New resolve entered Asher’s face. “I will. You can count on it, boss.”
“Thank you.” Jacob looked back at Daisy’s still small form once more before heading out the door. He didn’t know how much time he had so he ran for his horse. As he rode to the south pasture, Jacob prayed. “Lord, we need You. You know the circumstances. Please keep Lilly safe. Let Daisy be all right. Father, I love them both so much.” Jacob stopped praying. He loved Lilly. He knew it as well as he was breathing. Life without her would be an empty vastness of waste.
* * *
Lilly sat with her hands tied behind her back on the hard ground. She shifted, trying to ease the ache in her back. The tightness of the ropes had cut the circulation to her hands. She studied the area, searching for a landmark or a familiar tree that might tell their location, but the light from the small fire wasn’t sufficient to see by.
She listened to the men arguing in front of her.
“I didn’t sign up to hurt women and children.” A young man with brown hair and blue eyes confronted Sam, his brow pulled into an affronted frown.
Sam paced in front of him both hands on his hips, drops of moisture clinging to his forehead. “Too late for regrets now, Parker. You are in this up to your neck.”
A third man, short and built like a barrel, slapped his hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Stop whining, Parker. What are we going to do now, boss?” His brown gaze made Lilly’s skin crawl as he looked at her.
Sam marched back to where Lilly sat. “This would have been so much easier if you would have married me after your pa died. But, no you wanted to run the ranch on your own. Took that brat in and pushed me away.” He shook his head. “And for what?”
Lilly didn’t answer him. His eyes blazed and anything she might have considered saying would have earned her another slap to the face. She licked her cracked lip and looked away.
“Why didn’t you just marry me? I wouldn’t have had to run off all those men.” He laughed cruelly. “Not that any of them were really interested in you. I just wanted you to think they might be and that they wanted the ranch. It worked, too. You grew to not trust anyone, didn’t you?” He kneeled in front of her and pulled her chin up to look him in the eye.
The man was crazy. How long had he wanted the Johnson ranch?
He dropped her chin and slapped her hard across the face once more, knocking her sideways. Lilly barely managed to stay upright. “I thought if I killed your pa you’d be easy to manipulate. But no. You have his same stubborn pride.”
“You killed Pa?” Lilly felt tears burn the back of her eyes and slowly find their way down her cheeks.
“I wondered how long it would take you to put that together. It’s too bad I had to tell you now. The ranch would have been mine, too, if Gertie hadn’t up and died after having the brat.” He frowned. “Of course, poor Gertie and the brat would have died later anyway.”
Lilly felt like she was in a great fog of heartbreak and fear. “Why?”
“I want to build my own legacy. Not live off your papa’s.” He laughed. “Gertie kept talking about her boy. ‘When we get established, I can go get my boy.’ I didn’t want that boy on my ranch. No, I am going to start my own legacy. Find a wife who is timid and will do what I tell her to do. All I have to do first is get you to sign the deed over to me; kill you, go back and kill the brat and the place will be mine.” He laughed hysterically.
Lilly tried to block out his cold words. She watched the younger man ease toward his horse. To distract Sam from noticing she said, “Gertie wanted Jacob to come here and live?”
Sam’s gaze returned to her. “That’s what I said, wasn’t it?”
His eyes narrowed. “Imagine my surprise when I found out that Jacob Young was really Jacob Fisher and that he’d actually arrived at the ranch. I knew then he was after my land. And you fell for him hard, didn’t you?” He paced madly back and forth in front of her.
The young man eased himself and the horse into the trees. “Jacob didn’t even know his mother had lived here when he arrived,” she answered, looking down. Had Jacob known all along? Deep down Lilly knew Sam was spinning lies.
Sam stalked over to his horse and pulled out a piece of paper. He looked about. “Where’s Parker?”
The other man shrugged. “Probably went to check on the cows.”
“The cows are here, fool.” He waved his hands around. “Go find him.”
