Libbie: Bride of Arizona (American Mail-Order Bride 48) by Linda Carroll-Bradd Page B

providing for my wife.”
    “My family believes that everyone has a responsibility to support the family coffers. I’ve been waiting to see what I could contribute to add to my father’s mining ventures and my brothers’ cattle raising.” She urged him to walk again, and they rounded the corner of the barn. Way above the top rail of the crate wall swayed the long necks and tiny heads of her precious babies. Pride filled her chest, and, with a flourish, she waved an arm. “Here is my herd of ostriches.”
    Dell stopped, and he stared. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally snapped it shut. “Those are the ugliest critters I’ve ever seen. What makes those scrawny things a business?” Then he rounded on her and glared, arms crossed over his broad chest. “How could you keep something like this a secret? What’s involved in their upkeep? Where’s the money coming from to feed them?”
    They weren’t exactly a secret, but she hadn’t told him before her arrival. The disapproval in his expression unnerved her. Until the past few months, her life had been idyllic. Her parents had indulged their youngest child, allowing her to run wild with three older brothers or spend time with the villagers researching native music. Rarely had she been held accountable for any misdeeds.
    Shouldn’t a successful rancher know the basic business facts about initial capital outlay before expecting a profit? The words he’d written in his ad echoed in her mind─rancher…owns acres and acres…has employees…great prospects. If her parents had ever discussed money issues, they’d done it away from her hearing. Enough money had always been available for the next herd of cattle or the prize stallion or a new mine that displayed metallic color.
    “I-I’m not sure which question to answer first.” She twisted her fingers together and took a deep breath. Where was the man with the glint in his eyes who had awakened her in the barn? “In my home country, ostriches are valued for their eggs, their flesh, and their skin.”
    Dell walked closer, tilting his head as he watched them move in their gangly way around the enclosure, scratching at the dirt. “I didn’t know Australia had ostriches.”
    Glad his tone had returned to normal, she chanced a grin. “No, they’re not from that country.” Maybe if he learned more about her background, this situation would be resolved. She moved to one of the hay bales she and Jomo had used for the birds’ enclosure and sat. “I’ve lived some years in Western Australia but have been raised primarily in South Africa.”
    “Wow, that far away. So that’s your accent?”
    “I guess.” She shrugged. “The accent changes, depending on where I’m living.”
    Dell reached over and clasped her hand. “I apologize for my behavior. But you have to admit their presence here is quite a surprise.” He ran his fingertips over the ridges of her knuckles. “I have my hands full with managing my horses and the cattle herd.”
    His cattle. The animals that were important to him—an interest they shared. This common bond might be the thing that saved the situation. “I’ve seen ostriches used to herd oxen. Maybe I could train mine to help with your cattle.”
    “Mix birds and beef? How does that work?” His eyebrows winged high.
    “I’ve been riding Koning as long as I can remember.” She pointed toward the pen. “He’s the tallest one and has black feathers.”
    “You saddle up that bird and ride it?”
    “No saddle. I hold on with my legs and use a head strap and reins.”
    For a moment, he just stared. Then he tipped back his head and roared with laughter. “That’s a good joke, Libbie.”
    Hating that he didn’t believe hers, she slumped. Was he the type of person who had to see or touch something before he knew it to be true? Waiting him out, she brushed dirt from her skirt then focused her gaze on the white puffy clouds hanging in the clear blue sky.
    His