Texas Brides Collection by Darlene Mindrup Page A

stays with you all the time.”
    He realized then how much James loved Serena. Maybe Chet needed to do some thinking on it. Maybe the cap’n made sense after all. He didn’t want to be selfish or come between a man and his daughter. Swallowing his pride, he had walked back to the barn, packed up his gear, and left, not once seeing Serena inside the cabin.
    Now he rode alone to meet up with eighteen rangers who served under Cap’n Talbot. They’d be anxious to head for the Rio Grande as soon as they could. God have mercy on anyone who got in James’s way on this job, be it the enemy or a ranger.
    Lord, I don’t want this to be hard on Serena. She looked powerfully unhappy riding away with her ma. Her sweet face seems to be branded on my mind and heart. What choice do I have but to turn it all over to You and let You work on my heart and her pa’s? So I’m trusting You with my love for Serena and whatever is best for her
.
    He felt better. A sense of peace settled upon him like a cool breeze on a hot day. No need to fret over the matter because God had already handled it. Chet would simply do his job, think about Serena when night folded in around him, and wait for the good Lord’s answer.
    For a moment, he wondered if God had any idea how intolerable James Talbot could be when upset.

    Days later, after a bloody battle with a gang of Comanches, Mexicans, and white raiders, scattering some
bandidos
by the wayside and others racing deep into Mexico, the cap’n approached him.
    “You’re a good ranger, Chet, and I’ve always been able to depend on you.”
    Surprised, since James hadn’t spoken more than two words to him in three weeks, Chet stuck out his hand. As the two men grasped calloused hands, he stared into the cap’n’s eyes and saw respect, nothing more.
    “I hate this difference between us,” Chet said. “Wish we could talk it out.”
    The cap’n expelled a heavy breath and released the handshake, as though contemplating Chet’s words. “Someday you might have a wife and family. Until then you won’t understand what I have to do to protect mine. There’s no changing my mind. You know my Serena is a frail thing. She couldn’t handle this life.”
    Chet said nothing. God had already spoken to him about the cap’n’s daughter. In his heart, he knew God had a plan for him and Serena. He felt certain they would end up together.

    Serena pulled a brush through her dark tresses, as always, her mind on Chet. Today marked her eighteenth birthday, and he’d promised to be there, but Pa had come in late last night alone. She’d been foolish to think Pa would allow Chet to visit.
    Her pa had refused to talk about Chet before he left the last time, and their good-bye had been strained. She remembered her and Ma’s words.
    “Why does Pa have to be so muleheaded?” she’d asked, digging her fingers into her palms as she and Ma watched Pa ride just beyond earshot.
    “You’d be the best one to answer that,” Ma said, smiling and waving although she could no longer see him. “Since you’re both just alike in many respects. You, James, and Chet…stubborn and lovable.”
    The reply stung and brought a well of tears to her eyes. She turned away and headed back inside the cabin. The truth always hurt more than she cared to admit.
    She even confessed to Moira about the whole thing with Chet. Her dear friend listened and held Serena while she cried. Neither of them could think of a solution but to seek God for the answers.
    They didn’t hear from Pa for nearly four weeks, and when he’d ridden in last night, Serena felt uncomfortable. Oh, she hugged him and welcomed him home, but uneasiness rested between them.
    She wanted to tell him about the palomino and how the horse responded so well to her commands, but the words wouldn’t come.
    She wanted to tell him how she’d worried he might have been hurt, but her heart ached to hear about Chet.
    She wanted to cry on his big strong shoulders and tell him