With a grunt, the barrel of a man pushed himself away from the tree he’d been leaning against. “All right, boss.” Then he left, too.
Having him there hadn’t been comforting, but having them both gone now left Lilly in Sam’s care alone. She wiggled closer to the base of the tree.
He turned his attention back to her. “This paper is the deed to the Johnson ranch. All you have to do is sign it and I’ll let you go.”
Lilly shook her head. “I’m not sure that will hold up in court. Did you get the paper from the bank?” Fear caused her voice to shake.
Sam looked down on the paper. “No, I didn’t get it from the bank. I had a man in Sacramento write it up. Looks real, too.” He held it out for her to see. “Don’t you think so?”
In the dim light, Lilly couldn’t tell if it looked real or not. “I don’t know. There’s a smudge in the ink, the banker might question it.” She couldn’t see any smears but thought Sam looking might stall him long enough for her to work her hands free.
He bent his face over the paper. “Don’t see no blotches.” Sam looked up at her. His long legs walked the short distance between them and he leaned down.
Lilly braced for another slap to the face. A large crack sounded but she felt no pain. Opening her eyes, she saw Sam looking behind him. “What was that?” she asked, praying he’d go investigate.
Sam turned to look at her. “Don’t know.” He stood slowly and called out for his men. Neither answered.
Lilly watched him stomp off into the darkness. She struggled to undo the rope that held her hands together. As she struggled with it, she silently prayed. Lord, please help me.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jacob hurried to the tree where Lilly sat. Her head was down but her arms were working and he could hear her breathing hard. He kneeled down in front of her. “Shhh, it’s me.”
Lilly’s head snapped up. “Jacob?”
One eye was nearly swollen shut and her lip was cracked and bleeding. Jacob reached out and touched her puffy cheek. “It’s me. Can you turn around so I can untie you?” he whispered.
She nodded and turned. “Hurry,” Lilly whispered to him. “It’s Sam and he won’t be gone long.”
“Ya got that right. Move away from her.”
Jacob slowly raised his hands and turned to face Sam. “What are you doing, Sam?”
Sam laughed. “Not, ‘how are you doing?’” He shook a pistol at Jacob, indicating he should move away from Lilly.
“No, I couldn’t care less how you are doing but I’m a mite upset at what you are doing and am trying to understand what it is that you are doing.” He hoped that the way he spoke would confuse the other man.
“That don’t make a lick of sense,” Sam said, scratching his head with his gun. He focused on Jacob. “What did you do with my men?”
Jacob inched away from Lilly. He hoped Sam would follow his movement and ignore Lilly. Her hands were almost free, maybe she’d be able to get them loose and then run for it. “Last time I saw the big guy, he was sporting a knot on his head and was sitting under a tree taking a little rest.”
Sam shook his head. “That one always did like his naps. But for some reason I don’t think he meant to take the one you are describing.”
This was all senseless chatter. Jacob hoped that Caleb and the men would return before Sam totally lost his mind and started shooting. Jacob grinned. �
�I reckon not.”
“Where’s Parker? Did you knock him in the head, too?”
“Nope, can’t say that I did. Saw him ride off down the valley there. Thought you’d sent him on an errand.” Jacob slowly began to lower his arms. From the corner of his eye he could see Lilly struggling with the rope.
A string of curses filled the air. “I should have known that boy would hightail it out of here. Boy doesn’t have the stomach for this kind of work.” He spit on the ground.
“What kind of work is that? I mean aside from the cattle rustling?”
Sam studied him then looked to Lilly, who stopped moving. “So are you going to sign the deed or not?” He growled and looked down on her.
“Don’t sign anything, Lilly. He’ll kill you before the ink is dry, if you sign it.” Jacob moved to stand beside her, but Sam quickly retrained the gun on him.
“You just want the ranch for yourself. I’ve seen the way you’ve been romancing her.” He waved the gun in Lilly’s direction. “Planting bushes and working in the garden. Talking to the brat like she was special or something. You have them both thinking you are an honorable man.”
