WM02 - Texas Princess (4 page)

Liberty heard the slam of the gate three stal s down. The stranger behind her stood. He was tal er than Samuel but she guessed he wouldn’t have a chance. The captain was looking for a ght and this man was at the wrong place at the wrong time, thanks to her.

Her father had mentioned something about a man bringing in another horse tonight for her to consider. Looking at the stranger’s face, she recognized a younger version of the rancher who’d tried to sel her father a paint. The silent man didn’t appear as cold or hard as the man she guessed was his older brother, but he’d stil leave just as disappointed. She had no intention of riding or even buying a horse. That was Samuel’s plan, not hers.

“Your name?” she whispered.

“Tobin McMurray,” he answered as the gate two stal s down slammed.

“Stay here.” She met his stare and was surprised at the kindness she saw there. He hadn’t said any more, but she knew he was worried—not about himself, but about her.

She stepped out of the stal . “You’re looking for me, Samuel?” she said in a bored voice.

The captain looked rst one direction, then another. When he was satised they were alone, he said, “You ran out before I had time to nish our kiss. With only four days to our marriage bed, don’t you think it’s about time you warmed up?”

She took a step backward, hating herself for being a coward. “I think we are quite

nished, Samuel.” She wanted to add that she’d never warm to him, but fear held her tongue.

He smiled, that perfect smile he always made as if posing for a painting. “Now, Liberty, I know you’re upset over the threats your father is getting, but I assure you nothing wil happen to him the day of our wedding. If it takes every man in my command to guard him, the senator wil be safe.”

The worry over her father had been in the back of every thought since her father received a death threat three days ago, but that had nothing to do with what she was about to say. Lifting her chin slightly, she faced him. “I think we should postpone the wedding.” He’d been the one who wanted it from the beginning and she’d been the fool who’d gone along with it.

“I wil not hear of it.” He said the words slowly, each one a nail into the cofn of her freedom. “You agreed to this wedding, then even begged that it be so extravagant.

Neither your father nor I plan to let you change your mind.”

He took another stride toward her.

She stepped back, guessing she had three or four more feet before she hit the barn wal .

He moved forward again as if playing a game with a child.

Liberty straightened preparing for yet another argument. Behind Samuel, she noticed the stranger she’d awakened slip from the stal and move silently across the barn. At least he was smart enough to escape. She wasn’t sure she’d be so lucky.

She’d felt it coming for days in subtle words and looks. Now, she couldn’t believe she’d

rst thought it was endearing when Samuel became possessive. He’d ordered for her in restaurants without asking her and claimed he knew her better than she knew herself. Then, a few days ago, he’d told someone what she thought, as though she were a mute standing next to him. And earlier tonight when she’d wanted to dance a new dance, he’d said he wouldn’t al ow it as if she were a child who wouldn’t dare disobey.

He’d been perfect when he’d courted her, paying her al the attention her father never had time to show her. But since their engagement the earth had been shifting until suddenly Liberty had nowhere to stand.

Liberty took her last step backward. Maybe some of this was her fault. She’d been so caught up in marrying the handsome captain she hadn’t taken the time to get to know him. Then, when he’d proposed, she’d gone along with whatever he wanted thinking it would make things easier. Only somehow his take-charge manner had twisted into arrogance. It felt almost as if he would be owning her, not wedding her.

Her father had played his part too, giving her everything she wanted except his time.

He’d agreed with Samuel, happily moving the wedding up so that he could get back to his campaign.

“Samuel,” she began, trying not to notice the hardness in his face. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

He stopped, interested. She noticed Tobin silently lift the gate at the far side of the barn and lead out a horse. The animal nuzzled him playful y, but any noise they made blended in with that of other animals in the barn.

“I know you’re angry that I refuse to learn to ride.”

“You wil learn to ride,” he answered calmly. “I insist on it.”

She wanted to yel that she didn’t care one hair what he insisted on, but now wasn’t the time. “That’s why I came to the barn.” She stumbled slightly over her lie, but he didn’t seem to notice.

