“No! It was me. I acted like a child.” She turned those big green eyes of hers upward at him. “Acting like that, it’s no wonder I get treated like one.”
Ty suppressed a sigh. She might have been a kid at one time, but not anymore. She was every inch a woman. No little girl could make him sweat like he was now. He swallowed hard. “It was my fault. If I hadn’t danced with Clare, everything would have been fine.”
“Well, if I hadn’t let my temper get the best of me and gone outside—”
“You only went out there because of me—”
Ellie chuckled. “Let’s not get into another argument about who was wrong. I’ll accept your apology if you accept mine.”
He playfully pinched the tip of her red nose, and then pulled the blanket up to cover it. “Deal.”
She held it in place, shielding everything but her eyes, and tilted her head to look up at him. Her voice was muffled beneath the cover. “There’s more I want to say to you, lot’s more.”
The tone told him he wanted to hear every word.
Chapter Twenty
As they approached Fountainhead’s arch, Ellie peered up at the worn and weathered piece of iron shaped into an “F”. “You know, I’ve looked at this brand for years but this is the first time I ever noticed how beautiful it is.”
Ty waved at the gate guard, and then glanced back at Ellie. “Funny how we always take things for granted, isn’t it?”
She snickered. “Just like Jeb is at this very moment, most likely—so sure that everything is going to work out for him.” Despite her pent-up anger, she broke into laughter at the thought, anxious to repay him for every bit of anguish she’d suffered at his hands.
Ty reined Shadow outside the kitchen door. “Better let Ben know you’re all right. I’m sure he’s worried himself to a frazzle.”
Ellie clutched her blanket, carefully slid off the horse, and stepped onto the porch. She started for the back door, but turned. Her eyes misted with happy tears. “I owe you my life, Ty. How do you thank someone for that?”
“You don’t owe me anything, Ellie. I’m just happy I found you.”
Found you. The words rang in her heart. Had he only found her, or something stronger? She prayed he had feelings for her because there was no doubt about it, she was definitely in love. When everything was settled, she planned to tell him. She opened the door, thankful for so many things.
Ben sat at the end of the long kitchen table with a cup of steaming coffee in front of him. When he saw her, his eyes widened and a huge grin brightened his face. He pushed away from the table, sloshing liquid from his cup, and stood. The space between quickly closed and he gathered her in his arms. “Oh, Roselle, my Roselle, thank God you’re all right. How? Where?”
Ellie felt a tug on her arm and turned to receive a welcoming hug from Cook. The woman’s eyes sparkled with tears. “Thank goodness, child. I was beside myself with worry about you.”
Love overpowered Ellie. She held Cook at arm’s length and smiled, but felt bothered by something never discussed. “You’ve been part of my family for my whole life, even treated me like a daughter, and I don’t even know your real name. Would you mind telling me?”
The gray-haired matron laughed. “Of course not. I haven’t been called anything other than Cook for so long, I’m surprised I can remember I’m Alma Roselle Oliver.”
So that was where Ellie got her name. She stared at the floor, sorry for ever having made a disparaging remark about it. She raised her eyes and gazed at Cook. “I’m honored to share your name.”
“Gol darn, Ellie!” Pa’s voice verged on annoyance. “You and Cook can talk about this later. You still haven’t answered my questions.”
Ellie turned back to Pa and sighed. “It’s a long story, and I’ll let Ty tell it. Right now, I want nothing more than to take a hot bath and get out of these horrible clothes.”
Ty walked in as she finished her sentence. “Make it quick one, Ellie. Remember, we have company coming.”
“I’ll heat the water for you, child.” Cook offered, turning to pick up a bucket.
Ellie had barely left the room when Ben assailed Ty with a barrage of questions. “How’d ya find her? Did you run into any trouble? Did Jeb—”
Ty held up a silencing hand. “Sit down and I’ll give you the shortened version. The Bryants should be here anytime now. I understand you’re signing over the ranch.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed as he dropped back down into his chair. “I had no choice but to agree. Jeb made it clear if I didn’t sell Fountainhead to Dude, Ellie would suffer the consequences.”
