Texas Brides Collection by Darlene Mindrup Read Free Book Online

snake with familiar coloring slithered across his path.
    “Watch out, a copperhead just raced in front of me.”
    She laughed lightly. “As long as he doesn’t head back this direction, I’m fine.”
    Her laughter reminded him of a Mexican guitar on a still night, when the only sounds were singing insects and the crackling fire. Easy and soothing.
    “We’re almost there,” she said and pointed to the river. “See that fallen tree where you can walk across to the other side? It’s right on past where the river widens.”
    In a short while, they dipped their lines into the gently rolling water and sat down on a grassy knoll beside a cypress tree.
    “Isn’t this a pretty spot?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
    He cradled his head in his hands and leaned back on the green earth, crossing his ankles and balancing his pole between his boots. “I like the peacefulness. Makes me wonder if heaven could be like this.”
    “I hope so. I mean, I can’t imagine any place more lovely.”
    “Tennessee’s pretty and green like this.”
    “Your family lives there?”
    He nodded. “Ma, Pa, and six sisters.”
    She laughed. “I can’t imagine you in a house full of girls. I suppose all those sisters made life interesting.”
    “Don’t know if
interesting
is the word I’d use to describe it. But I did my share of pestering them.”
    She gazed out over the smooth river. “Do you miss them?”
    “Oh, sometimes. We had good times, and my pa is a preacher.”
    “So he led you to the Lord?”
    Chet chuckled and stared up at the sky. “Not exactly. When I was fourteen, I got chased up a tree by a bear. I figured that was as good a time as any to call on the Lord. Been calling on Him ever since.”
    “Well, I’m sure your family is proud of you.”
    He shrugged. “Suppose so—never thought on it much.”
    “Oh, I’m sure they are. Did you happen to bring your Bible?”
    Her question surprised him. “No, I’m sorry. Left it in my saddlebag.”
    She plucked a purple wildflower and let it rest on the skirt of her deep green dress. “I’ve been thinking some of the Psalms would sound good now.”
    “Yeah, they would.” He hesitated. “Serena, do you believe God has a plan for us? I mean all of us.”
    A bit of pink touched her cheeks. “Oh yes, and I also think we can make big mistakes by not listening to Him.”
    “Do you think rangerin’ glorifies God? With the killing, it makes me wonder if I’m living like I should.”
    Tilting her head slightly, she appeared to ponder the matter. “We both know God hates killing. But if a man does nothing while his family and friends are murdered, then who’s the real murderer?”
    “Yeah, you feel the same way I do. I’d sure like to see this country safe for folks to live peaceful-like. Seems like it won’t happen in my lifetime, though. The Republic is having a hard time getting established, and peace with the Indians and Mexico is afar off. Makes a man tired thinking about it.”
    “You’re just the man to help tame Texas, and I’m praying for you,” she said and offered him a smile so sweet he wanted to pull her into his arms and protect her forever.
    “Thanks. You know, sometimes I think I’d like to be a preacher, but…” He laughed aloud. “I’m afraid I’d rough up anyone fallin’ asleep during a sermon.”
    Serena continued to smile. “Well, folks would be more apt to pay attention.”
    “Imagine so.” He pulled himself up from the grass on his elbow and rubbed the back of his neck. “I like you, Serena.”
    “And I like you.”
    “I mean, a lot.”
    “And I like you a lot, too.”
    They went back to fishing then, neither saying a word while Chet felt perfectly content sitting beside her. An hour passed and they hadn’t caught a fish, not even one small enough to toss back in.
    Serena deliberated upon her pa’s words. He wanted a whole string of fish, and right now they had nothing. The thought worried her. She was his only child, and