Sun God by Nan Ryan Page A

want you to listen to me. We’ve got big trouble.”
    “Big trouble? Well, all the more reason I’ll need a drink,” Lucas said, grinning.
    “Forget your damned whiskey! I overheard the old man and the Spaniard talking this afternoon. Know what they’re planning?”
    Lucas frowned and shook his head.
    “A marriage between Amy and the uppity half-breed.”
    “We can’t let that happen. I ain’t gonna have no Indian for a brother-in-law.”
    “You are if we don’t work fast. Ride into town. Drag Tyler Parnell out of whichever whorehouse he’s in and get him out here to the ranch. I’ll see to it Amy comes down and entertains him.”
    “How you gonna do that? She don’t even like Tyler much.”
    “Leave that to me. Now get going and don’t come back without him.”
    “Whatever you say.” Lucas rose from the settee and reached for his tumbler of whiskey. Baron beat him to it. He tossed the bourbon over the low adobe enclosure and set the empty glass down.
    “Little brother, you see to it Tyler hangs around Amy long enough to get her pregnant and I promise you can have all the whiskey you want for the rest of your life.”
    Lucas grinned, stepped over the fence, and headed for the corral. Baron returned to the house, climbed the stairs, knocked on Amy’s door, and entered without waiting for a response.
    Amy, fresh from a bath and wearing only her nightgown, gasped and reached for a robe. “What do you want? I was about to go to bed.”
    Baron walked right past her into the large dressing room. He took down a frilly pink frock, came back into the bedroom, and tossed it across Amy’s bed.
    “Put this on. You look real sweet in pink.”
    Amy narrowed her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m tired and I’m going to bed.”
    “It’s not yet ten o’clock. Why, I wonder, are you so tired?” Baron started to grin. “I’ve got an idea I know the real reason, baby sister.”
    Amy’s face flushed hot. “You know nothing.”
    Baron gave her a smug look. “Don’t I? You and the son of that crazed old Aztec woman slipping off every afternoon where nobody can find you. Honey, you might fool Dad, but not me.” He moved a half step closer. “You’re letting that half-breed get to you.”
    Amy turned quickly away and tried her best to sound indignant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Baron chuckled. “Honey, your secret is safe with me. You came back from New Orleans all grown into a woman and I don’t blame you for wanting a little loving. But your dark-skinned Sun God is just a boy. You need a man. A man like Tyler Parnell.”
    Amy whirled back around to face Baron. “Get out of my room!”
    Baron’s evil smile remained in place. “Tyler likes you, Amy. He’s coming out here to see you tonight.”
    “I have no intention of seeing Tyler Parnell tonight or any other night! I can’t stand him.”
    “Better learn to like him, honey. If you don’t, I’ll have to tell Dad about you and pretty boy.”
    Amy was trapped. She knew Baron. He would do it. And if he did, she and Tonatiuh would be in serious trouble. Their fathers would keep them apart. Worse, they might punish Tonatiuh.
    “I—I’ll give Tyler Parnell an hour this evening. No more,” Amy said.
    “Ty will be flattered,” said Baron, failing to mention that this was to be only the first of such Friday evenings she would be expected to spend with Tyler Parnell.
    It was a miserable hour for Amy and a triumphant one for Baron. When Amy at last said good night to her unwanted guest, Baron emerged to invite Tyler Parnell to call on Amy again the next Friday evening. Parnell was more than eager. Baron was not worried about his father’s keen dislike of Tyler Parnell. An early riser, Walter Sullivan retired to his room each night at ten.
    Amy thought about telling Tonatiuh of her predicament but decided against it. There had always been bad blood between him and her brothers. They hated Tonatiuh, especially Baron. She was