Charlene Sands (15 page)

Lily turned on the bed to put a finger under Bethann’s chin. “There’s time for that. You can be a little girl as long as you want. But when you’re ready, sweetie, then I’ll curl your hair real pretty.”

Bethann smiled and lifted her braid to the top of her head. She studied herself in the cheval mirror. “You can do up a fancy bun, with curls and all?”

“Sure can, if that’s what you want.”

“But you’re leaving your hair down. How come?”

Lily’s mouth twisted. Tyler liked her hair down. And ever since he’d told her that, she’d made a point of wearing it in one long plait running down her back.
She always thought to please him, even in the simplest ways. But she wouldn’t admit that to Bethann. The little one might just find the need to inform her father. Lily had already made enough mistakes where Tyler Kincaide was concerned. She wasn’t planning to add to the list, especially tonight.

Tonight was a special occasion— Henderson’s barn dance. And Lily wanted to look her best, even if Tyler wasn’t going.

She was still angry and hadn’t spoken one word to him since yesterday afternoon when he dragged her into that hotel room and ordered her not to befriend Brett Muldoon.

“Sometimes a lady needs a change. Your uncle bought me a fine comb as a thank-you for the hospitality shown him when he was out at the ranch. I thought I’d leave my hair loose and stay the waves with the comb.” Lily walked to her dresser and handed Bethann the comb. Even though it had been a sore subject with Tyler, Lily wanted his daughter to know her uncle Brett had a kind and giving heart.

“It’s so fancy.” Bethann’s chubby fingers followed the path of the delicate pearls, touching each one as if they were the most precious of gems.

Lily wanted to offer the comb to her, but knew Tyler wouldn’t allow it. Tyler wanted his daughter to have nothing to do with her uncle. A notion Lily still couldn’t reconcile. Bethann had no other family. And once Lily left…she could only imagine the hurt Bethann would feel, for Lily, too, would be in anguish when the time came to leave. She loved Bethann with all of her heart. And Tyler, her heart still belonged to him, too—pigheaded as he was.

If only things were different, she thought wistfully.
An image of Tyler, handsome in his Sunday finest, escorting her to the dance and gazing at her with admiring eyes, flashed in her mind. He’d take her into his arms and whisk her around the dance area, neither one noticing another soul at the festivities but each other.

“Miss Lily?”

Bethann’s curious voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lily, stop your daydreaming!

“Uh, yes, Bethann, it’s a lovely comb. Someday you’ll own a pretty comb just like it.”

“Really?”

Lily leaned over to take Bethann’s chubby face in her hand. “Why sure, you’ll have loads of beautiful things when you grow up. Just remember,” Lily said, placing her fist to her heart, “nothing is more beautiful than a kind and loving heart. That’s where real beauty lies.”

Bethann nodded and bounded from the bed. “This here the dress you fixin’ to wear?”

The sapphire blue silk had been carefully laid over the chair. “Yes, it is. Now, you’d better get your chores done and let me finish dressing. I promise I’ll come get you when I’m all ready, so you can see the dress on me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Bethann said adamantly.

Lily chuckled. “Okay, then, off you go. I’ll see you a little later.”

When the door closed behind Bethann, Lily took off her everyday dress, added three layers of petticoats over her chemise and donned the silk garment she’d worked on for almost a month. With a twist of her lips, she glanced at the low cut of the bodice and wondered what had possessed her to sew the garment so
snugly that it pressed and lifted up her small breasts, making them seem full to overflowing. She struggled with the fabric trying to lift it higher on her chest to no avail.

Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Don’t be silly, Lily. This dress is the prettiest thing you own and you’re going to enjoy yourself tonight.”

Smiling at her reflection in the tall mirror, she lifted the smooth flowing fabric and twirled around. Yes, tonight she would have fun. She fiddled with the comb, adjusting it until soft waves streamed down her shoulders. Satisfied, she lifted her shawl and was off to find Bethann.

With any luck, she wouldn’t run into Tyler Kincaide.

T
yler deliberately stayed away from the ranch house all day, spending a tedious day riding the line, checking fences. He hadn’t wanted to witness Lily’s departure to the barn dance, but had to return in time enough to watch over his daughter. All the ranch hands aside from Wes were planning on kicking up their heels this evening. He’d eat a quiet dinner with Bethann, then retire early.

