Chase Wheeler's Woman

by Charlene Sands

  With a wave of her hand, she replied, “You know what I meant. I broke off our engagement.”

  “Too bad, you two seemed suited for each other.”

  She brushed her body up against Chase, crushing her chest to his. The intimate contact stirred in him nothing but disgust. “We’re suited for each other, you and me. Chase, don’t make me beg. Stay with me tonight. You won’t want to leave in the morning.” She began unfastening the buttons on her nightdress.

  He halted her. “I am leaving in the morning. I’m going back to my wife,” he announced, before stepping away.

  “You couldn’t possibly want that woman over me, Chase. You don’t love her!”

  Chase turned his back on Marabella and headed for the staircase. “That’s where you’re dead wrong, Belle,” he muttered under his breath, realizing now just how much he did love Letty Sue. She was who he needed right now. And who he wanted. And by tomorrow night, he hoped to make her his, forever.

  The next night, Marabella stood over Chase as he lay in his bed. She shook her head. “Poor Chase, you seem to have caught the same virus Seth had. I sent for the doctor, but he’s delivering a baby across the county. He’ll be here in the morning to see to your affliction, I’m sure. Have some more broth. I made it up special for you.”

  Chase’s mind felt like mud, a thick layer of it clogging his senses. His last recollection was of sipping coffee that morning, as he was ready to leave. Then the world had spun around him, he’d lost all sense of himself, his knees had buckled and he’d collapsed. Next thing he knew, he was in bed, with Marabella watching over him.

  Now his stomach clenched as if a giant snake was squeezing it tightly. He didn’t think there was much left of his gut, since he’d emptied it so many times. Sweat poured down his face, his body was soaked and his legs felt like Letty Sue’s oatmeal, cold and mushy. There was no strength in his limbs. Weak and exhausted, Chase could only lie on the bed.

  Marabella wiped him down with a cloth. “Chase, it could have been good between us. Pity you didn’t see it that way.”

  Dizzy as he was, Chase couldn’t lift his head off the pillow. But keen instinct told him not to take any more broth. Don’t eat, don’t drink, Chase.

  If only he could get himself off this bed.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Letty Sue sat in a crimson, tufted velvet chair facing a beautifully sculpted oak desk waiting for Jimmy McCabe to greet her. She glanced around his office, noting the finery. He’d done quite well for himself, this young man who used to tease her unmercifully and chase her around the schoolyard. She’d always held a special place in her heart for him, that being one of the best memories of her childhood.

  He entered, looking trim and professional in a three-piece, pinstriped suit. Funny how she preferred a man with mud on his boots now. She preferred a man of strength. She preferred… Chase.

  No other man would do.

  But Chase wasn’t the reason she was seeking her friend out. She needed legal advice. This was most important to her.

  “Morning, Letty Sue. You’re looking as lovely as ever.” Instead of a stiff handshake, the way he’d greeted her at the ranch when Chase was about, he bent to kiss her cheek. She watched him circle around to the other side of the desk and take a seat.

  “Jimmy, this is such a fine office. I hope you do well in Sweet Springs.”

  “Thank you, Letty Sue. People tend to trust one of their own. My law practice is growing and I’m happy here. Now, what can I do for you, since marrying you is out of the question,” he said with a teasing glint in his eye. “Seems you’ve done quite well for yourself.”

  “Yes, I suppose,” she replied, although she wasn’t at all sure what he meant by that. And she wouldn’t mention that perhaps Jimmy would have to tend to more unpleasant legal affairs for her, if Chase chose not to return. He’d always vowed to dissolve the marriage. With pain in her heart, she’d come to accept that fate, if that was what Chase really wanted.

  Letty Sue straightened, getting back to her reason for seeking Jimmy out. “I’d like to adopt Jake.”

  “Ah, I see.” He leaned back in his chair and she witnessed a softening in his eyes. Jimmy really was a nice man. “I’d heard the boy’s family was found. All of them are dead.”

  “Yes, that’s right. It’s unfortunate, but Jake has a home with me. He’s very happy on the ranch now. Did you know he started speaking again?”

  “No, no. I certainly didn’t. Does he have any recollection of his folks?”

