Charlene Sands (3 page)

“That’s right, I did.”

“My papa’s giving me a pony for my birthday. I’m going on six.”

Lily chuckled. “A pony? That’s wonderful. I know you’ll take excellent care of it, too.”

“I’m going to love my pony, just like Papa,” she offered with a big smile. Then her lips curled downward. “I don’t have a ma, so I can’t have a sister.”

Something tightened in Lily’s heart. She’d been an
only child, too, and often longed for a sibling. Now that her father had passed on, she had no one to turn to, except an uncle she hadn’t seen in fifteen years. “A pony is the next best thing to a sister, I’d say. And you don’t have to share your clothes.”

Bethann giggled.

Lily straightened, averting her gaze and smoothing her skirts. She felt Tyler’s eyes on her.

“Have you heard from your uncle?” he inquired.

She looked down, clicking the toe of her worn-out boot to the other. “I’m heading to the telegraph office now, to see if he’s sent a message.”

“So you haven’t heard?”

She lifted her chin. “I expect to anyday now.”

His brows furrowed as he studied her.

“Papa, I have to go. Hurry, Papa.” Lily’s gaze fell on the child’s frowning face as she shuffled to and fro. She was tugging at her father’s pant leg with one hand while the other hand grabbed at her own britches. Lily stifled a chuckle, finding the usually confident man wearing a befuddled expression.

“Uh, okay, darlin’. Just let me—”

“If you’ll allow me, I’ll take her,” Lily offered, this time letting go a full giggle when a look of relief washed over Tyler’s face. She put out a hand to Bethann, hoping the child would take it.

“But, Papa—”

“It’s all right, Bethann. Miss Lily will take you around back. I’ll be waiting right here.”

Bethann laced her fingers through Lily’s as they strode out. Lily was amazed how much the little one could chatter. She seemed to go on incessantly, without coming up for a breath. And in the span of a few minutes, Lily knew a whole lot more about Tyler,
Bethann and the Circle K Ranch than she had ever expected.

Bethann let go of Lily’s hand the minute they reentered the emporium and ran to her father. “Can we invite Miss Lily to my birthday party, Papa?”

Tyler bent down and scooped his daughter up so that two pairs of eyes looked Lily’s way. “Why, sure. That’s a fine idea. How about it, Miss Lily, would you like to come tomorrow to Bethann’s party?”

Flustered, Lily stammered. “Well, I—I have so much to do and I…I have no way out there—”

“Papa can pick you up in the wagon, Miss Lily. Can’t you, Papa?” Bethann asked with a hope-filled expression.

“I’ll be riding fences in the mornin’, but I’m sure ole Wes, or one of the ranch hands can pick her up, darlin’.”

“Oh, yippee! You can see my new pony, Miss Lily.”

“Well…I—” Lily shrugged in surrender. She didn’t want to disappoint the little girl who seemed to crave attention. It was obvious the child was hungry for a female friend. She’d already been advised by Bethann that Rhonda Mae was her only other friend. And she’d be busy when her baby sister arrives. “I’d love to come. Thanks for inviting me.”

Both Kincaide heads nodded in approval. But when Lily turned to leave, the older Kincaide stopped her. “Oh, Miss Lily, one more thing.”

She whirled around, “Yes?”

“Will you help pick out a new dress for Bethann and doodads to go with it.” He scratched his head. “I can’t seem to figure ’em all out.”

Lily felt a lightness in her step as she headed for the telegraph office. Helping Bethann choose a new party dress had been fun. She’d felt as if she were dressing up a doll, matching colors to Bethann’s auburn hair and dazzling green eyes. They’d decided on an emerald green and white poplin dress. Matching ribbons were purchased as well as new under-drawers and stockings.

Tyler had looked on from a distance. With each choice, Bethann held the article up and waited for her father’s approval. He stood with arms folded, casually leaning against the far wall, watching. When he gave his daughter a wide grin of approval, Lily found her heart in her mouth again.

Darn the man.

With just a look, he could turn her insides to plum pudding.

She hastened her steps to the telegraph office. The sooner she rode out on that stage the better. When she arrived, the telegraph operator was frowning. With a shake of his head, he said, “Sorry, Miss Lillian.”

Lily’s whole body sagged while she tried to suppress tears that were welling up and shuffle her disappointment down. “Nothing for me, Charlie?”

“No, ma’am. Not today.”

“You know I’m at Mrs. Anderson’s boardinghouse. Please send a message as soon as you hear anything.”

The operator complied, smiling pleasantly, looking as if he hadn’t heard those very words each day that week. “Yes, ma’am. As soon as it comes in,” he promised.

