Ellie's Legacy (15 page)

Chapter Twelve

Ellie delighted in the dumbstruck look on his face. She’d
matched him shot for shot. Maybe she’d taken a split second longer, but she’d
knocked down all her cans. Wasn’t that what counted? What she set out to do?

Ty still hadn’t said a word. He kept staring at the log as
if expecting his one remaining can to fall, or for one of hers to jump back up
on it. Ellie couldn’t stand the silence, and containing her need to gloat got
harder by the moment.

“Well, aren’t you going to say anything?” Her lips curved
into a smug smile.

He shrugged. “I’m not sure what to say. It looks as though
your practicing has paid off. Good thing we didn’t really wager anything on
it.”

She erupted into uncontrollable laughter. It couldn’t be
helped. Her glee at proving she could shoot, and at this moment, better than
him, was cause for celebration. She covered her mouth to stifle her levity. It
seemed overly cruel to rub it in too much.

“And…just what would you have wagered?” Her curiosity
piqued.

Without a word, Ty closed the distance between them,
gathered her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. Her eyes widened,
and a gasp of surprise parted her lips enough for his tongue to dart inside to
mingle with her own. Shivers of delight coursed through her body, turning her
knees to jelly. Her startled eyes slowly closed and she melted into his
embrace.

           
Just as she
started to revel in the moment, he pulled away and held her at arm’s length.
“That’s what I would have wagered,” he said matter-of-factly. “Too bad I lost.”

With a grin, he turned and began gathering up the strewn
cans and putting them back into his burlap sack.

Ellie stood, frozen to the spot, her fingers tracing her
mouth. Her heart raced. She’d dreamed of the moment he’d kiss her, but this was
nothing like she had imagined. It happened so quick, over and done, but it was
still magnificent. His lips were so soft, yet demanding, his embrace strong,
but tender. She took a deep breath.

Ty fished in the grass for the last can, affording Ellie a
perfect view of a taut behind, encased in fitting denims. Years of riding had
evidently created strong muscular legs, visible even beneath his clothing. She
naughtily pondered his naked form and fought the flush she felt creeping up her
neck. Her flapping fingers fanned her face while she tried to compose.

With a loud whoosh of air, she chased the unladylike
thoughts from her head and the warmness from her cheeks. Her fingertips again
outlined the lips that only moments ago had been kissed for the very first
time.

“We best saddle up and get home to check on your pa,” Ty
announced.

He startled her from her reverie. She dropped her hand and
nodded. Although her legs felt leaden, she walked to her horse, untied the
mare’s reins and pulled herself astride. Nudging Chessie, Ellie caught up with
and rode alongside Ty.

Her mind spun, wondering what one said after a first kiss.
Did she compliment him on his performance? Was it even something that should be
discussed? What if he thought her kiss lacked something? Oh for heaven’s sake,
who would have thought a kiss could be so troubling?

“Penny for your thoughts.”
Again,
his voice invaded her ponderings.

She glanced at him. “Oh, sorry; what did you say?”

“I said, penny for your thoughts.”

Her cheeks burned at the idea of him knowing what was on her
mind. He hadn’t brought up the kiss, so she certainly wasn’t going to. “I was
hoping Pa is feeling better, that’s all.” At least it wasn’t a lie.

“That reminds me,” Ty said, resituating his hat to
accommodate the descending sun. “About the dance…are you still interesting in
going with me?” His gaze remained fixed on the trail ahead.

Interested? Of course she was interested. Her opinion had
changed since her last tantrum. Then she’d been angry because he laughed at
her, but somehow beating
him
at his own game redeemed
him. Still, she still had Pa’s health to consider.

“Well?” Ty prompted.

“I’d love to go but we have to wait and see how Pa is doing.
I won’t feel comfortable being that far from home if he’s still so sick.”

She expected a response but not, “Race you home.”

Before she could utter another word, Ty spurred Shadow into
a run and left her sitting with her mouth agape.

“Humph,” she sputtered. “He knows Chessie is no match for
that stallion, but I guess he has to win at something.”