That had been the plan.

Until he heard a rustle of skirts and caught a glimpse of Lily, rosy-cheeked and eager, bounding down the steps of the house. He stayed behind the barn door and watched.

Randy helped her up onto the buckboard amid a cacophony of compliments given by the other ranch hands that were seated in the back of the wagon. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she turned and made a ceremonious little bow. “Thank you, boys. You’re all too kind,” she said with a gracious smile.

Tyler swallowed hard.

Her honey-brown hair flowed past her shoulders in waves caressing her creamy skin. The blue silk fancy
dress hugged her soft curves and brought out a flush of color in her face. He’d never seen Lily in such a dress. His heart reacted, hammering erratically in his chest. Good Lord, Lily looked beautiful.

And he knew he wouldn’t be the only man to think so. His ranch hands, who respected and befriended her, were testimony to that. Tyler slapped the dust from his clothes, watching the buckboard head out the Circle K gates.

“Damn fool, you are.”

Wes’s voice, low and hoarse, resounded in his ears. Tyler didn’t acknowledge the man who had just stepped up.

“That’s a mighty fine woman yore lettin’ go.”

He took in a deep breath. “I’m not
letting
her go. She’s going on her own accord.”

“That ain’t what I meant. Yore gonna let every mangy cowpoke in the county put his hands on her tonight? Some young smitten wrangler might be a claimin’ her as his afore the night’s through.”

Tyler had had similar thoughts all afternoon. He’d worked himself hard today trying to block out images of Lily dancing, throwing her head back in laughter, smiling up at her dance partner. But the thoughts had filtered through, muddling his brain. And a tenuous knot in his stomach expanded like a fist in the gut hearing Wes speak of it.

“Lily can take care of herself.” Tyler did turn to Wes now, and met his wrinkled eyes directly. “Besides, she’s leaving us all soon.”

“Humph. You ain’t asked her to stay.”

Before Lily came to the ranch, Tyler had resigned himself to raising his daughter and herding his cattle. He had no room in his heart for another woman. No,
sir. Couldn’t afford that. He’d been devastated and besieged with guilt when Lizabeth died. He wouldn’t put himself in that position again. He wouldn’t fall for Lily. She was leaving. It was best they all remembered that.

“She’s determined to find her uncle, keep the promise she made to her father. Besides, I don’t want her to stay.”

Wes laid a hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Then yore a bigger fool than I originally thought, son.”

Bethann raced out of the house and ran into his arms. He welcomed her, anxious to end the conversation with Wes. “How’s my sweetcakes?” he asked twirling his daughter in his arms.

“Oh, Papa, did you see her? Miss Lily looked like a princess.”

“Someday you’ll dress up fine like that and then Papa’s going to be a sorry man.”

Bethann ignored Tyler’s attempt to change the subject. “Papa, you ain’t goin’ to the dance?”

“No, sweetcakes, Papa’s fixing on spending the night with you. You’ll like that, won’t you?”

His daughter put her head down. Her pink lips came together in a pout. “But you won’t git to dance with Miss Lily.” There was pleading in her voice.

“Seems the daughter’s more intelligent than the father,” Wes chimed in.

Attacked from both fronts, Tyler put Bethann down and placed his hands on his hips. “You really want me to go?”

Bethann nodded eagerly.

“I’ll watch the little ’un tonight. You go on, fix yoreself up, put on fancy duds and give Miss Lily a twirl about fer me.”

Wes’s offer and his daughter’s smile were more than one man could take. On a deep sigh, Tyler relented. “I guess you two settled it. I’ve got to take a quick bath.”

Tyler tuned out his daughter’s ramblings about Miss Lily’s fancy dress and her pretty hair as they walked into the house. A thought nagged at him. He realized he’d forgotten one very important thing. Lily wasn’t speaking to him. So how was he going to get her to dance with him?

More than an hour later Tyler strode purposely into the Henderson’s huge barn filled with fellow ranchers and neighbors. Streamers hung from the loft, fiddlers stomped their boots and played a polka, long tables laden with every manner of foodstuffs were set against the far wall.

