The Bride Wore Spurs. Janet Dean

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СКАЧАТЬ sheltering a cluster of twig furniture. A quiet spot where a man could catch a sunset. Catch his breath. Catch a moment with God.

      He climbed down and headed toward Hannah. Before he reached her, she’d grabbed a fistful of skirts, jumped down and dashed up the steps. No doubt impatient to see her father.

      The door swung open. Rosa, the Parrish housekeeper, stepped out, plump arms thrown as wide as the welcoming smile on her face. “Hannah!”

      Rosa had to be around Matt’s parents’ age, yet her dark hair held only an occasional strand of silver and not a single wrinkle creased her round face. With one eye on the happy reunion, Matt unloaded and lugged the baggage to the porch.

      Before he toted them to Hannah’s room, he’d check on Martin, see that he was prepared to greet his daughter. The man couldn’t stomach appearing weak, looking like an invalid.

      Across the way, Rosa cradled Hannah’s face in work-worn hands and kissed her on both cheeks. “You left a girl and came back a woman. You favor your mama more and more.”

      Tears running down her cheeks, Hannah hugged the older woman. “I’ve missed you, Rosa.”

      Why women cried at happy occasions baffled Matt. At least they weren’t weeping in his arms.

      Rosa smiled at him. “Hello, Señor Matt.”

      “How’s the finest cook in the county?”

      Rosy-cheeked and beaming, the housekeeper giggled. “You try for cookie. They cool in kitchen.” She tucked an arm around Hannah. “Come. I help you unpack.”

      “I want to see Papa first.”

      “Hannah, I’d like a minute with Martin. Why don’t you take a second to...” He glanced at Rosa for help.

      “Si, wash face, hands.” The housekeeper led the way inside.

      “I’ll only be a few minutes,” Hannah said, pleasant enough, but her pointed stare warned him not overstay his welcome.

      With a nod, Matt rounded the corner and strode down the hall to Martin’s room. He rapped on his door then poked his head in. As he suspected, Martin was stretched out on the bed fully dressed, but from his bleary eyes, he’d been dozing.

      A smile lit his face as he struggled to rise. “She’s home.”

      “Yes, freshening up.” Matt helped Martin stand. Once he was steady on his feet, they walked the short distance to the office. Martin dropped into his chair behind his desk, his back to the window.

      Matt sat in a chair across from him. “You sure you’re up to dinner guests tonight?”

      “I’m fine.”

      Those words belied Martin’s appearance. Yet Matt understood the need to save face, to ignore what was plain to see.

      “My illness is going to flip Hannah’s world upside down. She can’t keep the ranch,” Martin said, his tone weary. “I’ve got to make her understand that her future is in Charleston.”

      Martin spoke the truth. Yet that truth hurt Martin and would hurt his daughter.

      “I let that girl run wild.” A smile lifted the grim line of Martin’s lips. “Can’t wait to see the change in her.”

      Tomboy turned debutante would please Martin. “If you have everything you need, I’ll be on my way.”

      “Thanks for picking Hannah up at the depot.” Martin’s gaze dropped to his hands. “Appreciate it if you and your folks kept silent about my troubles. I aim to give my daughter a happy homecoming.”

      “Of course. You can count on us to—”

      The sound of shoes clicking on the floorboards cut off Matt’s words, then halted outside the open door.

      “Papa!” With a smile riding her face, Hannah rushed to where Martin sat, the late afternoon sunlight putting him in silhouette. As she reached him, her smile vanished. Wide-eyed, she gaped at Martin. Shock was on her face at seeing her once robust father a shell of his former self, a frail man, his face etched with lines, his skin an unhealthy gray.

      “Hannah, dear, I’ve been waiting all afternoon for my daughter’s kiss.”

      She leaned down, kissed his cheek then stepped back, plopping hands on hips. “You’re too thin. Are you ill? Are you eating properly?”

      “Been ill. Feeling much better now that you’re home. You need to change for dinner. The Walkers will be joining us.”

      Stormy blue eyes flashed Matt’s way then turned back to Martin. “Of course. I’ll wear one of my new dresses and relay all the news from Charleston.”

      “That’s my girl.”

      “I’ll see you later, Papa. Rest, okay?”

      She pressed a kiss to Martin’s forehead then strode to the door, grabbing Matt’s arm and hauling him with her.

      “See you tonight,” Matt said over his shoulder.

      As the door clicked shut, Hannah whirled on him. “What’s going on with my father?” she said in a harsh, hoarse whisper.

      “He told you. He’s been ill.”

      “That doesn’t tell me anything! Ill with what?”

      With a shrug and sealed lips, he met her gaze. He wouldn’t betray Martin’s confidence.

      Her eyes narrowed, latching on to him like a terrier to a bone. “Who’s running this ranch?”

      “I am.”

      “The Lazy P belongs to us. You have your own ranch.”

      “I’m only helping out.”

      “That was nice of you, but he has me now.”

      Matt fought to keep a straight face. “You?”

      “You think I’m nothing more than a debutante.” She poked him in the chest, her dainty forefinger carrying a surprising wallop. “I’m what I’ve always been, Matt Walker. A rancher.”

      “That’s absurd. The sooner you realize you have no business running the ranch, the better.”

      “The sooner you realize what I do is none of your business, the better,” she said, then stormed off.

      A young, inexperienced female boss was about as welcome to cowpokes as a rattler in the bunkhouse. How long before Hannah learned that truth the hard way?

      Chapter Two

      A nuisance stood on the Parrish threshold. Or so Hannah tried to tell herself. Taller than her by several inches, Matt’s dark mesmerizing eyes locked with hers.

      “Evening,” he said as he stepped inside.

      He СКАЧАТЬ