Ain't No Angel (11 page)

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Tyler reined his horse to a stop in Ian’s yard, and dismounted. He led the gelding down the path to a water barrel, and allowed the animal to drink. The sun sank low in the western horizon already. This late in the evening, he didn’t expect any of Ian’s wranglers out and about anymore.  The foul, sour odor of something dead and decaying reached his nose. A swarm of flies buzzed around the back of a buckboard parked alongside a broken-down fence. Two hooves protruded stiffly from the back of the wagon.

“Tyler.”

Tyler wheeled around at the sound of his name. Ian Frazier strode quickly toward him from the house. Judging by the look on Ian’s face, Tyler braced himself for a possible confrontation.

He held out his hand to Ian, who shook it briskly.

“Recognize that horse?” Ian asked, nodding toward the buckboard.

“Should I?” Tyler’s eyebrows raised. How the hell was he supposed to identify a dead horse from its hooves? Besides, Ian’s horses were none of his business.

“It’s one of your yearlings.”

Tyler stared at Ian, searching for a hint in the man’s expression that he was kidding.

“What’s one of my horses doing on your property?”

“That’s what I’d like to know, too.” Ian didn’t sound too happy. “I rode out to your place today to tell you my wranglers brought in your colt. He was running with my herd. Or should I say, barely running. The critter was too weak, or I would have brought him over to you. By the time I came back, he was dead. I was gonna deliver him tomorrow. Didn’t know if you were too busy getting acquainted with your new wife to come by this evening.” Ian fingered his moustache.

Tyler left his horse standing at the water trough and walked to the wagon. He held his arm over his nose at the incredible stench coming from the carcass. He peered into the back of the buckboard. The animal’s belly was unnaturally distended from bloating. Flies buzzed all around its head, especially the eyes and nostrils. There was no visible wound on the horse to indicate an injury or perhaps an attack by a predator.

“What killed him?” Tyler turned back toward Ian, gagging at the stench. He waved his hat in front of him. He wasn’t convinced that this was one of his yearlings. It didn’t look like a colt he recognized.

“Hell if I know, Ty, but that horse had some kind of sickness. Phlegm coming from its nose, coughing and wheezing. I ain’t never seen anything like it in a horse. He wouldn’t eat or drink. If my stock comes down with this, I’m holding you responsible.” His voice rose in anger.

“Last I checked, my fences were intact, Ian. I don’t know how one of my horses ended up on your land. And my herd is healthy.”

“Better go check again,” Ian snorted.

Tyler turned his head toward the wagon. How had one of his yearlings ended up on Ian’s land? And sick? All of his horses were healthy, he was sure of it. Whatever the sickness was, if it spread to other horses in the herd, it could be devastating.

“Burn the wagon,” he said, facing Ian. “I’ll reimburse you for it.”

Ian nodded. “My apologies for taking you away from your lovely wife, but this was a matter of great urgency.”

Tyler nodded. His mind had been consumed by thoughts of Laney all day. Had he missed something important when they rounded up the colts? None of them looked sick. The yearlings were still with the broodmare band. He’d just been to see them yesterday. His stallion’s unwillingness to breed the in-season mares popped into his mind. Was Rap sick? Was that the reason for his inability to perform? He’d looked perfectly healthy yesterday.

It was too late now, but first thing in the morning, he’d ride out there and check on him again. He’d promised Laney a ride to see the ranch. There was no reason she couldn’t come along when he inspected his herd.

Tyler gathered the reins to his horse. He turned toward Ian. Their relationship had always been strained, but when it came to the welfare of their animals, they looked out for one another.

“Let me know if any of your animals get sick, and I’ll do the same.” Tyler mounted his gelding. “I’m not convinced that this is one of mine, and I’ll be doing a head count tomorrow.”

The corner of Ian’s eye twitched, then he smiled. “Someone is handing us sick stock now, are they?” he scoffed.

“Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.” Tyler tipped his hat, then nudged his horse into a lope. It had been a long day, and he was eager to get home. A warm feeling doused him, thinking of Laney, possibly waiting for him.

Dammit. Think of your horses.

This was a hell of a time to be thinking about a woman. He was slipping faster and faster into the same quicksand that had claimed his father, but damn if he could control it. The more he tried to get Laney out of his mind, the more she rooted her way firmly in place. How was it possible in such a short amount of time to be so enamored with a woman?  A woman who’d fueled his anger, but also his desires. All those years of listening to his father telling him, warning him, to stay clear of the notion of love, had gone by the wayside.

