The Cowboy’s Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches

by Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough, Susanne Dietze, Nancy J. Farrier, Miralee Ferrell, Darlene Franklin, Davalynn Spencer, Becca Whitham

  As he moved to the next stall, he mulled over the idea. It would be expensive, but once the cattle were secure inside fences, he wouldn’t need more than one or two hands to help him.

  “He’loo in the barn.”

  Trey set his pitchfork aside and strode out to see who had arrived. He tipped his hat back and grinned at the Barker brothers. “What brings you over today?”

  The identical twin brothers glanced at one another with hazel eyes. Macklin, the more outspoken of the two, grinned while Maddox nodded. Macklin dismounted and walked toward Trey. He pushed his hat back and gazed over his shoulder at the house. “We heard tell you’ve got a woman staying at your place that’s lookin’ to marry. That right?”

  Trey nodded. Apprehension crawled up his spine. Even though the Barker brothers were both good men, they were young—around twenty, he guessed.

  “You do know she’s a widow with two daughters.”

  Maddox frowned, but his brother removed his hat and forked his fingers through his blond hair. “How long in the tooth do you reckon she is?”

  Trey shrugged. “Not sure. But I’d guess she’s twenty-four or -five.”

  Macklin glanced at his brother, who shrugged. “She pretty?”

  Trey shuffled his feet. “Yeah, I reckon.” She has the most amazing eyes.

  “Can we meet her?”

  He wanted to tell the men that he had work to do, as he imagined they did, but a marriageable woman in these parts was news. He didn’t figure they’d be the last to drop by. “I can ask if she has time. I just took her out riding to see part of my herd, so she may be backed up on chores. But I’ll see. Come on up to the porch and sit.”

  Maddox slid off his horse, following his brother and Trey. “She got a name?”

  “Sadie Hunter.”

  “Sadie’s a fine name,” Maddox muttered.

  He figured she would find the twins good-looking. They didn’t have the weathered look he did at age twenty-nine. It bothered Trey that neither man had asked about Sadie’s girls. The man who married her would be gaining a ready-made family. He suspected the twins’ mother, Thelma Barker, would dote on them, but they also needed a father.

  He sighed. Just when had he gotten in the matchmaking business?

  Chapter 7

  Sadie stared at the cookbook, not seeing the pages. Her mind kept wandering back to Trey. Her nerves had finally calmed after her run-in with the angry cow and being engulfed in Trey’s arms. She hadn’t expected to feel so safe—so protected—when he held her. Franklin never made her feel that way. She wasn’t even sure what she’d seen in him in the beginning. And now, here she was pining for a man who didn’t want her.

  She forced herself to look at the page. She wanted to find a special dessert to take over to the Biggs, but their supplies were limited.

  “You still haven’t found a recipe yet?”

  Sadie shook her head. “I wish we had some fresh fruit.”

  “I know. If it were a month or two later, we’d have some peaches off Trey’s trees.”

  “Mmm… my mouth waters at the thought.”

  Abby closed her book, slid off the settee, and crossed the room to the kitchen table. “Mama, can I go out to the barn and help Mr. Trey?”

  “No, sweetie. He has work to do.”

  “But I like to help him.”

  Sadie smiled. “I know you do, but I was just out riding with him. I’m sure that set him behind on his normal tasks.”

  Martha trotted to join them. “Go outside?”

  Sadie sighed. “I suppose we could go out and weed and water the garden.”

  “But that’s hot work.” Abby hung her head.

  “Yeah, hot.” Martha mirrored her actions, her lower lip sticking out.

  Trey knocked on the doorjamb and stepped inside.

  “Trey!” Abby raced to him with Martha following.

  Sadie both enjoyed the sight and hated it. When they left, the girls would sorely miss him. She would, too.

  “Can I get you a glass of sweet tea?” Ella rose and walked to the kitchen counter.

  “There enough for three?”

  She turned to face Trey. “Have some of the ranch hands returned?”

  Trey’s gaze shot to Sadie. “No. The Barker brothers are here. They want to meet Sadie.”

  “Me?” She patted her hair, knowing it was still mussed from her ride. She’d come straight into the house and dropped into a chair, lest her knees fail her.

