Ain't No Angel by Peggy L Henderson Page A

the footrest. She stepped on her dress, and flinched at the sound of the material tearing.
    “Dammit,” she mumbled under her breath, and quickly plopped her rear onto the hard wooden seat. She adjusted the fabric around her legs, and turned her head to look at Tyler. He was no longer there, but had already moved around to the other side of the wagon. He swung easily up into the seat, and the springs creaked with his extra weight. The boards dipped slightly to his side, and Laney grabbed hold of the edge to keep from sliding toward him.
    “Thanks for the lift,” she mumbled.
    Tyler unwrapped the leather reins from around the brake handle, and clucked to the team. The horses stepped forward, and eased into a slow trot, heading down the street, in the opposite direction of the church. Laney glanced over her shoulder, but Reverend Johnson was nowhere to be seen. The four cowboys stood just outside the saloon, watching the buckboard roll past them. They all grinned as if they’d won the lottery.
    Tyler looked straight ahead, neither acknowledging the men or her. He rested his forearms on his knees, and held the reins easily between his gloved fingers.
    “How far away is your ranch?” Laney asked after they passed the last building of the small town.
    “About six miles. I expect we’ll be there in an hour.”
    “An hour?” Laney sat up straighter. Her spine bumped against the low backrest, and she leaned forward slightly.
    Tyler briefly glanced her way. “I suppose you’re used to a much fancier rig than this, living in the city.”
    You have no idea.
    “I’d actually prefer riding a horse to sitting on this uncomfortable seat.” Of course, in her dress, riding horseback was out of the question.
    “You ride?” The tone in Tyler’s voice changed, and he seemed genuinely surprised. His brows rose, and Laney stared. He’d lost some of the dark scowl from earlier, which made him look even more handsome.
    “Yes, I enjoy riding. It’s been a while, but it’s something you never forget.”
    Tyler nodded, then looked straight ahead again.
    Laney clutched her hands in her lap. What sort of conversation was safe with a guy from the nineteenth century? The horses settled into a brisk trot down the dirt ruts that couldn’t be described as a road, and Laney closed her eyes, enjoying the rhythmic sounds of hooves and the jingling of harness. Countless crickets chirped in the tall grasses surrounding them, and Laney inhaled the fresh scent of pine and sweet grass. Occasionally, the smell of leather and horse drifted to her nose.
    Laney stole a sideways glance at Tyler. She had no idea how she was going to get close to this man. She’d rarely taken the initiative with guys. She scoffed silently. All of her past relationships stemmed from her desperate need for acceptance and to feel wanted. The only thing she ever did get was taken advantage of. It didn’t matter now. After she completed what she was brought here to do, she could immerse herself in the job the reverend had promised her.
    Would Tyler take the lead once they reached his ranch, or was she expected to put on a good show? She had already psyched herself up for what she’d agreed to do for Jason, so this would be no different.  Tyler sure hadn’t seemed like the affectionate type back in town. Maybe affection in public wasn’t socially acceptable yet in this time, and he waited to be alone with her at his ranch.
    Laney curled her toes inside her tight shoes. Her heels burned from the blisters she was sure to find once she removed the uncomfortable footwear. Did they have bandaids in the nineteenth century? What else would she miss from her time, things she’d taken for granted all her life?
    There were so many things she had forgotten to ask the reverend, and she regretted her decision already to stay here in this time. She chuckled, and shook her head. This time . Was she truly in the year 1872? The old man better have packed some of her modern