It was a hell of a good thing he’d refused her offer.
Yep, hell of a good thing.
Ten minutes later, they were headed back to the Double J. “How the devil do you ride wearing a dress?” he asked.
Letty Sue turned to view him sitting tall in the saddle. The slight light of the moon and stars above painted his face in shadows. Handsome, nearly savagely so, she thought, studying his profile.
“Easy, I don’t wear any petticoats when I ride.”
His head snapped around and his gaze flowed over her with so much apparent heat she’d have sworn she felt the warmth of it melting her bones. There was something sinful in that smoky gaze, like she was a ripe peach and he was a starving man.
Lordy, Letty Sue.
He cleared his throat noisily. “I didn’t know you could ride.”
“I grew up on a ranch,” she said, her chin lifting defiantly. Did he believe she possessed no skills whatsoever? “I’ve been riding since I was a tot. That’s one thing Mama did manage to teach me.”
“You do it well, even with wearing those clothes.”
“Or rather, lack of them,” she said, then realized how entirely wicked that sounded. Chase didn’t appear shocked, but a deep, low groan emerged from his chest. “Thank you,” she hurried to add before he could say more. That was the first genuine compliment she’d ever received from Chase Wheeler.
They rode in silence for a time, then Chase said quietly, “You know, you didn’t give a thought about the truce we’d made. I suppose white folks only pretend to honor their word, to get their way.”
“Chase, I had good reason.”
“There is no good reason to break your word.”
Letty Sue’s long sigh filled the silent night. Chase wasn’t arguing or lecturing, but rather speaking conversationally. It surprised her. She’d had enough of his overbearing ways, but when he spoke to her like this, on equal terms, she felt more willing to open up. “I just couldn’t face another ruined meal.”
She wouldn’t add that he’d been the cause of it tonight. He’d been a distraction since the moment they’d met, but this evening, watching him best his opponent in the wood-cutting contest, well, Letty Sue hadn’t a mind for anything but him.
“What’d you ruin this time?”
“Fried chicken.”
“My favorite,” he said, then smiled. Her heart flipped at that rare, quick smile. “Maybe you’ll try that one on your next lesson.”
That he allowed there would be another lesson caused Letty Sue to feel a moment of sheer joy. “Maybe I will,” she said softly.
“Long as you tell me where you’re headed, and don’t go out at night.”
“I think I can do that.”
“See that you do,” he said.
A short while later they reached the Double J and led their mounts toward the barn. Chase dismounted just outside, holding tight to the reins. Tornado snorted, sidestepped, then reared his head. Chase soothed his stallion with soft, murmured words.
“What’s wrong with him?” Letty Sue asked.
“Your mare’s got him excited. Best you dismount now, before Tornado gets too close.”
Chase turned to her and raised his arms. She dismounted quickly, his hands finding her waist, helping lower her to the ground. She felt his strength, his heat as his splayed fingers grazed the soft underside of her breasts. She sucked in air, but thankfully her gasp was silent. “Maybe Starlight wouldn’t mind his attentions,” she said gently.
“Maybe,” he replied, his gaze moving over her face, resting finally on her lips. “When the time is right.”
“And when will that be?” She lifted her eyes to meet his.
“Not…now,” he answered cautiously.
The ranch was quiet except for an occasional owl hoot and the muted snorting and rustling of horses in the corral. All the ranch hands had most likely bedded down for the night. Letty Sue’s heart pounded in her chest and she wondered if Chase felt the turmoil he was creating with his hands still on her.
Tornado snorted loudly once again, bumping Chase with his flank. It brought Chase up against Letty Sue and he wound his arms about her protectively. “You okay?”
“Mmm…fine,” she answered, still wrapped in his arms.
He released her quickly. “I’d best put Tornado in the stall tonight. With the mood he’s in, no telling what might happen.”
Letty Sue stared into his silvery eyes, hoping to read his thoughts.
