Charlene Sands (2 page)

“Bethann needs a woman around. That’s what I meant to say. She’s growing up fast, nearly six years old now.”

Lily appeared to regain her composure. At least she wasn’t frowning at him now. “I remember her. Adorable pigtails. Green eyes. You brought her to the mercantile a time or two. I snuck her a peppermint candy once.”

“Yes. She seemed to like you, too. Fact is, Louisa and Manuel left the ranch to make a home for themselves in New Mexico a while back. I can make do
without them, but Bethann needs more. It’s almost time for spring roundup. I’m shorthanded as it is. I can’t keep being both mother and father to her.”

Anger sparked in her eyes. Tyler couldn’t imagine what he’d said this time to insult her.

She bristled and spoke to him as if she were the school marm and he a youngster who wouldn’t do his lessons. “What you need is a wife. And from what I gather, Mr. Kincaide, you could have your pick of any female in the territory.”

So that was it. He slammed his fist on the table, causing Lily to jerk back. “I don’t want a wife,” he snarled. “I had a wife. Lizabeth’s gone.”

Tyler closed his eyes. Why was it every woman on the good earth saw fit to try to get him married again? It was the very last thing he wanted.

But he did need Lily. For Bethann.

When he reopened his eyes, he was relieved to find sympathy in Lily’s expression. “I’m sorry, Miss Lily. Honest. I have nothing but respect for you. What I’m offering is a job, a respectable position. I’d like to hire you to stay on at the ranch and take care of my daughter.”

Lily let out a compressed breath. “What you are offering, Mr. Kincaide, is highly improper. I cannot live under the same roof as you or any man without the sanctity of marriage. I’m sorry.”

Lily was a churchgoer. She had high moral standards. That’s what he wanted for his daughter. Nearly six years of age, Bethann needed a female’s influence. Her wild and precocious ways were starting to nettle at him. Why, his daughter refused to wear a dress most of the time. A young girl’s got to learn to wear more than britches.

It wasn’t all that unusual for a woman to hire on at a ranch as housekeeper. He had to make Lily understand. “Now, Lily, don’t go getting the wrong idea. I wouldn’t compromise you.”

“I know that.” She gave him a sad smile as if to say she knew she wasn’t the sort of woman to strike a man’s fancy. “All the same, I cannot live under your roof, working for you or not. We’d be alone in that ranch house.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “There’d be talk.”

She hoisted her chin and stood with a prideful look on her face. Tyler admired her conviction, even if he didn’t agree with her.

“Thank you for the lemonade and the meal. I’m sure it would have been delicious.”

Tyler swore under his breath and watched her head for the door. Tarnation! There wasn’t another woman here in town he’d trust with Bethann’s care. Besides, he wanted no real ties to any women. They would try to drain every last ounce out of him while attempting to retrieve his soul. Only, he had no soul. Bethann, the tiny replica of her mother, had his heart, but his soul had been buried along with Lizabeth nineteen months ago. Somehow he knew Lily would understand.

He’d seen the depth of her understanding in her gentle blue eyes. She’d be good for Bethann. Soft-spoken and kind, Tyler knew of no other woman whom he’d trust with his daughter’s care. Whether she admitted it or not, Miss Lillian Brody needed his help and he certainly needed hers.

Damn. The last thing he wanted was a wife.

He stood and called out before she reached the door, “What if I married you?”

L
ily froze. His words stung like shards of ice pelting down her body. Another proposal from Tyler Kincaide! This one even more unfathomable than the first.

In her imaginings as a young girl, when her beau proposed there’d been flowers—daffodils and lilacs—surrounding her. Nightingales would sing out a melodious tune. The moon would shine and the stars twinkle as her gallant man spoke dearly of his love and devotion to her.

Ha! The irony was enough to make her cry. A nearly shouted proposal from across a crowded room. The offense ran too deep, even for her to ignore. If she were a betting woman, she would have laid down her last dollar that Tyler Kincaide didn’t know the depth of the insult he’d just bestowed upon her.

