Chapter Three

Tillie stretched her arms above her head, feeling the plush sheets and warm handmade coverlet beneath her fingers. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept in a proper bed. As she rolled over, she grabbed a fluffy pillow and hugged it to her chest. The smooth leather scent mixed with a hint of fresh straw filled her nose, bringing a content smile to her lips. When Annamae showed her to the room where she would stay, Tillie couldn’t help but feel excited at the thought of sleeping where Rex normally laid his handsome head.

She nestled deeper into the fluffy pillows and breathed out a contented sigh, relishing the warmth and comfort of the bed. She let her mind wander to thoughts of her charming host, who had provided such a comfortable stay. With one last deep breath, she opened her eyes, ready to face the day ahead.

The Hartman house was small and cozy. It wasn’t as grand as the house she grew up in, but she was grateful that she wasn’t sleeping on the floor or in a livery. Recalling the words from the Bible her momma would read, Tillie closed her eyes and clasped her hands.

“Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Thank you, Lord, for everything you’ve provided over the past twenty-four hours,” she murmured. “Let today be a blessing, and please let Sawyer like me. Just a little.” She opened her eyes and closed them again. “And Rex too. And Annamae. Oh, and if you can keep George away from me, that would be appreciated. Thank you, amen.”

Opening her eyes, she tossed aside the warm comforter and put her feet on the cold floor. Annamae had loaned her a dress since Tillie’s was dirty and threadbare. She reached out for the green dress hanging at the end of her bed, careful not to knock over the small pile of books stacked precariously on the nightstand.

A warm smile spread across her face as she imagined Rex curled up in bed at night with a book in hand. It pleased her to know that he was a learned man. She slipped off her linen nightdress, letting it pool at her feet, and replaced it with the soft, flowy fabric of the borrowed dress. As she pulled it over her head, she relished the feeling of it draping gently against her skin.

The green calico cascaded down her body, its delicate folds draping over her curves like a second skin. With a satisfied grin, she smoothed out any wrinkles and adjusted the neckline to sit just right before taking a step back to admire the finished look in the mirror. As she brushed through her hair, she wondered if Rex liked green.

At the urging of her poor bladder, she didn’t bother putting her hair up, instead letting the waves cascade down her back. Grabbing a few hairpins and her boots, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. She couldn’t afford to get lost in daydreams; she needed to see Sawyer.

As she made her way down the creaky hallway towards the outside, she could feel her determination building. She needed answers; she needed to understand why he left all those years ago. Most importantly, she needed to understand why he never came back.

The house was alive with the aroma of sizzling bacon and the clinking of utensils against pots and pans. It didn’t take long for Tillie to find her way to the small kitchen. Annamae stood at the table, vigorously whisking eggs in a bowl as she monitored the bacon cooking in a cast-iron skillet on the stove behind her.

“Good morning, Tillie,” Annamae greeted with a warm smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did, thank you,” Tillie replied with a smile. “Is Rex awake yet?”

“He’s been up for hours. I can get him if you’d like,” Annamae offered.

“No, no, that’s alright,” Tillie shook her head. “Have you seen George?”

“No. He is probably still sleeping. You had a long journey.”

“Hm-hmm.” Tillie walked over to the door off the side of the kitchen and looked outside.

“Privy is to the right, on the other side of the chicken house. Coffee will be ready when you get back inside.”

“Thank you.” Tillie slid her feet into her boots and stepped outside into the warm morning sunshine. “Do you know where I can find Sawyer?”

“He’s probably in the barn with Rex.” Annamae pointed with a wooden spoon. “Barn’s over that way. Take a coat from the peg. It’s cold outside.”

Tillie grabbed an overcoat, threw it on, and rushed to the outhouse, the leather of her boots darkening as she scurried across the dewy grass. Once finished, she made her way to the barn, drawn by the sound of laughter coming from within.

There was a paddock with a young horse just outside the large doors and Tillie stopped to look at the colt, its sleek coat glistening in the morning sunlight. She couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the animal, its muscles rippling as it pranced around playfully.

The sight stirred something within Tillie, a longing she hadn’t felt in years. What it would be like to not have to worry about anything but playing in the sunshine!

As she turned to enter the barn, the door creaked open, revealing Rex and Sawyer inside, their deep laughter filling the space. Tillie leaned against the doorway, listening to her brother’s voice. How she had missed him!

He must have said something funny as Rex’s boisterous laugh filled the air, causing Tillie to feel a tingle in her toes and a warmth spread through her body. She watched from the doorway, her eyes fixed on Sawyer and Rex as they worked together inside the barn. The two men moved with a familiarity that spoke of years spent side by side, their easy banter filling the air with a sense of camaraderie that made her heart ache with longing for the family she had lost.

Rex glanced up from where he was inspecting a ledger, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her standing in the doorway. “Tillie?” he grinned, handing the ledger to Sawyer, and striding over to her. “What are you doing here?”

Tillie pushed herself off the door, taking a step closer to him. She noticed Sawyer watching her over Rex’s shoulder, his eyes narrowing and a mix of emotions flashing across his face. His eyes locked with Tillie’s for a moment before he snapped the book closed and disappeared further inside the barn.

