“You might as well call me Trey. Everyone but Ma does.”
She nodded. “And please call me Sadie.”
He touched the tip of his hat, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Sadie faced forward and reclaimed Martha, thinking how handsome Trey was. She liked his dark brown eyes, much like his mother’s. Franklin had hazel eyes, and he’d started losing his light brown hair before they met. He’d been a nice man, although quiet. He mostly kept to himself when he was home from work. She wished he’d played with the girls, but they almost seemed to be a bother to him. She sincerely hoped her next husband would show more interest in them, but maybe that was too much to wish for, especially since he wouldn’t be the girls’ real father.
She glanced up at the soft blue sky. A few feathery clouds drifted above. We need Your help, heavenly Father. Please don’t forget about us.
Trey loosely held the reins as the team plodded toward home. Usually he would read a book to pass the time, but there’d be no reading with his ma chattering away. He’d heard all about Sadie and how her husband had died last year, as well as all the latest news from ma’s church family.
He glanced in the back of the wagon where the older girl had crawled. She lay between two crates, sound asleep. He’d seen Abby ogling those pint-size boots at the store and couldn’t blame her for wanting a pair, although he couldn’t understand why anyone would want red boots.
Martha fussed and pushed against her ma.
“Why don’t we lie her across our laps. Maybe then she can get comfortable enough to go to sleep.” Ma patted her black skirt.
“If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.”
Sadie laid the girl down with her head in his ma’s lap and legs across Sadie’s. Martha squirmed a bit, then she tilted her head back, looking up at Trey with the same shade of cornflower blue eyes as her mother and sister. His whole family had brown eyes, and they seemed dull compared to this little girl’s bright ones. She smiled and reached a hand toward him. He took hold of her tiny fingers and stared into her guileless expression. She was a cute little thing, with short blond braids that had mostly come loose. He’d seen how fast she could move when her ma set her down. How was he going to keep her safe at the ranch?
Her eyes drifted shut, as if his hold had granted her the security she needed. He rubbed his callused finger across her soft skin, swallowing the lump building in his throat. He always had liked young’uns. Suddenly, he frowned and pulled his hand free. Had that been Ma’s plan—for him to get attached to the kids so maybe he’d fall for their mother?
He glanced sideways. Ma’s eyes dipped like Martha’s, but Sadie sat stiffly on the seat, looking straight ahead, as if resolved to endure things as they were. He tried to think how he’d feel in her situation. It must be hard to have to ask help of others and be beholden to them. Sadie was a pretty woman with nice features, soft brown hair, big blue eyes, and her tattered dignity wrapped around her like a cloak. Her gaze shifted to his, and something tickled his gut. He swerved his eyes back to the road.
What would life be like with so many females on the ranch?
Chapter 3
This is where Trey’s land starts. See his sign up ahead of us?” Ella pointed forward.
As they passed under the sign, Sadie looked up at the name TC RANCH. The letters had been chiseled into a large piece of wood and then blackened so they showed up well. The T sat directly above the C with its tail hanging down in the center of the top of the C. Was that Trey’s brand?
Her gaze traveled across Trey’s land. Tall grasses waved in the breeze, and pretty wildflowers added splashes of color here and there. It looked much the same as the land they’d traveled through since leaving Sherman—fairly flat in places, with gently rolling hills in other areas. There were trees but not as many as in Kansas City. And it was warmer here. She imagined the summers would be hotter than they were used to.
Lifting her face to the gently blowing breeze, she closed her eyes and enjoyed its soft caress. It would be fine with her if the winters here were warmer than those she’d experienced previously. And she doubted they got much snow this far south.
Ella jiggled Sadie’s arm. “Oh look! There’s Trey’s home. Isn’t it darling?”
Trey grunted.
Sadie opened her eyes to take in the small clapboard house. The two-story structure had been painted a pretty dark green with white trim. She guessed there was either one large bedroom upstairs or two smaller ones. Would there be room for all of them? Would she like living in such an isolated place after the hustle and bustle of town life?
