by Sue Heasley
Rex attempted to rein in his emotions. He hated the fact that after all these years he could still feel jealous of other men talking to Lillie. He entered the barn feeling tense and uneasy. He found Ben and her wiping down the pony he had ridden.
“Where are your two friends? You know the ones you were flirting with in the corral?”
Lillie swirled around, a glint of anger in her big blue eyes. “It is none of your concern what I do.”
Ben patted the pony and looked from one to the other. Rex made it a point to smile down at him. She was about to say something when she paused and turned to Ben.
“Honey, why don’t you run into the house and tell Mable you are ready for your meal.”
Ben tossed the cloth he was using to rub down his pony onto a bale of hay. “But I’m not hungry. I want to watch you.” He hooked his little thumbs into his pants’ pockets.
Lillie led the pony into its stall and slid the crossbar across the front. “Watch me do what?”
“Use your whip.” Ben pointed at it hanging on a rusted nail on a nearby post.
Rex folded his arms in front of him and smiled at Lillie. “I want to watch too.”
She ignored him. “Ben, I’m not going to use my whip on Rex. Now do as I say. Go to the house.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Cute kid.” Rex glanced at Ben as he ran out of the barn. He turned back to Lillie. He couldn’t hold back his next words. “You’ve been busy while I’ve been gone.” He made it a point to look her over.
Lillie’s cheeks blushed. “You bastard.” Her stance changed, and at the same time, her fist flew up toward his face.
Rex grabbed her wrist right in time. Damn, she was fast. “Where the hell did you learn to fight?”
“My father, now let go of me.”
He could see her eyes water as she bravely tried to hold back her tears. His fingers slid over the thin skin at her wrist. Her pulse raced. He could swear it matched his own. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. Her lower lip quivered.
“Lillie, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” Rex cleared his throat trying to hold back his emotions.
She pulled her hand away from his touch. A tear finally rolled down her cheek. She stepped back. “You made your choice years ago.”
Rex moved closer. She didn’t stop his fingers from skimming along her jawline. “I wish I could rip out my heart for you to stomp on. Can’t you understand how sorry I am? Please forgive me for running out on you.”
Lillie took another step backward and found herself backed up against a barn post. “I can’t. It’s too late for us.” She turned to flee.
“Wait.” Rex grabbed her arm. “Lillie, there is one more thing.” Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms. She didn’t struggle. His lips mere inches from hers, he was dying to kiss her, but it was too soon.
“I can’t even describe how much I’ve missed you. Being away from you has tormented me.”
Her lashes flittered at him. She leaned closer. Her seductive voice whispered in his ear, “Did you dream of me?”
“I dreamed of you all the time.” Rex savored the feel of Lillie’s finger skimming over the whiskers on his lower chin. He began to relax.
“I have something important to give you.”
Rex lowered his eyelids part way. She was going to kiss him. This was going to be easier than he originally thought. His pants began to tighten across the front. Her breath feathered across his lips.
“I want you,” he whispered.
Her body tensed.
His eyes flew open.
Lillie’s knee suddenly smashed into his groin. “You’re a lying sack of shit. I’m pretty sure you didn’t think of me when you were lying on top of the soiled doves at the local brothel in town.”
Rex doubled over as pain shot through his body. He fell to his knees and groaned. “Woman, I think you’ve crippled me for life.” All he could see was a blurry vision of the sway of her hips walking toward the house. Suddenly she paused and glanced back at him.
“Posse coming in,” Lillie yelled. She ran up the front steps of the old farmhouse. A triangular dinner bell hung from the porch eaves. With a metal bar, she rang it several times.
Rex stumbled to the ladder leading up to the loft. With all his strength, he pulled himself up the rungs. His groin felt like a fire pit. Lillie was angrier than an irritated bull. He hoped like hell she didn’t give him away to the posse. He was not looking forward to the hangman’s noose again.
