"Now the other option is that the Indians got her."
Sheriff's response seemed so generic and lacked the empathy that Brent had expected.
Brent opened his mouth to speak, but he did not want to seem like it was the right time to answer. He could tell that Sheriff was trying to pull some information out of him. Truth was, there was nothing to get out of him. He did not know anything, but wished he knew everything.
He could not imagine what she was going through. What if she had been captured?
"Where do we start?"
"Sheriff, you have a message from the wire office."
The sheriff and Brent turned to see one of the messengers from the wire office. Sheriff held his large hands out for the envelope.
He used a letter opener to slide it open. His eyes scanned the sheet.
"Looks like this message is for you." He held the note in his fingertips.
"What are you talking about?" Brent came over and took the note. He could not believe the words he read.
Welcome to town, Ranger Abbott. You will find that Owen's Bluff is my territory. I always get what I want and no one should stand in my way.
-Lawrence Jones
"I see that you have made some friends here in Owen's Bluff."
The comment was facetious and Brent did not feel the need to make a response. It was apparent that he was being challenged.
"What could he possibly be talking about? Why would he feel the need to come at me like this?"
By now, Brent was pacing, his anxiety building.
"Son, you already know what this is all about don't you?" Sheriff spoke calmly, eyebrow raised.
All of a sudden everything made sense.
"Now you get it?" Sheriff asked.
"Now I get it." Brent massaged his temples, hoping the throbbing sensation would stop.
"We need to figure out exactly where he has Lily. This is insane."
"Time is of the essence, Abbott. We had better get going."
Sheriff hoisted on his holster and sat his large brimmed hat and beckoned for Brent to follow.
They had to get to Lily to save her. There was no way that Brent could let things stay like this. He had to help. And fortunate for Lily, a Texas Ranger had fallen for her, so he would make sure very soon, she would be in good hands.
Chapter 6
Lily could barely see outside of the window. She pushed a box up to the wall and attempted to step on top of it to create enough height for her to see.
The room was way too dark, but she knew that it was day time because she could see the sliver of light coming through the window.
Her head was swirling and she felt disoriented. She had no clue what day it was or where she could possibly be. Her foot slipped and she came crashing to the floor. Her hands felt the dirt beneath her and when she paid attention, the surroundings smelled like planting soil.
She rubbed her head and tried to stay calm. The last thing she needed to do was panic. It would serve her no purpose to panic. The window was so high up, she would need something to stand on in order to get a look outside.
There had to be some way that she could tell where she was. The vacuum of silence was not helping. And for the life of her, she could not remember how she had gotten here. She tried to think back to the last thing she could remember.
Everything was cloudy. Her last thought was of her going to the market. As she did every morning, she rose, dressed, and set up the wagon with her wares. On the road to the market, her horse spooked and she had to stop and do what she could to calm him.
The memory started to get foggy again. Lily closed her eyes and tried her hardest to remember. There was a man. Someone helping her.
Then she remembered. Lawrence Jones had ridden in on his white horse. He offered to help her. She declined. He insisted and hopped off of his horse. Then things went blank from there. The only thing Lily remembered was a feeling of frustration and fear.
What had happened?
Her head hurt and she felt dizzy, like she would faint. A dry mouth, sweating, and dizzy, fear was starting to creep in. Lily knew that there was no way that she could let this situation defeat her, but she had to keep trying to get out of here, wherever here was.
She scrambled on the floor to pull herself up. What in the world was going on? She held her breath as she heard the sound of horses approaching. Muffled voices, and then the sound of a creaking door opening.
Lily struggled to find something to hold in her hands to protect herself from the unknown.
"Where is she?" asked a gruff voice that she did not recognize.
"She should be in here where I left her."
The sound of boots crunching the soil beneath and when Lily looked up, there were two men standing before her. Light streamed in behind them, dust and dirt filled the air.
She sat prepared for anything, although she had not found anything with which to protect herself.
"Come on here. You will be going to the main house."
The tallest man beckoned her like she was an animal. She chose not to respond, being as though she was not sure where retaliation would get her.
The other man approached. Looking down at her, he stood directly in her space.
"It don't look like she gonna get up on her own. Let's help her." His speech was a syrupy drawl.
Hands grabbed her and in an instant, she was thrown over the second man's shoulder.
Screaming did not seem like it was worth it. She pounded her fists on his back, but then realized that it would be more worth her while to take a quick look at her surroundings.
Once outside of the structure where she awoke, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the bright light. She figured it to be mid afternoon by the intensity of the heat.
The two men walked and conversed as if she was not even present.
"Jones is nuts."
"Truth," replied the one with the syrupy voice. "But he pays well and that's all I need to like about him."
"Hmm," replied the first one.
All Lily saw was an expanse of land. The scent of manure wafted past her. She had to be on a ranch and with the men talking about Lawrence Jones, she surmised she was on one of Jones' ranches.
The man carrying her lowered his shoulder and let her down to the ground.
