Jodi Thomas - WM 1 Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  Praise for Jodi Thomas

  THE TEXAN’S REWARD

  “Thomas’s Western historical romance moves along swiftly, using the demands of a ranger’s lifestyle as well as the isolation forced on Nell and her household by the town, and her physical limitations, to create interestingly complex tensions.”

  —Booklist

  “Jodi Thomas shows why she is considered the queen of the Texas romance with this fine Western tale . . . fun.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Bright, realistic dialogue, and heart-pounding adventure, The Texan’s Reward is a definite page-turner. Don’t miss this terrific story. It’s Texas and Jodi Thomas at their best!”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Another moving chapter in the Wife Lottery series . . . Jodi Thomas does not disappoint us and gives this dynamic couple the happy ending they deserve.”

  —aromancereview.com

  “Thomas has a down-home writing style that makes her latest Western a treat to read. She also includes a large cast of characters that keep the story moving along . . . a pleasant read . . . tender.”

  —The Romance Reader

  “Strong . . . heartwarming . . . Thomas’s unofficial title as the Queen of Texas Romance is well earned. Few authors can bring the reality and romance of the wild Texas towns to life the way she can, evoking the people (good and bad), the land (beautiful and rugged), and the thrilling yet dangerous lives people led. Portraying likable, real characters and the places they live is Thomas’s true gift. Sweet.”

  —Romantic Times BOOKclub

  A TEXAN’S LUCK

  “This is an absolutely delightful story from the Old West. A definite winner.”

  —Rendezvous

  WHEN A TEXAN GAMBLES

  “Beauty and the Beast meets the Old West . . . Thomas’s second Texas title is even better than the first, which is terrific.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  THE TEXAN’S WAGER

  “An exciting Western romance filled with engaging characters . . . fans will know they won by reading The Texan’s Wager.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  THE TEXAN’S DREAM

  “Packs a powerful emotional punch . . . [Thomas’s] latest Western historical romance highlights the author’s talent for creating genuinely real characters . . . Exceptional.”

  —Booklist

  TWILIGHT IN TEXAS

  “A powerful Lone Star romance that brings to life the decade after the Civil War . . . filled with action . . . loaded with tender passion . . . another exciting tale.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  TO WED IN TEXAS

  “Thrilling . . . a story that readers will want to read again and again.”

  —Rendezvous

  TO KISS A TEXAN

  “Compelling . . . fans will appreciate Thomas’s subtle humor and her deft handling of sensitive topics.”

  —Booklist

  THE TEXAN’S TOUCH

  “Delightful and memorable characters and a roller-coaster pace . . . Another wonderful read from a true shining star.”

  —Romantic Times

  TWO TEXAS HEARTS

  “Jodi Thomas is at her remarkable best in Two Texas Hearts.”

  —Debbie Macomber

  TEXAS LOVE SONG

  “A warm and touching read full of intrigue and suspense that will keep the reader on the edge of her seat.”

  —Rendezvous

  FOREVER IN TEXAS

  “A great Western romance filled with suspense and plenty of action.”

  —Affaire de Coeur

  TO TAME A TEXAN’S HEART Winner of the Romance Writers of America Best Historical Series Romance Award

  “Earthy, vibrant, funny, and poignant . . . a wonderful, colorful love story.”

  —Romantic Times

  THE TEXAN AND THE LADY

  “Jodi Thomas shows us hard-living men with grit and guts, and the determined young women who soften their hearts.”

  —Pamela Morsi, USA Today bestselling author of Suburban Renewal

  PRAIRIE SONG

  “Thoroughly entertaining romance.”

  —Gothic Journal

  THE TENDER TEXAN Winner of the Romance Writers of America Best Historical Series Romance Award

  “[A] marvelous, sensitive, emotional romance . . . spellbinding.”

