Read Online Wild Texas Rose by Martha Hix - Free Book Online Page A

Joseph.”
    Gail picked up the knife again. “Mr. Jaye has taken advantage of his good nature. Whit’s stood up for him on this fencing thing. If push comes to shove, though, things could get nasty, and I’d hate to see Whit on the wrong side of it.”
    Busying herself, Mariah ruminated over this statement. Poor Joseph! Whatever possessed him to settle in such a godforsaken place? “I think Whit is to be admired for being a good neighbor.”
    â€œYes, I can tell you admire him, but not particularly for helping Joe Jaye.” The brunette pointed a potato at Mariah. “Be careful. I saw the way you and Whit were gawking at each other, and–”
    â€œThat’s not true.” A fruit jar nearly dropped from Mariah’s paralyzed grip.
    â€œOkay. But let’s take a ‘for instance.’ Whit is the best man I’ve ever known, but he does have his faults. If a woman sets her cap for him, she’s liable to get hurt.” Gail tossed a spud into the bowl. “He’s after the conquest. Nothing more.”
    â€œYou don’t have much respect for him.”
    â€œYes, I do. Loads of it. I adore him. Always have. We’re related, you know. When I was a child, he was the one I ran to when my knees were skinned or my feelings were hurt. He’s got a big heart, but it doesn’t extend to his lady friends. He got trampled on one time, and that one ruined him for other women.”
    Mariah did not utter a word. Her heart went out to Whit; she understood how deeply lost love could tear at one’s emotions. Of course their situations were different. She had lost out to the grim reaper, while Whit had apparently been cast off by a very alive female.
    â€œI’ve been around him and his ladies,” Gail continued. “Someone always gets hurt. And it isn’t Whit.”
    â€œYou may profess to love him, but your harshness speaks another language.”
    â€œI didn’t set out to give that impression. I was merely trying to warn you.”
    â€œWhat Whit Reagor does or doesn’t do is none of my concern.” Mariah placed a dish on the table. “I’m in Texas to be with Joseph Jaye, and he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a husband,” she prevaricated.
    Silence stretched before Gail said, “I ... uh... I’d better get back to these potatoes.”
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    As the sun settled to resemble a half wheel of yellow cheese on the horizon, church bells chimed at the appointed hour. Mariah followed what seemed to be the whole of Dublin into the little box church. Greenery and beeswax candles decked the altar. An elderly woman wearing a lace cap over white ringlets played wedding music on the tinny piano. Guests crammed into ten rows of pews, Mariah at the end of one. What had started as a chilly morning had turned into a warm afternoon; Texas weather was strange that way.
    The minister took his place, followed by Clutch Magee and his best man. The music picked up in tempo, then the maid of honor began her march. Kimble Atherton, dressed in white satin and radiance, started down the aisle on the arm of her uncle Whit, who was frowning. His scowl didn’t stop Mariah’s heart from taking an extra beat nonetheless. He wore a black wool suit well fitted to his frame, a white shirt, and a string tie. His pitch-black curly hair had lost its slicked-down look of earlier that day. She liked it better this way. And the sheer bigness of him made an overwhelming impression as he filled the church with his presence.
    As they approached Mariah, Whit turned his head to her. A smile softened his stern expression. My, she thought he’s handsome.
    If only Joseph were more pleasing to the eye... Mariah gave herself a mental shake. Looks meant nothing. Joseph loved her, and he was going to allow her to practice her schoolteaching. What more could she ask out of marriage?
    â€œDearly beloved, we are gathered