God? That wasn’t a notion she was ready to contemplate.
Chapter Seventeen
MARCUS CURLED his fingers as he followed Gideon up the porch steps that evening. These fur-lined gloves were miles better than his plain leather pair, but after working all day in the snow, he’d long since lost the feeling in his fingers.
Stepping inside, the blast of heat from the warm cabin soaked over him, quickly followed by a squeal and a blur of black hair as it plastered to his legs. He chuckled. “There’s my girl.”
He shucked his gloves and worked the buttons on his coat apart as quickly as he could, but Dahlia was already bouncing up and down with her cute little button nose turned up to him.
When he was at last free from the gear, he scooped her up in his arms. “Did you miss me, angel?”
She slipped a soft hand around his neck and nodded her pointed chin in a very solemn gesture. He couldn’t resist a tickle under her chin, and she collapsed against him in a giggle.
Marcus’s gaze wandered around the room until he found Lilly, standing in her usual spot at the stove, watching him with those intense, dark eyes. That familiar wave of awe struck him, tightening his chest just like it did every time he saw her, no matter how often. She was still the most lovely thing he’d ever seen.
As she stirred something in the frying pan, he met her gaze with a smile. The corners of her mouth tipped slightly, softening her face and fueling his desire. It took everything in him not to stride over and take her in his arms.
She must have read his thoughts, because the flawless bronze skin on her cheeks flushed a pretty pink.
He forced his gaze away, toward the sizzling food on the stove. “Sure smells good in here.”
“Fried potatoes and ham with gravy.”
His stomach responded with a loud growl, which might possibly have been covered by the sound of the sizzling food. If he were lucky.
The meal passed quickly. Leah asked questions about the cattle and horses, then shared tidbits about their day. The Bryant Ranch had a decent amount of livestock—over a hundred cattle and a dozen breeding horses. Gideon had his hands full, to be sure, but Leah seemed like an avid participant, at least where knowledge and decisions were concerned. With their baby to care for, he doubted she made it out to where the livestock were quartered very often.
When Lilly rose to gather the used dishes, Leah waved her back down. “Lilly, please let me do that tonight. I’ve been so lazy since you’ve come, letting you do all the cooking and cleaning. The break’s been wonderful, but it’s my turn now.” She rose with the baby in her arms and moved toward her husband. “Besides, Gideon needs some time with Miss Fussy here.” She planted her daughter in his lap, then turned back to reach for the plates in Lilly’s hands.
Lilly eyed her for a moment, and something seemed to pass between the women. At last, Lilly’s face softened, and she relinquished the stack of plates into Leah’s arms. “Just tonight.”
It always amazed him how, even with all the words they used, women still seemed to have an unspoken communication style, too. They could have a whole conversation just by looking at each other, and he never could decipher a word.
Marcus pushed back his chair and rose. “I’ll head out and take care of the barn chores then.”
He glanced at Lilly. Would she want to come along? Gideon had already milked the cow last night, so he’d not had the chance to teach Lilly. But maybe tonight.
But as he watched, she seemed to be having another one of those silent conversations with Leah. What were they plotting now?
At last, Leah turned to him with a smile. “I bet Lilly would like to go to. She was saying earlier how much she enjoys seeing the animals.”
Lilly didn’t quite meet his gaze, but he wasn’t about to pass up the offer. “Sounds good.”
He helped her on with her cloak. It was such a flimsy thing. When they made it back to Butte, she needed a thick fur-lined coat like the one he’d seen Leah wear. His fingers brushed her shoulders as she slipped into it, sending warmth shooting up his arms.
Lilly was quiet as they walked out. Something was on her mind, he could tell by the tension clinging to her like smoke. But maybe she needed a little more time before she’d be ready to share.
Watching her play with the animals would have been worth paying money to see, as she scratched itchy spots for the horses and cooed soft words to each of them. But when she tried the same with Bethany, the milk cow, she got a long lick across her chin. Lilly darted back and squealed at the slimy moisture, and Marcus couldn’t help a chuckle as he strode by with an armload of hay for the horses.
