The Texan
Page 22
“But—”
“There’s a Ranger already here in town,” he interrupted. “He rode in yesterday, and he took a room down at the hotel.”
“Thanks!” Emmie couldn’t believe it as she ran off to try to find the Ranger.
Texas Ranger Bob Tackett had just settled into his room for the evening when someone started pounding on the door.
“I’m coming,” he called out. He opened the door to find a boy standing there.
“Are you the Ranger?”
“Yes. What can I do for you, son?”
“We need you down at the sheriff’s office.”
Bob was instantly alert. “Has there been trouble?”
“An escaped prisoner was just caught.”
Bob strapped on his gun belt and left the hotel with the boy.
Emmie and Bob reached the sheriff’s office to find Josh pacing the room, waiting for her.
Josh looked up, completely surprised to see Emmie coming through the door with a Texas Ranger. He’d thought they were going to have to wait for days before one would show up.
“I’m Texas Ranger Bob Tackett,” the man said, coming into the room. He’d met Sheriff Dawson before and wondered who the stranger was standing before him. “I understand you’ve got some trouble here?”
“I can’t believe you’re in town,” Josh said.
“Neither could I,” Emmie added.
“We got a telegram from someone named Burley in Shotgun, telling us that there might be trouble here in the next few days, so I rode in,” the Ranger explained.
Josh looked at Emmie and managed a slight smile before turning to the Ranger. “It’s good to meet you. My name’s Josh Grady and I’ve got a story to tell you.”
Epilogue
Two months later
Emmie gave Millie a big hug as she fought back the tears gathering in her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me!”
“I can’t either.” Millie was openly crying as she got ready to get on the stagecoach.
“You’ll send us your wedding information as soon as your mother gets everything arranged?” Emmie asked.
“Oh, yes. I know it will be hard for you to make the trip, but if you can, it would be so wonderful,” Millie said.
Emmie knew she had to get Josh to Philadelphia to meet her mother, and going back East for Millie and George’s wedding seemed the perfect time. “We’ll find a way.”
George and Josh were standing off to the side, watching the women. Josh looked at his brother and they shook hands.
“Have a safe trip,” Josh said.
“Thanks. I’ll send you a wire and let you know when we get there.”
“Good. Do you think you’re going to like working for Millie’s father in their family’s business?”
“I guess we’ll find out.” George chuckled. “That is, if he approves of me and lets me marry his daughter.”
“He’ll approve of you,” Miss Harriet put in from where she’d been watching everyone say their goodbyes. “Have no doubt about that.”
“With your recommendation, I can’t go wrong.” George smiled at her.
“Everybody get on board,” the stage driver shouted.
“It’s time,” Millie said, hugging Emmie one last time before she let George help her into the stage.
George gave Miss Harriet a hand climbing up, too, and then turned back one last time. “I’ll be seeing you.”
He joined them in the stagecoach, and Emmie and Josh stepped back as the stage pulled away. They watched until it had gone out of sight.
Josh looked at his wife. “Are you ready to go home?”
Emmie smiled at him. “I’ll go anywhere with you.”
“In that case…” He took her arm as they walked to where they’d left their carriage. “How would you feel about stopping for a swim on the way back?”
Emmie looked up at her husband with a twinkle in her eye. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Josh stole a quick kiss before helping her up into the carriage. He joined her there and they started for home. They were both smiling at the prospect of what lay ahead.
ROMANTIC TIMES PRAISES BOBBI SMITH,
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR!
WANTED: THE HALF-BREED
“Smith fulfills her title of ‘Queen of the Western Romance’ in this fast-paced, suspenseful offering.”
LAWLESS, TEXAS
“Readers will be entertained and find themselves cheering for the good guys in the final shootout.”
HIRED GUN
“Nobody does a Western better than Smith. Hired Gun is about a man used to being alone and depending on no one and nothing but his wits and his gun. Finally he meets a woman who demands more of him as a man.”
DEFIANT
“The talented Smith is in her element out west. This novel is fast-paced and filled with adventure and tender feelings…a very beautiful story.”
HALFBREED WARRIOR
“Smith is the consummate storyteller. The pacing is quick, with snappy dialogue moving the story forward at breakneck speed.”
HALF-MOON RANCH: HUNTER’S MOON
“Bobbi Smith is a terrific storyteller whose wonderful characters, good dialogue and compelling plot will keep you up all night.”
LONE WARRIOR
“Fast paced, swift moving and filled with strong, well-crafted characters.”
EDEN
“The very talented Bobbi Smith has written another winner. Eden is filled with adventure, danger, sentimentality and romance.”
MORE ROMANTIC TIMES RAVES FOR
STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR BOBBI SMITH!
THE HALF-BREED
“Witty, tender, strong characters and plenty of action, as well as superb storytelling, make this a keeper.”
BRIDES OF DURANGO: JENNY
“Bobbi Smith has another winner. This third installment is warm and tender as only Ms. Smith can do.…Ms. Smith’s fans will not be disappointed.”
BRIDES OF DURANGO: TESSA
“Another wonderful read by consummate storyteller Bobbi Smith.…Filled with adventure and romance, more than one couple winds up happily-ever-after in this gem.”
HALF-BREED’S LADY
“A fast-paced, frying-pan-into-the-fire adventure that runs the gamut of emotions, from laughter to tears. A must-read for Ms. Smith’s fans, and a definite keeper.”
OUTLAW’S LADY
“Bobbi Smith is an author of many talents; one of them being able to weave more than one story.…Ms. Smith creates characters that one will remember for some time to come.”
THE LADY & THE TEXAN
“An action-packed read with roller-coaster adventures that keep you turning the pages. The Lady & the Texan is just plain enjoyable.”
RENEGADE’S LADY
“A wonderfully delicious ‘Perils of Pauline’ style romance. With dashes of humor, passion, adventure and romance, Ms. Smith creates another winner that only she could write!”
Other Leisure books by Bobbi Smith:
WANTED: THE HALF-BREED
LAWLESS, TEXAS
HIRED GUN
DEFIANT
HALFBREED WARRIOR
BRAZEN
BAYOU BRIDE
HUNTER’S MOON (HALF MOON RANCH)
FOREVER AUTUMN
LONE WARRIOR
EDEN
WANTON SPLENDOR
SWEET SILKEN BONDAGE
THE HALF-BREED (SECRET FIRES)
WESTON’S LADY
HALF-BREED’S LADY
OUTLAW’S LADY
FORBIDDEN FIRES
RAPTURE’S RAGE
THE LADY & THE TEXAN
RENEGADE’S LADY
THE LADY’S HAND
LADY DECEPTION
The Brides of Durango series:
ELISE
TESSA
JENNY
Writing as Julie Marshall:
MIRACLES
HAVEN
Copyright
; ® A LEISURE BOOK
January 2009
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2009 by Bobbi Smith
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