A Texan's Honor by Leigh Greenwood Page A

said.
    Emily kissed her father on the forehead and headed upstairs.
    â€œI love that girl, but she’s more than I can handle,” Sam said. “One of the reasons I want her to go to Boston is to find a husband who’s good enough for her.”
    â€œDo you mean one who’s strong enough to handle her?”
    â€œNo, I don’t.” The emphasis was impossible to miss. “There’s nothing wrong with Emily. She’s a lot like me, so why would I think she needs to be handled?”
    â€œI obviously chose the wrong word,” Bret said. “Sorry.”
    â€œI want her to find a man who can appreciate her strengths, not just be interested in her looks and her money.”
    â€œI don’t mean to be disrespectful, but you have to realize that men in Boston aren’t any different from men anywhere else in the world. Looks and money come first. It takes time for a man to see past that to character. Not many succeed—or want to try.”
    Sam seemed to shrink a little in his chair. “I shouldhave sold this ranch after her mother died, but I didn’t want to leave Texas. I didn’t want to share my little girl or my life with my family. Hell, I don’t like my family. Why would I want to live with them?”
    â€œAre they really that bad?” Bret didn’t know the Abercrombies well. He wasn’t considered on their social level.
    â€œWhy do you think I contacted Silas Abbott? I wouldn’t send my dog to my brother.”
    â€œThen why do you want Emily to go to Boston?”
    â€œBecause she can’t stay here. She could run this place by herself, but who could she marry? Lonnie?”
    â€œShe could move to Fort Worth or Dallas.”
    â€œNothing but cowhands, good-for-nothings, and thieves. I wouldn’t send my dog there.”
    â€œYou know Emily is dead set against going to Boston, don’t you?” Bret said.
    â€œI’m sick, not deaf or stupid.”
    Bret laughed. “I just want you to know it’ll be very difficult to change her mind.”
    Sam gave him a penetrating look. “I get the feeling you’re a very capable young man, probably able to convince young women to do things they probably shouldn’t do.”
    â€œMaybe, but I haven’t talked any young woman out of her reputation.”
    Sam laughed heartily. “I never heard it phrased quite so politely. In my day we said a young woman had disgraced herself.”
    â€œI haven’t caused one to do that, either.”
    Sam’s gaze narrowed. “Is something wrong with you?”
    Now it was Bret’s turn to laugh. “I’m perfectly normal, but I’m a poor relation trying to convince my family I won’t disgrace them if they let me in the front door,” Bret said, hoping he hadn’t let the bitternesshe felt seep into his voice. “Why would I do something to hurt my own cause?”
    Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe you’ve come to Texas to advance your own cause?”
    Bret took a moment to taste his brandy. It was very good, quite expensive, but tonight it didn’t suit his palate. “My uncle sent me because he thinks I’m the one member of his family who won’t be soiled by being in Texas.”
    â€œAnd how do you feel about that?”
    â€œI hate it.” Bret hadn’t meant to be quite so honest, but Sam wasn’t a man to tolerate pretense. “I’ve worked long hours for Abbott and Abercrombie but have gotten nowhere. When I told Uncle Silas I might not be able to convince Emily to go to Boston, he told me not to come back without her.”
    â€œHe sounds a lot like my brother.”
    â€œSo I made up my mind to offer you a deal,” Bret said.
    â€œIf Silas thinks so little of you, what can you offer me?”
    â€œYou want Emily to be where she’s safe, but you want someone to look after her to make sure she doesn’t marry the wrong