Charlene Sands (19 page)

“Shh,” he said with a finger to her lips. “Let’s not speak of it again.” Tyler removed the parcel from her lap and scooted her back down on the bed.

“Tyler?”

His lips met hers briefly in the softest kiss. He spoke into her mouth. “There’s more to learn, sweetheart.”

Lily caressed his muscled chest, letting her fingers lace into the spiraling hairs there. Bringing her lips to his throat, she drizzled kisses up to his chin and gazed into his eyes. “Teach me
everything,
Tyler.”

Pleasantly shocked, Tyler’s mouth dropped opened. He guided her hand under the sheet to feel the silkiness of his thick manhood. Lily looked at Tyler in wonder, stroking him gently.

“Ah, Lily, you do learn fast, don’t you?”

Tyler dragged her under the covers and gave her a passionate lesson she’d not soon forget.

Lily’s coughing woke him. Lying behind her, he huddled her closer in his arms and breathed into her satiny thick hair. But instead of the familiar scent of lilacs, he smelled…smoke.

Tyler jolted upright and lifted his nose in the air, but that proved unnecessary because once fully coherent, he witnessed the smoke streaming in from under his doorway. “Lily, honey, wake up. Quick, get dressed.”

He bounded from the bed, putting on his clothes in a fast hurry. “I’ve got to check on Bethann!”

Lily donned her nightdress and robe then opened the bedroom window. Tyler watched the smoke escape, then carefully creaked open his door. He turned his head away as a blast of smoke from the hallway bombarded the room. The orange-blue blaze of fire seemed to be coming from the kitchen area. Thankfully, Bethann’s bedroom at the other end of the hallway was not already engulfed in flames.

He raced to her room, throwing open the door. “Bethann,” he shouted, looking at her empty bed. Lily was just behind him. She covered her nose with a cloth and gave him one, too. “Dear God! Where is she?”

Lily screamed Bethann’s name while Tyler looked under her bed. He couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d be.

“I’ll check my room.” Lily hurried out and came back seconds later shaking her head. “She’s not there, either. Oh, Tyler!”

“I’ll check the other rooms. Lily, get outside. We’ve got to alert the others.” Smoke billowed around them. The house would soon be destroyed if
they didn’t act fast, but Tyler didn’t care. He needed to find his daughter. He fought down an overwhelming attack of panic. Moving quickly, ready to search the rest of the house, he stopped suddenly when he caught sight of Lily’s pearl comb lying on top of Bethann’s armoire. Remembering what she’d told him about returning the comb to Muldoon, he called for Lily.

She peered in horrified shock at the comb he held. “Oh, no! I gave that back to him. He’s been here, Tyler!”

Tyler rummaged through Bethann’s armoire. “Her clothes are missing.” At that moment Tyler realized the extent of Brett Muldoon’s hatred. He’d bet his ranch Muldoon was behind his being shot all those weeks ago. And now this. Saying the words out loud scorched his throat. “Muldoon’s got her.”

Lily raised a hand to her mouth in horror. Tyler’s mind had moved behind the initial shock and was bent on getting his daughter back, then seeing Muldoon pay for his crimes.

He grabbed Lily’s hand and raced back to his bedroom. Yanking his gun holster from the peg on the wall, he fastened the belt, tying the thin strip of raw-hide around his thigh. “Get Wes to wake up the men. They’ll have to try to control the fire. Tell Randy to notify the sheriff. I’m riding out. I’ve got to find her.”

Lily nodded, taking the hand he offered as they ran outside. “I’m coming, too.”

“No,” he said, stopping to give her a stern look.

“Tyler, I—”

He took a firm grip of her shoulders. “No, Lily. I can’t risk it. He’s a dangerous man. You stay here.”

Lily’s voice rose to an uneven pitch. “But you don’t even know where to look.”

“I have an idea. He’s heading north, then he’ll probably catch a train back east. He’s not worried about being caught. He set the fire, leaving us for dead.” Tyler raked a hand through his hair. “I’ve got to go now, Lily. Don’t worry, I’ll find her.” He bent to kiss her hastily.

“Be careful,” she said in a shaky voice.