Lily's first thought was to run, but looking around, it was obvious that there would be no destination that would be safe. Besides the barn where she had just awakened and the expansive house that she was standing in front of, there was nowhere else to go.
"Mr. Jones is expecting you," the man with the drawl spoke.
Both men stood there, at the bottom of the grand staircase that led to the entrance of the house. Lily gave them a look of fury before walking up to the door. She had no clue what she was walking in to or why she even walked so easily in to it. All she knew was that she needed to tread lightly and do her best to get home.
*
Lily entered the house and stood in the large foyer. The house was more luxurious than anything she had ever seen in her life. Everything was trimmed in gold and adorned with crisp white upholstery. She had to get to the bottom of why Lawrence Jones called her to be there.
"Right this way."
Lily looked up to see a thin framed copper colored girl with a maid's uniform on.
"I'm not sure why I'm here."
The girl looked at Lily with a look of compassion. "Right this way."
Lily followed her into a parlor. She went to take a seat and the girl jumped to protect the chair.
"Oh, uh… Please stand over here, Senorita."
"I would really like to take a seat and wait," Lily replied.
The girl looked at her kindly as if she was trying to find the right words. "That would be for guests."
Lily opened her mouth to speak and closed it just as quickly. She was beginning to understand what was going on here. She stood where the girl told her to.
"My name is Maria. I will help you to get acquain
ted with, with-," she paused. "I will help you with whatever you need. Please wait. Senor Jones will be in momentarily."
Maria excused herself and Lily surveyed her surroundings. This had to be some sort of joke. She looked out the window to see nothing but the ranch, cattle grazing and wire fences.
"Well, well. You finally made it in."
Lily turned around to see Lawrence Jones standing in the doorway. He was dressed in dungarees and a shirt buttoned up to his neck. As he entered the room, he took off his hat. His greeting was pleasant as if Lily was simply making a friendly house call.
"I guess you would like to know what is going on here."
She nodded and waited for his response. Jones paced around the room as he spoke.
"I am a man that is used to getting what he wants. Very simple. I have given you a chance time and again to come to me. I've tried to be nice about it. Most women would not have shunned my advances as much as you have. So since we do not seem to be on the same page about any of this, I thought that it would be best if I made a major move."
"And you consider this a major move? What happened? How did I end up here?" Lily was beginning to get upset by the man's sheer arrogance.
"You don't remember? Yesterday, you were on your way to the market. We met in the road when your horse was spooked. I stopped to help you."
"It does not seem that our interaction was as simple as that, if you don't mind me saying so. I woke up on the dirt floor of a barn, disoriented and dizzy."
"A woman like you has a little fight in her. And that's okay. I like my women a bit feisty. So I had to do what I had to in order to get you here."
The look in his eyes was blank, void of expression. It made Lily uncomfortable.
"My father will come looking for me."
Jones laughed. "Sanchez? He is no match for my security. I always keep a few outlaws on the payroll. Your father would never come up here alone to fetch you."
Lily wanted to laugh at Jones' attempt to discourage her. "And I'm pretty sure Brent will come looking for me." She smirked as if she had pulled out the trump card on him.
"Ah, Texas Ranger. Brent Abbott. You think he's going to come for you? Maybe. Maybe not. He will most likely lose interest in you once you are out of sight, out of mind."
A pang hit Lily in the chest. What if that was true? She had been so intent on keeping Brent at arm's length, he may just think that she was not interested in a relationship with him and just leave well enough alone.
"I don't think so. It's just a matter of time before Brent and the sheriff come looking for me."
Jones came closer to Lily. He was so close that she could smell the whiskey on his breath. His presence in her space made her skin crawl.
"I love beautiful things. I like the best of everything: spirits, food, clothing, jewelry and women. And you, my dear, are fortunate enough to have me pick you."
Lily was confused. Was she supposed to feel like she had hit the jackpot because Jones considered her to be a prize? His very touch made her feel more soiled than she was physically.
Jones ran his fingers through her hair. "I can help you afford the kind of life you have never dreamed of. You can be my Lily. No woman turns down a chance like this."
The feel of his warm breath on her neck was infuriating. But Lily was not sure what to do in this predicament. Fighting him would just exhaust energy. She had to think her way through this one. And patience would be the virtue because she knew in her heart Brent would rescue her. She had to just have a little hope.
*
Maria helped Lily bathe and get into some clean clothing. It was a bit awkward for Lily. She had never had anyone assist her with anything of that sort.
"You really don't have to help me, Maria."
"Yes I do, Senorita." Maria was hard at work scrubbing Lily's back and washing her hair.
Lily had to admit that it felt good to soak in the bath. She had only been in a bath a few times in her life. Her family could not afford indoor plumbing. She often went down to the lake to bathe if she wanted to really relax, but it was more of a luxury. Here she did not want to get comfortable with the luxuries that Jones was trying to bestow upon her. This was not her home.
