Charlene Sands Read Online Free PDF Page B

merely stated you’d make some man mighty happy when the time comes. Tyler is a gentleman, Letty Sue. Let’s not be discussing this any further.”
    Lily’s face heated. She wanted to dash out of the room and pretend she’d never laid eyes on Tyler Kincaide. Because of him, her entire existence had been set out for the town’s scrutiny.
    Lily had lived in Sweet Springs for ten years and not once in that time had anyone taken much notice. She had few friends. Lily preferred spending her time alone, and while all the other young women were being courted, Lily stayed in her room and read books. She had a love for the written word. She’d read everything from Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter toBrontë’s Jane Eyre. And even though she’d read Jules Verne, his notions of the future gave her pause.
    Throughout her younger years, books and periodicals had become a shy awkward girl’s closest companions. She stole a quick glance at Letty Sue. Lily doubted she’d known a lonely day in her life. No, Letty Sue Withers thrived on being the center of attention.
    Joellen’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts. “Please pay her no mind, Lily. I’m sure it’s none of our business. We came for Bethann’s birthday celebration, not to make you at all uncomfortable.”
    Lily forced a small smile and glanced at the clock. It was three-fifteen.
    A clean-shaven Wes came in with the food he prepared. The amiable cook headed for the kitchen. The ladies joined him, helping set out chicken, dumplings, boiled potatoes, a berry pie and a chocolate cake. He poured each of them a cool glass of lemonade from a large pitcher.
    “Boss should’ve been back by now. Can’t see him bein’ late for the little un’s big day.”
    “Maybe someone should ride out and fetch him,” Letty Sue suggested with a sugary smile.
    Wes scratched his head. “If’n he’s not back directly, I’ll ride on out to find him. Prob’ly lost track a time.”
    Bethann raced into the room with Rhonda Mae in hand. “Oh, boy! Look at all these fixins. When’s my party gonna start, Uncle Wes?”
    Wes laid a gentle hand on Bethann’s shoulder. “Soon as your papa gets on home.”
    “But I want to see my pony!”
    Letty Sue smiled prettily at the child. “Bethann, I’dlove for you to show me your pony. When your papa comes home, we’ll all three go see it.” When the youngster nodded, Letty Sue raised victorious eyes to Lily.
    Lily did her best to ignore her, focusing instead on the dilapidated flower garden outside. She longed for a garden of her own. Her mind conjured up images of how she’d plant those beds, which flowers would thrive best on what particular exposure. She envisioned sinking her hands in the ground, tilling the soil, nurturing the tiny stalks until beautiful flowers bloomed.
    The gunman snaked his body forward. Hidden behind a crop of ironwoods on the rise, he took aim. Three long days he’d been staked out, waiting. Hoping to find his prey alone on the range. A shadowy target, at long last, came into view.
    The beauty of it was beyond comprehension. He’d plotted and planned, and now his scheme was upon him. He licked his lips in anticipation. The man was getting no better than he deserved. Hell and damnation wouldn’t be justice enough for him.
    But now, the rider was within range. “Hell is too good for you, Tyler Kincaide.” The gunman smirked into the scope of the Winchester rifle before squeezing the trigger. When the unwitting rider slumped in the saddle, the gunman leaned back against a tree, took a sound swill of whiskey and let out a satisfied laugh.
    Lily was sure she wouldn’t be seeing the ranch hand who’d watched Bethann earlier anytime soon, but there he was knocking on the door, calling for Wes to come quick.
    A look of confusion crossed over the spindly man’s features before he stepped outside. Lily heard words whispered urgently, then the two men raced to the bunkhouse.
    Lily paced, wringing out her hands.