WM02 - Texas Princess (18 page)

As the day wore on, Tobin knew he was pushing the women. Stel a complained, but Libby didn’t say a word. In fact, most of the time she didn’t even look at him. But he watched her. He was aware of every time she gripped her side or dabbed water on her handkerchief, then put it to the back of her neck. She might have been pampered al her life, but there was steel in her.

He admired her silence at the same time he felt her pain. The need to comfort her was an ache within him, but he guessed she wouldn’t welcome his attention. She’d been even more distant than usual al morning and twice she’d pointed out how much she wished she were back at the capital. If she got any colder, he’d need a coat even to ride next to her.

By late afternoon they were riding paral el to Elmo An-derson’s trading post. They would have had to cross through the edge of town to reach the back entrance to Whispering Mountain.

Tobin knew if he rode into town Elmo would tel everyone for miles around that Tobin McMurray had two women with him. Half the town would have him married off to one or the other by sundown and the other half would be trying to guess who the women were and why they’d agreed to go with the likes of him.

Stel a saw a signpost to Elmo’s Trading Post and begged to be al owed to go into town for a few personal supplies, insisting she had to have them.

When Tobin met Libby’s gaze, she shook her head slightly. Silently, they both agreed to keep Stel a close and uninformed. After spending almost a week with the maid, neither thought she might be a danger, but she did rattle on. Once when she’d lagged behind, Liberty had suggested that she might be a spy for whoever had tried to kil her father. Tobin had laughed. If the assassins were depending on Stel a’s help, they must be pretty hard up for recruits.

Because he and Liberty never talked about the senator around her, Stel a seemed to believe they were on the run because of what the captain had done. As the days passed and Liberty’s bruises faded, Stel a began to make excuses for Samuel. Making Tobin wonder if she were on a mission to somehow get the couple back together.

When they passed the sign to Elmo’s place, Tobin thought he might have to tie Stel a up to keep her from bolting toward what she cal ed civilization, but Libby ended the discussion by saying that as soon as they reached the ranch she’d make a list of al they needed and have someone go after the supplies while they rested.

Stel a whined but didn’t argue. Tobin wondered who Libby thought ran errands around a ranch. They had no butler waiting around to be sent on a mission.

As they neared the bridge, Tobin rode ahead, making sure there were no fresh tracks.

It looked as if only one wagon had passed onto Whispering Mountain land since the rain. That would probably be Sage picking up supplies or Teagen riding into town to check on a letter he’d been expecting from Chicago.

Tobin lifted his hand to his mouth and made a bird cal . An answering cal came from the trees. Tobin knew it was safe.

He rode back to the women and told them they were almost home. He pul ed close to Libby. “Can you travel ful out for just a few more miles?”

She patted her horse but didn’t meet his gaze. “Sunny seems to smel home. He’s been ghting to run for an hour.”

Tobin reached for the horse’s neck, almost touching Libby’s hand. “After we walk the bridge, give him his head and we’l be home.”

Tobin wanted to say something about what they’d shared. He wanted her to know that it meant something to him. But now was not the time and Stel a might overhear. When the maid wasn’t talking, she seemed to be studying the two of them careful y, almost as if she planned to le a report.

He started over the bridge. The familiar sounds of the wood creaking beneath the horses welcomed him.

A moment later he was riding hard with Libby keeping pace beside him on the beautiful palomino. Over their days on the trail she’d learned to ride and they made quite a pair racing the wind.

Stel a tried to keep up as they rushed toward the bridge.

Minutes later al three hit the wooden bridge at ful gal op. Tobin took the lead now and pointed them toward the ranch house. Home. He almost said it aloud. Final y he’d made it back.

Liberty watched the McMurray home come into ful view. She didn’t know what she had expected. A log cabin. A hut in the woods maybe. Not a huge two-story ranch house with a wide porch running around it like a ribbon. The roof reected the last of the sun as they neared and the mountain behind seemed to stand guard over the entire ranch.

She noticed barns, corrals, a bunkhouse, a wide garden lot. Whispering Mountain wasn’t just a ranch house; it was a world within itself.

A smal woman in trousers, her hair in a braid to her waist, jumped off the porch and ran down the walk.

