by Alice Addy
Ty knew he had to do something.
“Well, son. You were pretty lucky. Most men would be in boot hill after receivin’such a wound,” the old doctor pronounced. He’d been very kind to both Ty and Eve. “I think you can go home now, if’n you take it slow and easy. But may I make a suggestion? If you love that little gal . . . and I think you do, I reckon it would be beneficial to her, if she had a change of scenery. She’s not gettin’ any better, Ty, and I only hope it ain’t too late. Could you take her home with you fer a spell?”
Ty nodded. “I had already planned to, Doc. I just hope she’ll come with me without putting up a fuss.”
The doctor chuckled. “Don’t you worry about that, none. I’m gonna give her a little somethin’ to help her sleep. By the time she wakes up, you should be half way to the ranch.”
“Thanks, Doc. Eve and I owe you.” He reached out and shook the old man’s hand. “You’re invited to the wedding.”
CHAPTER NINE
The trip out to the ranch was uneventful. If it hadn’t been for the constant pain in his shoulder, Ty would have enjoyed it. Eve rested on his good shoulder for several hours, before she awakened. If she was surprised to find herself sitting in a wagon out in the middle of nowhere, she didn’t show it. She just sat quietly.
“Hey, sleepyhead. About time you opened those baby blues. We’ve been on my ranch for nearly an hour, now. You’ve missed most of it.” He grinned.
“Ranch?”
Eve had spoken. He couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, darling. My ranch. I want you to meet my ma and pa. They’re going to love you and I think you’re going to love them, in return. I’ve already told them about you.” He paused a bit.
“How are you feeling, Eve? Better?”
She looked puzzled at his question, and then she nodded.
“Good enough,” he said.
They rode on in silence for almost an hour, before he pulled the buggy over to the side of the road. “Eve, look over there. That’s the homestead.”
She opened her eyes obediently, and took in the scenery. The sun was setting and the ranch was quiet and serene. Once, again, she nodded.
Laughing, Ty nodded, too. “So much for trying to impress you. Don’t go back to sleep. We’re almost there.” He snapped the reins and the buggy picked up speed and raced down the hill.
“Eve, darling. We’re home. I want you to meet my ma and pa.”
Eve looked around as if in a daze. “Home?” she asked. “It doesn’t look like home.”
Ty was really worried about her. Her mind was confused and all mixed up. Maybe his ma would know what to do. He helped her down and gently guided her up onto the broad porch. Turning the handle, the door swung open and a white haired couple stood just inside, looking relieved to see their only son, and perplexed at seeing the beautiful young woman on his arm.
His ma spoke first. “Ty? What’s happened? You look so thin,” she commented. “We’ve been so worried with no word from you, and who is this young woman? Is she ill, too?” Mrs. Fenton had noticed the odd and vacant look in Eve’s eyes.
“First, I’d like to show her to her room, and then I’ll tell you and pa everything. It’s a long story and she’s exhausted.”
“Of course, son. I’ll go along with you and help the little mite. She sure is pretty, Ty,” his ma said.
After getting her bedded down for the night, Ty followed his ma to the kitchen. His pa was already sitting at the table, pouring three cups of strong black coffee. “Sit down, Ty, and fill us in on the goin’s on. I surmise this young woman is Eve?” his father inquired.
Ty nodded. “I don’t even know where to begin. When I came back here, after being told you sent for me, things happened at the Six Gun. Eve’s guardian, Whiskey, disappeared and left her and three saloon girls to fend for themselves. The girls found other things to do with their lives. I can’t blame them, but it left Eve completely alone.
“This gambler, Sam Garrison, is real bad news. Taking advantage of her predicament, he saw a way he could make some real money and made himself indispensible to Eve. He remodeled the whole saloon and even gave it a new name. The Paradise, he called it. It weren’t nothing but a cheap gambling house with bad liquor and fancy women.”
He looked at his mother and blushed slightly. “Sorry, Ma.”
“He was controlling Eve’s life, trying to force her to marry him.” It made Ty nauseous to think of that snake putting his slimy hands on Eve. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain his composure.
