Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) (3 page)

Brent puffed on his cigar. "Sounds like an interesting life story. But what do the Rangers have to do with the Jones ranch?"

Dyer shrugged. "A little of nothing, a lot of something."

Brent understood what the sheriff meant by his comment.

"Well, I'm happy to be a part of the progression in this town. My son and I are looking for a new life. I believe that we have found it here in Owen's Bluff. I thank you for the opportunity."

Dyer took a long puff on his cigar. "Good then. I hope that you are ready for life on the frontier."

They stood there silently smoking their cigars.

"Sarah is a good woman. She’s never been able to birth her own children. So she is drawn to other people's children. She and I have a, well, an understanding relationship. It works for us. And she has agreed to be of help to you and Adam. While you are out working, Adam can be looked after by Sarah anytime you need it."

Brent tipped his hat. "That is very much appreciated. Thank you. I think I will take you up on that very offer."

The sheriff gave him a quick nod as he reached in his pocket. "Here are the keys to your new home. You have a plot over yonder. Third house from the top of the road. It's not huge; it's just something enough to get your life started here. Hope it fits you well."

Brent held the keys in his hand. They were much more than the article that opened the door to his new home. Those keys were the entrance to his new life. A life that he knew would be much risk, but one in which he had much expectation.

"Thank you, Sheriff. You don't know how ready for this we are."

The sheriff gave him a pat on the back. "Good. Now I will find Sarah and your little one. I'm sure you two would like to head on down to the homestead and get settled in."

"Why yes, Sheriff. Yes we would."

*

Before heading down to their new home, Dyer gifted Brent with a horse and a wagon. He would now be able to get around town with or without his son in tow. Everything seemed surreal. Not only was this a new opportunity to make a life for himself and Adam, but it was coming with perks that were immeasurable.

Their home was quaint. A far cry from the large plantation home in which he was raised, but it was theirs none the less.

The dirt road led from town, past the sheriff's home, down to the homestead that was a plot of land with about four homes. The homes were log cabins with a small plot of land for each. Brent envisioned a small garden to grow a few vegetables and some flowers. Flowers would make it a true home.

Sheriff Dyer told him that the furnishings inside would be modest, and modest they were. It was a four room house: a common area complete with a fireplace flanked with two chairs and a table; the kitchen area with a sink, an ice box, a coal stove, and a small table with two chairs; and two bedrooms, one for each of them.

Brent was happy that there was a bed and a dresser in each of the rooms. He would take the time later to bring in more décor to make it feel more at home for Adam.

Even better was the agreement with Miss Sarah that she would essentially serve as Adam's nanny. She was a God send because having someone to watch over Adam was important to Brent. All of Adam's life, he had been cared for by his grandmother and he had been in the care of family. This would be the first time he would have to entrust his child to someone other than family.

Living in Owen's Bluff, there would be a lot of firsts. Being in Texas seemed so far away from the life that he’d known in South Carolina. Things seemed so much smaller in South Carolina. Here in Texas, things were dusty, dirt roads or large expanses of farm land.

Going on a tour of the town would help him feel more connected to his new life. Miss Sarah offered to keep an eye on Adam while Brent settled them in. He hitched the wagon and went for a ride into town.

The heat was scorching, so the ride into town left him soaked in his own perspiration. He made a mental note to stop off and get one of the large brimmed hats that he saw many of the gentlemen wearing. Riding around, he got a chance to see the market that Dyer spoke of. He was right. There was fresh produce, meat, beans, flowers, textiles, and pretty much anything that you could think of.

There was a man selling sweet candies and he made a note to bring Adam back to the market to get some of the treats. Anything to help his son feel more at home.

Things seemed to be moving at a slower pace there in Texas and he was ready to live life at that pace. Things could only get better from here.

The sack of beans Lily was carrying threatened to spill over. She cussed herself for being so careless with the goods. The truth was that she did not have anyone helping her to transport any of the goods to town.

