The Wrong Bride by Lynn Donovan

Author:Lynn Donovan [Donovan, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-05T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

“Hoyt, we need to talk.” The stern look in Pa’s eyes troubled Hoyt. He’d agreed to marry Nellie Harris. He was willing to sacrifice his own wants to save the ranch. What more could his pa possibly want from him? They walked together toward the big barn. Once inside, Pa handed Hoyt a hay fork. Pa took the other and began mucking out a stall. Hoyt followed suit.

“This unconventional idea of yours is causing your ma and me some grief from the Harrises.”

“Uh huh.” Hoyt worked to clear out the soiled hay and dump it in a wagon.

Pa emptied his fork and stopped to meet Hoyt eye to eye. “Son. I get that you want to have one last say in this matter. Sometimes a man’s word is all he’s got. But having the Tanner girl stand with you at the wedding is… well, it’s just so unexpected. I can’t remember a woman ever standing with a man.”

“I’m not doing this to be defiant, Pa. May honestly is my best friend. I can’t imagine facing something as big as getting married without her standing with me, supporting me.”

Pa sighed. “Well, son. I wish you’d consider getting some of the boys from town— course y’all are no longer boys, I know. But aren’t there any men in town or among the ranch hands who could serve as your comrade. How about Duke? Or Billy? He’s ‘bout your age.”

“Sure.” Hoyt continued to work in the soiled straw. “He could stand with us, but May is the only appropriate one to stand next to me as my very closest friend.” He stood to his full height, jamming the fork into a muck pile. “Pa, why didn’t you say nothing about our financials? This whole Harris alliance has completely caught me by surprise. And then Nellie placing her demands on the agreement… I-I never saw that coming. Sure she has made aggressive gestures toward me when I was in town or at church, but Nellie Harris is like that with all the fellas.” He lowered his eyes. “I don’t mean to be… to speak poorly of her, but my less feisty friends in town keep to themselves when she comes around.” He lifted his eyes to meet his pa’s. “I honestly had no idea she fancied me over any of the others. I’m rather shocked she has placed these demands on this… arrangement you are making with Mr. Harris.”

His pa’s hard stare softened. “Yeah. I know. But I feel blood is thicker than water, and if I am to seek a partnership to save this ranch, Evan is the only cousin we got nearby who has enough resources available that it wouldn’t be such a burden to him.”

“With all due respect, Pa, me marrying Nellie Harris is quite a burden on me.”

His pa seemed to consider that. His gaze roved over the barn as if he were looking for another answer, but none was found. His eyes returned to Hoyt. “I know. I’m sorry.

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