Tyler removed his felt hat, straightened his suitcoat and looked around for Lily. He spotted her dancing with Byron O’Grady, ranch foreman for the Hendersons. The man kept a decent distance away, holding Lily almost at arm’s length. That suited Tyler just fine. As soon as the music ended, Tyler would approach her.

“Tyler Kincaide, my word, you made it, after all.” Letty Sue batted her eyelashes and sauntered over to him. He groaned silently. He wasn’t in the mood to entertain the little vixen tonight.

“Evenin’. You’re looking mighty pretty tonight.”

The woman giggled and curtsied, treating him to a view of her ample bosom.

“Thank you. You’re looking handsome, too. And goodness,” she said breathlessly, “you’re just in time to save me from all these toe-tappers. I swear, they don’t give a woman a chance to rest.”

“That’s why they’re here—to dance.” He tried to hide his irritation. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Why, yes, of course. But right now I believe I need some refreshment. Would you be kind enough, Tyler?”

Letty Sue tucked her arm through his. He had no choice in the matter, but as he walked her to the food table, his eyes followed Lily, who was presently dancing with Randy.

Tyler ladled the punch into a glass and handed it to Letty Sue. She smiled up at him with adoring eyes. Tyler winced. Letty Sue, the young woman with a body that could turn most men’s heads, did nothing for him. He preferred Lily’s slight curves to Letty Sue’s obviously feminine figure. He found Lily’s soft sky-blue eyes more appealing than Letty Sue’s deep azure ones. He enjoyed Lily’s quick wit and intelligence over Letty Sue’s flirtatious demeanor.

Minutes later, peering over the festive party-goers, he spotted Lily, once again dancing. This time, Sheriff Singleton was spinning her around. Her face flushed, her chest heaving, her soft eyes twinkling, Tyler wanted nothing more than to take Lily into his arms and keep her there, where no other man could claim her for another dance.

“Tyler,” Letty Sue said, pouting as she finished her punch, “I’m disappointed you haven’t asked me to dance.”

He was too much of a gentleman to hurt Joellen’s daughter. He respected the woman and had put up with Letty Sue’s antics through the years for the sake of friendship.

Stiffly, he offered, “Would you care to dance?”

“Yes, I most certainly would.” Letty Sue attached herself to his arm and they moved onto the dance floor.

Lily had held her breath when she caught sight of Tyler entering into the festivities. She’d stumbled, missing a beat in the music, completely thrown by surprise upon seeing him. He’d said all along he wasn’t coming tonight. What made him change his mind? Then she’d seen Letty Sue, eyes fluttering and all aglow as she sauntered over to him. Lily’s heart sank to the floor.

He’d come for Letty Sue. Tyler, handsome in his dark brown suit and brocade vest, and Letty Sue in her cherry-red chiffon frills, made the perfect couple. Lily tried to ignore the sting of jealousy burning within.

She was still angry with Tyler, she reminded herself. Even if he did ask her to dance, she…wouldn’t accept. At least, she didn’t believe she would. Hoped she wouldn’t.

Probably would.

Heavens, how could she deny herself one dance with Tyler? It had been a dream of hers for years—to be the envy of all the other women, having the handsome rancher take her in his arms, give her his full attention and swirl her around the dance floor. Just once.

But she wouldn’t let him know how seeing him glide the saucy woman around the perimeter of the barn, hurt her. Lily was a fool to think he cared.

A tall stranger introduced himself and asked her to dance. Winded, Lily didn’t want to injure the man’s feelings, so she had accepted but after their dance, she
excused herself. She needed to get a breath of fresh air.

“Be my honor, ma’am, to escort you,” he said. “I’ll get us some refreshment. The barn’s a mite stuffy for me, too.”

Lily waited outside for the man to join her. Handing her the glass, he sipped his in one long gulp. They walked around to the back of the barn. Lily leaned against a post and gazed at the stars. “Sure is a nice night.”

“Hmm, nice,” the big man answered. He stood close to her.

“Let’s see,” Lily pondered, “you work for which ranch?”

“Double Diamond, ma’am. Been there a while now. And you work for Kincaide, right?”

“Y-yes, th-that’s right.” Lily didn’t like the way the man moved closer to her. His breath touched the skin on her shoulders. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her chest. She placed her hand just above the lace of her bodice and he gave her a crooked smile. Nervous, Lily thought she’d best get back inside. He’d seemed so polite earlier—now he frightened her. Lily hadn’t had much experience with men, but something told her this was potential for danger.

