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

delighted to escort Rose and Mother shopping while you recuperate."
    "I don't think so," Travis said in a low voice. "I was planning on taking Rose with me when I pick up the lumber for the new barn."
    "But that's not what you said several nights ago, when we talked about going into town," Rose said, confused. "You told me in no uncertain terms that until the ring was found, I was staying here!"
    "I've changed my mind. I'll take you."
    "And buy her a new dress," Eugenia added.
    Travis glared at his mother and younger brother. "And buy her a damned new dress."

Chapter Ten

    Travis tagged along behind his mother and Rose down Second Street, on their way to Pearl's dress shop. A week had passed since the barn fire, and he was still perturbed at the way his mother and brother had forced the issue of his bringing Rose to town. Rose deserved a new dress and much more for her heroics, but he wasn't about to let Tucker bring her into town alone.
    Somehow his brother had switched over to the enemy camp and was not only flirting outrageously with Rose, but treating her like a cherished lady, not the con artist he had locked up in a cell.
    Still, the sight of Rose, even in his mother's over- large, borrowed dress was a pleasant view. Walking behind her and watching the rhythmic swish of her skirt, in beat with the sway of her shapely behind, was enough to keep a man following close to her rear.
    Tucker nudged his brother and leaned close. "Miss Severin certainly has enough curves to tempt a man."
    "Don't you need to go protect the town or something?" Travis replied.
    "Not today. I took the day off. Thought you might need some company on this little excursion."
    "What I need is for my youngest brother to keep his eyes and hands off this girl."
    Tucker chuckled loudly enough that it drew the attention of his mother and Rose.
    Eugenia turned around. "What's so funny, Tucker?"
    "My brother has lost his sense of humor," he replied.
    Rose turned around. "Did he ever have one?"
    Tucker continued to laugh, while Travis all but growled at them.
    Finally, Eugenia halted in front of the dress shop door. "There's no need for the two of you to wait on us. Why don't you boys come back in a couple of hours?"
    "Not a chance, Mother. I'm staying right here with you," Travis replied.
    "Suit yourself." Eugenia pushed open the door, and they all followed her inside the little shop.
    Travis felt as if he'd walked into a woman's oversized armoire as he strolled past a rack of dresses, skirts, and blouses, his boots clanking against the wooden floor. Bolts of material stood at attention, lining the walls, ready to be shaped and formed into the latest creations. Hats decorated the walls, with wisps of feathers and trails of ribbon adorning the bonnets.
    Everywhere he looked there were feminine frills that made him feel about as comfortable as a dog in a cattery. He removed his hat and twirled it about in his hands. He and Tucker were the only men in the shop. Travis glanced at his brother, watching him scan the room and come to the same conclusion.
    A frown creased his forehead. "Sure you don't want to go down the street to Frank's Saloon?"
    "No, but God, I hope they hurry. Have you ever seen so many frills in one place?" Travis asked.
    "Nope. I'm just hoping no one saw me come in here. It could be tough to discourage outlaws, if they see me in a women's store."
    Travis slapped his brother on the back. "You could threaten to strap them into a corset."
    Tucker shook his head. "Bad joke, Travis."
    Rose glanced back at Travis questioningly while Eugenia spoke to the proprietor. "We need to buy this young lady some new clothes."
    "Wait." Travis pulled Eugenia off to the side, just the two of them. "I agreed to one new dress. Not a new wardrobe."
    Eugenia glared at Travis. "Tucker and I are chipping in to buy another new dress and I'm getting her new undergarments."
    She walked back over to Rose and the women followed the shop clerk, disappearing behind a rack of ready-made clothes.
    Travis slowly turned and faced his younger brother, resisting the urge to pick him up by his shirt collar, carry him outside, and give him the thorough thrashing he deserved. Instead he asked in a low voice only Tucker could hear, "You're chipping in to buy Rose a new dress? Have you lost your senses?"
    Tucker shrugged his shoulders. "I only offered to do my share, since she saved our family operation. Mother was the one who suggested she would need another dress. I had