  —Romantic Times

  Titles by Jodi Thomas

  TEXAS RAIN

  THE TEXAN’S REWARD

  A TEXAN’S LUCK WHEN A TEXAN GAMBLES

  THE TEXAN’S WAGER TO WED IN TEXAS

  TO KISS A TEXAN

  THE TENDER TEXAN

  PRAIRIE SONG

  THE TEXAN AND THE LADY

  TO TAME A TEXAN’S HEART

  FOREVER IN TEXAS

  TEXAS LOVE SONG

  TWO TEXAS HEARTS

  THE TEXAN’S TOUCH

  TWILIGHT IN TEXAS

  THE TEXAN’S DREAM

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

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  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  TEXAS RAIN

  A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Berkley edition / November 2006

  Copyright © 2006 by Jodi Koumalats.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic
form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-09684-0

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  Berkley Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  BERKLEY is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  The “B” design is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  CHAPTER 1

  Texas Hill Country

  1854

  TRAVIS MCMURRAY WATCHED STORM CLOUDS ROLL IN from the north as he pushed his horse into a gallop and headed toward the Guadalupe River and his family’s land just beyond. The sky darkened around him from dusty blue to gray, mirroring his mood. Here, in these rolling hills, lay the only place he had ever felt he belonged. Here also lay memories he would spend a lifetime trying to forget.

  His powerful mount danced at the edge of the muddy riverbank while Travis looked for the exact place to cross. He ignored his tired muscles, tugged his hat low, and rushed into the water that separated Whispering Mountain Ranch from the world.

  He could smell it now, feel it on his skin and in his heart. Home.

  A faint flicker of sunlight blinked off the hills, welcoming him back. The river swirled. He leaned low over the horse’s neck, calming the animal with words as they fought the current toward the far shore. A stand of brush hid the only place where a horse could climb the steep bank beyond. His father had planted the bushy trees almost thirty years ago. Now, only Travis and his two brothers, Teagen and Tobin, knew the secret entrance to the ranch.

  Travis smiled. One of a hundred secrets, he thought. His father had planned well. Whispering Mountain stood like a fortress in the middle of a wide-open Texas.

  He reached the far bank and slipped behind the cedar that grew almost as tall as live oaks. If enemies followed him, they’d think they’d blinked and he’d simply disappeared, horse and all. Travis moved along the shadowy cave-like path, half green with cedar, half black with rock. He slid from his mount and led the horse as they climbed. When he saw sky a few minutes later, Travis inhaled deeply. He’d made it back in one piece, and those wanting him dead would have to wait another day.

  After almost two years he was finally home. He swung onto the saddle and raced toward the ranch house, suddenly hungry to see his family.

  He’d fought one too many battles across the rapidly changing landscape of a newborn nation. He needed to be home where nothing changed. He wanted to sleep without having to listen for trouble approaching. He longed to relax and remember who he’d been before he wore a badge. Travis had heard one too many outlaws promise revenge lately. Maybe if he took some time off, their threats would stop echoing in his mind.

  His sister, Sage, watched from the back porch as he neared. He spotted her a moment before she recognized him. The McMurray boys all had their father’s wide shoulders and height, but Sage was small, even as a woman. If she’d been a colt, he would have named her Wildfire. The fact that all her brothers were older and bigger never frightened her for a moment. When she was younger, she’d often stood before the three of them and threatened to take them all on in a fight.

  Now she jumped over the railing and ran toward him, her long braid flying behind her. Though dressed in trousers and shirt, no one would mistake her for a boy.

  As she ran at full speed to him, Travis lowered from his horse in time to catch her and swing her around as he’d always done. They were both laughing when they hugged.

  Travis had been ten when she was born. They’d lost their father the March before. Four months later their mother died. Neighbors said their mother, Autumn McMurray, never recovered from the birth of Sage, but the boys saw the light go out of her eyes when she learned of her husband’s death. Autumn stayed alive long enough to give Sage life, and then she joined her husband, Andrew, in death.

  As he always did, Travis looked for a hint of his mother in Sage’s face. But she had blue eyes, not brown, and hair streaked with sunshine, not dark and earthy. Their mother’s Apache blood reflected in him alone, not Sage or his brothers. “You filled out.” He sat her down. “In several places.”

  “It was bound to happen.” Sage laughed. “You’ve been gone so long I could have had a batch of kids by now.”