Lilly spoke up. “He’s more honorable than you. Jacob doesn’t want my ranch, he’s buying the McConnell farm.”
“That right? Didn’t know it was up for sale.”
Jacob could see the man mentally calculating how he could add the small farm to the ranch. He wasn’t surprised when Sam turned his attention back to Lilly.
“You gonna sign this?” He waved the paper in her face.
Lilly swallowed. “I can’t sign anything with my hands tied up like this.”
Sam grinned. “True, but you’re almost free. I can wait while you get them free of the rope.” He shook his head and laughed. “You two thought I didn’t know what she was doing. But I did.”
Slowly Lilly pulled her hands from behind her back. She searched Jacob’s face as she did so.
“You know, I been thinking. You sign this paper and I’ll let Jacob go. We’ll have to ask him to get off our ranch, but I think he’ll do it in exchange for his life.” Sam sounded smug. He still pointed the gun at Jacob. “Or I can shoot him now, if you don’t sign.”
“He’s going to kill us both if you sign that paper.” Jacob kept his gaze on Sam. If the man lowered the gun, he’d rush him.
“Nope. I’ll kill him. You’ve known me a long time, Lilly. You know I’ll put a bullet through him if you refuse one more time.” He cocked the gun.
“No! I’ll sign it.” She pushed herself off the ground and reached for the paper.
Jacob hated the fear he heard in her voice. “Lilly, don’t do it.”
She took the paper from Sam. “I’d rather lose the ranch than watch him shoot you. I can’t live without you, Jacob Young.”
“Now ain’t that sweet.” Sam dug in his pocket and pulled out a pencil stub. “Here.” Sam thrust it into Lilly’s hand.
Jacob took his chance. He rushed toward Lilly and shoved her behind him. “I won’t let her sign it. You will kill her anyway.”
“What if I said I wouldn’t?” Sam lowered the gun. “What if I said, you fight me for her and if you win, I’ll let you have her and the ranch. But if I win, I get to kill you and I’ll get the girl and the ranch.” He grinned evilly as he tucked his gun in his gun belt.
Jacob ground through his teeth. “Lilly is a woman, not a possession to own.”
“Maybe not to you.” Sam rushed forward and slammed his fist into Jacob’s ribs.
Jacob pulled out of his grasp and sidestepped the second blow. He threw a few punches of his own, catching Sam off guard.
Sam stumbled backward and then ran forward with his head down.
Jacob grabbed him by his arm and then drove his fist into the man’s face. He released Sam’s arm as he fell back.
Sam stumbled but caught himself just before falling. He rushed back in. This time he hit Jacob in the mouth, smashing his lips against his teeth. When he pulled back for another strike, Jacob twisted to the side, avoiding his fist.
The two men went at each other like barroom brawlers. Jacob hit Sam a few times and was hit a few times. He focused on the gun at Sam’s belt as they fought.
Sam came at him again but this time Jacob caught his arm and twisted it behind Sam’s back. He reached with the other hand and pulled the gun from Sam’s belt, then shoved Sam away from him.
When Sam turned he saw the gun pointed at his face and stopped. He leaned on his thighs, breathing hard. His face was battered and bruised.
Fighting didn’t solve anything. Jacob hated that he’d been forced to use his fists, but was thankful that Lilly was alive.
The sound of several horses running toward them down the middle of the ravine caught his attention. He recognized Caleb in the lead and sighed with relief.
The sheriff jumped from his horse. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. He pointed his gun on Sam and looked to Lilly.
Lilly ran to Jacob and threw her arms around his neck. “Is Daisy all right? Did you find her?”
“Yes, she’s with Willow.” Jacob laughed. “You really should answer the sheriff.”
She released Jacob and glared at Sam. “This man stole my cattle, hurt my little sister and tried to kill us. I want him off my land.”
“Let’s get him on a horse,” the sheriff said, motioning for two of the men to grab Sam.
Sam growled. “You can’t get rid of me, Lilly Johnson. I’ll be back.”