  “I don’t know for sure. He doesn’t ask about them. Doc Ramsey thinks he’s put the whole tragedy out of his mind. Says he might never remember. His nightmares stopped weeks ago. He really is adjusting well and I hope to see that continue. I want to adopt Jake officially. Do you see any problem with that?”

  “I’d have to check into it, but no, I don’t see any problem. The boy has no family and you’re willing to give him a home. Besides, with your husband’s wealth now, that would play in your favor.”

  Letty Sue took a big swallow. “Excuse me? My husband’s wealth?”

  “Yes, his inheritance.”

  Letty Sue blinked, trying to hide her shock. “I don’t understand.”

  “I thought you knew. Pardon me for speaking out of turn.”

  “My husband was summoned back to Abilene. Seems his employer is dying and wanted to speak with him.”

  “His employer? Then you don’t know the whole story,” he said, more to himself than to her.

  “Jimmy, just tell me what you’re talking about!”

  Jimmy rubbed his nose, hesitating. There was a debate going on in his head, she surmised, but finally he dropped his professional tone and continued. “A few days back, a woman came by my office speaking of a will she’d read. Pardon me for saying so, but I’ve never laid eyes on a more striking woman.”

  Letty Sue frowned. “Marabella Donat?”

  “Yes, that’s her name. She had spoken of her stepfather’s last wishes and wanted to know if there was any way around it. Seems the dying man is your husband’s…” Jimmy stopped and twisted his lips. “You didn’t hear this from me, Letty Sue. I shouldn’t be repeating it.”

  Letty Sue’s heart pumped hard in her chest. She needed to know what Jimmy had to say. “It’ll go to my grave, Jimmy. I swear. This is important. I need to know. Please go on.”

  With a wary nod, he continued. “Seth Johnston is Chase Wheeler’s natural father.”

  She gasped aloud. “Oh my!”

  “Yes, and I’ve never seen a more enraged woman. Seems this Marabella wanted to know if the will was legal and binding. She was fit to be tied when I told her that, yes, from what she’d told me, Chase Wheeler had every right to his father’s holdings. She started ranting about the unfairness of it all. And that—again excuse me for saying this, Letty Sue—that no filthy half-breed bastard should get what was her due. The woman walked out of here with murder in her eyes.”

  “Oh!” Letty Sue was speechless after that, her mind reeling with all she’d just heard. The man Chase had worked with for the past ten years was his true father. Chase hadn’t known. The shock must have devastated him. And what of Marabella? If what Jimmy said was true, she’d be out for revenge. Yet the woman hadn’t seemed vengeful when she’d come to the ranch that day. No. She’d appeared more the temptress. Was she hoping to ingratiate her way back into Chase’s life, just for the money? Either way, Chase might encounter trouble with her.

  “Letty Sue?” Jimmy walked around the desk to check on her.

  “I’m fine, Jimmy. Really. This is all such a shock.”

  “Yes, well, I hope it all works out. But I’d be careful with that woman. She didn’t strike me as the kind to let this drop.”

  “I was thinking the same thing, Jimmy. Thank you,” she said, reaching for his hand, “for trusting me with this news.” She rose from her seat, amazed at how wobbly her legs felt. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her strength and smiled.

&nbs
p; “I’ll get working on the adoption today,” he offered. “Can I walk you out?”

  “No, Jimmy. I’m fine. I can see myself out.”

  He kissed her again on the cheek. “Letty Sue, should I be worried about you?”

  “Oh, Jimmy. You are a dear. Just see to the adoption and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  The concern on his face escalated. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”

  Letty Sue was afraid, too, of what she’d heard today and of what it all meant. But most of all, she was afraid for Chase.

  “I can’t thank you enough, Sam. This is asking almost too much of our friendship, pulling you away from your wife of less than a week.” Letty Sue reined in Starlight at the foot of a hilly rise. Faint predawn light fought off the night. Letty Sue’s sore backside reminded her how far she’d traveled in a scant amount of time. “And I made her take little Jake in, when she’s got her hands full with her own siblings.”

  “She offered, Letty Sue. And her brothers love playing with Jake.”