He raised an eyebrow and she hurried on. “I wanted to see if the new horse had arrived.” What she wanted to do was kick him and run, but she wasn’t sure what would happen in the darkness if he caught her between the house and the barn. Inside, she’d be safe—her father would protect her. But not here and denitely not alone with Samuel. Her arms stil ached from where he’d gripped her and the memory of the blow he’d landed on one of his men stil haunted her thoughts. She’d play along until she could pick her battleeld and then she’d end this between them no matter how few days were left until the wedding.

“Oh,” she said as if surprised. “There’s the horse now.”

Samuel stared at her a moment longer as if suspecting a trick, then turned slowly.

He held his surprise wel as Tobin moved closer with a beautiful horse in tow.

“Thank you, Mr. McMurray, for bringing him out.” Liberty ran past Samuel. “I hoped to show him to the captain.”

As she neared the horse, she caught Tobin’s stare and prayed he would play along with this game as far as she wanted to go.

The animal bobbed his head causing the bridle to rattle.

Liberty jumped back a few steps.

Samuel let out an exasperated sigh. “My bride-to-be is afraid of horses. Hel of a curse for a cavalryman’s wife. I plan to remedy her problem as soon as possible.”

Tobin didn’t answer the captain, but his grip tightened slightly on the reins. She caught his slight nod and moved forward once more.

“I’m thinking of taking this one.” Liberty managed to reach out and
almost
touch the horse.

“You wil take this one,” Samuel corrected. “He’s a ne horse and we’ve no time to look further. You’l be on his back tomorrow.”

Liberty shook her head, but Samuel had turned to Tobin. “There’l be extra in the sale if you can teach her to ride. I’ve got my hands ful right now or I’d take on the task myself.”

When Tobin didn’t answer, the captain pushed. “You can teach her to ride, can’t you?”

She felt insulted for Tobin McMurray. The captain was talking down to him as if he were slow-witted. But Tobin only nodded.

“Good.” Samuel turned back to Liberty. “Come along, dear, we should be getting back to the bal .” He offered his hand. “I’m sure there is no party without your presence.”

She thought of the darkness between the barn and the house and answered, “I want to stay here and get to know my horse. I’l be along in a few minutes.”

He seemed bored with her. “Fine. Suit yourself.” She felt like a toy he’d grown tired of playing with. “I need to talk to your father anyway.” He marched toward the door, then turned. “I’l see you before I leave tonight. My men are setting up our camp between the house and the creek.” He looked her up and down as if inspecting one of the troops. “Don’t get anything on that dress. It wouldn’t do to have my future wife appear less than perfect.”

She saluted. “Yes sir.”

Before, he’d told her he thought her salutes charming; now, he looked irritated.

Without another word, he turned and left.

Liberty closed her eyes and took a deep breath, stretching her arms out as she tried to rid herself of tension. When she looked up, Tobin was staring at her.

“What are you looking at?” Her words came fast and angry, more at herself than this stranger. She wouldn’t be surprised if he said, “A coward,” and he’d be right.

“Your dress,” he answered simply.

His words surprised her. “What did you say?” Maybe he wasn’t as smart as she gave him credit for being. Maybe the captain had been right to talk to him as if he were simple.

McMurray shrugged. “I’ve never seen so many fril s on a woman, and so much skin exposed at the same time.”

Liberty looked down at her low-cut-gown. It was daring, but not by Paris standards.

“You must not only sleep in a barn, Mr. McMurray, you must have been born in one as wel . There is nothing wrong with my dress and I’l thank you to stop looking or even referring to my skin.”

He didn’t have the decency to be embarrassed.

She pul ed the thin shawl that hung at her elbows. “There, is that better? Am I modest enough for the barn now?”

He smiled, an easy smile that was catching. “Oh, I wasn’t complaining, miss, just observing.”

She wasn’t sure whether she should be insulted or attered. Most men were respectful around her because of her father’s power. This one didn’t seem to know, or care, that he was talking to a senator’s daughter.

“Wel , stop observing my state of dress and introduce me to this horse. I have no intention of riding, but I owe you a look at him for what you did for me tonight.” She almost expected him to ask what he’d done and was surprised when he didn’t.

