Glory’s rising awareness withered as she turned to Louise Thorne, a squarely built, brown-haired, cheerful woman. “Worried? Why on earth—?”
“Because, pretty child, it’s just not right—you having to shoulder all this man’s work.” Louise Thorne hitched her skirt and her bulk up the two steps to the verandah. With a pitying smile on her kind face, she reached out to smooth a work-roughened hand down Glory’s cheek. “What was that Jacey thinking, to light out like she did? Why, your mama must be turning over in her grave at the thought of her youngest all alone here.”
In the face of such sympathy, Glory’s chin quivered. She hung her head. A sniffle or two escaped her. “Thank you, Mrs. Thorne, but I’m not alone. Biddy’s here and Smiley and all the men—” Up popped Glory’s head and her eyebrows. “How’d you know Jacey left? Why, she didn’t even know herself she was heading for Tucson until we got Hannah’s letter—and that was only yesterday afternoon.”
Biddy and both Thornes struck such quiet poses that Glory could hear the wind blow, could hear the men’s voices as they called out to one another over by the horse barn. Could hear a dog bark and a chicken cluck. Then it was true—she’d been betrayed. Glory rounded on her red-faced nanny. “Biddy Jensen, shame on you! You sent someone over to the Thorne place yesterday. You were looking for them all morning, weren’t you? I cannot believe you—”
“Now hold on, Glory.”
Glory pivoted to Riley. “Perhaps you ought to mind your own—”
He grabbed her arm and propelled her firmly toward the porch steps. Speechless with this uninvited familiarity, Glory could only stare up at his clean-shaven profile. Once on the ground, she was forced to turn with him to face the two older women still standing on the porch. “You two sit and visit. John and Zeke will keep a while out on the hill. I’d like a word with Miss Lawless here.”
Needing no further encouragement, Biddy and his mother lifted their skirts and scurried for the front door. Jerking it open, they got stuck together in the opening, but then barged through, slamming it closed behind themselves. With those targets out of her range, Glory turned a properly authoritative expression up to Riley. “If you think you can just ride onto my land and handle me like this, then you are sorely mistaken.”
Something sparked in the depths of his dark eyes, giving him the appearance of a hunting hawk as he stared down at her. “I’d hoped we could be civil to each other.”
The deep and intimate timbre of his voice went all over Glory. Another wave of unnerving awareness had her swallowing convulsively. “We … we can,” she stammered, barely able to meet his steady gaze. Her next breath allowed her to add, “Once you’ve taken your hand off me.”
But he didn’t. Nor did he answer her. Or allow her to look away. Glory’s heart thumped, her mouth dried. The moment stretched taut with unspoken appetites. Then, without warning, Riley released her and stepped back, causing her to stumble. Why, she’d been leaning into the man. She jerked her gaze down, needlessly straightening her clothes all around. Yes, her heart beat too fast, her hands shook, and her stomach fluttered. But only because the oldest son of Papa’s enemy stood on Lawless land.
“You’ve changed a lot, Glory.”
Her hands stilled. What did he think of those changes? Glory finally lifted her head, met his gaze. His eyes, dark-brown, almost black, blazed under the low brim of his hat. His straight nose pointed to his wide mouth. Glory swallowed. “So have you. Five years is a long time.”
“I reckon so.”
When he didn’t say anything else, sudden self-consciousness made Glory blurt, “I see you’re a man now. And not the … boy I remember … playing with … when your mama called on mine. You quit coming around with her.”
Riley’s lips twitched, as if around a grin. “I got too big to pay calls with my mother.” With that, he turned from her, strode to his wagon’s tailgate, and began untying the big, finely muscled gray horse tethered there.
Watching Riley’s every movement as if she’d never seen a man before, Glory called out, “Is that Pride—that yearling you told me about on your last visit?”
Riley’s hands stilled over the knots he worked to undo. He sent her a considering look. “That was five years ago.”
Glory felt suddenly ill. If she could move—and she realized she couldn’t—she’d march right over to Biddy’s wildflower plot and bury herself. Why had she let on that she’d remembered—for five years!—the name he’d given to some dumb old horse? But stuck with it, she persisted, “Well, is it?”
