“And I feel the same way ‘bout you, Miss Adeline,” she said gently. “Which is why I wanna say somethin’ now, ‘fore you do somethin’ you might regret for the rest of your life.”
“You’re talking about my engagement to Richard.”
Tillie nodded, her expression solemn. Adeline squeezed her hand in return but couldn’t summon a smile.
“It’s a sham. It’s all for appearances,” Adeline began.
Tillie cocked her head and looked at her curiously. So Adeline told her the story, starting with her life in Frailburg, to the Wild Hog murderer, to her coming to Talon Peaks with Richard, leaving nothing out, and sparing no detail no matter how unflattering. Through it all, Tillie listened attentively and didn’t interrupt. She just listened.
And when Adeline was through with her story, Tillie sat up straighter in her chair and took a long drink of her lemonade. If she was shocked by anything Adeline had revealed, she gave no outward clue of it.
“So, you sayin’ this engagement to Richard is just make believe?”
Adeline nodded. “My father told me the decision was mine to make,” she said. “If – when they catch or kill this murderer running around Frailburg – I don’t want to marry Richard, I can come home. Alone.”
A shadow of sadness crossed Tillie’s features as she thought about Adeline leaving the ranch. But she ultimately wanted what was best for Adeline and if leaving the ranch and going back home was what was best, so be it, she thought.
Tillie’s features set and her eyes hardened slightly. “I dunno if that’sgonna be that simple,” she said. “Mister Richard done got his heart and mind set on you, Adeline.”
“I know but he agreed to my father’s condition – that the choice was mine.”
Tillie frowned. “I don’t wanna scare you or nothin’, but your father’s a long way from here, Miss Adeline,” she said. “Mister Richard can be stubborn as a mule when he gets his head set on somethin’.Goes double when his heart’s set.”
It was something Adeline had considered herself but had determined that if it came down to it, she would take a horse and get back to Frailburg on her own. Of course, she’d also considered the thought that maybe Ernest would accompany her – just to keep her safe.
“I don’t plan on staying once they catch the killer back home, Tillie,” she said. “I’d love it if you came with me but I don’t want to cause problems either.”
Her laughter was rich and smoky. “Oh, I’m too old to be makin’ a trip like that,” she said. “But if I was younger, I’d go with ya.”
They both fell silent for a few moments and Adeline relished the feeling of comfortable companionship between them. But then Tillie’s expression darkened so Adeline took a drink of her lemonade and set the glass down, suddenly getting the sense the older woman was about to say something of import.
“You need to be careful, Miss Adeline,” Tillie said, her gaze piercing Adeline’s very soul. “Mister Richard’s a good man but when he feels wronged, he can get downright ruthless.”
Adeline nodded. “I don’t wish to cast aspersions on his character, but I got that feeling as well.”
“He don’t like competin’ for nothin,” Tillie added pointedly. “’specially when it comes to competin’ for the affections of a beautiful, young woman. He ain’t no different from any other man that way– they done lose their minds when a beautiful woman’s involved.”
Adeline’s fears for Ernest had been abstract – until that moment. She did not want to press Tillie for any details, not wanting to put her in a spot where she might have to speak an ill word of Richard, but her curiosity was definitely piqued. Had she seen something? Heard something? Did she know of somebody Richard might have hurt?
There were so many questions floating through her mind that didn’t have answers – though, Adeline wasn’t necessarily sure she wanted them anyway. She’d gotten the notion that although Richard could be kind and solicitous, respectful and sincere, if he were to be pushed in the wrong direction, he could be angry.
Angry like any other man, I suppose. I guess maybe I am thinking too much on my own fears and am punishing him for my own dark thoughts. But men are men and when they get their blood up about something, they can be ugly.
“I’m only tellin’ you this to keep that handsome cowboy out of harm’s way,” Tillie said. “I dunno what’s happenin’ between you two and believe me when I say I don’t wanna know. I just know I don’t wanna see nothin’ bad happen to you, child.”
Adeline shook her head. “Nor do I.”
“I don’t wanna speak outta turn, but you should probably stay away from Mister Ernest,” Tillie counseled. “Believe me, you don’t want Mister Richard catchin’ a whiff of anything happenin’ between the two of you.”
Adeline’s insides churned and her head was swimming. She knew Tillie was right. She should stay away from Ernest for his own good. But she didn’t know if she had the strength to do that. Her feelings ran deep and they were profound. And sometimes they overruled her mind, leading her to do things she might not ordinarily do – like sit down by a stream, reading poetry with him as she imagined him kissing her. It was improper and was putting him in danger.
Adeline felt a lone tear roll down her cheek. Even though he was not hers and she never had him, the idea of being without him made her buckle under as a powerful wave of loss washed over her.
Tillie squeezed her hand again, offering her a small smile. “I don’t wanna upset you, but I also don’t wanna see you get hurt, Miss Adeline. You are Mister Ernest.”
