Page 2 of The Rancher's Bride
While Joe stayed with his brother at the other end of the clearing, he came over every single day to take care of the three of them. Bethany watched as Ma and Joe fell deeply in love. On Christmas Eve, they tied the knot, and Bethany couldn’t have asked for a better present. She and Tommy had a new pa who loved them, and Ma finally had someone to cherish her.
Bethany made two promises to herself about two things that day. She would never be cold or hungry again, and she would have someone love her how Pa loved Ma.She was still waiting for the second one.
Eventually Ma had two more babies, and the family grew with the addition of Millicent and Seth. Tommy was thrilled to be a big brother.
“You still moping about not being married yet, Bethy?”
Bethany reached down and picked an invisible piece of fluff from Rosie’s mane as she listened to the steady clip-clop of hooves against the hard dirt. “I’ve said no to everyone who’s asked.”
Tommy snorted. “All but one of them? He took one look at Pa and went skedaddlin’ all the way to where he was from.”
“Omaha. He was from Omaha.”
“You should have married him. You’d at least get out of this town.”
“Maybe I don’t want to leave Flat River. Maybe I want to stay here to raise a passel of children and live close to Ma and Pa. I’d get to see Gran, Uncle Devin, Aunt Molly and all our cousins every single day if I wanted to.”
“If you are saying you want to spend more time with Gran, your aunts, uncle and cousins, then I pity the man you marry.”
Bethany twisted in her saddle. “Who made you the expert on marriage, Thomas Moore? I don’t see you going around asking to marry anyone.”
“Maybe she’s not ready yet.”
An enormous grin played over Bethany’s delicate features. “Oh, there is someone. You must tell me all about it.”
“I ain’t telling you nothing. Next thing you know, it will be all over town and Marmee will try to fix something up. I don’t need to be caught in any situation like Ranger.”
Bethany giggled. Ranger was their cousin who married a young widow in town. “It can’t be all that bad. He’s always kissin’ on June.”
She watched Tommy shudder in his saddle. “I kissed one girl before. I ain’t kissing another.”
“Uh-huh.” She pulled her horse to a stop in front of the mercantile.
“You better not be kissing anyone either, Bethany. Pa would have your hide.”
“I’m twenty-four years old, Tommy. Why, I’d be an old maid back East.”
“Maybe you’re an old maid now.”
“I am not. Pickings are slim in town. I’m related to everyone, or everyone is someone I’ve known forever and don’t think of that way.”
“Maybe you should talk to Marmee.” Tommy lifted a rein. “She’s over there at the sheriff’s office.” He slid from the saddle and walked to the front of the horse. Tying the reins to the hitching post, he went to pump water into the trough for the horses to drink. “I’m going inside before she sees me. You comin’?”
“Isn’t that Pet at the stable?” Bethany asked sweetly. It wasn’t a secret Petunia Beale was sweet on her brother, but Tommy paid the young woman no mind. Bethany enjoyed teasing him when she could.
He narrowed his eyes and turned as Pet was talking to a man Bethany didn’t recognize. Pet pointed across the street and then disappeared inside the livery.
“Doesn’t matter none to me. I guess we better get our shopping done then.” He climbed up the stairs to the platform. Bethany lingered for a moment, unable to tear her gaze away from the intriguing newcomer.
“I’ll be along in a minute.” Tommy, oblivious to her distraction, disappeared inside the store, leaving Bethany aloneto contemplate the stranger across the street. Her eyes followed him to the sheriff’s office. He was a tall, sturdy figure with a rugged, yet handsome, appearance. The wind tousled his dark hair, and she could hear his laugh as he exchanged words with the marshal.
She craned her neck to see around the horse that paused, letting the rider speak to the men. Letting loose a huff, she was about to dismount her own horse when the rider moved to the hitching post at the end of the building. Her heart gave a happy jump as now she could turn her attention back to the handsome stranger, but not before she recognized the rider who had just arrived.
She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly as the man dismounted from his horse. He removed his hat, revealing a messy head of brown hair he raked his fingers through as he scanned his surroundings. She couldn’t help but hold her breath as she took in his rugged features and strong demeanor.
Benjamin Kendrick.
There was something about Ben Kendrick she found intriguing. He was a tall man with broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw, and captivating brown eyes. The first time they met, his quiet confidence and rugged charm drew her in. Like Pa, he was a man of few words.
