Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls Boxed Set (Historical Western Romance)

by Cyndi Raye

  He pulled on his shirt sleeve. “It’s what I do, Lily. I now own more land than anyone can imagine. My holdings are huge. Now, I’ve decided that I want you as my bride.” He leaned down and lowered his voice. “It will be a detraction for sure.”

  “What! You can’t be serious. I’ll leave here, Byron, if that’s what it takes for you to leave Ben alone.”

  Byron stepped down from the buck board, handing the reins to one of his men. He stood in front of Lily, the cigar smoke filtering across her cheek. “If you leave here, Ben dies. Period.”

  A fear like no other claimed Lily’s heart and soul. If she told Ben about Byron’s dark secret, it wouldn’t matter. Byron held Ben’s life like a noose over her head. No matter what she did now, Ben would be killed. “You can’t be serious. Please, Byron, don’t force me to marry you. It would be wrong.” Her gut churned. Lily grasped her stomach with both hands.

  “How else do you expect the next mayor of Wichita Falls to give his winning speech. Why, with a beautiful woman by his side, no one, and I mean no one will ever know my secret.”

  “I would never tell anyone, can’t you see that?” Lily’s eyes begged him to change his mind. What could she say or do that would make him release her from this sure death sentence?

  “I trust no one, Lily. You will become my bride. We’ll announce it in a few days, when we are assured Ben will be back. Perhaps it’s time you let him know.”

  With those words, Byron took a finger and traced a line from the tear in her eye down her cheek. He tipped his hat and climbed aboard the buck board. Grabbing the reins, he nodded and began to move along the street. Lily stood frozen to the spot, shock and disbelief at what had occurred.

  Her life was over.

  Ben was out of her reach and she’d have to live a life of lies with a man who loved someone else. Another man.

  Her life with Ben was over before it ever got started.

  <><>

  Lily went through the motions of putting her cherished books around the new library. She set up a table where guests could check out one book at a time, with a maximum limit of one week so others could have a turn as well.

  Samuel was by her side helping, rearranging an area and trying to select a good read for a book reading the first week the hotel opened. Saddened by the fact Lily would not see the opening of the hotel, her attitude was noticed by her new friend and helper. “What’s wrong, Lily? Why such a long face?”

  Lily sat down on the cushioned chair. “I can’t tell you,” she said, saddened she had nowhere to turn, no one to speak to about her impeding doom.

  Samuel stopped what he was doing. Pushing a chair beside her, he sat down and took her hands in his. “You’ve been moping all morning, Lily. I’m not an expert but I’d say it has to do with Ben. You can rely on me to keep quiet about anything you say. Cross my heart and hope to die.” He took his right hand and crossed it over his chest, making her smile.

  “You are a charming young man, Samuel. I know you will make a good husband someday.”

  Samuel blushed at her words but his serious look didn’t waver. “I mean what I say, Lily. I know things. I hear things and I don’t say a word to anyone.”

  “I can see where you would be like a shadow in a room when others are discussing things that they don’t want anyone to hear. Samuel? What do you know about Ben that I don’t?” She clung on to his hands, digging hard nails into his skin. “You know where he went, don’t you?”

  The look on Samuel’s face was piercing. He was at a crossroads, she could see his hesitation. “I do know where Ben went.”

  “Tell me,” she told him, her soft words edging him on. “If this will help me figure things out, then it is your duty to tell me. I love Ben.”

  Samuel nodded. “I know you do. I believe he loves you too, Lily. No, I know he does. I’ve heard him say it so many times. He loves you so much he is willing to risk his life with the Sheriff and Texas Rangers to bring down cattle rustlers.”

  Lily stood straight up, her heart hammering in her chest. “Cattle rustlers! Oh my, no! I don’t understand.”

  Samuel put his hands in the air. “Sit, please, Lily. Sit down and I’ll tell you what I know.”

  She did, even if it was on the edge of the seat. “Is Ben in danger?” Lily had been feeling as if there was something wrong, much more than she realized when Samuel said he went off with the Sheriff.

  “I don’t think Ben is in any danger, at least not from what was said. I do know Byron Ward, the man who was threatening you this morning is in a heap of trouble.”

