The Ranger Takes a Bride Read Online Free

Sarita's arm around her neck, and together they hobbled the twenty paces to the edge of the tree line. As she was about to lower the older woman to the ground, a rustling noise sounded within the timber.
    "Wait, Mama. I hear something." Alejandra held her breath as she listened. Could it be? Had luck finally smiled on them? "I think I hear water running ahead. Can you rest against this tree while I go see?"
    Mama nodded and released Alejandra for the smooth bark of the maple tree. Deep lines formed around her eyes, and her lids hung half closed. Alejandra's heart clenched at the sight. She had to get her settled soon, but a cool stream would be the very best thing for Mama Sarita's swollen foot.
    She dashed through the trees, as Rudy scampered along underfoot. "Move, gato." She grunted, side-stepping so as not to crush the animal. When a small stream appeared through the woods, she could have cheered.
    But moving Mama Sarita to the spot proved agonizing. Not because the sweet woman complained, but because it was clear from the shaking in her hands and her heavy breathing that every step was pure torture.
    After settling her with the swollen ankle submerged in the creek, Alejandra loosened Papa's rifle from where she'd tied it to her satchel. "I'll only go as far as I need to, until I find el cabello for you to ride. And la comida to eat."
    Mama Sarita gripped Alejandra's arm, her strength surprising after what she'd endured in the last hour. "Do you remember the English words?"
    "Sí. Horse y food." Alejandra pronounced each word as clearly as she could, forcing her mouth around the strange sounds. They'd practiced American words every day on this journey, but it had taken a day or two before Alejandra summoned any desire to learn the language of these people. How she wished now she'd worked harder to memorize everything Mama Sarita tried to teach her.
    "Bueno." Mama Sarita nodded. "I mean…good. I must begin to speak more English to you. Don't stop at the houses you come to, but go into San Antonio and find a mercantile. You never know what kind of people you'll meet on the road, but a storekeeper will help you."
    "Sí, Mama. I'll leave the rifle with you." She reached down to give Rudy a final pat. "Stay here, boy, and help Mama Sarita." The cat meowed, brushing against the gathered blue fabric at the base of her skirt.
    Alejandra left the wooded area with the solid bounce of pesos bumping against her side in the pocket of her skirt. Urgency pushed her forward, and soon she began to pass houses. The homes grew closer and closer together until stores filled the roadside. Each building seemed to be taller and more ornate than the last. Curved scrollwork or solid pillars decorated many of them, along with bright paint colors and elaborate signs. How could these people afford such luxury on the outside of the buildings? What must the insides look like?
    The writing on the signs made no sense, but some of them had pictures, too. One showed a boot and another a dress, so Alejandra watched for a signed that showed some kind of food. But it was her nose that alerted her first. Never had she smelled anything as tantalizing as the aroma that poured from the squatty building just in front of her. Of course, it may not have smelled half as wonderful if she'd had anything at all to eat that day.
    Her stomach rumbled like a weaned calf. Alejandra rested one hand over her midsection to still the noise, and peered through a window in the front of the building. It was crowded, with some people milling about, and many more sitting in groups at tables around the room. Was this a mercantile? It wasn't like any los mercados back home.
    Just then, three men exited the building, and stood on the wood sidewalk for a moment. One man spoke, and the other two laughed. The man's words had come so quickly, Alejandra had no idea what he said. Maybe these men could tell her if this was a mercantile.
    She took a single step forward, and gathered a breath