Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls Boxed Set (Historical Western Romance)

by Cyndi Raye

  “Lily, don’t say that. I know you have feelings for me. I must explain to you my life here in Fort Worth while I lived here for that year. It’s only fair to you.”

  She turned to him. “No, Ben. You don’t owe me any explanations. Let this matter rest, please.”

  He followed her inside with a determination to make her understand. She tried to ignore him.

  “Look at this place!” Row after row of books filled the small store. The three of them began searching for interesting books to purchase. Lily had her hands full when Ben came up behind her.

  “I never loved her. She was a way to get over you when you kept sending my letters back. It was a big mistake. She wanted marriage, I wanted out. I don’t love her, Lily. All I ever wanted is right here, in front of me. I’ll die an old man alone if I can’t have you.”

  A statement like that should have her in his arms but she couldn’t do so, not until Byron was out of the picture. She decided to take a chance. “If you love me so much then don’t ask questions, please. There is a reason I can’t be with you right now. Give me some time to figure things out.”

  Ben’s arms came around her. She couldn’t push him away since she held so many books in her arms. “Let me help you, Lily. I know there’s something going on that I’m not aware of. Tell me, we’ll work it out together.”

  Horror filled her eyes and soul. She tried not to let it show but Ben knew her so well. He couldn’t figure this out, his life was in danger. “I’m sorry Ben, I can’t. Give me time, please.”

  Ben let her go. “How much time do you need, Lily? It’s been so long already.”

  She saw the pain in his eyes and knew the woman on the street never meant anything to him. She also knew the mail order bride he got a letter from would never make him happy. Ben had loved Lily for so long and so deeply and she felt every single breath of his love in that moment. How could she keep this cruel secret from him?

  Was Byron truly demented enough he would go after Ben? She couldn’t bear to live life without him. Would she give way to a weak moment and be the cause of his demise? For a moment she thought she would spill the truth. No, she wouldn’t do that to him, not to her Ben. She couldn’t take the chance. “I’m sorry, Ben. There is something I must do first. Please, trust me and I’ll tell you everything when the time is right.”

  “Lily, if there is someone trying to hurt you, I can protect you.”

  She lifted a soft hand to his cheek. “Ben, it’s not me I’m concerned with. Please, trust me.”

  A flash of desperation crossed his face. “For how long, Lily?”

  “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Give me a time, right now. I know you love me, Lily. I can feel it with every breath you take. You’ve never stopped loving me but someone is keeping you from me. Who, Lily? Is it Byron Ward?”

  <><>

  When Lily plunked the pile of books on the counter and ran from the book store back to the hotel alone without answering his question, Ben knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he was right. Byron had threatened her in some way. Suppressed anger kept him on the edge of reality. The man would not get away with this. It was time to face the man down once and for all. No matter what happened, Lily could not go through life scared of a man. Even if she never wants him again, he would put a stop to this nonsense.

  He paid for the books and decided to leave Lily be for now. He told Samuel to make sure she made it back to the hotel unscathed and paid to have the books delivered to the train for the trip back in the morning.

  Lily was holed up in her room when he returned to the hotel. He slipped a note under her door that mentioned dinner would be served on room trays for tonight and they should meet at the front of the hotel at seven sharp in order not to miss the train back to Wichita Falls. He knew Lily didn’t want to face him yet. Ben felt the same way.

  He left the hotel to find the sheriff’s office. Matthew Dancing had become a close friend when he resided here. It was time to pay him a call. When he got to the jail house, several rambunctious cowboys rattled the iron bars with a tin cup.

  When he saw Matthew with his feet up on the wooden desk, Ben had to grin. “Quite the live crowd you got there, boss.”

  The sheriff grinned back. He pushed back his chair and stood. “Ben Sloan, what brings you back to Wichita Falls?”

  Ben shook hands. “Just here for some books.”

  A brow rose. “Books, huh?” Matthew broke out in laughter. He flung his head back and whistled so loud the noises from the men in the cell stopped.

  “What?” Ben asked innocently, a wide grin on his face.

