Ain't No Angel

by Henderson, Peggy L

  Just as quickly as her smile appeared, it faded again. The feeling of complete happiness she’d known in Tyler’s arms last night on that dance floor had been short lived. Gabe had made sure of that. What was up with that guy, anyhow? Had he really overheard her conversation with the reverend? She tried to remember everything she had said to the old man, and what his responses were. Would any of it even make sense to someone eavesdropping?

  Gabe kept referring to some arrangement that she supposedly had with him. Wasn’t he the one who had arranged for a mail order bride? He was obviously under the impression that she didn’t measure up to his expectations of what he had “ordered.” What kind of woman, exactly, had he wanted for Tyler? What was she doing, or not doing, that he thought would ruin his plans? What plans?

  Laney sighed deeply. The nagging feeling that Gabe was up to something wouldn’t leave her thoughts. She needed to find out what his deal was. The next time she saw him, she wouldn’t allow him to get the upper hand. She’d be the one asking the questions.

  She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, and turned away from the window. She licked her lips, and left her room, intent on heading for the kitchen. The water pitcher in her room was empty, and she needed something to drink. It was barely dawn. Would Tyler be up and gone from the house already? He was usually in the barns or off somewhere long before she finally dragged herself out of bed each morning, but she hadn’t even fallen asleep yet.

  Just thinking about Tyler brought a warm sensation to her insides. The look in his eyes last night after his dance with Myra ended had been so full of concern when he found her dazed and staring after Gabe. Without hesitating, or questioning her further, he’d made his excuses to the widow and whisked her off to his buckboard. He’d offered to fetch the doctor, but Laney had waved him off, and said she just wanted to get home.

  Home. The Double M was her home. Nowhere else had ever felt more like a home. Laney sighed, and she made her way down the dark hall to the kitchen. Last night definitely hadn’t ended as she’d planned. That dance she’s shared with Tyler had solidified her decision to remain with him, especially after her talk with the reverend, and bumping into that young prostitute.

  It became crystal clear to her while she swayed in Tyler’s arms that she didn’t want to return to her old life. How stupid had she been, to want to run away from everything she had here? She’d taken a sledgehammer to those walls she’d built around herself for so long. She’d been given a chance at a happy life. Why would she even consider running away from that? She clung to the belief that she’d finally found the one person who would love her forever.

  Tyler had driven the team back to the ranch as fast as the darkness allowed, and insisted she go straight to bed and rest. This was definitely not how she had envisioned the night to end, but Gabe had ruined the mood. His little chat had left her shaken and unnerved.

  Laney had obliged Tyler and closed herself off in her room. The dark look of longing in his eyes when she wished him a good night had nearly been her undoing. She’d almost flung herself into his arms and begged him to take her to his room instead. Something held her back. She needed more time to explore her revelation that she wanted to stay with him in the past. She’d tossed and turned in her lonely bed all night instead of sleeping in her husband’s arms. Her husband!

  You have to tell Tyler.

  Tell him what? That she was from the future? At the very least, she had to tell him what she’d been up to with his stallion. Gabe had obviously been spying on her, and for some reason, hadn’t told his boss about what he’d seen that day at the river. Had he spied on her more than once? If he thought he could use this information against her somehow, it was best that she be honest with Tyler now. She rubbed her hands across her blurry vision. If Tyler hated her once he found out that she wasn’t the virginal bride he probably wanted, at least there was still time to tell the reverend to send her home. She may not have officially been a prostitute, but she’d been with more than a few guys, enough to be considered a whore, especially in this day and age.

  Laney fumbled in the dark and groped for a tin cup from the cupboard. She primed the pump until water spilled from the spout, and held the cup underneath. Gulping the cool liquid, she poured more water, then turned to head back to her room. Maybe she’d get lucky and finally fall asleep.

  No sooner had she turned around, when she bumped into a solid form. She let out a startled shriek, and two hands wrapped around her upper arms. The cup fell from her hands. It landed with a clank on the floor and spilled water on her bare feet.