“Go on and get Wes. He’ll know what to do. And stay away from the fire.” Tyler doubted Lily would heed his advice. She was a headstrong woman. He only hoped she wouldn’t see fit to getting injured or worse dousing the blaze that threatened to obliterate Tyler’s home.

By the time Tyler gathered the necessities he needed and rode out, the ranch was a mass of commotion. Men formed lines, passing bucket upon bucket of water onto the fiery blaze. And Lily was in the thick of it, working as hard as the men, just as Tyler suspected she would.

He shuffled down his concern, trusting that Lily was a woman who could take care of herself. But his fears for Bethann’s safety in the clutches of that wild man made Tyler’s gut knot with apprehension.

Tyler rode his horse hard. He figured Muldoon had at least an hour’s head start. He was banking on the notion that Muldoon wouldn’t expect to be followed so soon. He’d left them all for dead. It would be daylight before the fire at the house was put out and his men would discover that Bethann’s body wasn’t among the ashes.

But Muldoon was no fool. Tyler knew to tread carefully. He prayed his instincts were right about where the man was heading with his daughter. Brett Muldoon was a city dweller. He hated the west, hated how living
out here had killed his sister. He wouldn’t subject Bethann to a life in Texas. No, Tyler was certain, he would head east. Maybe not back to St. Louis where he’d be expected to go, but some other large city where he and Bethann would blend into society and no one would be the wiser.

The nearest railroad was in Amarillo. Muldoon would have to ride across the plains to the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon. Having Bethann along would slow him. Come daylight, Tyler hoped to pick up their trail.

Blaze, lathered and gleaming with sweat, wouldn’t last throughout the night at the pace Tyler set. He slowed the horse to a halt. His only consolation was that Muldoon also had to rest his horse from time to time. Throwing his wool blanket near some tall brush, Tyler figured he had two hours to rest before dawn. After seeing to his horse, he lay down, his Colt .45 nestled under his arm. He forced his eyes shut. He needed some rest, although the events of the past few days ran in patterns through his head.

And Lily’s image, like a sweet dream, came floating in. Thinking of her gave him the only sense of peace he had all night. A smile curved his lips as he remembered the passion in which she responded to him tonight. Had that been only hours ago?

Lily made his house a home, Bethann adored her, and she’d proven herself to be capable at the ranch. Tyler let out a deep sorrowful sigh wondering if it was enough.

He didn’t know if he could open his heart completely, to love wholly and unconditionally again. He’d lived all these months, hardening himself to ever care for a woman again. The pain of the loss almost too much to bear. He’d been content with his life,
accepting his fate to live a life without love. And then came Lily.

Now he didn’t know what was better for her, to stay or to find her uncle and fulfill the deathbed promise she’d made to her father.

And he didn’t know if he could give Lily the life that she deserved.

Rustling sounds jarred his light sleep. Keeping his eyes closed, Tyler inched his fingers around the handle of his gun. He sensed a glimmer of predawn light emerging. Blaze nickered softly. More sounds, closer this time. The brush was thick in the area he’d chosen to bed down. He slit his eyes open, catching movement in the thicket in the opposite direction of his horse.

All at once, he jumped up, with gun ready to shoot, and pounced down on the tall unsuspecting figure from behind. Fully alert now, he overwhelmed his opponent, bringing him down to the ground. With gun positioned at his head, Tyler straddled the slim man, trapping him under.

But from beneath his legs, the thighs he imprisoned were soft and delicate, the body too familiar.

Tyler yanked off the man’s overly large hat.

He stared straight into a beautiful, blue-eyed bewildered face. “Lily!”

L
ily rubbed her sore bottom. The split skirt she wore, gifted to her by Tyler just hours ago, and rummaged out of the burning house, did little to cushion the blow to her backside when Tyler had thrown his full body weight on her. “I won’t slow you down,” she insisted.

“No!” he shouted, pacing back and forth in front of her. “You’re going back.”

She looked up at the angry man. “I’m coming with you.”

Tyler closed his eyes momentarily. “I don’t want you getting hurt, Lily. It’s bad enough I’ve got to worry over Bethann. I won’t take unnecessary risks having you along.”