  “You got it bad, man. Come on and have a seat.”

  Ben did as told and leaned on the wooden desk, trying not to let the cowboys hear. Unfortunately, the sheriff’s office was too small. “Have you ever heard of Byron Ward, Sheriff?”

  “Can’t say that I have. Sounds like you have though.”

  Ben gritted his teeth. He was certain a man of Ward’s reputation would stir up something in a town like Wichita Falls. That left little to go on. “He may be scaring the wits from my Lily.”

  The sheriff nodded as if he understood but Ben knew he had no clue what to make of things. Matthew was no nonsense. “You got proof?”

  “I’m afraid I’ve got nothing. There has to be something on Ward, someone who knows something.”

  Raucous laughter began in the cell as one of the cowboys began to slap his thigh.

  “Shut yer mouth in there, boy!” The sheriff stood up to intimidate the prisoner but he slithered up to the cell, pushing his face against the bars.

  “I can tell you what you want to know. Let me out of here and I’ll spill my guts.”

  “Malarkey! You’re joshing me, boy. Don’t be stirring up trouble or you’ll hang for sure.”

  The young cowboy gripped on to the metal bars for dear life. “No, Sheriff. I don’t want to hang!” Desperation filled his voice. “I do believe this man right here is an avenging angel, here to free me from my destiny.”

  “Say what?” The Sheriff raised his voice. “This here is no avenging angel. Why, it’s Ben Sloan, nothing more.”

  Ben stood up, moving slowly towards the man in the cell.

  “Not too close, Ben. Never know what he’s up to.”

  “I’m always careful, Matthew. You know so.”

  “Sure do, except I’ll provide a little back up.” The whoosh of air as metal cleared the leather holster was heard throughout the jail. Ben knew without looking the sheriff cleared his gun.

  The cowboy raised his hands in the air. “Now, no need to point that gun, Sheriff. I do know things. Worked for Ward for about six months before I found a better paying job on the Triple Q Ranch.”

  “You work on the Triple Q?”

  “Sure do. The owner don’t cheat, lie nor steal, not like Ward, and she pays a heck of a lot better, too. She’s gonna have my head if I ain’t back there with the rest of the men. You gotta let me out of here. I need that job, sir.”

  The cowboy pleaded with the sheriff to no avail. “I will let you out, but you’re gonna stay right there until the whiskey wears off, son. I know the owner of the Triple Q and she don’t hire anyone with an agenda. But if you don’t answer this man’s questions right here and now, I’ll find a reason to keep you longer, maybe a week or two until the circuit judge gets here. Then we’ll see how long you spend in jail, son.”

  “That’s bribery, Sheriff.”

  “Is it now? Hmm, didn’t recall what I just said. You recall, Ben?”

  Ben grinned. “Nope. Can’t hear too well either.”

  “Alright, alright!” The cowboy’s shoulders sagged. “It don’t matter to me as long as I can leave here with the others. When I worked for Ward, he had forced some of the men to steal cattle from the adjoining ranches and re-brand them with his own.”

  “Is that right? What kind of proof you got, boy?”

  Ben knew nothing would come of this without proof. Rustling cattle w
as cause for hanging in these parts. If they could prove Ward was behind something this big, he’d no longer be a threat to Lily.

  “Don’t have no proof, Sheriff. You said you wanted dirt. Well, that’s what I know. He hides the stolen cattle on his ranch near the southern most point. Makes it easy to cross the river there and no one can find them until he re-brands them. It’s a big process but you’ll never find it without someone to show you the way.” The moment he said the words, the cowboy clamped his mouth shut.

  The Sheriff moved quickly, grabbing the hands that gripped the bars. “Draw me a map and I let you out of here come morning.”

  “You promise?”

  “You have my word.”

  Ben saw relief mixed with fear on the prisoner’s face. “Can we believe you, boy?”

  “Yeah. I ain’t no cattle rustler. Don’t agree with how Ward does things. If I get out in the mornin’ then my friend here has to come along with me, deal?”

