Robin Read Free

he yelled. “But it’s headed for open country. It’s only going to hurl its wreckage our way. I’ll tell you when it’s safe.”
                  When the storm at last subsided, he rolled away from her and helped her to her feet. “Terrible way to meet, isn’t it?” He smiled. “Yo u ar e John Wenghold’s niece, aren’t you? Miss Robin Wenghold from Chicago?”
                  Robin nodded. “I thought he would meet me.” Silver flecks danced before her eyes, and her back and shoulders hurt from the barrage of hailstones. She ran her tongue over her teeth to remove the dirt. What must she look like ?
                  “I know. I’m Ty Morgan, your Uncle John’s neighbor.”
                  “Is he ill? He knew I would arrive today.” She pressed her fingers against her forehead.
                  “He didn’t forget you, ma’am. I guess he figured, since I planned to come in for supplies, it would save him a trip if I agreed to bring you back to his ranch.”
                  Save him a trip? What kind of man issues an invitation to visit then sends a neighbor in his stead so he can save a trip ? If only she could sit before her legs buckled.
                  Gentle hands rested on her shoulders, and dark eyes peered into hers. “Miss Wenghold, do you need . . .”
                  Though his lips moved, the swish of her pulse drowned out his words. She attempted to smile as a dark veil dropped over her eyes.
    ###
                  Ty managed to catch the girl before she crumpled to the ground . Now what ? Rain continued to pelt them. Thankful the station remained intact, he balanced her in his arms and climbed the stairs, one rickety step at a time. Satisfied the wooden porch had not been damaged, he proceeded to the door and kicked it open. Splinters of glass covered the floor beneath the broken window, but otherwise it would provide shelter.
                  He laid her on the waiting bench and shook her gently. “Ma’am?” He couldn’t leave until she responded. Shouts came from the streets. There was likely a lot of damage and perhaps even injuries. “Miss Wenghold?” He dropped to one knee beside her.
                  She blinked and turned her head toward him. “Is the storm over?”
                  “The worst of it. I reckon you had a pretty bad scare, but you’re safe now.”
                  The girl smiled and a dimple perched at the corner of her mouth. Long lashes curled against her cheeks and freckles sprinkled her nose. Cinnamon colored hair, tangled and muddy, lay across one shoulder.
                  Ty swallowed. Few would describe her beautiful, yet he found it difficult to take his gaze away from her. “You rest. I’m going to see if anyone needs help. I won’t leave without you. Are you okay here? I need to take a look around.”
                   Good lands . He was chattering like a schoolgirl. Would she notice? He clenched his fists to resist thumbing a smudge of mud from her cheek.
                  She nodded. “You go. I’m fine. I hope no one is injured.”
                  “Me, too.” Ty stood and walked to the door. “Don’t go away. ” Well, that was smart, Ty. And exactly where did you think she might go?
                  She smiled again and sat up. “You will take me to Uncle John’s? Do you think the twister hit his ranch?”
                  Ty shook his head. “I don’t think so. I watched the storm build as I came into town and figured it would go south and east of our ranches.”
                  “You in the depot, Morgan?” A voice called from the street. “Doc says he could use ya if you got time.”
                  She swept a strand of wet hair away from her face. Eyes as dark as the storm clouds that