Lily stood up to meet his heated glare. He’d been furious with her once the shock of seeing her had worn off. “You’re forgetting what a good shot I am. I can help.”

“No.” He folded his arms in typical Tyler Kincaide stubborn style and planted his boots firmly. “It’s too dangerous. Hell, woman, I nearly shot your head off just a minute ago. Don’t you realize you might get hurt.”

“Tyler,” Lily began, softening her voice. Oh, how her backside ached, but she wouldn’t let him see her flinch with pain. “I made it all the way here, found you, and if you’d given me an instant to speak, you’d have realized I didn’t sneak up on you. I saw you sleeping, kept my distance for a time, so you’d get the rest you needed. I only came over when I thought you’d be waking.” Then on an added note in her defense, she said proudly, “And I didn’t fall off Pearl once. I think she likes this split skirt. Gives us both confidence when I ride her.”

Tyler looked at her in utter disbelief. “That’s the damnedest fool thing you’ve ever said, Lily.” He looked away from her and shook his head.

She heard his stomach grumble. “I brought biscuits and cheese,” she said, retrieving the foodstuffs from her pack on Pearl. “I bet you didn’t pack any food.”

“The kitchen was on fire,” he stated blankly.

“I took these from the bunkhouse. Wes made sure I had what I needed.”

Tyler cursed, taking a biscuit from her hand. He gave her a scathing look, but she noticed a flicker of admiration. “I suppose you think this makes it all right.” He bit down on the biscuit.

“I’ve got more food and water packed and my gun.”

The mention of her gun made Tyler wince. He took a deep breath. “I’m riding out now. I’ve had some rest. You haven’t.”

“I’ll keep up with you. I’m strong and I love Bethann just as much as you do. I couldn’t wait back at the ranch, not knowing what was happening. Tyler, I promise I won’t slow you down.” She hoped to cut into his stubborn streak.

He swallowed hard and stared at her, then pointed his finger at her nose. “You listen to me at every turn. I mean it, Lily. Follow my orders, no matter if you agree or not. You got that?”

Relieved, Lily nodded her head. “Yes!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “You won’t be sorry.”

Tyler removed her arms and shook his head. She knew he wasn’t pleased with his decision. “I’m already sorry, honey. Let’s go. We’ve got a hard ride ahead of us.”

Lily shoved her hair under her hat and shook trail dust off her new riding clothes. She wouldn’t ask Tyler for a boost up onto Pearl. Instead she walked the horse over to a large boulder, then mounted. Tyler eyed her silently. Lily lifted her chin, determined to help the man she loved find his daughter.

Riding over the plains was a boring, hot, dusty endeavor. Lily’s bottom was sore. She shifted countless times in her saddle trying to find a comfortable position. After three hours she gave up trying for comfort, resigning herself that her derriere would never be the same again.

Tyler said little. He was still angry. He’d get over it, she mused. And she’d rather have her fingernails plucked out than to admit how tired she was. She wouldn’t ask to slow down. But, an hour later, Tyler reined in his horse. Lily glanced at him when he approached.

“We’ll rest a bit, have a bite to eat.”

He reached for her and helped her down from Pearl. When her boots hit solid ground, Tyler didn’t release her. Instead he wound his arms around her waist and brought her into an embrace. She felt his lips brush
her forehead. “I’ll never forgive myself if you get hurt, honey.”

“I…won’t,” she said breathlessly. But all she could think of was the way he held her and the dark shining gleam in his eyes. How his slightest touch caused such dire yearnings deep in her heart. This was as it should be, she thought, the two of them together, searching for Bethann.

He took her hand and they lay down on a blanket he’d spread out. “Try to get some sleep.”

She laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeats, and within minutes Lily was breathing heavy.

They were on their way in less than an hour. Tyler insisted she eat something to keep up her strength, but in truth, the events of the last day, with all that had occurred, had damaged her otherwise healthy appetite. Still and all, she grabbed a handful of pecans and ate them to appease Tyler’s watchful eye.

