In a Texas Ranger's Arms by Cynthia Hickey

Author:Cynthia Hickey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Katie stepped into the bright afternoon sun after church and squinted against the glare. An empty Sunday afternoon loomed in front of her. She’d have hours on which to work on her new gown.

“There she is. Miss Gamble?” Ward’s mother bustled toward her. Ward stood a few feet away with an apologetic look on his face. “Since it seems I can’t rely on my son to issue an invitation, I’d like to extend one myself. Will you do us the honor of coming for Sunday supper? My Lucy is quite taken with you.”

Katie bit her lip. Why her? Of all the single women in Somerville, why pick Katie Gamble, suspected thief? She forced a smile, unable to say no to the woman’s earnest invite. “I’d be delighted.”

Mrs. Alston laughed. “Don’t look as if you’re going to the guillotine, dear. It’s only supper.” She linked her arm through Katie’s and drew her toward a wagon. “We’re a bit cramped, so I’ll send you in the automobile with Ward. I hope that’s all right.”

Speechless, Katie nodded and eyed the metal contraption. Ward gave a gallant wave. “Your carriage awaits.”

She eyed the buckboard, then with a sigh, swept her skirt aside and climbed onto the leather seat of the Ford. It was more comfortable than the wagon, but as soon as Ward cranked the engine, her heart leaped into her throat. How did someone control something without reins? She studied Ward’s strong hands on the wheel. When he turned, and the car responded, Katie understood. Still, the ride was bumpy, and she was grateful for the cushioned seats. She kept a hold of a leather strap above her head and tried not to bite her tongue.

“Don’t worry.” Ward grinned. “I’ll get us there safely. Soon, all the roads in Somerville will accommodate vehicles. Everyone will own one.”

Not Katie. She preferred the back of a horse or her own two feet. “We’re going awfully fast.”

“Only fifteen miles per hour.”

So fast! She gripped the handhold tighter and tried to concentrate on the scenery whipping past. Fields, stripped of their cotton, stretched on both sides, broken only by the occasional stand of thick trees. The land was so flat it seemed as if she could see from one side of Texas to the other.

“Does your family own a lot of land?”

“About five hundred acres. When I settle down, I’ll have a bit of money to buy an adjoining chunk of acreage one of our neighbors is thinking about selling.”

Her heart stuttered. “You’re thinking about quitting your job as a Ranger?”

“Not immediately, but someday.” He turned them down a fairly smooth road and stopped in front of a two-story house with a sprawling front porch and several outbuildings.

His home made the small one-bedroom cabin she’d grown up in look like nothing more than a hillbilly shack. Maybe that was all it was, but the place was home. At least until Amos had moved in.

Ward cut the ignition then came around to her side to help her from the car.

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