“She likes you.”
She glared at him, wiping her chin frantically. “I’m not sure the feeling is mutual.”
After dumping his load, he grabbed the clean pail he’d brought from the house and joined Lilly outside Bethany’s stall. “Would you like to learn how to milk her?”
Surprise flashed on her face. It was amazing how much more open her expressions were now compared to when he’d first met her. He was probably getting better at reading her, too.
“I…suppose.” Something about her response lacked her usual confidence.
Marcus stepped around her to the stall door and let himself in. After he’d secured the cow in front of her fodder, he positioned the stool and bucket. “Bethany’s been around for a while, so she knows what to do here. Just run your hand down like this to let her know you’re coming, then grip her like so.”
The weight of her gaze penetrated his back, warming his neck and making his fingers clumsy. After a few squirts he looked up at her. “Do you want to try?”
After eyeing the cow, she gave a nod and stepped inside. Marcus rose from the stool, but kept his hand on Bethany’s hindquarters.
Lilly seated herself with her normal graceful movements, her back erect like a grand lady in a New York parlor.
“Now run your hand along her belly so she knows you’re coming.”
She followed his prodding and gripped the same part of the udder he’d used. When she squeezed, a few white drops eked out. Her head tilted, and she tried again. Only one drop this time.
Marcus chuckled and bent down to reach around her. “You want to squeeze from the top in a rolling motion at the same time you pull down.”
She withdrew her hand, and he showed her the action. He was close enough that the wool of her cloak brushed his jacket front. If she leaned back only a few inches she would sink into his chest. He forced himself to focus on the cow’s udder. But he wasn’t entirely successful.
“Can I try again?” Lilly’s long, slender fingers extended, and he allowed her to take the place of his hand. Her hand fumbled more this time, but she did better with the rolling squeeze, and a tiny stream came out.
“That’s it.” He placed his hand over hers and helped her with the motion. A larger squirt of milk came this time.
“I’m doing it.” The excitement lacing her words sent a pulse through his chest.
Marcus pulled his hand back to let her take over fully, then settled both hands on her shoulders. “You’re doing excellent. A born milk maid.”
She gave him a sideways glare, and he couldn’t stop a chuckle. “Good at everything you touch.”
As she kept up the motion, he couldn’t quite bring himself to move back. The touch of his hands on her shoulders, even through her cloak, seemed to connect them. His fingers itched to knead the knots from the muscles there, but he kept still. Her rosy scent drifted to him, soothing his senses like a warm blanket on a cold night.
“You can finish feeding the animals if you want. I have things under control here.” Lilly’s voice held a light touch. Teasing? Or just enjoying her newfound skill? Either way, his close presence must not affect her like her nearness did him. He forced himself to step away.
Marcus had all the animals fed and watered long before Lilly finished the milking, which gave him the chance to stand and watch her. The woman spoke to the cow
in soft tones as she worked, the same tones he’d seen her use to soothe Dahlia. It appeared milking had started a tenuous bond between woman and cow.
At last, Lilly straightened and examined the milk in the bucket. “That looks about right. Good girl, Bethany.”
After rising, she took up the stool and bucket in each hand and approached Marcus with a pleased smile. Her dark eyes shone in the lantern light. They were enough to blind him for a moment, clearing all thought from his mind and moisture from his mouth.
“Are we finished?” She raised her brows at him.
Umm… He forced his mind to focus. “Yes. I mean…all done.” Spending time with this woman was not proving helpful to his mental capacities.
He took the bucket from her, and she dropped the stool in its spot outside the stall. With the lantern in one hand and the pail of milk in the other, he extended an elbow to her. She hesitated for a moment, then took it, slipping her hand around his upper arm. A rush of protectiveness coursed through him.
