Charlene Sands Read Online Free PDF Page A

Tyler Kincaide had proposed to them both. And there the similarities ended.
    Lily knew one proposal was filled with love, desire and want. The other, hers, was derived from certain masculine desperation. She’d be a fool to think of it as more. But in the privacy of her lonely room, where she was sure no one would intrude, Lily did fantasize about Tyler Kincaide. His slow grins and deep-set dusky eyes. What they did to her! The darkened circles under her eyes were evidence enough of her restless nights of fancy. It was daft and as fruitless as a peach tree in the dead of winter.
    She’d remembered peering longingly out the window of the mercantile whenever Tyler and his wife rode into town on this very buckboard. Tyler would gaze down at Lizabeth with adoration in his eyes. AndLizabeth would give him a warm smile, as if they shared a sweet secret that no one else would ever know.
    Oh, to have a man look at her like that, she thought with a wistful sigh, then called herself a foolish ninny again. No man would ever look at her like that.
    Lily tied the ribbon of her straw hat tighter under her chin. The Texas sun beat down, burning her cheeks. Rivulets of perspiration moistened her best white shirt until she felt a single drop easily make its way down her chest, spreading thin against the waist-band of her skirt.
    She half listened to the old man ramble on about any which subject, all the while looking out at the scenery. It wasn’t often she ventured out of town. She settled back in the seat and decided to enjoy the excursion.
    Wildflowers laced the grasslands, a healthy glow of springtime color painting the landscape with vivid hues. And a fragrant pungent scent sweetened the air. This was Lily’s favorite time of year. Everything was beginning to bloom in the southernmost tip of the Texas Panhandle.
    Nearly an hour later the buckboard pulled to a stop in front of a sprawling ranch house.
    “Tyler’s checkin’ fence posts goin’ up on the east end of the property. He’s asked fer you to help Bethann put on her new duds fer the party—if’n ya don’t mind, Miss Lillian, since you was the one that helped pick ’em out. Party’ll start at three this aft’noon.”
    Lily nodded as she was helped off the wagon. She turned to stare at the Kincaide house. The structure was painted dove gray, but the steps, the window shutters, railings and the door all sparkled milky white. Along, flowing veranda wrapped itself around three sides. Flower beds, long since neglected, graced its perimeter. Lifting her skirts, Lily took the steps tentatively, then twirled around when she heard the clinking of the wagon as it pulled away. “Wes! Wait!”
    “I got work to do, Miss Lillian. Ya jus” go inside and make yerself comfy now. Boss’s orders. Bethann’s prob’ly drivin’ Randy plumb crazy in there. You can spell him.”
    Perplexed, Lily turned to stare at the wide panel door. She hoisted her skirts and moved to the door, but before her hand reached the knob, the door burst open.
    “Miss Lily, you came!” Bethann smiled brightly.
    A lanky jeans-clad figure lurked behind the doorway. As soon as he saw Lily, tension eased from his face. “Looks like your friend’s here, Bethann. I’ll be headin’ out. Your daddy’s expectin’ me on the range.” The man brushed past Lily with a tip of his hat. “Afternoon, ma’am.”
    “Her name’s Miss Lillian Brody. She’s here for my party. You coming, Randy?”
    “Sorry, I can’t.” Randy moved quickly down the steps, as if escaping a terrible fate. “Have a nice time now, Bethann.” He was at a complete run when those last words were uttered.
    Lily glanced down at Bethann. The child gave her a mischievous smile and Lily couldn’t help but chuckle.
    Bethann led her into the parlor, then threw herself down onto the settee. “My papa says we can’t go out to see my pony till he gets back.”
    “That’s fine, Bethann. We’ll wait.” Lily looked the child over. Caked-on