Tobin jumped from his horse in one uid movement and lifted her into the air.

“Tobin! We were so worried!” She laughed, halfheartedly trying to wiggle out of his hold as she noticed Liberty riding up.

“We’re safe,” he said simply when he nal y set her down.

Liberty slowed her horse and to her surprise, the girl rushed, not to her, but to the animal. “Hel o, Sunny. Came back, did you, old boy?” Then the girl hugged the sweaty animal as if he were family.

Tobin reached for Libby and she let him help her down. “Sage, I’d like you to meet Miss Liberty Mayeld. Libby this is my little sister, Sage. Don’t let her size fool you.

She runs this outt, or at least thinks she does.”

Liberty offered her hand to the girl. “Pleased to meet you,” she said, with her best smile. “I apologize for my appearance.”

Sage laughed nervously. “You’re here in one piece. That’s what’s important. We got word yesterday from Travis that you were coming. He thought the stage, making a direct path, might beat you here.”

Tobin and Libby stared at Sage for a moment, before Libby whispered what they were both thinking, “You’ve heard from Ranger Travis? Is there news of my father?”

Sage shook her head and tried to smile. “The letter was short. Only the fact that Travis guessed Tobin would bring you here so we’d best get ready for company. But,” she hurried to add, “I’m sure the senator is ne or Travis would have written more.”

Liberty relaxed a bit, almost leaning against Tobin. She’d spent the long days on the trail worrying about her father. Maybe that was why she felt she had to be with Tobin last night. Maybe she just needed someone. If her father, her only living relative, died she wasn’t sure she could take the blow. Since her mother died, her father, the housekeeping staff, her governess—everyone—had always protected her, sheltered her. Who would protect her when the senator was gone?

She’d needed Tobin last night, wanted him al the way to her bones, but she wasn’t sure she needed Tobin now or just someone to hide behind. Until she had time to think about it, she’d keep her distance and nothing like last night would happen again. She wouldn’t al ow her armor to fal until she knew her own mind.

Liberty straightened. She’d not be needy again. No matter how good it had felt in his arms.

While introducing Stel a to Sage, Tobin put his hand on Libby’s back. She let it rest there a moment, then reluctantly shifted away.

His little sister stepped into the role of hostess. “Please come in. You are both welcome. I’m happy to have the company.”

In spite of her welcoming words, Liberty felt something was wrong. Sage’s gaze darted to her brother as if she needed to tel him something that wasn’t meant to be shared with company.

As they moved up the walk, Liberty didn’t miss how Sage hung back with Tobin and she watched the McMurrays out of the corner of her eye. Meanwhile, Stel a was exclaiming how thankful she was to nal y be safe and how much she was looking forward to a good meal after days of eating food covered in dirt.

Behind them, Tobin put his arm around his little sister’s shoulders. Liberty heard him whisper. “What is it?”

Stel a greeted an older woman at the door, but Liberty watched and waited as Tobin held Sage comfortingly.

Liberty hadn’t missed the pufness of the girl’s eyes. Over her years playing the games of politics in her father’s world, she’d learned to watch for signs...for what people didn’t say. She almost guessed what was coming before Sage spoke. Sorrow clung to the girl like a second skin.

“My Michael was with the senator the night he was attacked. The same night you took Liberty. Travis wrote that the other two rangers had sent Michael on ahead to make sure there would be no trouble when the senator passed.” Sage raised her chin, refusing to al ow a single tear to fal while others watched. She didn’t seem to notice Liberty was close enough to overhear. “Travis joined up with the rangers at Victoria the morning after you kidnapped Miss Liberty. He wanted to catch up to you and add his gun as guard for the senator’s daughter, but when he saw Michael hurt he decided he’d better stay with him.”

No one had to tel Liberty what the young ranger must have meant to Sage. She could read it as plainly as if the Mc-Murrays were actors on a stage.

Tobin pul ed his sister into a hug. “I was worried. The morning after we left an old ranger named Wes caught up to us. He said one of his men named Michael had been hurt. The thought crossed my mind that it might be your friend.”

Sage gulped back sobs as she pressed her face into her brother’s chest. “The note Travis sent says he’s bad, Tob. What am I going to do?”

To Tobin’s credit, he didn’t try to come up with easy words. He just held her.