After he’d paused to latch the barn door behind them, he set the pace for a leisurely stroll back to the house. This outing could drag on for days, as far as he was concerned.
“Marcus?” Lilly’s voice seemed hesitate.
His heartbeat picked up pace. “Hmm?”
“When you’re ready to go back to Butte, Dahlia and I would like to accompany you."
He stopped mid-stride and turned to look at her. With the almost-full moon, he didn’t need the lantern to see the caution shimmering in her eyes. Dropping both the lantern and the bucket, he gripped her waist and spun her around with a laugh. “Yes.”
She let out her own breathless giggle. A giggle!
Pulling her close, he breathed in the sharpness of the cold air and the warmth of her body. “I’ll protect you, Lilly. I promise.”
Her shoulders gave a little quiver. “I hope so.”
~ ~ ~
LESS THAN two days later, Marcus led the way down the muddy mountain trail, with Dahlia snuggled in the saddle in front of him and Lilly’s horse trailing behind. Gideon had been kind enough to loan him a mare for the journey back, and Lilly still rode Cloud, Doc Bryan’s mount. It would have been nice to drive the women back in a wagon, but Gideon said the trail would be barely passable on horseback, nowhere near ready for wheels and axles.
His mind churned through his plans for Lilly and Dahlia on their return, as it had the last two nights when he’d tried to sleep. He slowed his horse and motioned for Lilly to come up beside him. “I was thinking it would be best for you two to stay with Claire and Bryan until we get things settled. Is that all right with you?”
Lilly nodded. “It will be easier to get to the café from there, too.”
Marcus felt his brows furrow. “I don’t want you going to the café until we catch that lout. It’s too dangerous.”
She arched a brow at him, then the little spitfire squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “Aunt Pearl needs me, and I’ve been away too long already. I’ll be safe in the protection of the kitchen.”
A vice clamped around Marcus chest. He had to talk her out of this.
“Besides, I have ways to protect myself.”
“Ways?” He forced his voice to remain calm, despite the urge to holler the word. What ways had she had when the man had assaulted her three years ago? What ways when the man was stalking her home every night these last weeks?
Something hardened in her eyes, and Lilly reached down toward her stirrup. With the horse between them, he couldn’t see what she was doing. When she straightened, the sun glinted off the polished metal barrel of a handgun.
He stared at it, then pushed his gaze up to her face. He closed his open jaw and studied the defiance plastered across her features. Something welled up in his chest then, and he couldn’t hold in the chuckle. Dahlia joined him, although she couldn’t know what he was laughing at.
Lilly eyed him, almost wounded at first. Then her mouth pulled at the corners, finally stretching into a smile.
When he finally got a handle on himself, he wiped a tear from his eye and sent her a smile. “I guess I should have expected that.”
They stopped about an hour later to let Dahlia stretch her legs. As Marcus waited for Lilly to return with the child from a thick stand of trees, his mind worked through the options for allowing Lilly to work at the café in safety.
When both girls shuffled back toward the horses, he eyed Lilly. “I suppose we can make this work, if you let either me or Bryan walk with you to and from the café every time.”
She stepped close and met his face with a serene expression. “You haven’t stopped worrying about that, have you?”
He pinched his lips together. “I don’t want to take any unnecessary chances. Dahlia can stay with Claire while you’re gone. Please make sure you keep the kitchen door locked while you’re working. Will you promise me?”
Her gaze locked with his, any hint of lightness gone. “I don’t want to be a burden, Marcus.”
He gripped her shoulders gently, yet firm enough for her to feel the possessiveness that flared through him. “You’re definitely not a burden, Lilly. If you don’t let me help with this, I’ll go mad.” One of his hands crept up to her face, brushing the strands of fine black hair from her cheek. “Please.”
If Dahlia weren’t standing beside them, kicking at the snow, he would have taken Lilly in his arms and kissed her soundly. Enough to drive away any lingering doubts about being a burden. But he wouldn’t do that in front of the child. Not until he had the right.
