Chase: (Contemporary Western Romance) (New Horizon Ranch Mule Hollow Book 3)

by Debra Clopton

  “So you got me on that.” Chase couldn’t deny it. “She’s an amazing woman.”

  “I thought you had that look in yor eye.”

  Chase realized anyone from a mile away could hear everything App was saying.

  “I’m just looking out for her,” he said.

  “Yup. And that’s why I came over. Me and Stanley are on the lookout. Sam too. If we see anything, and I mean ANYTHING suspicious or lookin’ like at feller, disguised or otherwise you can bet we’ll be alerting everyone.”

  “App, maybe we need to try and keep this on the quiet.”

  “That’s the truth,” Norma Sue said coming up to them. “App, I could hear you spoutin’ off all the way over at the food table. You need to wear your hearing aids.”

  App looked concerned and spoke softer, “I tell ya, I forget I talk loud. I can’t hardly hear a lick of what I’m saying right now. And I hate them thar aids. Worthless noise magnifiers.”

  “I know and I feel for you but remember we can hear you just fine when you talk low,” Norma said. “The thing is, we’re all on the lookout and we’re ready. When Brady came around with that picture today we were all at the diner and we all agreed this coward shows up he’s going to get more than he’s bargained for.”

  Chase grinned despite the seriousness of the issue. “You all just be careful. I’m sure Brady told you to take no risks.”

  Norma hiked a brow. “Oh he told us alright. You leave our wellbeing to us. We might be old but we’ve been around the block a few times and we can take care of ourselves.”

  Chase spent the next little while wondering what exactly Norma Sue was talking about. He decided he might need to mention it to Brady and Zane. There was no telling what kind of trouble the matchmakers and the checker players were going to get themselves into protecting Amber.

  Amber had gotten with Dottie and Lacy the minute she arrived to find out how she could help. They’d introduced her to Lilly Wells who was hosting the night along with her husband Cort. The group also included Sheri and her very dry sense of humor.

  “So,” Sheri drawled, cuddling her adorable, baby boy in her arms. “You’ve got trouble we hear.”

  Everyone already knew? Brady and Zane hadn’t wasted any time sending out their alerts. She hadn’t come here to discuss Ned Talbert. “Maybe but it’s going to be okay.”

  “Well if he makes the mistake of showing up in town asking questions someone is going to see him and send out the alert. Just thought you should know that. We understand what you do for a living and we plan to protect you however we can.”

  “See all these kiddos,” Lacy said. “And these smiling faced women walking around here. Many of them are a direct result of someone at the call centers picking up the phone and saying the words they needed to hear that gave them the courage to make the break. It brings me to tears thinking about it. And you’re one of those angels on the end of that phone line.”

  Amber’s heart pounded and she felt so many kindred spirits as she looked around the group of smiling supporters. She blinked back the sudden threat of tears. No wonder both Sadie and Maddie had such wonderful things to say about the town. About the people.

  “Thank y’all for your support. It is unexpected but appreciated.”

  Lilly smiled at her, a really sweet smile. “I don’t know why you say unexpected. That’s what we do around here. We support each other.”

  “I’m beginning to understand that.” Amber looked around the group and felt joy at what Sadie had found here. Not just a husband but a community too. Amber was looking forward to seeing her friend when she arrived back home tomorrow. And when Amber headed back to her own life, as soon as the stalker issue was resolved, she would know that her friend had everything here she needed to start her new life.

  As the evening progressed everyone climbed onto two large trailers loaded with hay. The men made sure all the kids were settled on the hay and no standing up was allowed. Adults then settled in with the kids and the hayride began. Amber found a spot beside Esther Mae in the corner of one of the trailers.

  “This does bring back some memories of me and my Hank in our younger years. Hayrides used to be a big thing in our day.” Esther Mae chuckled. “Snuggling up with your sweetie on a chilly evening...” She sighed. “Those were the days.”

  Amber had developed a tender spot for the redhead, despite her over the top desire to marry off every single person within miles around her. She had a good heart.

  “It sounds like a lot of fun,” she said, her thoughts instantly shifting to snuggling with Chase.

  “Oh it was. And speaking of snuggling here comes Chase. Yoo-hoo, Chase,” she called as he hopped onto the trailer and glanced around. “Over here.”

  “Hey, ladies,” he greeted them as he eased through the kids.

  Esther Mae popped up out of her seat. “Hey there yourself, cowboy. Take my seat. I just remembered I was supposed to ride on the other trailer with Norma Sue. My Hank is driving the tractor of that one.” And with that said, she grabbed Chase’s arm and tugged him past her then pushed him into the hay beside Amber.

  Amber gasped when Chase plunked down beside her. He was laughing too as they both watched the spunky matchmaker sashay through the masses and hightailing it off the trailer.

  “Well, that was a pretty obvious setup,” Chase drawled. “Norma Sue sent me over here said I was supposed to ride shotgun on this trailer. Now I know.” He laughed and shook his head. “I planned to ride the one you were on anyways so their obvious matchmaking wasn’t even needed.”

  She was smiling and a thrill of gladness had hit her the moment Chase hopped onto the trailer. Now that he was squeezed in beside her she couldn’t get the smile off her face. Especially after Esther Mae’s antics.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I join you?”