  He shook his head. “No. With those clothes, I’m guessing you’re still an old maid.”

  “Eighteen is hardly an old maid, and what else would I be comfortable in? I had to wear my brothers’ hand-me-downs most of my life.” She looped her arm in his and they moved toward the house. “Besides, I plan on changing the ‘old maid’ part soon.”

  “Got the unfortunate prey in sight?” He tugged at her braid thinking it didn’t matter how old she thought she was, she’d always be his kid sister. “Maybe I could wing him for you so he couldn’t run so fast.”

  When she made a face, he added, “Just a flesh wound, nothing serious. Some men think better after they’ve lost a little blood.”

  Travis wasn’t surprised when she tried to trip him.

  “I don’t know who yet,” she admitted. “But the annual spring dance is tomorrow night at Elmo Anderson’s barn. Teagen and Tobin don’t even listen when I talk about it, but now you’re here, you can take me. It’ll give me a chance to look at the quality of the pickings.” She hugged his arm. “I’m so glad you’re here. I was down to begging Martha to escort me.”

  Travis laughed. The old housekeeper wouldn’t budge from this place if a herd of buffalo crossed McMurray land.

  “Now, you’re elected,” Sage said simply, as if he’d solved a problem.

  Travis groaned. He had no doubt Sage would have her pick of the single men once she set her mind to marriage, but the thought of going to a barn dance made him wish he’d checked the dates before asking for a month’s leave from the Texas Rangers. One annual barn dance shouldn’t have been hard to miss; after all, Sage had mentioned it in her last two letters. He mumbled an oath at his lack of planning.

  Sage slapped at his arm. “Stop that. One of my brothers has to take me off this property, or I’ll never marry. I’ll end up like the three of you, single forever. Tobin won’t even consider going with me. He might have to talk to someone not related to him. And Teagen gave his standard answer that he didn’t have time for such nonsense.”

  As always, Travis felt her pain, even now when most of it was worry over nothing. “All right, if I can get the smell of the trail off me by tomorrow, I’ll take you, but don’t expect me to dance.” Except for a few people, he’d never found the townsfolk particularly friendly.

  “You’re not going to believe how the town around Elmo’s trading post has grown up. We’ve got a lean-to that a traveling blacksmith uses, a barn and corral for folks passing through, and there’s talk of framing out a church this summer. A stage line may come through before long, and when that happens we’ll need a hotel and some place for folks to eat. We’ll have a regular town.”

  Travis shook his head. “I’m not interested in being part of any town. I’ll go to the dance and just hang out in the shadows and make sure you’re all right until it’s time to leave.”

  “Oh, wonderful.” Sage stepped on the porch. “Then everyone will say, there’s poor Spinster McMurray and one of her skulking brothers.” From the second step of the porch she stood eye level with him and pointed at his nose. “One dance, so I won’t have to worry about being a wildflower.”

  “It’s wallflower, kid, and that you’ll never be.” He grinned. “We should have never taught you to talk. I told Teagen it would be a mistake.” He started to step on the porch, but her hand on his chest
stopped him.

  “You’re not coming into Martha’s house until you strip. She’ll make me help with spring cleaning all over again if I let you track in half the mud in Texas. You swam the Guadalupe instead of taking the bridge, didn’t you?”

  “It’s faster,” Travis answered as he tried to pass her.

  She didn’t move.

  He raised an eyebrow. “You can’t mean I’m to strip out here? Don’t you think I’m a little old for that?”

  “We’ve both seen you, and all your old parts, a thousand times.” Sage moved to the door. “I’ll tell Martha to have food ready by the time you’re finished. You’ll find soap on the washstand. I’ll bring out a towel and a clean set of your clothes.”

  Travis swore as he moved to the side of the house. He’d stripped off all but his pants when she reappeared with a towel and clothes smelling of the cedar chest he’d left them in almost two years before.

  Sage studied him. “These should still fit. You don’t look a pound fatter. You’ve got a new scar on your shoulder.”

  “Took a bullet in a battle on the border last year. It went right through, so didn’t see any need in worrying the family.”