The sun beat hot. Lily was glad Randy had insisted she take his felt hat. The wide brim helped to shade her face. When she’d left the ranch, he’d given her a sober look of admonishment, but hadn’t tried to stop her from chasing down Tyler. He’d saddled up Pearl for her, then rode off to alert the sheriff about Bethann’s kidnapping.

Lily had a difficult time holding back tears whenever she thought of Bethann being whisked away from everything she knew, everyone she loved. How frightened she must be. That little imp had stolen Lily’s heart. She had better be safe. Something deep inside told her Brett Muldoon wouldn’t let any harm come to his niece. She held on to that thought, but she also blamed herself for encouraging Muldoon to get to know Bethann. When she thought about how she’d
gone directly against Tyler’s wishes to befriend the man, Lily gritted her teeth. She’d made a terrible mistake and now Bethann was paying the price. Tyler, too. She knew he would hunt Muldoon to the ends of the earth to find his child. Lily had to be a part of her rescue, perhaps to ease her own conscience. They had to find her.

Dusk settled onto the horizon in a blast of color. Lily relished the sunset for it meant rest. She had nearly fallen asleep astride her horse three times, each time, Pearl’s snort or a sound from the whispering plains would give her the start she needed to right herself on the mare and take control of the reins.

Tyler slowed his horse and sidled up next to her. “We’ll camp for half the night, then we’ll move out slowly.” He gave her a sympathetic look. “You did real good today, Lily.”

Lily was too tired to nod. Her half smile made Tyler grab for her reins. Pearl followed Blaze to a clearing packed with dense deep grass. After dismounting, he reached up to take Lily by the waist and carried her off her horse. He set her down gently.

Tyler laid out their blankets then made a small fire with kindling he’d gathered. Rummaging through her bags, he found a tin of Arbuckle’s coffee and a small coffeepot. He smiled and looked over at her. “I was hoping for some coffee. You’re a smart lady, Miss Brody.”

“Wes was angry with me for leaving the ranch, but he helped pack the provisions in a hurry. He’s a good man. You can thank him when you see him.”

“I’ll not thank him for allowing you to come after me.”

Lily sighed deeply. She wasn’t up to another argument
with him. Besides, she’d gotten her way. He hadn’t sent her back so she could stand to hear Tyler grumble a bit if it made him feel better.

Tyler made the coffee, sharing with her the one mug Wes had packed. They took turns sipping, then munched on biscuits and cheese. Lily’s strength was returning. The food and the rest helped to restore some of her usual vigor, but her bones did complain something terrible.

She peered at the two blankets Tyler had laid out. His next to hers. Things had changed rapidly in their relationship. It warmed Lily’s heart to see the man who had been so closed off when they’d first met finally share something of himself with her. She needed more from him, but for now this would have to be enough.

“You’re tired, honey,” he said, adjusting stray strands of her hair behind her ear. “Get some sleep. I’ll let the fire die out since it’s not such a cold night. The blankets will keep you warm enough.”

Lily made quick work of braiding her hair. Tyler watched her quietly, then when she laid down on her bedroll, he covered her with another blanket.

To her surprise, he lay down beside her and took her into his arms. Facing her, he stroked her cheek with a finger, then cupped her chin with his hand. “Good night, Lily.”

His mouth covered hers with a deep desperate passion, a mating of lips, tender yet rough in need. A need that would go denied tonight. Their thoughts were on Bethann, on finding her and bringing Muldoon to justice. Tyler held Lily so snugly she prayed he’d never want to let her go. She couldn’t fathom letting him go.

She responded to him the only way she knew how, giving him all her love, her comfort. It was all she had to give him tonight as they snuggled deep into the blankets.

She hoped it was enough.

“We will find her, Tyler.”

“Planning to, Lily. If it takes my entire lifetime.”

She held him tight until the troubled man she loved finally fell asleep.

They were getting close. By midmorning Tyler found Muldoon’s camp. The embers from the night’s campfire were still warm. Not an hour ago Lily had spotted Bethann’s yellow ribbon lying off the side of the road. They were nearing rugged rocky canyons. The going would be much tougher from now on.

