Mustache shot Ry as he brushed by was pure venom.
Ry released his hold on Danny and the boy bolted to Joe’s side.
The livery operator dropped an arm around the lad’s shoulder never taking his gaze from the unsavory pair as they rode off.
Retrieving his hat, Ry brushed at the brim. He’d give them another minute to reassure themselves, then maybe he could finally get down to the business of renting a rig. Now that the little melodrama was over, he was more anxious than ever to be on his way. While Novembers in Texas weren’t nearly as cold as those in Philadelphia, the days were every bit as short. He needed to make good use of what daylight was left.
Belle had said in her letter that he was her last hope—an ominous statement coming from the down-to-earth girl he remembered. She’d been like a sister to him back when they were growing up and he still felt that old tug to look out for her.
As he watched the man and boy, something about their pose niggled at him, like a faintly off-key passage in an otherwise flawless aria. What was it…
He shook his head, letting go of the puzzle. He was not going to get diverted again.
They turned and stepped into a pool of light, giving him his first clear look at the rifle-toting, overall-wearing, hard-mannered livery operator.
Ry stiffened and felt his world tilt slightly off-kilter.
It couldn’t be.
But the proof was there, standing right in front of him—barely perceptible curves under masculine attire, long lashes over flashing green eyes, ruddy but smooth cheeks that a razor had obviously never touched. And if he needed further proof he got it when Joe’s hat came off, releasing a long, thick braid.
No, not “Joe,” but “Jo.”
He’d let a woman face down two brutes while he just stood by and watched.
Chapter Two
Josephine Wylie marched back inside the livery, still madder than a dunked cat. If those two mangy curs had done anything to hurt Danny—
Her eyes lit on the fancily-dressed stranger, and she suddenly had a target for her anger.
He stood staring at her with a dazed look—like he’d just swallowed a gnat. But then he smiled and stepped forward. “I believe introductions are in order. I’m Ryland Lassiter.”
She ignored the hand. “You’re also a flea-brained fool. What in Sam Hill did you think you were doing?”
He stiffened, slowly lowering his hand. “I was coming to the aid of that stalwart young man at your side.”
Hah! Did he think he was going to win her over with his highfalutin talk and that toe-tingly deep voice of his? She planted her fists on her hips. “By going up against two gun-toting varmints with nothing but a pitchfork?”
“Now see here—”
She didn’t give him a chance to finish his protest. “Mister, you might be the biggest toad in the pond where you come from, but that don’t mean beans around here. If you want to risk your own hide, that’s your business, but your blamed fool actions put Danny in danger, too. That’s either pebble-brained stupidity or grizzly-sized disregard for others, neither of which I can stomach.”
“Nor can I.” The man’s words were controlled but she didn’t miss the flash of temper in his storm-gray eyes. “I also can’t abide bullies. When I arrived, Danny was already trying to face them down. I only—”
“What!” Jo’s heartbeat kicked up a notch as she swung around. “Daniel Edward Atkins, is that true?”
Danny’s face reddened even as he thrust out his jaw. “They owed us for a week’s feed and stabling. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, we need that money.”
This was her fault. She shouldn’t have left him alone knowing those two polecats had mounts stabled here. He could handle a lot of the work right enough, but at eleven he just wasn’t old enough to understand all the consequences of his actions. If anything had happened to him while she was at the feed store…
Jo leaned forward, baring the full force of her frown on the unrepentant boy. “I’ve told you before, nothing’s worth getting shot over. If someone gives you this kind of trouble, let it go and we’ll get Sheriff Hammond to handle it afterward.”
The boy kicked at a clod of dirt. “I’m big enough to hold my own.”
Jo blew the stray hair off her forehead with an exasperated huff. If only that were true. Someday, Danny would be old enough to take over and she’d finally be free to go her own way. But today’s actions only proved how far away that day was.
Offering up a quick prayer for patience, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Danny, I got to know you’re going to mind what I tell you when I leave you in charge.”
He gave a reluctant nod, then glanced past her, reminding Jo they weren’t alone.
And that she had some crow to eat.
Someday, Lord, I’m going to learn to get all the facts before flying off the handle. Your teaching about thinking twice before speaking once is a sure-enough tough one for me to learn.
Squaring her shoulders, she turned to the gent who’d introduced himself as Ryland Lassiter. “Looks like I owe you an apology, Mister. And a big thank-you to boot.” She thrust out her hand, not sure if he’d take it after the way she’d lit into him.
But he seemed willing to let it go. Taking her hand, he gave a short bow before releasing it. Well, wasn’t he a fancy-mannered gent.
“Apology accepted. And there’s no need for thanks. It’s you who actually saved the day. Miss…” He cocked his head to one side with a questioning smile.
“Wylie. Josephine Wylie. But everyone just calls me Jo.”
“Well, Miss Wylie, I’m glad I could be of service.”
Miss Wylie—she couldn’t remember the last time someone had called her that. Certainly not since her pa died and she took over the livery.
She was suddenly very aware of just how unladylike she looked in her overalls and boots. Certainly not like any of the prim-and-proper misses a fancy gent like him must be used to.
Jo turned and hung the rifle on a set of pegs near the door, as much to hide her sudden discomfort as anything else. He probably thought she was a bumpkin who didn’t know how a lady was supposed to dress or act.
Then she gave herself a mental shake. There was absolutely no reason why she should give a fig what he thought of her. He was likely just passing through Knotty Pine—she’d never see him again once he went on his way.
When she turned back around she was ready to look him in the eye again. But she glanced at Danny first. “Time you headed up to the house. Cora Beth has your lunch ready by now. And the train’s been delayed, so we picked up a couple of boarders for tonight. I’m sure she’s going to need your help getting everyone settled in.”
With
