The Treasure Read online

  “Oh, do get up, Mason. Come help me decide. Do you think this one will be better than the others? They all disappointed me. I don’t want that to happen again.”

  Billy grinned, his teeth feral in his face. “She won’t disappoint, I guarantee it.”

  Trevor staggered to his feet, the side of his face wet with blood. He peeped at the girl in Billy’s arms.

  “Scrawny, mistress. I don’t know if she’s the one.” Trevor choked out his lines like a true thespian. Lily just hoped Billy would believe their act.

  “You’re right. But I think I like her.” She turned to Billy. “Fifteen hundred.”

  Lily’s heart hammered in her throat and she prayed to every God she could think of that her ploy worked. She had to negotiate or Billy might become suspicious.

  “You are a businesswoman, Mistress Rose. I appreciate that. Fine then, I’ll let her go for fifteen hundred, not a penny less. But I keep the robe.”

  “The robe?”

  “Yes.” Billy’s smile grew wider. “That robe cost me at least fifty. I want it back.”

  Lily struggled not to let her disgust show. “Fine, you can have the robe back. I have clothing that will fit her. Most of it is pink as little girls should wear.”

  She handed her reticule to Trevor. “Count out the money, Mason, while Mr. Black deposits our purchase in the carriage.”

  Billy brought Melody to the carriage and laid her on the seat. With a grunt, he pulled the robe off and flopped the blanket over the unconscious child. Lily pretended to be interested in the storefront beside them.

  “I do like that hat. I must come back when they’re open, Mason. Do remind me.”

  Trevor handed her the money. She in turn handed it to Billy, who snatched the money and counted it quickly.

  “You know I could take you and the girl.”

  She narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “The three men hiding in the shadows wouldn’t stand a chance against the five men behind them.”

  Billy threw back his head and laughed like he had never heard anything as funny as someone threatening his life.

  “Like I said, a businesswoman, a clever one. I should take you,” Billy threatened.

  Lily whipped out the derringer from her sleeve and pointed it directly at Billy’s black heart.

  “Not unless you fancy a new hole in your pretty clothes, Mr. Black.”

  He held up his hands, the robe dangling from one of them. “Okay, then, no need to get disagreeable.”

  “On your way then,” she said as she gestured with the gun toward his carriage. “Nice doing business with you.”

  He smiled and Lily glimpsed the man he could have been beneath the evilness that had taken over his life. “Sure you won’t change your mind and come with me?”

  Lily tapped her cheek with one gloved finger as she pretended to contemplate his offer.

  “No, I prefer my autonomy, Mr. Black. Thank you all the same.”

  Lily stepped into the carriage and Trevor closed the door behind her. He climbed into the driver’s seat with a creak and within moments, the carriage was rolling.

  Lily shook so hard, her teeth knocked together. She reached out and gathered Melody into her arms, the warm body penetrating the chill in her soul. She cried softly as she crooned to her daughter.

  Five minutes later, the carriage stopped and the door flew open. Ray came rushing in and then looked behind him.

  “Finish up then meet us at the train station,” he told the others.

  He slammed the door and sat across from her. The fear and naked anguish in his eyes were staggering. She set Melody into his arms.

  “She’s unconscious. I think they gave her laudanum or perhaps opium in her milk. I think she’ll wake up by morning.”

  “She’s okay though?”

  “She seems to be just fine. Thin and pale, but okay.”

  “Ah, God, little note. Oh, my sweet baby,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

  He slowly closed his eyes and his arms. Silent sobs shook him as he hugged his daughter close. Lily looked out the window to give him a small modicum of privacy. To be so loved by your parents. Her children, including Melody, would always know that from her.

  Without love, there was only emptiness. Love filled up your arms, your heart and your life.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lily changed in the carriage. She carefully removed her mother’s dress and folded it neatly, then placed it and her father’s derringer together in the bottom of her bag. Funny how in life her parents tried their best, but failed. But in death, a piece of each of them allowed her to succeed in saving her new daughter’s life…and her husband’s heart.