Tyler smiled, despite himself. He couldn’t deny that he wanted to know his wife in all ways, but a slow approach might be better. Unlike a courting couple, they hadn’t had the chance to get to know one another. If she came from a sordid past like his mother, would it matter? She’d already proven herself to be nothing like his mother, who didn’t care for the horses or the running of the ranch. Laney loved the animals, of that he was sure. Everything else about her was nothing but speculation.

A soft glow from a flickering light in the window of his house greeted him when he rode into his yard. Crickets chirped loudly, and the young horses they had rounded up today still moved around nervously in their pen. They’d settle down in another day.

Tyler led his mount to the barn, quickly stripped him of his saddle and bridle, and made sure there was fresh water and hay in his stall. Weary from a long day, he headed for the bunkhouse. A couple of the wranglers played poker at the table. They offered a quiet greeting, and Tyler nodded. He filled a plate with some stew left in the pot on the stove, and sat to eat.

“Everything all right?” Beau asked.

“Not sure,” Tyler answered between mouthfuls. He washed his meal down with cold coffee, then stood. “I’ll find out in the morning. G’night.” Eager to see Laney, he was in no mood to talk to anyone about the potential problem with the horses at the moment.

Tyler left the bunkhouse. The soft golden glow of a lantern still shone from the window at the house. It seemed to beckon to him, calling him home. He stomped his boots on the porch to loosen any dirt before he entered the house. Immediately, he noticed how much cleaner it looked. An ache gripped at his chest, nothing painful, but a rather pleasant sensation.

As if drawn by a magnet, his eyes fell to the leather sofa in the family room. Laney lay curled up on her side, her head resting on a throw cushion. Had she waited for him, but fallen asleep? Tyler walked quietly down the hall to his room, and pulled a quilt off his bed. Moments later, he bent over the sleeping woman. Her chest rose and fell softly, and a warm feeling doused him, along with some deep need to protect and take care of her.

The light from the lantern bathed her face in a golden glow, and her hair spilled all around her. Tyler covered her with the blanket, and knelt next to the sofa. He studied her sleeping face. She’d never looked more at peace than she did at this moment. He reached up, and carefully lifted the ends of her hair, letting the silky strands glide between his fingers.

Delaney means angel from heaven.

Yeah, she looked like an angel at the moment. Whatever secrets from her past she harbored became unimportant, as Tyler watched her sleep.

Chapter 11

Laney opened her eyes, squinting against the bright light streaming in from the window. With a groan, she lifted herself up into a sitting position from the sofa.

“Ouch,” she mumbled, and rubbed at the stiffness in her neck. A blue quilt fell from her shoulders into her lap. Her eyebrows drew together as she tried to clear her mind. She must have fallen asleep last night while waiting up for Tyler.

Eddie had knocked on the door the previous evening, and brought her a plate filled with some sort of stew, and told her that Tyler had to ride out somewhere and wouldn’t be back until later. Maybe he was simply avoiding her. He hadn’t seemed all that happy when she told him that she had scrubbed the floors. At least he hadn’t reacted in total anger like he had on their wedding night.

Great, Laney. Falling asleep. What a way to make an impression.

If she didn’t get something accomplished soon, she’d be stuck here in this time forever.

She eyed the quilt on her lap. A sudden feeling of warmth spread through her. She smiled, and stroked her hand over the blanket. Had Tyler actually covered her without waking her? She couldn’t remember there being a blanket on the couch when she’d sat down. One time she’d fallen asleep on the couch at a former boyfriend’s apartment, and woken up to his weight on her and his groping hands under her shirt. Laney blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes. She inhaled a deep breath and stood from the couch.

She forced the memory from her mind. She had to get to town and talk to the reverend. Not knowing what was expected of her was driving her crazy. She silently cursed the old man. If Tyler hadn’t wanted a wife like Ian Frazier said, what was she even doing here? What was it that the reverend thought she could accomplish that would help Tyler and his horse? She didn’t even know what was wrong with the animal, let alone what the owner expected of her. 

Staring at the painting of the horse over the fireplace, she drew in a deep breath. Today she was going to find a way to see Tyler’s stallion. She needed to at least take care of one of her assigned tasks. Something told her it would be far easier to help the horse than to figure out how to reach the owner. At least with horses, their language didn’t change over the centuries. She’d already made several social mistakes in the short time she’d been here.