  Trey shrugged. “You are the only widow here lookin’ to marry.”

  Ella huffed and shoved her hands to her hips. “How do you know I’m not?”

  Trey’s gaze flicked over to his ma, his expression one of stunned surprise. “What?”

  Ella laughed. “I’m joshing you, Son.”

  “Oh, well that’s good.” He blinked as if not sure what to say next. “So, you want to meet them or not?”

  “They’re a good sort,” Ella offered. “Identical twins and quite comely.”

  Sadie rose, her heart pounding once again. “I guess I should meet them, but let me freshen up first.”

  “You go on, and the girls and I will fix the refreshments. Abby, grab a plate and the cookie jar, and you two fill the plate.”

  “Can we eat a cookie?” Abby stretched to reach a plate on the shelf, but Trey beat her to it and handed it down. He set the cookie jar on the table.

  “You can both have a cookie after you fill the plate.” Ella pulled two glasses from a shelf then grabbed another pair. “Trey, can you take a bowl to the ice house and chip us some?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He took the bowl she passed to him and walked out the back door.

  “How come those men want to see you, Ma?” Abby asked, taking a handful of sugar cookies from the jar.

  Sadie glanced at her daughter from where she stood near the open back door, drying her hands with a damp towel. “Um… well, you know your papa died, so now I need to find another man to marry. You girls need a father.”

  “Why? I like living here.” Abby turned to her sister. “No, Martha! Don’t eat that. Put it on the plate.”

  Sadie hoped Martha had distracted her elder daughter.

  “Why don’t you marry Mr. Trey? We like him.”

  Ella lifted one brow and looked to be fighting a grin.

  Sadie glanced out the back door, hoping Trey was out of hearing range. “Well… um… he hasn’t asked me to marry him.”

  Tsking, Ella shook her head. “That boy don’t know what’s good for him.”

  “Trey’s not a boy.” Abby put the lid on the jar and glanced at her sister. “Now you can eat it.”

  Trey returned with the ice and carried the filled glasses on a tray to the porch, while Sadie followed with the plate of cookies. Her hands shook so hard she wasn’t sure she could keep from dropping them. She had decided the girls could come with her. Any man she might consider marrying would need to know about them.

  She stepped onto the front porch, her gaze landing on two men sitting in the rockers. They jumped to their feet and removed their hats, their matching blond hair looking disheveled.

  Abby tugged on her skirt. “Mama, they look just the same.”

  “We’re twins,” one of the men said. “I’m Macklin, and he’s Maddox. He’s older by six whole minutes.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Ella stepped around her and handed each man a plate. “Good to see you boys again.”

  “They ain’t boys.”

  Sadie frowned at her daughter. “Abby, don’t say ain’t. You and Martha can go play in the yard.”

  Martha squealed and toddled her way down the steps, holding the railing. Abby jogged past her. “C’mon, slowpoke.”

  Heat marched onto Sadie’s cheeks. No man would want her with Abby showing her hooligan side. A light breeze cooled her warm cheeks and body. Avoiding their eyes, she offered each man some cookies then turned to Trey. As he caught her gaze, her heart stampeded. Did it bother him to have men coming
to see her and taking him from his work?

  She had to admit it bothered her that he didn’t object to other men seeing her. She thought she’d caught a glimpse of attraction in his eye—more than once. Had she been wrong?

  Pushing aside her concerns, she accepted the rocker one of the twins offered but no cookies. Ella passed her a glass of cold tea, and she took a sip.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Those are nice-looking girls you have.”

  She glanced at Macklin—or was he Maddox? Ella had been right. The men were handsome, but they looked younger than her. She’d never considered marrying a man not as old as she. Perhaps that wasn’t frowned on in these parts.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Kansas City.”

  Macklin nodded. “Sherman must seem dinky compared to that.”

  “Actually, I was impressed with the size of Sherman and the number of businesses and schools it has.” She peeked at the girls, who were staring into the chicken coop. “So, are you ranchers?”

  They both nodded. Macklin took a gulp of his tea. “We own the ranch to the south of Trey’s. Got several thousand acres. Run longhorns and raise horses.”