A man on horseback rode toward them. His eyes lit up when he saw her—or maybe he was looking at Ella and thinking of her fine cooking. He pushed back his hat, a wry grin tilting his mouth up on one side. He reined his horse to a stop as Trey slowed the wagon. “Looks like you picked up some extra heifers, boss.”
Trey eyed the man through narrowed slits. “How are things here?”
“Right as rain. We got the south pasture fence fixed and rounded up all but three of the steers that were on Wilburn’s land. Mickey and Paul are still searching for ’em.” The young, blond cowboy with green eyes grinned as his gaze flicked toward Sadie. “We expected you back sooner. Guess you got delayed in town.”
“A bit.” Trey clicked out one side of his mouth and shook the reins. Sadie grabbed hold of the side of the wagon and held on to Martha, who still slept in her and Ella’s laps, as the wagon jerked forward again. Trey guided it to the front of the house then stopped it again and jumped down.
The cowboy followed, quickly dismounted, and rushed to her side of the buckboard. “Welcome to the TC, Mrs. Carpenter.” His gaze shifted to Sadie’s, and he touched the front brim of his hat again. “Ma’am. The name’s Willy Pierce.”
Sadie offered the cocky cowboy a smile. “I’m Mrs. Hunter, and these are my two daughters, Abby and Martha.”
Abby bolted up from the back of the wagon where she’d been sleeping. “Are we there?”
Ella chuckled. “Yes, dear. We’ve finally arrived.”
Abby climbed onto the trunk nearest Willy. “Are you a cowboy?”
“I sure am.” He reached out to help her down, but Abby scooted backward and climbed onto Ella’s trunk. “I want Mr. Trey to get me down.”
She reached out her arms to him, and Trey’s eyes widened.
Sadie wasn’t sure if he was pleased or terrified that her daughter wanted his assistance. “Abby, you are to refer to him as Mr. Carpenter.”
His gaze locked with hers. “Mr. Trey is fine, ma’am.”
She started to object but then closed her mouth. It was his home, and if he wanted Abby to call him by his first name, so be it. She’d been warned by a friend that people were often less proper in Texas. Why, her girls still referred to Ella as Mrs. Carpenter, and they’d been living with her for two months.
“Help you down, ma’am?” Willy held up his hand.
“Maybe you could take my daughter. I can manage.” Sadie lifted Martha to a sitting position. “We’ve arrived, sweetie.”
Martha blinked several times then looked around.
“I’m going to hand you to this nice man so I can climb down.” She passed her daughter to Mr. Pierce then stood and shook out her skirt. Once on the ground, she reclaimed Martha and followed Trey and Ella up the stairs. The porch was homey, with a pair of rockers moving in the wind, almost as if they were waving hello.
Ella tugged on Sadie’s sleeve. “Come see Trey’s nice kitchen.”
She entered the house, stepping into a big room. A table was at the front of the house with the kitchen in back. A door and a large stove took up most of the rear wall. Cabinets were mounted on either side of the big window on the left wall, a work counter and dry sink below. She was a bit surprised by the lovely kitchen, considering Trey wasn’t married. Had he fixed it up just for his ma’s visits, or did he cook, too?
“Isn’t it beautiful?” E
lla smiled. “All it needs is a woman to make it complete.”
Sadie turned to her friend. “You promised not to meddle. I don’t want your son thinking you brought me here to marry him.”
Ella gave her a patronizing smile.
Abby rushed into the room. “Mama, I gotta go.”
Sadie glanced at her friend again.
“The privy’s out back, dear,” Ella said.
“Where?”
Ella took Abby’s hand. “Come. I’ll show you.”