  “Deal.” The Sheriff rummaged through his desk to find paper and pencil. He grabbed it and shoved it through the bars. “Now, draw me a map and make it good.”

  The cowboy’s hands shook but he drew the map while the two men watched. The moment he put the pencil down, the sheriff snatched the paper and put on his hat and jacket. “Let’s go, Ben. You up to a jaunt?”

  “You got it, Sheriff. Thanks.”

  “No problem, Ben. The way I see it, catching a cattle rustler is gonna help my career. May just become the mayor yet.” He tipped his hat and flung open the door, its bell echoing through the jail.

  Chapter 7

  The sun was slowly sinking against the horizon. Ben and Matthew kept the horses behind a large set of boulders while working their way closer to the area marked on the map. “Looks like some unlawful stuff going on to me. Take a closer look, Ben.”

  Ben took the set of binoculars Matthew held out to him. Placing it over his eyes, he saw a close up of several men cleaning up an area that plainly looked to be grounds for illegal activities. Branding irons littered the ground while one cowboy put out a fire. “Looks like there was some illegal branding going on today. We better get out of here before we’re spotted.”

  “Agree. This is out of my territory, Ben. We’re going to have to call in the big guns. I happen to have crossed paths with a delegate of Texas Rangers early this morning. Captain McMurry of Company B Frontier Battalion was passing through Fort Worth. I’d say he’s not quite a day ahead of us but if we get moving at first light, we can catch up to his crew by the end of the day tomorrow. We’re gonna need all the help we can get to roust this gang of cattle thieves. This is no small beans, my friend. From what you have been telling me, Ward has some power in the area. We’ll have to be careful and bring in the long arm of the law for this one, but I’d say the evidence is right in front of us.”

  Ben contemplated telling Lily the news on his way back to the hotel but decided to keep things quiet for now. Once Ward was caught with his pants down, he’d have a reason to tell her she didn’t have to worry about the man any longer. Then maybe she’d share the truth with him.

  He would have to send Samuel and Lily back to Wichita Falls without him so he could accompany the Sheriff to locate the Texas Rangers. If she accidentally spilled the beans to Ward, the whole ambush would be for naught. Ward needed to be stopped in order for Lily to be left alone. He just hoped this would solve things between the two of them.

  When Ben got back to the city, he paid for return tickets back for the two. Tired, hungry and filthy from the dusty ride out to Ward’s ranch, he washed up in the basin before settling on the bed staring at the ceiling. Placing hands behind his neck, Ben visualized a new life with Lily as his bride before his lids slowly closed for the night.

  <><>

  “Lily, open up?” Samuel pounded on the door. “We’re going to miss the train if you don’t hurry!”

  Samuel’s insistent shouting and banging almost made Lily forget to pinch her cheeks. She placed the veil over her face, angling the hat so it looked neat and crisp. Raking her hands over her skirts, she smoothed them the best she could in these circumstances. It didn’t help she had no choice but to sleep in her clothes last night. In hindsight she forgot to pack a nightgown for sleeping.

  “Coming, Samuel. Hold your horses!”

  “The mules are waiting out front. They already announced everyone to board the trolley car.”

  “Oh dear!” Lily took one last look in the wall mirror and flung open the door. She looked around for Ben but he was no where to be found. Following Samuel down the stairs and through the vestibule, she thought perhaps he would be waiting outside. “Where’s Ben?”

  “He told me to give this to you. He had to stay and take care of family business.” Samuel handed Lily a folded sheet of paper. She glanced around one more time before loading up on the trolley. Finding a seat on the already crowded bench was going to be hard until a man kindly stood and let her have his seat. He nodded to Lily as she thanked him.

  Lily smoothed her skirts and opened the letter. Dear Lily, I’m sorry to say I have been called away on family business for a few days unexpected. I’ll see you upon my return to Wichita Falls. Keep building your library. I’ve instructed Samuel to distribute any funds needed from petty cash to make it beautiful, like you. All my love, Ben.

  Family business? His family was in Wichita Falls? Was there other relatives Lily hadn’t known about or was the business he spoke about with that golden-haired woman? A deep sorrow filled her heart. How could she keep on like this.

