Ain't No Angel (22 page)

“Tyler Monroe, what on earth are you doing?” The sharp hissing voice of Myra Hansen in his ear, coupled with a jabbing sensation against his back brought him out of his peaceful state. “When I said I wanted grandbabies, I didn’t mean to imply for you to start on the task right here and now.”

Laney released her hold from around his neck, and moved several inches away from him. An odd empty feeling washed over him immediately. She belonged in his arms. Slowly, he eased his hold around her waist, and glanced at his surroundings. The music had stopped, and people stared at them. Some women gaped with open mouths.

His gaze returned to Laney, who stood wide-eyed in front of him. His lips curved upward.

“I’m dancing with my wife, Myra,” he said quietly, his eyes never leaving Laney’s. His smile widened. “Something I should have done from the very first day I met her,” he added in a low tone.

****

Laney sipped from the tin cup in her hand, enjoying the sweet and fruity flavor of the punch. Her parched throat appreciated the cool liquid. Her heart still hadn’t completely stopped racing after that dance she’d shared minutes ago with Tyler. She hadn’t realized until she looked up, after Myra interrupted them, that practically the entire town was gaping at them. Laney’s idea of a slow-dance was obviously quite different than a slow dance in the 1870’s.

She hadn’t wanted the moment to end. The way Tyler held her, and the way their bodies swayed in tune with one another, just the memory of it sent tingles rushing through her. She had felt completely cherished, and the love that raced through her for him was almost unbearable.

I was so sure you and he were a perfect match.

The reverend’s words came flooding back. Everything had seemed so perfect while they moved in each other’s arms. The music around her ceased, the people disappeared. It had been only the two of them. And it had been perfect.

I love him. I want to stay here with him.

Laney bit her lower lip. This was where she wanted to be. Tyler may not have told her that he loved her, but no other man had ever looked at her the way he did. The guys who had told her they were in love with her, none of them had displayed such raw emotions in their eyes. None of them had held her with such tenderness, or treated her with the kind of respect Tyler bestowed on her.

She swallowed back the apprehension in her throat. What if the reverend had granted her wish, and sent her back to the future immediately? It was a good thing the old man was more rational than she had been during their talk. He’d seen right through her. He seemed to know everything, why should she doubt him now? He had brought her here to find happiness. She smiled softly. She was happy, really happy for the first time in as long as she could remember. The people here truly cared for her. She was fond of Myra, who doted on her like a mom or grandma, she loved the horses, and most of all, she loved Tyler. There was no comparison between these people and what she had left behind at home. Her mother certainly wouldn’t miss her. No one else would even notice she was gone.

Laney scanned the crowd of party-goers. Myra Hansen had suggested to Tyler that he needed to ask the widow to dance.

“Perhaps Laney isn’t up for dancing yet, if you have to hold her up on her feet like that.” The widow had spoken loud enough for the gaping onlookers to hear. Laney suspected the old woman wanted to spare Tyler any further embarrassment in front of the townsfolk. She couldn’t help but smile. He certainly hadn’t seemed to mind the way they danced.

Laney watched as he moved stiffly with the old woman over the wooden floor. She giggled. He really did have two left feet when it came to dancing. Would Myra be able to walk after the song was over? The old lady seemed to know what she was doing, but Tyler looked rather awkward and uncomfortable, so unlike the confident cowboy she knew when he sat on a horse.

A content sigh escaped her lips, and her back and shoulders relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from her. For the first time, it became clear to her where she belonged, what her future would be like.
This is where you belong, Laney. The reverend is right. Tyler is your perfect match.

She sat up straighter. Her future! She couldn’t tell Tyler her secret, could she? How would he react to something like that? As incredible as the idea of time travel sounded to her, in this day and age, it might be considered witchcraft or something. Didn’t they condemn and burn women at the stake for stuff that no one understood? No, maybe that was a couple hundred years further back in the past, but still . . .

But how long could she go on without slipping up? At what point would she be unable to talk herself out of her modern slip-ups?

She would definitely have to have another chat with the reverend about the subject of time travel. She couldn’t go on lying to Tyler forever. And she certainly didn’t want to.

“That was quite an interesting dance,” a low voice whispered in her ear. Laney startled, and nearly dropped her punch cup. She whipped her head around to stare into Gabe’s smirking face. “Almost as interesting as your performance on your wedding night.”

Laney ground her teeth and scooted away from him. She shot a quick look toward the dance floor, but Tyler’s focus seemed to be on his feet while Myra carried on a lively conversation judging by the movement of her lips.

“I see you’ve also finally mingled with your own kind.” Gabe moved around from behind her and sat next to her. Laney regretted her decision to sit on one of the wooden benches that lined the yard, rather than in a chair.

Gabe removed his hat, and returned a friendly greeting from Ian Frazier, who strode past them at that moment. The foreman’s smile was wide and genuine. At first glance, Gabe seemed likable enough, but the more Laney had been around him, the more the guy gave her an uneasy feeling.

