by Cyndi Raye
“That’s a good idea. Would you mind stopping by the newspaper to let him know? I have some work to do.”
After Samuel left, Lily spent the remainder of the day putting the finishing touches on the new library. When she was done, she stood back with a smile. She couldn’t wait to show Ben what they had accomplished. A sadness engulfed her, threatening to instil a fear so strong Lily thought she would faint. What if something had happened to Ben?
It was in that moment Lily realized that no matter the outcome of this evening’s dinner, there was no way she could spend another moment with Byron Ward. If Ben could go after cattle rustlers with nothing but a determination, there had to be a way to overcome Byron and his bullies.
She just had to figure out how.
When it was time to get ready for dinner, Lily knelt at the foot of her bed. Dear God, please keep Ben out of the path of danger. I know I’ve said this same prayer each day he’s been gone but I know you have more for us. We belong together. Show mercy on him and bring him back to me. Show me how to face Byron Ward once and for all. I can’t keep allowing him to bully me any longer. No matter what, Lord, I put this all in your hands and promise not to take it back out. I need you. Amen.
At that instant, the realization of what she had been allowing this man to do to her was made crystal clear.
Taking her clean dress from the hook on her door, Lily placed it over her head as she began to prepare her mind mentally for tonight’s dinner. Byron was a mean spirited person. She never actually saw him kill anyone. He had threatened her, was it because she was a woman and weaker than him? She would feel the waters tonight and see what exactly he was made of. It was time to face the facts that Ben wasn’t here to rescue her. She would have to rescue herself. Ben was off facing down cattle rustlers. Why hadn’t she given him more credit? If he could face dangerous outlaws, he wouldn’t hesitate to stand up to a man like Byron Ward.
Lily knew what she had to do. She would confront this man who had made her life miserable for the last few years. Perhaps even blackmail him right back, after all, she did know his secret. It would help to have Mr. Ashwood there tonight. Even though she was going to face her fears, having someone there to help made all the difference in the world.
Lily stood in front of the mirror, placing her hair up in her usual bun. Then she did something completely out of the ordinary. She began to brush her locks, letting them fall over her shoulders. It was brazen, letting her hair flow free but she wanted to claim her own freedom tonight.
There would be a new Lily at dinner. One who didn’t take kindly to threats and bullies. Determination set in her soul. Ben’s actions were giving her the strength to carry on. She lifted her chin and set her shoulders back. Picking up a fan left on her dresser, she began the descent down the hotel’s stairs, ready for whatever was next.
<><>
“You showed up.”
Lily smiled. When Byron pulled out a chair, she sat down, thanking him. Searching the room, she spotted Ashwood several tables away, noticing the slight movement as he nodded to her.
“Miss Morgan, good evening,” Jenna, the proprietor of the restaurant offered. She handed the two a menu, smiling. Although when Lily looked closer, she realized there was confusion in Jenna’s eyes.
“Is everything alright?” Jenna asked.
Lily smiled. “Everything is wonderful. In fact, I’ve had the most enlightening afternoon.”
Jenna tipped her head to one side. “Oh? Well in that case I was told there was going to be a big celebration this evening so I made sure to have some extra wine on hand to celebrate.”
Lily almost let the fear consume her. Then she pictured Ben out on the trail, how brave he was to face cattle rustlers. It gave her the strength to speak her next words. “I think you are mistaken. There will be no big announcement tonight.”
Byron inhaled. She heard him loud and clear and looked in to his dark eyes. Anger flashed in them right before a mask went over his face. “That is incorrect Lily. We may as well get right down to business.” He stood, lifted his glass of wine. “I would like to propose a toast to announce the impending marriage of myself and one, Miss Lily Morgan. Drink up!”
He stood there with the glass in the air, expecting cheers from the other patrons.