He stared back, but then Tornado let out one more agitated, impatient snort and stomped his front hoof. Chase backed away and took his stallion’s reins. “I’ll be back to put Starlight in the corral. It’d be wise to keep him away from her.”
Letty Sue dug her teeth into her bottom lip as she watched Chase lead his horse into the barn. She had something on her mind, something she had to ask him. She knew she’d be better off not stirring up trouble, but then, that particular notion had never stopped her before. Chase Wheeler had some explaining to do.
She tethered her mare to a corral post and followed Chase inside the barn. A golden ray of lantern light brightened the area where Chase worked on Tornado, rubbing him down. The rest of the big barn was cast in elusive shadows. She stood there hesitantly, watching and wondering if she had the nerve to confront him. Then Chase’s voice broke the silence. He spoke in low tones, commiserating with his horse.
“Females make you do crazy things, huh, big fella? Like chasing after them in the dark, smelling their scent, wanting what you can’t have.”
He stroked Tornado’s long snout affectionately, then began combing the stallion down. Tornado relaxed, and Letty Sue watched man with animal, noting how very alike they were. How untamed they could be one moment, then tender. How high-strung and temperamental in one instant, then so at peace, so calm the next.
“Letty Sue?”
She froze. How had he known she was there, standing in the dark shadows as she was? She’d been spying on him—the very thing she’d accused him of doing at the diner. “I just came for a currycomb. Starlight needs a good combing.” She lifted up the bristled brush to show him her intent.
He came out of the stall, latching it and headed her way. Taking the comb from her hand, he said, “You don’t have to do that. I’ll take care of her tonight.”
“All right,” she said.
“’Night, Letty Sue.” He turned away, ready to leave the barn.
“Uh, good night. Chase?”
He stopped and spun around. “Yeah?”
“Why’d you come after me tonight?”
Chase lifted a neckerchief from his rear pocket and rubbed the back of his neck. He blew breath out, a sound much like Tornado’s impatient snort. “You know why and I won’t be repeating myself.”
She wouldn’t let the subject drop. “Because I left and you didn’t know where I was?”
He nodded.
“So then, when you found me at the diner, why’d you come barging in, ready to shoot?”
He didn’t respond, except for the smallest shake of his head.
“What’d you think I was doing in there?”
Chase closed his eyes briefly, then shot her a hard look. “A woman goes off in the dead of night to meet up with a man…what’d you suppose I was thinking?”
Letty Sue rolled her eyes. “Petey’s hardly a man and I was cooking. ”
He took a step toward her. “I didn’t know that.”
Letty Sue smiled. “But you thought I’d be meeting a man for…for—”
“That’s right, damn it, that’s what I thought.”
Letty Sue lowered her voice, in sharp contrast to Chase’s thundering one. “And you didn’t like it, did you?”
“Hell no, I didn’t like it one bit.” He took another step toward her, pointing his finger. “I’m responsible for your doings, woman. Get that through your head. I can’t have you running off whenever you fancy, and I sure as hell can’t be chasing you down every night.”
Letty Sue approached him. She stopped when her boots met his. “Or just maybe there’s another reason you came toting that gun tonight, Chase.”
He looked down at her. “Doubtful.”
She tilted her chin up. “Is it?”
“Just what in blazes are you getting at?”
She met his eyes directly and spoke ever so softly. “How’d you know I was in the barn just now?”
Chase flinched as though she surprised him with her sudden change of conversation.
“Well?” she asked.
He cast her a solemn look of resignation. “You smell…pretty,” he said, “better than anything in this here barn.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
He grunted in reply. “I’ve gotta bed down Starlight. You coming?” he asked as he headed for the barn door.
Letty Sue matched his strides, but just as he was about to throw open the wide door, her boot tangled with a coiled rope on the ground. She struggled to stay upright, to no avail. She felt herself falling.
Chase caught her just in time, bringing her up against him. This was the second time tonight they’d been thrust together. This time, he didn’t let her go. He held her close, his powerful chest crushing her bosom, her head tucked under his chin.