  Lily’s ear perked up. “Oh? Trouble, you say. How so?”

  “Seems he’s been doing some bad stuff.” Samuel leaned in closer so no one else working in the hotel could hear. “I hear he has a cattle rustling ring on his ranch. Ben and the Sheriff found it and are now going for the Texas Rangers to put an end to his rustling days.” A big smile crossed Samuel’s face.

  Lily almost didn’t believe this. “If this is true then I won’t have to marry Ward.” Because justice will have been served when the man hangs for stealing cattle! A glimmer of hope stirred deep within. Lily contained her joy because the man wasn’t caught. Yet.

  “Married? What in the world are you talking about, Lily.”

  Samuel was so easy to talk to it didn’t take her long to tell him everything, even Byron’s most delicate secret. She somehow knew she could trust him to keep quiet. Why hadn’t she been able to tell Ben?

  “Lily, Lily, Lily. This was something you’ve kept from Ben for all these years? How in the world have you been able to if you love the man?”

  “It’s because I love him that I didn’t want to see him in danger or dead, Samuel. You will find out some day, trust me.”

  Samuel stood up and paced back and forth. “I think you made a mistake not ever telling Ben. You put yourself through a living hell. He loves you, Lily. Love always finds a way.”

  “That’s naive of you to think that way, Samuel. Love can’t keep Ben from the bullet of a man’s gun. Byron would not have played fair. He is surrounded by hired men who wouldn’t hesitate to shoot or hurt Ben. I couldn’t take that risk.”

  A soft knock on the door drew their attention. “Come in,” Lily called out. She recognized the owner of the only newspaper in town standing in the doorway. “Good morning, Mr. Ashwood. What can we do for you?”

  “Looking for Ben. I have some important issues to discuss with him.”

  “He is out of town for a few days.”

  Mr. Ashwood looked so serious it scared Lily. “Is there something wrong?”

  Ashwood rubbed his jaw. “First chance he gets, tell him to come see me. It’s urgent.”

  Lily turned to him, angry now since she was putting two and two together. “Mr. Ashwood, does this have something to do with Byron Ward?” The look on the reporter’s face told her everything. “I think you should sit, Mr. Ashwood. We have some things to discuss right now.”

  Ashwood, curious, did as she asked. “What can I do for you, Lily?”

  “I have been told there is a possibility that Byron Ward is rustling cattle on his land. Stealing cattle from his neighbors. Now Mr. Ashwood, if you would like to be the first on the story, I suggest you tell me what you were about to discuss with Ben.”

  Daniel laughed out loud and slapped his thigh. He shook his head and grinned. “Miss Lily, if there were more reporters here in Wichita Falls, you would be a great negotiator. Happens to be I am the only reporter and the only newspaper. I’ll get the story either way.”

  “Well, that may be so but you didn’t know about the cattle rustling.”

  “No, I’m afraid I didn’t. Here’s the facts, Lily. I came here to tell Ben that he was right being suspicious about Byron Ward. Seems the man has been blackmailing you. I got the facts from an unlikely citizen who had a few too many in the saloon last night. Now what do you say about that fact?”

  “You were digging for information about me and Byron Ward?” F
ear enveloped Lily. She had taken Samuel into her confidence but how in the world did Daniel Ashwood find out?

  Daniel nodded. “Ben asked me to find out why you are so afraid every time Ward comes to town. He suspected something happened while he was gone this past year. I’m sorry, but you asked. The only thing I don’t know is why Ward has been blackmailing you.”

  If Daniel found out so easily, everyone in town would know soon enough. How could she keep Ben safe then? “Tell me how you know this, please,” she begged, horror on her face knowing Ben could be in grave danger.

  “I was in the saloon having supper last night when the men at the table next to me were getting loud. I overheard the conversation. One of the men were Wards. He was drunk as a skunk and bragging how Ward had been blackmailing one of the townsfolk women. I’m a reporter, Lily, I listened to the conversation, hoping to get a scoop on one of the richest men in the territory. Afterwards, I realized he had been discussing you.”