“Tillie?” Rex’s voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned her eyes back to him.

He stood before her, towering and strong. His light brown hair had hints of gold in the sunlight streaming through the barn windows.

Dark stubble framed his rugged, tanned face, accentuating the determined set of his jaw. Eyes, a darker shade of brown, held a warmth and kindness that made her feel instantly at ease.

Dressed in a worn cotton bib shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal sinewy forearms dusted with hair, he exuded a rugged charm that made her heart flutter in her chest. As his calloused fingers brushed against the back of her hand, she felt a slight shiver run down her spine. The roughness of his skin contrasted with the softness of her own, causing her heart to beat faster.

His eyes searched hers, his brow furrowing in confusion. He curled his fingers around her hand tightly, the roughness of his thumb gently tracing circles on the back of her palm. A wave of warmth washed over her as she fought to keep her composure under his touch, her heart fluttering with each stroke.

Her mouth fell slightly open at the feeling of his touch. She licked her lips and tried to ignore the tingling sensation the rancher’s touch left on her skin.

“Rex,” she softly exhaled.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

She jerked her hand back, her fingers tingling from the lingering warmth of his touch. As she pressed her palms together, she felt the lingering imprint of his hand on hers. Her mind raced with emotions as she tried to make sense of their brief encounter. Yearning, confusion, and a growing desire tangled up together and sat heavy in her belly.

“I... I’m fine, Rex,” she stammered, avoiding his probing gaze. “I just needed to talk to Sawyer. It’s important.”

His intense gaze locked onto her for a moment longer, causing her heart to flutter in her chest. With a slight incline of his head, he stepped aside to let her pass, the muscles in his jaw tensing and releasing as she moved by him.

She hurried towards the back of the barn where she saw Sawyer head just a few moments prior. Her eyes darted between the stalls until she spied him sitting on a bale of hay, fingering a leather harness.

“What do you want, Matilda?” he asked hoarsely.

Approaching him hesitantly, Tillie reached a trembling hand towards him. He glanced at it, then turned his attention back to the halter.

“I missed you, Sawyer,” she mumbled.

“Why are you even here?” he growled, throwing the halter aside. “How did you find me?”

Tillie lowered herself onto the bale of hay next to Sawyer, her heart heavy with the weight of his distrust. She clasped her hands tightly together, fighting back the tears threatening to spill over. Taking a deep breath, she mustered up the courage to speak.

“I had to find you, Sawyer. You’re family,” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “George said...”

Sawyer’s head shot up at the mention of George’s name, his eyes darkening with anger. “George? What has he done now, Tillie?” His tone was sharp, with a hint of concern underlying his words.

“Nothing. You’re our family. The only family we have left.” When Sawyer didn’t respond, she continued. “Don’t you care Pa died?”

“I stopped caring after Ma passed.” He shifted and looked at her, his expression hard. “I got word that Pa died. Good riddance.”

“Sawyer!”

She watched him stand and pick up the halter, his fingers working the leather. “It’s true,” he muttered. He glanced up, his eyes meeting hers again, and there was something akin to fear in them. “I’ve got a new family now. I can’t have trouble finding its way here.” His jaw tensed, the muscle ticking in his cheek. “You and George need to leave as soon as you can. In the meantime, you stay away from Rex, you hear? He’s a good man.”

“We have nowhere to go.”

“Again, that is none of my concern.”

Before she could respond, a shadow fell over them, and George’s voice sliced through the tension. “What’s all this about?”

Sawyer jerked back, his muscles tense from the sudden interruption. Without another word, he turned on his heel and disappeared from the barn, leaving Tillie to face George alone.

George leaned forward; his eyebrows raised in eager anticipation. He was hungry for information, his gaze fixed intently on her as he waited for her response. Tillie’s heart pounded against her ribcage, her thoughts scattering like wild mustangs.

“Nothing,” she mumbled, her reply barely audible. “Just... catching up.”

But the weight of Sawyer’s words hung heavy in the air, and Tillie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more at stake than just a simple family reunion.

George’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Instead, he took a deep breath and placed a hand on his chest, as if trying to calm himself. “Well then, Tillie. If you say so.” He walked back to the barndoor. “Isn’t this just the place?” George’s voice boomed into the barn; his silhouette framed by the brightness of the new day. His grin stretched wide, and he clapped his hands together with a gusto that made Tillie jump in surprise. “We could use a good rest, and the Hartman Ranch has plenty of work for you to keep busy.”

“Keep me busy?” Tillie watched him, her heart hammering in her chest. She knew George was planning something. Her eyes lingered on the doorway where Sawyer had vanished, the echo of his warning still whispering through her mind.

George moved so close that Tillie could feel his hot breath on her cheek. She tried not to flinch as he leaned in, his voice a low whisper that sent shivers down her spine.

“You know what to do, Tillie. Keep them distracted. Stay close to Rex.” His eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint as he straightened up, his grin widening into a sly smile that made her skin crawl. “He’s the key here. Earn his trust, Tillie. We need him on our side.”

Tillie took a step back, her eyes darting around the barn for any sign of escape. “I don’t know...”

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 of that.”

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.