Read Online Dashing Druid (Texas Druids) by Lyn Horner - Free Book Online Page A

to the fire. He was on his knees hogtying the animal when David walked up. He’d been late riding in for the nooning and had missed Tye’s run-in with Del Crawford.
    “Tye, I need a word with you,” he said, motioning toward a scrub oak a short distance away.
    “Aye.” Rising, Tye followed him to the tree. It wasn’t big enough to provide much shade, but some was better than none.
    Arms crossed, David peered at him. “You had words with Del Crawford, I hear.”
    “That I did.” Tye sighed in disgust. He should have known someone would tell the boss.
    “Look, I don’t want trouble with Del.” Glancing toward a second fire, where the Crawford brothers worked, David added, “I’m hoping they’ll go partners with me on the spring trail drive. Besides, there’s enough bad blood between us already.”
    Tye scowled. “I meant what I told the man. I’ll stay clear of Lil as long as that’s what she wants.” He started to leave, but David’s stern voice halted him.
    “One more thing, Tye. Don’t hurt her.”
    “Like you did, ye mean?”
    Surprise and anger swept across David’s face. “Since you know so much, or think you do, I won’t bother to deny it. But I repeat, don’t hurt her.”
    “I’ve no intention of hurting her.” Tired of being warned away from Lil, Tye strode back to the branding fire. Everything in him rebelled at David’s meddling and Del Crawford’s angry threats. Still, he would keep his word so long as Lil wished him to.
    After their talk, he and David treaded lightly around each other for several days. Mornings, Tye rode circle. Afternoons, he helped brand late calves, holding them down while someone else applied the hot iron, cut earmarks and castrated the bull calves – all but every tenth one, needed for breeding. Through it all he avoided contact with Lil. However, nothing could keep him from glancing her way when she was near.
    He admired the flash of her brown eyes beneath upswept brows, the soft indentation of her cheeks, and the way her enticing lips blossomed into a glorious smile on rare occasions. God, how he longed to kiss her at such moments! When he thought of caressing her sleek curves, his longing became a physical pain. He was torturing himself but couldn’t seem to stop.
    * * *
    The cool breezes of October arrived as the roundup neared its close, for which Tye was grateful. This morning the heat of the branding fire actually felt good.
    Lil and her father were out with the herd, helping to separate cattle still in need of a brand. David stood by the chuck wagon with Jeb Crawford, drinking coffee while they made plans for tomorrow. Tye grinned when Jeb had to repeat himself again. Jessie was due to give birth any time now, and David was growing more distracted and jumpy each day.
    Minutes later, a distant shout rang out. Tye turned his head and saw Sul Smith approaching camp at a hard gallop. Left to look after the homestead – Reece being unable to do much due to his bad leg – Sul had orders to come after David should Jessie’s pains begin.
    “Jessie!” David cried. Tossing his cup aside, he ran to his appaloosa stallion and vaulted into the saddle. The horse danced under him, sensing his agitation.
    “It’s started!” Sul gasped as he dragged his lathered mount to a skidding halt. Man and horse were breathing hard.
    “How long ago?”
    “Dunno. She didn’t say.”
    David shot a wild glance at Jeb Crawford. “I’ve gotta go! Jessie’s having the baby!”
    “Well, what are you waitin’ for? We’ll handle things here.”
    Giving a yell, David spurred his horse into a flat-out run.
    Sul shook his head. “He took on thataway . . . the first time, too,” he said, still winded. “Damn near paced a hole in the porch ’fore it was over.”
    Tye considered following David but reasoned Jessie wouldn’t want to see anyone but her husband right now. So he waited and rode back to the homestead later with Luis. The vaquero had spent most nights under the