****
Lillie stood her ground on the front porch of the ranch house with a rifle cradled in her arms. Mabel kept Ben close to her side as they viewed the action from behind the windowpane. She had no doubts her father was attempting to climb out of bed and retrieve his rifle. A posse of six men galloped up the dirt road leading to the farm. The sheriff of Chelsea was leading the gang. Several of her ranch hands suddenly appeared, armed and ready for a fight. They lined up in front of her. Jose, her ranch manager, had just ridden in from the range. He pulled up beside her.
“Where is Rex?” Jose spoke in a low voice as the posse drew closer.
“I imagine he’s hiding.”
“Miss Cohen.” The sheriff pulled up his horse in front of her and tipped the brim of his hat. His men rested their hands on the butt of their guns when they noticed her armed men.
“You’re trespassing on my land. I suggest you turn your horses around and get off my property.”
“You know why I’m here.”
“I’m not in the mood for games.” Lillie didn’t dare glance at the barn. She knew Rex all too well. He loved a good fight. She had to get rid of the sheriff. “If you’ve got something to say, get on with it.”
“Give me Rex Utah.”
Lillie laughed. “I haven’t seen that no good man in years.”
Sheriff Baker gave her a crooked smile, took his hat off, and ran his hand over his partially bald head. “It so happens a couple of witnesses noticed the Cohen branding marks on the hindquarters of the horses whose riders rescued Rex from the hanging this morning.”
Lillie hated to feel cornered. It had slipped her mind about the branding. “We had a couple horses stolen the other day.” She rushed the words out too quickly.
“Boys, search the house and barn.”
“Hold it. I’ll shoot the first man off his horse.” Her men suddenly raised their rifles at the posse.
Before Sheriff Baker could reply, Jose rode his horse in between Lillie and the sheriff. “Go ahead and search all you want, Baker. We have nothing to hide. Lillie is a little on edge right now because her father is laid up.”
“Jose, I can handle things.” She stepped closer to his horse.
“Let them search. Bloodshed will not solve anything. We don’t need them bringing the state marshal back.”
“You’re right.” Lillie was letting her emotions interfere with her decision making. “Stand down, men.”
She chewed on her bottom lip as she observed the sheriff’s men heading toward the barn. Jose dismounted from his horse and touched her shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’d be surprised if they find him.”
Lillie shrugged off his touch. “Don’t ever show me up again in front of the men. I need their respect if I’m going to run this ranch.”
“Let me worry about things. That’s why you made me ranch manager. I have more experience. This way you have more time to spend with your son. Remember our talk.” Jose tapped the bottom of her chin.
Lillie drew in a deep breath. “You’re right. It’s hard sometimes. I want my father to be proud of me.”
“I’m sure he is.”
It didn’t take long for the sheriff and his men to finish their search. “Well, Miss Cohen, you’re in the clear for now. I apologize for the intrusion.” The sheriff turned to Jose and nodded.
“Get the hell off my property,” Lillie shouted.
“I forewarn you. We will be keeping an eye on the place.” T
he sheriff and his posse galloped away from the ranch leaving a trail of dust behind them.
Jose mounted his horse. “I’m going to finish checking the east fence line. I hope I can see you later tonight.” He winked at her. He then made a point to wave at Ben who had his nose pressed up against the window watching them.
Jose dodged the grazing cattle as he galloped across the pasture. He was a good-looking man with black hair and a mustache. She had grown up with Jose. She even trusted him with her life. Just like Rex Utah. The two men had always been in competition for her favor. Rex won it the first time. Then he left and broke her heart. Obviously, she’d chosen the wrong man. Lillie glanced toward the barn. A man’s shadow in the hayloft window watched her. Rex had seen them together. Lillie couldn’t face him again today. She headed into the house to spend time with Ben and her father.