Her parents did not come to town. Her father would say that it was hard enough being who he was and it was even harder to be in public with the woman he loved. Juan Sanchez had come from the Mexican territory in search of a new life. He found one in Texas, working the ranch of a big tycoon. But the older he got, the harder on his body it was, so he retired to his own home, where he made furniture and worked his garden to grow produce to sell at the market.

When Juan was a strapping young man, virile and vibrant, he met and fell in love with a Cherokee woman named Brook Song. She was the epitome of beauty. When their eyes met, they had fallen immediately in love. But mixing of the races was frowned upon at that time. Even though both of them were from a time and age where being who they were individually was hard enough, they chose to be together and marry and have a family.

They had a small plot of land on the side of town, away from everyone and everything. They could raise their daughter, Lily, and go in and out of town as they pleased, unbothered.

Raised among the chickens and farm animals, Lily's family did not come from much. They made a meager living, enough to put food on the table each night. Brook often sewed beaded tapestries and created woven textiles that she sold at the market. They sold produce and beans from their garden, and as a family, had a happy existence. With the exception of Lawrence Jones.

Lawrence Jones was the rancher who Juan had worked for. He was none too pleased when Juan chose to strike out on his own and work for himself. Jones took it as a sign of disrespect and took every chance he could to make Juan's life hell.

Jones had tried making advances at Brook Song, which did not work. Brook was not interested at all, and she made sure to calm the turbulent waters between her husband and his nemesis. Jones tried cutting off Juan's income, which did not work because the people of the town loved Juan's craftsmanship and continued to patronize him.

So for the past few years, Jones had been quiet on that front, and Juan and his family had enjoyed a bit of a peaceful existence.

Juan continued to hand craft furniture, Brook created wares to sell at the market, and Lily went to the market each day to sell the family's produce and products from their garden.

Lily was a dreamer. She hated the mundane habit of rising each day to go to market. She wanted more from life. There just had to be more. As far as Lily was concerned, living at home with her parents could not be all that there was to life.

She wanted a family. She wanted to be married. She wanted the love that she saw between her parents for herself. At times, she did not even think that was possible. Although the people of her town coexisted relatively peacefully, there was still that underlying current of racial tension that kept everyone in their own space. So it was hard for Lily to find any suitors when she was considered a "half-breed". She had heard the term so many times, she was almost sure of what it meant, but not totally in tune with it.

The term seemed so harsh and hurtful. It was the kind of thing that lingered in one's soul when it was spoken. Her parents encouraged her not to accept that kind of hatred, but it was difficult because it was all around.

Lily was fully aware of the way that others stared at her. She knew that they called her names. Anyone like her was tolerated in Owen's Bluff. Tolerated but not respected.

Her parents had found love, but she was not sure if that was even a possibility for her. Men often commented on how beautiful she was. How exotic her features were. It was as if they thought she was more of a trophy or a centerpiece. Something treasured to look at, something that was coveted and shown off only in private. But she was not the type of treasure that would be paraded around in front of others.

For a brief moment, she considered leaving Owen's Bluff. Maybe going to live with her aunt in Mexico would be better. But whenever they visited, she was never Mexican enough. Her mother's family was scattered and her maternal grandparents had passed away, so the only family she knew of was her father's family.

She knew that she was destined to live here in Owen's Bluff. It was where she was born and raised and where her parents lived. And where she belonged at this point in her life.

Lily had to contend with the fact that she had to be content living the life she had now. Going to the market to sell her family's wares. Living in the small community she had known her entire life.

She did have a few good friends but no beau to speak of. Even though she was always surrounded by friends and family, she could never shake the tinge of loneliness she felt in her heart. A hopeless romantic, she hoped that one day, there would be a man who could fill that void she felt, but it seemed that so far, that day would never come.

*

"Well now, Miss Lily Sanchez. To what do I owe this honor?"