  Letty Sue let out a deep sigh. “I know. You two are the best friends in the world.”

  They were just outside of Seth Johnston’s spread near Abilene. She could see over the entrance to his property the wide arches with the initials S.J. carved out of cedar. Chase was there, somewhere. She didn’t know if following him here had been wise or just plain foolish. She might very well humiliate herself if Chase turned her away in favor of his first love.

  But if that wasn’t the case, he might need her now, more than ever.

  Either way, she had to know. She wasn’t fighting just for herself anymore, but for little Jake, too. Chase had to know that Jake was theirs now. They could be a real family.

  Sam steadied his mare with a soft whisper, then added, “Besides, Sally wouldn’t have it any other way. With all that talk of you riding to Abilene in the dead of night alone, she insisted I come.”

  “So did you, my friend. I know you worry about me.”

  “Geez, Letty Sue, when are you and that husband of yours going to get it right, so he can do all the worrying over you?”

  Letty Sue rubbed wearily at her neck. “I’m working on it, Sam. That’s why I’m chasing that man down. He could be in trouble.”

  “All the more reason to let me come along. I could lend a hand if needed.”

  “Sam, you’ve already done enough by giving me a quick lesson in shooting, and leaving Sally last night to bring me here.”

  Sam grunted. “You sure you remember how to shoot, Letty Sue?”

  “Mama made me learn when I was a young girl. Of course, I haven’t had much use for a gun recently, but yesterday you helped me recall all that my mother taught me. Heavens, I’m not planning on shooting anyone. It’s just a precaution.”

  “All the more reason you should let me come with you.”

  “No, Sam,” she insisted, as kindly as she could. “I’ve let others do for me all my life. This is one thing I must do for myself.”

  Sam finally seemed to understand, nodding solemnly. “Okay, but I’m not leaving. I’ll get a room in town. You just give a holler if you need me.”

  Her body quaked uncontrollably and Letty Sue recognized it as pure panic, not because Sam was letting her do this her own way, but because, soon, she’d know her fate. If Chase sent her away, pride wouldn’t allow her to plead.

  She’d leave with her chin held high.

  And never lay eyes on him again.

  Letty Sue peered down the rise at the ranch, which seemed to beckon her. Dawn was on the horizon now, a bursting golden-orange blaze. “It’s time for me to go.”

  Sam reached over to cover her hand. “Remember, I’m not far away.”

  She squeezed tight, then released him. “I know.”

  Within minutes, Letty Sue was on even ground, approaching the large, opulent ranch house.

  The only sound she heard was the faint rumbling of men just coming to in the bunkhouse. The smell of strong bitter coffee flavored the air. Quickly and quietly, Letty Sue knocked on the front door.

  When there was no answer, she went around to the back of the house. The door to the kitchen was open. She stepped inside cautiously, but when she heard footsteps approaching, instinct told her to hide inside a dark storeroom. With her ear to the door, she listened intently.

  “It’s okay, Rosalee, I’ll take Mr. Wheeler his morning coffee.”

  “He is better this morning, yes?” The woman who asked had a Mexican accent.

  “I’m afraid not. The poor man’s just as sick as my stepfather was. I’m afraid he’s not long for this earth.”

  “Dios! I shall pray for Mr. Wheeler. He is such a nice man.”

  “You do that, Rosalee. Why don’t you take the morning off to say your prayers? I’ll tend to him and sit by his side today. A man shouldn’t be alone when he dies.”

  “Oh, Miss Marabella, I hope he does not die. I will pray for him.”

  When one set of footsteps faded off in the distance, Letty Sue heard Marabella’s voice ring out. “You can pray all you like, Rosalee.” Her wicked chuckle pierced Letty Sue’s ears, “but it won’t help Chase Wheeler. Nothing will.”

  Letty Sue stepped out of the storeroom with all the stealth of a panther. She hid behind the doorway leading to the kitchen, slanting her body, pressing against the wall. Bravely, she peered around the corner in time to see Marabella slip two leaves of a plant Letty Sue didn’t recognize into a steaming pot of coffee.

  “That should just about do it. But not to worry, Chase. I’ll be sure to dig your grave right next to Seth’s,” Marabella said gaily. “Won’t be long now before the bastard son joins the father.”

