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

to her first audition. Rose knew she was ready to face her dream.
    "Let's go, Eugenia. I'm ready."
    The two women hurried out the back door of the dress shop, giggling like two co-conspirators.
    ***
    Rose walked into the tent that had been set up on the edge of town. The stage was being built outside, and the sound of pounding overshadowed the young woman who was reciting lines in front of a gruff- looking man who appeared more bored than enthusiastic.
    Her first audition, and she had barely fifteen minutes to learn what she was expected to do. Just long enough to become nervous, and she was already feeling shaky. But Eugenia had taken a tremendous risk in getting her here today, and she wasn't about to ruin this opportunity.
    Rose watched the girl before her go in front of the director. She began to speak, and Rose could barely hear her. Rose went through a quick mental rundown of what she'd seen the other girls do and how she could be different. Rose wanted this part in the worst possible way. This was her chance, her opportunity, and, by George, she was going to get this part.
    "Next!" the man yelled.
    She walked in front of him, her legs knocking, her mouth frozen in a smile. They handed her a sheet of paper.
    "Okay, just read your part and Jack will say his lines. Ready?"
    "Yes."
    "Anytime you're ready to begin."
    Rose took a deep breath and began to read her lines. " Why, gentleman, you do me double wrong, to strive for that which resteth in my choice: I am no breeching scholar in the schools. I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please myself. And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down:—Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tun'd. "
    She laid her hand on his arm and peered up at him. Lucentio stared at her.
    The director called out, "Okay, that's enough. Thank you, Miss ..."
    "Miss Desirée Severin."
    "Thank you, Miss Severin, come back on Thursday and we'll post who got the part. Rehearsals will begin on Friday." The man took a drag of his cigar. "Next!"
    Rose stepped to where Eugenia stood staring at her. "That was very good, dear. I was following along with the story. I didn't want it to end."
    "You're not just saying that to be nice to me?"
    Eugenia took Rose by the arm. "No, dear, I'm not. Now come along, we've got precious little time to sneak back into the dress shop before the boys come looking for us."
    "Thanks, Eugenia," Rose said, feeling both elated and worried.
    ***
    Travis walked back into Pearl's dress shop more relaxed than he'd been in the last several hours, after watching Rose's parade of fashion. A drink or two at Frank's Saloon had dulled the edge off his lust and then a quick trip to visit the Pinkerton man to check on the investigation had eased his conscience. The report would be forthcoming in the next few weeks and soon he would reveal to the world, and his mother, the true nature of Rose Severin.
    And who knew, in the meantime he might have even peeled off one or two layers of her clothing and bared even more of the delectable little con.
    "Yoohoo, Travis, we're over here waiting for you," Eugenia said, waving to him as she sipped tea at a small table in the back of the store.
    Travis and Tucker walked over to their mother, their boots sounding like a herd of cattle traipsing across the wooden floor.
    "Are you ladies ready to leave?" Tucker questioned.
    "We're finished," Eugenia replied. "I've even settled the bill. Tucker, I'll discuss your portion with you later."
    Travis leaned down and spoke softly to Rose, "Did you have a good time in town today?"
    She looked so much like a lady, that when he gazed at her, he had to remind himself she was a thief and a con artist.
    Rose smiled. "Wonderful. I've never bought new clothes before, just secondhand. So many pretty new things at once and a . . ."
    He looked at her oddly. "And what?"
    "Chance to wear them before anyone else."
    Travis frowned. She'd never had new clothes before that no one else had worn? The thought disturbed him and unsettled him all at once. He glanced around and located his mother.
    "It's time we loaded up the wagon and headed back to the ranch if we're going to get back before dark."
    The bell over the door jingled as a tall man dressed in casual clothes stepped into the dress shop. "Is Eugenia Burnett here?" he inquired.
    "That's me," Eugenia replied. She hurried over to the man.
    "I work for Mrs. McLaughlin. She heard you were in