Page 9 of Wrangling Her Heart
George blocked her path, his presence looming over her like a dark cloud threatening to burst. She knew she had no choice but to comply with his demands if she wanted to protect herself.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures, Matilda.” George’s voice was sharp, a command that brooked no argument. “You know what we came for. Don’t lose sight ofthat.”
A lump formed in Tillie’s throat, the words like stones she couldn’t swallow. How could she explain the unease that knotted her stomach, the sense that they were teetering on the edge of something dangerous?
“Fine,” Tillie whispered, her voice barely carrying into the barnyard. She followed him from the barn, her body moving with mechanical obedience while her soul cried out in silent protest. With each step she took after George, Tillie felt the divide within her widen.
Chapter Four
Rex sat at the kitchen table, watching Tillie with a furrowed brow. She picked up a strip of bacon and brought it to her lips, but instead of taking a bite, she just nibbled on the edge. She then pushed her scrambled eggs around with her fork, creating patterns in the yellow mound. Finally, she strategically placed a piece of toast over the eggs, as if trying to hide them from view. Rex couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind as he finished his own breakfast.
“Is there something wrong with the eggs?” Annamae asked.
Tillie sheepishly picked up the bacon and took a full bite, swallowing it without chewing. “Not at all. I guess I just feel like I’m rocking from the stagecoach.”
Rex grinned from behind his coffee cup. She was a terribleliar.
“Hmmm.” Annamae opened the kitchen door and craned her neck, looking around the yard. “I’m surprised Sawyer hasn’t returned for breakfast.”
Rex’s eyebrows furrowed, and he gazed directly at Tillie before answering. “He headed towards the west pasture. I think there is that broken fence that needs to be fixed.”
Tillie’s hand continued to move back and forth, stirring the eggs on her plate as she nodded her head absentmindedly.
“The pasture?” Annamae closed the door. “He shouldn’t be out there. What if he catches cold?”
“It’s just a cold,” George sneered. “He won’t die from a cold. Tillie, pass me those biscuits.”
“He just might,” Annamae retorted.
Tillie stopped stirring and looked at Annamae. “What does that mean?” she asked, laying her fork on her plate.
Annamae sat at the table, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s not my story to tell. I just want him back home.”
Rex finished his coffee and put his cup down. “He told me he just needed some time alone. I am sure he’ll be back shortly.”
“Is anyone out there with him?” Tillie asked.
“I think the boys were in the east one today.”
“Rex, will you bring him back?” Annamae pleaded. “It looks like rain.”
George scooped a pat of butter onto his knife and spread it across the golden, flaky biscuit. He directed his words at the table as he spoke. “I can’t believe all this commotion over Sawyer fixing a measly fence or getting caught in the rain. You all act like a bunch of overprotective mother hens.”
Rex furrowed his brow and pushed away from the table,striding outside. He tilted his head up to study the sky, noting the position and color of the looming clouds before pivoting on his heel and re-entering the house.
“Looks like it’s about an hour and a half away. Fix him some biscuits and I’ll go saddle up and fetch the saddlebag with the coffeepot in it.” He kissed the top of Annamae’s head. “Don’t worry, Annie. I’ll go get your husband.”
Annamae wiped her eyes with her apron and grabbed the bowl of biscuits before George could take the last two.
Rex grabbed his hat off a peg by the door and placed it on his head. “Do you like horses, Tillie?”
She nearly bounded from her chair. “Oh yes. Very much.”
“Would you care to join me while I ride out and get Sawyer? I can show you around the ranch.”
“I’d love to,” Tillie clapped her hands. Watching her face light up like a child being offered a favorite toy, Rex couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through him.
George spoke up, “I wouldn’t mind accompanying you. It’ll give me a chance to observe how your ranch works firsthand.”
