Free Dashing Druid (Texas Druids) by Lyn Horner Page B

loathing glare and whirled around, meaning to put the width of the hall between them. But she froze when she sighted Tye Devlin.
    He stood with Jessie and David by the entrance. They must have just walked in. Jessie carried baby Reece, well blanketed against the nippy November night. David held Nora, looking very much the family man in his sedate charcoal frock coat. With his free hand, he helped Jessie out of her wrap. Beneath it she wore a becoming russet dress.
    Drawn like a compass needle, Lil’s gaze swung back to Tye. She hadn’t seen him since the roundup; never had she seen him look so handsome. He wore a white shirt, snug-fitting black pants and a gold-trimmed charro jacket of the same color. Lil wondered if he’d borrowed it from that Mexican wrangler of David’s. More than likely, because it was short on him. He’d disguised the fact with a red sash that showed off his narrow waist and lean hips. At his corded throat, a black ribbon tie stood out against the snowy shirt.
    In those clothes, with his bronzed skin and raven hair, he was enough to make any woman look twice. Glancing around, Lil noticed several eyeing him right now. However, when she looked at him again, he wasn’t returning any of their hungry gazes. He was watching her . He smiled and her heart skipped a beat.
    “Your ma made yuh get all gussied up?” Frank scoffed in her ear, making her jump. “Liar! Yuh done it for him, didn’t yuh.”
    Seeing Tye aim a scowl at Frank, she pivoted to face her tormentor. He stood much too close. She would have laid into him for crowding her, but she was keenly aware of Tye watching them. She didn’t want him to think she was desperate for his attentions. After all, she’d told him to leave her alone. Goaded by pride, she smiled at Frank. “You couldn’t be more wrong, Frank Howard.”
    * * *
    Across the room, Tye glared at the pair. Delighted to see Lil and encouraged by the way she’d looked at him, he’d been about to walk over to her. Then that yellow-haired stranger had stepped up to whisper in her ear, stealing her attention. From the tilt of her head, she was gazing up at him now. The man grinned at her, and Tye balled his gloved fists, longing to charge over there and knock him flat.
    Suddenly, he resented Lil’s red dress. He’d admired it moments ago, particularly the enticing neckline, but now he realized she wore it for the other man. Seeing how her hair draped in lustrous dark waves down her back, almost to her waist, made him even madder. He longed to run his hands through the silky mass and press it to his face, but it wasn’t meant for him.
    Where were her parents? Why weren’t they watching out for her? Scanning the room, he saw Jeb Crawford among a group of men. Then he spotted Del and Rebecca; they stood talking with another older couple, completely ignoring Lil and her companion.
    Bejasus! The grinning mongrel had his hands on her now, sliding them boldly up and down her arms. Seconds later, one hand moved to her waist and began inching upward. Why didn’t she slap him and tear into him with her sharp tongue?
    Tye had vowed not to go near her as long as she wished him to keep his distance, but the look she’d sent him moments ago made him wonder if she still felt that way. And damnú, he couldn’t just stand here and watch that man’s hands crawl all over her. He had do something. Yanking off his gloves, he shoved them under his wide sash.
    “I’ll see ye in a bit,” he said without looking at David and Jessie. Not waiting for a response, he strode toward Lil.
    * * *
    Lil fought a strong urge to shove Frank away. She hated the touch of his hands. This was a bad idea. Give Frank Howard an inch of ground, and he’d try to take the whole pasture.
    She’d purposely led him on, smiling and denying any interest in that black-haired rogue by the door, and Frank hadn’t even questioned her sudden change of heart. The swollen-headed fool probably thought she couldn’t resist