While they headed out the back door, Sadie returned to the front of the house, bypassing the tall stairway and moving into the parlor. This room ran the length of the house as the other room did, but it was filled with two sofas that faced each other, several side chairs, and a large fireplace. Four western wildlife prints dotted the walls. She turned to stare out the large double windows overlooking the porch and ranch yard. Trey had a comfortable home here—one that most women would enjoy making their own. Why wasn’t he married?
Martha pushed against Sadie’s chest. “Down, Mama.”
“Let’s go see our room first.” She hoisted her daughter to her hip again and carried her up the steps. It wouldn’t be much longer before Martha would be too heavy for her to lift. When she reached the landing, she saw her trunks in the room to the right and the edge of Ella’s trunk in the other room. She’d expected they would all share a bedroom. Had Trey given up his to make them more comfortable?
She glanced downstairs, noticing the front door was open. Was Trey coming up with more baggage? She hurried to her left and peered in the room. A pair of men’s pants and a shirt hung from pegs on the far wall. A masculine quilt covered the bed, and a pair of boots sat in one corner. Definitely his room. Spinning around, she rushed to the other one and put Martha on the bed. She crossed to the wardrobe and opened it, wondering if she should unpack or not. At least there was plenty of room in the empty wardrobe for their dresses.
Quick footsteps sounded on the stairs. “Mama?”
Sadie stepped to the door. “In here.”
Abby slipped past her while Sadie waited for Ella. The older woman smiled and paused at the landing, breathing hard. “I forgot… Jimmy’s stairs are steeper… than mine.”
“Maybe you’re spoiled from sleeping downstairs.” Sadie smiled to indicate she was teasing.
Ella chuckled. “I suspect there’s some truth in that.” She glanced to her left and frowned. “I told Jimmy we could share a room, but he insisted that he could sleep in the bunkhouse. Stubborn man.” She shook her head. “It’s such a shame, after he had that nice, long bed made to accommodate his height.”
“I feel awful imposing on him.”
Ella squeezed Sadie’s hand. “He doesn’t mind, truly. I know my son. He was just surprised that I hadn’t informed him you were coming.”
“Why didn’t you? Were you afraid he’d say no?”
Ella shook her head. “I was afraid he’d erect walls around his heart and not be willing to see you for the wonderful woman you are.”
Sadie crossed her arms and stepped away from the bedroom door at hearing the truth from her friend’s mouth. “So you did plan to try to get your son and me together.”
Ella shrugged, an embarrassed smile lifting her cheeks. “He’s a nice, handsome man who needs a sweet wife. You can’t blame me for trying.”
Sadie blew out a sigh and spun around. Abby was leaning halfway out the window. “Abby!” She rushed to her daughter’s side and grabbed her legs. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“Trying to see Mr. Trey. Is he going to be our new daddy?”
“I sincerely doubt it. And please don’t be talking about such things.” Sadie lugged Abby to the bed and put her down beside Martha. She crossed the room and shut the window then dropped onto the only chair in the room. Had she known Ella’s plan, she never would have come to Texas. Now what was she going to do?
With his leg aching from hanging off the end of the bunk, Trey flipped onto his side, trying once again to get comfortable. Either his knees hung off the side or his feet fell off the end. He missed his long, wide bed. And how did any of his men sleep with so much snoring?
For a moment, he wished he’d let the women share a room, but that wasn’t the hospitable thing to do. He didn’t want those little girls sleeping on the floor and maybe taking sick.
Maybe he’d be more comfortable sleeping in the hayloft. Sighing, he sat up and scraped a hand across his face. The rooster crowed, and Trey groaned. This would be a long day.
He tugged on his boots, tucked in his shirt, then grabbed his hat as he headed outside. The barest hint of pink illuminated the eastern horizon. He headed to the kitchen to start the fire so it would be ready for the women when they came down. After filling the stove with fresh wood, he lit the fire and grabbed the coffeepot. He carried it out to the back porch, dumped the grounds over the side, rinsed it, and ladled in fresh water from the well. Trey stepped into the kitchen, surprised to see his ma already tying on her apron.