  “Are you going to write about this in your paper?” Dread hung on to every ounce of flesh.

  Ashwood reached out and patted her hand. “No, Lily. Ben is my friend. He asked me to find out why you were so afraid of Byron. I happened to be there by chance and overheard everything.”

  “Ben could be in danger over this. If it gets out, Byron will think I told someone. I have been keeping his secret forever. I’m so tired of lying to Ben,” she whispered, gasping for air as tears spilled down her face.

  “You may not have to for long,” Samuel chimed in.

  “Why is that?” Ashwood asked.

  “He’s helping the sheriff of Fort Worth right now. They’re calling in Texas Rangers to stop Ward.”

  “Now that is newsworthy.”

  “You can’t say anything until they’re caught.”

  “Of course not. I don’t run that kind of newspaper. It’s why I’m here and not in the big city. News like this would be all over the New York Times. Nope, those days are long gone for me.”

  “Thank you. Please, let Ben do his job. I want him to come home to me. If there is a chance we can be together, I don’t want anything to happen to him.” The longing for freedom from Ward and his trappings was so strong, Lily didn’t know if she could stand by and wait for things to happen.

  “I’ll do my best. If there is anything I can do in the meantime, please, come get me. Lily, I suggest you hole up in this hotel until Ben’s return. Do not go outside for anything. Samuel, you make sure she isn’t anywhere near Ward.”

  “Yes, sir. I will protect Lily.” His chest puffed out a bit.

  Lily nodded. “I’ll try but if he comes here, I can’t stop him. Then he’ll know something is wrong.”

  Ashwood turned one last time before exiting the library. “Do your best, Lily. Stay away from him. The man is crazed and dangerous.”

  Chapter 8

  Ben crawled on his belly, the tall grass hiding the men. A dozen Texas Rangers were spread out ahead of him and Matthew. Even though the sheriff was out of his territory, it didn’t mean they couldn’t be along when this all went down. Ben wanted to be here, taste the victory. He doubted Ward would be anywhere near the illegal activities but knew these cattle rustlers would turn on their boss. Cattle rustling was a hanging crime. The captain of the Rangers already said he would offer the rustlers a lighter sentence if they turn on the man behind the whole business. Even amnesty may be an option or a lighter jail sentence was better than hanging.

  One of the Texas Rangers told them how these cattle rustlers operated. They would ride the edge of their neighbor’s ranges and steal the Longhorn’s young calves. The calves instincts are to make their way back to the mother so the rustlers hole them up in corrals out in deserted areas like this so no one can hear them crying out. When the calves finally quiet down, that’s when they are branded and led back to the open pasture, no longer looking for their mother to suckle. By then the calves can chew on grass.

  Ben could see the make-shift coral ahead. Over a dozen calves were inside the fenced area, surrounded by three men on horseback. A branding iron was in full view, along with a fire stirring in a pit. It was early morning, no one would suspect a dozen Rangers surrounding them. The rustlers would be caught red-handed. He fingered the gun on his hip, making sure he could reach it if necessary. Even though they were told to stay in the background, Ben found himself getting closer to the scene. Adrenaline kicked in as the time of reckoning closed in. He looked at Matthew, who grinned when he saw Ben staring.

  “I wish we were closer,” Ben admitted.

  “Me too. The Rangers will get all the glory for this.”

  “Most likely. We have some bragging rights too, Sheriff.”

  “Good point, Ben. Thanks for coming along.”

  As a man hollered and a shot fired out, Ben grinned. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he grunted, pulling the colt from its leather holster. He stayed low while the Rangers began to shoot back, wounding several rustlers. Two of the men on horseback slid to the ground with a loud thump.

  The captain shouted out to his men. “Wound them, boys, we need them alive!” All at once a flurry of shots rang out. Several of the men in camp dropped their weapons and held up shaking hands when they realized bullets were flying from every direction.

  “No need to shoot, we give up!” one of the rustlers claimed. “I threw my weapon to the ground.”

  The Texas Rangers surrounded the rustlers, guns trained in their direction. Two of them lay dead on the ground even though they weren’t supposed to kill anyone. Sometimes it couldn’t be helped. Ben stood up to watch the scene in front of him, with the Sheriff beside him. The two looked at each other. “That was quick,” Ben said, surprised.

