Free The Wrangler's Mail Order Bride by Cindy Caldwell Page A

contemplated her potential future father-in-law.
    “Thank you, Sadie. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” She gestured for Mr. Archer to take Hank’s seat as she stole a glance at him laughing at the bar with his friend.
    Beau glanced at Hank as well before he cleared his throat, pausing for a moment.
    Clara waited, wondering what he could possibly have to say to her. Somehow, she didn’t think she’d be getting an apology.
    Beau took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. “Clara, I can imagine that this is a little difficult for you. I’d like to first thank you for even considering helping us in this complicated situation.”
    Clara folded her arms and leveled her gaze at Hank’s father. “You’re welcome.” She fell silent, waiting for him to continue and enjoying his obvious discomfort, despite herself.
    “I believe that you are aware that my wife, Hank and the girls’ mother, passed away not too long ago. Actually, she was Tripp’s mother, too. At least, she considered herself to be.”
    Clara dropped her hands to the table as she looked down at her napkin. “Yes, I did know that, Mr. Archer. I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you,” he said with a glance down at the table. “It is imperative that this property becomes Hanks as soon as possible. It is what his mother would have wanted.”
    Clara frowned as she wondered what Mrs. Archer had to do with anything regarding the property. She recalled that it had belonged to Katie’s father, but knew nothing beyond that.
    She sighed, leaning forward on her elbows. “Mr. Archer, I understand that this is meaningful to you. It would be impossible to miss that fact.”
    He smiled, steepling his fingers in front of him as he assessed Clara from across the table.
    “Miss Martin, yes, you are correct. It is very important to me, and it would be to Hank if he knew all of the facts.”
    “I’m sure that Hank is as aware that this is important to you as I am, but I’m not at all sure why. Maybe you should…”
    She stole another glance at Hank, just as he turned and spotted his father at the table with her. His face reddened and he quickly said something to his friend before striding over to the table.
    “Pa, what are you doing here?” he asked, glaring down at his father.
    “Nothing, Hank. Nothing, really. Just having a quick word with your future bride.” He stood, moving away from Hank’s seat and gestured for him to take it.
    “Thank you,” Hank said as he sat across from Clara, casting a sideways glance at his father.
    Beau remained in place, thoughtful during the awkward silence that followed. He seemed to make a decision, and cleared his throat.
    “Could I convince the two of you to take a ride with me tomorrow? To see the property?”
    “What? I’ve seen it, Pa. Not sure Clara’s even interested,” Hank said, studying his father.
    “Now, Hank, you’ve seen part of it. There’s something particular I’d like to show you. I can have the housekeeper pack a picnic. I’ll show you what I want you to see, and head back. You two can stay and roam around as you like.”
    “Pa, I don’t know…” Hank looked across the table to Clara, his eyebrows raised, waiting for her response.
    Clara looked from Hank to his father, and made a decision. She wanted to clear up as much of this confusion as possible, and if it took a ride out to the property to do that, so be it. She needed to know…to move on.
    “That would be fine with me, Mr. Archer. I would be happy to come along. Maybe Hank will even give me a riding lesson like he did for the twins today.” She smiled at Hank as he looked up at his father.
    Hank sighed. “How is eleven o’clock? Pa, I really need to know what this is all about. Clara deserves to know, too.”
    Beau’s head dropped into his hand and he rubbed his eyes. “Hank, thank you for trusting me. I think tomorrow, after we go to the property, you may understand a little better.”
    He turned to Clara, bowing slightly toward