Dashing Druid (Texas Druids) (15 page)

He stooped to pick up Lil’s bandanna. Fingering it a moment, he stuffed the damp rag in his shirt pocket. The trouble was he couldn’t leave her. Not only because he wanted her, needed her so much, but because
she
needed him. She wasn’t ready to admit it, of course, but the need in her called to him like a siren’s song, flooding his mind and body every time they touched, every time she even came near. But mixed with that need was fear, fear of being hurt again,
fear
so strong that he didn’t know if he could ever break its hold upon her.

Like a bolt of lightning, it struck Tye that he was no longer bound up only in his own fears and failings. Lil had become his number one concern. The realization brought a ray of hope. Perhaps they were meant to heal each other. Now all he had to do was convince her of that, he thought wryly.

CHAPTER NINE

Fort Worth
rose against the warm, crystal-blue morning on a bluff overlooking the Trinity River. Yesterday, Del Crawford had declared they’d lay over here for one day to rest the cattle, and Tye had heard the men talk of little else since. The cow town was “wide open,” so they said.

Just how wide open, he discovered as the herd streamed through town. Traffic moved aside, and outside the weathered buildings, residents welcomed the noisy, dusty parade. Beginning where the trail entered town at the south end, crude signs heralded a bevy of saloons, gaming halls and cathouses. The latter were easy to spot by the bawds who lounged out front. Smiling and waving, they called out boldly.

“Hey, handsome, come and see me later. Ask for Bell,” one honey-blond vixen shouted at Tye over the ruckus of bellowing cattle.

He grinned and waved, knowing he wouldn’t visit her. She was pleasing enough to look at, but she wasn’t tall and slim, with dark eyes that flashed defiantly. She wasn’t Lil.

They drove the herd across the Trinity to the bed ground Choctaw Jack had scouted out for them. Afternoon was well along when the last longhorn clambered up the far bank. By then, Chic Johnson had restocked the chuck wagon at a supply store on the town square and had forded the river. He pitched camp while Neil MacClure made the rounds, announcing which men could go have a good time in town and which were to stay with the herd. The lucky ones whooped with excitement and galloped back toward the river. Tye hoped he’d be among them as the
segundo
cantered up to him.

“Devlin, you’re ta stay with the herd tonight. Kirby, Dewey and young Jubal will keep ye company. I’ll send relief riders out in the morning and you’ll get your turn at the saloons.”

Tye frowned and shot a searching glance around for Lil. He saw her riding toward town with her father.

“A whiskey would go down good, but ’tisn’t my chief interest.”

The Scotsman chuckled. “Aye, I know where your interest lies.”

“So ye do, and since you’ve done me one favor concerning the matter, I’ll ask for another. Will ye let me go into town tonight?”

Neil shook his head. “Sorry, laddie, but this time I cannae oblige. I’m no the one made the decree.” Turning his horse, he called over his shoulder, “Do your job and dinna worry. The bonny lass will keep ’til tomorrow.”

Will she?
Tye wondered. He recalled Lil saying that Frank Howard lived near Fort Worth. Would she see the long-haired blowhard? Images of her and Howard at the November social gnawed at him without let-up, keeping him awake more effectively than Chic’s potent coffee through the long night.

His relief, Rusty Grayson, came dragging back late the next morning. Bleary-eyed and a trifle unsteady on his feet, the red-headed cowboy growled a wordless greeting and went for the coffee pot.

Not wasting any time, Tye hightailed it for town with the other three night-herders hot on his heels. While they headed for the nearest saloon, he hunted for a barber and a bathhouse.

Once he was shaved, sheared, scrubbed and attired in clean clothes, he went looking for Lil. He saw no sign of her in any of the stores, restaurants or hotels. Finally, he began prowling saloons. Not that he expected to find Lil in any of them. Despite her mannish shirts and britches, she was a lady; he couldn’t see her tossing back drinks with the boys. No, he’d guessed where she was – with her father, visiting the Howards – but something drove him to find out for sure.