Well, Lily mused, at least he held out some hope. Lily was losing all of hers. And she still had to contend
with Bethann’s birthday party at the Circle K Ranch tomorrow. She couldn’t disappoint the child, but it was truly the last place she wanted to be.

A single look from the girl’s father did things to her body she didn’t understand.

Things,
for the ever-loving life of her, she couldn’t control.

W
es Farley helped Lily onto the Kincaide buckboard. His leathery hands were gentle on her waist as he lifted her up. She adjusted herself, smoothing out her skirts, making sure her hem covered her ankles. With her tall frame, the dresses were always an inch or two lacking.

“Sure is nice of you, Miss Lillian, comin’ to the youngun’s birthday celebration and all. That girl needs a female touch, if’n I ever saw it.”

Wes ambled around the wagon, hopped on and gave the team of horses a click of the reins. Lily hung on as the wagon lurched forward. “Oh, Wes, that little one didn’t give me much choice with those wide eyes and happy smile. I couldn’t say no.”

“Her pa’s got the same problem, I’m ’fraid. That little un can talk her pa into anythin’, but don’t ya be repeatin’ this old fool’s notions, ya hear? That boy’d have me set out on my ear. Can’t say as I blame him none. He’s had a tough time, raising Bethann by himself.”

“It’s never easy when one tries to do the job of
both parents. Bethann seems like a sweet child, though.”

“That she is, what with havin’ a fine ma and pa and all. Got her ma’s looks.”

“Did you know her well?”

“Sure ’nough. Ever since Tyler brung her to the ranch, prouder ’an a peacock spreadin’ colors. About eight years back as I recall. Benjamin Kincaide, his pa, was alive then. Yep, them were the days.”

“What was she like?”

“Aw, Tyler don’t like nobody talkin’ about Lizabeth. Saw him fire a hand right on the spot when he brought up her name. She was a fine lady, that Lizabeth was.”

Lily didn’t want to pry so she held back the dozens of questions that were popping into her mind. Lizabeth, beautiful, sweet-natured, adored by her man, and Lily, did have one thing in common. Tyler Kincaide had proposed to them both. And there the similarities ended.

Lily knew one proposal was filled with love, desire and want. The other, hers, was derived from certain masculine desperation. She’d be a fool to think of it as more. But in the privacy of her lonely room, where she was sure no one would intrude, Lily did fantasize about Tyler Kincaide. His slow grins and deep-set dusky eyes. What they did to her! The darkened circles under her eyes were evidence enough of her restless nights of fancy. It was daft and as fruitless as a peach tree in the dead of winter.

She’d remembered peering longingly out the window of the mercantile whenever Tyler and his wife rode into town on this very buckboard. Tyler would gaze down at Lizabeth with adoration in his eyes. And
Lizabeth would give him a warm smile, as if they shared a sweet secret that no one else would ever know.

Oh, to have a man look at her like that, she thought with a wistful sigh, then called herself a foolish ninny again. No man would ever look at her like that.

Lily tied the ribbon of her straw hat tighter under her chin. The Texas sun beat down, burning her cheeks. Rivulets of perspiration moistened her best white shirt until she felt a single drop easily make its way down her chest, spreading thin against the waist-band of her skirt.

She half listened to the old man ramble on about any which subject, all the while looking out at the scenery. It wasn’t often she ventured out of town. She settled back in the seat and decided to enjoy the excursion.

Wildflowers laced the grasslands, a healthy glow of springtime color painting the landscape with vivid hues. And a fragrant pungent scent sweetened the air. This was Lily’s favorite time of year. Everything was beginning to bloom in the southernmost tip of the Texas Panhandle.

Nearly an hour later the buckboard pulled to a stop in front of a sprawling ranch house.

“Tyler’s checkin’ fence posts goin’ up on the east end of the property. He’s asked fer you to help Bethann put on her new duds fer the party—if’n ya don’t mind, Miss Lillian, since you was the one that helped pick ’em out. Party’ll start at three this aft’noon.”

Lily nodded as she was helped off the wagon. She turned to stare at the Kincaide house. The structure was painted dove gray, but the steps, the window shutters, railings and the door all sparkled milky white. A
long, flowing veranda wrapped itself around three sides. Flower beds, long since neglected, graced its perimeter. Lifting her skirts, Lily took the steps tentatively, then twirled around when she heard the clinking of the wagon as it pulled away. “Wes! Wait!”

“I got work to do, Miss Lillian. Ya jus” go inside and make yerself comfy now. Boss’s orders. Bethann’s prob’ly drivin’ Randy plumb crazy in there. You can spell him.”