  “Trey bought several horses from us.” Maddox said, keeping his gaze on her. Sadie shifted in her chair. She felt like a horse they were viewing and deciding on. “Do you have any family?”

  “Only Ma,” they said in unison.

  “How’s she doing?” Ella rose and held out the plate. “Want some more cookies?” Both men took two more. When she handed it to Trey, he shook his head. She walked to the porch railing. “You girls want another cookie? There are two left.” Martha squealed and jogged toward them with Abby following at a slower pace.

  “How old are your girls?” Maddox nudged his chin toward them.

  “Abby is six, and Martha three.”

  “They must be a big help to you.”

  Sadie glanced at Macklin. Obviously, he hadn’t been around many little girls. “They will be one day, but right now it’s like herding chickens.”

  The twins chuckled, and Trey smiled at her, his eyes gleaming. If only he wanted her, then they wouldn’t have to endure these awkward meetings.

  One of the twins cleared his throat. “Ma wants y’all to come to supper—say Sunday at noontime?”

  Trey glanced at his ma and then Sadie, as if asking if that was fine.

  “Please thank her for the invitation. I’m looking forward to seeing Thelma again,” Ella said.

  Sadie stared at her hands, feeling invisible. She hated this. How many more men would she have to meet? Meals to be endured? Maybe she should choose between Mr. Biggs and one of the twins, but if she chose one twin, would she hurt the feelings of the other? Would that make living with them awkward? On the other hand, she wasn’t ready to be the mother of six girls, one was less than ten years younger than she.

  Why did Franklin have to die? Maybe their marriage wasn’t wonderful, but they had a decent home and food to eat. If only her husband had planned better for his death, but he hadn’t known he’d die at only thirty-five years of age.

  Saturday evening, Sadie sucked in a loud breath when Trey turned the wagon into Harley Biggs’s yard. Buggies and wagons lined the pasture on the far side of the two-story house, and several dozen people stood in clusters around the yard, on the front porch that ran the width of the house, and by the campfire. Sadie leaned around Ella to look at Trey. “Why are there so many people here? I thought we were the only ones coming.”

  Trey shrugged, but his eyes gleamed bright. “Looks like Harley decided to give you a Texas-sized welcome.”

  Ella clapped her hands. “Oh, a party! Something sure smells delicious.”

  “A party?” Abby rose from her spot behind the seat and grabbed on to the back of the bench. She helped Martha to her feet. “Hold on, Sissy.”

  “Remember, Abby, you’re to be nice to the Biggs girls and help me watch Martha. I wasn’t expecting so many other people, though.” Sadie sat back in her seat. She’d mentally prepared herself to face Harley and his family, not a host of others. She hoped Harley had invited families and not a bunch of single males. She was growing tired of smiling and being friendly to eager men looking for a wife. And Ella had certainly been correct that there would be plenty of those in Texas. But could she find a dependable man who would be kind to her girls?

  Trey pulled the wagon to a stop near the others then helped her and Ella down. Abby jumped out the back and started toward the party.

  “Get me, Mama.” Martha bounced near the tailgate.

  “Wait for the rest of us, Abby.” Sadie lifted Martha down and picked up the two plates of rhubarb tarts they’d brought. Trey grabbed the pie they’d also brought then assisted his mother toward the crowd.

  Harley waved and made his way toward them. He took the plates from Sadie and sniffed, his hazel eyes glowing. “Is that rhubarb I smell?”

  Ella stepped forward and took one of the pies from Sadie. “Yes. We made two plates of tarts. I hope you’ll put one plate back to save for you and your family. We also made a huckleberry pie.”

  “I can hardly wait to try them.” Harley flashed a mischievous grin. “I do believe I’ll take you up on saving a plate of tarts for me and my girls. It’s been so long since we had any.”

  “Good.” Ella smiled, flicking her gaze toward Sadie. “You’ll be pleased to know Sadie made them.”

  Harley’s gaze snagged Sadie’s, and she worked hard not to shuffle her feet. His grin widened. “I’ll enjoy them all the more knowing that.”

  Abby tugged on Sadie’s skirt. “Can we go, Mama? I see Betsy.”

  Two older girls walked up to them with Betsy skipping along behind. She waved at Abby.