“Morning, Son. You don’t look like you slept very well.”
He grunted, not wanting to admit the truth. He added coffee to the pot and set it on the stove.
“Can you sit a moment? I’d like to talk to you about Sadie and the girls.”
He didn’t want to talk about that woman, but he had no real excuse not to listen to his mother. He pulled out a chair, indicating for her to sit, and took the one adjacent to hers.
She twisted her fingers for a moment then looked at him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought Sadie and the girls without asking you first, but I couldn’t leave her alone in the house with your brother. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“It’s all right. I was just surprised, and you know I don’t like surprises.”
She patted his hand. “I know. You always did like to plan things out and didn’t care for the unexpected, but sometimes God brings surprises our way.”
He narrowed his eyes, smelling one of his ma’s plots. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Sadie is a lovely women, inside and out. You couldn’t find a better woman to marry.”
“Ma–a. You promised not to matchmake anymore.”
She sat back in her chair and stared at her lap. Much of her hair was still dark brown, but gray strands fingered out several inches from the part in the center. He hadn’t noticed it yesterday when she had her hat on. She was getting older, and he knew one of her big dreams was to see her sons happily married with children. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but making this ranch successful took all of his day and left no time for courting.
“I won’t push Sadie on you, but I do have a favor to ask.”
Wary, he sat up, wishing the coffee would hurry up and heat so he could grab a cup and head out to start his day. “What favor?”
“I’d like you to help make Sadie a rancher’s wife so when some man takes interest in her, she’ll have the skills she needs.”
“Me? Isn’t that more your job?”
“She knows how to cook and run a home. What she needs is to learn the ins and outs of ranching. How to collect eggs from the hens, to milk a cow, ride a horse. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to teach her how to shoot, too. You never know when that will come in handy.”
Trey blew out a breath and ran his palms across the smooth wood of the table. “When am I supposed to find time for all of that? I work sunup to sundown as it is.”
His mother smiled. “You were planning on spending some time with me, weren’t you?”
“Of course.” He wasn’t sure how, but he’d make the time. She only visited twice a year.
“Well then, I’ll tag along and watch the girls while you help Sadie.”
He rose, needing coffee, whether it was hot or not. He pulled a tin cup from the shelf and poured the brew. Steam rose, along with the fragrant aroma that always helped him to awaken fully. He took a sip, relishing its warmth as it trailed down to his empty belly. He considered
the mammoth task of teaching a city gal to be a rancher. He’d need God’s help and patience, for sure. He looked at his ma. “All I can do is try.”
She rose, smiling. “That’s all I’m asking.”
He downed the coffee in two swigs, set the cup on the counter, and strode out the door. She had no idea what she was asking of him. How was he going to spend so much time with the pretty widow and not get attached to her and her girls?
Chapter 4
Two days after arriving in Texas, Sadie stood on Trey’s porch, staring at the saddled horse tied to the hitching post in front of the house. Although Ella explained that Trey had agreed to help her learn to become a rancher’s wife, Sadie wasn’t so sure she was cut out to be one. A comfortable breeze touched her face, but it did little to cool her sweaty palms. She glanced sideways at Ella. “It doesn’t seem proper for a woman to ride astride.”
Ella swatted her hand in the air. “Propriety isn’t as strict in Texas as other places.”
“You want to give it a try or not?” There was a challenge in Trey’s voice, and he eyed her as if he didn’t think she had the gumption to get on the horse.
But if there was a chance she might marry a rancher, she would need to know how to ride. Maybe she ought to consider going back to Sherman and trying her hand at wooing a store owner or businessman. At least she could ride in a buggy if she needed to travel.
“I will! Can I, Mama?” Abby bounced on her toes.
“No, but you can go upstairs and see if your sister has awakened from her nap.”
“Aww—” Abby glanced up and caught Sadie’s stare. “Yes, ma’am.” She shuffled to the door and into the house.
The Cowboy’s Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches Page 33