The sheriff shook his head. “Not where you’re going. If the judge don’t hang you, you’ll go to prison for the rest of your life.”
Sam tried to grab Lilly as they pulled him past her. Caleb stepped up and knocked the man out cold. “That’s for hurting Daisy.”
Lilly’s voice pulled everyone’s attention back onto her and away from Caleb. “Sheriff, do I need to come with you to the jail?”
He took off his hat and shook his head. “No, Miss Lilly. I’m sorry we arrived late. Jacob has warned me several times about Sam. I should have listened.”
“You came when we needed you most, Sheriff.” Lilly turned to Jacob. She wrapped her arms around his middle. “Right now all I want to do is go home and check on my sister.”
The sheriff nodded. “I’m glad Jacob was here.”
She smiled then winced from the cut on her lip. “Me, too.”
Jacob picked up his hat and then hugged her close to his side. “Sheriff, one of his men is in that grove of trees over there. He shouldn’t give you any trouble.”
The sheriff nodded. “We’ll pick him up on our way back. If you two can come in to town in the next couple of days, we’ll take care of them both.” He turned and motioned for his men to follow.
Edward, Lewis and Caleb stayed behind. Jacob asked, “Can you three get these cows where they belong?”
Lewis answered. “We sure can.”
Asher came out of the trees leading his horse. “I’ll help them.”
“I thought you were guarding the women at the house,” Jacob said.
“The doctor is there and he says that Daisy is going to be fine. Other than the lump on her head she is well. So I thought I’d come help here while he has a piece of Willow’s pie.” He ducked his head.
Lilly pulled away from Jacob. She walked over to Asher. “Please don’t blame yourself for what happened. If anything it was my fault, I didn’t tell you I was going after Daisy and I should have.”
Asher nodded then looked to the other three men. “What are you three waiting for? Didn’t you hear me say Willow is serving pie at the house?”
Lilly laughed and walked back to Jacob. “I’ll make sure you all get a piece when you’re done with the cattle.”
Jacob put his hat on and then tucked Lilly against his sid
e. He didn’t want to lose her again. They walked toward the trees, where he’d tied off his horse. She seemed quiet but after all she’d been through, Jacob imagined that she’d want to think on what had happened. He helped her onto the horse and then climbed on behind her.
Lilly laid her head back on his shoulder. “Thank you for coming for me, Jacob.”
His arms slipped around her waist. He laid his chin on top of her head. For the first time in his life, Jacob felt truly loved. Lilly had been willing to sign that paper and give up her ranch for him.
Jacob felt the ice around his heart melt. It no longer mattered that his mother had deserted him. Lilly hadn’t. He had known for a long time that he loved her now he felt free to tell her so. But how to do so? Was now a good time with Daisy lying in a bed at the house? Should he wait?
* * *
Lilly said just above a whisper, “You came back for me.”
She felt his chin bob on the top of her head. “Why?” she asked.
“You don’t know?”
Lilly thought she did but wasn’t sure. “Why don’t you tell me?” She held her breath, waiting to see what he’d say. “Jacob, I need to hear you say it.”
Jacob pulled the horse to a stop. He swung her into the circle of his arms. Her hand rested against his heart. She felt the rapid hammer and hope blossomed.
“I love you, Lilly.” A twinkle of moonlight caught her eyes as he looked at her.
“Really? You love me?” She tried to keep the smile off her face. Every time she smiled her lip hurt. Her whole being seemed to be filled with waiting.
“For the first time in my life, I know that I love someone besides myself. It consumes me.” He hesitated, his expression serious. “I don’t have the right words except to say, I love you, Lilly Johnson. You and Daisy are my world. When I thought I had lost you...” He stopped and inhaled a deep breath. “I felt gutted.
Lilly felt humbled in the face of his vulnerability. Yet she was blissfully happy, fully alive. Jacob gave her a newly awakened sense of life and purpose. She wanted him to understand. She struggled for words to share with him.
Pony Express Hero Page 21