Free A Texan's Honor by Leigh Greenwood Page A

could stay for a couple of days,” he was saying to Bret. “We could ride over the ranch and you could tell me what you think.”
    â€œAll my experience is in the hill country,” Bret said.“I don’t know that I could help much. You don’t have all the same grasses and trees here.”
    How had he had time to learn which grasses grew in this area?
    â€œWe have to worry about flash floods. You have to worry about getting enough rain,” Bret went on.
    â€œI guess it is different,” Charlie said, his enthusiasm undiminished, “but I figure any man who knows as much about horses and cows as you do has to know something about the land.”
    â€œPossibly, but I’m sure the ladies would like us to talk about something else. Like the excellent dinner you’ve prepared,” Bret said, turning to Ida.
    Ida looked pleased, but said, “How can you compare this with the suppers you have all the time in Boston?”
    â€œYou have an exaggerated notion of how much I’m paid if you think I can afford to eat like this every evening.”
    There was plenty of food on the table—there had to be to feed eleven people—but it was ordinary fare of ham, roasted prairie hen, potatoes, beans, rice with beef gravy, canned peaches, hot bread with plenty of sweet butter, and a blackberry pie for dessert. The coffee was black and hot.
    â€œWe eat stuff like this all the time,” Joey said. It was clear he didn’t see anything special about it.
    â€œMy adopted mother couldn’t cook at all,” Bret said. “She didn’t even know you had to soak dried beans before you cook them.”
    â€œI know that,” Buddy said, “and I’m a boy.”
    â€œShe’s a really good cook now,” Bret said, “but she made all the boys learn to cook, too.”
    â€œYou’re not going to do that, are you?” Buddy asked his mother.
    She winked at Bret. “I think it’s a fine idea.” Shelooked at her husband, and her smile grew broader. “Then I can sit on the porch and smoke a pipe while you boys get supper ready.”
    Emily enjoyed listening to Ida and her family tease each other about the kinds of food they’d fix. Her description of the aprons she’d make for the boys, decorated with everything from flowers to bunny rabbits, brought forth howls of protest.
    Bret didn’t say anything but appeared to enjoy the fun. Every so often, Emily would notice his brows knit. She couldn’t tell if the memories brought up by being around the kids were good or bad, but it was clear that they had a profound effect on him.
    â€œEnough foolishness,” Ida said after a while. “Mr. Nolan will think we’re very silly people.”
    â€œI think you’re a very happy family,” Bret said.
    â€œI hope so. Now if you don’t mind, we’d like you to tell us about Boston. It must be exciting to live in a city like that.”
    Emily got the feeling Bret would rather have talked about the ranch, but he launched into a description of life in Boston that fascinated the children as well as the adults. Much to her surprise, he didn’t hesitate to make fun of himself by telling a few funny stories about his first days in the city. She was certain he exaggerated a little, but she only had to see the laughter and excitement in the children’s eyes to forgive him.
    â€œThat’s all for tonight,” he said after telling a story about getting an entirely inedible dish because the waitress couldn’t understand his Texas drawl. “Maybe I’ll tell you some more stories when I come back through.”
    â€œWhen will that be?” Clara asked, her eyes wide with undisguised admiration.
    â€œThat depends on Miss Abercrombie,” Bret said,glancing at Emily. “She might get tired of me after a single day.”
    â€œShe won’t,” Joey said confidently. “She’s