Mail Order Brides: A Bride for the Banker (Bozeman Brides Book 1) by Emily Woods Read Free Book Online

for my sake.”
    Jackson’s head snapped up and he stared at Theo. In frustration, he spun his head over to Margie He looked in disgust from Theo to Margie and then stood up abruptly. “I’m tired. I’m going back to the hotel.” As he began to stride out of the room, Margie cleared her throat loudly and he turned back. “Thanks for dinner,” he said in a tone that was clearly anything but thankful.
    “You’re very welcome, Jackson,” Ruth replied pleasantly. “Please come again.”
    He grunted, but nodded and then left.
    “How can you do that?” Margie asked of her in wonder. “He’s so rude, but you’re so wonderful to him.”
    “Should I be rude back, my dear?” she asked mildly. “What would that accomplish? No, it’s better to be kind in all circumstances. That’s the way to win someone over rather than sinking to their level.” She smiled gently and placed a hand over Margie’s. “One day, perhaps he’ll look back and regret his actions. On that day, he may let Jesus into his life and then it would all be worth it and more. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    Slightly embarrassed at this gentle reprimand, Margie nodded. Dessert was served, and then the older couple took their leave. Margie and Theo wandered into the living room for coffee and had only been seated for a few moments when Theo began to talk in eager tones.
    “Margie, I’m ready to share my idea with you. I only ask that you hear me out completely and then think before answering.”
    She balanced her saucer on her knee and looked at him expectantly.
    “I think Jackson needs to join the Texas Rangers. I know someone who would be willing to take him on and train him. It would be rough, but being out in the wild, keeping the peace and chasing after criminals, would instill a sense of righteousness in him. He has a real chance at making a change.”
    Margie carefully set down the saucer on the nearby table. Lips pressed together in a thin line, she stood stiffly and walked quickly out of the room before Theo had an opportunity to react. As he watched her leave wordlessly, he wondered if he’d been wrong. Was it possible that this wasn’t God’s idea but his own? Was he trying to get rid of Jackson like she certainly suspected? Some words that the preacher had said this morning about discipline, training and obeying the law had triggered his mind to think about his friend Jacob Roland who was head of one of the units that was visiting nearby and the two ideas had collided in his brain just as he was praying for guidance. He couldn’t believe that the thought was a mere coincidence.
    However, perhaps he’d approached it wrong. Running into his brother had thrown him off. He hadn’t time to think about it properly, but he was sure that Austin’s presence in Bozeman would bode ill for him. What could he possibly want? Was he here for money? Probably, but Theo didn’t have that much, and once he started to give it to him, he would only ask for more.
    Alone in the parlor, Theo realized that the only way he would know for sure was to ask. His mouth set in a line of grim determination, he left the house and set off in the direction of the one place he was sure to find his brother.
     
    ***
     
    “So, ya came to see me, didja?” Austin asked scornfully when Theo entered the saloon and sat down at his table. “I suppose you’ll talk to me now that your little woman is out of sight. And what about those two other people? Are they supposed to be your new mama and papa?”
    The men with Austin laughed, but Theo could tell at a glance their hearts weren’t in it. He knew both Shorty and Rex from his younger days and didn’t feel threatened by them in the least.
    “Why are you here?” he asked in a low voice, attempting to infuse his voice with as much authority as he could muster.
    “Well, it’s a free country, ain’t it? I just came to pay my little brother a visit.” Theo’s eyes darted about to see if anyone had heard. When there was