Cowgirl for Keeps by Louise M. Gouge

Author:Louise M. Gouge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Even though he needed to rest for tomorrow, Garrick fought sleep. One moment, the successes of the day filled his thoughts and prompted fresh ideas for the hotel. The next moment, his stomach churned with anxiety on two fronts.

His growing fondness...attraction—he wished he could define these irresponsible feelings for Rosamond—filled his mind and heart and sent them in a direction he mustn’t take. Friendship? That was insufficient to describe the depth of his emotions. Could he think of marriage? Impossible. Before he took such a sacred step, he must secure Helena’s future.

Yet he couldn’t help but think of his own future. If he wanted Rosamond to be a part of it, he must make his feelings known to her, especially since other potential suitors, such as Nolan Means and Fred Brody, seemed desperate to meet her.

For him, however, one thing was certain: responsibility must win out. Uncle had taught him that lesson well when they’d both thought Garrick would inherit the title and all that came with it. Even with the change in his expectations, the lesson held firm. Therefore, in spite of the other gentlemen attracted to her, he must put some distance between Rosamond and himself.

His other dilemma was no less distressing. He must separate Percy and Beryl. Something had happened today to intensify their attraction, if Beryl’s moon-eyed gazes at Percy over supper and his secretive smiles at her were any indications. His cousin mustn’t waste his life out in this wilderness when he could do so much good at home in England once he married well and entered Society.

There was nothing for it. Garrick must forget impressing Rosamond, surrender his cowboy lessons with Pete, take Percy away from Four Stones Ranch and seek lodgings in town. Reverend Thomas had mentioned that the widowed church organist had rooms to let. Perhaps she had enough beds for their valets, as well. Tomorrow he’d locate her house and make his inquiries. He’d introduce Percy to Mrs. Starling and ask him to search for her husband. He’d make his excuses to the Colonel by saying he must be closer to the hotel. And he would somehow keep his heart from shattering through it all.

The next morning over breakfast, he concluded that the Lord had paved his way. Beryl and Rosamond hadn’t yet risen for the day, so he wouldn’t be confronted by any questions they might ask. He also had plenty of time to explain his plans to Percy. Of course, he didn’t tell his cousin all that was in his heart, only about the missing Starling family patriarch.

“You’ve always been clever at solving puzzles.” He spoke softly so Rita couldn’t hear him. “Finding the countess’s stolen spaniel, and all that. If you take Richards along and perhaps hire a local man as a guide, you’ll have everything you need for the task.” He took a bite of Rita’s delicious griddle cakes and then sipped his coffee. “I’ve no doubt you can locate the chap or, at the least, find out what happened to him.

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