Daughters of the Heart Read Free

have made her lips more kissable?
    She met his eyes. “He and Wallace traded the Comanche for Rose, then she and Levi fell in love.”
    The youngest pretty spoke up. “Mama wrote a book about it, their romance. It’s called The Ranger if you want to read it.”
    “Yes, I already have. I’m looking forward to meeting him and Wallace.” Elijah leaned out in the direction of the girl’s stepmother. “Mary loaned me The Granger as well. I sure enjoyed reading both. You’re quite the novelist, Mis’ess Buckmeyer.”
    “Thank you, Elijah. And you’re welcomed to call me May.”
    “Oh no, wouldn’t dream of it, ma’am.”
    The conversation increased as the scrumptious meal decreased. Elijah enjoyed the interaction between the sisters and their baby brother once he finished eating.
    His mother handed him over to Gwendolyn then on down the line of beauties. The youngest Buckmeyer seemed to love his sisters and had a great time getting passed from one to the other.
    Gave Elijah a great opportunity to feast his eyes on the young ladies, and he enjoyed that even more than the food. How was he ever going to choose between the two older sisters, or should he focus on Gwendolyn? Cecelia certainly exhibited many fine qualities. But then could he get either to agree to wed?
    And what about their father?
    Would he give either’s hand?
     

     
    Cecelia nuzzled Crockett’s neck, then turned him a bit and glanced up. Elijah stared at Gwen. She buried her face in her baby brother’s neck. Good gracious, stop it. She loved her sister, and definitely would not allow any fool man to come between them.
    Mercy, he wasn’t even a suitor. He’d come to build a steam engine.
    Who wanted a Californian anyway? No one in Texas. She was Texas born and bred and loved it! Long live the Lone Star State! She kissed the baby’s cheek. How could he be so soft and sweet? She just wanted to love him all up.
    His dark hair with those blue eyes surely made him the most handsome baby boy west of the Mississippi.
    He stretched out his hand and leaned toward Bonnie. “Her.” He grinned back at Cecelia, teasing her. “Me want me BonNEE!”
    She twisted him away from the twelve-year-old’s reach. Crockett squealed, then giggled when she blew her lips against his neck then handed him off. Not even two, and he already played them all like a virtuoso.
    Bound to be a heartbreaker, the little booger couldn’t be loved more, leastwise not by her.
    She glanced at Elijah. Speaking of breaking hearts, how no young woman had snapped him up, she’d never know. He probably left a string of them back in the Gold Rush state.
    He met her gaze. Her heart flipped then thundered. Why was he looking at her? She wasn’t even old enough to be courted. Didn’t he know that? Or maybe he fit the bill as the type of man her daddy warned her and her sisters about?
    Still, she couldn’t stop from smiling. He glanced to her daddy, and she followed his lead, willing him to quiz Mister Eversole.
    Or had he already?
    “Elijah.”
    “Yes, sir?”
    “You up to getting started in the morning?”
    “Yes, sir. The boiler should be here in a day or two, and I’d like to work out where you’re wanting to put it. Needs to be just right. Two ton of iron isn’t that easy to toss around.”
    “True.”
    For the next bit, the two of them discussed the saw mill. Not one time did her father even start to ask any of the questions Cecelia wanted him to. Boiler this, and iron that. Yes, he could cast any part he wanted.
    Made her want to scream, ask him, Daddy! Has he got someone back home? Is he a Christian man? Come on, get to the good stuff.
    Then her father stood. “Elijah, normally as a guest, I’d give you a pass, but since you’re going to be here for a while, the ladies cook, and we clean up.”
    The man jumped to his feet. “Small price to pay for such a fantastic meal. I’m happy to help, sir.”
    Cecelia started to offer to take his place, but then that would leave