The Texan and the Lady (36 page)
Read The Texan and the Lady Online
Authors: Jodi Thomas
Ten minutes later when she entered the kitchen, she had to fight to hide her disappointment that Austin wasn’t in the room.
“Mornin’,” True said between bites. “You ready to go?”
“Go?” Jennie looked from True to Spider.
Spider glanced down at his plate. “Marshal left before sunup. He said he wanted to get back to the prisoners in town. It don’t seem practical to leave them with Moses too long.”
“Oh.” Jennie wanted to scream that he hadn’t said good-bye. Or maybe he had last night. In his way.
“As soon as you’re ready, I’ll take you back to the Harvey House. True wants to ride along, but she’s already told me she’s planning on riding back later to check on Colton.”
“How is he?” Jennie felt bad. She’d been so wrapped up in her own life, she’d forgotten Colton.
Spider smiled. “He’s fine. Couldn’t have a better nurse than Delta, and that Audrey can work wonders.”
Jennie felt out of place. Suddenly she didn’t belong again, the only person at a dance without a partner, and she didn’t know what to do or say.
True offered her the answer. “We best hurry. I’ll bet Mrs. Gray is having a time with all her girls running out on the Harvey House. She’s lost about half a dozen to marriage this month already. I swear it’s worse than some plague. They’ve probably got Henry serving meals.”
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” Jennie answered as she hurried back to her room to pack. It was happening all over again. She was just an extra, not really belonging anywhere. At least she could get back to the Harvey House, where she’d always be needed.
Spider had the wagon loaded by the time she finished packing. Jennie hugged Delta good-bye, trying to smile. The sheriff, Jennie and True drove off, with every man on the place stopping to wave.
Jennie forced her head high as she rode silently along the muddy road. She’d learned a great deal about herself. She was a survivor, and with or without Austin she’d make it. At least she’d had last night to warm her dreams for the rest of her life.
When they turned the first bend toward town, she noticed a red ribbon tied to a tree beside the road. Within a few hundred yards she saw another. Then another.
“How strange.” Jennie looked at Spider, who didn’t seem to see them. “My family used to tie ribbons to fence posts back home so I could find my way. I wonder if there’s another person in this country who can’t tell direction any better than I can?”
They passed another ribbon before Spider answered. “I doubt it. Far as I know everyone in these parts knows north from south. Otherwise they’d have been smart enough to stay back east.”
Jennie watched as another ribbon came into view. “But they couldn’t be for me.”
“Well, they ain’t for me,” True chimed in from the back of the wagon. “I was born knowing directions. I could follow a map even before I could walk.”
Jennie remained silent as they passed ribbon after ribbon until they were within sight of the Harvey House. There a red ribbon was tied around the door handle.
“Can’t think of anyone else it could be for but you.” Spider smiled as he helped her down from the wagon.
Jennie lifted the long streamer and followed it into the house. As she entered the dining room, the first thing she saw was that all the tables had been pulled back. The employees stood lifting the walls, and at the end of the line was Austin.
He walked slowly toward her, smiling as though he were witnessing a dream taking form. His dream.
“I hoped you’d find your way.” He held his hand out to her. “I’d hate for you to miss our wedding.”
Jennie looked around at all the smiling faces. “But …” She couldn’t believe he’d done all this for her.
He raised her left hand and slid a gold band on her third finger. “This ring will never come off, so you’ll always know you’re cherished.”
Jennie stared at the single band of gold. “But …” He couldn’t be doing this. Not Austin McCormick.
“Now, don’t waste time.” Mrs. Gray stepped forward. “If you’re agreeing to marry this man, you’d best answer. We have to have these tables back in working order by the lunchtime train.”
“Are you sure?” Jennie looked up into his smiling face.
“No,” he answered honestly. “I just know that I can’t live without you. I love you more than I thought a man could ever love a woman. I’m not sure about you being able to live with me. I don’t know if I can change, but I know I’ll never stop loving you.”
Jennie closed her left hand around his. “There’s nothing about you I’d change.”
Austin smiled and fought the urge to grab her and kiss her in front of all these people. With great control he leaned near and brushed her cheek with his lips. “Plus, I feel my child’s parents should be married. Don’t you?”
Jennie glanced at True standing beside Spider. Dirt already creased across her nose, but her blue eyes were dancing with excitement. “Of course,” Jennie replied.
Austin offered his arm. “Will you join me?”
She closed her fingers over his arm. “It’s bound to be an adventure.”
“That I promise,” Austin answered as he closed his hand over hers.
They walked toward Spider Morris. Jennie felt as if her heart might explode. She’d found a place where she belonged. Not a state or a town, but in Austin’s heart, and there she’d always be needed, cherished and loved.
DIAMOND BOOKS, NEW YORK
This book is a Diamond original edition,
and has never been previously published.
THE TEXAN AND THE LADY
A Diamond Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Diamond edition/January 1994
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1994 by Jodi Koumalats.
Cover photograph by Wendi Schneider.
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission.
For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
ISBN: 1-55773-970-6
Diamond Books are published by The Berkley Publishing
Group, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
DIAMOND and the “D”
design are trademarks belonging to Charter Communications, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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