Without even looking, Lily knew that voice. It had plagued her and her family for years.

She wiped her hands on her apron. "Mr. Jones, I am at this market every day. It has absolutely nothing to do with you."

Lily looked him directly in the eye when she spoke. He just stood there and stared at her with a cocky grin.

"It is always a pleasure to see such beauty on a day like today."

The way he continued to speak to her as if he ignored what she said was exasperating. Everything about Lawrence Jones was completely exasperating. He was a curt old man filled with arrogance; a pompous rich man who believed that his mere presence meant that he should get what he wanted.

"Is there something you would like to buy, Mr. Jones?" Lily busied herself tidying up her space. She hoped that she could look busy enough that he would leave.

No such luck.

His leathery fingers touched the textiles on the table. "I'm not sure why you are so ornery Miss Lily. I am simply coming over to pay you a compliment. Now does that deserve such a response from you?"

His question was more like a parent admonishing a child. Lily just stared at him. She thought that if she sat quietly, maybe he would simply disappear into thin air.

While waiting for her response, Jones twirled some tobacco around in his mouth. He turned to the side and spit some of the juice out.

Lily regarded him for a moment. She considered the fact that at one time, Jones could have been an attractive man in his youth. He now had silver grey hair, a bushy moustache, and piercing blue eyes. With a strong build and an air of confidence, Lily was sure women fell at his feet. Even today, Jones was a widower and there was no shortage of women who were vying to become the next Mrs. Lawrence Jones.

Jones seemed like the exact opposite of the kind of man that she would marry. He was haughty and unruly and brash. And the fact that women threw themselves at him did not make him desirable in Lily's eyes. She wanted a man that would adore her and dote on her. The kind of man that would bring her flowers and wake her up with caring words of love. He did not have to have to be rich, he just had to be a provider.

"Is there something you would like to buy, Mr. Jones?" she repeated.

"No, my dear. I just wanted to enjoy the sunshine over here this morning. And I'm glad I did. Good day, Miss Lily."

Jones tipped his hat and strolled away.

Lily finally stopped holding her breath and continued what she was doing. She rubbed her fingers across the beaded dress that her mother handcrafted. Brook Song had a talent for making the most stunning pieces of clothing. Lily wished she knew what her own talent was. She was not good with her hands like her father and she was not creative like her mother. The only thing she liked doing was making baskets and gardening.

She loved flowers and gardens. The delicate nature of a flower intrigued her. Growing from a tiny seed, nurtured in the soil, and surrounded by nature. Being named after her mother's favorite flower, Lily felt a kindred spirit with flowers. When she spent time in her garden, it was the one place where she felt peace and calm.

"Ma'am, is there anything that we can assist you with?"

Lily was distracted in her thoughts. It was still pretty early in the morning and no one had come to the market yet. It was bad enough that her morning started with a visit from Lawrence Jones. Now she had the sheriff and some other stranger standing in front of her.

"Sheriff," she greeted him. The sun was higher in the sky and Lily had to squint, holding her hand up for shade to keep the rays out of her eyes.

"Was that man bothering you?"

His booming voice and commanding presence gave her a sense of comfort.

"Not really, Sheriff. But thank you for checking on me."

"No problem. Let me introduce you to my newest Texas Ranger, Mr. Brent Abbott. He hails from South Carolina but sees fit to make a new life here in Owen's Bluff."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am."

The man was tall and unassumingly attractive. With dirty blonde hair, rugged good looks, and eyes that were pools of pure blue, Lily was immediately taken by his charm. When he smiled, a small dimple peaked out from his chin.

"Lily. Lily Sanchez. Nice to meet you, Mr. Abbott."

He simply nodded in response.

When her heart started racing, Lily was not sure how she felt about it. She hoped that Mr. Abbott did not think that it was rude that she did not reach out to shake his hand. The attraction between them was already apparent enough. She was afraid that if they did touch, it would send her on an emotional overload.