Read Diane R. Jewkes for Free Online

Kara’s long silky hair. “Maybe he’s a handsome young man, who’ll sweep you off your feet,” she teased. “Maybe he’s the knight in shining armor you were always reading about when we were little girls.” Maria laughed at the face glaring at her in the mirror.
    “More likely some overweight, mincing clown sent by his father to get some starch in his backbone.”
    Kara stood up and pranced around the room, trying to imitate an overweight effeminate man. “I’ll even bet his hands are all soft and clammy … yuck!”
    Both girls fell on the bed laughing. The tension Kara had felt eased the more she talked to Maria.
    “Besides, after all I learned from the women in the suffrage and women’s rights movements back east, I don’t believe I want a knight in shining armor anymore. I think I would rather rescue myself, and while I’m at it control my own destiny, instead of letting some man tell me how I should live or treat me like some possession.”
    She jumped up on her bed, legs astride, her hand tucked into her robe with the other pointing to an imaginary spot above her. Mocking her own seriousness. They burst out in giggles all over again.
    The girls were still giggling when Luisa, Maria’s younger sister, walked into the room.
    “Maria, Mama says the Roberts have just arrived. She said hurry up.” Ducking to miss a small pillow thrown her way, Luisa left the room.
    Kara sat down in front of the mirror and Maria quickly finished her hair and helped her dress. The dark blue sateen, the color of her eyes, was set just off her shoulders, with puffed sleeves narrowing over her elbows to her wrists. The bodice with its sweetheart neckline and nipped waist highlighted her trim figure. The skirt swirled easily around her ankles and matching blue shoes. Taking one last spin in front of the mirror, she picked up a shawl and both women left the room deep in discussion about what party preparations needed to be finished.

Chapter 5
    The ranch was a hive of activity as the men rode in.
    “Looks like quite a party they’re having for you,” Alec noted. Hawke saw Alec’s attention drawn to several ladies entering the house.”
    “Yep. Case wanted you to meet some of the neighbors and townsfolk,” Joe said as he stopped his horse outside the empty corral. “Me and the boys will settle the cattle in here, and your bags will be sent up to the house.” Joe looked over his shoulder. “Here comes Case.”
    Joe turned his horse and began shouting orders to the hands. Hawke and Alec dismounted and turned to meet Case Jonston.
    Hawke watched the older man approach, noting the vitality of his movements. Intensely blue eyes stood out in his tanned leathered face, and his smile showed strong white teeth.
    • • •
    “Gentlemen … Welcome!” Case extended his hand. “Welcome to the Ladder J. I’m glad to see you’ve arrived with no problems.” He looked past the men into the corral filled with black cattle moving restlessly, noting the well-filled-out bodies and shiny ebony coats.
    “That’s a fine-looking bunch of animals you brought. I look forward to crossing them with my longhorns. They seem to have handled the long trip just fine.”
    He gestured towards the house. “Let’s go into the house so you can clean up, and then you and I, Lord Stoneham, can conduct some business in my study before the barbecue begins.”
    “Thank you, sir,” replied Hawke, smiling at him. “We feel welcome already. May I introduce my friend Alec MacCairn, Lord Peyton?”
    “A pleasure, sir,” Alec shook Case’s hand. “Hawke has been regaling me with tales of cattle breeding and western ranching. I feel almost a native already. Not only has he told me many tales of the American West, but your employees have been telling us about your fascinating and multitalented daughter. I do look forward to meeting her.”
    “Excuse him, sometimes he lets his mouth run without consulting his brain first. He meant no