"Please no, Maria. I can really do this myself." Lily snatched the soap and began to scrub herself.
Maria acquiesced and left Lily at the tub to bathe herself. Instead, Maria began to tidy up the room and lay out Lily's clothing.
"Really, I can put back on my dress," Lily offered.
"No, Senorita. That dress is soiled. I will wash it. You must put on one of these dresses as Senor Jones requests."
Lily squeezed the water from her hair and stood up, draping the towel around her naked body.
"Maria. Please call me Lily. And there is no way that I can wear something like that. I can not even afford to look at a dress like that. This is not for me."
Lily went to pick up her dress from the ground. She would wash it out in the tub and simply wait for it to dry. Maria caught her hand and twirled her around.
"I am not sure how to say this, Senorita. You are here under Senor Jones request. I am your ladies' maid, sent to make sure you get acquainted with the way things are done around here. You should make it a point to be friendly and cooperate. Things run much more smoothly when you cooperate." She squeezed Lily's hand, just enough to let her know that she was serious.
Lily eyed her counterpart. "How long have you been here?"
"Three years. It may not be my home, but I have had to settle in here. I make enough money that one day I can bring my son over here and take care of him. I do not want anything," she paused, "or anyone to get in the way of that."
Lily snatched her hand back. "That is fine. I would not get in the way. I simply want to get out of here."
"That is not possible." Maria began to hand Lily the dressing garments.
"What do you mean that is not possible?"
Maria was frustrated by now. "What that means is that you must get used to being here and not make too much trouble, Senorita. That is what that means."
She thrust the garments out to Lily again.
As much as it pained Lily to step into the skirt, she did as Maria asked. By no means did she ever want to stand in the way of a mother and their child.
"I apologize. I just do not know how I got here. One minute, I am on my way to the market and my horse is spooked. The next minute, I see Jones, he offers to help me, and I wake up a day later on the dirt floor of a barn on his property."
Maria listened as she busied herself assisting Lily into the slip.
"It happens to the best of us."
Lily was not sure what to make of Maria's comment. Had the same thing happened to her? Unfortunately, it was not appropriate to ask a young woman whom she had just met, her entire life's story. If Maria wanted to tell her, she would eventually open up to her.
"I don't plan to be here long," Lily blurted out.
Maria was still silent, as she dressed Lily.
"I have a Texas Ranger and the sheriff looking for me."
Maria eyed her and then finished tightening Lily's corset. Lily sucked in her breath when Maria pulled the strings tighter. She had only worn a corset once or twice and it was the most uncomfortable feeling. She preferred to wear the beaded dresses and shirts that he mother made for her. Corsets were so restricting and besides, she was not one of the ladies in town that looked for social acceptance by wearing the roundest hoop skirt or the highest collar. Lily rarely pinned her hair back and preferred it to be in one single pony tail down her back.
"You and Senor Jones will be dining in the great room in about ten minutes. If you need anymore help, please let me know.
Maria bowed as she left the room, after dressing Lily, in a rush. The room was quaint, decorated in lace and embroidery. It was definitely a room for a woman and most definitely decorated with care. The bed was the largest she had ever seen and the she had never been privy to living in surroundings quite li
ke this.
Lily was not sure how to handle the situation. What was she supposed to do? Pretend like she was okay with having dinner and idle conversation with a man that was holding her against her will?
Not exactly. But the thought of dinner was making her feel weak. She had not eaten since yesterday morning and she was famished.
She did not want Jones to think that she was enjoying his hand outs, but she needed a bit of nourishment. Lily braided her hair and let it fall down her back. She got ready for dinner with Jones. How she would get through the evening was a mystery to her. But she would have to do her best.
*
Lily had never been to a dinner so formal. Even having dinner at home with the sheriff, Miss Sarah, and Brent had not been so formal. Here the dinner plates looked delicate, the table clothes were trimmed in gold, and the table was set with lit candles and flowers as centerpieces. And from the feel of things, she knew that this was the normal state of living and not something done for her because she was a guest.
"You look ravishing, Lily."
When Jones spoke, it made Lily's skin crawl. He always seemed to be eyeing her with intent to do something to her, like she was a piece of property. Not like the way that Brent looked at her. When Brent looked at her, she felt adored and special, not coveted like Jones made her feel.
Lily did not respond. Instead she looked down at her feet, trying her best not to give Jones any eye contact.
He laughed. "I know it will take some getting used to. Here, please take a seat."
Being as much of a gentleman as he could, Lawrence pulled her chair out for her. Lily took a seat.
"I know that this is all so sudden a change for you. I promise I will make it as comfortable as possible. You will have your own room and we can, well, we can cultivate our relationship as slowly or as quickly as you would like." As he spoke, he twirled his hands around to accentuate his speech.
Lily smoothed her dress and hoped that what she was about to say came out calmly. "I am not sure why I am here. Or why you have invaded my life in the way you did."
Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) Page 5