Lily stood up while patrons began to clap in an unsure way, confusion rippling through the crowd. It was now or never. She took the wine glass in her hand as if to lift it to her mouth. “I’m afraid there will be no marriage. I am proposing a toast to myself, Lily Morgan, a woman who has been freed from the bondage of impending doom. I will no longer accept the threats of others and have decided not to accept Mr. Wards offer of marriage. I’ll let him explain why.”
She noticed his chin tremble. Lily was scared out of her wits and yet what she just did gave her a freedom she had never known. It may be the death of her but Lily at least would be able to say she stopped this bully in his tracks. As she watched him struggle with words, she no longer felt the stabbing fear she had in the past. It was almost as if a suit of armor was placed in front of her that no one could get through. It gave her the courage to withstand his next words.
“You know what this means, Lily.” He turned to one of his men sitting at the table next to him, but before he could issue any orders, Lily spoke up.
“You can send your men after him all you want.” Lily lowered her voice just like he had when he didn’t want others to hear his threats. “I know your secret. If you want to keep it that way, then I suggest you call off your men.” The incredulous look on his face was all she needed to keep going. “Now.”
“Lily, we can discuss this.”
“There is no discussion. Did you think I am too stupid to realize that I have the upper hand, not you? While Ben is out fighting cattle rustlers, you are here trying to coerce me to marry you.”
No one moved. It was so silent, not a soul dared to pick up their fork to eat.
“Cattle rustlers?” Lily saw the flash of realization as it dawned on Byron who Ben may be going after.
Lily hadn’t wanted to disclose that fact, not yet. Shoot!
Ashwood slid back his chair. He stood up, hovering over the two men Ward had brought along for protection. Now Lily knew why he always needed those men by his side. It wasn’t to make himself look mean or threatening, it was because his illegal activities made him a target. With men to protect him, he could get away while they shielded him.
Lily breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It was almost over. Byron would walk away now that the tables were turned. “I am through here. Good evening, Byron.”
“You’re going to walk out on me? How does that look, Lily? I can’t let you go.”
Lily shook her head. Perhaps he wouldn’t give up so easily, but she was willing to try. “I know your secret,” she said, her chin up, speaking loud enough the tables surrounding them could hear her admission. “I won’t tell it as long as you leave Ben and I alone.”
Byron chuckled, lifting his glass of wine to his lips. Taking a long drink, he set it on the table. Placing a hand over Lily’s wrist, he pulled her closer. “I’m warning you, Lily, to accept my proposal. I plan to be mayor of this town soon enough and I need you beside me for this. If you think you can blackmail me, it won’t work. Or the cattle rustling lies you are claiming. No one will believe you anyway. You’re a saloon girl, who would take your word over mine?”
Lily’s bravery was dying with each word he spoke. He was probably right.
A rustle of noise came from the front of the restaurant. Three men in long dusters cautiously made their way towards them. Two of the men moved away to form a circle around Byron’s reserved tables. Another man stepped out from the kitchen, while two more in long coats came from another direction.
“Miss Lily? Nice to meet you,” the man obviously in charge said. He stared at Byron Ward while speaking.
Lily couldn’t speak. This whole thing was scaring the daylights out of her. Where was Ben? She took a desp
erate look around but the only people she saw were these strange men in hats and long dusters. Then it dawned on her. Did this mean they caught the rustlers?
“Hello, you must be a Texas Ranger.”
“Texas Ranger? What in tarnation is going on here?” Byron’s voice trembled at his attempt of taking charge of this unexpected interruption.
“Yes, ma’am. Captain McMurry of Company B Frontier Battalion at your service. Please step back, Miss Morgan.”
Lily tried but Byron still held on to her wrist. He was squeezing pretty hard now that there was a Texas Ranger in front of him. “I, I can’t move back, Captain.”
“Unhand her, Mr. Ward.”
“How do you know my name?” He said, instantly letting go of Lily’s hand. She stepped back when a hand shot out to pull her quickly away from Ward, the other ranger shielding her from Byron and his two men. They were quick, sure of themselves. Lily felt a calm in this storm.