Ty walked to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. “She would have, and Jeb had no intentions of freeing her once the deal was sealed.” Ty sat next to Ben and continued. “He planned to keep her locked up in the old line shack where I found her. God knows what he had planned.”
The veins in Ben’s neck bulged, and he shook his fist in the air. “That son of a bitch.”
“Calm down, Ben.” Ty gripped his shoulder. “She’s safe, and I’ll make sure she stays that way.”
His throat tightened. Surely Ben knew of his fondness for Ellie, but did he know how deep those feelings ran? Ty needed to tell him…if only his voice would cooperate. He cleared his throat. “I’ve developed a serious attraction to your daughter through all this mess. Once we take care of Dude and his sons, I’d like to have a serious word with you…if that’s all right. But right now we have to discuss what’s gonna happen when they get here.”
* * * * *
Cook had readied a bath. Ellie peeled off Jeb’s pants and shirt and climbed into the lavender-scented tub. She slid down until the water reached the bottom of her chin, letting the warmth seep into every pore of her body. Although not much time to waste, she needed to wash away any trace of Jeb’s touch or smell.
She stared at the ceiling, her mind on Ty and how wonderful it felt to be held in his arms, knowing no harm could reach her as long as she was safe in his embrace.
Her heart did flip flops, and a devious smile tugged at her lips as her thoughts switched to the surprise in store for Jeb. That man was so smug! He thought he had the perfect plan, and it was going to be sheer pleasure watching it unravel like old crocheting.
If not for Ty, she’d still be hopelessly locked away, facing…She refused to think about it. Instead, she chastised herself for all the times she’d thought bad things about him, and worried that he, like the Bryants, wanted nothing more than Fountainhead.
The fact that he risked his life to find her showed her how wrong she’d been.
Her life had changed in such a short time. She’d wasted too much time wishing she was a boy, being jealous of Ty, and despising herself.
It seemed like only yesterday when she first noticed her breasts beginning to bud and hated the change in her body. She chuckled at the pink nipples poking from the bath water, and realized they had blossomed quite nicely. Being female wasn’t so bad after all. No more trying to hide her feminine side, she was a woman and she finally appreciated that.
More importantly, she was an adult, and it was time to start acting like one. She vowed to make Pa proud he had a daughter, but this time, she’d do it like a lady. She’d apologize for every bad thing she had ever thought about or did to Ty and hope he would give her a chance to set things right.
She glanced at the clock on the night table and gasped. No more time to laze in the tub. She had a major role to play and the performance couldn’t start without her.
At Ty’s suggestion, he and Ben had moved into the parlor in preparation of their guests. Ty sat on the brocade sofa and Ben in the mahogany side chair, as Ty gave him the low down. “I sent Curly for the sheriff, but told him to make sure he didn’t come up the main trail. I don’t want him runnin’ into the Bryants. When they get here, you invite them inside. Ellie and I will be hidin’ in the pantry, so we’ll be close enough to the parlor to hear what’s goin’ on.”
A grin spread
across Ben’s face. “Dag nab if I don’t think you took care of every detail. Thank the good Lord, this will finally put an end to that dastardly trio.”
“Don’t jump the gun, though. I wanna enjoy every minute of this. Ask them a lot of questions about Ellie and when she’s gonna be returned. Bring up how she was snatched from the dance and what nerve they have to treat your daughter so awful.
Make em’ wait. Curly is gonna keep Sheriff Gamble outside until Cook gives him a sign, so we have to keep them here as long as we can. Ty rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
“Hold up!” Ben said. “Part of the agreement was my not telling Dude about Ellie’s abduction…”
“Really? Well it seems the boys have kept a little secret from their daddy.”
“Should I save that part for the end?”
“That should work. You know Jeb, he’ll do most of the talkin’, and when you do bring up Ellie, it’s gonna be sweet watchin’ him try to worm his way out of this one.”
Ben grinned. “Nothin’ will give me more pleasure than to torture all of them, especially that bastard, Jeb. I just hope I can hold my temper and not try to choke the life out of him.”