Laney kicked herself mentally. Why did she have to spew off her big mouth about the gray colt yesterday? Tyler had looked at her as if she was from another planet.

Or from another time.
She almost laughed. How would he react if she started asking questions about his stallion?

His offer to take her riding had come as a complete surprise. When he touched her hand, and ran his thumb along the top of it, a deep ripple of something unknown had passed through her. She’d never felt such a strong urge to wrap her arms around a guy’s neck, cling to him, and beg him to hold her in his arms. Something told her that Tyler would make her feel safe and wanted, if only for a little while until he tired of her just like everyone else always did.  

Laney stood from the couch. The quilt fell to the floor and she hastily grabbed it back up. She obviously hadn’t heard Tyler come home last night. She’d waited until well after dark. The hard work of scrubbing floors all day must have made her tired and she fell asleep. Tears unexpectedly pooled in her eyes, and she squeezed her fingers around the ends of the quilt, holding the fabric up to her face.

Laney jumped when the door behind her opened. Her breath caught in her throat when Tyler walked into the room, and she hastily wiped her hands over her eyes. Damn. Why’d she have to get all soft and mopey all of a sudden?

He stopped mid-stride, and met her stare. He pulled his worn cowboy hat from his head, and ran a hand through his tousled hair. His eyes lingered on her, his appreciative perusal sending heat to creep up into her cheeks. Something seemed different about the way he looked at her. The warmth in his gaze was too much to bear. She turned and fumbled to lay the quilt on the couch.

“Mornin’,” he greeted, closing the door behind him. “I got two horses saddled, whenever you’re ready.”

Laney blinked, and cleared her throat. Her eyebrows shot upward. She plastered a smile on her face. It took a second for her brain to register the meaning of Tyler’s words. He still wanted to take her horseback riding?

“I just woke up,” she said lamely. “Sorry I crashed on the couch. Guess I was tired yesterday.”

His forehead wrinkled for a split second, but then the corners of his lips twitched. It almost looked as if he was going to smile. She probably just imagined it.

“I’ve packed some biscuits and ham in my saddlebags. You can eat some breakfast on the way if you don’t mind.” Tyler stepped fully into the room, and his face hardened. “Something’s come up and I need to ride out to the south pasture to check on the broodmares. I was hoping you’d be up for the ride, since I offered to show you the ranch today.”

Laney stood rooted to the spot and stared for a moment. Rather than simply blow her off, he was willing to include her in his plans for the day? Her heart skipped in her chest.

“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be ready,” she answered eagerly, smiling brightly at Tyler. His eyes darkened as his stare grew in intensity. He nodded quietly, his gaze lingering on her face. What was going through his mind? Laney’s throat tightened around the lump that cut off her air. No one had ever looked at her like that before. Lust-filled eyes were one thing, but the magnitude of Tyler’s gaze, filled with appreciation and genuine warmth, was something no man had ever bestowed on her.

“I’ll be waiting outside.” Tyler turned and headed back out the door.

Laney sucked in a deep breath. She stared after him, then rushed to her room. Why couldn’t she meet a guy like Tyler in her own time? She laughed softly.
Guys like that aren’t interested in long-term relationships with girls like you, Laney.
You’ve always been the disposable kind, not the forever girl.

 “I can’t go through with this,” she muttered under her breath, closing the door to her room and leaning against the door. How could she sleep with Tyler, if that’s what he demanded, and pretend it was only a job? He hadn’t given any indication that he even wanted to sleep with her, but he was a guy after all. Sooner or later, he’d want her in his bed, and the look that had passed through his eyes a moment ago told her clearly that he was interested. In his mind, they were married, and it was only a matter of time. Laney sucked in a deep breath. This would have been so much easier if she wasn’t attracted to him. If he wasn’t so damn nice.

 
Feel nothing
.

Yeah, right. Why did her motto seem so impossible with Tyler? She couldn’t simply feel nothing whenever he glanced at her the way he’d done a moment ago, or when he touched her. She’d never been more aware of another person in her life.

He’s just an assignment, Laney. Figure out exactly what it’ll take to please him, and then do it. He’ll get tired of you, too, just like everyone else always has. Not that it matters. You’re not going to be here for long.

With a deep sigh, she changed out of her wrinkled dress and into a new one. She’d searched the trunks again for anything she might wear that was more comfortable to go horseback riding in, but there was nothing. She’d just have to deal with the silly dress as best as she could.

