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

across the pond, creating small ripples on the otherwise smooth surface.
    "Yet you said last night that you're attracted to him. Is that true?" he questioned.
    She crossed her arms protectively about her. "I don't know. Every time I start to think he's a nice man who's honest and good, he accuses me of some new violation. He thinks I'm the worst kind of woman. He thinks I cheat people out of their money. He thinks I'm a thief and a seductress."
    She put her hands on her hips and stared at Isaiah. "Me a seductress." Picking up a rock, she threw it, trying to make it skip across the water, only to watch it plunk into the pond.
    "Miss Rose, you're a beautiful woman. Mr. Burnett doesn't know you've had little experience with men. He doesn't know that we're trying to make a livin' the only way we know how."
    "Still, I'm not who he thinks I am. He hasn't given me a chance." She sighed. "His life has been so lucky." She glanced off at the house. "He's lived here with an honest-to-goodness family. He went to church and school, probably even graduated. I bet he never went hungry or watched his father change women as often as he changed underwear."
    Isaiah squatted down on his haunches and rested. "Nope. That man ain't like your papa, that's for sure. So is it the man you're attracted to, or living in a big, fancy house? Do you want a family and children, Rose, or to be an actress like your mama?"
    Rose glanced at the man who was more of a father than her real father had ever been. His question surprised her. She'd never really considered being anything besides an actress like her mother. It seemed as if she'd been born with the idea of being on the stage, yet she'd never made it up on one yet. It was always in the future. Always when they arrived in New York.
    She worried her lip. "Of course I want what I've always desired. I wish to be an actress. You know that's what I've dreamed of doing. It was the reason I started this séance parlor business. To earn money to reach New York."
    "I'm only asking," Isaiah said, watching her closely. "I'm wondering if that is still your dream."
    "Just because I met a man who reeks of dependability and breathes honesty doesn't mean I'm ready to give up everything I've planned and waited for."
    Isaiah picked up another rock and threw it across the water. "If that's what you still want, then that's what you need to do. But sometimes dreams change, and if yours changes, Miss Rose, its okay."
    Rose bent over, picked up a large rock, and threw it across the pond. It landed in the water with a splash and quickly sank.
    "Nothing has changed. I still wish to be an actress. I still want to go to New York. I'm going to be like my mother and be famous. In fact, the sooner we get out of here, the better. I'll wait just long enough for you to visit your family again, and then we're leaving with or without Travis Burnett's approval."
    "You never answered the other part of my question, Miss Rose," Isaiah reminded her.
    "What? You mean about being attracted to Travis or his way of life?"
    "Yes."
    She stared across the pond for a moment. "It's got to be his life. Surely I wouldn't be attracted to the man. He's a do-gooder. We're about as opposite as two people can be. I'd probably be bored out of my mind with a man like him, living here in the sticks."
    Isaiah nodded his head. "Just be careful, Miss Rose. You're not very experienced with men and matters of the heart."
    "Don't worry about me."
    An apple tree full of spring blossoms grew close to the water, and the sweet smell filled the breeze. Rose walked down and picked a small twig from the tree and held the fragrant stem to her nose.
    "There might be another reason for us to consider waiting before we head off to another city," Isaiah said, as he watched her.
    "What do you mean?" Rose asked.
    "Hudson Productions is coming to Fort Worth and they'll be putting on a production of The Taming of the Shrew ." They're bringing some of their actors with them, but they are holding auditions for other parts two weeks from now. It would be a good way to get some acting experience."
    "Yes!" she cried, doing a little dance in the grass.
    Isaiah glanced up at her and smiled. "Yes, what?"
    "Yes, I'm going to audition. Yes, I'm going to get a part, and yes, it's finally going to start happening."
    A twinge of excited fear filled her. This would be her chance to prove to herself that she could be an actress like her mother.
    Isaiah held up a hand. "Have you forgotten, Mr.