“Like father, like daughter.” Ty laughed. “Remember he’s gonna go away for a very long time and…” Ty stood. His mouth dropped and his eyes widened as he stared past Ben.
Ellie stood in the doorway, looking nothing like the person he brought home. She wore a long-sleeved, pale yellow dress dotted with small white flowers. The smallness of her waist accentuated her full bosom. Her beauty snatched the breath from his body.
This was only his second time seeing her in something other than denims, and the transformation stunned him. She looked even more enticing now than she had at the dance.
Her hair, swept up in a mass of ringlets, was held by a matching bow. A few strands had escaped and hung alongside her face in spirals. Ty wanted to release all of it, to run his fingers through her curls and bury his face in the smell of lavender that surrounded her. His knees felt strangely weak.
“Well, what are you both gaping at? Haven’t you seen a lady before?” She stood with hands on her hips, her svelte body curved into a alluring pose.
Ty removed his hat and struggled to speak past his awe. “Not-not such a lovely one.”
“You’re a sight to behold, gal.” Ben glanced at the picture of his wife on the table and back to Ellie. He swiped at a tear. “That’s the same dress your Ma’s wearing in the photograph.”
“I took it from the cedar chest. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“I’m sure she’d be proud to see you in it. Finally, I’m lookin’ at the real Roselle Fountain. I’ve been waitin’ a long time to see her.”
“I know, Pa. Sometimes it takes someone special to show you who you really are.” Ellie’s eyes wandered to Ty.
Her gaze held him captive. If only he could read what lay behind those penetrating green eyes of hers. She seemed like a different person, not just dressed in her mother’s clothing, but on the inside, as well. Something had happened in that cabin. Maybe facing her mortality had made Ellie want to cling to life and be happy for the person she was.
Now that he had his own intentions figured out, he needed to know how she felt. He wanted a future, and he wanted it with her. If only she would give him an indication she felt more than just an attraction.
Knowing he had little time left before the Bryants arrived, Ty turned his gaze back to Ben. “You know they are going to be here with deed in hand any minute now.”
“Deed! Oh my gosh,” Ellie said. “Pa, in all the confusion I totally forgot to tell you…”
Pete appeared in the parlor doorway cutting her off. “Sorry to disturb you folks, but there are riders comin’. Ty said to let him know the minute I spied anyone. It ain’t Curly, that’s for sure. I can spot that Pinto of his a mile away.”
Ty’s lips spread into a wide grin. He flipped his hat back up on his head, giving it a pat. “I guess it’s time for the show to begin. He crooked his arm, offering his elbow to Ellie. “Care to join me in the pantry?”
“I’d love to. Nothing appeals to me more than food and a handsome man.” She took his arm.
Chapter Twenty-One
Huddled in the pantry between a burlap potato sack and the flour barrel, Ellie became acutely aware of Ty’s closeness. His musky smell mingled with the spices on the back shelf and created a heady concoction. Her heart pounded beneath her chemise when he gave her hand an encouraging pat.
Had it not been for the upcoming melodrama presented for the Bryant’s benefit, she would have loved to pull him closer and taste his lips again. God, how she wanted to. But how could she possibly think about things like that at a time like this? She took a stabilizing breath and perched on the edge of the butter churn, her chest tightening with anticipation.
“Are you nervous? Ty whispered.
“Yes, but it’s a good nervous,” she whispered back. “I can’t wait to see the look on Jeb’s face. He’s—”
“Hush. I think I hear someone outside.”
Aching with subdued laughter at the prospect of sweet retribution, Ellie held her breath.
“Come in.” She heard Pa’s gruff invitation.
“Afternoon, Ben. We’re really sorry to hear about Miz Ellie missin’ and all, but we’re here to sign the transfer papers for ownership of Fountainhead. We brought Mr. Dibbrell from the bank to make things official. Show Ben the money, Pa.”
Ellie’s jaw tensed when she recognized Jeb’s voice, but she almost snickered that he’d actually brought a witness.
“I ain’t showing him nothing until I hear from his mouth that he’s sellin’.”
Dude’s loud voice was filled with suspicion.
“This oughtta be good,” Ellie whispered.”
