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."I have heard about you as well, Miss Van Dere.""My name is Patricia, and I hope you will allow me to call you Abby.I feel like I already know you.""Of course, if you like.""This," she said, spreading her arms wide to indicate the countryside, "is a bit overpowering and frightening for me.""You'll have to get used to it, since you are going to be an officer's wife."Even now, standing before the woman Jonah was to marry, Abby longed for his touch.The nights were the worst, because she had too much time to think about him.Then she would imagine him being wounded or killed, and it was torment of the worst kind.Patricia was suddenly staring at her in an odd way, as if she were shocked.Abby realized it was her apparel that had caught Patricia's attention.She had expected nothing less."I have never seen a woman wearing trousers before.""Hmm," Abby said crisply."I would've of bet my life on that."Patricia walked around Abby, looking her over carefully."We are very near the same size.I would like to try on a pair of your trousers."Now it was Abby's turn to be shocked."I don't think the major would like it," she said.Patricia's face fell, and she agreed with a nod."You are probably right."Abby frowned, wanting to hate the woman, but finding it difficult.There was something sweet and unassuming about her."Your life must seem so useful here.But the country is so vast.I have always been a little intimidated at the thought of the West.We hear such horror stories about gunmen and robbers.""Well, Miss Van Dere, you heard right.We are a bit uncivilized out here.It will probably take years before we catch up with you in the North."The Philadelphian seemed upset."I only meant that." She lowered her lashes."I have failed miserably with you, haven't I? And I so wanted you to like me."Abby was taken aback because Patricia seemed genuinely upset.She would have felt better if the woman were spoiled and selfish; then she could hate her without guilt."If you will excuse me, I'm dusty.I will see you at supper.""Yes, of course."Abby turned to Patricia with the screen door halfway open."Which room have they put you in?""I'm told by your housekeeper that I am using your brother Quince's room."Abby was relieved.She would not have wanted Patricia to stay in the room where Jonah had made love to her.When she entered the house, Abby stopped at the door of the parlor, where cigar smoke wove its way to her.She heard her father's voice, warm and friendly."General, if you are of a mind to, I'll give you a tour of the ranch tomorrow.""I'd like that, Mr.Hunter," came a clipped Northern voice.Jack caught a glimpse of his daughter and took her hand, leading her into the room."General, this is my only daughter.Abby, meet General Daniel Tremain."Abby nodded at Jonah's father and said politely, "Sir, it's a pleasure."GeneralTremain had a scowl of disapproval on his face when he looked at her trousers.But his attitude did not bother Abby-she had seen that look before in his son's eyes."Miss Hunter, I was just telling your father that Patricia and I are grateful for your hospitality." His frown deepened."However, I had expected my son to meet us."If Abby had drawn a picture in her mind of Jonah's father, this man wasn't far from what she would have imagined.He was trim in appearance and had an autocratic air about him.His eyes were much the color of Jonah's, but there the resemblance ended.Jonah was several inches taller than his father.Since he was a retired general, he no longer wore a uniform but a charcoal-gray suit.General Tremain might seem to be friendly with her father, but he had not earned the rank of general without knowing how to fit in with other people.There was an astuteness in those observing eyes, and he would definitely be more at home in a lavish sitting room in Philadelphia than in the small parlor of a ranch house in Texas."If you will both excuse me, I need to wash before supper," she told them, happy to make her escape
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