* * * * *

Shadow’s hooves pounded hard against the ground. The blast
of cool air provided what Ty needed after his stimulating experience. He
chuckled, recalling the surprised look on Ellie’s face when he’d pulled away.
There must have been one on his face, too, because he shocked himself with such
a bold maneuver. He didn’t plan the
kiss,
it just felt
like the opportune time to steal a taste of those luscious lips. It sure hadn’t
been disappointing. His only regret was being gentleman enough to stop.

Ty glanced over his shoulder. Ellie was a dot on the horizon
but was safe on Fountain land. Right now the distance between them was a good
idea since she proved she could defend herself with a gun. One kiss wasn’t
enough, but would have to do.

He pondered having asked her to the dance. Maybe going
wasn’t such a good idea. It might prove dangerous.

He made a clucking sound at the thought of being outdone,
then warmed at the recollection of the kiss. That alone made an ego thrashing
worthwhile. With any luck, Ben’s health would improve in the next day, and
danger
be
damned, the dance would offer another
opportunity to hold Ellie in his arms. After all, Ben came up with the idea.

* * * * *

Ellie dismounted and led Chessie inside the barn. Ty had
already unsaddled his black and was brushing him down. He glanced at her.
“Finally made it back, did ya?”

The sight of his handsome face set her heart to pounding
again, brought back the recent feel of his lips, his arms, his…

Fighting the uncomfortable warmth in the barn, she faked
composure. “There was no point in trying to beat you so I took my time and
enjoyed the colors of the sunset. Pa always said…”

Pa! Holy night, how could she be so thoughtless? She quickly
put Chessie in her stall. “Would you mind terribly seeing to my mare? I need to
go check on Pa.”

“Not at all.
Go right ahead.” Ty
straightened from brushing the horse’s underside and gave her a wink. “I’ll
keep my fingers crossed that he’s improved.”

Ellie hurried across the compound, chastising herself for
tarrying so long. In contrast, her spirits soared. What a wonderful day it had
been. She’d won the shooting contest, got her first kiss, and found out Ty
really wanted to take her to the dance. Things couldn’t get any better. The
odds were in Pa’s favor for a quick recovery. She crossed her fingers, too.

The kitchen door opened to a familiar sight. Cook busied
herself setting the table with the supper plates. An array of delicious aromas
rumbled Ellie’s stomach.

Cook turned when Ellie entered. “Well if you don’t look like
the barn cat that caught a mouse. From that smile on your face, I’d say you’ve
had a good afternoon.” The woman bent to check rolls baking in the oven then
straightened and tightened the sash on her apron.

Ellie encompassed the woman with a big hug. “I had a
wonderful day. How’s Pa?”

“He seems to be doing some better. He gobbled up all his
soup and he’s been asleep for the past couple of hours. I crept in and felt his
forehead and the fever seems to be gone.”

Her words were music to Ellie’s ears. Pa appeared to be on
the mend and she could go to the dance with Ty.

Clasping hands with Cook, Ellie danced her around in a
circle until the woman pulled free.

She chuckled and grasped her forehead. “Goodness girl,
you’re gonna make me so dizzy I won’t be able to see straight. There’s no time
for dancing. I’ve got to get the food on the table. I’ll have a stampede of
hungry men in here in a few minutes.”

Ellie giggled and stole a green bean from a nearby bowl. The
older woman used the corner of her apron to wipe perspiration from her brow,
and then turned to set the steaming vegetables on the long wooden table.

Ellie studied the woman—her gray hair neatly gathered into a
bun at the back of her head, her pensive brow, perfectly rounded nose and a
small birthmark on her shoulder Ellie had not noticed before.

As if feeling the heat of Ellie’s gaze, Cook tugged at the
neck of her dress, concealing the strawberry mark.

“Here, let me help.” Ellie offered to take a platter of pork
chops from Cook.

Cook yanked the dish from Ellie’s reach. “Not until you wash
those hands. I’ll not have my dinner tasting like horse hair and dirt.”

If Ellie could pick a mother, she’d choose one just like
Cook. Ellie grinned. Earlier she had experienced something very adult and now
she was being chastised like a child. She hurried to the sink and lathered her
hands, her smile undimmed. Nothing could spoil this day. Nothing!

