The Texan Read Free Page B

the punch that was being served.
    “Millie tells me she’s planning to travel to Texas with you,” commented Charles Hill, one of the men who was courting Millie. “How soon will you be leaving?”
    “I visit my father every summer, and I can’t wait to go again.”
    “You really enjoy it there?” Kenneth asked, sounding a little surprised. “I can’t imagine living so far from civilization.”
    “I love the ranch,” Emmie answered. “I miss it when I’m away.”
    “But it’s dangerous, isn’t it? We’ve all heard the story of why your mother moved back,” Charles put in.
    Emmie looked at Charles and knew he wouldn’t last long on the Rocking R. As she tried to imagine him spending the whole day in the saddle, working stock, she had to struggle to keep from smiling. “It’s a different way of life, that’s for sure, but I love it.”
    “And I can’t wait to go. It’s going to be such an adventure,” Millie put in excitedly. “Emmie’s told me so many fascinating stories. I can’t wait to see the real Wild West for myself.”
    “And your parents are letting you go?” Charles asked incredulously. “I guess you’re just too headstrong to keep at home.”
    Millie didn’t mention that she hadn’t told her parents of her adventurous plan yet. There would be time for that later.
    The conversation turned to other things, and before long it was time to say their good-byes.
    Sarah was quite pleased with the attention Kenneth had paid to her daughter. She’d kept an eye on Emmie and was eager to speak with her about her beau.
    “Did you enjoy yourself to night?” Sarah asked as they settled into their carriage for the short ride home. “I noticed Kenneth spent quite a bit of time with you.”
    “Yes, he did, and he’s coming to the house tomorrow for a visit,” Emmie told her.
    “That’s wonderful. We’ll have to be ready for him. What time is he stopping by?”
    “Midafternoon.” Emmie glanced over at her mother and saw her delight at the news.
    “Good. That gives me time to get everything prepared.”
    Emmie had to hide a smile, for her mother seemed to be more excited about Kenneth coming to call than she was. “Mother, Millie mentioned to night that she’d like to travel with me when I go to visit Papa again.”
    “What?” Sarah was horrified by the thought. “Her parents will never allow her to do that.”
    “Well, we’re hoping they will. She’s very excited about visiting the ranch. I can’t wait to show her around. It will be fun.”
    “I would hardly call ranch life fun,” Sarah said bitterly, and her comment evoked a frown from Emmie.
    “Some of us enjoy it, and I think Millie will be one.”
    Sarah had had this argument with her daughter many times and knew there was no point in trying to change her mind. Though she’d grown into a lady, underneath she was still a lot like Hank.
    “We’ll have to see. We still have a while before we have to make the plans for your trip.” Sarah couldn’t understand why anyone would want to go out west. Haunted by memories of the bloody Comanche raid she’d survived, Sarah still found it painful to let Emmie go every year.

Chapter Three
    T
he following afternoon Emmie was in her room getting ready for Kenneth’s visit when she heard a carriage pull up in front of the house. She assumed it was Kenneth, arriving a bit early. So she quickly finished dressing, gave herself one last look in the mirror, and started from her room to go downstairs to greet him.
    Emmie was surprised when she got halfway down the staircase and found it wasn’t Kenneth at all, but an elderly gentleman who looked vaguely familiar, and was speaking in very serious tones to her mother in the foyer. Her mother’s expression was most troubled as she listened to the man, and Emmie immediately grew worried.
    “What is it, Mother?” Emmie asked, glancing between them as she approached.
    Sarah looked over at her daughter. “Let’s go into the sitting room,