The ladies’ gazes all focused on the twins. Austin rued the day his pa came up with the nonsensical requirement for his sons to marry or lose out on their inheritance. Life had been fine at the ranch when it was just the eight of them. No frills, tears, or emotion. Just eight steady, dependable men.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your … um … friends?” Coralee, the smallest of the Hart women, batted her brown eyes at him.
Austin cleared his throat, wishing someone would start a shootout in the street so he’d have an excuse to leave. He actually glanced at the door, but honor held his feet in place. “Of course.” He held out his hand toward the table. “This is Jenny and Rebekah Evans. They are new to town.” He gestured at the trio standing beside him. “And these fine gals are three of my five sisters-in-law. Coralee, Annie, and Emma Hart. All of them are Harts.” He realized how dumb that last sentence sounded as soon as the words left his mouth.
He glanced behind him to see the few patrons still in the dining hall were staring at him and the ladies. He glared at Pete and Stubby, two cowboys he knew from the Morgan ranch. Stubby ducked his head, but Pete grinned back at him as if knowing Austin was knee-deep in quicksand and enjoying the fact. The coffee he’d swigged down churned in his gut.
“Of course we’re Harts since we’re married to your brothers.” Emma’s green eyes held a teasing glint as she stepped around him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you ladies. I’m Emma, and I’m married to Hays. He’s the youngest of the brothers.”
Rebekah smiled at Emma, her gaze dropping to Emma’s belly. There was no doubt anymore that Hays would soon be a father. The shaft of jealousy that shot through him took him by surprise.
“As Austin so kindly stated, I’m Coralee Hart, married to Houston. He’s the middle of the seven brothers.” She tugged Annie forward. “And this is Annie. She’s married to Travis, who’s the town doctor.”
Rebekah rose. “We’re pleased to meet you. Won’t you join us?” Her gaze shot to Austin’s.
He nodded, knowing there was no way out of this debacle. He just hoped the Hart women didn’t scare Jenny off. After the trio sat, he perched on the edge of his chair. He’d never been alone with his sisters-in-law before and wasn’t sure what to say. More than likely, they’d never notice if he didn’t say a thing, but Jenny might.
Coralee’s ringlets bounced as she told Jenny and Rebekah how she’d turned down Houston’s first proposal. Austin stared into his empty coffee cup. How was he supposed to get to know his bride with those three magpies chattering?
He could head up a cattle drive with three thousand head of longhorns and boss his six younger brothers into doing a decent day’s work, but he had no idea how to corral a passel of frilly skirts and yappy mouths.
“Don’t you think so, Austin?”
Uh-oh. “What?”
“Don’t you think your brothers are happier since they married?” Annie stared at him with honest hazel eyes.
“I reckon.” Happier, yes. But those beguiling women had turned his hardworking brothers into late-sleepin’, “Yes, Dear,” nincompoops.
Rebekah stared at him with a concerned gaze while Emma launched into her tale of Hays’s signs advertising for a bride and how she’d removed them as fast as he put them up. Rebekah held his gaze for a moment, as if sympathizing with him. He offered her a smile, grateful that someone had noticed he was still there. When she smiled back at him, something hitched in his gut. He looked at Jenny and found her engrossed in Emma’s tale.
Tillie bustled toward him, carrying their food. She set each plate down then glanced at the newcomers. “What can I get y’all?”
“More coffee,” Austin said before anyone else started chattering.
Annie shook her head. “I think we should go and allow Austin and his friends to enjoy their meal.”
“But—” Coralee closed her mouth as Annie stood and tugged her up.
“I think Annie is right.” Emma stood and pushed in her chair. “It was a pleasure meeting you two, and I hope we’ll learn more about you next time we meet.”
“Oh, and if you should find yourself in need of a doctor,” Annie said, “my husband is just down the street during the day. We’re still living at the ranch, so he usually heads back around three.”
As Annie and Emma tugged Coralee toward the door, she was still talking. “I thought we were staying for a glass of sweet tea.”
