Free The Rancher Takes A Bride by Sylvia McDaniel

was a thief. He'd had her thrown in jail, for pity's sake! And still her body responded to his kisses, hungered for his touch.
    Rose Severin was a lot of things, but she wasn't a common criminal who stole from people, nor was she an easy woman.
    She walked deeper into the trees, leaves crunching beneath her boots. A flock of birds trilled at her invasion, swooping from the trees in a flurry. Why was she attracted to this man?
    As she traveled from town to town, there had been very few men in her life. Flirtations, yes, but she never stayed in one place long enough for any serious involvement. No man had ever courted her, or ever bought her a trinket. So why had she suddenly taken an interest in a do-good cowboy who believed the worst of her?
    Shaking her head, she shivered, but not from cold on this warm May morning. She didn't know why her pulse seemed to pound whenever he was around. She didn't know why the mere sight of him in his tight pants and filled-out shirts caused her breathing to quicken. She didn't understand how the touch of his lips could turn her muscles to liquid.
    And even though she hadn't wanted to return to Fort Worth, even though she had no intention of staying long with Mr. Burnett, she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit curious as to where these feelings were leading.
    Yes, she'd told him to never kiss her again, but Lord, she hoped he ignored her pleas. Because she wanted his kisses, feared his kisses, trembled at the reaction his lips seemed to create.
    Maybe she'd stick around for a little while to figure out what made this cowboy different from the rest of the hatted and gunned men she'd met. Maybe, just maybe, she'd figure out what made this man different.
    ***
    Eugenia heard the dogs barking a greeting and knew it could only be Travis. She glanced out the kitchen window and watched Travis's Appaloosa come clopping into the yard. Desirée sat encompassed in the safety of her son's arms, the two of them nestled together upon the animal's back.
    The sight of the young woman with Travis made her smile. It was a pleasant surprise that left Eugenia happy and anxious. Happy because the girl was here, anxious about the lie she'd told her son. Still, at this distance they appeared cozy together, and that did her heart good.
    But what was she going to say now that he had brought the young woman back? What were Travis's plans for Desirée, and how long could Eugenia let this farce go on before she spoke up and told the truth?
    She untied her apron, tossed it onto a kitchen chair, and hurried through the parlor and out the front door, letting the wooden door slam behind her. She stood waiting for the pair as they rode up to the front porch. She tried not to wring her hands, tried to keep a welcoming smile on her face. But the closer they came, the more anxious she became at the scowls on their faces. The perfect picture they presented needed a few strokes to the canvas just yet.
    "Hello, son. Desirée, it's good to see you again. I trust your trip was successful?"
    Travis glared at her as though she was out of her mind. "A Sunday school picnic, Mother. Desirée hasn't returned your ring." He glanced down at her. "Yet."
    Their looks were like steel hitting flint. Desirée glared up at Travis, and Eugenia couldn't help but think what a handsome couple they would make. Their children—her grandchildren—would be beautiful. She was doing the right thing.
    You haven't found it yet, cowboy." Desirée issued the challenge, a smile on her face.
    "Get down and come in, children. You must be tired and hungry." Tense, Eugenia felt as if her insides were going to be wrung out Travis was clearly frustrated, and Desirée seemed to be enjoying his agitation.
    "Mrs. Burnett, you know I didn't take your ring."
    Travis made a sound of disbelief. He swung his leg over his horse and climbed out of the saddle.
    Eugenia took a deep breath. No, the girl hadn't taken her ring, but she couldn't admit to her fabrication just yet.