  “Everything alright, Lily?” Samuel leaned over, trying to read Ben’s words. She folded the letter and stuffed it in her reticule.

  “It’s fine, Samuel. Ben will be gone a few days.” She straightened her back and smiled at him. “We have a lot of work to do when we get off that train. I hope you made sure all the books were loaded on the train.”

  “Indeed. I checked before we left the hotel. Ben took care of all of that before he left at daybreak.”

  “Daybreak? How did he leave?” Lily was curious where and why he left town so suddenly.

  Samuel crossed his arms across his chest. “I can’t say much more than that, sworn to secrecy.”

  “Oh, you were? Was there a woman with him?”

  “No, ma’am. No lady. Just the Sheriff.” He stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes widening that he divulged more information than necessary.

  Lily patted his arm, pleased. “It’s fine, Samuel. Thank you for letting me know another woman isn’t involved.” Lily decided no matter what, she’d enjoy the train ride back. At least Ben hadn’t run off with the mysterious lady from Fort Worth, although the thought of him leaving town with the Sheriff had her curiosity peaked.

  Hours later, her mood blackened when she left the platform at Wichita Falls to see Ward and his entourage in front of the hotel. Lily hurried to see why they were stopped out front. She picked up her skirts and ordered Samuel to unload the books.

  “But, Lily, you shouldn’t be walking by yourself.”

  “Oh, hush. I’m fine, done it a number of times before.” Lily headed straight towards Ward.

  She noticed he sat on the bench of the buck board wagon, holding the reins in one hand. A cigar was pressed between his two fingers of the other hand that rested on his knee. “Well, Miss Lily. I’ve been waiting for you. Where have you been?”

  She stopped, looking up at the man who held her fate in his hands. If she had a gun, the thought of popping the trigger was so strong, Lily willed it to go away. Please, God, don’t let me think ill of anyone, lest another one of your children. Even though Byron was a cruel, heartless man, perhaps he could be redeemed. Mayhap it was her job to do so. Was this what her fate was, then? To forgo love and restore the love of God back in to his dirty soul? Or, pick up a gun and pull the trigger, ridding this varmint from God’s green earth once and for all?

  A little voice inside reminded her that vengeance is wrong. She shuttered, realizing the man in
front of her was in God’s hands. She couldn’t dole out justice, it was indeed in His hands alone to decide what happens to Byron Ward. She just wished God would hurry up. She had a life to live and a man to love her like no tomorrow. “What do you want, Byron?”

  “I see the hotel is starting to come around. Looks pretty active with people running back and forth all day long.”

  “It’s been a lot of hard work. Honest, hard work. There’s nothing else. No secrets, nothing I can share with you.”

  “Is that a fact? Then where is Ben? I hear tell he hasn’t come back on the train, that he is on some type of mission.”

  Lily turned her chin up. “How in the world did you hear such a thing?”

  Byron shrugged. He smiled down at her, putting the cigar in his mouth. “I pay people to know what goes on when I’m not here.”

  Goose pimples crawled on her flesh. He had someone sneaking around the hotel watching? A spy? Her hands went to her hips. “Pray tell you have a spy under our roof?”

  Ward laughed, pulling the cigar from his mouth. “Did I hear you say our roof, Lily? Tsk, tsk, now you know better than to plan for your future, what with all the danger overhead.”

  Lily got his meaning loud and clear. Either she deliver something to him or he can make Ben have an accident. “When is this going to end, Byron? I’m at my wits end here. I have nothing to share with you.” Besides, if he has a spy inside the hotel then he already knows about the shower instalments. Or was he bluffing? The man was plain mean with a dark heart. Maybe there was no saving him.

  “I bought the building right across the street. Going to be the biggest hotel this side of the Mississippi when I’m done with it. Bought the land platts behind there. It will be so long that no other building will come close in size.”

  Lily’s eyes widened in fear. The dream Ben had of making his hotel the best in the area was slipping from his fingertips. “Why, Byron? Why do you insist on having the biggest and best?”