The room was deathly quiet after the trio left. He glanced behind him, relieved to see they were finally alone.
Rebekah stared at the front window as his sisters-in-law scurried past. “I feel a bit like a cyclone blew through here. It must have been quite a change at your ranch going from seven unmarried men to having five women in your midst.”
“No kidding.” Austin grinned at Rebekah’s comment. “I’m glad that most of them have their own homes now, but our family gatherings are quite an affair. Lots of good food, though.”
“Do they all live near you?” Jenny asked.
“Not too far away.”
“I’m surprised they didn’t ask about us.”
“I’m sure they would have if Annie hadn’t had the good sense to let us be.” He needed to thank her next time he saw her.
Jenny flicked the edge of her napkin with her finger. “Do you think they suspect that we’re … um … talking about getting … married?”
Austin pursued his lips. “More than likely they’re gabbing about that very thing right now.” He needed to get Jenny to agree before his pa found out and questioned him. “I wonder if you’d consider going ahead and getting maried, then going straight to the ranch tomorrow instead of staying in town another day or two as we had planned.”
Rebekah’s heart lurched at the same time Jenny’s eyes widened. She knew Jenny had hoped to get to know Austin before meeting his family, but it was too late for that now. Those women were sure to tell their husbands about running into Austin and his two ladies. She knew by the stares they’d given her that they were curious.
Having met the women, though, she felt better about leaving her sister here. Surely they would rally around Jenny and make her feel welcome as Austin’s wife.
Jenny cast her a panicked glance then cleared her throat. “I … um … would prefer to wait a few more days to marry, as we discussed, but it would be fine to visit your ranch if that’s what you want.”
Austin pursed his lips but nodded, obviously disappointed at having to wait to marry. Rebekah searched for a safe topic. “How did the town come to be named after your family?”
While they finished their meal, Austin told them his family’s history and how they came to settle in Texas. He was fortunate to have such a rich heritage. Rebekah took a bite of her lunch, thinking how different their lives had been. Her father had been a pastor, and the family had moved from one church to another, every few years, until his death two years ago. Her mother and grandparents had all died when she and Jenny were young.
“So, do you currently live with your parents?” Austin asked, pulling Rebekah from her thoughts.
Jenny shook her head. “Both of them are gone. We’ve been living with our aunt, but she recently passed, too.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Jenny looked at Rebekah as if asking if she should share more.
Rebekah gave a tiny shake of her head. Austin didn’t need to know that the bank was repossessing their aunt’s house at the end of the month, leaving them homeless and desperate enough that they both looked at marriage as the answer to their dilemma.
Tillie put a fat slice of peach pie in front of Austin, and had cut the slice of apple in half that she and Jenny were sharing. Rebekah took a bite and closed her eyes. The sweet cinnamon flavor reminded her of the pies her mama used to make. “This is delicious. I’m half tempted to just eat pie for dinner.”
Austin smiled. “No one bakes pies as good as Tillie’s. It’s why I usually eat here whenever I come to town.” He took a swig
of coffee then set the cup down. “Speaking of supper, I’m going to let you ladies rest up from your travels this afternoon, and then I’ll return around five to escort you to our evening meal. Does that meet with your approval?”
Rebekah almost grinned at his formal tone. Not much about this cowboy seemed formal, but she liked what she’d seen so far. As much as he hadn’t wanted his sisters-in-law to join them, he’d been courteous and mannerly to them. She could understand his not wanting three more women to listen to, but she had thought something was off. Had he not told them he was expecting a bride? He certainly hadn’t mentioned Jenny was his fiancée when he’d introduced them.
Ten minutes later, Austin bid them farewell at the bottom of the stairs then strode out of the hotel. Inside their room, they both flopped onto their beds.
Jenny yawned as she untied her balmorals. The boots thudded as they hit the floor. “I can’t believe how exhausted I am after all the bouncing and rattling around in that uncomfortable stagecoach.”
