Heart Of Texas (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page A

plate so she could
not see his expression. "If they were, I wouldn't
be recommending them to you."

    Casey glanced at her brother. The thought of
having Indians on the ranch frightened her, but
she decided to let her brother make the decision,
since he was trying so hard to be a man. "What
do you think, Sam?"
    His brow furrowed. "Papa always said the only
yardstick to measure a man's worth was integrity."
He spoke directly to Gabe. "Do these men have
integrity?"
    "I would have to say they do." He looked as if
he would have said more, but he shook his head.
"I would, and have, trusted them with my life. Yes,
I would say they have integrity."
    "It's your decision, Sam," Casey told him.
    "We need help, and if Gabe says they are all
right, then that's good enough for me."
    Gabe saw the uncertainty in Casey's eyes, and
he expected her to object. "And what about you,
Miss Hamilton?"
    "My brother has already made the decision. He
is head of our family."
    Gabe's lips met in a firm line. He knew she
made all the important decisions, but she was trying to give Sam confidence, and he admired her
for that. "I'll send word to them in the morning.
It'll take a couple of weeks for them to get here."
    Casey looked into Gabe's eyes, and then hurriedly lowered her gaze. He was the most disturbing man she had ever been around. "My family
would like to thank you... for everything."
    "You are welcome, Miss Hamilton," he said, tak ing the platter of meat Kate had been holding for
him. "Sam, how would you like to ride out with
me tomorrow?"

    "I would, sir. I really would." His voice deepened with excitement, and he glanced at Casey
for permission. "Is it all right with you if I go?"
    "Yes. Of course." She frowned thoughtfully.
"We have only the team horses, and they have
never had a saddle on them."
    "When I was rounding up strays, I found three
horses with the Spanish Spur brand on them. I
would imagine they are workhorses. But Sam can
ride my horse, and I'll ride one of the others,
since they may be a bit wild from running free for
so long."
    Excitement flushed Sam's face as Gabe handed
him the platter of meat. "I love fried chicken, Miss
Kate. It's my favorite!"
    A sudden whimper came from jenny, and she
scooted off her chair and threw herself into
Casey's arms. "My chicken, she cooked my
chicken!" the child cried, burying her face against
her sister's chest.
    Casey looked apologetically at Kate as she
hugged the child to her. "Chickens are raised for
their eggs and to eat, jenny-they can't be pets."
    The child only sobbed harder. Casey stood up
with her sister in her arms and moved back from
the table. "I am so sorry, but she's really upset. If
you will excuse me, I need to explain this to her
so she will understand. Please eat without us."

    Kate nodded, looking distressed. "I should have
knowed that child was attached to those chickens.
I'm real sorry."
    Gabe watched Casey walk away, speaking quietly
to her sister. Something caught in his throat and
twisted in his belly. It was clear to him that Casey
was the one who kept the family together and
kept their spirits up. But in the dark of night,
when Casey was alone, who was there to comfort
her? He had realized last night when he found
her at the house that she was deeply distressed
about their situation. And she had reason to be.
It wouldn't be long before Cyrus came calling,
and then she would know what real trouble was.
    Although Sam wanted to eat the chicken, it
seemed to stick in his throat. "I'd better go help
my sister. Jenny can be a problem sometimes."
    Gabe stood up, suddenly losing his appetite.
"Excuse me, Kate. I think I may know how to settle this."
    Kate blinked her eyes and shook her head. "I
can't eat that fried chicken, either."

     

Casey sat on Kate's porch step and pushed the
hair out of jenny's face. "Chickens don't make
good pets, sweetheart. They can't love you back.
Remember how you and Sam had to chase them