Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] Read Online Free PDF Page B

he couldn’t see her embarrassment.
    “I think it’s perfectly appropriate to share gifts with anyone you like,” Tyler countered. “Especially a friend. And we are friends, aren’t we?”
    Carissa tried to focus on her stitch. “You saved my life, so of course we are friends.”
    “A fella has to save your life to be your friend?” he asked in a teasing tone.
    Realizing she hadn’t seen Gloria for several minutes, Carissa glanced up. The child was playing happily not far from the house. She tried to concentrate on her work, but all she could think of was the day Malcolm had tried to kill her. Her hands froze as the images flooded her mind.
    She could very nearly feel the rocking of the small boat where Malcolm had her bound. He’d already committed murder earlier in the year and apparently had no conscience where such a thing was concerned.
    “Carissa?”
    She closed her eyes at the sound of Tyler’s voice. It reminded her of when he’d revived her. She had nearly drowned when Malcolm had thrown her overboard. He had figured it would delay or distract the navy officials long enough for him to make his getaway. Instead, gunfire had erupted, and Malcolm had been killed.
    “Carissa, are you all right?”
    She lifted her head, but her eyes were still closed. “Sometimes,” she whispered, “I can’t help remembering.”
    “I know. Me too.” Tyler’s voice was gentle.
    Her eyes opened at this. “You? Why would you think about that day . . . about Malcolm throwing me in the water?”
    “Because I was afraid you would die. I was afraid Laura would die.”
    “You were sweet on my sister, as I recall.” She hoped the change of subject would push the memories from her mind.
    Tyler chuckled. “I was sweet on most young women back then, except for you. You were already taken.”
    Carissa remembered her silly girlish notions and behavior with regret. “I was quite self-centered then. You must have thought me completely annoying. It’s a wonder you bothered to rescue me.”
    Tyler sobered. “Everyone deserves a second chance, don’t you think?”
    For a moment she considered his words. She did like to believe that second chances were available for those who needed one. She had tried to give Malcolm a second chance . . . and a third . . . and a fourth.
    “It is God’s way,” she replied. “Although back then I wasn’t overly concerned with God’s way or anyone else’s but my own.”
    “Back then, I suppose I wasn’t all that concerned with His ways myself.” He shrugged. “William and Hannah have helped me to draw closer to God. To learn what it means to forgive and forget—at least where some things are concerned. I’m still workin’ on others.”
    “I wish I could forget.”
    Tyler started to say something, then stopped abruptly and turned. Carissa couldn’t figure out what was going on. She looked at him oddly and started to speak, but he held up his hand.
    Gloria had ambled over to the fence line and Carissa could see that she was once again trying to climb the posts. Without warning, however, Tyler bounded off the porch and pulled his pistol at the same time. “Rattler!” he cried, the single word sending a chill through Carissa.
    The following gunshot was deafening, and poor Gloria immediately broke into tears. Carissa ran after Tyler and scooped up her child. The snake, indeed a large rattlesnake, lay coiled and dead not a yard away. Hugging Gloria close, Carissa calmed the child.
    “It’s all right. Tyler killed the snake. It can’t hurt us now.”
    “Tyer, that gun is loud.”
    “It has to be,” Tyler replied. “That way it scares little children away from ever touching it without permission. Promise me you’ll never touch this gun.”
    Gloria stopped her tears and nodded. “I pwomise.”
    Carissa checked Gloria for any sign of a bite. “The snake didn’t hurt you, did he?”
    The child shook her head. “I not hurt, Mama. Let me go.”
    Reluctantly, Carissa