“I understand.”
“If I was you, I’d fine my home. I’d get on outta here and go back where I was happy,” she pressed.
Adeline, gripping Tillie’s hand in hers, gave her a grateful smile – weak, though it was.
“Thank you, Tillie,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
Chapter Fourteen
The sun rained down around him, warming his skin. Ernest turned his face up into the light, relishing the fresh air and sunshine. He rode Mabel, his faithful old mare through the western fields. She needed to get out and stretch her legs now and then, so he liked to take her out to check on the cattle and horses that wandered around his fields, grazing on the dry grass contentedly.
Ernest smiled as Mabel plodded on, tossing her mane and whickering excitedly. He patted her neck affectionately. He’d had Mabel for years now and she’d always been good to him. She wasn’t as young as she used to be and had limitations she didn’t have before. She was definitely slowing down – something that made Ernest immeasurably sad because he knew the day was coming when he’d have to say goodbye.
“Until then though, I’m gonna spoil you rotten ol’ girl,” he patted her neck. “You deserve it.”
As he made his way along the fence line, Ernest slipped his canteen off the saddle horn and took a long pull of cool water. With a sigh of contentment, he capped the canteen and hung it back up. As he scanned his fence line, he cocked his head.
“What the hell?”
He reined Mabel to a stop and hopped down out of the saddle. He squatted down and touched the ends of the fencing, staring at them critically.
“Son of a bitch.”
Ernest was always conscientious about keeping his fence in good repair – mostly because Richard would get upset if their livestock mixed. He was finnicky like that. And yet, despite his constant checking and repairing, there was a hole in his fence and the razor wire that topped it. The edges of the hole were smooth. Clean. It told Ernest it wasn’t damage done by one of his horses or cattle – it had been cut.
“Somebody’s been pokin’ around out here on our land Mabel,” Ernest said.
Mabel whickered and tossed her head, stamping her hoof in the dirt impatiently. Ernest looked at her fondly.
“Now, just gimme a minute here,” he chuckled softly. “I got a bit of work to do before we go and slack off.”
Ernest grabbed some tools from his saddlebags and
set to work, mending the fence. As he worked, Mabel stepped up beside him, snorting and nuzzling his neck, drawing a laugh from him. It took him about an hour to get it done and by the time he was, Ernest was sweating. He mopped his brow with the sleeve of his shirt then stowed his tools back into his saddlebag.
“Okay, ol’ girl,” he said as he climbed back up into his saddle. “I think we earned a little leisure time. What d’you think?”
Mabel snorted again and headed off, walking down the fence line. Ernest kept an eye out, looking for any other holes as he continued to puzzle over who’d cut his fence. By the time he got to the stream and dismounted, he was no close to answering the questions that bounded through his head.
He set Mabel to water and graze and put his bedroll behind his head as he opened a book by Chaucer to read. By the time he realized he’d read the same page three times, he knew it was a lost cause. He couldn’t get Adeline off his mind – as usual.
He’d seen Richard arrive home earlier that morning and even though he knew the older man didn’t have Adeline’s heart and likely never would, Ernest couldn’t stop the surge of jealousy he felt. It made him feel stupid and petty but he also knew he couldn’t help the way he felt.
Resting the book on his chest, he closed his eyes and pictured Adeline’s face. He recalled the way her blue eyes sparkled and the way her smile transformed her, making her look even more beautiful than usual. She really was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met and he knew he’d give almost anything to hold her. To kiss her.
As thoughts of Adeline consumed him, Richard felt the waves of sleep rushing over him and he was powerless to stop from being pulled under. Try as he might, he was overwhelmed by it and drifted off into a pleasant sleep filled with dreams of Adeline.
He sat up with a jolt, his heart thundering in his chest. Ernest looked around, confused for a moment before he realized he’d fallen asleep beside the stream. He looked up to the sky and figured by the position of the sun, that he’d been out for an hour or more.
Quickly grabbing his things, he walked over to where Mabel was still grazing and put his things in the saddlebag, then cinched his bedroll to his saddle.
“Ready to head on home?”
Mabel snorted and stamped her hoof, likely telling him she’d been ready for a while. Grinning, he climbed up in the saddle and let Mabel lead him out of the copse of trees and back out into the open fields.
“Come on, let’s stretch those legs a bit more, huh girl?”
As if understanding his words, Mabel started to trot. The wind whipped by him and Ernest took off his hat, letting it flow through his hair. Mabel whickered as she trotted on and Ernest smiled and gave her an affectionate pat.
The next thing he knew, he was weightless and airborne. He opened his mouth to let out a yelp of surprise but what came out was a pained oomph as he crashed into the hard packed earth. The sudden collision with the ground drove the breath from his lungs and jarred every bone in his body. Ernest had taken falls before but nothing like this.
