Page 12 of Wrangling Her Heart
Rex wasn’t sure where George was going with his questions, but an uncomfortable feeling was building in his belly. The memory of the Richards gang’s threats and Vangie’s disappearance simmered just below the surface of his thoughts.
“Can’t rightly say about that, either.”
Despite Tillie’s attempts to steer the conversation toward lighter topics, George remained determined and continued to inquire about the financials, the herds, and the workers. He was relentless.
“Golly day. Do you ever stop talking?” Petunia huffed. “I’m going to go down to the creek and hunt those rabbits. I’ll catch up with you later. Maybe he won’t have any more questions.”
As Petunia rode off toward the creek, Rex couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at her freedom. George’s relentless questioning had put a damper on the otherwise peaceful ride, with Rex growing more and more irritated at his probing. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease settling in his stomach that George’s inquiries were not just innocent curiosity. Tillie kept her eyes downcast, trying to avoid any confrontation with her brother.
Rex pushed his worn cowboy hat back with two fingers, squinting up at the unyielding sky. The clouds remained stubbornly still, but he could see a glimmer of sunlight off in the distance.
As George resumed speaking, Rex focused on the small patch of light, silently praying for the strength to get through this trying moment and for a chance to speak to Tillie without her brother.
Chapter Five
Tillie went out the next morning to collect eggs for Annamae. She liked the young woman her brother had married. Annamae was quiet, but she loved Sawyer, and that was enough for Tillie.
She put her hand underneath the hen and retrieved the warm eggs, careful not to startle her. Tillie secured the eggs in the basket provided to her, then extended her hand back into the box to stroke the feathers of the hen. The slight gesture brought her a sense of calm. As she looked around the ranch, it made her feel like there was hope in the world, despite her troubles.
“Thank you for breakfast,” she cooed to the hen with a last pat. Moving to the next nesting box, she gently shooed the chicken aside, but the hen was having none of it. It puffed up its feathers, letting out an indignant squawk as Tillie tried to reach for the eggs nestled beneath her. The hen pecked at Tillie’s hand, a sharp pain shooting through her skin as she recoiled in surprise.
“Ouch,” she cried, pulling her hand back. “That’s not nice.”
“She might be broody.”
Tillie turned quickly and saw Rex standing on the other side of the fence with an amused smile on his face.
“How can you tell?”
“These are new hens. We’ve only had them a few days. If she’s not letting you gather the eggs, maybe she wants to sit on them.”
“Well, Annamae wanted them for breakfast. Don’t you have to have a rooster to get a broody hen?” Tillie looked around the coop. “I don’t see a rooster.”
“We don’t have one. Midge stole it.”
Tillie’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she threw her head back, letting out a hearty laugh. “You know who stole your rooster? That’s both impressive and absurd!”
Rex moved around to the front of the coop and opened the door, letting the chickens out to roam in the barnyard. “Git.” He waved his hat to the birds. “Midge is my soon-to-be sister-in-law. She’s marrying Baxter.”
“He’s the brother that brought us here, right?”
“Yep.”
“He had all those children at the store.”
“Yep.”
“Did his wife die?”
“Oh, no,” Rex chuckled. “Those are Midge’s siblings.”
“Oh goodness. All of them?”
“Yep.” Rex moved closer to her, leaning one arm casually against the chicken house. “You sure are interested in my family,” he remarked, his tone light and teasing. Tillie couldn’t help but notice the way his golden-brown eyes sparkled withamusement.
She felt a strange flutter in her chest, but quickly brushed it aside, reminding herself of the trouble that always seemed to follow her and George like a looming storm cloud. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling a flush creep up her cheeks.
“I just like to know who I’m dealing with,” she retorted, ducking under his arm.