  “Easy,” a familiar voice drawled. “I didn’t mean to startle you. You’ve been awful jumpy lately.”

  Tyler held her at arm’s length, and Laney raised her head, straining her eyes to look up into his face. Her heart rate slowed. The faint orange glow of sunrise streaming through the window cast shadows on his features, but Laney could feel his eyes on her. She inhaled the heady masculine scent of him, and the warmth coming off the bare skin of his chest sent her pulse racing.

  “I . . . uh . . . was thirsty,” Laney whispered lamely. She didn’t know what else to say. Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat.

  “I should have refilled the pitcher in your room last night,” Tyler said slowly. He didn’t release her arms. In fact, he stepped closer. “Are you feeling better?”

  “I didn’t sleep well,” she confessed, and swallowed back her sudden nervousness.

  “I’ve been worried about you.” Tyler’s hand reached up, and his calloused palm slid slowly along the side of her face. His thumb caressed her cheek. Heat coursed through her, the sensations of his gentle touch leaving her limbs weak. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, she leaned into his hand.

  “A kick to the head takes a while to recover from.” Tyler’s voice deepened. His fingers lightly touched where she’d been injured. “Last night might have been too soon for you to be out and about.”

  His fingers reached the back of her head, weaving slowly beneath her hair. Laney bit her lower lip.

  “My head feels fine, actually,” she mumbled. She closed her eyes, savoring his touch. She forced her breathing to remain even, although she couldn’t suck in enough air at the moment.

  The warmth that seeped from his hand into her skin sent ripples of pleasure through her. With each moment, the room lightened just a little more as the sun outside made it’s appearance over the distant mountains. The muscles of Tyler’s well-sculpted arms and torso teased her senses. He stood too close to her.

  Laney caught his gaze roaming over her. His eyes shimmered with unmistakable desire. She swallowed.

  “Why are you out in the kitchen in only your unmentionables,” he breathed against her cheek. His hand continued to massage the back of her head, and his other hand settled at her waist, his thumb stroking lightly against the thin material of her chemise. A jolt of desire crashed through her. Laney stared up at him. His thoughts were clearly written in his eyes. She couldn’t fend him off any longer, nor did she want to.

  “Laney,” he whispered her name. His voice had gone deep and raspy. He lowered his head, and touched his lips to her cheek. He inhaled deeply, and drew back. “After that dance last night, I can’t get you out of my mind.” He chuckled. “Hell, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind for weeks.”

  Laney stood as still as a statue. It would be so easy to melt against him, ask him to carry her off to his bed. She fought the impulse. There were things she needed to tell him.

  “Why are you standing here in only your pants?” she jokingly countered his own question in a weak attempt to ward off her reaction to him. Her voice cracked. She lifted her head and stared up into his dark eyes. Gabe’s face flashed briefly before her. She blinked, and mentally shook her head.

  “I usually sleep in far less. You’re lucky I pulled on my britches before coming out here.” His lips curved in a lopsided smile.

  The humor in his voice sobered her. Their teasing
banter would only lead to one thing. As much as she wanted to give in to her burning need to feel Tyler’s love, she pulled away.

  You have to tell him.

  If she wanted a future here with this man, he had to know the truth, or as much as she dared to reveal at this point. She forced herself to stand up straighter, and took a step back. It was now or never.

  “I . . uh. . . there’s something I need to talk to you about, Tyler.” She clasped her sweaty palms in front of her. “Or better yet, I think I need to show you something. Can you ride out to the south pasture with me when the sun comes up?”

  She held her breath.

  Tyler’s hand slid from behind her head, over her shoulder, and down to her arm, where it lingered.

  “The south pasture?” He sounded perplexed. “I don’t think you should be doing any riding yet, Laney.”

  He held her arm.

  “I’m fine, Tyler. You and Myra have kept me cooped up long enough. Too long, in fact. Everything I’ve tried to accomplish with Rap may be wasted at this point.”

