A Cowgirl's Secret(29)

As much as Luke was firmly in Daisy’s proverbial court, he also knew that, beloved as Henry was in the Weed Gulch community, folks would take sides. Up to the day she left, Daisy had had a reputation for being the Buckhorn wild child. Now that Luke knew what demons she’d been running from, her constant partying made sense. But would the God-fearing people of Tohwalla County see the accomplished woman Daisy had fought to become? Or would she remain the out-of-control teen they remembered?



“PLEASE, DALLAS, SAY SOMETHING.” After pouring out her story in his quiet study, Daisy’s pulse raced to an uncomfortable degree. Luke had brought her home while Wren organized the rest of the family, making sure the children were occupied while Daisy delivered her news. “Tell me what’s going through your head?”

His sarcastic laugh bordered on dangerous.

Fists clenched, he rose.

“What’re you doing?” she asked, also on her feet.

“Getting answers.” Already to the study door, he stormed out the house’s back exit, his strides too large for her to catch up.

“Dallas, wait!”

He waved off her request. No use in asking him where he was going. Henry’s one-bedroom home stood next to the barn. Directly in Dallas’s path.

By this time, the rest of the family had taken note of his uncharacteristic behavior. Her mother and brothers, along with Josie and Luke all stood behind her. Wren was with the children in the movie room, where a Disney film blared loud enough to block matters not fit for young ears.

“Henry Pohl,” Dallas shouted, banging the heel of his fist against the old man’s door.

Though Daisy’s rubbery knees threatened to buckle, she, along with the rest of the crowd, trailed after Dallas.

“Get out here!”

“Boss,” Henry said with his characteristic slow smile and a tip of his cowboy hat. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Dallas delivered a hard right to Henry’s jaw.

“What the hell—” Henry adopted a defensive pose.

Daisy was so frightened she forgot to breathe.

Luke sidled up behind her, cupping his hands to her shoulders in silent support.

“Did you mess with my sister?” Dallas asked.

“Absolutely not,” Henry said, having the audacity to look offended. “That what this runaway harlot claimed? How many years have I given to you and yours, Dallas Buckhorn? This kind of insulting accusation is how you repay me?”

“Shut up!” Daisy screamed, childishly placing her hands over her ears. “I can’t take any more of your lies. You molested me over and over in this very house. You told me it was our special secret, and that if I ever told another soul, I’d be in trouble. Well, you know what, you sick bastard? I’m not afraid or defenseless any more. I let you rob me of the past ten years, but no more. You’re never going to do this to another little girl.”

“Oh, Daisy…” Her mother crushed her in a hug. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Her story poured out on racking sobs. How Henry had threatened not only her if she’d told, but all of them. In the end, Daisy had felt crazy and had to get away. She’d wanted to come home, but fear and embarrassment and shame all melded into a wall she feared she’d never break through.

To Henry, Dallas said, “You’ve got fifteen minutes to pack up your crap and get the hell off my land.”

“Be reasonable,” Henry said. “Clearly, Daisy’s not in her right mind.”

“Me?” Daisy shrieked. “What you did was unspeakable.”

Wrapping her arm around Daisy’s shaking shoulders, Georgina said, “Let’s get you inside. Dallas, just as soon as that man’s gone, call the sheriff.”

“Let’s not be too hasty,” Henry pleaded. “Please. This is my home.”

“Dallas,” Daisy managed, “from a legal standpoint, there’s nothing we can do.”

“The hell there isn’t,” her brother roared. “Ladies, get on in the house and let us men take care of this.”

Relieved didn’t come close to describing how Daisy felt about her family rallying around her.

“Georgina,” Josie said, “I’m going to help Wren with the kids. I’m sure you and Daisy need to talk.”

“Thank you,” Daisy said to her sister-in-law.

“It’s us who should be thanking you,” Josie said with an awkward hug. “Truthfully, I’ve heard Henry ask the twins to play at his house, and thought it odd. Now, I know why alarms went off in my head. H-he just seemed so kind. Part of the family, you know?” Hand to her forehead, she sharply exhaled. “Listen to me. I’m babbling. I—I just can’t believe this kind of predator has been in our home.”