“We’ll pick the horse up in the morning,” Rowan said.
“Okay.”
“Now Audrey is bedded down, let’s see about finding you somewhere to stay.” He left his horse tied to the hitching rail, carried her saddlebags in one hand and linked his free arm with Miranda’s. “You won’t mind staying in town on your own?”
“Are you kidding? A nice soft bed in a hotel? You betcha, I won’t mind at all.”
“I heard they serve good food there, probably better if you have supper at the hotel. I don’t like the idea of you wandering around town in the evening on your own. There are always a few drunken cowpokes hanging around.”
She had no intention of wandering around at night in a strange town but was irked by Rowan issuing orders.
“It’s for your own safety, Miranda.”
Was he a mind reader?
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
He grinned. “I saw the obstinate tilt to your chin. There’s no point being foolhardy to score a point off me.”
“I know, I just don’t like being bossed around.”
“That’s obvious.”
A buggy with a fancy fringed hood, driven by a young man wearing a brown Stetson, passed by. The passenger was that awful Dorothea woman. Rowan must have seen them as he pointedly turned his back.
“Hey, Rowan,” the man called out.
Rowan swung around. “What do you want, Edward?”
“I want you to fire Hank and Tom tomorrow,” he said.
“They gave your father loyal service for years.”
“Too bad. I own the ranch now and they’re too old and useless.”
Miranda felt Rowan’s body became rigid. “They’ve forgotten more about ranching than you’ll ever know,” he snarled.
“You better watch yourself, Rowan. Edward can fire you just like this.” Dorothea snapped her fingers and Miranda seethed. What a dreadful woman.
“Oh, he won’t fire me, he hasn’t learned enough from me yet. Come on, Miranda, we’ve got a hotel room to book.”
Edward flicked the horse’s backside with the whip, and it took off.
“What a horrible pair,” she said.
“They deserve each other. I find it hard to believe a decent man like George could sire such a vicious son.”
“It’s terrible. At least Hank and Tom are coming to Twisted Creek with us.”
“I’m glad, too. They’re good ranch hands with a lot of knowledge even though they are getting on in years. After the loyalty they showed to his father, it’s criminal to treat them this way. George would be devastated if he knew what Edward was up to.”
“Why don’t you tell him?”
“It’s tempting, but the old man has serious lung problems, and I think he’s memory is failing too. He’s better off not knowing his son will eventually ruin the ranch.” Waves of anger bounced off him.
“Edward is a stupid little upstart who thinks he knows everything. In reality, he knows very little. He’s just proved this by firing the two men who could have helped him keep the ranch profitable once I left.”
The hotel, a double storied place built of upright boards, had a brick façade. Inside it was clean, if shabby looking. Double doors to the left had ‘Dining Room’ written on the glass. Rowan pressed the bell on the reception desk.
A short, overweight man wearing a white apron popped out from behind a door. “I’d like a room for the night,” Rowan said.
“A double?” The man leered at Miranda.
“No, a single, thanks. I’m not staying here.”
Miranda signed the register and the man handed her the key. “I’ll come upstairs with you, then I’ll leave.”
“I know you’ve got a lot to do, Rowan, you go. I can climb up the stairs and find the room by myself.”
“No, I’ll see you to the room, then I’ll know everything is okay.”
“All right, thanks.” She was starting to feel bone weary now. Not getting much sleep on the way here, combined with her heightened state of anxiety, was starting to take a toll.
He opened the door of her room and poked his head inside. “Looks okay, basic but clean.” He dumped her saddlebags on the floor.
“It’s all I need. Will I meet you at the church tomorrow?”
“I was going to meet you here, but I guess it would save me a bit of time. Will you be able to find the place on your own?”
“I think I can manage.”
“Don’t be late.”
“I won’t be, Rowan. You make sure you don’t leave me standing at the altar.”
He gasped in shock. “You think I’d do such a despicable thing?”
“Well, I…”
“You must have a very low opinion of me.” He swung away.
“Wait! I didn’t mean it to sound nasty.” She grabbed his arm. “I just meant, I’m so worried about losing the ranch I can’t think straight.”
“Sorry, I overreacted.” He pulled her into his arms. “I want this marriage to be successful, but what if it proves to be a disaster for both of us?”
Suddenly he whipped off her hat and kissed her on the mouth. “See you in church tomorrow.”
By the time she recovered her wits he was halfway down the stairs.
Chapter Ten
Next morning after breakfast, Miranda strolled up to the livery stable to collect Audrey. She had taken a bath at the hotel and was able to wash her hair. She had no dress to wear for her wedding, but at least wouldn’t be grubby and sweaty smelling for her new husband.
She could scarcely believe she was worrying about clothing, having never done so before. Was it an unconscious need to impress Rowan? Their marriage was probably only going to be a temporary one to save her ranch and his cattle. It sounded harsh when