When she stepped away from the post, the man caught her wrist. “You do more for him than watch his brat, don’t you, honey?” The man’s lips twisted and Lily’s stomach clenched. His eyes, black as soot, again slithered down to her bosom, blatantly watching the heaving of her chest.

“I d-don’t know what you mean.” She struggled to get out of his grasp. “Let go of me!”

“Not till I get a little of what Kincaide’s been getting.”
He grabbed her other hand and locked both hands behind her back.

She struggled wildly to get free. His foul breath smelled of too much whiskey. He wouldn’t release her and she couldn’t break free on her own. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. She fought down a wave of panic. Then cold hard lips crushed hers, brutalizing her with a kiss so vile, Lily wanted to vomit. She kicked him in the shin and nearly broke free when he leaped up startled. He grabbed at her, tearing the short sleeve on her dress. Her scream was cut off by a sharp slap to her cheek.

Tears streamed down her face from the sting of his palm. He pulled her into him and fondled her breasts, trying to kiss her again. She wrestled with him, flailing arms and legs, kicking, shoving, screaming. His next slap knocked her to the ground. “Quiet, you little wh—”

“Shut your damn mouth, McGee.” Tyler’s fist shut it for him. Lily shuddered when the man’s body landed next to her. She rolled away from him.

Tyler, his face reddened with fury, grabbed the man up from the ground and began to pummel him. The man fought back, landing a fist to Tyler’s cheekbone. Lily stood up, bracing herself against a post. Trembling, her knees nearly buckled as she witnessed Tyler fight the man.

“Kincaide, you think you’re so high and mighty,” McGee said, rubbing his jaw as he barreled toward Tyler again. His right jab missed, leaving Tyler open to come at him with both fists over and over again. Lily had never seen Tyler so enraged. His dark eyes, black and dangerous, never left their mark as each blow struck home.

The man fell in a heap and this time didn’t get up. He covered his bloodied face in his hands. Tyler stood over him, shaking. With a face contorted in disgust, he pointed a finger at the beaten man. “You go near the lady again, you even dream of touching her, you whisper her name in your sleep, and I’ll kill you. You got that?”

The man uttered some unintelligible words. Tyler walked away from him, picked up his hat and jacket then strode to the post that held Lily upright. Tears coursed down her cheeks when she saw Tyler’s bruised face.

His eyes, sympathetic and warm, roamed over her. He touched a finger to her cheek where she’d been struck. “I’m sorry, Lily.”

Lily shed a flood of tears, hearing his quiet apology. None of this was his fault. She’d been foolish, coming out here with a stranger. “Oh, Tyler.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her away from the scene. Stopping behind a tree, both inhaled deeply. Lily controlled her sobs until finally only whimpers came out in short spurts. Tyler took her into a tender embrace. The soothing feel of his hands stroking her back quelled her trembling.

“What happened, honey?” he asked in a soothing, almost apologetic voice.

“He, um…” Lily began, biting her lip. “He seemed so nice at the dance. I wanted to get a breath of air. He said…he’d escort me. Then, once we were behind the barn…” Lily couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She put her head down.

“He
touched
you, didn’t he?”

Lily couldn’t deny it. The marks of his hands were on her skin. Her dress was ripped. She nodded slowly.

Tyler’s body stiffened. He tightened his hold on her. “I’m sorry you were hurt,” he said soothingly.

Lily sank into his comfort, letting it seep into her skin. She lifted her head to look into his eyes. “He said awful things.”

“Tell me,” Tyler demanded softly.

“He said…he wanted a little of what…of what…you w-were g-getting.”

There was a quick flicker in Tyler’s dark eyes. Emotion flashed like a torrid rain over his face. “Bastard. I should’ve killed him.”

“No, Tyler, no. I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have been so trusting.” She kept her voice low. “I didn’t know. I, no man…has ever…wanted me.”

“Ah, Lily,” he murmured, kissing her forehead, “you really don’t know how lovely you are.”

His lips felt wonderful brushing over her eyebrows. “I…am?”

Tyler swallowed, then lifted the torn sleeve on her cerulean dress. His fingers caressed her shoulder, bringing an onslaught of heat to her insides.