Shotgun Vows by Teresa Southwick Read Free Book Online Page B

asked.
    â€œI can see it in her eyes.” She hugged the horse for a few seconds. “All right. Dawson, you take Katie and Juan. I’ll take Kevin and Nate, and we’ll get the horses bridled and saddled. Meet you in the corral.”
    â€œRight,” he said.
    About twenty minutes later, they were gathered in the picket-fenced enclosure. All four kids were mounted on their horses.
    â€œGiddyap, horse,” Kevin said, moving his body in a forward motion.
    â€œHold on, buckaroo. I need to adjust your stirrups.” Mattie smiled up at the young boy sitting on the horse.“You need to stick your feet in there. If they flap around like wet noodles, it could scare the horse. If the horse is scared, she might run away with you. If she runs away with you, you’ll be scared. If you’re scared, I’m scared. If—”
    â€œOkay, Mattie,” Kevin grinned. “I get it. I’ll hold my horse while you fix the stirrups.”
    â€œGood choice. All of you hold your horses until Dawson and I make sure the stirrups are adjusted to fit you. Okay?”
    â€œNo worries,” they said together.
    She laughed, and Dawson grinned, too, watching her. She was wonderful with them. Patient and reasonable. The kids responded in kind. Why was she so un reasonable when it came to him?
    When everyone was secure, Dawson saddled a horse for himself and one for Mattie. He led them into the corral, where she watched and instructed as the four rode slowly around the perimeter. She and Dawson mounted up.
    â€œAll right, kids. I think you’re ready. We’re going to see how you do out in the open. This is going to be an adventure.”
    â€œTruer words have never been spoken,” Dawson muttered, watching her trim back as he followed her out of the corral.
    Â 
    â€œJillian, I can’t thank you enough for coming with me.”
    â€œIt’s my pleasure to show you the sights of San Antonio.” Jillian tucked a strand of straight blond hair behind her ear.
    Mattie smiled at her soon-to-be sister-in-law across the table. It was hard to believe just that morning she’dbeen teaching kids to ride in the wide-open spaces of Texas. And now, eight hours later, she was taking in the newest “in club” in San Antonio. She turned her head from side to side, trying to see everything at once.
    She noticed the sawdust-covered floor, saloon-style bar, and old-fashioned Western lanterns sitting on the round tables. Anticipation hummed through her. The most impressive sight was the multitude of men bellied up to the bar, boots hooked on the stools.
    â€œSo this is the famous Watering Hole, bar and nightspot extraordinaire,” she said.
    â€œThis is it.” Jillian shifted uncomfortably on the wooden, barrel-backed chair. “This is where single women come to meet single men—cowboys hang out here in…droves, so to speak.”
    â€œI already noticed the cowboys. It’s so exciting. And about time, thanks to my brothers. I feel as if I’ve missed out on so much. Maybe I can see a little big-city nightlife without my shadow hovering over me.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be so hard on Griff, Mattie. He loves you and is trying to protect you.”
    â€œI know he means well. They all do. But there are so many of them. I thought when I came to Texas, I would have the freedom of a single woman. But every time I turn around, I trip over one of the Fortune boys. Why can’t they just let me live my life?”
    â€œMaybe if I’d had a big brother watching over me, I wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.” Jillian sighed, a big, gusty, sad sound.
    Mattie felt guilty and ungrateful for complaining. Truthfully, she didn’t know what she would do if anything happened to one of her brothers. Impulsively, she reached across the table and squeezed the otherwoman’s hand. She envied Jillian Hart Tanner’s petite, pretty, blond good looks.