  She slipped on her grey wool traveling dress. She smiled when she remembered she’d been wearing it when she first met Ray.

  “Are you sure we’re not being followed?” she asked as she buttoned up the front.

  Ray didn’t look up from Melody. “Tyler’s sure there were only three of them, and they’re taken care of. I think we can take his word for it. He was a bounty hunter for nearly ten years.”

  Lily nodded, still too worked up to relax.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  When she looked into his eyes, she saw her future, her past and her present together. He showed her everything, everything. She’d never felt so blessed in her life.

  “I’d do anything for her or you, Ray. I’m just so glad it all worked out.”

  He grimaced. “Next time you shouldn’t have to do the dirty work.”

  “I didn’t mind. At least my childhood brought me something I could use to help her. A little Chinese and some street smarts, and a whole lot of luck.”

  “How long do you think she’ll be out?”

  Lily shrugged. She took out a dress and underthings to dress Melody with.

  “Hard to say. Hopefully no more than a day.”

  “A day?” he shouted.

  She frowned. “Do you think to scare her awake? No need to shout, Ray. I’m right in front of you.”

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  She covered his hand with hers. “No reason to be. Now let’s get this little girl in some clothes before she catches a cold.”

  Together they dressed her in warm clothing and in no time, they arrived at the train station.

  They traveled separately so as not to seem like a large, memorable group. Ray, Lily and Melody huddled on a bench until morning. The rest of their group kept watch from various corners of the station and out on the platform. Everyone was quiet and withdrawn, waiting for Melody to wake up.

  Lily purchased a basket of muffins and milk to take on the train with them for when Melody did wake. It seemed like days before they could board the eastbound train first thing in the morning. Ray’s parents wired money through Western Union to pay for a private compartment.

  The sun rose as the train chugged along and still Melody slept on. Lily kept checking her for signs of an overdose, but she appeared to be fine. That bastard Billy must have given her an elephant’s dose to make her sleep so long. A sudden thought struck her.

  “Do I want to know what happened to Billy?” Lily blurted.

  Ray’s grin was wolfish. “No, you probably don’t. He won’t be kidnapping little girls anymore.”

  “Was anyone else hurt?” Lily was worried about her new family.

  “No, the boys are all fine. Apparently even Noah showed what he was made of.”

  Lily didn’t ask any more questions after that. She figured it was better if she kept her knowledge to a minimum. The Malloys were a family that protected their own, even if they flayed each others’ hides to do it.

  Mid-morning brought pacing and short tempers. Lily had to break up two fights and countless arguments. Sending them off in different directions, she locked everyone out of the compartment except Ray. He wouldn’t let go of his daughter. He sat and stared at her, touching her hair, kissing her forehead and rocking her.

  “I think Regina is dead,” Lily said.<
br />
  Ray’s gaze snapped to hers. “What makes you say that?”

  She shrugged. “A feeling I got from Billy. He told me her mother was dead.”

  He snorted. “What goes around comes around.”

  “She must have been nice once,” Lily offered.

  “She was manipulative, selfish and greedy. And I don’t want to talk about her. If she isn’t dead, and she ever comes around my daughter—”

  “Our daughter,” Lily corrected.

  “Our daughter again, I will kill her.”

  Lily gazed out the window at the passing scenery. Who would have thought two months ago she would have traveled by train from one side of the country to the other? Most people never get the chance. The mountains of California gave way to the dry flatlands of Nevada.

  “Sing.”

  “Sing?” Lily asked.

  “Yes, words and music together, do you remember how? Melody loved to hear you sing.” He looked up at her with haunted eyes. “Please.”

  Lily leaned forward and kissed him. “Of course.”

  She started to sing her favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace”. She felt as if she’d been saved when she stepped off the train in Cheshire, Wyoming. Saved from a life of loneliness and what ifs.

  During the second verse, Ray hummed along with her.

