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

I never believed they would really arrest you. I'm so sorry. Are you all right?"

Chapter Three

    "Mrs. Burnett, what are you doing here?" Rose asked, realization dawning on her as she stared at the gray-haired lady. "Oh, God! You paid the twenty- dollar fine."
    The deputy scratched his head. "The marshal doesn't know she paid your fine. If I were you, I'd catch the next stage out of town. It's leaving at noon today. You've got little more than an hour."
    "Gladly!" She took a deep breath to calm her ragged nerves. "Mrs. Burnett, thank you, but I've got to go.
    Rose started walking toward the door, the swish of her skirts loud in the small room.
    "Desirée—wait, dear," Mrs. Burnett hurried after her.
    She halted at the door, eager to make a fast exit. "Look, I appreciate you paying my fine, but I can't be seen with you. Your son put me in jail just for talking to you!"
    "Don't worry about Travis or Tucker, dear."
    "Don't worry about the Burnett brothers!" Right then, Rose would have done just about anything to keep from being locked back in that small box they called a jail. "You heard the deputy. I should get out of town, all because of your sons!"
    Rose marched out the door, heels clicking on the wooden sidewalk as she headed toward The Last Word . No, she couldn't really talk to the dead. But all she'd done was help some little old ladies get over their loved ones' deaths, and now she was being forced to leave town, without Isaiah.
    If only she had time to find Travis Burnett, she'd give him a talking to that would cause his ears to blister. First she'd yell at him in English, then she'd curse him in French. But she wasn't about to risk being sent back to jail just to appease her wounded pride.
    "Miss Severin, please, slow down!"
    Rose turned, her feet slowing as she noticed Mrs. Burnett hurrying to catch her. "Mrs. Burnett, I do appreciate your help in getting me out of jail, but I must pack my bags and be on the next stage. Right now I don't feel like talking pleasantly to anyone. In fact, I feel the urge to throw a screaming fit, but I just don't have the time."
    Though her gait was slower, Mrs. Burnett was quite capable of keeping up with Rose as she walked along at a rapid pace. "You don't have to leave town, Miss Severin."
    "What? Are you kidding me? You think I enjoyed spending a night in that dank jail?" Rose replied, irritated.
    "No," the woman snapped back. "You are welcome to move your business and yourself out to my ranch. You'll be safe with me."
    Rose stopped walking and stared at the woman in disbelief. Finally she started to laugh. "What kind of game are you playing, Mrs. Burnett?" She took a deep breath. "You think I'd move out to your ranch with your son? I'm not a miracle worker!"
    "Travis doesn't need a miracle. He's a good man, he's just protective of those he cares about."
    "Protective! I'd say he's more like a mountain lion—cunning, with a ferocious roar and a determined mindset."
    Her voice resonated through the street, and people stopped and stared. Rose shook her head and started to walk again.
    "This is nonsense. You're a sweet lady, but your son doesn't want me anywhere near you. Why would he allow me to live with you?"
    "Miss Severin, I know you're upset. I know my sons have treated you horribly, but really, they're both very nice men. Travis is stubborn to a fault, just like his father, but I know once he gets to know you, he'll see what I see."
    Rose didn't take the time to even glance at the woman but hurried along the sidewalk, ignoring the obvious stares. "Just what do you see, besides a semi-hysterical woman who has just lost her business and must travel to another city?"
    "I see a strong young woman who is tender and compassionate, who has had to make her own way in the world. And has done a remarkable job."
    They arrived at The Last Word , and Rose turned and stared at Mrs. Burnett. The wind teased a slip of silver hair from her carefully coiffured hairstyle. The lady looked like a nice sweet grandma, and Rose knew exactly where Travis Burnett had received his iron will. A shining example of that determined spirit stood before her, yet she'd grown rather fond of Eugenia Burnett.
    "That's about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," Rose said, surprised at the older woman's comment. "Thank you."
    "My sons want only to protect me, and that includes keeping me from you."
    "I'm hardly dangerous!"
    Rose opened the door and stepped inside. The feeling of being home