The Rancher Takes A Bride (The Burnett Brides Book 1)

California that you're all right?" he asked.
    "We won't lose touch, Isaiah. You're the only family I have now. Of course I'll let you know."
    Together they stood, and she reached out and hugged him to her close. "I'll miss you so much."
    "Not near as much as I will you. I'll talk to you again before you leave."
    He released her and made his way to the door.
    "Miss Rose, I really had hopes for you and Mr. Burnett. He was a fine gentleman."
    Tears clogged her throat before she managed to clear them. "Me too, Isaiah. Me too."
    ***
    Travis had just about killed his horse and himself getting to Waco. In fact, he would have been there sooner if the beast hadn't thrown a shoe. He had to walk her for ten miles to the nearest settlement before he could get her fixed up with a new shoe and continue on.
    It was Wednesday night; the play would already be in progress. He was dirty, dusty, and tired, but he didn't care. He thought of finding a hotel room, taking a bath, and getting cleaned up, but was afraid that in the time it took him, the play would end and somehow he'd miss Rose. And nothing was going to keep him from finding Rose.
    He tied his horse up outside and swiped at the dust on his clothes in an attempt to brush it off, but it didn't help much. Travis bought a ticket, stepped into the theater, and took a seat. The play was already in the second act, but he didn't care. Just the opportunity to see Rose, watch her, and know that soon they would talk made him feel better.
    Somehow he felt that his entire life was riding on this night. All the way here, he'd thought about the words he was going to say.
    If only she'd give him a second chance, that was all he wanted.
    He watched the play, his eyes mesmerized by Rose. She was amazing, an exceptional actress, and she had been willing to give it all up for him. Until he had refused her his love. As he sat watching her, he hoped and prayed she would listen to him.
    The commotion started during the third act. Once again an inebriated man left his seat and made his way toward the stage. Travis felt his heart start to hammer inside his chest as he watched the man stumble toward the stage. When he could walk no further, he started yelling at the women on stage.
    "Lift your skirts. Do the can-can and kick your legs!" he cried out. "Dance, girlies, dance."
    Just then Rose came to the end of the stage to say her part. The man lunged for her, and Travis was out of his seat, running for the stage.
    Rose had retreated when the drunk reached for her, and Travis didn't know if she saw him or not. He reached out, grabbed the man by the shirt collar, and whirled him around. The drunk swung at him, Travis ducked, and his right fist decked the man, knocking him out cold. Travis then dragged him out of the theater, depositing him outside with the local law.
    It was then that he saw Isaiah. The Negro man ambled over to him. "I was just going for that man myself when I saw you coming down that aisle. What are you doing here, Mr. Burnett, or need I ask?"
    Travis smiled, as he'd always liked Isaiah. "I'm here to see Rose, Isaiah. What else? We have some unfinished business."
    "It's a good thing you got here when you did. She's already told this acting troupe she's quitting and going to California. She's catching the stage tomorrow to Galveston. Head'n out of town for good."
    Travis cringed as he realized that if he'd waited any longer, he might never have found her. Together, the two of them went back inside and finished watching the play.
    When it was finally over, Isaiah shook his hand. "I'll be hanging around until she leaves town, and then I'm headin' back to my family. I want what's best for her. Good luck, young man."
    "Thanks, Isaiah." Travis said, and then watched the man amble away.
    People were leaving the tent as he made his way around back to the curtained-off areas for the actors.
    He came to the makeshift rooms, and as a young lady was going in, he asked her, "Would you tell Rose Severin that someone is outside to see her?"
    The woman gave him the once-over and then said, "Sure."
    She disappeared into the room, and he heard her call out, "Rose, there's some good-looking cowboy outside waiting to see you."
    Rose felt her knees start to shake. He was here, but why? Slowly she opened the curtain and peeked outside. Her heart leaped in her chest at the sight of the man she'd fallen desperately in love with. So that had been him in the audience. She hadn't dreamed she saw him carrying out