She watched as her sister reclined. “What did you think of Austin?”
“I suppose he’s all right. He sure doesn’t make my heartbeat speed up.”
Rebekah nibbled her lip. Austin Hart made her heart rate take off like it was running a race—more than once. She liked his dark eyes, emanating with kindness, and the deep rumble of his voice. She sighed. She supposed it was a good thing she liked her future brother-in-law, but she didn’t dare tell her sister that she’d trade places with her in a second. “Herman doesn’t make my heartbeat increase either, but that’s not what’s important in a marriage. Austin Hart is a good man. You saw how nicely he treated those Hart women when they barged in on us. I could tell he didn’t want them to join us, but he never said an unpleasant word to them.”
Jenny giggled. “He did squirm a time or two while they were there.”
“You do realize those women will be your new sisters, of sort.”
Jenny stared at the ceiling. “I hadn’t even thought about that. They came and went so fast, and they talked the whole time. They never even asked about us.”
Pulling the pins from her hair, Rebekah thought about the ladies. “You know, I wonder if they didn’t realize as soon as they sat down that they shouldn’t have intruded. It does make me feel better to know you’ll have other women nearby. I’m sure they will help ease your transition and settle in.”
Jenny didn’t respond. Rebekah removed her shoes then laid back, her mind still on Austin Hart. If she hadn’t already agreed to marry Herman, she might consider staying in Hartville. After all, Austin still had another brother who hadn’t yet married. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she and Jenny could marry brothers?
But she was afraid that she might always be jealous of her sister for snagging Austin first.
“Are you certain you don’t mind waiting here while Jenny and I take a walk?” Austin hated leaving Rebekah by herself, but he had to spend some time alone with Jenny.
“Of course not.” She settled on the bench in front of the Hartville Hotel. “I’ll just sit here and chaperone from a distance.”
“Thank you. We’ll stay in sight so you have no need to worry.”
Rebekah looked him in the eye. “I don’t think I’d ever have to be concerned about Jenny’s welfare when she is with you.”
Her compliment made Austin’s chest swell. “That’s mighty kind of you to say so.”
She smiled, and for half a heartbeat, he wished she were the one he was escorting about town. He flung that thought from his mind and held out his arm to Jenny. She hesitated for a brief moment before looping hers through his. As they started off, Jenny glanced back at her sister.
“She’ll be fine there. No one is likely to bother her.” No one except for some of the cowboys who came to town in the evening to visit one of the saloons. He’d keep his eye on Rebekah to make sure nothing happened to her. “What do you think of our little town?”
“I knew the town was named after your family, but I didn’t know about the hotel. It must be difficult to always have people staring at you because you’re part of a famous family.”
“I guess I’m used to it.” He probably ought to tell her that the folks in the restaurant had stared because he was with two pretty women—strangers to town—and they were speculating if one of them was to be his bride. Everyone in town and the surrounding counties had probably heard about his pa’s ultimatum by now.
He gritted his teeth, wishing his pa had never come up with his cockamamie plan, but then again, without it, he might never have gotten around to marrying. The idea was slowly growing on him, especially with a pretty gal by his side. Still, he wished she’d show more excitement about marrying him. “Can I ask how you decided to become a mail-order bride?”
Jenny’s gaze flicked toward his, and if he wasn’t mistaken, concern laced them. What did she have to fear from him? “As I told you at lunch, my aunt died.”
He tried to figure out what that had to do with her choice to marry, but he failed to make a connection. He nodded at Ted Arnold passing by in his wagon and noticed how Ted’s eyes latched on to Jenny.
After walking past several stores, Jenny looked her sister’s way. He did also to make sure she was still all right.
Jenny exhaled a loud sigh. “I don’t suppose there’s any reason not to tell you the truth.”
Austin’s heart clenched. One thing he couldn’t abide was a liar. Had Jenny not been honest with him about some of the things she wrote in her letters? Why else would she mention telling the truth?