“Give me your hand,” he said in a low voice she decided she liked.

She offered her hand. He closed his large rough hands around it. “The horse is named Sunny because he’s the color of the sunrise along Galveston Harbor. He’s smart.”

Tobin moved his ngers slowly over her arm to her elbow. “I have an Apache grandfather who believes a horse makes up his mind if he likes people by smel .” He grinned as his ngers closed gently around her hand. “Sunny wil like you better if you smel like me.”

Liberty couldn’t gure out if he was tel ing the truth or lying. Part of her didn’t care. The warmth of his touch had eased her nerves. Without another word, he cupped her hand in his and stretched it toward the horse.

The animal nuzzled against her ngers. She would have pul ed away, but Tobin’s hand, just behind hers, made her feel safe. She could feel the nearness of his body standing only an inch away, backing her up in case she panicked. The warmth of him surrounded her. She sensed no threat from this quiet man. He was big, strong, yet there was a gentleness about him.

He laced her hand in his and stroked the horse’s neck. The stiff hair of the mane tickled across her ngers as Tobin guided her. The strength of his arm brushed against hers as he slowly taught her how to say hel o to a horse. The powerful animal didn’t seem nearly as frightening with Tobin so close. Even the nightmares Liberty had experienced since her mother’s death seemed distant with him near.

The horse shifted. Liberty bumped against the wal of Tobin’s chest. His free hand touched her waist, steadying her.

Liberty closed her eyes. She knew she should move away. It wasn’t proper to be pressed against a man she hardly knew. She could feel his heart beating. His breath whispered across her bare shoulder.

“You’re al right.” His words were far more a statement than a question.

Embarrassed, she straightened and took one step away. “I’m ne,” she answered as if he’d asked.

Turning, she saw his eyes. Beautiful blue eyes that said it al without him having to say a word. He hadn’t been advancing or trying to seduce her. He’d had no plan to be so close. He was as shocked as she was by what had just happened.

Whatever Tobin McMurray was, he was not a man who touched women often or without care. Her nearness had affected him as deeply as his had surprised her.

Liberty fought to recover. “I’l tel my father about the horse,” she managed as she almost ran from the barn.

Halfway back to the house, she slowed to breathe. In the midnight blackness, she tried to slow her heart for she was sure it would out pound any music. What had just happened? She was twenty years old and nothing had ever made her feel so... Men had stolen kisses, they’d held her too tightly while dancing or accidental y touched a part of her body while helping her into a carriage...but nothing like tonight. She felt like she’d been asleep and he’d awakened her with the brush of his hand.

chapter 4

Y

Tobin put the horse in the rst stall and went

back to his bedrol , but sleep didn’t bother to visit. The stormy day, green-eyed woman he’d just met—just touched— haunted him. Her eyes reminded him of a late summer rain when the land turns greener than green beneath cloudy skies. Her body was long and lean like a colt’s just before he learns to run. Her black hair, piled high with a wide ribbon running through it, was the most beautiful mane he’d ever seen.

He may have spent most of his life on the ranch, but he knew how rare a beauty she must be.

Staring up at the rafter, Tobin decided a week on the road with little sleep must have turned his brain to straw. When did he ever bother to notice a woman’s eyes? And what kind of man compares a lovely woman’s hair to a mane. She gured in his life in only one way—the sale of a horse. What did he care if some rich spoiled beauty fought with her ancé? If she had a problem with the captain, she could always run to her powerful father. She didn’t need him to protect her. But something in the man’s countenance toward her rankled Tobin. He wanted to protect her.

Tobin needed to forget about Miss Liberty Mayeld and he planned to, even if he could stil feel the softness of her skin against the tips of his ngers.

He swore and covered his face with his hat. Sleep was hard to nd, even on a good night; tonight bordered on impossible.

It would take the Grand Canyon to hold al he didn’t know about women. Especial y this one. This beautiful one was sophisticated. Something he was not and never would be. He knew his family owned one of the nest ranches in Texas, but they’d never played the society game. To her, he was no more than a cowhand who’d brought a horse that she had no intention of riding. Whispering Mountain was a working ranch.