Heart of Texas Vol. 3 Read Online Free Page A

sitting on the end of a bed, looking tired and out of sorts.
    The initial group of tourists was scheduled to show up the first week of May, and almost everything in the bunkhouse had been readied. It was primitive, but then this was the real thing. A genuine ranch, complete with enough cattle to give would-be cowboys the experience of dealing with a herd, horses for them to ride and plenty of land. Nell was as determined as Curly in the movie City Slickers to make real wranglers out of her guests. It was what they were paying her big bucks to do, and she firmly believed in giving them their money’s worth.
    â€œThanks,” Travis said when he saw her. He stood up to remove the bag from her arms, and she placed the lantern on a small wooden dresser opposite the bed.
    â€œI realize this isn’t the Ritz,” she said as she spread the crisp sheet across the thin mattress.
    â€œHey, beggars can’t be choosers,” her guest reminded her. “I’m grateful you’re willing to take me in at all.”
    Actually no one had thought to ask her. It was her mother-in-law who’d agreed to put him up for the night when Phil Patterson phoned. But to be fair, Nell suspected she would have agreed herself.
    â€œWith the rodeo coming, the Pattersons didn’t have any vacancies,” he explained unnecessarily, leaning over to help her with the top sheet and blanket.
    The lantern actually gave a fair amount of light, much to Nell’s chagrin. She chose to pretend she didn’t recognize him. And either he was too tired to remember the way she’d harangued him at the side of the road or he’d decided to forget. Whatever the case, she was grateful.
    â€œDoes the Texas hill country generally get storms like this?”
    â€œThis one’s worse than some,” she told him, lifting the edge of the mattress to tuck in the covers. Given his size, she wondered if the bunk would be big enough for him. Well, there was no help for it, since this bed—or another exactly like it—was the only one available.
    â€œWhat about losing your electricity?”
    â€œHappens now and then,” she said, not looking at him. She reached for the pillow and stuffed it inside the case, then plumping it up, set it at the head of the bed. “Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked, ready to return to her family.
    â€œNothing. I appreciate your putting me up,” he said again.
    â€œNo problem.”
    â€œMom.” Breathless, Jeremy burst into the bunkhouse, his face bright. He carried a blue-speckled tin coffeepot in one hand and a matching cup in the other. Emma followed with a covered plate.
    â€œGrandma sent us over with hot chocolate and—”
    â€œâ€”one of Mom’s cinnamon rolls,” Emma finished for her brother. Travis could see a black-and-white dog waiting patiently at the door.
    He took the pot and cup from Jeremy and set them on the nightstand. “Hey, no one said anything about room service. How’d I get so lucky?”
    Emma handed him the plate. “My mom’s the best cook in the world.”
    Nell grinned and put an arm around each of her children. “Now probably isn’t the time to mention we roasted hot dogs in the fireplace for dinner.”
    â€œAre you staying for the chili cook-off?” Emma asked their guest.
    â€œI wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Travis sat on the side of the bed and poured himself a mug of steaming cocoa.
    Nell wasn’t sure how Ruth had managed to heat the cocoa—the fireplace, she supposed—but was pleased her mother-in-law had made the effort.
    â€œMom’s going to win. Her chili’s the best.”
    â€œEmma’s opinion might be a little biased,” Nell said, steering the two children toward the door. “Let us know if you need anything.”
    â€œI will. Good night,” Travis said as they left to go back to the house.
    Nell turned and