“While we’re there, I want to ask your pa if it’s all right to take you to meet my brothers and their families. It’s close along the way to Denver. We could get off at Colorado City and ride to my ranch in a few hours’ time.”
“It really would be rude of my pa to dictate to a daughter when she’s got a husband.”
Rude wasn’t the word Heath would have used. More like a stubborn old bull with horns long enough to run Heath right through.
“I don’t know if we can settle all our troubles about me going home and you needing to stay here, but wherever we end up, we can always travel between our families. It’s not that long of a train ride.”
“We can, can’t we?” Sadie brightened even more.
“If you get any more beautiful, I’m going to lose my eyesight like a man who’s stared too long at the sun.”
The sweet look of love on Sadie’s face made him want to sweep her away, be alone with her—truly alone—away from both families. They could travel by train, and he would show her the world. Which reminded Heath of their biggest obstacle. A mighty serious one.
“But what about the trouble here? Cole’s injured, and if we leave, Justin will be on his own,” Sadie pointed out.
“I think whatever trouble is out there has been driven back for a while. Dantalion said it would take time. I’m sure he was organizing it, and they—whoever they are—will be a while finding a new troublemaker. That gives Cole time to heal, Justin time to investigate Dantalion and any traitors on the staff, and us time to enjoy being married.”
“Are we being selfish to want time alone?” Sadie’s pretty brow furrowed with worry.
“Suppertime!” Rosita called from the kitchen.
“Heath, you need to ask this varmint a question,” Justin shouted from the far side of the house.
“Sadie, can you come in here?” Cole sounded weak, pathetically so. Even though he had the doctor and a nurse at his beck and call.
Heath smiled, then laughed. “We’re going to be lucky to have one second alone. We don’t have to worry much about selfishness.”
“Family is a burden and a joy.”
“And between us we’ve got five big brothers, so there’s no escaping the burden, and so much joy I’m up to my eyeballs in it. We’re gonna be surrounded by family no matter which family we live with.”
Sadie smiled. “And that’s a good thing.”
“Heath, get in here!” Justin didn’t need one speck of help and everyone knew it.
“Let’s go eat.” Heath took her arm. “Rosita is the only one who’s even close to happy that we got married.”
“Do we have to?” Sadie asked.
“Sadie, the doctor needs another pair of hands in here.” Cole was sounding mighty healthy.
“No, I don’t.” The doctor was sounding overly grouchy.
Heath rolled his eyes.
In the hall, Cole fussed from behind Sadie, Justin hollered from behind Heath, and Rosita kept calling them to the meal.
“Yep.” Heath ignored Cole and didn’t bother responding to Justin, but Rosita got his attention. They headed for the kitchen. As they sat at the table, all by themselves, he whispered to Sadie, “Eat fast and don’t even think about staying for dessert.”
About the Author
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies about cowboys. She’s the author of THE KINCAID BRIDES, TROUBLE IN TEXAS, and WILD AT HEART series, as well as several other acclaimed series. Mary has been nominated for a Christy Award, was a finalist for a RITA Award, and is a two-time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. They have four grown daughters—Joslyn, married to Matt; Wendy; Shelly, married to Aaron; and Katy, married to Max—and four precious grandchildren. Learn more about Mary and her books at:
maryconnealy.com
facebook.com/maryconnealy
seekerville.blogspot.com
petticoatsandpistols.com
Books by Mary Connealy
From Bethany House Publishers
THE KINCAID BRIDES
Out of Control
In Too Deep
Over the Edge
TROUBLE IN TEXAS
Swept Away
Fired Up
Stuck Together
WILD AT HEART
Tried and True
Now and Forever
Fire and Ice
THE CIMARRON LEGACY
No Way Up
The Boden Birthright: A CIMARRON LEGACY Novella
A Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection
Runaway Bride: A KINCAID BRIDES and TROUBLE IN TEXAS Novella (With This Ring? Collection)
maryconnealy.com
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House Twitter: @Bethany House
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