  “What are you talking about?” His forehead wrinkled in confusion.

  Laney turned away from him, and he dropped his hand from her arm. She stepped around him, and headed for the living room. She stood before the hearth, and glanced up at the painting of Rap over the fireplace, and tried to gather her thoughts. She didn’t have to turn around to know Tyler was right behind her.

  “Laney.” Tyler’s voice sent shivers up and down her spine. She held her breath when his hand settled on her shoulder. Slowly, she pivoted on her bare feet and faced him.

  “What have you been doing at the south pasture?” His eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes swept over her face in confusion.

  “I’m trying to help your horse.” She stared directly at him, waiting for his reaction.

  Tyler shook his head. “Help my horse? What are you talking about?” he asked again. He chuckled, but his voice held an angry edge.

  Laney drew in a long breath. “Rap has an injury in his stifle. That might very well have caused him to lose that race a few months ago,” she blurted out. She hesitated for a mere second, then voiced the thought that had nagged at her for a while. “I also think that if he was injured around the time of that race, he reinjured himself somehow many weeks later, and that’s why he stopped breeding the mares.”

  Tyler ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve gone over that horse with a fine tooth comb. There are no injuries.”

  “I’m no expert, but he does have a strained ligament in his stifle, Tyler. I’m almost sure of it. If you’ll come out to the pasture with me, I can show you.” She gripped his arm, willing him to understand, and hear her out. The skeptical look on his face wasn’t good. All softness had left his eyes, and he stared at her with indecision and mistrust. If he was about to cast her aside, at least she would feel better, knowing that she’d been honest with him.

  Laney swallowed. How was she going to convince a nineteenth century man about things that weren’t known or done for another hundred and something years? He might just declare her mentally insane. He’d listened to her about the proper care for influenza, but she was pushing her luck with this.

  “How do you know all this? And why are you at the south pasture with my horses without first telling me?” The muscles in his jaw tightened. His voice boomed harsh.

  Laney raked her teeth over her bottom lip. She couldn’t dare tell him everything she needed to get off her chest. Not all at once. He already seemed angry.

  “Tyler.” She reached for his arm, and stepped up to him. “I want to help your horse. I need you to trust me.”

  “How is it that you know so much about horses, things neither I nor Gabe, or anyone else around here seems to know?” His steely glare replaced the look of desire from a moment ago. Laney fought back the slight panic that gripped her chest. She was about to have her heart broken again. This was worse than getting burned by a guy she really liked. This time, being rejected and cast aside was all her fault.

  “I can’t tell you right now how I know. All I’m asking is that you believe me, and trust me. Give me half a chance, Tyler, and someday I will tell you everything about me,” she pleaded. Her heart hammered furiously in her chest.

  His gaze lingered on her face. Time stood still while he silently appraised her. Indecision flowed through his eyes. Laney stepped up closer to him. She stood on her toes, and leaned toward him. She placed her hands on his chest. “If you care about me at all, you’ll trust me,” she whispered against his cheek. “Please listen to what I have to tell you with an open mind, no matter how strange it’s going to sound to you,” she implored.

  Tyler gripped her arms. The confused look on his face could have been funny, if it wasn’t so serious at the moment. “Care about you?” The corners of his eyes twitched. “Laney, I’ve never cared for anyone the way I . . . I never thought I’d care about any woman the way I care about you.”

  Laney reached up and cupped his face between her hands. “You’re the most amazing man I ever met,” she whispered softly.

  Tyler’s hands clamped around her waist, and he pulled her up against his chest. Laney sucked in a lungful of air, and leaned up toward him. She pulled his head down, and touched her lips to his.

  Tyler groaned, and wrapped his arms around her, his hands sliding up and down her back. Heat seeped through the thin material of her chemise into her skin wherever he touched her. He deepened the kiss, gently and without hurry, and Laney sighed. Her arms, her legs, her insides all melted in his embrace. There was no urgency in his actions, only a fierce tenderness. Tears pooled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Tyler pulled his head back. His eyes devoured her, and he swiped at her moist face with his thumbs.