Ian stopped. “Mrs. Monroe.” He nodded, and tipped his hat to her. He glanced from her to Gabe, then his head darted to where Tyler danced with Myra. The woman hanging on his arm pulled him toward the dance floor, and Ian moved on.

“My own kind?” Laney echoed, and stared at Gabe, now that Ian was gone. What the heck was the cowboy talking about this time? He seemed to enjoy playing these guessing games with her. He’d done something similar the day of the fire.

Laney glared at Gabe. There was something vaguely familiar about his dark eyes, and she stared at him for longer than necessary. He reminded her of someone, but whoever it was eluded her at the moment.

 Gabe chuckled. He leaned forward, his elbow casually resting on his knee, and peered sideways up at her. He was a good-looking guy, and he knew it. Laney could see right through his kind. The smug grin on his face grated on her nerves.

He slowly raked his fingers through his dark hair.

“I wonder how Ty’s gonna feel about the company you keep.”

Laney laughed. She sat up straighter and raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know that mingling with the neighbors is considered bad company.” She swept her hand in front of her to indicate the people nearby.

Gabe’s brows shot up. He smirked. “I knew sooner or later you’d show your true colors. Your kind always does.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Laney stood from her sitting position as quickly as her cumbersome dress allowed. Her hands shot to her hips, and she stared at Gabe. She had just about enough of this guy. Couldn’t Tyler see what a jerk his foreman was?

Gabe rose to his feet, and stood towering over her. “Tell me, does Ty know that his wife consorts with the town whores?”

Laney’s stomach dropped. Gabe had seen her with that young prostitute? She shrugged. So what?

“Since when is it a crime to talk to people, Gabe? If you’re referring to that young woman I spoke to earlier, I wasn’t consorting, whatever that means.”

 “Ty don’t like whores.”

The distinct implication in his low voice sent Laney’s heart racing. She swallowed. Her eyes widened briefly, and a jolt of adrenaline shot through her, making her knees go weak. A triumphant gleam flashed in Gabe’s eyes. He smiled smugly. “I’ve been trying to tell you that he don’t like women who remind him of his Mama. She was a whore, too.”

“Why are you telling me this,” Laney choked out. A sinking feeling flowed through her. The urge to run swept over her like a ferocious wind. She curled her toes inside her shoes to remain rooted to the spot. She couldn’t let this guy see how his words affected her. She had come here as a prostitute.

“I wonder what Ty’s gonna think when he finds out that his lovely bride is nothing but a soiled dove herself? You can get any silly notions out of your pretty little head that he’ll have feelings for you when he finds out that you ain’t any better than his Mama.”

How did Gabe know this about her? Laney’s brain tried to process what he’d said. Tyler’s mother had been a prostitute? No one had ever mentioned it. Tyler’s reactions to her when she first met him, the way she’d come on to him, and what she’d done on their wedding night suddenly made perfect sense to her. In this day and age she’d certainly acted the part of the hooker. Had Tyler suspected that she was a prostitute, and then later changed his mind, since she’d backed off from acting like one?

You’ve never actually sold yourself to anyone, Laney. Tyler was going to be your first job.
Well, the reverend was supposed to be her first job.

“You’d better not be playing me, too, the way you’re playing Tyler,” Gabe whispered. “I’m still trying to figure out what it is you’re up to as far as that stud horse is concerned.”

Laney drew in a deep breath, and suppressed a gasp. Gabe was the rider she’d seen on the ridge that day when she first took Rap into the river! Why hadn’t he said anything to Tyler?

“We had an agreement when I sent for you, Miz Monroe. I surely hope you plan to uphold your end. I won’t let you ruin everything I’ve worked for.” He moved to walk away, then abruptly faced her again. “Interesting conversation you had with the reverend, by the way.”

Laney stared after him, stunned into silence. The clapping behind her barely registered in her mind. The music had stopped, and the murmurs of dozens of people grew louder. Her pulse throbbed at her temples.

She shrieked when a warm hand settled on her shoulder, and she spun around.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” Tyler’s face looked down at her. Instantly, the wide smile on his face froze. He reached for her, his hands gently wrapping around her upper arms, and he steadied her swaying legs. “Are you all right? You’re white as a sheet.”

Laney stared, wide-eyed. Tyler didn’t like prostitutes. Gabe knew her secret. Her perfect world suddenly crumbled.

“I . . . I don’t feel good, Tyler. Please take me home.”

Chapter 21

Laney flipped the covers back on her bed, and scooted off the mattress. Grey light from outside the bedroom window brought the furniture into focus. She blinked, and rubbed at her gritty eyes. She hadn’t slept a wink all night. Her mind churned with countless thoughts. Why couldn’t there be an off button somewhere in her brain, so she could simply shut everything out?

She shuffled barefoot to the window, a cold shudder passing through the thin cotton material of the chemise she preferred to wear rather than one of the many nightgowns that lay in her trunks. Would she ever get used to these long bloomers as underwear? Laney smiled, despite the trepidation in her heart. There were a lot of things she had to get used to if she wanted to remain in this time.

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.