“Shhh.” Ty put a finger to his lips.
“Sorry.” Her whisper was barely audible. She tilted her ear toward the door.
“I was telling Pa about you being sick and all.”
He was such a schemer. Ellie bit her lip.
“Shut up, Jeb. Let the man talk.”
She covered her mouth, stifling a chuckle. Finally, somebody bossed Jeb around. Dude was the only one who could.
Pa cleared his throat. “It’s true. I was sick for a few days and was bound to my bed. As you can see, thanks to Doc Smith’s healin’ powders, I’m fit as a fiddle now.”
“Then what’s this hogwash about you being unable to handle the ranch and wanting to sell? And, given the circumstances, you don’t seem too distraught.”
Ellie pictured the scowl on Dude’s face.
“Got no reason. I don’t do much of the ranchin’ anymore. That’s why I have hired hands and a good foreman, and despite your connivin’ sons, I also have a very capable daughter.”
Ellie’s heart warmed with pride, sensing respect in Pa’s voice. She tensed, realizing he was getting to the part that involved her disappearance.
“Ellie…” Ty whispered.
“Shush.” What was good for the goose was good for the gander. She needed to hear this.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Dude asked. “Like Jeb said, we’re sorry about your daughter, but I’m here because I was told you decided to sell.”
“What about you, Joshua?” Ellie heard Pa ask. “Did you hear me tell your brother I wanted to sell?”
Pa toyed with them. Ellie listened, but heard nothing. She could only surmise that Joshua did his usual head shake or nod. If she counted on her fingers, the number of words she had actually heard him speak, she doubted she could fill one hand.
“Josh wasn’t with me,” Jeb snapped. “There was nobody here but me and Ben when he told me Fountainhead was ours for the right price. Honest, Pa.”
Humph! Jeb wouldn’t know honest if it walked up to him and called itself by name. Ellie started to stand, but Ty tugged on her arm.
“Not yet,” he whispered.
Heaving a silent sigh, she rema
ined seated. She couldn’t wait to face her abductor and call him all the names dangling on the tip of her tongue.
“That’s partly true, Jeb. It was just you and me, but sellin’ wasn’t my idea. I believe it was all yours.”
“What are tryin’ to pull, Ben. The only thing I recall was mentioning it might be in your best interest to sell.”
Despite Jeb’s disguised threat, Ellie visualized sweat starting to form on his brow. Pa was doing a great job of applying pressure.
“I’m sick of all this back and forth prattle. I understand things are a bit strained for you at the moment, but are you or are you not going to sell me your ranch,” the elder Bryant pressed.
“Dude, you aren’t one of my favorite people, and lord knows you’ve given folks plenty of reason to dislike you, but father to father, I’m tellin’ you the truth. Jeb came to my house, threatening harm to my daughter if I didn’t do what he said. Of course, I agreed to his demands because I love my Ellie more than I’ll ever love any piece of property.”
“Is that true, Jeb? Did you threaten Ben’s daughter? Joshua, did you have hand in this?”
Dude sounded surprised, although Ellie didn’t know why. The old saying, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” came to mind.
“Pa,” Jeb answered. “You know I wouldn’t say a bad word about Miz Ellie. I’m very fond of her. I think the fact that she’s missin’ has Ben fraught with worry, and it’s affectin’ his thinking. Joshua and I even offered our help in findin’ her. Ain’t that right, Josh?”
Ben’s voice rose. “That would be right helpful seeing as you would know exactly where you took her?”
Ellie quivered with the need to run out and confront Jeb, instead she bit her lip. Her hands curled into fists, remembering how frightened she’d been of him.
“What the hell is he talking about? Why does he think you took Ellie?”
Dude’s voice strained with anger. Pa was getting to him. Ellie reached for Ty’s hand and squeezed it.
“Yeah, Jeb, tell your Pa how you forced my daughter to leave the dance, figuring you could use her to your advantage. Let him in on how you threatened her safety to make me sell my ranch. Go ahead, tell him. I think he deserves to know what kind of son he’s raising.”
Ellie's Legacy Page 18
