The Texas Ranger and the Professor by Susan Payne
Today, I’m happy to have author Susan Payne in the Chateau with her book about a topic I enjoy, both in movies and books–Texas Rangers, As Captain Kirk said in Star Trek, ‘Susan, you have the com’:
(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have captivated imaginations for decades. The group was formed by politicians and has been disbanded, ignored, as well as praised through-out its history. It was begun as a means to fight the Native Americans somewhat like a National Militia. The Ranger had jurisdiction over the entire Texas lands often following raiding parties and desperados over the Mexican border without regard to legalities.
They had no uniform, no formal badge until 1900 when the circle star was designed and used, and often were forgotten when it came to a payroll. Men would continue to do the job for months without pay or even rations. The men were expected to furnish everything from their own horse and saddle, clothing, bed roll, guns and ammunition. In recompense they would receive, when the state was able, a months-worth of rations and $1.25 a day. Little more than a cattle drover yet were expected to go into trouble when called upon. Often having only one Ranger no matter how desperate the need for more. Outmanned was a badge of honor with these men.
Although it was often thought of as an advantage by the Rangers not to have a uniform or badge to set them apart from other men, some fashioned their own out of a 5 peso silver piece. Larger than a half-dollar it was cheap enough to carve out a five-point star within its edge. The bottoms of tin cans were also known to be used since they were pliable enough for carving and bending – and free.
A typical Ranger ration contained items such as rice, flour, sugar, coffee, salt, bacon, and onions. They would buy or swap for other provisions. There was no central fort or camp, no one to cook for them or find them proper sleeping quarters although some larger cities had cabins. Most had only tents they shared until sent on assignments.
It would be fair to say many people mixed up the Rangers for the men they were running-to-ground since there was little difference between them. Most Rangers were young, unmarried men looking for excitement and with the need to be of service. No one can deny they had a place in history by making the Republic, and then state, a safer place for homesteaders. Seeing the early photos shows they were a pretty sorry looking lot.
During the Civil War, the Rangers were disbanded so they could fight for the Confederacy which they did. Returning after the war to continue pushing the Native Americans and then Mexican Nationals out of the state. Between 1870 and 1873 they were returned into more of a state police and monitored by the state legislature.
Reading about the earlier exploits, the dedication and selfless service caught my attention. I have 8 romance novels about Texas Rangers and how their time in service shaped their future lives. I always enjoy seeing one on the horizon of my mind and waiting while they tell me their story. Meet the strong women they found to marry and finally settle down with. There are similarities as young men but then they form into their own person needing and wanting their own special woman. I am glad to tell that story.
I thought I would share how some of my stories came to me. Why I chose, or rather how they chose me, to write about them. Each are real to me. Each are unique in their thinking and plans. Each are Texas Rangers with a story to tell and wanted me to put onto paper. I hope you will enjoy my first one, The Texas Ranger and the Professor released on October 12, 2020. There will be others following next year.
Buy link https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Ranger-Professor-Susan-Payne/dp/1509232958
http://www.authorsusanpayne.com
authorspayne@gmail.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
[image error]A voracious reader her whole life, author Susan Payne loved the written word. When reading more than fifty books per month wasn’t enough, she decided to allow her mind to take flight and write all the many stories that kept intruding in her life. She blended her love of history and her love of words to create over eighty stories. All historical and centering on a couple finding love and a happy ever after together.
The author has published a series of stories surrounding fictional Sweetwater, Kansas beginning with Harrison Ranch through The Wild Rose Press and Montana Lineman by Literary Wanderlust due out by end of 2020. Also, contracted through Wild Rose Press this summer was The Persistent Marquess, Forever Kind of Woman, Rescued by a Highlander and to be released yet this fall, Texas Ranger and the Professor, Regency Christmas Anthology, Three Sisters and Blind Faith.
BLURB:
Retiring Ranger Edwards has one last assignment. Female professor Jessie Reeves is out to prove she can make it in a man’s world. When their lives cross paths, they are never the same.
EXCERPT FROM The Texas Ranger and the Professor
[image error]“I can’t marry you, Edwards. We did what we did because I begged you and I am still grateful. You eased my mind when my world was spinning out of control and I thought life as I knew it would be over. I do not want you to feel obligated in any sense, here. I can financially afford this child and I will work out a believable story and raise him or her as I was raised.”
“But what about me? Am I to simply forget I have a child somewhere, living who knows where? I don’t think I can agree to that. We will have to come to some other arrangement.” He paced in front of her. “You must recognize that I’m part of the equation, now I know. You and I are irrevocably joined.”
“I’ll let you know whether it’s a boy or girl. You can visit, but I can’t give you more than that.” She couldn’t look into his eyes to see the recrimination she knew would be there.
“No, Jessie, we’ll need to do better than that or I’ll go into that house and tell your uncle you and I spent weeks in a single tent together and now you are having my child.” She knew he was trying to force her hand.
“Don’t, please, don’t do that. He controls my money for another couple of years, even the money I make on my books and lectures. I won’t be able to live if you turn him against me.” The tears in her eyes started to roll down her cheeks and splash onto the apron.