Riley smoothed a hand along the animal’s arched and muscled neck, and drawled, “Yep. This is him—all grown up and gelded.”
Glory blinked in shock. “Riley Thorne! What a bold thing to say.”
He arched an eyebrow at her but said nothing as he retraced his steps back to the hitching rail. As he tied his horse to it, Glory’s gaze slipped to his long-fingered hands. She watched his precise motions, and felt a hot thrill she couldn’t name course through her and weaken her knees. It made her angry that it should be so.
He might have grown into a man, but he hadn’t changed a bit from the irksome half-grown boy she remembered. She still couldn’t shake a response out of him—not if her very life depended on it. He just stared at her and kept his thoughts to himself. Even when they’d been children, he’d behaved this same way. And back then, she’d been the prettiest child—everyone said so. Everyone else fell victim to her little-girl charms—even his two brothers sitting out on the hill right now. But not Riley. Never Riley.
Glory cocked her head as she considered him. Was he still immune to her charms? Or did she just think he was? After all, a man he may be, but she was now also a woman—one ready to test her powers. Before she could think twice, she blurted, “Riley, look at me.”
He did. He notched up the brim of his Stetson, crossed his arms over his broad chest … and stared at her, waiting.
Glory suffered a moment of panic. He wouldn’t take kindly to being toyed with. She could see it in the tilt of his dark eyes. She immediately abandoned any notion of a flirtation and cast about for something casual to say. “Umm, are you staying long?”
“That depends on you.”
Glory’s cheeks blazed. Why, his tone of voice alone made his words sound like an invitation to a kiss. Or was it just the way she was hearing things today? Feigning uncomprehension, she amended, “I meant, what’s the reason for your … visit?”
“That’s a good question. Walk with me a minute, Glory?”
Sudden irritation with the whole situation—he hadn’t changed a bit—made her drop her prim pose. She forced her breath out in an impatient puff. “I shouldn’t. I should just tell you to mount that gray of yours and get off my place.”
Riley’s eyes narrowed. “Is that your answer?”
Yes rode the tip of her tongue, but she just couldn’t say it. Not with his mother inside with Biddy. That would be impolite. Telling herself that was her only reason, Glory relented. “Well, you did come all this way. I suppose I have a few minutes before I go see about…” See about what? Think, Glory. But she couldn’t come up with a blasted thing. And so finished lamely with “Something important.”
And he knew it, darn him. Riley dipped his Stetson to her. “Yes, ma’am. Wouldn’t want to keep the boss lady from her work.” With that, he turned and started walking.
Glory stayed where she was. Did he just expect her to fall in beside him? But then she did, hurrying to catch up to his long-striding figure. He didn’t say anything, but he did slow his steps to match hers. As they walked side by side, Glory looked up at him from under her lashes and considered his square-jawed profile. And suddenly wanted to cry. Why did it have to be that Riley Thorne had grown into a most handsome man? A tall, big-muscled handsome man? It wasn’t fair. He was a Thorne. And she wanted him.
Just then, he looked down at her. Caught staring, Glory felt yet another splash of warmth spread over her cheeks. Why, she hadn’t blushed this mu
ch in her whole life. She quickly looked away, concentrating on the yard and the barn, the horses in the corrals, a dog stretching in the sun.
“Glory, I wanted to come see you before now and tell you how sorry I am for your losses.”
Glory stopped, unable to look at him. He’d caught her off guard with his condolences. She looked out at the hills, blinked back her tears, and mumbled, “It’s okay. Your mother came. It was enough.”
“I suppose.” He was quiet another moment but then added, “Ma told me … how it was here that day. Looking around now … well, it looks like things have been set to rights.”
A deep breath helped Glory get her words out. “Yes. You’d never know that only a month ago—” A hitch in her voice cut off her words. Unwilling to discuss it further, she resumed walking, Riley easily keeping pace with her.