  “Let’s go see how these rustlers spill their guts.”

  Ben nodded and began to get closer. He noticed one of the dead rustlers make a slight movement. “I don’t think he’s dead,” Ben muttered. He heard the click of the trigger right before a burst of pain hit him in the shoulder. The shot pushed him off balance. Ben teetered for a moment as a dozen shots rang out. The rustler who shot him was riddled with bullets before he could get off another shot. The gun fell from a dead man’s hand.

  Ben heard the captain disciplining his men. “For Pete sake, one or two shots would’ve been good enough. Let’s get this cleaned up. Two of you men bring me a rustler. We have some talking to do.”

  A fog of sorts clouded Ben’s mind. He gritted his teeth while the pain rendered him useless. He tried to stay upright but a buzzing sound began where the men’s voices were heard seconds before. Ben lifted his booted foot to take a step forward but stumbled instead. From that point on all he remembered was the Sheriff looking at him with concern.

  Sweat poured down his face. He had to stay alert. Wanting to know if the rustlers gave Wards name as the man behind it all, he fought to stay awake. He couldn’t let the blackness prevail. The Sheriff’s arm was holding him steady. “Why don’t you have a seat, Ben. We’ll have someone take a look at your wound.”

  “I’m fine,” Ben mumbled, his head beginning to pound.

  “That’s crap, you’re about to fall over. Now sit down on that log, right there,” Matthew demanded, guiding Ben to the spot he indicated.

  Ben had to admit it did feel better not having to fight to stay standing. The Sheriff slipped a knife from his pocket, slicing the blade along Ben’s sleeve, putting pressure on the wound. “Looks like the bullet is still in there. We need to get you back to Fort Worth.”

  “All I want is Lily,” Ben said before he slumped over.

  <><>

  The note devastated Lily. In the last few days Byron Ward seemed determined to reach her. Samuel tried to stop anyone from entering the hotel who was not an employee. He informed everyone to keep away anyone who didn’t work there. When they knew Byron pulled up in front of the hotel, Lily slid out the side door, taking herself somewhere else so she didn’t have to face him. Wearing a larger hat, she hid her face in order to wa
lk right by his wagon while he was inside the hotel. His men never noticed her. Samuel even took Byron on a tour so he could see for himself Lily wasn’t there.

  Today he sent a note. Marched in the hotel like a man on a mission insisting the note be given to her right away. She could say she never received it but that would make trouble for Samuel. There was no way she would do that to him. He had been good to her, helping her get through these past few days. Dreading the next moment, she opened the folded paper.

  Dearest Lily, In your honor, please attend dinner this evening at Jenna’s Fine Dining. I have reserved a space for us and several very special guests. Please join me at seven prompt. I will expect to see you there. Your future husband, Byron

  She wanted to throw up. Spending any time with Byron was a horrible idea but she was having no choice.

  “What does it say?” Samuel asked, seeing the look on her face.

  She handed the note over.

  “Lily, you can’t go. You need to stay away from him until we hear from Ben.”

  “It’s been days, Samuel. I am getting worried about Ben. Where is he?”

  “Maybe it’s taking longer than usual to find the Texas Rangers. Or, the cattle rustlers, I don’t know. But I do know Ben will be back. You can trust him, he’s a fine man, Lily.”

  “I know he is. I have to go through with this dinner tonight, find out what Byron is going to do. It can’t be helped.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “I wish Ben would come home,” Lily said sadly. She was more concerned than she let on. Even though the Rangers were helping, it was dangerous business what they were doing. She hadn’t been able to sleep much the last few days worrying about Ben.

  “He will. Then this whole mess will be cleared up. He’s going to find those rustlers and put them all away, you wait and see. Then Ward will be out of your life forever.”

  Lily gave him a worried look. “I hope you are right.”

  Samuel patted her shoulder. “I’m stepping out for a bit. I think we should let Ashwood know about the dinner tonight. He can be there discreetly since no one would think twice about a news reporter at the same restaurant. I don’t want you to be there alone.”