Heart of Texas Volume One Read Free

again.”
    â€œI’m so glad I found them!” she burst out. “These are the best ones yet.” Their scent was sweet and strong and pure, far more aromatic than modern hybrids. These roses from Bitter End were probably White Lady Banks—a rare and precious find.
    Savannah talked excitedly about her roses; the cowboy encouraged her, asking interested and knowledgeable questions.
    What surprised Savannah was how comfortable she felt with Laredo Smith. They could have talked for hours. Generally when it came to conversation with a man, especially a stranger, Savannah was shy and reticent. The ease with which she talked to Laredo was unprecedented.
    It wasn’t just roses they talked about, either. Soon Savannah found herself telling him about her gardens at the ranch and the love her mother, Barbara, had for flowers. One topic led swiftly to another. She described Promise and assured him it was a friendly town. He asked about having his truck repaired and she mentioned a couple of reliable garages.
    â€œOh, my,” she said and held her palm to her mouth.
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    â€œI got to chatting away and almost missed the turnoff for the ranch.” Such a thing had never happened before. Then, hardly knowing what she was doing, she glanced over at him and said, “The fact is, Laredo, the Yellow Rose could use an extra hand. If you need a job, we’d be happy to offer you one.”
    Laredo brightened visibly. “I’m good with horses and I’m willing to work hard.”
    â€œGrady’ll probably have a few questions for you.” She added this second part knowing her brother wasn’t going to be pleased with her hiring a stranger. In the past he’d always been the one to do the hiring and firing, but if he took offense, he could discuss the matter with her. Every instinct she possessed told her Laredo Smith was worthy of their trust. Besides, they needed extra help, whether Grady was willing to admit it or not.
    Laredo grew quiet, and then she felt his eyes on her. “Since you offered me the job, I think it’s only fair to tell you I was fired from my last position.” He told her he’d been accused of theft, wrongly accused. He neither cast nor accepted blame. “I may be a lot of things, but a thief isn’t one of them. If you change your mind, I’ll understand.”
    â€œI won’t,” she said, but the instincts that had felt so right moments earlier wavered like dry grass whipped by a harsh summer wind. “I…I appreciate your being honest enough to tell me,” Savannah said. Naturally the first thing Grady would want from a stranger, especially one she’d taken it upon herself to hire, was references. Well—like everything else about this day—she’d cross that bridge when she came to it.
    â€œYou won’t be disappointed,” Laredo added. “You have my word on that.”
    A plume of dust followed them as they headed down the pitched dirt driveway leading off the highway. No sooner had Savannah pulled into the yard and turned off the engine than Grady dashed out of the barn and stalked toward her like an avenging angel.
    â€œJust where the bloody hell have you been all afternoon?” her brother demanded, ignoring the shambling black dog that trailed him and nudged the fist clenched at his side.
    Savannah inhaled deeply and held her breath while she climbed out of the truck. If she hadn’t stopped to pick up Laredo, she might have returned before Grady rode in from the range. Rather than answer his questions, she leaned over and scratched Rocket’s ears. The old dog, who’d once belonged to their father, was now well past his prime. He wagged his tail in appreciation.
    â€œYou might have left a note.” Her brother’s ranting continued despite her lack of response.
    â€œI apologize, but—” She wasn’t allowed to finish.
    â€œI