She knew what she was. But to have a man admit in one breath he didn’t want a wife, then casually throw out a proposal gave her the full measure of her appeal. Absolutely none.

She turned to find him standing before her. All eyes in the supper house were watching, waiting. Lily suppressed a shudder. The humiliation was unbearable,
but she kept her head up and looked him square in the eyes.

“No, thank you, Mr. Kincaide.” She pushed open the door and stepped out, taking in a steadying breath of crisp air. She heard the familiar jingle of spurs from behind and knew he’d followed her outside.

“Lily, wait.”

She stopped short on the sidewalk. Tyler knocked into her. She felt the hard wall of his chest meet with her back before he took hold of her shoulders and turned her.

“What’d I do?”

She had a good mind to tell him, but the warmth of his touch was seeping into her skin. Firm fingers dug in with gentle determination. He was as close as any man had ever been to her, inches away. He was beautiful, magnificent—she’d always known. Lily closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his hands on her before stepping out of his reach.

Then the absurdity of it struck her. She laughed. A good hearty laugh, easing the tension that had her wound tighter than newfangled barbed wire around a fence post. Shaking her head, she said, “I’m sure, Tyler Kincaide, you wouldn’t understand.”

He glared at her. Lily realized her mistake. She doubted too many women chanced to laugh at Tyler Kincaide.

With arms folded, he rasped, “Explain it to me.”

“I don’t think I could. Have a good day, Mr. Kincaide.” She shrugged and managed to walk gracefully away as if marriage proposals were an everyday occurrence.

But when she heard his string of muttered oaths
from behind, she hiked up her skirts and scampered across the street in a most undignified fashion.

Lily took several deep breaths when she entered the mercantile. Watching the rancher from a distance made her heart swim with delicious thoughts but this time, being so near him, remembering his touch on her skin, unnerved her completely. Why, the very thought of living under his roof, sent uninvited thrills down her spine. How long before she lost her foolish heart to him entirely?

It’s a notion you’d better not entertain.

She couldn’t be his housekeeper. All sense of ingrained propriety warned her off. And then there was the deathbed promise she’d made to her dear father.

Lily began rearranging the meager supplies on the shelves. Forcing her thoughts to her own dilemma, she considered her options. Contacting her uncle in Chicago was her first priority. Since Uncle Jasper hadn’t returned her letters, she’d send him a wire. Today. Time was running out and so was the little bit of money she had tucked away.

The door opened then slammed shut. Lily twirled around. Tyler stood with hands on hips, scowling at her. “We’re not through yet.”

Her heart fluttered at the sight of him again, but she forced a glare his way. “I’d say we were.”

“I didn’t get what I came for.”

Lily stared at his face, the firm line of his masculine jaw set stubbornly. A small feminine part of her rejoiced. No man had ever pursued her, even if his proposal was quite out of the question.

Tyler thrust a list of needed supplies her way.

She bit her lip, chagrined at her mistake and angry all the same. She picked up the list and began filling
the order. She dumped a package of Arbuckle’s coffee on the counter and reached for the next item on the list, sugar.

“You know, Lily, you could stand to hear me out.”

Lily had heard just about enough. The man’s audacity spurred her courage. She set the sack of sugar down and rounded the counter to stand before him, jutting a finger in his chest.

“I know what you want, Tyler Kincaide. You want a woman to come out there and run your house. To school your daughter, cook your meals, clean your clothes, to…to—you know. You can’t hire someone, so you figured you’d find some pathetic creature and up and marry her. You, Tyler Kincaide,” she said poking her finger one last time into his chest, “want to
get
married, without
being
married!”

Anger flashed in his dark eyes as he pulled her finger off him. His teeth clenched. “I don’t want to get married at all. Damn it, Lily.” He yanked off his felt hat and rubbed his forehead, squeezing his eyebrows together.

Lily put her hands on her hips. “Do not swear in my presence, Mr. Kincaide!”

Tyler blinked before giving her a long studious look. Then she noticed a gleam in his eyes. Not anger this time. It appeared to be…a spark of admiration?