“After the new saloon was torn apart by a bunch of drunk cattle drovers, they were forced to close the doors, permanently. Sam blamed Eve and he beat her.”
“Oh, no,” his mother gasped, and covered her mouth with her fingers.
“He took his fists and beat her, Ma.” Ty couldn’t staunch the flow of tears that overflowed his eyes. “I should have been there for her, Ma. I should have protected her.” He laid his head down on his arms and cried like a child.
His father quietly asked, “Then what happened, Ty? Did he hurt her in other ways?”
“No. At least . . . not that I know of. He did keep her shut away for a time, but he couldn’t break her spirit. She left him and got a job in a stable, caring for the horses and cleaning the stalls.” He had to smile, remembering her in her tight trousers and too small shirt.
“By the time I rode in, she wouldn’t talk to me. She felt like I had let her down and she didn’t want to see me, either. That girl’s got a real healthy temper,” he chuckled. “But when I found out that Sam had hurt her, I went looking for him. Pond scum, like him, can’t be allowed to walk around a free man. When I found him, he shot me.”
“Oh, my God! How bad were you hurt?” His ma was on her feet, already starting to fuss with his shirt.
“Bad enough to scare the hell . . . I mean scare the puddin’ out of Eve. She fainted when she heard I was dead, and she hasn’t been right in the head, since. The doc says she might lose her mind completely, if we don’t do something to help her soon.
“That’s why I brought her to you, Ma. Please help her. She’s my whole life. I want her to be the mother of my children—your grandchildren.”
“Grandchildren? Oh, Ty, is she . . ?”
“No, ma. But after we’re married, I hope she soon will be. Will you help me save her?”
“Yes, son. Gladly.”
Ty spent the evening sitting on the floor, just outside Eve’s door. He wanted to be close if she should awaken during the night and be frightened. As it was, he could hear her quiet sobs in the early morning hours. She reminded him of a small wounded animal and it broke his heart that she should suffer so. She had never done anything to warrant the cruelty she had experienced. Eve was an innocent and deserved much better.
“Ty!” Eve screamed. “Ty!”
He must have dozed off just before dawn. The sun was up and Eve was screaming his name. Jumping to his feet, Ty burst through her door. He couldn’t believe what he saw. Eve was crumpled on the floor with the blanket over her face, frantically rocking back and forth, like a terrified child.
“Eve, oh, sweetheart.”
He scooped her up in his arms and placed her back on the bed. Coaxing the blanket down from her face, he proceeded to kiss her. He kissed her face, her hair, and her ears. He crooned soft sounds to soothe her. “My darling. It’s going to be all right,” he murmured. “I’m here, and you’re safe.”
She was hysterical and was gripping his arms with a strength that amazed Ty. After ten minutes or so, Eve began to calm. Her whimpering ceased and her breathing returned to normal. Ty loved holding her close to his chest. She was soft and warm and curvy in all the right places. He kissed the top of her head and took in her intoxicating fragrance.
“Ty?” Eve whispered. “Have I been bad?”
“Oh, sweetheart. No. You’ve been ill, but I think the worst is behind you. You’re here, with my ma and pa. Remember? You’re on our ranch and we’re going to care for
you until you’re stronger. You’re with me, Eve.”
A weak smile lit up her face. She was with Ty and that was all she needed to know. Her eyes closed, but this time, she slept peacefully.
Cora Fenton thought it best to let the young woman sleep as long as she wanted. If she needed food or water, she would awaken and ask for it. Cora had to admit that even she was struck by Eve’s natural beauty. Even while ill and distraught, she resembled an angel asleep.
The following morning, when Cora entered the room, she was greeted by a smiling and grateful Eve.
“Look at you. You’re all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning. Ty will be quite happy to see you looking so well. He’s been very worried about you, you know. Would you like to eat in your room or would you rather come into the kitchen and eat with the rest of us?”
Eve replied, “I’d love to go to the kitchen . . . that is, if I can borrow a hairbrush. I’d hate for Ty to see me looking like this.” She blushed at the thought, knowing he’d, more than likely, seen her looking much worse.