  “I don’t want to keep secrets from you,” she rasped. “That’s why I’m telling you this. I need you to hear me out, no matter how strange it sounds.”

  Tyler’s hands raked through her hair. A hesitant smile spread across his face. “My neighbors, my wranglers, hell, even the townsfolk after last night, they all think I ain’t right in the head. I allow you to wear britches, I let you ride through the hills on your own, and I go against everything I’ve ever been taught in caring for a sick horse. I’ve already lost my mind where you’re concerned. Convince me that what you’re telling me about Rap is the truth.”

  Laney stared up into his sincere eyes. Relief flooded her, and her body lightened considerably as if great weights had been lifted from her. She nodded slowly. She leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close.

  “Thank you, Tyler.”

  ****

  The band of broodmares grazed along the banks of the wide creek that flowed through the valley. Tyler guided Charlie ahead of Laney’s filly. He’d stared at Laney’s backside long enough while they rode in silence since leaving the ranch. It was Sunday morning, and most of his men were either asleep in the bunkhouse or had spent the night in town. Only Sammy milled about, taking care of the morning feeding and watering of the horses. Tyler caught the questioning look on the kid’s face when he and Laney mounted their horses and rode off so early in the morning.

  Laney hadn’t offered any more of an explanation as to what she’d been up to as far as Rap was concerned. She continued to perplex him at every turn. Her revelation that she’d been coming to the south pasture to do something with his stallion baffled and angered him. Her soft curves pressed to his, and the look of gratitude in her eyes when he told her he was willing to hear her out curbed his annoyance. She’d nearly driven him mad with desire when he found her standing in the kitchen in her underthings, but curiosity about Rap and the things she’d said cooled his need for the moment.

  Since the day of the fire, he hadn’t given much thought to his wife’s unconventional ways. After the dance they shared last night, he was more in love with her than ever, if that was even possible. It was exactly those unconventional ways of hers that made her so darn appealing. He was sure to be the talk o
f the town for weeks to come, and his men already thought he allowed Laney too many liberties. Tyler rubbed his hand along his jaw. Why should he care what people thought?

  Laney had worked her way under his skin without even trying from the moment he first set eyes on her. For all her puzzling behaviors and words, she shared his love of horses, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was his perfect match. She wasn’t some stuffy woman who’d rather sit in a parlor all day, gossiping with the other ladies, or spend his money on frivolous clothes and accessories. Disallowing her unconventional behavior was like keeping a spirited horse cooped up in a barn. It would only lead to rebellion, and she’d resent him for it.

  Tyler had tossed in his bed all night, visions and memories of her wrapped so intimately in his arms tormenting his mind and body. He certainly had hoped the night would have ended differently. The ashen look on her face when he returned from dancing with Myra had doused his desires quicker than an early winter snowfall. Laney had nearly died in that fire a week ago, need he remind himself? He shouldn’t have brought her to the dance so soon after the accident.

  Tyler gazed at the far-off horizon. The sun had risen brightly over the mountains earlier, but dark thunderclouds loomed in the distance. By the looks of it, they would be in for quite a downpour, and Tyler had no intention of getting caught out here on the range in a thunderstorm. He turned in his saddle.

  “All right, Laney. We’re here. Explain what you’ve been up to.”

  She pulled her mount to a stop next to Charlie, and gazed at him, unease written in her eyes. He’d already sensed her discomfort back at the ranch when she divulged this secret to him. He had every right to be furious with her for going behind his back and doing, Lord-knows-what with his horse. Hell, she could have gotten hurt.

  Her chest heaved visibly. She unhooked the halter she’d draped over the saddle horn, and held it out to him, then dismounted her mare. Standing where he couldn’t see her, she said, “I’ve been coming here to take Rap into the water to swim.”