“My aunt didn’t have a lot of money.” Jenny started wringing her hands and looked away. “In fact, we found out recently that she hadn’t made any payments on her mortgage in several months. We got a notice that the bank is repossessing the house at the end of the month.”
“And you have nowhere else to go?”
She nodded.
So he was her last option. The thought shouldn’t disappoint him since he was being forced to marry, too, but it did. He’d seen the way his brother’s wives looked at them with a twinkle in their eyes and unmistakable love. He and Jenny had barely met, but he had somehow unknowingly begun to hope for a woman who could love him. Maybe it would come in time, but if he were a betting man, he’d say his odds were low based on how Jenny was treating him. If only he knew something about wooing a woman. Flirting with one. Asking his younger brothers for advice just seemed wrong.
They came to the end of town and circled around, heading back toward the hotel. Jenny had yet to ask him anything. “Do you have any questions you’d like to ask?”
She shrugged, and was quiet a little longer, then she asked, “What’s your house like?”
“Big.” He chuckled. “There’s a parlor as well as a library. Large kitchen with a separate dining room. Lots of bedrooms.” He thought about mentioning the indoor washroom but didn’t think it would be polite conversation.
“Will we live in the big house or have one of our own?”
“When Pa dies, the family house will belong to me, as the oldest son. I can’t justify building us another one knowing that.”
“I understand.”
He studied her face but couldn’t tell if she was pleased with his response or not.
Gunfire sounded at the other end of the street, along with loud yelling. Jenny jumped. He pulled her behind him and sought out Rebekah.
Chapter Four
Rebekah stared at the beautiful sunset. Pink and orange washed over a sea of darkening blue, bathing the clouds in beauty. Gunfire jerked her from the pretty view. Holding her hand against her chest, she looked in the direction of the commotion down the street. Two cowboys raced past her, hooting and firing their guns.
The tension flowed from her. Evenings here were probably similar to those in Arcadia. The local cowboys, excited to be off the ranch, often created a ruckus when they first arrived in town. Most were harmless. The duo charged past Austin and Jenny, still hollering.
Austin pulle
d to a sudden halt in front of the saloon. He quickly stepped in front of her sister, as if ready to defend her, but his gaze shot straight to Rebekah’s. Her heart jolted at his concerned expression. The stiffness in his shoulders deflated, he took Jenny’s arm, and started forward again.
“Don’t worry about them. They’re just happy to be off work and in town.”
Rebekah glanced at the dandy who had exited the hotel while she stared at the rabble-rousers. “Cowboys in Missouri often do the same thing.”
The dandy smiled. He was nicely dressed in a gray suit, which looked good with his black hair and mustache. “So you’re from Missouri. What brings you to Hartville?”
She wasn’t used to chatting with strangers, and she wasn’t about to spill Austin and Jenny’s news. “Oh, this and that.”
The stranger glanced in the direction of Austin and Jenny, who had nearly reached the hotel. His head swiveled between her and Jenny several times, almost making her smile.
He twisted the corner of his mustache. “Say, that woman is an exact copy of you.”
“That’s a good thing since she’s my twin sister.”
He pushed his bowler hat back, revealing his thick, brown hair. “Well, that’s not a sight you see every day, especially in such a small town.”
Rebekah was used to people commenting about her and Jenny. She watched her sister as Austin talked. Jenny didn’t seem any more excited about marrying him now than she had before she met him. What would she do if Jenny changed her mind? Herman had made it clear that he wouldn’t allow her sister to live with them. If only she had a better option, but there were no jobs available for unmarried women in Arcadia or any of the neighboring towns. Becoming a mail-order bride had been Jenny’s only option. If only her sister were willing to marry Herman … As if hearing her thought, Austin looked at her, his brow furrowed. Shame on her for thinking such thoughts. Why couldn’t Jenny see what a nice man Austin Hart was?
Seven Brides for Seven Texans Romance Collection Page 42