“Do you claim to be Byron Ward, owner of the BW Ranch?”
“It is one of my holdings.”
“Is that a yes, then?” The captain’s voice was emotionless. Sweat poured from Byron’s forehead, down the side of his hairline, as if he knew what was coming.
“Yes.”
The Captain calmly pointed a revolver at Byron. You are under arrest for the crime of cattle rustling.”
“What? I haven’t done a thing. I’ve been here all night.”
“You’ll have to take that up in court. Turn around so I can place handcuffs on you.”
Byron stood there, staring at the Texas Ranger, his hand working its way to his jacket.
“I wouldn’t try that if I were you. Look around, Ward. You are surrounded.”
“Cattle rustling means death. I didn’t do this. Someone is trying to frame me. Probably Ben Sloan. And Lily here. Why, Lily?”
Lily stayed silent when the ranger shielding her motioned for her to stay quiet. Getting him more agitated may put others in danger. Jenna, the owner of the facility was standing close by.
Without moving his eyes from Byron, the Captain spoke up when he realized Ward wasn’t going to go out without a fight. “Everyone here, leave your tables and go outside.” The sound of movement and shuffling of feet followed. “You too, Miss Morgan, leave with the others.”
She didn’t hesitate to leave, but first she grabbed a hold of Jenna’s hand. Come on, hurry. I don’t think Byron is going to leave willingly,” she whispered, a shakiness in her voice she hadn’t noticed before. Confident at first, it all went away when the Rangers showed up.
Lily stood shivering in the street when she heard the array of guns go off. Bullets were flying everywhere.
“Duck!” someone yelled out when a bullet flew through the glass, shattering the window. The crowd ducked, some yelling and others scattering down the street away from the action. Lily stepped back, standing close to Jenna. Their arms went around each other, holding each other up.
“My brother is in the back cooking. I pray he stays back there.” Jenna sounded so calm.
“Are you not nervous?”
“I’m petrified.”
“Me too,” Lily admitted. “I’m sorry this is happening in your establishment.”
“I knew something like this would happen sooner or later. This town needs a Sheriff.”
“I agree. We should gather the townsfolk and demand the Wichita Falls Committee to hire a Sheriff.”
“Let’s do that,” Lily told her. Perhaps if there was a sheriff in town, these men like Byron Ward, who were doing bad things would find another place to commit their crimes. “What we need to do is gather all the women and demand a safer town for the future of the children. I know just the women to get this started.”
“Good, I’m right beside you on this,” Jenna told her. “Here comes the Captain.”
As the front door of the restaurant flew open, the Captain walked through, followed by the rest of the Rangers.
Neither Byron or his two men were nowhere to be found.
“I think they were all killed,” Jenna whispered.
But Lily wasn’t listening. She was staring at the silhouette of two men on horseback riding down the street to stop right in front of the restaurant. “Ben,” she whispered. Then, “Ben, Ben!”
He turned to her.
She ran towards him.
He slid from the horse, letting the reins drop.
A strangled cry rose from deep down as she cried out, then flung herself in his arms.
He let out a grunt before taking his arm and pulling her close. “Oh, Lily. I love you.”
“I love you, Ben. I always have. I’m so sorry.” She began to cry, her face in his neck, the tears falling freely as if a spigot had been turned on. Lily didn’t think she would ever stop.
She felt him waver. Ben was always such a strong man. Yet, the realization that he was holding his one arm had her dropping her eyes to his side. “What happened?” A hand went to her throat as she stepped back. He had been hurt after all.
“Minor details, Lily.”
“Mr. Sloan.” The Captain came up to Ben and held out his hand. “Thank you for your service. The Texas Rangers will not forget that you were an integral part of capturing one of the biggest cattle rustling operations in Texas history.”
“It was an honor to be with you in battle, sir.” He took the Captain’s hand with his good one.