When he pushed through the swinging doors at the Tivoli Hall Saloon, he spotted several TC hands – Neil MacClure, Luis, Dewey and Kirby playing cards. Jubal sat watching and guzzling a sarsaparilla. A few locals lounged about the room. Over to one side, a gray-bearded piano player banged out a strident tune. The place smelled of tobacco, whiskey and unwashed bodies. A sign above the bar offered hot lunch all day to paying customers. Tye’s stomach grumbled at the thought of food.

Luis glanced up from his cards and hailed him.
“Hola, amigo!
I was thinking you like those smelly steers better than your
compadres.”

“Ah, he was just prettyin’ hisself up,” Dewey said, slanting Tye a sly look. “My, my, and don’t he look fine.”

The others laughed at his remarks, but Tye glowered at him as everybody in the room stared his way.

Luis motioned him over. “Come, we make room for one more.”

“Aye, get yourself a drink and join us, Irish,” Neil added.

Deciding he might as well, Tye nodded and walked to the bar. Along with whiskey, he ordered a plate of ham and beans.

The beefy, sweating barkeep poured a shot, then dished up the food. When he set the plate in front of Tye, he leaned forward. “Cowboy, I heard that darky mouth off to yuh,” he said in a conspiratorial tone. “Say the word an’ I’ll boot him out, the Mex, too. Be glad to get rid of ’em both.”

Tye lowered his whiskey glass and leveled a hard stare at the man. “Aye, why don’t ye try it, and I’ll enjoy watching them wipe the floor with ye. And in case they don’t, I will.”

The barkeep scowled furiously. He looked ready to hurl himself over the bar at Tye, but a glance at the TC card players evidently convinced him to stay put.

Giving him a malicious grin, Tye threw down a coin to pay for his food and drink, then sauntered over to join his friends. He pulled up a chair and seated himself between Luis and Dewey, where he could see out a nearby window. If Lil happened by, he’d spot her.

He ate quickly, then bought into the game. After playing a few hands of poker, he casually asked, “Where’s the boss keeping himself?”

“Dinna ye mean the boss’s daughter?” Neil MacClure replied with a wily glance. His question drew laughter from the others.

Tye’s face grew hot. Scowling at his companions, he met toothy grins. Did the whole crew know about his pursuit of Lil?

“And if I do?” he snapped at Neil.

The big Scot laughed. “Why then, I’ll tell ye the lassie’s gone with her father ta pay a call on their friends, the Howards. The Circle H, Judd Howard’s ranch, is located a bit west of here, ye ken.”

“So I’ve heard,” Tye said, eyes fixed on his cards. He wanted to swear a blue streak now that his suspicion was confirmed.

“It’s yore bet, hoss,” Dewey prodded, humor in his soft drawl.

Tye sliced him an irritable glance and tossed a coin into the pot.

Two hours later, he was still playing, but his mind wasn’t on the game. Slouched in his chair, he glanced out the window for the hundredth time and saw Lil ride past. Instantly reacting, he threw down his cards. “Deal me out. I’ve had enough.”

Ignoring the others’ surprised looks, he shoved back his chair and dashed for the exit. The double doors were still swinging behind him when he spied his quarry. She’d dismounted outside a dry goods store up the block, on the other side of the street. Not hesitating, he bounded across the rutted roadway after her.

He found Lil idly sorting through a display of ready-made dresses in the middle of the store. Her back was to him. Toe-walking so as not to rattle his spurs, he came up behind her.

“That blue one’s pretty,” he said.

She jumped, gave a startled cry, and whirled around. Her dark eyes grew as huge as a frightened doe’s. “Tye! Where’d you come from?”

“Across the street,” he replied, grinning and tipping his hat back. “I saw ye stop out front and thought I might be of assistance . . . with your packages.”

Her gaze fell and her cheeks turned a darker shade of rose-gold. Was she remembering the time they’d run into each other, literally, at the store in Clifton? Or was she thinking of the other afternoon by the pond? It didn’t matter so long as Frank Howard wasn’t on her mind.

“I-I don’t need help. I was just . . . looking.”

