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

until proven guilty?"
    "Please. I don't need a history lesson," he drawled sarcastically.
    "No, you need a lesson on hospitality and kindness." Eugenia sounded as if she was ready to bend him across her knee like a naughty child.
    "That's enough, Mother. You've managed to change the subject. We're supposed to be talking about what to do with Miss Desirée Severin, not fighting between ourselves."
    "You're the only one with the problem. I'm perfectly content to let her stay here until the ring is found."
    There was a moment of silence. "I'm going into town tomorrow to speak with Tucker. Together we'll decide what to do with Desirée."
    "Travis I swear that if you try to take that girl to jail, I will personally go down and get her out again."
    Rose clenched her fists. She had to get away tonight. She couldn't afford to stay a moment longer.
    There was no way she was returning to the Fort Worth jail for any reason. No one would take her back. She didn't know how yet, but one thing was certain. She was leaving tonight
    The decision firmly settled, she took a deep breath and pushed open the door into the dining room as if she'd heard nothing.
    "Good evening," she called and took a seat across from Mrs. Burnett. "I'm sorry if I'm late. I lay down for a few moments and fell asleep."
    "It's quite all right, dear. Travis and I were just discussing our family reunion, which is coming up in several weeks."
    "Oh? Do you have a large family?" Rose innocently asked, watching mother and son try to calm their heated expressions.
    "Usually there are around fifty of us."
    "Don't worry, you won't be around when we hold it," Travis remarked, his deep voice secure.
    "Now, Travis, you don't know that for certain," Eugenia snapped.
    Rose raised a brow and smiled at Travis. "I'm sorry to hear that. I had so hoped to meet the rest of your family. I'm sure they're nicer than you."
    "Why? So you can steal from them too?"
    Eugenia sucked in a great gulp of air. She was past irritated at her son. "Travis Burnett! How rude. Where are your manners? You apologize this moment. You will treat Miss Severin like any other guest in our home."
    "Its okay, Mrs. Burnett. He's been rather grouchy since he kissed me this morning." She couldn't contain her smile as she noticed the shocked faces.
    Eugenia managed to utter, "He kissed you?"
    "He stole a kiss from me. If I had kissed him, that would have been different, but he initiated this kiss and I think it rather surprised him."
    Rose almost laughed as Travis gasped, his face turning a heightened shade of pink. "I didn't have to steal anything. You kissed me back."
    "Would you deny that I pushed you away?"
    He looked as if he could happily put his hands around her neck and squeeze until she gasped her last breath. But Rose only smiled.
    The older woman looked shocked for just a moment, and then she laughed a startled sound. "Well, with that interesting bit of news, I think I'll tell Cook we're ready."
    Eugenia pushed back her chair, stood, and walked through the door into the kitchen.
    Travis shook his head, his gaze troubled. "Did you have to tell her I kissed you? Now she's going to be putting all kinds of ideas together about you and me. Ideas that will never come true."
    "Your mother is a smart woman. She knows that the two of us go together like boric acid and sugar. Sweet and deadly."
    Travis smiled. "It's the first thing we've agreed on."
    Rose sat back in her chair and blinked once, then twice. "You know, I think that's the first time I've noticed your smile. It's kind of nice, when you're not barking orders or saying something scathing about me.
    "I only bring it out for company."
    "Well, aren't I a lucky woman?" she said sarcastically.
    He shrugged. "Don't get too used to it. You won't be here long and it slipped out this time. It won't happen again."
    "Too bad."
    He took a deep breath and leaned forward. "Let's get the rules straight while you're here, Miss Severin."
    "Rules? You give all your house guests rules to obey?"
    "You're hardly a house guest. As it is, you are confined to the house. No solitary walks, no buggy rides around the ranch, and certainly no horseback riding."
    Rose pushed her chair back and rose. She circled the table, her eyes glancing about the room. "So, I'm to sit inside this house, day after day, until I give your mother's wedding ring back."
    "That's right."
    She ran her fingertips along the top of the wooden china hutch as she moved closer to Travis. The light from the