Della: Bride of Texas (American Mail-Order Bride 28) by Trinity Ford

matter —people whose business at the bank will help our future.”
    Hank glanced over at Milton, who stood on the outer circle, being ignored by the same group of businessmen Della had previously seen begging Hank to partner with on a project. “Hmm, yes. I can see he’s very good at forming relationships,” Hank mocked. “He’s doing just as well there as he’s done with you.”
    “And just what would you know about relationships, Mr. Hensley?” Della asked. “Why, I haven’t seen you with a decent woman yet!”
    “Nor will you,” Hank said. “That is, until you decide to free yourself from that phony engagement and see what being courted by a real Texas man is all about.”
    Della felt herself trembling at his bold words. Her face flushed red. She couldn’t help but look at Hank Hensley and know he was right. She did wonder what it would be like to be courted by a man who showered her with compliments, who didn’t need to put her off to the side as he scrambled to do business—a man whose dashing good looks and willingness to show generosity to others made it impossible to consider him all bad. But Hank Hensley wasn’t in the plan. It wouldn’t be fair to Milton Tidwell, who had paid for her passage here, for her to abandon him whenever the first man came along who paid her any attention. And besides, she viewed Hank as a scoundrel and a rogue and could never be happy with a man such as that. But she couldn’t help the feelings that stirred her inside—feelings that weren’t part of her plans for the future.
    “You’ll find yourself waiting a long time, Mr. Hensley,” Della said, cooling herself off with the fan she brought out from her reticule.
    “I’m willing to take a risk on you being wrong, Miss Owens,” Hank said. “As my good fortune reflects, all that time I’ve spent in Hell’s Half Acre have made me pretty confident in my ability to gamble.”
    “Yes, well you’ve never been willing to gamble with your heart , Mr. Hensley,” Della said, fanning faster and looking away from those chocolate brown eyes that were boring into her own blue ones.
    “There's a difference between being willing to do something and wanting to, Miss Owens,” Hank said, his voice taking on a less teasing tone.
    “I’ll warn you ahead of time that regardless of your past success, this will put an end to your winning streak,” she scoffed.
    “I wouldn't wager my pride if there was a chance I'd lose,” Hank said. “It won't take much to make old Milton fold.”
    “Even if you do manage to ruin my engagement, it won’t change things between us,” Della said, determined to put an end to this troubling conversation.
    “I look forward to doubling down on my efforts,” Hank said. “Looks like your endearing Mr. Tidwell is heading this way. If you change your mind about that dance…”
    Della turned her nose up at Hank, but watched as he walked away. Somehow she couldn’t help but wish it were Milton walking away and that she could enjoy a dance with Hank, but she knew that was all wrong. She couldn’t possibly fall in love with a man who had wild, unpredictable ways—especially not one who spent his time in the company of uncouth ladies. Della struggled to bring her thoughts back to her present situation. She was engaged to Milton Tidwell—maybe not the man of her dreams, but a man who could provide stability and a solid plan for the future. Then, there was Hank Hensley—a man she wanted to despise, but who intrigued and excited her. There was a strong battle brewing between Della’s heart and mind—one that both scared her senseless and tickled her with delight.

Chapter 8
     
    Hank was forced to skip church on Sunday to handle a dispute between the foreman and the construction crew on one of his new projects. He hated missing it—not only because he wanted to see Della, but he knew being absent provided more fodder for the Fort Worth gossip mill. What he really wanted was to see how Della