He looked behind him and saw Mabel laying on her side, whickering and crying out in obvious agony. He groaned and struggled to catch his breath, tears filling his eyes, as he dragged himself back to his fallen horse. He thought she must have stepped into a hole. She’d never done it before – her instincts and vision were usually sharp. But what else could it be?
How in the hell had she missed it?
A strangled gasp escaped him when he finally crawled to her side. There was indeed a shallow divot in the dirt and her leg jutted out at an odd angle. It was obviously broken but it was the bear trap grasping her right leg that drew his attention. The teeth of the trap had punched all the way through her leg and the dirt beneath her was sprayed and spattered with patches of crimson.
Mabel rolled her eyes at Ernest, a series of pained whines escaping her throat. She was in agony and looking to him to make it stop. With tears in his eyes, he pulled the rifle out of his saddle holster, knowing what he had to do. Leveling the barrel as best he could with his pain wracked body, he sniffed loudly as tears blurred his vision.
“I’m sorry ol’ girl. So sorry.”
Chapter Fifteen
While Ernest had plodded along with Mabel in his fields, Richard had arrived home just after sunrise – a day earlier than she’d hoped. But when she heard Sonny talking to him down in the yard, she knew all she could do was put on a smile and make the best of it.
When she wasn’t reading or helping Tillie around the kitchen, she’d spent quite a bit of time with Ernest over the past week. She felt a small stab of guilt that she felt so at ease and had enjoyed her time in Richard’s absence, but she could not help that. She could not control the way she felt. But she knew it was going to come to an end – and so it had.
After freshening herself up and putting on a nice dress, Adeline fixed a smile to her face and went downstairs. As she reached the bottom, Richard came through the door, a wide, warm smile on his face.
“Adeline,” he beamed. “You are a sight for sore eyes and as beautiful as the sunrise.”
He is smoother than churned butter and if I actually was interested in him, I’m sure it would melt my heart.
“You are too kind,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
Richard took her hand and gently brushed his lips against the back of it. He favored her with a gracious smile and stepped back. Adeline returned his smile.
“It smells like Tillie has breakfast ready,” Adeline said. “Are you hungry?”
“Ravenous,” he replied.
The tone of his voice and the way he looked at her made Adeline think he was talking about more than food. It made her shudder and she turned quickly, walking toward the kitchen.
“Why don’t you freshen up,” Adeline called over her shoulder. “I’ll see about breakfast.”
An hour after a quiet breakfast, Adeline was on Thunder’s back and together, they were galloping through the field. She basked in the sun and reveled in the wind whipping through her long, dark hair.
There was a small part of her that felt terrible about being so gleeful to be away from Richard. But she couldn’t help it. She felt free. Alive. She felt happy in ways she didn’t feel when she was around Richard – ways she hadn’t felt since she was forced to come to Talon Peaks.
She reined Thunder to a slow walk and headed toward the copse of trees where she’d spent that afternoon with Ernest. Just the memory of that day sent emotion rushing through her and she let the smile stretch across her face.
“Well, it seems like a ride does put you in a good mood.”
Adeline turned suddenly,her smile slipping and a shot of adrenaline coursing through her veins as Richard came galloping up behind her. She’d been so caught up in enjoying her ride, she hadn’t heard him approaching and silently kicked herself. Richard slowed his horse, falling into step beside her and she found herself not wanting to take him down to the stream. She knew it was silly but she felt oddly possessive of that place, thinking of it as her and Ernest’s place.
Adeline forced the smile back onto her face. “I’ve always enjoyed it very much.”
“I must say, the flush of your cheeks and that smile on your face agrees with you,” he said.
Wanting to preserve the sanctity of her spot down by the stream, she reined Thunder away from the copse of trees and back out toward the open field. If Richard noticed, he chose not to say anything about it.
They rode side by side in silence for a few minutes and the awkward tension grew between them. Adeline finally turned to him.
“So how were things in San Antonio?”
Richard nodded. “It went well,” he replied. “I handled what I needed to handle.”
“And what was it you needed to handle?”
He shrugged. “Just had to tighten down a few things,” he said. “Nothing you need to concern your pretty little head with.”
Adeline bristled but reminded herself that this was his business – not hers. She
had no plans to be part of his life and as such, she had no right to know about what he did. Still, she didn’t appreciate being condescended to – like being a pretty woman somehow disqualified her from anything business related.
It is not my business though. This is his world and I am not inclined to be a part of it so calm down.
They rode on for another few minutes in silence and Adeline thought of suggesting they turn back to the house, her appetite for riding suddenly sated for the afternoon.
More like my appetite for being out alone with Richard has been sated.
Adeline opened her mouth to make the suggestion when a shot rang out. It sounded like a cannon firing and echoed across the fields. Adeline and Richard exchanged a look of concern.
The Cowboy's Stolen Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 12