****
“Jose, you’re a conniving son-of-a-bitch.” Rex balled his hands into fists and backed away from the barn loft window. No wonder Jose had refused to tell him everything after his rescue. Could Ben be his son? Why was everyone so damn determined to keep secrets from him?
Rex had to get away from the ranch to gather his thoughts. He climbed down from the loft and looked around the stable. He spied an old friend in the last stall. The chestnut mustang neighed as Rex approached.
“Hey, old man, I can’t believe you’re still alive.” He had learned to herd cattle on Red. “How about we go for a ride? I’ll have to make sure the stable hands turn you out more often. An aging horse should be enjoying a green luscious pasture.”
Rex slipped a bridle on Red and didn’t bother with a saddle. He took a handful of mane and leapt onto his back, which had begun to sway. On his way out of the barn, he grabbed Charlie’s old dusty cowboy hat hanging on a nail. It fit perfectly. In no time, he was heading toward the west end of the ranch. He had one hell of a day. He was determined to spend a nice quiet evening alone under the stars next to a fire. Even though Lillie was the only other person who knew about his secret hide away, Rex doubted he’d see her again today.
Chapter Five
“Ma, what are you looking at?” Ben banged his spoon on the table trying to get Lillie’s attention. “Aren’t you going to eat Mabel’s chicken and dumplings with me?”
Lillie kept staring at Rex through the window as he rode his old trail horse through a grouping of trees in the back pasture. She smiled to herself at the sight of an old familiar picture of the man she had once loved. The old watering hole was the perfect place for Rex to hide while the posse searched for him. She turned to her handsome little boy who was the perfect likeness of his father, except for his hair color.
“Of course, I am, Ben.” She pulled the wooden chair back from the table.
Mabel dished out a plate of food and sat beside her. “Did you tell him?” she whispered in Lillie’s ear.
“No, I haven’t decided what to do yet.”
“Tell who what, Mama.” Ben had gravy dripping from the corner of his mouth. He lifted his arm and wiped his chin on his shirtsleeve.
“Use the napkin, honey.” Lillie smiled at him thankful for the change of subject.
“Yes, Mama.”
Everyone turned at the sound of scraping coming from the hallway. “Papa, what are you doing up?” He leaned on his wooden crutch and limped toward them at a slow pace. Lillie hurried to her father’s side and helped him to the table.
“I’m sick and tired of sitting in that damn bedroom. I’ve been in that room for two weeks. Besides, I’m hungry, and I need a cup of coffee. I’m sure Mabel is getting tired of waiting on me anyway.”
“Yippee, Grandpa can play with me now. He’s all better.” Ben ran to him and hugged him.
“Honey, your grandpa still has some healing to do. He can’t play outside yet.”
“Oh.” Ben frowned.
“I might not be able to run around with you. But maybe after I eat, we can play cards on the porch.” Her father ruffled Ben’s hair.
“Okay, Grandpa.”
“Ben, you have to finish eating first.” Lillie shook her finger at him.
“I think you should go back to bed.” Mable’s voice sounded gruff. She pulled a medicine jar from behind several other containers sitting on the counter. “After you finish with your meal, I’ll give you something to help you sleep.”
“I’m not going back to that damn bed.” Charlie pounded his fist on the table.
“Mable, I think some fresh air on the front porch will do Papa some good.”
“Don’t be so mean.” Ben tugged on Mable’s checkered apron. “Grandpa is going to finish showing me how to play poker.”
“Maybe I’ll wash your mouth out with soap to teach you to respect your elders.” Mable scowled down at him.
“That’s enough, Ben. Tell her you’re sorry.”
Ben looked up at Mable with his big brown eyes. “I’m sorry.” He then ran out the front door before anyone could stop him.
“That boy has a similar disposition to someone else I once raised.” Charlie picked up his tin coffee cup from the table and glanced at Lillie. His left shaggy eyebrow arched up.
“She hasn’t told Rex yet.” Mable turned to the basin to clean up some dishes.