  Harley gestured at them. “Sadie, these are three of my four girls. Susan is thirteen, Esther is ten, and you’ve met Betsy.”

  “I’m seven.”

  “My eldest girl, Emily, is sixteen.” He swatted a hand toward the porch. “She’s talkin’ with some of her friends. You can meet her later.” He turned back to Ella. “Trey knows all of them, and you’ve met them before.”

  Ella nodded. “Yes, and they’re fine girls. You should be proud of them.”

  “So, where do you want the pie?”

  “There’s a table around back where the hog’s being roasted. We’re eating out there and saving the front of the house for dancing and music.”

  Trey glanced at his ma then Sadie. “I’ll take this out back then unhitch the horses. Catch up with you in a few minutes.”

  Harley handed one plate to Trey. “Since you’re headed out back, maybe you could take this.”

  Trey nodded and started toward the house.

  “If you ladies will give me a moment to run this plate inside, I’ll return and introduce y’all.”

  Sadie and Ella nodded in unison.

  “Mrs. Hunter, would you mind if we take Abby and Martha to the barn to see our kittens?” Susan asked. “Esther and I will keep a good watch on ’em.”

  Abby clapped her hands together. “Oh, can we? Please?”

  Sadie caught Susan’s eye. “Are you sure it’s all right with your father?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We asked before you arrived, and he said it was fine if you don’t mind.”

  “Then yes, you may. And thank you.”

  As soon as the girls were out of earshot, Sadie turned to face her friend. “I thought we were coming for a quiet meal with Harley and his girls.”

  “That’s what I thought, too, but either he decided on something bigger or we misunderstood.” Ella laid her hand on Sadie’s arm. “Don’t worry. Texans are quite friendly folks.”

  As if to prove the point, Macklin and Maddox Barker ambled their way with another man following. Macklin lifted his hat and smiled. “Welcome, ladies. I’m glad you could come tonight.” He aimed his thumb at the third man, who resembled them but was thinner with darker hair. “That there’s our younger brother Charley.” Macklin leaned closer
and grinned. “He’s sweet on Emily Biggs.”

  “Him and a half-dozen others,” Maddox mumbled.

  “Hey!” Charley shoved his brother.

  “We’ll have none of that behavior, gentlemen.” Ella wagged her finger as if talking to her own sons.

  “Yes’m.” Charley ducked his head, showing them the top of his sweat-stained hat. “I come to ask for the first dance, Miss Sadie.” Macklin smiled.

  “And I’d like the next one,” Maddox said.

  Sadie’s stomach clenched. “Um… well… I suppose that will be fine. I didn’t know we’d be dancing until only a few minutes ago.”

  The twins both grinned and bumped elbows. “Good. Would you care for something to drink?” Macklin asked.

  “I don’t. How about you, Ella?”

  Ella’s mouth tilted in a sly grin. “Why, I believe I would.” She looped arms with the twins and led them away.

  Sadie suddenly found herself alone, wishing she could hide out in the barn. Trey rounded the house and headed her way. He lifted one eyebrow. “Where’d everyone go?”

  “Here and there.”

  “Want’a help me with the horses?”

  “I suppose.” She’d rather be with him than venture into the crowd of unknowns. “Did you know there’d be so many people here?”

  “No, but it doesn’t surprise me. Harley loves to entertain.” Trey chuckled as he walked toward the wagon. “I think he likes having other men and adults around. Probably gets tired of all that girl chatter.”

  Was that what Trey thought, too? If he allowed himself to like her and they married, would he later regret living with three females? The idea sorely disappointed her. In spite of trying not to like Trey, she’d been impressed with his gentleness with the girls and how he never complained when Abby begged to go with him to the barn. She looked back at the house and saw Harley exit the front door and look around. Was he searching for her? She should be happy, but her heart wasn’t in marrying the kind rancher.

  Trey glanced over the back of the horse he was unhitching to see Sadie staring at the crowd. She looked sad, and it bugged him that he couldn’t figure out why. Maybe she wasn’t ready to marry again. Or perhaps she missed her husband. A pang of sympathy shot through him. Life was much more difficult for a widow with children. A man could go anywhere he wanted and choose just about any profession he plied his hand to, but a good woman had few choices—and a woman with children even less.