Cora smiled. She realized she liked her son’s choice in women. “Of course, dear. I’ll get you fixed up in a jiffy.”
The instant the two ladies entered the cozy kitchen, the men stood up out of respect and admiration. The older woman and the younger woman were both lovely in their own special way.
Extending his hand to Eve, the older gentlemen introduced himself. “Hello, my dear. I’m John Fenton, and this is the love of my life, Cora. I believe you know our son, Tyrone.”
Eve smiled. “Tyrone?”
Ty fidgeted. “It’s just Ty. Pa’s being funny at my expense. You’re looking prettier than ever, Eve. Don’t you think so, Pa?”
His pa laughed. “Well, seeing as how this is the first time I’ve really laid eyes on the girl, I wouldn’t be able to judge, son. However, it’s hard to believe that any woman could be lovelier than she is, at this moment. Come and sit down, Eve. You need to conserve your strength for a few days.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. She liked Ty’s family and this warm house. It was filled with love and just the kind of home she wanted for herself, someday. She watched Cora put breakfast on the table, with both men assisting with the heavy pitchers and platters. It was natural for them to all pitch in and help one another.
“Now, don’t be shy, dear,” Cora said. “Just dig in and eat your fill. We always set a hearty table on this ranch. Why, you wouldn’t believe how little and skinny Ty used to be—but look at him now. What you see is years of my good home cooking,” she boasted.
Eve took a good, long look at Ty, sitting across the table from her. His face was friendly and honest. He was intelligent and kind, with dark, curly hair that begged her fingers to run through its fullness. He was tan, with smooth cheeks and sculpted lips that were too masculine to be called pretty. They were sensual. She took note of his large hands holding a cup filled with strong black coffee. They were roughened by years of hard work, but were clean and full of strength. She knew they could also be tender. Ty’s neck was broad and his shoulders wide and rock hard. He was a real man, and Eve realized she was over the moon, in love with him.
She was still lost in thought, when she heard Ty’s voice. “Eve, are you listening to me?”
“What?” she said, startled out of her reverie.
Ty laughed. “I asked you, if you’d like to take a ride with me and see some of the ranch?”
“Oh, yes. I would like that very much. Right after I finish this wonderful breakfast your mother has made for us.” She grinned at him and put a forkful of the tasty potatoes in her mouth. It really was the best breakfast she had ever eaten.
As they walked to the barn, Ty asked Eve if she would prefer to ride a horse or take the buggy? Biting her bottom lip in consternation, Eve finally decided to take the buggy. She still wasn’t over the loss of Ringo, and she wasn’t yet strong enough to tempt fate.
“I hoped you would choose the buggy,” Ty admitted, with a gleam in his eye. “I’ve been wanting to get closer to you ever since we arrived back here, but it seems Ma is always watching over you, like mother hen. Maybe now, I’ll get a kiss for all my effort. What do you think, Eve?”
She smiled at his silliness. “I think your chances are quite good, provided that you say pretty things to me and hold me tight. Can you do that?”
“Whoopee! You bet I can, Eve! You and I are gonna have a real good time, today. Yes, ma’am, a real good time . . . Get up there, horse.” He snapped the reins and the buggy took off, down the road toward the lake. Ty was unaware of his ma and pa watching them, from the porch.
“Well, Ma. It looks like the boy’s been love bit. I sure hope he’s as lucky as I was, when love took a bite out of me.” He looked at his wife with pure adoration in his eyes. They had been together for forty years and their love was as new as if they had exchanged their vows only yesterday. He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her pristine white hair.
Cora looked up at John and the years disappeared. She saw the best looking man in the county . . . and she could barely believe he was in love with her. Cora’s heart nearly burst with the love and affection she felt for her husband. “It seems like only yesterday when our son came into our lives. He’s been such a blessing, John, and I hope that we’ll see a grandchild before we leave this earth.”
He gave his wife a little squeeze. “I think the chances of that are pretty good, dear.”
The buggy returned home in time for lunch, and Eve felt much like her old self. She was even able to think of Frieda and smile. She had been incredibly lucky when Mrs. Birdsong discovered her and Pete, eating out of the trash, in back of the saloon.
