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

snap of her fingers, he would be willing to have sex with her again, but he could not marry Rose. She wasn't a lady and she wasn't who he planned on taking for a wife. Or was she?
    "It's just not possible, Uncle."
    The old man glanced at Rose again. "Son, that girl is a jewel. She's kind of rough around the edges, but a bit of polishing and she'll be a diamond."
    "I think you're wrong. I think she's more like fool's gold. All flash and glitter, but no real worth."
    His uncle tilted his head. "I could be mistaken, but I don't think so. Sometimes the glitter blinds the buyer from the real value."
    Travis glanced at Rose. Was he confused about her? Just who was Rose Severin? He'd delayed going into town to get the results from the investigator. For some reason, he was suddenly dragging his feet about finding out the truth regarding Rose.
    He glanced over at the woman and noticed her holding his aunt's hand, tracing her fingertips across her palm and talking earnestly to her. The other women crowded around, blocking his view, laughing and smiling.
    My God, she was reading his aunt's palm! He stared in disbelief. Conning the sweet little old lady with lies, filling her mind with useless prattle. Telling her God-only-knew what, right here in his family's midst.
    No, he wasn't mistaken about Rose.
    He turned his attention back to his uncle. "Thanks for the advice, Uncle. I'll consider what you said."
    The old man smiled a knowing smirk. "Anytime, son. I'll talk to you again before we leave."
    Travis strolled away, certain of one thing. He could never marry Rose Severin. Once again she had proven herself to be untrustworthy. His family surrounded her, and she knew he would never approve of what she was doing. Once again she'd disregarded his wishes and this time was reading palms.
    Hot, self-righteous anger rolled through his body in waves.
    He strolled into the circle of women, trying not to appear too abrupt. "Hello, ladies. I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to take Rose for a little stroll."
    Rose glanced up at him, her eyes meeting his. Those emerald orbs flashed with indignation. They were the first words he'd spoken to her since their fight over her acting.
    Several of the women giggled. His aunt gazed at him, smiling. "Just be careful to bring her back safe and sound, young man. No kissing until the engagement."
    He flushed and his conscience twinged him. He'd done more than kiss Rose, yet didn't feel a bit of remorse for having sex with her, only that he'd been her first.
    His anger seemed to intensify. "Excuse us, ladies. Rose will return soon."
    Travis gripped her wrist tightly in his hand and tugged her from the circle of aunts and cousins. He dragged her away from the crowd of family across the yard. Finally he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, his hand covering hers.
    Rose glanced at him, her eyes flashing with indignation. "I know you're mad. Yes, I was reading their palms, but I was doing it for free and they asked me to, after they found out I knew how."
    He marched her away from prying eyes and listening ears. They walked in silence until he felt they were far enough away.
    Finally he slowed down, his hand still holding her arm. "You know you're about as nervy a person as I've ever met."
    "What do you mean?"
    "It takes a lot of audacity to come meet my relatives, get yourself into their good graces, and then start working the crowd."
    "What? Your mother was introducing me to everyone. She was the one who wanted me to meet your family."
    "You're trying to take advantage of them!"
    "How? By being friendly, by saying hello?" She turned to face him and put her hands on her hips.
    "No. By smiling and flirting and then telling them lies as you read their palms."
    "That's not what you're upset about. You wanted me to sulk away in some corner, like you're behaving. You didn't want me to talk with anyone." Her voice seemed to climb higher as her anger from the last few days spilled forth. "You're jealous that I was having a good time, while you pouted."
    "I am not pouting. You can hang around with the whole bunch of them. But I refuse to allow you to take advantage of my family by giving them some cock-and-bull story while holding their hand," he shouted.
    She glared at him. "I don't tell cock-and-bull stories. I read palms. I hold séances. That's my occupation."
    "You're a liar and a thief, is what you are! And now you've got half of my family believing we're going to be married."
    There was a