Dressed in her trail clothes, she drew a disdainful look from another woman customer. Thankful Lil didn’t see it, Tye cocked an eyebrow at the staring matron until she sniffed and swung away. Then he returned his gaze to Lil.

“Well now, perhaps ye should reconsider. The blue frock there with the little flowery things would look lovely on ye, I’m thinking.”

“Humph! What do I need with a dress?” she countered, tossing him a disparaging glance. “I can’t wear it riding herd.”

He stroked his chin and smiled. “True, but ye can wear it this evening when ye have dinner with me.”

“Dinner! I ain’t having dinner with you. Quit pestering me and step aside. I told you before to stay away from me.”

Jealousy took hold of him. “Oh, ye told me right enough. And did ye tell Frank Howard the same, or will
he
be your escort tonight?”

“That buzzard!” she spat. “I wouldn’t go anywhere with him after . . . .” She stopped and shuttered her gaze again, rubbing her arms in agitation.

“After what?” Tye probed, disquieted by her words and by the outrage he felt sweep through her in connection with Howard.

“Nothin’. I had a set-to with him out at his pa’s place, that’s all.”

Tye grinned at the news. “So why won’t ye have dinner with me?”

“You know why. Because of my pa.” She glared at him. “And because I’m not gonna let something happen like what happened the other day.”

“Aye? But surely you’ll be safe from my amorous advances in a public place, will ye not?”

Her mouth worked, but no sound came out.

“Will ye purchase the frock?”

She shook her head stubbornly, but he saw indecision in her eyes.

“Very well, then I will.” Stepping around her, he reached for the disputed garment.

“No!” She grabbed his wrist to stop him. “You can’t do that. It wouldn’t be proper.” She sounded scandalized.

Fire ignited in Tye’s loins at her touch. Needing to touch her in reply, he traced her jaw with his free hand. His voice came out thick.

“Colleen, ye
will
have it and you’ll wear it when I take ye to dinner. Now, if ye don’t want people getting the wrong idea, I suggest ye go and pay for the thing before I do.”

Sparks
shot from her eyes; her throat muscles bunched with a nervous swallow. Tye experienced her warring emotions. Part of her wanted to fight; another part wanted to give in. Temptation finally won out.

“Oh, all right, you pushy owlhoot!” Releasing his wrist as if it were a hot branding iron, she whirled and snatched the blue dress off the rack.

Tye grinned, pleased with himself. Fascinated by the sway of her slim, feminine hips as she strode over to the store clerk, he sauntered after her and leaned an elbow on the counter. She turned a stiff shoulder to him and pretended he wasn’t there while carrying out her transaction.

By chance, his gaze landed on a colorful display of spooled ribbons on a nearby shelf. Walking over to it, he picked out one with a grosgrain texture. The blue color seemed a close match to the gown Lil was buying.

She finished her purchase just as Tye laid the spool of ribbon on the counter before her. “Cut a strip of this, if ye will,” he told the bespectacled clerk. “Enough to make a bow for the lady’s hair.”

Lil shot him a testy glance. He winked in reply, making her grind her teeth.

“Certainly, sir,” the clerk said. A moment later, he handed Tye the neatly wound length of ribbon, then nodded at Lil. “That’ll look real pretty in your dark hair, ma’am, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

“I ain’t much for ribbons,” she grumbled. Aiming another glare at Tye, she swung on her heel and headed for the door.

He paid for the ribbon and hurried after her, catching up as she was about to mount her horse. Patting the animal’s neck, he waved the ribbon in front of Lil’s face. “Ye mustn’t forget this.”

“Don’t push me any more, Devlin,” she barked, snatching the bit of blue from his hand and stuffing it in her shirt pocket.

Tye sighed as she stepped into the saddle. He hadn’t set out to make her mad. “Lily, the dress and the ribbon truly aren’t important. You’re lovely to me no matter what ye wear. I only want your company tonight. Don’t be angry with me, colleen.” He watched her face and caught the softening around her mouth. “Please,” he added.