Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Author:Regina Jennings
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC042030, Widows—Fiction, FIC042040, Women—Texas—Fiction, FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-03-07T10:46:29.481000+00:00

To Weston’s surprise Rosa’s fragile collarbone and delicate shoulder survived the repeated battering of the gun’s recoil. With every strike on the barrel side, she grew more and more confident. Tomorrow she’d be sore, but he hoped handling the powerful weapon would eliminate her worries.

He ate the last bite of the bean-stuffed tortilla and licked the remains from his fingers. Weston hadn’t planned to spend all day with her, but as the wait for Louise lengthened, so did his enjoyment. Rosa belonged in the Garner family. She took such pride in her livestock and crops, it was hard to believe she wasn’t raised to be a rancher’s wife.

She showed him the chickens, big enough to eat but not laying yet, and the sheep—all healthy and not a coyote to be seen. Their garden was a modest success. It would provide enough produce to make it through the next harvest. Not bad for two women just starting out. And after supper was over she washed up and brought out her stitching.

Before they took the rockers on the front porch, Rosa found some soft rags and oil for Wes, who set out to give her rifle a much needed cleaning. With their work before them, they settled in for a quiet evening waiting for Louise and trying to eke out the last of the light from the summer sky.

Although it’d been difficult to keep his distance, Weston counted the day a success. He’d looked over their farm and evaluated it with a professional eye, making suggestions when he thought they’d be helpful but not allowing the conversation to drift into areas that would be considered personal. Taking a step backward was painful, knowing Rosa had to be aware of the change, but she didn’t protest, accepting whatever breed of friendship he offered.

No stumbles caused her to fall into his arms. They exchanged no weighty glances, and most importantly, no dancing occurred. She pretended not to notice the difference and let things be. That was what he wanted, right? To have a wall of defense between himself and any eligible lady?

His spine stiffened and he sat straighter in the rocking chair. He’d exiled himself from women for the last five years. Why did it take so much effort now? Why did he feel as if he were riding the brake down a steep grade? Until this week he thought it implausible he would ever court again. Now, instead of exerting himself to be social, he had to restrain himself. Rosa realized it first, and after seeing the truth mirrored in her eyes, he couldn’t deny it any longer. He was falling for her.

Riding along with her hand under his, he felt ready. Maybe he could lay his future before God. Maybe he could loosen his grip and let go.

That’s what she’d read in his eyes, and she wasn’t mistaken. She fascinated Weston, but when she’d responded to him, he’d turned tail and run. He’d gone yellow.

Disgusted with himself, Weston forced his thoughts to the task at hand.

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