Pete.
She hadn’t thought of him in a number of years. He’d lived a good long time, but he grew old, as everything does. Someday, she would like to get another good dog and name him, Pete. It was her favorite name in the whole wide world, for some odd reason. It comforted her.
“Eve, I’ve got something to show you down in the horse barn. Would you like to see it now or after lunch?” Ty asked.
“Now would be just fine. I love exploring your ranch, Ty. It’s so beautiful. I would never want to leave it, if I lived here.”
Ty grinned broadly. He took Eve’s hand, and they practically ran to the barn. “Sorry, to walk so fast, Eve, but she’ll only be in here for a short time before she’s turned out for exercise.”
“She?” Eve asked, puzzled.
“Yeah. She’s beautiful. Almost as beautiful as you, but not quite,” he laughed, guiding Eve around the stalls to one near the back.
“Just look at her, Eve. Isn’t she magnificent?”
Eve stood there, all bug-eyed. “Oh, Ty . . . she’s the most gorgeous filly I’ve ever seen. Is she yours?”
He looked at her and said, “Nope. She’s yours.”
For several moments, Eve said nothing. Then turning to Ty, she burst into tears of gratitude. It was as if she had opened the floodgates and allowed all the emotions locked up inside her to pour out. Life had been so hard and now, here, this wonderful man was gifting her with this precious horse—simply to make her happy. Her wounded heart could not contain the joy and the gratitude she felt for him.
Eve flew into Ty’s arms and smothered his handsome face with happy kisses. She pressed her body up close to his and reveled in the sensations washing over her. His strong arms held her tightly, as his mouth hungrily searched for hers. The instant their tongues met, a flame of desire rose up, threatening to engulf them both. It would not be easily quenched.
Ty’s hands slipped down to cup her bottom and he gently pulled her closer.
Eve closed her eyes and reveled in the touch of his hand. She could feel his heart pounding against her breast and drew warmth from his moist breath gently caressing her neck. A hard ridge of muscle and flesh was pressing in on her, more evidence of Ty’s strong physical desire.
Then . . . through the rush of their rapid breathing and ove
r the sounds of pure delight, Ty and Eve heard his voice.
Clearing his throat, John Fenton stood staunchly, just inside the door. “Ty—Eve—your lunch is waiting. I believe it would be most prudent of you to start back to the house . . . now.” He didn’t move a muscle, but continued to stare at the young lovers.
“Oh, Mr. Fenton. This isn’t what it looks like.” Eve protested. “Ty just gave me this little filly. Isn’t that the sweetest thing?”
The older gentleman tried to hide his smile. “Very sweet. Come on now, children. Food’s gonna get cold.” He stood back, holding the door wide open.
Ty gave Eve’s hand a gentle squeeze for reassurance, and led her back to the house, all while under the watchful eye of his pa.
Several days later, as Ty and Eve walked out to the orchard, Eve decided to tell Ty of her plans. She’d been giving them serious thought, for the last couple of days, and had her mind set to pursuing them. Eve hoped that Ty would support her decision.
“I think it’s time I went back to town, Ty. The Six Gun is sitting empty and that’s not what I want. It was, after all, Frieda’s legacy to me, and I want to make her proud.”
Ty interrupted. “Are you sure you want to go back and run a saloon? I was hoping you’d want to stay here, with me.”
She smiled. “I’d like to live here with you, someday. But the time isn’t right. I need to find out what happened to Whiskey, and I want to make a success of the business—but don’t worry. I am not reopening a saloon. I was thinking Hays City could use a first rate hotel. How’s that sound to you?”
“It’s better than catering to drunken cowboys, I reckon,” he grumbled, as he tossed a fallen apple over the fence.
Eve teasingly elbowed Ty in the arm. “You know it’s better, and I’m just the gal to make it happen. You could help me get the building ready, if you wanted to.” Eve giggled as she ran her fingers through the curl peeking out from under Ty’s hat. “Of course, you’ll probably have to stay all night, for a week or so.” She looked up at Ty, smiling with anticipation. Would he be able to read her mind?