Charlene Sands Read Free Page B

Tyler Kincaide for the wrong reason would surely cause her nothing but heartache. She hadalways been honest with herself; Tyler would never come to love someone like her. Her foolish pride wouldn’t let her accept anything less. And she hadn’t forgotten the sincere promise she’d made to her father to locate Uncle Jasper.
    Lily threw her arms up out of frustration. “So why me? I’m sure Letty Sue Withers would love to become your wife. Why not ask her?”
    Tyler rested an elbow on his folded arm and scrubbed his jaw. He shook his head. “Couldn’t. A woman like that, she’d be—expecting things.”
    Expecting things? Lily stared at the cleft in his chin momentarily, then lifted her eyes to his in certain understanding. “You mean like..”
    His slow nod was affirmation. “I got no room in my heart for anyone but Bethann. It’s best you know that right on. You need a place to live. My daughter needs a woman around. If that means taking a wife, so be it.
    “I’d respect you, Miss Lily, and I swear, you’d never want for anything. But I was being honest when I said I don’t want a wife. I mean in the real sense, that is. So I guess you’re right. I’m offering marriage as payment for caring for Bethann and running the house.”
    That took the starch right out of her. Lily’s shoulders fell. “I see.”
    “You could do worse, Lily,” he said softly, laying several coins on the counter. “If things don’t work out with your uncle in Chicago, my offer still stands. Think about it.” Lily noted his quiet strength as he hoisted the parcels over his shoulder and sauntered out.
    She let out a heavy sigh and watched the handsomeman as he strode to his buckboard. He was right about one thing, she could do worse. Much worse.
    “Papa, Papa!”
    Tyler smiled when he heard the small voice call to him. He jumped from the wagon and threw out his arms. Bethann came running into them. He lifted her up as little arms and legs wrapped around him. “Ah, how’s my sweetcakes this afternoon?”
    “Papa, you left without me. I thought I was goin’ to town with you.”
    “Not this time, darlin’. Papa had some business in town. Next time.” He lifted an auburn pigtail and tugged.
    “Promise?”
    “I promise.” Setting her down, he took her hand. “Papa’s got to have a talk with you. Come inside.”
    “Is it about my birthday?”
    “Maybe.” He sat down in the parlor and lifted her onto his lap. A soft, plump hand went around his neck.
    “Do I get my pony, Papa?”
    “Now, Bethann, I know you’ve been wanting a pony. But you’re a mite too young yet. A pony needs lots of care.”
    “Oh, I’d care for it! I’d love it and love it. Just like I love you, Papa.” She hugged his neck.
    Tyler gave his guileless daughter a sideways glance. How’d she learn to do that so young? Her innocent charm could talk him into just about anything. If this was any indication, he was going to have a high time of it, fending off her beaus ten years from now. “What’s your second choice, darlin’, if you had to wait a bit for a pony?”
    She frowned. Tyler imagined the little wheels in herhead clicking, considering. Then her eyes lit. “A sister, Papa. Rhonda Mae McDowell is getting a sister. She said I couldn’t have one, ’cause I don’t have a ma.”
    Tyler suppressed a grimace. Lizabeth would’ve given him more children by now and their only daughter wouldn’t be so lonely. Damn, he knew what Bethann needed. A mother.
    Unfortunately, that meant a wife for him.
    “Rhonda may be getting a brother for all she knows, darlin’.”
    Bethann shrugged her small rounded shoulders. “Rhonda Mae said that don’t matter. A brother’s all right. Long’s she can boss him around a time or two.”
    Tyler chuckled and kissed her cheek. His mind went to the ponies in his remuda. He’d have to pick out the gentlest one of all.
    Lily packed the last of her merchandise in a large crate and paid Tommy Mayfield two bits to