Chapter Eighteen
THE SUN was partway down the western sky when the trio reined in at Claire’s house. Marcus eased down from the horse, careful not to knock Dahlia off as he did. She was bouncing so hard in the saddle, it wouldn’t have taken much for her balance to sway.
“We’re here!” she squealed, as Marcus helped her soar through the air and land gently on the ground.
When he turned to assist Lilly, she’d already dismounted. She’d proved herself to be a capable horsewoman, although her occasional hesitations told him she was more accustomed to riding sidesaddle than astride.
As they stepped onto the porch, Marcus took in the sights of Butte behind them. It was a good thing Bryan had built this house on the outskirts of town, so they’d not had to ride through busy streets to get here.
Claire greeted them at the door with a smile and ushered everyone inside. “You just missed saying goodbye to Mama and Papa. They left at daylight this morning.”
Disappointment stabbed Marcus’s chest. He’d not been here to say farewell. And he’d sort of been hoping Pop would help with the search for the man pursuing Lilly. He forced the emotions aside. “Sorry I wasn’t here. I’ll send them a letter. I brought you some houseguests, little sister.” Marcus planted a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “Lilly and Dahlia are going to stay with you for a few days.”
“If it’s all right.” Lilly slipped in the qualifier with a darted glance at Claire’s face.
Claire responded with a hug for her friend. “I couldn’t be happier.”
The two women embraced for several moments, and Marcus couldn’t see either of their faces. A satisfied warmth flowed through him, though. It was nice to see that his sister and the woman he loved were such good friends.
“Where’s Bryan, squirt?”
Claire pulled away and wrinkled her nose at him. “Maybe at the clinic. He had some calls this morning, but he should be done by now.”
Marcus’s gaze wandered to Lilly, locking with hers as he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I won’t be gone long. Stay in the house, all right?”
She nodded once, a little vulnerability showing in her eyes. “I will.”
As Marcus stepped outside and mounted his borrowed horse, Lilly’s expression replayed in his mind. Lord, show me where to find this blackguard.
~ ~ ~
“SO YOU HAVEN’T even talked to the sheriff yet?” Marcus clenched and unclenched his fists a
s he glared at Bryan.
The man returned his stare over the rim of a coffee cup. “He’s not been in town. One of the deputies said they expect him back today. Thought I’d ride over to the jail in a bit to chat with the man.”
“So what’s been done to find this man Barlow?”
Bryan eased into a chair in the little work room at the clinic and pushed another toward Marcus with his boot. “I’ve gone around to several of the men I trust and given them the description Lilly provided. No one seems to remember the man. ‘Course dark hair and brown eyes with a lanky build is kinda common in these parts. The scar in front of his left ear is the only thing that makes him stand out, and a good pair of sideburns could cover that.”
Marcus wanted to pace. Wanted to slam his fist on the table. Five days. It’d been five days since Lilly had escaped from town, and almost nothing had been done to apprehend the man. “So what’s your plan?” He folded his arms across his chest.
Bryan sighed. “It’s a big city, Marcus. There wasn’t a lot I could do until the sheriff came back. He has the manpower for a real search, if we can get him to take it on.”
Marcus tightened his jaw against a tick. “Oh, he will definitely see the need to take it on.” Dropping his arms, he spun toward the door. “Are you coming with me?”
“Oh, I’m definitely coming.” Bryan’s tone was a bit too dry for Marcus’s liking.
~ ~ ~
AS THEY STEPPED up the walkway to the jail, Bryan greeted a deputy descending the stairs. It must be the same man he’d talked to before, because the man said the sheriff had been back in town for barely more than an hour, just long enough to lock up his new prisoner and settle down at the desk with a plate of beefsteak from Aunt Pearl’s Café.
The Lady and the Mountain Promise (Mountain Dreams Series Book 4) Page 12