WM02 - Texas Princess by Jodi Thomas Page B

him.
    Holding her ribs, she walked to the washstand and grabbed a towel, blotting away blood as she rushed to the door.
    Locked. Samuel must have taken the key from the inside.
    Liberty fought tears, trying to think. Her head stil rang from his blows and pain seemed to be sending messages from every part of her body. But there was no time to take inventory of where she was hurt. She had to get to her father. He’d take one look at her, and not only would he cal off the wedding, he’d probably kil Samuel Buchanan as wel .
    The sound of horses drew her to the window. She fought to open it as her father’s lean form stepped into a carriage. The rain splashed against her face as she heard her father’s quick shout. “Tel Liberty to take her time. I don’t want her fol owing too closely. If we run into trouble, I want to know she’s wel behind with you and your men.”
    Before she could push her way onto the tiny balcony, he was gone and her cry sounded like that of a wounded animal carried on the wind.
    She changed quickly into her riding clothes, a simple white blouse, tan trousers, and a cotton jacket, braiding her hair as she moved.
    Gasping for air, she crossed to the far wal . A panel slid al owing her into a storage room for her clothes. Without light, she crossed to the opposite door and slipped into a hal way used by servants.
    She had to hide. It was her only choice. If the hour grew late, her father might think to send someone to look for her, but she couldn’t bet her life on it. She had nowhere to run and no one to run to. Her plan was simple. Samuel could turn the house upside down, but he wouldn’t nd her.
    Eventual y, Samuel would start searching for her between the house and town. When he did, she’d make her move. She’d run to the barn and beg Tobin McMurray to saddle her a horse. Then she’d ride as fast and as far from this house and town, and the captain, as she could.
    Liberty hurt too much to think the plan through much further. She’d get somewhere safe and notify her father. He’d probably come for her and they’d be on their way back to Washington. Perhaps after he’d horsewhipped Samuel.
    Liberty straightened slowly like a tired, battered soldier ignoring al pain. She was an expert at hiding. This was her home. She knew a place where the captain would never think to look.
    Her life depended on it.

chapter 9
    Y
    half an hour earlier, Tobin watched the last
    rays of sun disappear as the lights came on in the house. He wished he were home. A thousand times he’d ridden in after dark and knew as soon as he saw the lights which of his siblings were home. Sage lit her lamp as soon as the shadows grew long. She hated the dark. Teagen always washed up in the mud room and left the light burning if he made it home rst. On the rare occasions Travis was home, the study light would be on. If Travis’s little wife, Rainey, was with him, every light in the house would be burning because their adopted son everyone cal ed Duck would be running from room to room.
    Smiling, Tobin thought of those rst few months Travis had Duck. The boy had been taken by outlaws, probably during a raid. Travis had saved him, but odds were good the boy had seen his parents die. At about ve, Duck might not talk, but the child bonded, rst with Travis and then with al the McMurrays. Within a month Martha swore he was so ornery, he had to have McMurray blood in him. Duck was wild as a raccoon trapped indoors, but they al loved him.
    Rainey suggested once that he circled the house checking on everyone just to make sure no one had been taken.
    Tobin closed his eyes. He could almost see Whispering Mountain. Home rested thick in his thoughts.
    A few minutes later, two men walked from the house. Both were big and wore their guns visible. One was dressed in black, almost like a gambler and the other wore buckskins like a second skin. Tobin took one look and knew they were rangers.
    They both nodded as they entered the