A few steps later, it was Riley who stopped them. Glory turned her questioning eyes up to his. “I should have come. When I think about what you and your sisters and Biddy came home to that day, I want to hit something.” He took a deep breath and then added, “I’m trying to say I’m real sorry, Glory. I’ve thought about you a lot, and felt for you. I shouldn’t have stayed away.”
Glory knew why he had—the hard feelings between the Lawlesses and the Thornes over their ongoing land feud. But more disconcerted by the deep concern he’d just confessed to having for her, she stumbled around her words. “I thank you for that. But there’s no call to feel bad. The funerals … well, we were all upset. Why, I couldn’t tell you to this day who was there, and who wasn’t.”
Thinking only of a comforting gesture, Glory reached up and squeezed Riley’s arm. And froze. She’d touched him a thousand times over their childhood years. But this time … well, the feel of him was different somehow. More … physical. Seeing him watch her, she jerked her hand back and held it self-consciously in her other one. “I just … well, it’s not your place to see to me. I can take care of myself.”
“I reckon.” He then looked down, drawing Glory’s gaze with his to his boots. A kitten meowed plaintively at his feet. He bent over, scooped it up, and then held the little tabby against his chest to pet it gently. After a quiet moment of that, he spoke as if to the kitten. “Taking care of yourself can be a mighty lonesome business. You ever consider letting … someone lend a hand?”
Caught up with watching his hands hold the purring kitten so gently, and lost in wishing he’d hold her like that and keep her safe and warm, Glory smiled and nodded yes. And then realized she was. She stiffened. Great merciful heavens, she’d almost—She shot Riley a look. And wanted to die. His serious expression, his wordless consideration of her, his knowing eyes. They spoke volumes.
Mercifully, he returned his attention to the tabby. Glory came close to stomping her foot. Yes, she wanted help. She needed help. She was scared out of her skin. But she was a Lawless. Oh, she was such a betrayal to her family, to everything they stood for. They were all so strong. But not her. She was the weak one. They knew it, and she knew it. Here was the proof—she’d all but jumped at the first offer of help to come her way. And from a Thorne, no less. Worst of all, she still wanted it. Wanted him.
In an agony of silence, she watched Riley squat down to set the little furball free. She couldn’t help but notice the way his denims stretched tight over his muscled thighs. Nor could she deny that the sight was pleasing to her. Just then, Riley looked up at her. Caught staring yet again, Glory quickly looked away from the warmth in his dark eyes.
“Glory? Look.” She flicked her attention back to him, but saw him nodding in the direction of the kitten. Together they watched its hopping, zigzagging retreat. Chuckling, Riley smiled up at her. “It must be good to see some new life around here. Old Pete would be proud. He did love his animals.”
Glory nodded and took a deep breath. “Yes. We found the mother up in the loft about three weeks ago. She’d birthed five kittens.”
“Good. I’m glad.” Still, Riley stared up at her. Glory noticed that the sun in his eyes lightened their brown to a honeyed gold. And knew this moment was about so much more than cats and kittens.
Close to running into his arms and crying like a baby, Glory jerked around, showing him her back. She concentrated on picking at her fingernails as she chided, “Get up, Riley. You look like you’re begging … or proposing, or something.”
He was customarily quiet a moment before answering. “One and the same, the way I see it. Won’t catch me doing either.”
Stung by his implied rejection, Glory stiffened and put a hand to her chest. “Well, it’s a good thing. Because your name’s Thorne. And mine is Lawless. There’s too much bad blood between our families. But even if that weren’t true, we couldn’t … I wouldn’t.…”
Staring at the horse barn, with Riley still behind her, Glory stood lost in her acute embarrassment. What was she doing, saying these words to him? She had to get herself out of this. “Well, darn it, Riley, I just don’t fancy you … in that way. And darn you for making me have to say it.”
Her words hung in the air. She swished her skirt aside as she pivoted to face him. He’d stood up. Her voice faltered as his gaze hardened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that … like that. I just meant—”
“No need to apologize.”
Her anger fueled by his solemn composure, Glory again spoke more sharply than she intended. “Even if I did feel otherwise, now would not be the right time. I made a blood oath with my sisters to avenge my parents’ deaths. And my part is to keep this spread going, so Hannah and Jacey have a place to call home. My sisters are counting on me—for the first time in my life—and I won’t let them down.”