“Yes, ma’am. I apologize.”

He rubbed his chest where she’d jabbed him. Lily blushed. What had come over her? She’d never
attacked
a man before.

“There’s many a woman who’d take me up on my offer.”

Marrying Tyler Kincaide for the wrong reason would surely cause her nothing but heartache. She had
always been honest with herself; Tyler would never come to love someone like her. Her foolish pride wouldn’t let her accept anything less. And she hadn’t forgotten the sincere promise she’d made to her father to locate Uncle Jasper.

Lily threw her arms up out of frustration. “So why me? I’m sure Letty Sue Withers would love to become your wife. Why not ask her?”

Tyler rested an elbow on his folded arm and scrubbed his jaw. He shook his head. “Couldn’t. A woman like that, she’d be—expecting things.”

Expecting things?
Lily stared at the cleft in his chin momentarily, then lifted her eyes to his in certain understanding. “You mean like..”

His slow nod was affirmation. “I got no room in my heart for anyone but Bethann. It’s best you know that right on. You need a place to live. My daughter needs a woman around. If that means taking a wife, so be it.

“I’d respect you, Miss Lily, and I swear, you’d never want for anything. But I was being honest when I said I don’t want a wife. I mean in the real sense, that is. So I guess you’re right. I’m offering marriage as payment for caring for Bethann and running the house.”

That took the starch right out of her. Lily’s shoulders fell. “I see.”

“You could do worse, Lily,” he said softly, laying several coins on the counter. “If things don’t work out with your uncle in Chicago, my offer still stands. Think about it.” Lily noted his quiet strength as he hoisted the parcels over his shoulder and sauntered out.

She let out a heavy sigh and watched the handsome
man as he strode to his buckboard. He was right about one thing, she
could
do worse. Much worse.

“Papa, Papa!”

Tyler smiled when he heard the small voice call to him. He jumped from the wagon and threw out his arms. Bethann came running into them. He lifted her up as little arms and legs wrapped around him. “Ah, how’s my sweetcakes this afternoon?”

“Papa, you left without me. I thought I was goin’ to town with you.”

“Not this time, darlin’. Papa had some business in town. Next time.” He lifted an auburn pigtail and tugged.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Setting her down, he took her hand. “Papa’s got to have a talk with you. Come inside.”

“Is it about my birthday?”

“Maybe.” He sat down in the parlor and lifted her onto his lap. A soft, plump hand went around his neck.

“Do I get my pony, Papa?”

“Now, Bethann, I know you’ve been wanting a pony. But you’re a mite too young yet. A pony needs lots of care.”

“Oh, I’d care for it! I’d love it and love it. Just like I love you, Papa.” She hugged his neck.

Tyler gave his guileless daughter a sideways glance. How’d she learn to do that so young? Her innocent charm could talk him into just about anything. If this was any indication, he was going to have a high time of it, fending off her beaus ten years from now. “What’s your second choice, darlin’, if you had to wait a bit for a pony?”

She frowned. Tyler imagined the little wheels in her
head clicking, considering. Then her eyes lit. “A sister, Papa. Rhonda Mae McDowell is getting a sister. She said I couldn’t have one, ’cause I don’t have a ma.”

Tyler suppressed a grimace. Lizabeth would’ve given him more children by now and their only daughter wouldn’t be so lonely. Damn, he knew what Bethann needed. A mother.

Unfortunately, that meant a wife for him.

“Rhonda may be getting a brother for all she knows, darlin’.”

Bethann shrugged her small rounded shoulders. “Rhonda Mae said that don’t matter. A brother’s all right. Long’s she can boss him around a time or two.”

Tyler chuckled and kissed her cheek. His mind went to the ponies in his remuda. He’d have to pick out the gentlest one of all.

Lily packed the last of her merchandise in a large crate and paid Tommy Mayfield two bits to help her haul it to the new emporium across town. With a little bit of haggling on her part, the new proprietor agreed to buy out what was left on her shelves. It didn’t amount to much, but she was grateful for the small profit.