Laney ran a brush through her hair and retied her ponytail, then laced up her shoes, and headed out the front door. Her stomach grumbled. It was definitely time to figure out how to use the stove in the kitchen. What she wouldn’t give for a bowl of cereal and a tall glass of ice cold milk right now.

She stood on the porch, and surveyed the yard and surrounding structures. Her eyes fell to the large holding pen that contained the two-year-old colts. It took her only a moment to spot the gray colt. He was rather nondescript in color, but the way he was put together and the proud way in which he moved made him stand out from all the others.

Tyler led two horses up the path from the barn to the yard. Laney recognized the sturdy bay gelding Tyler rode yesterday. The other horse was a smaller chestnut mare. Tyler and the gelding ignored the filly’s playful antics of tossing her head and prancing in place. Laney smiled at the exuberant young horse. She would be a lot of fun to ride.

Laney skipped down the porch steps. “Is that my ride?” she asked, a bright smile on her face. She pointed to the mare.

Tyler stopped in front of her, correcting the young horse with a quick snap of the reins when she didn’t halt. A puzzled frown crossed his face.

“Not unless you want to break your neck,” he scoffed. “She’s barely broke, and can use some time under saddle. I’m hoping Charlie here can be a calming influence on her, but it doesn’t seem to be working yet.” He glanced toward the gelding.

“Maybe she needs a woman’s touch,” Laney offered, and stepped up to the mare. She reached her hand up to touch the horse’s nose. The filly snorted, and backed away at first, then took a tentative step forward, lowered her head and blew air onto Laney’s open palm.

“It’ll be some time before this one could be a lady’s mount, if ever.” Tyler looped Charlie’s reins around the porch post. The patient gelding stood quietly, his ear cocked toward the filly. He looked almost relieved to be away from her.

“You never know.” Laney shrugged. She wasn’t going to argue with Tyler. She’d ridden her share of young, unruly racehorses while living with the Sheldons, but certainly not in a dress.

“Let’s see how you handle Charlie here, before I put you to work breaking colts,” Tyler said dryly, tightening the girth on the filly’s saddle. “I don’t have a side saddle. I hope you’re agreeable to riding astride.”

Laney laughed. “Sidesaddle? Now that’s something I’ve never tried before.”

Tyler looked up from his task, and studied her, his forehead wrinkled. Laney held her breath.
Damn my big mouth.
Avoiding Tyler’s stare, she turned toward Charlie, and touched her hand to his cinch, checking for tightness. She reached for the leather loops that would adjust the girth, then she quickly moved her hand upward to pat Charlie’s neck instead. It would have been an easy tug and adjustment to tighten the girth herself. If Tyler thought she didn’t know how to ride anything but sidesaddle, he’d definitely question her on her ability to tighten a cinch. No doubt it wasn’t something a woman in this time would do. 

Tyler tied the filly to the other porch post. Wordlessly, he adjusted Charlie’s saddle, then unlooped the reins and tossed them over the gelding’s neck.

“Ready?” he asked.

Laney’s heart sped up in her chest. She stood so close to Tyler, the heat coming off of him seeped right through her clothes.  With a shaky hand, she reached for the saddle horn, and lifted her left foot into the stirrup. Tyler’s hands were instantly at her waist, and a delicious chill raced up her spine at his firm yet gentle touch. He lifted her up, and she fumbled to swing her leg over the saddle, her skirts fluttering everywhere. The bulky material bunched around her legs as she tried to find a comfortable position in the saddle.

“How do you ride in this thing,” she mumbled in frustration, when the front of her skirt caught on the saddle horn. The hem of the dress pulled up, tightening around her leg. This would be so much easier in pants. She looked down at Tyler, who waited silently for her to find her seat. Would it be inappropriate to ask if she could wear pants to ride?

“Some of the rancher’s wives ride in split skirts,” he offered. “Perhaps next time we’re in town, we can look for some. Or you can sew your own.”

“Split skirts?” The idea was about as appealing as the dress she wore. “How about a pair of pants?” The question was out before she had a chance to close her mouth.

Tyler stared up at her. She nearly laughed at the incredulous look on his face.

“You want to wear britches?” His eyebrows shot up.

“You wouldn’t have any in my size, would you?” She smiled brightly at him. “Or is that considered too risqué, like what I did the other night?”