“Come here,” her father ordered. “Maybe it’s time to tell him the truth.”
Lillie sighed. “First, he’s a wanted man. Second, I don’t know if he will stick around once we clear his name. That is if we can. Third, I think Jose might eventually propose to me. How would Ben handle two fathers?”
“Your points are well thought out.” Her father nodded.
Mable touched Lillie’s shoulder. “Jose is a good, decent man. I think he’d make an excellent choice for a husband. I’ll start planning a wedding dinner right away.”
“Whoa.” Lillie raised her arm and glanced at Mable. “I haven’t made any decisions yet about Jose. Besides, he hasn’t asked for my hand. Maybe I’ll never get married. Actually, that would be fine with me.”
“Enough, both of you.” Charlie pounded his fist on the table again. “This will be Lillie’s decision. Don’t push her.”
Mable frowned at them. She refilled Charlie’s coffee cup and slammed the pot down on the stove.
“I’m done talking about this.” Lillie started toward the front door. “I have chores to do, and I need to check on Ben.” She would do anything to get away from this conversation.
“Wait, you did a good job handling the sheriff and his posse today. I watched everything from my bedroom window.”
Lillie paused and glanced back at her father.
“I’m proud of you.”
She walked back to him and kissed his cheek.” Thank you, Pa.”
“Now, listen to me.” He lowered his voice. “Jose may try to boss you around now and then, but you’re the owner.” He squeezed her hand. “You make the final decisions on this ranch.”
Relief came over Lillie. “Thank you, Papa.” He always knew how to make her feel better.
****
Mable turned to Charlie after Lillie slipped out the front door. She crossed her arms. “Somehow I get the feeling you don’t care much for Jose.”
“If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have kept him on at the ranch all these years. You know I took him in around the same time I did Rex. After my wife died giving birth to my only son who also passed, I figured giving a home to two orphan boys was the right thing to do since I had the means to care for them.”
“Let’s be truthful. You were in desperate need to find help for this ranch.”
Charlie scowled at her. Mable set a plate of chicken and dumplings down in front of him. “Let’s not talk about the past.”
Charlie finished his coffee and then pushed his food around on his plate. “That’s when I hired you to be the cook. If I remember right, you were in desperate need for a job too. So, don’t ever say I don’t care about the people I have working for me.”
“Okay, we all appreciate what you did fo
r us.” Mable could tell the medicine she slipped into his coffee had started to affect his speech. It was time to change the subject. “I want you to talk Lillie into marrying Jose. Promise me.”
“Why are you in such a hurry to get her hitched?”
“I think it’s time for some changes around here.”
“I agree. But Lillie will marry when she’s ready.” Charlie’s words began to slur. He put his hand to his head. “I think I need to lie back down.”
“Here, let me help you,” Mable offered. She slipped her arm through his and helped him to his feet.
“Damn, I’m sleepy. Did you slip something into my coffee again?” Charlie limped toward his bedroom.
“You need your rest.”
He collapsed onto the side of his bed. Mable lifted his legs up and covered him up. “Damn you,” he whispered before he passed out.
She smiled down at him. “Now you’ll be out of my way for the rest of the day.”
Ben suddenly appeared at the doorway. “I thought Grandpa was going to play cards with me.”
“He’s too tired. You can play with him another time.” Mable placed her hands on her hips. “Where’s your mother? She went to look for you.” She shut Charlie’s bedroom door behind her.
“She’s in the barn doing chores. She told me to go stay in the house.”
Mable hustled him back to the kitchen. “Why don’t you pick some blackberries for me? I’ll make a pie for dinner.” She handed him a small basket.
“My favorite.” Ben jumped around excited.
“It’s Jose’s favorite pie, too.” Mable offered.
“Wow, he’s like me.”
“Yes, he is. Now off with you.” Mable smiled as she turned her attention back to cleaning up the dirty dishes. “Yes, Jose will make a wonderful father someday.”