* * * * *

Ellie’s stomach felt stretched tight as a drum from dinner.
After helping with a quick cleanup, she went to check on Pa. She poked her head
through the doorway and saw his eyes open.
“Hey, Pa, how ya
feelin’?”

He propped himself higher against his pillows. “Much better,
daughter, come sit for a spell. I’m about bored to death. Never
have
been one for layin’ up when there are things to be
done.”

“Now, now.”
Ellie perched on the
side of the bed. “There’s no need to rush things. Doc says you should rest and
get better, and that’s what I aim to see you do. Everything that needed to be
done got done by the ranch hands. Ty saw to it. Give yourself some time off.”

“You sounded a lot like your Ma just then—telling me what to
do.” He reached and patted Ellie’s hand. “I wish you could have known her.”

“Me too, Pa.”
Ellie’s mood turned
somber for a moment, but she quickly turned her attention back to him, plumping
his pillow and tucking in his covers. “But seeing as you’re the only parent I
have left, I insist you take it easy and get better.” She was about to mention
the dance when Ty appeared in the doorway,
hat
in
hand.

“You feelin’ better, Ben?”

The older man swiped at Ellie’s hands. “Stop fussin’ over
me, girl.” He pushed himself higher against his downy backrest. “C’mon in here,
Ty, and have a seat. I feel like I’ve been asleep for weeks.”

Ellie moved to the other side of the bed and sat on her
mother’s cedar chest. Unable to take her eyes from Ty, her heart skipped a beat
when she remembered how his lips felt. She traced her own and recalled how his
tongue sparked a fire within her.

The heady aroma of leather, sweat and soap that followed him
into the room reignited the flame. Her heart warmed at the way his handsome
face beamed when he pulled a chair up next to Pa’s bedside.

Pa’s case of the ague was temporary, but her attraction to
Ty was incurable. There was no denying it. When had her feelings changed so
dramatically?

She had often heard there was a fine line between love and
hate. Now she knew it was true. No longer did she consider him competition. He
was part of her goal. Fountainhead was her legacy, Tyler Bishop, her dream. She
closed her eyes for a moment and pictured herself back in his arms.

“Ain’t that right, Ellie?”

Jerked from her reverie, Ellie’s eyes flew open and she felt
her face flush. “What? I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

Ty glanced over at her. His eyes sparkled and his head
tilted just enough to showcase his angular jaw. “I said
,
if your pa is feeling up to snuff, we’d still like to go to that dance on
Friday.”

She nodded. “Oh yes, that’s right. I do so want to go…if
that’s all right with you, Pa.”

Ben’s face blossomed into a broad smile. “Nothing would make
me happier than to see you dressed up like a lady. Just the thought has
improved my health already.”

“Oh, Pa,” Ellie clucked. “You talk like I’ve never acted
like a girl.”

He lowered his chin, peering out at her from under his
arched brows, and smiled. “Well!”

She stood and curtsied. “Point taken, but you just wait
until tomorrow evening then. My new dress will take away any doubts you might
have as to my feminine charm.”

Ellie left the men to their discussion and went out on the
veranda. She stood, enjoying the lingering smell of rain left behind by the
brief storm that had just passed through. The cicadas, quiet for a while, had
resumed their melodious serenade and shared their love song with her.

The pallet of pinks and purples left behind when the sun
slipped below the western horizon provided barely enough light to see the
expanse of greenery beyond the barn.

Any minute, the bunkhouse would go dark as the men went to
bed, but right now an occasional shadow passed by the window, highlighted by
the blazing kerosene lamps.

Ellie pictured the chickens roosting in their coop and the
pigs retired from a day of rolling in the mud. The slight shuffling in the barn
ceased and the horses quieted for the night. Ellie sighed.

Everything about Fountainhead was so beautiful: the land,
the locale, and the house.

Pa had worked hard to build the single-story ranch home of
Ma’s dreams, or so Ellie had been told, right down to the last details about
the large kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and oak plank flooring Pa had
special-ordered from the west. The porch offered him respite and provided a
beautiful place to sit and admire his life’s accomplishments.