Chase huffed out air. “Sometimes I wish you’d just stay the hell away from me.”
Letty Sue wound her arms about his waist, but pulled away enough to look up into his eyes. They were black as coal now and just as hot. “Is that really true, Chase?”
Tension ripped through the air in the stuffy barn. Letty Sue felt the evidence of his desire, crushed to him like she was. It should have shocked her, it should have sent her running home, it should have jostled good sense into her. It did none of those things. She stayed in his arms, their bodies both humming.
He bent his head. She licked her lips. He cupped her chin. She lifted her face.
Tornado bucked in the stall, snorting wildly, clearly agitated.
Chase raised his head, blinked, looked down at her and unfolded his arms. “What the devil am I doing?”
Letty Sue wouldn’t let her disappointment show. “I believe you were about to kiss me.”
He dragged his hands through his hair and glanced at her mouth. There was the slightest hint of regret in his expression, a certain flicker of remorse in his eyes. “Go on to bed, Letty Sue.”
She smiled then, a smile meant just for him. “I’m going, right now.” She sashayed out the barn door, then turned to him. “Oh, and it appears Tornado isn’t the only one who wants what he can’t have.”
Hearing Chase’s muttered curses from behind, she lifted her skirts and dashed to the house, only finding safety once she was behind the thick, bolted door.
Oh Lordy, Letty Sue.
Chapter Seven
“Let him bid on Sally’s basket. It’s no concern of mine.” Letty Sue forked the fried chicken over hastily, a splash of fat nearly jumping up to take a bite of her cheek. She stepped away from the fry pan until the sizzling died down. “I don’t give a hoot. Not a one. I have chicken to fry up, and heaven above, I don’t plan on burning one bit of it.”
Sam Fowler had come by earlier to see if Letty Sue needed any supplies from town. During their pleasant conversation, Sam had announced that not only was Chase Wheeler going to the church social, but Sam was pretty darn sure he would be bidding on Sally’s basket. He’d inquired about the color of it again, having forgotten what Sally had told him the day they’d met.
Sam thought they’d make a good match, Sally being so even-tempered and all. Letty Sue hadn’t disagreed, pretending to Sam that it didn’t matter. But inside the hurt ran deep. Why did the thought make her suffer so?
And oh, Sally would be thrilled. She thought Chase the most appealing man in Sweet Springs.
Lately, the man consumed her thoughts, but Letty Sue didn’t understand the why of it. They certainly weren’t suited for each other. Chase had made his position very clear to her.
She flipped the chicken over one last time, then took the fry pan off the stove. She still had biscuits and potatoes to cook, and a pie to bake, but at least she’d managed all right with the chicken. It wasn’t burned.
“I need a break from this heat,” she said much later, after finishing up her cooking. She removed her apron, then wiped her forehead with her sleeve. It was an unusually warm spring day, the bright sun pouring in through the kitchen window.
She wandered into the parlor, noting how the heavy, jade-green velvet drapes kept out much of the day’s heat. Enjoying the refreshing coolness, she sank down onto the sofa, closing her eyes. She’d rest here for just a few minutes, she thought wearily, before dosing off into oblivion.
Hours later, Letty Sue opened her eyes to darkness. She blinked. Dazed, she shifted, realizing it was evening and she wasn’t in bed. Then she remembered. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa earlier in the afternoon.
Now the sun was setting.
Oh Lordy. She still had the decorating of the basket to do!
She went searching for ribbons. Her mama always kept fabric and sewing supplies in a small storage room just off the kitchen. Letty Sue shuffled through all the cabinets and shelves, coming up with one strand of yellow ribbon tucked under some cotton batting. The strand was less than twelve inches long. She lifted it up and stared at it. “This will never do. Where does Mama keep all of her pretty bows and ribbons?”