  Lily sang until her throat was too sore to sing any more. She sounded more like a rusty wheel than anything. Ray handed her the jar of milk. She took it gratefully and twisted the cap off. As she swallowed a greedy gulp, a little voice piped up.

  “Why did you quit singing, Mama?”

  Lily nearly dropped the milk in her lap as Ray stared at Melody in astonishment. Her dark eyes were open and clear.

  With a loud whoop, Ray squeezed her tightly.

  “Pa, you’re squishing me again. Cut it out!” She pushed at his big chest with her little hands.

  Lily set the milk down and dropped to her knees in front of them. She reached out and touched Melody’s cheek.

  “Is it okay if I call you Mama?” she asked.

  Lily nodded. “It’s more than okay. I would like nothing better.”

  Ray put Melody on one knee and pulled Lily up beside him. They wrapped their arms around each other and held on. Lily finally felt that persistent hole in her heart close completely.

  ———

  Ray must have telegraphed his family. By the time the train slid into Cheshire, there must have been fifteen or twenty people waiting for them. With a mighty cheer, Melody was passed from aunt to uncle to grandpa to grandma to cousin. Kisses, hugs and squeals echoed in the cold air.

  Ray stood with his arm around Lily, watching his daughter get showered with love. He turned to Lily and smiled.

  She didn’t see it often, but when she did, it about knocked her bloomers clean off. Raymond Malloy was a devastatingly handsome man. And he was all hers.

  “What are you thinking?” Lily asked.

  “How a governess from New York turned my life upside down.”

  “Oh, sorry,” she said, pulling from him.

  He yanked her back against his chest, his fingers grazing under her breast. Her breath hitched as a curl of heat snaked through her.

  “You’re not going anywhere, Mrs. Malloy. We’ve got a honeymoon to get to.”

  In front of everyone, he swooped in to give her a heart-stopping kiss. His tongue swiped inside her mouth until she was delirious with want and hunger. She clenched at his shoulders, afraid she’d fall on her fanny.

  When he finally released her, she realized his family had walked away to the wagons and horses waiting beyond the platform. Melvin stood near the station door; he gave a small wave and went back inside.

  She glanced up at her husband. He touched her cheek with one gloved finger.

  “I love you, Lily.”

  She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I love you too, Ray. Ready to go home?”

  “Yes, let’s go home.”

  Ray’s parents tucked Melody safely into the back of their carriage with mounds of blankets. Francesca climbed in with her and held on tight. She shooed away Lily’s efforts to join them.

  “Stay with your husband, Lily. He needs you. We’ll bring Melody home,” Francesca said.

  After everyone left in the wagons and carriages, the only mode of transportation left was a horse. A large gray horse that made Lily’s stomach clench.

  “I guess we ride Shadow home.” Ray led her down the platform stairs.

  Lily tried to force away the panic that crept down her spine, but it didn’t work. Ray must have felt her tug on his hand. He looked back at her with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

  “Isn’t there a carriage or a wagon we can use?” She hated the fact her voice trembled.

  Ray scooped her up in his arms and she squealed at the sudden change in altitude. “What are you doing?”

  “Showing you that Shadow is nothing to be afraid of. Hold on.” He practically threw her on top of the large beast. Lily screeched and tried to clamber down, but he held her in place with one big hand while he mounted behind her.

  The horse picked that moment to whicker and move beneath her. Lily’s stomach rolled to the right.

  “Oh my God, Ray. I can’t do this.”

  His arms surrounded her and tucked her close to him. The warmth of his body had little effect on the cold panic gripping her. The muffin she’d eaten on the train threatened to make a reappearance.

  “Trust me, sunshine,” Ray whispered in her ear as he kneed the horse into motion.

  Lily screeched again and gripped the saddle horn like a lifeline. “Stop, please, Ray.”

  He pulled the horse to a halt, then turned her face to look at him. “I won’t let anything hurt you. Please trust me. I want to help you.”

  The sincerity in his eyes spoke to her heart. “I’ll try, j-just go really slow, okay?”