  Letty Sue didn’t have to know the particulars to understand that Marabella had tainted the coffee with poison. She’d heard tales of certain plants being deadly, especially if one brewed the leaves or any part of the stem and added the mixture to a drink.

  “There, we’ll just let that brew a bit, while I tidy up.”

  Letty Sue leaned back out of view quickly and heard the door slam.

  Aghast, she shook all over, and it was a full minute before she calmed. Marabella was a killer? She’d poisoned Seth Johnston, and Chase was next on the list.

  Not if she had anything to do about it.

  Letty Sue knew she had to find Chase fast. From the sound of it, there wasn’t much time. Her hand fumbled inside the pocket of her riding skirt, where she kept the small derringer Sam had given her.

  She climbed the stairs quietly, darting her gaze about, watching for Marabella. She listened outside each door before opening it. By the time she reached the second to last door, her patience had just about run out. Where was Chase? Why couldn’t she find him? Her heart raced with a panic she’d never known before.

  She opened the door to a darkened room. All the others allowed bright sunlight in, but this one had the smell of…death about it. It was dark, dank and dreary. She stepped inside and heard a moan, low and anguished, barely human.

  With fear clutching her belly, she went to the window and gently pulled open the drapery.

  She gasped when she saw him.

  Pale, sallow and weak, with dazed eyes, Chase lay sprawled out on the bed. She rushed over to him.

  “Chase, it’s me, Letty Sue. Chase, Chase. Wake up.”

  He tried to focus on her and she saw how difficult that was for him. “Letty… Sue?” His mouth was dry. It obviously troubled him to swallow.

  Tears sprang from her eyes, but she didn’t have time for them. “Chase, sweetheart, yes, yes, it’s me. I’m here now and I’m going to take care of everything.”

  “Don’t take the broth,” he mumbled nearly incoherently. “Don’t eat a thing.”

  “Chase, you have to listen to me.” She took his face in her palms and made him listen. “I have a plan.”

  Chase’s nod, a slight movement of his head, obviously brought him such pain that he winced. She prayed for him, and prayed that her plan would work. She hid
behind the drapery clutching tight the little derringer she hoped she wouldn’t not have to use today.

  It was only minutes later that Marabella entered the room. “Good morning, Chase. I have a tray for you and lots of hot coffee. Why, your father never went a day without drinking at least half a gallon of the brew. You must have some today. You didn’t drink enough yesterday.”

  Letty Sue stepped out from behind the curtains. “I have a better idea, Marabella. Why don’t you drink the coffee?”

  Marabella turned and let out a shriek. “Oh!” Then she seemed to have recognized her. “Whatever are you doing here? And don’t you dare point that gun at me. Can’t you see this man is sick? He needs his nourishment.”

  “That man is my husband. And this gun will stay trained on you until you drink from his cup there.” Letty Sue gestured with her gun. “Go on. I want to see you finish what’s in that mug.”

  “No, don’t be ridiculous. I wouldn’t dream of taking his meal. Chase needs it.”

  “Like hell, Marabella. Either you drink it or I’ll shoot. And I’m not bluffing.”

  Marabella looked at the tainted coffee with round, frenzied eyes. She shook her head and began to back away, as though the steaming liquid was a wild animal stalking her. She kept backing away, shaking her head. “No. No. Don’t make me. I can’t, don’t you see? I can’t. They had to have it, not me. They had to die.”

  “I didn’t deserve the treatment I got on the ranch. I was tolerated, just tolerated, and once Mother died, he didn’t care if I was happy or not. He ignored me most of the time. I hated it here. Mother should have never married him. She took me away from my friends.” Marabella began to break down, her body trembling, her hands going into her hair. “I didn’t have any friends here. Not one.” Her head bobbed up and down. “I deserved that inheritance. It should be mine, not Seth’s bastard half-breed. He needs to die. Then it’s all mine. Mine!” Her voice elevated to a fevered pitch. “It all should be mine!”

  She pointed toward Chase. “He wasn’t even supposed to be here. He was supposed to hang for Pierce’s murder. Don’t you see? I had it all planned out so carefully!”