A Texan's Promise Read Free Page B

cutting her off.
    He felt sorry for Marilyn, but not enough to give her comfort.The woman should have known better. They'd all known Price had only courted and married Marilyn for the Circle Z. The man had never been anything but a drunkard and a schemer.
    Marilyn should have cared about that. She should have done more for her daughter. Didn't she remember what the Bible said about taking care of God's children?
    With a start, Clayton realized Miles was still by his side. "I need to go," he said to the boy before quickly sprinting down the stairs as Marilyn disappeared back into her room.
    Miles padded after him. "Where will you take her?" he asked as they walked through the kitchen and out the back door. "What will you do with Vanessa?"
    The night was still dark but already a mockingbird cried in the distance. He needed to saddle up Lee and get going. "You don't need to know."
    "How will I find her?"
    "She'll find you—if she ever cares to."Miles's soft face went slack. "There was nothing I could do, Clay," he whined. "Price was going crazy. You should've heard him."
    " I should have heard him?" All the anger Clayton had held at bay from the moment he'd seen Vanessa's back burgeoned forth. Violently, he grabbed Miles by the neck and slammed him against the barn door. "You make me sick, huddling in the hallway while your stepfather did his best with your sister.Listening to her screams. Allowing him to lay a hand on her.To touch her."
    "But Clay—"
    "Don't."
    "Clay! Price is gonna be so angry when he finds out. He's going to send for the sheriff. Form a posse."
    Clay knew that to be true. What he was doing was a hanging offense, and no one would say different no matter how many scars decorated Vanessa's back or face.
    He was about to thrust Miles away from him when he spied something new in his expression. Determination? Bravery?
    Clay dropped his hand. Gave him one last chance. "You're at a crossroads, Miles. You can tell Price what I did and help him get your sister back or you can be a man and protect her.I will keep her safe, you have my word."
    Miles straightened his thin shoulders. "I know you will. I'll . . . do my best to help you."
    Clay shook his head. His best wasn't good enough.
    Miles darted out a hand, stilling him. "Clay—stop. I will protect her. The posse will be called, but I'll send them north. Clay. You . . . you have my word. My vow."
    His vow.
    Clay looked at the horizon. Dawn would be breaking in three hours and they had a long way to go.
    But perhaps tonight Miles had finally decided to become a man. "Don't disappointment me."
    Miles reached in his vest and pulled out a wad of cash."You'll need this. Vanessa's got some money at the bank in her name, but this should tide you over."
    Clay took the money. He, too, had some funds, but not enough for an extended length of time. "Thank you."
    As he slipped it into his pocket, Miles called out, "Should I pray? You said Jesus answers prayers."
    Clayton paused, memories of leading boys to battle flashing before his eyes. "Jesus does," he said quietly.
    "Then how come this happened? How come Price came into our lives?"
    "We let him."
    "But his being here, it's not right. Now Van's got no one."
    A sense of calm rushed over Clayton, thankful to Miles for reminding him of who was in charge of all of them—who always was, who always had been. "You're forgetting that God brought me here to the Circle Z. I'm here to take care of her. Maybe I've been here all along for that reason. Good-bye, Miles."
    When Miles slipped back into his house, Clayton stepped quickly back into the barn. When he reached the locked door, Clayton did his best to make his voice tender once more. "I'm back, Vanessa."
    She opened the door immediately. "Clay."
    He couldn't help but stare. She'd pulled back her hair and had tied his shirt in a knot at her waist. She looked young and beautiful. She looked like Vanessa.
    Then the shadows shifted and the bruise on her cheek came to life. Unable to