“Here you go, Tommy,” she offered. “I don’t think they’ll be wanting these two broken peppermint sticks, and that licorice whip is all but dried out.”

The boy put his hand out. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

She watched him take a bite of licorice before heaving the crate in his arms. Tommy was built like his ma, stout and sturdy. And his big eyes rounded in
curiosity with the slightest bit of encouragement just like Emma’s did.

“You leaving town soon, Miss Lillian?” the boy asked good-naturedly as they strode toward the east end of town.

“I hope so, Tommy. I’m waiting to hear from my uncle in Chicago. I wired him a week ago.”

“My ma—well, she says you should take Mr. Kincaide up on his offer. Said he proposed in a most unusual way.”

“Yes, that he did,” she said with a weary sigh. Emma Mayfield made short work of informing the entire town about Tyler Kincaide’s odd proposal. Lily would have known, even if long-winded Micah Pennicott hadn’t come into the store days ago, spouting off, pretending an interest in the last book on her shelves. A book of poetry, for land’s sake!

She’d have known by the way she was being treated. Amazing, how one gesture changed the town’s opinion of her. Instead of sympathetic glances stolen by averted eyes, she was getting long, curious stares, marked surprisingly enough by unbidden respect and slow smiles.

“Are you goin’ to marry him?”

“Now, how can I marry him if I’m going to Chicago?”

“No, I don’t suppose you can, but my ma says that any gal in her right mind would’ve took Mr. Kincaide up on his offer. Said he’d be the finest catch in all Texas, and if she weren’t already—”

“Uh, Tommy—” Lily’s steps faltered, watching the boy move slightly ahead of her, until her unblinking gaze fastened to bright red suspenders hitching up his
trousers. “I don’t think we should be discussing this, do you?”

Tommy slowed his steps. “No, ma’am.”

Lily tousled his hair and the young boy gave her a bright smile. When they reached the new emporium, he set the crate down and proceeded to wander about the store, exclaiming it was three times larger than Miss Lillian’s.

Lily, too, looked around, seeing Wilbourne’s Emporium with consuming eyes. It was a fine store, enormous in size, housing everything imaginable from ready-to-wear clothes to an array of jars overflowing with candy to the latest dime novels. There were dry goods, canned goods, some new farming tools, yards upon yards of fabrics and bolts of ribbons and fine laces.

Brody’s Mercantile might have been this fine, but her father’s mind had never been on business. He’d taken the monthly profits from the cash drawer under Lily’s protests and instead of investing them in his livelihood, he’d chosen to squander them away at the gaming tables.
“You’ll see, my darling girl,’
he’d promised. “
One good night’s all I need. We’ll be set for life.
”

Unfortunately he’d never had one good night.

Lily settled up with the clerk, wishing she could indulge and buy a new dress. One that fit her better, in pretty calico like the one she spied when she entered. She’d have to take in the seams. They didn’t make dresses to fit her gangly form, but she couldn’t afford the dress anyway. No use hankering for something she couldn’t have.

She was about to depart when she heard the sweet
sound of a child’s voice. “Papa, do I have to get all gussied up?”

“Bethann, I would think you’d want a new dress for your birthday party.”

“But, Papa, I don’t need a dress to ride my new pony. My britches’ll do.”

“Now, darlin’, a lady needs to wear dresses from time to time. You can’t be wearing them britches every day.”

Lily gasped when she recognized the man’s voice. She turned to make a quick departure only to find Tyler’s eyes on her. She stilled her quickened heart as best she could. He took hold of his daughter’s hand and approached her.

“Hello,” he said with a grin, then bent his head. “Bethann, you remember Miss Lily Brody, don’t you?”

Lily looked down at the little girl. Bethann clung to her daddy’s legs. “Uh-huh.”

Lily’s heart melted at the sight of two chubby arms wrapped around this big, strong man’s thighs. Lily bent down. “Hello, Bethann. I remember when you came to my daddy’s store.”

Eyes, the color of polished jade, widened in recognition. “You gave me a candy.”