“Same here. Carry on.” Turning away, he gathered up his men, first apologizing to Jenna for the intrusion.
Ben and Lily watched the band of Texas Rangers leave Wichita Falls, the dead men in tow.
“I didn’t expect things to turn out quite like this but you are no longer in fear for your life, Lily.”
“I was in fear for your life, Ben. He told me if I didn’t do as he wanted, he would kill you.”
Ben guffawed. “He wasn’t brave enough to pull that off.”
“Oh, Ben. I’ve wasted so many years of our life being scared to tell you about what happened. I can’t believe I let him blackmail me for so long.”
“I figured it all out. It’s over now, Lily.”
Daniel Conner and his wife waited until the Rangers were almost out of town before gathering with the small crowd in the street. “Let’s thank the good Lord for the swift justice done here tonight without any townsfolk getting in the way of a stray bullet.”
Everyone gathered in a circle while the Reverend said a prayer. Afterwards, his wife began to sing acapella, her beautiful voice prompting others to join in. Soon, it seemed as if everyone in town had gathered in the street to sing along.
“Reverend? You open tonight?”
“The church? Son, it’s always open.”
“For a wedding ceremony?”
The crowd got silent.
“I’d say we could accommodate a wedding this late in light of what happened here today. Let’s turn the bad into a celebration of good.”
Ben turned to Lily. He took her hand with his good one. Then he got on his knee, took off his hat and kissed her hand. “Lily, I don’t want to spend another moment without you by my side. Will you marry me, right now, tonight?”
Lily let the tears fall. “Yes,” she whispered. Then, “Oh yes, Ben Sloan, I will marry you. Yes. Yes. Yes.”
The crowd of townsfolk clapped and hollered.
“Finally!” Someone shouted.
“It’s about time!” A voice was heard in the crowd.
“I’m going to make this front page news,” Ashwood told them.
Ben and Lily laughed, knowing the front page news would be about the cattle rustling.
The preacher raised his hands to quiet the crowd. “Everyone is welcome. Take your seats in the church. We’ll be having a wedding in fifteen minutes.”
The excited townsfolk worked their way to the church. Lily turned to Ben when they were alone on the street. “Ben, are you sure about this after everything that happened. I’m sorry I didn’t give you enough credit to stop Byron in his tracks
. I am ashamed.”
“Ah, Lily.” Ben stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. His other arm, in a sling, was pressed up against her. “I have loved you since the moment you flashed those dark brown eyes at me, a long, long time ago. I never stopped and I never will. We’ll talk about all these things later. Right now, I want you as my wife. Nothing else matters.”
Her hand went to his cheek, stroking his skin with soft, fragile fingers. “You have been my whole life, Ben. My world. From the time my parents died, you were the only man I’ve ever needed. Or wanted. I will love you forever.”
“Come on, Ben! Hurry on up! You’re making a spectacle of yourself.” Ben’s brother stood on the porch of the church, waving, his beautiful wife by his side. She lifted her hand up in greeting.
Ben raised his hand. “Be right there,” he shouted back before turning back to his soon-to-be-bride. “I know this isn’t the ideal wedding ceremony, Lily, but I can’t wait another day. Not one more day without you to call my wife.”
“It’s perfect.”
“We can always have a better ceremony later.”
“No, this is all that matters. You and me. Together. I love you, Ben.”
“I am in love with you, Lily. Always. Forever.”
“Let’s get married, Ben.”
Ben didn’t take her arm as a gentleman should. No. He lifted her off her feet and carried her to the front of the church, kicking open the front door and carrying her over the threshold, even with one arm in a sling. He set her down in front of God and everyone in the church.
“That’s my Ben,” she told the crowd, giggling. He never did do anything conventional.
“Time to get married.”
The two walked between the benches of town folk who were stretching their necks to see the couple as they strode down the aisle. When they stood in front of the preacher and he began to go through the ceremony ritual, the two had eyes only for each other.
“I love you,” he mouthed to her.
