Heart of Texas Vol. 3 Read Online Free

phone, punched in the number and waited. After a minute or two he covered the receiver. “Nell’s busy, but her mother-in-law’s there and she said you’d be welcome to drive out, but she feels obliged to warn you there’s no electricity at the moment.”
    â€œThey have a bed and clean sheets?”
    â€œSure thing, and Ruth—that’s her name—said she’d throw in breakfast, as well.”
    He named a price that sounded more than reasonable to Travis. “Sold.”
    Phil relayed the information, drew him a map, and soon Travis was back on the road.
    Patterson had told him that the ranch was a fair distance out of town; still, by the time Travis pulled off the highway and onto the gravel drive that led to Twin Canyons Ranch, he suspected he was closer to Brewster than Promise. Approaching the front door, he felt as though his butt was dragging as low to the ground as his suitcase.
    A kid who looked to be about twelve answered his knock and stared blankly at him while Travis stood in the rain.
    â€œHello,” Travis finally said.
    â€œHello,” the boy answered. A girl two or three years younger joined him. Good-looking children, but apparently not all that bright.
    â€œMost people come to the back door unless they’re selling something, and if you are, we’re not buying.”
    Despite feeling tired and cranky, Travis grinned. “I’m here about a room.”
    The two kids exchanged glances.
    â€œWho is it?” He heard an older woman’s voice in the background; a moment later, she appeared at the door. “For the love of heaven, young man, come out of the rain.” She nudged the children aside and held open the door.
    He stood in the hallway, which was all gloom and shadows except for the light flickering from a cluster of candles. Travis glanced around, but it was impossible to see much.
    â€œMom’s in the barn,” the boy said.
    â€œI know that,” the older woman told him. She put the candle close to Travis’s face. “You look decent enough.”
    â€œI haven’t eaten any children in at least a week,” he teased, eyeing the two kids. The little girl moved a step closer to her brother.
    â€œI’m Travis Grant,” he said, turning his attention to the woman.
    â€œRuth Bishop, and these two youngsters are my grandchildren, Jeremy and Emma.”
    â€œPleased to meet you.” He shifted the suitcase in his hand, hoping Ruth would take the hint and escort him to his room. She didn’t. “About the room…” he said pointedly.
    â€œYou’ll need to meet Nell first.”
    â€œAll right.” He was eager to get the introductions over with so he could fall into bed and sleep for the next twelve hours straight.
    â€œThis way.” She led him through the house to the back porch, where she pulled on a hooded jacket. Then she walked down the back steps and into the rain, holding her hand over the candle to shield the small flame.
    Travis wasn’t enthusiastic about clumping through the storm yet again, but didn’t have much choice.
    â€œRuth?” a new voice called into the night. A low pleasant voice.
    â€œComing,” the grandmother answered.
    They met halfway across the yard in the pouring rain. “I got us our first paying guest,” Ruth announced, beaming proudly. “Travis Grant, meet my daughter-in-law, Nell Bishop.”
    It took Travis no more than a second to recognize Nell as the woman who’d called him an idiot.
    He liked her already.

CHAPTER 2
    N ELL LOCATED AN OLD-FASHIONED lantern for Travis Grant. It had probably been in the family for fifty years and was nothing if not authentic. Next she gathered together fresh sun-dried sheets, a couple of blankets and a pillow. She tucked everything inside a plastic bag and raced through the storm, holding the lit lantern with one hand. When she arrived at the bunkhouse, Nell discovered Travis