“No one’s asking you to do otherwise.” Riley took a chest-expanding breath and peered off into the distance. When he again looked down at her, his frown produced lines to either side of his wide mouth. “I came here out of simple neighborliness to see if I could be of any help to you. That’s all.”
Such noble words. And she was such a spoiled child. Stricken, Glory hung her head. “I’m sorry, Riley. I don’t know what’s gotten into me today. First Hannah left. And now Jacey. Then Biddy and I got into a fuss. And now you show up. I … well, I just don’t know what’s going on anymore.”
She again sought his eyes. Her heart fluttered at his unapproachable handsomeness. “I thank you for your concern, but we’ll be fine. We … we don’t need any outside help.”
“From a Thorne, you mean?” The angled planes of Riley’s face sharpened. “This is no time to be stubborn and prideful, Glory. There’re things going on you have no idea about. Dangerous things. I just wish you weren’t the one left here to face them. Hannah or Jacey’d be better fit to—”
“Is that what you think? That I can’t handle myself and this ranch?” It was true: Everyone—even the Thornes—obviously believed she couldn’t dress herself without help. Forgetting any notion of female flutterings over this man, Glory shook a finger at her childhood friend. “You listen to me, Riley Thorne. I may be the youngest, but I’m learning. And I’m learning fast. I’ll just show you that I don’t need any help.”
Riley’s eyebrows rose. “That damned Lawless nature of yours hasn’t suffered any for being so spoiled by your family, has it? Folks around here believe you to be a sweet-natured, kind girl. I must be the only one who sees past that to the prideful girl underneath.”
Beyond insulted, Glory sucked in a breath and lit into him. “Well, thank you for that. Did you come all this way just to find fault with me and my upbringing?”
Riley glared at her from under the brim of his Stetson. Then he spoke in a deadly calm manner. “No. But go ahead—make your own way. Just get the hell out of my head.” With that, he pivoted and stalked away, showing her his squared shoulders and broad back.
Get the hell out of my head? Glory’s mouth slacked open in surprise. Why, the big ox—he did feel something for her. Triumphant, Glory poked her tongue out at his retreating figure. Riley stopped, as if he’d s
een her do it, and spun to face her. Glory instantly struck a sober pose and raised her chin a proud notch. Raking her gaze over his dad-blamed handsome face under his dusty old Stetson, she waited for him to speak.
And speak he did. “I came to tell you I can’t sleep nights, knowing you’re here by yourself. There’re bad men roaming these hills. Maybe even the ones responsible for your folks being dead. If you’d think a minute, you’d realize that Smiley and your men can’t sit around protecting you day and night and still see to the cattle.” He paused, looked her up and down, and then added, “So, you can try, Glory … but you can’t run me off.”
Glory narrowed her eyes. “I already did. I want you off my property.”
“No. I’m here, and I’m staying. Until Hannah or Jacey gets back. And I don’t care if you don’t like it, boss lady.”
Chapter 2
“Well now, Mrs. Thorne, it would appear your Riley’s told my Glory that he plans to stay.” Her pudgy hands folded atop her rounded belly, Biddy braced her bulk against the dry sink as she stared out the kitchen window. When Louise Thorne came to stand next to her, Biddy pointed out Riley’s stiff-legged approach and Glory’s bustling at his back, her mouth going as fast as her feet.
A secret smile on her lips, Biddy reflected that she’d known Riley was just the thing Glory needed to pull her out of her mourning self. He could always get a rise out of the girl just by being around.
“Lord above, Biddy, if you thought she was mad when we pulled up and I spilled the beans—me and my big mouth—well, just look at that child now. What are we going to do?”
Keeping her pleased gaze trained on the spectacle outside, Biddy countered, “Not a thing. As you said, ’tis up to the Lord above.” She watched Glory and Riley a moment more before turning to Louise. “Thank you for talking Riley into coming today. I’m only sorry that Zeke and John felt they couldn’t come inside.”
Seasons of Glory Page 2