Perplexed, Lily turned to stare at the wide panel door. She hoisted her skirts and moved to the door, but before her hand reached the knob, the door burst open.

“Miss Lily, you came!” Bethann smiled brightly.

A lanky jeans-clad figure lurked behind the doorway. As soon as he saw Lily, tension eased from his face. “Looks like your friend’s here, Bethann. I’ll be headin’ out. Your daddy’s expectin’ me on the range.” The man brushed past Lily with a tip of his hat. “Afternoon, ma’am.”

“Her name’s Miss Lillian Brody. She’s here for my party. You coming, Randy?”

“Sorry, I can’t.” Randy moved quickly down the steps, as if escaping a terrible fate. “Have a nice time now, Bethann.” He was at a complete run when those last words were uttered.

Lily glanced down at Bethann. The child gave her a mischievous smile and Lily couldn’t help but chuckle.

Bethann led her into the parlor, then threw herself down onto the settee. “My papa says we can’t go out to see my pony till he gets back.”

“That’s fine, Bethann. We’ll wait.” Lily looked the child over. Caked-on dirt covered her overalls and
seemed to be an extension of her small body. Where did dirt end and little girl begin? Two long braids hanging past her shoulders looked more like seasoned pepper than the ginger color she knew her hair to be. “How’d you get so dirty?”

Bethann shrugged. “I fell.”

“Where on earth did you fall?”

“Near the creek.”

“The creek? Tell me you weren’t out there all by yourself.”

“It ain’t so far from here. ’Sides, Randy was being an old feather-head.”

Lily hid a grin. “It isn’t so far from here,” she corrected. “Did you sneak out?”

“Randy ain’t my papa. I don’t have to listen to him. He said to stay put, but I wanted to see the tadpoles.”

“Bethann,” Lily said sternly, “Randy may not be your papa, but your father gave him the responsibility to watch out for you today. You should’ve listened to him. You might’ve been hurt. And nobody would know where you were.”

“I almost fell right smack in the water.”

Lily hugged the child to her chest. “Bethann, what you did was dangerous. Your papa would be really sad if you were hurt. You don’t want to make your papa sad now, do you?”

The little girl’s eyes broadened in understanding then she slowly shook her head. Lily hoped she made her point clear enough for Bethann to take heed.

“Bethann, you’ve got to do something for me. You’ve got to promise never to run off like that. Your papa needs you around, sweetie, safe and sound.”

“I promise. I got to take care of my papa.”

Lily watched Bethann’s solemn expression. She believed
her, for now. “All right then, first I think a bath is in order, then we’ll get you dressed for the party.”

The words seemed strange coming from Lily’s lips. Since when had she been appointed guardian over Bethann? The way she was taking over, a body might think she belonged in this house.

“I hafta take a bath?”

“Of course, you’re filthy. Lead the way.”

It was almost three when Wes let Joellen and Letty Sue Withers into the house. A clean-scrubbed Bethann was propped on Lily’s lap in her new birthday attire. Lily was reading a book of nursery rhymes to her.

The women greeted Lily and wished Bethann a happy birthday before sitting down in the parlor. Shortly after, Rhonda Mae McDowell came prancing in, running over to Bethann. The two girls took to scampering through the house.

Letty Sue did her best to ignore Lily by turning away and engaging her mother in conversation. That suited Lily just fine. But Joellen was a gracious woman and steered the conversation to Lily.

“Lillian, I hear you’ve sold your goods to Wilbourne’s Emporium. Will you be staying in Sweet Springs?”

Lily straightened in her seat. “I hope to be moving on soon. I’ve an uncle in Chicago. I expect to hear from him any day now.”

Joellen nodded, a look of compassion crossed over her features. “I see, dear. Well, I hope it works out for you.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Lily felt Letty Sue’s eyes on her. She wouldn’t return her gaze. Instead Lily stared down at her hands.

“Everyone knows why he did it, Lillian,” Letty Sue said smugly.

Lily’s head shot up to view the young woman sitting forward in the chair. The material of her flowery dress tightened, jutting out her full bosom and cinching in her small waistline.

Lily stiffened. Letty Sue Withers was everything Lily was not. Petite, exceptionally pretty and feminine. Not to mention, five years younger. “Did what?”

Steely blue eyes rounded on her. “Propose. He only wants you for Bethann. The whole town knows it, too. He’d never want you for anything—”

“Now, Letty Sue,” Joellen said, her eyes softening on Lily, “a man like Tyler doesn’t propose lightly. If he asked her, he meant it.”

