Read Online Heart of Texas Vol. 3 by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

mused—and felt some amazement that such a thought had occurred to her. “Bitterness wouldn’t solve anything, so I decided to do what I could—go on with my life, put the past behind me.”
    â€œHave you?”
    â€œI like to think so.” He said this as if he expected her to challenge him. “How is it we’re talking about me? You’re the one who’s still living in the past, not me.”
    â€œReally?”
    Travis chuckled and held up his hand. “Enough. Your point is well taken. We’re both among the walking wounded.”
    Nell smiled. “Perhaps we could learn from each other,” she suggested.
    Travis nodded. “Perhaps we can.”
    They drove back to the ranch in separate vehicles. Travis pulled into the yard seconds behind her.
    â€œGood night,” she called, offering him a friendly wave as she headed toward the house. A single light shone above the back porch door. In all likelihood Jeremy and Emma were sound asleep; it would surprise her if Ruth was still up.
    â€œâ€™Night, Nell.”
    Once inside the house, she climbed up the stairs to her room, undressed in the dark and sat on the edge of her bed, reviewing the events of the day. When she turned on the bedside lamp and took out her journal, it wasn’t the five-hundred-dollar prize money she thought of. Instead, she found herself writing about Travis’s kiss and the discussion that had followed.

    J EREMY AND E MMA had been up for at least an hour by the time Nell got out of bed. Sundays were just as hectic as schooldays because chores needed to be finished before they left for Sunday School and church.
    Nell had coffee brewing and was cracking eggs for French toast when the kitchen door opened and Travis strolled casually inside. “’Morning,” he said, helping himself to coffee.
    â€œGood morning,” she said, whipping the eggs into a frothy mixture before adding the milk. The griddle was ready and she had six slices of egg-soaked bread sizzling in short order.
    â€œYou coming to church with us?” Jeremy asked as he and Emma dashed in.
    â€œAh…” Travis glanced at Nell.
    â€œIt’s the Lord’s day,” Emma said severely as if there should be no hesitation on his part.
    â€œYou’re welcome to join us if you wish,” Nell said.
    He didn’t show any sign of reluctance. “I’d enjoy that.”
    At breakfast Jeremy sat on one side of Travis, Emma on the other, the children accepting him as easily as they would a much-admired uncle.
    â€œWe’re lucky Mr. and Mrs. Patterson didn’t have any rooms left to rent,” Jeremy said.
    â€œReal lucky,” Emma agreed.
    â€œWith the rodeo over, the Pattersons should have plenty of room,” Ruth muttered as she walked into the kitchen, yawning.
    The news landed like a bombshell in the kitchen. The children stared at each other as though they’d just learned the horrible truth about Santa Claus. Nell felt an immediate sense of disappointment, but Ruth was right. Phil and Mary would have space available for Travis now, and the accommodations would be far more comfortable than a too-short mattress in the bunkhouse. At Phil and Mary’s, Travis wouldn’t need to worry about a goat eating the socks off his feet, either.
    â€œThat’s true. Mr. Grant could move into town,” Nell said, trying to sound as though it made no difference to her. It shouldn’t, but hard as she tried to convince herself it would be best if Travis left, she hoped he wouldn’t.
    Every eye went to their guest. “Move into town?” he repeated, glancing at each in turn. “Would anyone mind if I stayed on here? Your goat and I have recently come to terms. It would be a shame to leave now.”
    She shouldn’t be this happy, Nell decided, but she was. She really was.

    â€œW HAT TIME IS IT ?” Frank Hennessey mumbled as he rolled over in the large