As they rode on in silence, Tyler looked behind him, noting Lily casting furtive glances in every direction, the Colt .45 she practiced with at the Circle K resting against her hip. As soon as they had dismounted, finding the site where Bethann had obviously spent the night, Lily had gone straight to her pack and holstered her gun. Tyler hadn’t said anything about it then. He was too relieved to have finally found evidence they were on the right track.

But now as he studied her, he felt a pang of regret for allowing Lily to stay on. The soft sweet woman he’d made love to looked incongruous astride the saddle in her dirtied riding clothes, packing iron. Tyler winced. Yes, Lily was a good shot—when she was aiming at bottles set up on a rock ledge, but how would she react in a true crisis? Would she freeze up, or worse, make a bad shot and hurt
Bethann? He couldn’t risk it. Somehow he’d have to convince her to give over her gun.

He wasn’t looking forward to it.

Lily sped up her horse to reach his side. “We’re going to find her soon.” Her voice held an excited edge. “I can just feel it.”

“I’m hoping to find her before nightfall,” Tyler said, keeping his voice level. Blaze lifted his head and nickered as if in agreement.

“I can’t wait to get Bethann home,” Lily said wistfully.

He subdued the rush of excitement he felt hearing Lily’s softly spoken words. An image of the three of them sitting around the parlor with Lily reading to Bethann by the fireplace entered his mind. But those could be dangerous thoughts. He needed to stay alert, keep his wits about him. He couldn’t afford to get sentimental. Keeping wary, staying apprehensive, was a means to survival. Tyler knew retrieving his daughter wouldn’t be easy and now that they were closing in, he wished he’d turned Lily away and sent her back to the ranch.

She would be safe there and he’d not have to worry about both his girls.

“Lily, Muldoon’s not just going to hand her over to us. You know what that man’s capable of doing. We have to tread carefully.” He gave her a stern look. “I want your gun.”

Lily’s startled look turned into sheer stubbornness in the beat of a second. “No.” Her hand automatically covered the handle of her gun.

“You promised to obey me, no matter what, Lily. I’m asking nicely, give me your gun.” He extended his hand.

“Tyler,” she said briskly, tightening the hold she had on the Colt .45. “I…can’t.” Then in a pleading voice, she offered, “You might need my help.”

Her concern and the soft look in her eyes offering to protect him touched Tyler. But Lily had not seen any real conflict in her life. He’d been a party to skirmishes with his men on cattle drives, broken up fights at the saloon and had to defend himself against rowdy cowhands a time or two. Although he didn’t relish using it, his gun had been known to keep the peace and save his hide on more than one occasion.

“Hand it over, Lily. I can’t be worrying about what you might be doing with that gun when we finally catch up with Muldoon. It’ll distract me. Might even get us both killed.”

Lily twisted her mouth and seemed to regard what he was saying. When she lifted the gun from the holster and handed it to him, Tyler hid his surprise. “I think this is a mistake, but since you don’t trust me—”

“Damn it, Lily. I’m trying to keep you safe.”

“And I’m trying to keep you safe,” she said adamantly.

The woman was one hundred percent sheer determination. Tyler loved that about her under normal circumstances, but not at the moment. “I appreciate the thought, honey.”

She lifted her chin and rode ahead of him. He thought it best to let her stew a bit on her own. There wasn’t anything he could say to make her feel better right now.

They rode just east of the newly furrowed cotton fields of Llano Estacado. The high plateau, treeless plains would not lend them the cover they needed, so they kept to the lowlands. Tyler followed the banks of
the White River, looking for a shallow place where they might cross.

“Lily, slow down!” he called to the woman who had managed to ignore him for the last hour and a half. She turned to him in haughty resignation. What had happened to the shy, unassuming woman he’d hired all those weeks ago? “We’re crossing the river here.”

Lily nodded and with a soft kick to Pearl began making her trek across the quiet river. Tyler moved closer, keeping a watchful eye. He wanted to take the reins from her and guide Pearl across behind him, but Lily probably would shoot him daggers with her blazing blue eyes and never forgive him.

With a sigh, he kept a slight distance away, clamping his mouth from calling out any orders. Lily, as far as he could see, was doing fine on the back of a horse upon which, just two weeks ago, she couldn’t manage to stay on the northern end.