Wild Lilly by Ann Mayburn Read Free Book Online Page A

people.”
    Owen blushed and scuffed the dirt at his feet.
    “Do you have someone to care for him, Miss Brooks?” Paul asked with a smile. Her heart fluttered—when Paul wasn’t being surly, he was devastating.
    “Yes. I’ve hired the porter’s sons to come out and help at the farm. And Maggie Beechum will be coming by twice a week to help with the housework.” Lilly gave Storm one last stroke as Mark led him back into the barn.
    Owen said, “It’s not right that you’re out there all by yourself, Miss Brooks.”
    His small face was serious and scared, and she wondered what happened to make such a young boy so fearful.
    She started to tell him she’d be all right, but he was already running off toward the main house. She gave both men a questioning look, but neither commented on it so she let the matter drop.
    “Miss, if you’ll come with me I’ll show you a nice carriage-trained mare that should work out well. I’m sure Paul will be glad to take you home until you can get to the carriage shop in town tomorrow,” Rufus said as he offered his arm.
    Paul nodded at the other man before she could protest, and headed in the direction that Owen ran off to. With a sigh, she followed Rufus into the barn.

    Lilly took a sip of the cool lemonade and set the glass on the table. They had finished filling out the purchase contract for the horses. Rufus was right: the mahogany mare was perfect for pulling a cart.
    From outside of the small office in the barn she heard a commotion. First was Paul yelling, followed by the wails of an aggrieved adolescent, and finally a barking dog joined the din. Lilly and Rufus exchanged a glance and followed the sounds outside.
    Owen hollered at Paul. “She needs them! She’s out there all alone! If she’s alone, robbers can get her, and I don’t want that to happen! Please, Paul, please!”
    Tears ran down Owen’s cheeks as Paul took his hat off and ran his hand through his dark hair. Owen held the leash to two extremely large and slobbery dogs. They were tan with black markings on their feet and ears. Large, wrinkled faces growled at Paul.
    “Owen, you can’t just go giving these dogs to Miss Brooks. You don’t even know if she likes dogs,” Paul argued as he crouched down in front of his little brother, ignoring the dogs and putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
    Rufus leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Their parents were killed during a stage coach robbery three years ago. Owen is overprotective of anyone he likes.”
    Lilly took a deep breath through her nose in sudden understanding. “Mr. McGregor,” she called out over the growls. “I would be honored to be protected by such brave and wonderful creatures as those...they are dogs aren’t they? Not some small bears?”
    The comment earned her a smile from Owen. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered. “This is Sampson and Delilah. They’re bullmastiffs. Me and my brothers breed and train ’em.”
    Lilly looked over at Paul, who shrugged his broad shoulders. “What do they eat?” Two sheep for dinner and a pig for a snack ? Lilly pondered as she stared at the happy doggy faces in front of her.
    “Anything they can get their paws on. They’re still puppies, so lock up your food and chickens.” Rufus pressed his lips together, as if he were trying to keep from laughing at her.
    “Still growing? These are puppies!” The only experience Lilly had with dogs were her grandmother’s yappy toy poodles.
    “Yes, ma’am. They’re ten months old,” Paul said with a wide smile. “Sampson will probably get to be around 120 pounds, and Delilah will top out at 100.”
    “I don’t know if I can handle two of them, Owen. Why don’t you pick one to give me? That way I’ll have my guardian, and you will too,” Lilly suggested, trying to salvage a bit of the situation.
    Owen nodded and handed the leash to the larger dog. “Take Sampson, Miss Brooks. Delilah sleeps with me at night. I’d miss her.”

    As the wagon