  He grinned and kissed her softly. “That’s Mrs. Malloy talking.”

  Lily’s chest puffed with pride at the compliment. One had to be tough to be a Malloy. She was determined to live up to the name.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Lily nodded and he took her hands in his. “Hold the reins with me so you can see how to control him.”

  With patience she never expected, Ray taught her how to ride a horse. Ten minutes passed without a panic attack or a smidge of nausea. Lily pronounced herself ready for the ride home.

  “It’s going to take us at least two hours. Are you sure you’re ready?” Ray sounded so concerned it made Lily smile.

  “I’m ready, Mr. Malloy. Let’s ride!”

  He kneed Shadow into motion and the trot became a gallop. The cold wind and the warm sunshine battled over them as they rode together. By the time they were halfway home, Lily wondered how she could have ever been afraid of horses. Shadow’s gait was smooth and with Ray’s arms around her, she felt safe and secure.

  When the ranch house came into view, Lily’s heart beat faster and tears pricked her eyes. Home. A place she never even thought to have. Now she had a home, a husband and a daughter. Lily’s life had taken an amazing turn in the last two months.

  “Is Melody here?” Lily wondered if Ray’s parents had brought her.

  “No, Mama and Papa are keeping her at their ranch tonight so we can be alone for once.”

  Ray’s husky words sent a shiver down her spine. Alone with her husband, a true wedding night. The possibilities seemed endless, the pleasure boundless.

  He pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted. Lily couldn’t contain the dance of excitement in her belly. As he reached up and helped her down, his lips locked onto hers. As their tongues tangled and bodies heated, he carried her into the house, dangling in front of him, her breasts pressed tightly against his chest.

  She vaguely heard a grunt and a chuckle, but the door closed behind them too quickly for her to determine if it was Rafe or Clyde. It didn’t matter, they’d take care of the horse and steer clear of the house for the rest
of the day.

  The purple and orange rays of sunset shone through the windows of the bedroom. Ray set her on her feet and cupped her face in his hands.

  “I can’t believe you’re really mine, you’re really here to stay.”

  “Believe it,” Lily whispered then kissed his palm. “You aren’t getting rid of me anytime soon.

  “Thank God.”

  Ray removed her clothes, kissing and caressing the exposed skin. Goose bumps danced across her body as her heart beat for her husband, her lover, her soul. He shucked his clothes quickly, then stood in front of her, nude and aroused.

  “You’re incredible, sunshine.”

  The sincerity in his voice stole her breath. He cupped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs across her nipples, sending shockwaves straight to her throbbing pussy. When his mouth closed on one, she pressed her thighs together to ease the ache. As his tongue laved and teased her, she caressed his shoulders, feeling the smooth skin, the hard muscles.

  Ray dropped to his knees and buried his face in her belly, holding her tight. “I love you.”

  Lily ran her fingers through his soft sunset-touched hair. “I love you too, Ray.”

  “I never thought I’d say that to another woman.”

  “I know and it means everything to me.” She pulled him up until he stood. “Everything.”

  Lily swore she saw a tear in one eye, but before she could ask, he had her on the bed and lay on top of her. His hard, hairy chest pushed against hers, tickling and tantalizing her nipples.

  “You feel so good.”

  “Mmmm, so do you,” he groaned as he trailed kisses along her jaw to her ear. Nibbles and licks sent shivers down clear to her toes. His cock nudged between her legs and she spread them wide in invitation. She felt hungry and only Ray could satisfy her.

  The frantic beating of her heart mirrored his. It was time, past time. They needed to make love, to heal and be healed.

  “Please, Ray,” Lily nearly begged him. She clawed at his back as he continued to gently tease her. “I can’t wait. Please.”

  Ray seemed to understand her urgency because he stopped teasing and slid into her in one thrust. Lily gasped as he filled her completely. Time stood still and shrank down to two hearts beating as one. He rested his forehead on hers and their breaths mingled.