was his reaction to the way his mother was including her? How did he feel about his family accepting her with open arms, while he stood on the outskirts, watching?

  She glanced around, looking for him, and saw Travis sitting in the shade of an elm tree, talking with an older gentleman.

  Tucker sauntered up beside Eugenia, smiling, and gave his mother a hug. "I see you're showing Rose off to the family."

  "Yes, and everyone has been happy to meet her."

  "I've heard. People are asking me when's the wedding."

  Rose started to laugh. "That's ridiculous. The man can barely tolerate me and would just as soon see me hanged as marry me."

  But the thought of marriage to Travis put little flutters in her stomach, and she glanced over to the tree where Travis stood, tall and handsome. Like the elm tree Travis stood beneath, he was sturdy, tough, and as shielding as the limbs that shaded the earth beneath. Everything a woman would want in a man.

  Marriage was not a part of her plans. She had an acting career to think about, and adding a husband to her life would not be practical. But still, the thought of her and Travis was enticing.

  Tucker smiled. "I don't think it's quite that bad, but I have to admit, Travis isn't quite ready to take the plunge with you or anyone else, for that matter. But it shouldn't be long now."

  "Travis could never accept me as his wife. He's looking for that perfect lady and that's not me."

  Tucker smiled. "He'd soon be bored."

  Eugenia glanced at her youngest son. "I'm going to finish introducing Rose to everyone. Rumors and people playing at matchmaking are just part of the problems of being unmarried. Travis is certainly not immune." She paused, peering at her youngest son. "And neither are you."

  Tucker gave her his best smile. "Forget it, Mother."

  As they walked away, Rose glanced back to see Travis still talking to the older gentleman. Their eyes met and held for a moment. The urge to run her fingers along his rough cheek and over his full lips made her breathing quicken. For several seconds, they stared at one another, until Eugenia brought her attention to yet another relative.

  ***

  Travis stood underneath the large elm tree, talking to his uncle, watching Rose. Rose was the talk of the reunion. All day he had observed his family accept Rose with open arms. All day he had overheard the whispers regarding weddings, engagements, and that Eugenia would finally have a daughter.

  All day he'd wondered how they could so easily accept Rose, a con artist and a thief, into their midst. But she had smiled and laughed away their inhibitions. She'd listened and cajoled away their fears. She'd charmed and bewitched her way into their hearts. Just as she was trying to inveigle her way into his heart. But he wouldn't let her.

  He had never felt at ease around his kin the way Rose was being embraced. In fact, he could almost feel their displeasure and wondered how he had gotten to be the bad boy. He'd done nothing wrong.

  Except taken her virginity and not offered her marriage. Though his family had no way to know that, it still stung him.

  "Boy, if you keep staring at that woman like that, her clothes are going to fell clean off her," his uncle said, bringing him back from his daze.

  He glanced at the elderly man who was his father's brother. "Sorry, I just like to keep an eye on her. Make sure she's staying out of trouble."

  "That's a good thing to do for a woman like that one. So when are you going to marry her?"

  Travis glanced at his uncle in disbelief. "Marry her?" He paused, trying to overcome the surge of anger. "Why does everyone assume I'm going to marry her?"

  "It's in your eyes, boy." The old man leaned close.

  "You're gazing at her like she's naked. That's what most folks do when they're as love-struck as you are."

  "No. I don't love her."

  The old man smiled a wizened grin. "Okay, you just want her real bad."

  Travis smiled, unable to deny the truth.

  "Marry her, then. You need a wife, she needs a husband."

  "No. She's not...."

  "She's not what?"

  Travis glanced at Rose, his heart pounding in his chest. God, he'd taken her virginity. They'd had the best sex of his life and yet he couldn't marry her. At the snap of her fingers, he would be willing
to have sex with her again, but he could not marry Rose. She wasn't a lady and she wasn't who he planned on taking for a wife. Or was she?

  "It's just not possible, Uncle."

  The old man glanced at Rose again. "Son, that girl is a jewel. She's kind of rough around the edges, but a bit of polishing and she'll be a diamond."

  "I think you're wrong. I think she's more like fool's gold. All flash and glitter, but no real worth."

  His uncle tilted his head. "I could be mistaken, but I don't think so. Sometimes the glitter blinds the buyer from the real value."

  Travis glanced at Rose. Was he confused about her? Just who was Rose Severin? He'd delayed going into town to get the results from the investigator. For some reason, he was suddenly dragging his feet about finding out the truth regarding Rose.

  He glanced over at the woman and noticed her holding his aunt's hand, tracing her fingertips across her palm and talking earnestly to her. The other women crowded around, blocking his view, laughing and smiling.

  My God, she was reading his aunt's palm! He stared in disbelief. Conning the sweet little old lady with lies, filling her mind with useless prattle. Telling her God-only-knew what, right here in his family's midst.

  No, he wasn't mistaken about Rose.

  He turned his attention back to his uncle. "Thanks for the advice, Uncle. I'll consider what you said."

  The old man smiled a knowing smirk. "Anytime, son. I'll talk to you again before we leave."

  Travis strolled away, certain of one thing. He could never marry Rose Severin. Once again she had proven herself to be untrustworthy. His family surrounded her, and she knew he would never approve of what she was doing. Once again she'd disregarded his wishes and this time was reading palms.

  Hot, self-righteous anger rolled through his body in waves.

  He strolled into the circle of women, trying not to appear too abrupt. "Hello, ladies. I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to take Rose for a little stroll."

  Rose glanced up at him, her eyes meeting his. Those emerald orbs flashed with indignation. They were the first words he'd spoken to her since their fight over her acting.

  Several of the women giggled. His aunt gazed at him, smiling. "Just be careful to bring her back safe and sound, young man. No kissing until the engagement."

  He flushed and his conscience twinged him. He'd done more than kiss Rose, yet didn't feel a bit of remorse for having sex with her, only that he'd been her first.