Frowning, she entered her mama’s bedroom. An odd feeling swept over her as she saw some of Jasper Brody’s things about. She was too young to remember her father, really. For her, his presence in the house was only a fleeting childhood memory. But she’d known he’d been there. Mama had kept his memory alive for many years. It wasn’t until Joellen met Jasper that she’d begun slowly to put Jacob Withers to rest.
It was good thing, Letty Sue supposed, for her mother. She did seem happy with her new husband. Letty Sue doubted she’d find that kind of happiness with anyone in Sweet Springs. She planned to travel, see something of this big, exciting world before settling down. Maybe in her travels, she’d meet the right man. One could only hope.
With a deep sigh, she continued looking for ribbons. With each drawer opened, each shelf checked, Letty Sue became more frantic.
“Now, where are they?” She raced through the house, yanking open cabinets and tossing supplies aside in a panic. For her endeavors all she found were old, threadbare black, moss-green and dirt-brown ribbons.
The basket was in no better shape. The only one she located, under a small table on the porch, was weathered and misshapen.
“Oh no!” she cried.
It was too late to ask Sally for help. It was too late to go to town; none of the shops would be open. Why hadn’t she given the basket a thought before now? She could have sent Sam for the items she needed earlier today. But now she feared it was far too late for her “rainbow” basket.
She slumped down on the porch swing and stared out into the night. No one could save her from this. It was her own fault. She should have made sure she had all the supplies needed. She should have bought new ribbons when she was in town the other day. She should not have fallen asleep this afternoon.
Lordy, she was in trouble.
Chase Wheeler rode into the yard, his stallion prancing with high spirits. The foreman reined his horse in and dismounted just outside the barn.
Oh, she’d bet he’d have a good laugh over this one. Chase would probably come up with a new Cheyenne name for her. His black Stetson rode low on his forehead so she couldn’t see his eyes when he turned to glance her way. She wished she could vanish like a puff of smoke, into the night.
She did the next best thing.
She ignored him completely, rising and leaving the night’s breeze to stir the unoccupied porch swing. She slammed the front door shut and locked herself in, good and tight.
Tonight, Chase Wheeler was the last man on God’s green earth she wanted to see.
Chase knocked on the ki
tchen door. He rubbed tension from the back of his neck and waited. Not for long. He knocked again. It was a mistake coming to her in the middle of the night. The third knock was louder than the first two, rattling the door on its hinges. “Letty Sue.”
Damn, he knew she was awake. He hadn’t imagined seeing her all alone on the porch swing when he rode up, looking like she’d lost her best friend.
Unless his mind was playing tricks.
Wouldn’t be the first time a man lost his head over a woman, only to find out she’d been nothing more than a mirage, a vision conjured up by an addled brain. And in his case, caused from three stiff shots of whiskey and the blows to his head and ribs he’d taken tonight.
Damn, his head hurt. Pounded. Throbbed.
He wasn’t even going to think about his ribs.
Why the hell was he thumping on Letty Sue’s door, again?
He couldn’t remember, but he needed to see her.
Mistake! his muddied mind kept screaming. He knocked again. “Letty Sue, I know you’re in there. Open up!”
He heard footsteps padding to the back door, and cracked a smile, finally recalling why he needed to see her. He was grateful to have a real reason, because something in his gut said he’d be pounding on her door tonight just as hard, even if he didn’t.
“Go away.”
“No.”
“I’m not in the mood to see you, Chase.”
“Too bad, now open the door.”
“No.”
“I have something here you’ll want to see.”
“Liar.”
“That ain’t nice, Letty Sue.” He raised his voice and commanded, “Open up.”
She let out a sound that wasn’t a bit ladylike and yanked the door open. “Hush up, Chase Wheeler. You’ll wake the dead,” she ordered in a hasty whisper. Then her gaze met with his.
She gasped and her face paled, making the blue in her eyes even more brilliant.
Mistake to be here.
“What happened to you?”
She wore a white cotton nightdress, simple in design, with buttons that rose to her delicate neck. Buttons he’d have no trouble undoing. And the moonlight streaming in cast just enough light to illuminate what was underneath.
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