Texas Brides Collection by Darlene Mindrup Page B

how miserable she felt since their parting, but she wanted Chet’s arms around her, too.
    Serena knew she needed to talk to Pa and had prayed about it more than once, but the words refused to come. As the beginnings of light filtered through her tiny window on this, her birthday, Serena felt miserable. She wanted her relationship back with Pa and Chet. Had God forgotten her?
    Rising and dressing in her favorite sky-blue dress, she attempted to concentrate on the Niall family coming later on in the afternoon. Yesterday she and Ma had cooked most of the day for the birthday dinner. It would be a wonderful celebration, and Serena vowed to cover her broken heart with a smile. No one would see how she truly felt about Chet Wilkinson, and she knew he dare not be there today. Pa had probably threatened to shoot him on sight.
    As was her custom when Pa first arrived home, Serena went about making breakfast while her parents slept. But her determination did not stop a few tears trickling into the coffeepot.
    All too soon she heard the murmuring of voices from the other room. Determined and inhaling deeply, she pasted on a smile.
    “Mornin’, Little One,” Pa said, standing barefoot in the kitchen.
    He sounded cheerful and it nearly broke her heart with the differences between them. “Mornin’, Pa. I’ve got coffee brewing outside.”
    “Sounds good. Happy birthday.”
    “Thank you, Pa.” She smiled into his eyes, the same color as hers. “I’ll fetch you some.” She snatched up a mug and started for the door.
    “I’ll get it,” he said, his eyes searching hers. “I’d like to take a look at your horse.”
    “She’s a fine mare.” Serena felt like her words were memorized from some book. She hurt all over.
    “Would you go with me to take a look?”
    She fought the urge to cry and tried to suppress every semblance of her emotions. “Sure, Pa, but breakfast is almost ready, and I don’t want it to burn.”
    “We won’t be gone but a minute.”
    They stepped through the door and saw Chet sitting atop his horse, leaning on the saddle horn.
    “Cap’n, I told Serena I’d be here for her birthday.”

Chapter 8

    H ave you no more brains than a stunned mule, Wilkinson?” Pa asked, his fists clenched as he stepped toward Chet. “We settled this weeks ago. You’re not to see Serena, not now or ever.”
    Chet’s gaze didn’t waver. He straightened and pushed back his weather-beaten hat. “I told her I’d be here, and I aim to keep my word.” He paused. “Although I discovered another matter over the past few days that should interest you.”
    Pa’s eyes narrowed. “What might it be before I run you off?”
    “You’ve been followed, and it might be a bit serious.”
    Pa leaned against the door, disbelief pouring from him like a swollen water hole.
    “Do you want to take a look at the tracks or blow a hole through me?”
    Serena held her breath. Chet spoke calm, quiet-like, causing her to shiver. He had yet to glance her way, but then again, she didn’t expect him to.
    Pa licked his lips. “You’d best not be lyin’ about this.”
    “I don’t have a reason to.”
    “All right, show me. Serena, get my rifle and boots.”
    She felt riveted to the wooden step beneath her feet, but a second look from Pa spurred her after his things. A moment later she emerged from the cabin to see Chet had dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post. Still, he avoided her.
    “Let’s see those tracks and hear you out before you get going,” Pa said, reaching for the firearm and his boots. He glanced back at her and scratched his stubbly cheek. “You wait inside.”
    “Pa…”
    “Tend to breakfast, Little One. This ain’t easy for me either.” His gaze softened before he turned and ambled toward Chet.
    Resigning herself to obey, she allowed one glimpse of Chet’s face. She met his smile and saw the love she’d dreamed about every night since she could remember. Her spirit soared, and without a word, she