Page 76 of Lie for a Million

“I know quality when I see it. And the McKennas aren’t quality folk. They do rodeo. They dress cheap and talk like riffraff. And that house of theirs is no better than a cow shed. They probably sleep with animals and spit tobacco on the floor. And now, with your husband barely cold in the grave, you’re carrying on with one of them. This house has been in the Culhane family for as long as it’s stood. If you’re fool enough to marry the man, he’ll move in here with his whole family. The place will be overrun with McKennas. Even the Culhane name will be gone.”

“That’s enough.” Lila reined in the urge to slap the woman. “My personal life is none of your business.”

“Just let me finish,” Mariah said. “The Culhanes were like family to me. I’ve been proud to serve them. But the first time a McKenna sets foot in this house, I’ll be packed up and gone.”

“That’s your choice.” Lila spoke with icy calm. “If you decide to quit, I’m sure Darrin and Simone would welcome your help, especially with a baby on the way. Or maybe Madeleine could use you in Austin. I won’t force you to leave. But for as long as you stay here, we won’t speak of this again. You’re to perform your duties without question and be respectful to anyone who walks through that door.Anyone. Do you understand?”

Mariah’s defiant gaze didn’t waver. “Yes, ma’am. I’ve said my piece and given you fair warning. Now I’ll get back to mixing my bread. Let me know when you want breakfast served.”

As Mariah wheeled and vanished in the direction of the kitchen, Lila mounted the stairs, step by weary step. Every way she turned, she seemed to be fighting a new battle. And this one had the power to break her heart. She had never loved a man the way she loved Roper. But people, prejudices, and circumstances stood like a wall between them.

She wanted a life with Roper. But was she being selfish? Was she thinking of him or only of herself?

Lying in bed, with the moon shining through the west window, Lila forced herself to step back and view the situation with cold detachment.

With Judd’s guilt unproven, Roper was still a murder suspect. That was mostly because of her. Darrin and Simone had accused them of having an affair while Frank was still alive. That wasn’t true, but it was easy enough to believe. Even if he were to be cleared of the crime, as long as their relationship lasted, Roper’s reputation would remain under a cloud.

Mariah’s angry words had reminded Lila of another problem. Lila had told herself that she didn’t care what the woman thought, or even that she’d threatened to quit. But Roper’s family, especially his mother, would feel the same way about her—a former Las Vegas showgirl who’d gone after a rich man and broken up his faltering marriage, a woman who flaunted her wealth in front of her less fortunate neighbors and considered herself too fine to even pass the time of day with them.

In dreaming of a future with Roper, Lila had imagined them living in the Culhane mansion, even raising a family there. The reality was, if she lost the upcoming lawsuit with Darrin and Simone, she would lose the house and everything that went with it. Even if she were to win, how could she ask Roper to desert the family that was so dependent on him?

The idea of moving them into the mansion was hardly worth a thought. The McKennas were proud people. They would never consent to leave their ranch. More to the point, they would never live on the charity of the woman who had stolen their son.

Lila slipped out of bed and crossed the room to the French doors that opened onto the small balcony. With the breeze cooling her damp face, she watch the last pale edge of the moon sink behind the western horizon.

The answer she’d been looking for was right in front of her. It was time she faced it. If she truly loved Roper, she would do what was best for him. She would walk away.

Soon it would be morning. Roper would be here at first light to train with the horses. After the long night, he was bound to be tired; but with the Run for a Million a few days off, Lila knew he wouldn’t spare himself for a rest. She would find him early, give him her decision, and leave. Putting off the pain would only make it worse.

By the time she’d splashed her face with cold water, brushed her teeth, and dressed in cotton slacks, a short-sleeved tee, and sandals, the sky was growing pale above the eastern hills. Roper should be here soon. If she met him in the stables, they could talk before he started with the horses. And she’d have the best chance of avoiding Mariah’s prying gaze.

She slipped outside through the patio door. Roper’s truck was already in the parking lot. He must have just arrived. She would look for him inside the stables.

The arena was empty. She could wait for him there, but he’d probably come in with a horse, ready to work. She’d be better off looking for him inside.

“Roper?” she called. There was no answer. As she walked down the first row of stalls and took a turn to the right, the nighttime security lights, which ran on a timer, switched off. Minutes from now, they might not be needed. But with her vision still adjusting to the change, Lila was plunged into sudden darkness.

As she groped forward along the row of stalls, she could hear the ventilation fans and the stirring, chuffing sounds of horses, but the way was still dark. Now, at the far end of the corridor, she could make out a dim light. She hurried toward it.

She was moving fast when her knees struck something in her path—a solid metal edge, hard enough to throw her off-balance. As she lost her footing and stumbled forward, she realized it was an oversized wheelbarrow, left outside the stalls. The rising fragrance told her that it was heaped with fresh hay.

She thrust out her arms to break her fall. As her hands sank into the hay, something moved—something alive. Lila heard an angry buzzing sound. She jerked away, but she wasn’t fast enough. A sharp jab penetrated her arm, burning like fire as the venom invaded her flesh. She gasped, staggered backward, and sank to her knees.

“Roper!” she screamed.“Roper!”

* * *

Roper had stopped by his office to check for messages before saddling the first of his three horses. As he stepped out through the door, Lila’s screams reached his ears.

Heart in his throat, he raced in the direction of the sound. Seconds later, in the dim morning light he found her. She was kneeling in the sawdust, cradling her arm. Her face was pasty white, her eyes wide with shock.

“There . . .” She gestured toward the wheelbarrow. Roper could see the rattlesnake. It was small enough to hide in the hay but big enough to deliver a deadly bite. Knowing he couldn’t leave it alive to bite a worker, Roper dispatched it with a blow from a handy shovel. Then he swept Lila up in his arms and ran with her toward his truck.

Reclining the seat partway, he laid her on it and buckled her in. The arm was already beginning to swell. He could only pray that the clinic in Willow Bend would have antivenin. There’d be no time to get her to Abilene before life-threatening damage to vessels and organs set in.

From the driver’s seat, he gave her his clean, folded handkerchief to lay over the bite and soak up the blood. “Hold that in place,” he said.

Her lips moved. “The horses, Roper . . . the training . . . You’ve got to be ready.”

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