Liberty turned her attention back to the porch as Stel a began the introduction of Martha. Liberty shook the old housekeeper’s hand. Martha hesitated taking her hand, making Liberty wonder just how bad she must look after almost a week on the trail and bruises stil along her jawline.

By the time Sage joined them, she’d shoved her tears aside. She invited them inside with a wide wave of her hand. “While you wash up, I’l help Martha put supper on the table. We didn’t know when you’d be in, but we got plenty of food that wil be ready by the time you shake the dust off you. Tobin wil take care of the animals and wash up in the bunkhouse. Teagen, my oldest brother, never makes it in until wel after dark so the mud room is al yours, ladies.”

Liberty had meant to simply glance back in Tobin’s direction, but when she did their eyes met and held for a few seconds, and she swore she could feel his touch in the warmth of his blue eyes.

She hurried to join the others, not wanting to deal with what she’d done last night. She had done more than she’d ever dreamed she would with a man without being married to him. She couldn’t blame Tobin for anything. After al , it had been she who went to him. It had been she who touched him rst and begged to be loved. He’d only done what she asked and nothing more.

Stel a was already undressing when Liberty reached the mud room. The area, tucked between the porch and the kitchen, reminded her of a bathing chamber except that there were no fril s. The wal s might not be cloth or the xtures porcelain, but al the necessities were there. A big hip tub, soaps, clean white towels, and a smal stove in the corner to keep the room warm and the water steaming.

An hour later, with her hair stil wet, Liberty felt like she’d washed away pain and aches along with the dirt. Thanks to Sage and Martha’s pampering, she and Stel a had baths and clean clothes. Stel a chose a dress of navy blue that looked almost exactly like the dress Martha wore. Liberty had been offered the same but decided on a big shirt and a faded pair of trousers. Both were far too big, but she knew she’d be too tal for Martha’s dresses and she’d never t into Sage’s petite clothes. Plus, etiquette demanded she dress similarly to her hostess, and Sage wore pants. So Liberty belted the trousers as tightly as she could and thanked her hostess for the clothes.

Liberty loved Sage’s honesty. In a world where most people guarded every word said, Sage was refreshing. Open, friendly, and ful of curiosity. It didn’t take Liberty long to learn that Sage worshiped al three of her big brothers. She bragged about them like a proud momma.

When they returned to the kitchen, Sage asked, “Mind if we eat supper in the kitchen?

It’s routine. Unless we are al together, no one eats at the dining table.”

Liberty set her at ease by saying, “You’ve made me feel like family. Thank you.”

“As of right now, you are family,” Sage replied, visibly relaxing. “Which means you may have to help me clean up. Martha goes to bed at sundown no matter what shape the kitchen is in.”

Liberty pul ed her chair out from the table.

Sage laughed. “I read in the paper that you were an only child. You must have had a quiet life without brothers.”

Before Liberty could answer, Tobin commented from the doorway, “I remember not having a sister.”

Sage pointed her nger at him. “I bet it was so horribly sad and dul .”

Tobin shrugged. “It was quieter.”

Before anyone could react, she picked up a hush puppy and threw it at him.

He ducked behind Liberty and the corn-bread bal brushed past them.

Sage looked mortied. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that with company.

Please forgive me, Miss Liberty. I almost hit you.”

Liberty smiled. “It’s just Liberty, Sage. To tel the truth I’ve thought of throwing a few things at your brother this week, even if he did save me.”

Sage didn’t look surprised. “Travis said Tobin was keeping you safe, but the news coming by stage says he kidnapped you.”

Sage frowned at Liberty and added, “You’re the only one in the state who hasn’t heard how you were kidnapped. Martha and I knew Tobin wouldn’t kidnap anyone unless there was a real need. Travis’s letter said once you got here to do whatever we have to do to keep you safe, so we gured you were in some kind of trouble.” Sage glanced at her brother. “I’ve got two of Grandfather’s braves guarding the bridge. If anyone tries to cross we’l hear the shots.”

“I know.” Tobin shrugged. “I signaled them when I rode in.”

Liberty raised a questioning eyebrow and Tobin explained, “Apache braves. Now and then, if my mother’s father thinks we could use a little help, he sends a few of his men.