“But, Mama, he said just the other day, if things were different, he’d be asking me.”

Joellen shot her daughter a cautionary glance. “He did no such thing, darling. He merely stated you’d make some man mighty happy when the time comes. Tyler is a gentleman, Letty Sue. Let’s not be discussing this any further.”

Lily’s face heated. She wanted to dash out of the room and pretend she’d never laid eyes on Tyler Kincaide. Because of him, her entire existence had been set out for the town’s scrutiny.

Lily had lived in Sweet Springs for ten years and not once in that time had anyone taken much notice. She had few friends. Lily preferred spending her time alone, and while all the other young women were being courted, Lily stayed in her room and read books. She had a love for the written word. She’d read everything from Hawthorne’s
The Scarlet Letter
to
Brontë’s
Jane Eyre.
And even though she’d read Jules Verne, his notions of the future gave her pause.

Throughout her younger years, books and periodicals had become a shy awkward girl’s closest companions. She stole a quick glance at Letty Sue. Lily doubted she’d known a lonely day in her life. No, Letty Sue Withers thrived on being the center of attention.

Joellen’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts. “Please pay her no mind, Lily. I’m sure it’s none of our business. We came for Bethann’s birthday celebration, not to make you at all uncomfortable.”

Lily forced a small smile and glanced at the clock. It was three-fifteen.

A clean-shaven Wes came in with the food he prepared. The amiable cook headed for the kitchen. The ladies joined him, helping set out chicken, dumplings, boiled potatoes, a berry pie and a chocolate cake. He poured each of them a cool glass of lemonade from a large pitcher.

“Boss should’ve been back by now. Can’t see him bein’ late for the little un’s big day.”

“Maybe someone should ride out and fetch him,” Letty Sue suggested with a sugary smile.

Wes scratched his head. “If’n he’s not back directly, I’ll ride on out to find him. Prob’ly lost track a time.”

Bethann raced into the room with Rhonda Mae in hand. “Oh, boy! Look at all these fixins. When’s my party gonna start, Uncle Wes?”

Wes laid a gentle hand on Bethann’s shoulder. “Soon as your papa gets on home.”

“But I want to see my pony!”

Letty Sue smiled prettily at the child. “Bethann, I’d
love for you to show me your pony. When your papa comes home, we’ll all three go see it.” When the youngster nodded, Letty Sue raised victorious eyes to Lily.

Lily did her best to ignore her, focusing instead on the dilapidated flower garden outside. She longed for a garden of her own. Her mind conjured up images of how she’d plant those beds, which flowers would thrive best on what particular exposure. She envisioned sinking her hands in the ground, tilling the soil, nurturing the tiny stalks until beautiful flowers bloomed.

The gunman snaked his body forward. Hidden behind a crop of ironwoods on the rise, he took aim. Three long days he’d been staked out, waiting. Hoping to find his prey alone on the range. A shadowy target, at long last, came into view.

The beauty of it was beyond comprehension. He’d plotted and planned, and now his scheme was upon him. He licked his lips in anticipation. The man was getting no better than he deserved. Hell and damnation wouldn’t be justice enough for him.

But now, the rider was within range. “Hell is too good for you, Tyler Kincaide.” The gunman smirked into the scope of the Winchester rifle before squeezing the trigger. When the unwitting rider slumped in the saddle, the gunman leaned back against a tree, took a sound swill of whiskey and let out a satisfied laugh.

Lily was sure she wouldn’t be seeing the ranch hand who’d watched Bethann earlier anytime soon, but there he was knocking on the door, calling for Wes to come quick.

A look of confusion crossed over the spindly man’s features before he stepped outside. Lily heard words whispered urgently, then the two men raced to the bunkhouse.

Lily paced, wringing out her hands. Judging from the desperate sound of the ranch hand’s voice and the fact that old Wes probably hadn’t moved faster in the past decade, Lily knew something was definitely up. And it wasn’t good.

“Where’d Uncle Wes go in such a fast hurry, Miss Lily?”

“I’m not sure, Bethann. Maybe, there’s a problem with one of the animals,” Lily said, hoping it was true.

“Where’s Papa anyhows?”

A sudden sharp pang of realization seized Lily. When the clock chimed four, she knew the trouble had to be about Tyler. He hadn’t come home. She closed her eyes, silently praying for Bethann’s sake, he wasn’t the reason for all the commotion. But in her heart, she knew differently.

“Your papa’ll be here shortly, Bethann,” Letty Sue said, oblivious to the problem and to Bethann’s distress. “My, it’s stuffy in here. Won’t you take a walk with me?” She held out her hand for Bethann.