  “No,” she choked out on a chuckle. “Not at all.” Her heart was racing at his nearness and the feel of his thigh pressing against hers. He placed a hand behind her on the hay bale and suddenly she felt like she was sitting in the crook of his arm though they weren’t touching…but if she leaned back just a little she would be. The thought made her pulse jump. She looked up into his eyes and he was watching her.

  “I’m glad to see you were able to relax tonight.” He leaned close so she could hear him over the laughter of the kids.

  “It’s been nice.” The trailer hit a bump sending everyone bouncing and she fell against Chase. His arm instantly came around her, holding her steady.

  “A little rough there,” he drawled against her ear sending a tingle of awareness coursing through her.

  Her hand had come to rest on his chest as she steadied herself and when she looked up smiling, they were very near. Her breath shortened and she was very aware that she wanted to kiss Chase Hartley. But she was also just as aware that they were surrounded by kids and this was not the place nor the time to be thinking about the feel of his lips on hers.

  “Amber,” he said softly. “You are beautiful. Inside and out.”

  Her heart lunged in her chest. This was not the place. Not the place.

  “Thank you,” she said and then forced herself to pull away from him. But for the rest of the evening everything about Chase held her captive. And suddenly small town life began to look extraordinarily appealing.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It was ten o’clock when they reached the ranch. Chase had been quiet on the drive home. He’d been quiet most of the evening after the hayride. But then so had she. Amber had become distracted by thoughts of Chase and she’d found her gaze seeking him out across the campfire. And each time she’d found him his gaze had sought her too.

  There was something about him that called to her. Maybe it was his dedication and desire to keep her safe that pulled at her. Or just the fact that she found him so crazily attractive and so very kind.

  There had been handsome cowboys swarming all over that shindig tonight and none of them had drawn her, made her long to be near
them or long for even one kiss. She’d thought about kissing Chase all night.

  That thought had her preoccupied all the way home.

  This was all wrong. She loved her city life, her career, her fast paced lifestyle. She’d come to appreciate the country more during this week than she’d thought possible but could she adjust to it?

  “Amber, who hurt you?”

  His question came out of nowhere and took her completely by surprise. She didn’t make a secret of the fact that her dad hadn’t been dad of the year material but she also didn’t talk about him. “What makes you think someone hurt me?” she asked, curious as to why he sounded so sure of the question.

  The chill was still in the air and she pulled her lightweight jacket tight around her.

  “Because I’ve been watching and you’re just so determined to help. And I was listening to you talking to Tobb’s mother near the campfire right before we headed back to the house. You don’t just understand, you get it and the women you talk to feel that. They’re drawn to you once they realize you’ve been there.”

  “I’ve never told anyone I’ve been there.”

  “But they get it and know it even without you admitting it.”

  “Just like you.”

  He nodded and touched her cheek. They were standing on the patio in the beam of the porch light. “I can’t stand the thought of someone hurting you.”

  She didn’t want to talk about this but… “My dad was abusive. My mom, she loved him and kept believing he would get help and be better. But he refused to go and then one night he hit me...the next day he left.”

  She saw the anger flash in Chase’s eyes and felt the tension even though they weren’t touching. “I’m sorry you had to live through that. Are you alright now?”

  His care touched her. She could visibly see how much he hated that she’d had abuse in her past. “I’m fine. I learned to fill the void left in the wake of a deadbeat dad. I learned to deal with the wish that I could have had a regular dad...and I’ve made peace with the fact that my mother didn’t get me out of the situation.”

  He shook his head. “That’s got to be hard. But you seem to have a good relationship now.”

  “We do. She apologized and apologized for putting her love for him over my safety. For years she punished herself for putting me in danger and she wouldn’t allow herself to be forgiven. But eventually once she realized I was okay she gave herself grace and let it go.”

  “Look, I know the guys are going to be coming back home any minute and this conversation is going to get interrupted. And I’m not ready for it to end. Would you want to go for a horseback ride?”

  “At night?”

  He nodded. “It’s great. And tonight with the moon so big and bright it’ll be amazing.”

  Amber thought he was amazing and the idea was so tempting...she knew she should say no. “Yes, it sounds...fun.” She knew she should go inside. Let the night be over and hope that tomorrow she was thinking straight again. But tonight all she wanted was to spend more time with Chase.

  He took her hand and her pulse raced.

  “You’re going to like it. But I want to continue this conversation. I want to know all about you, Amber.”

  It had been a long time since anyone had truly wanted to know about her. At least anyone who she was willing to share with...and she felt comfortable sharing this with Chase. She trusted him. Besides her mother and Sadie no one knew this much about her past.

  As Chase saddled Nugget he had to fight the anger twisting in his gut. To imagine someone raising a hand to Amber undid him. He’d known it, felt certain of it, but until she’d actually admitted it he hadn’t let the anger surge. But now, it was all he could do to keep his hands from shaking as he cinched the saddle up.

  And her mother...her mother had let herself be abused in the hopes that he would get better. She’d put her child at risk for a man. He couldn’t fathom it. Couldn’t understand and as far as he was concerned there was nothing to understand. A man who would do such a thing to a woman and child was not a man. It was black and white. And Amber or any child should have come first. When the abuse started Amber’s mother should have reached out for help.

  Should have reached out to someone like Amber on the other end of a thousand hotlines out there for help.

  He could understand that some women might be afraid. But Amber’s mother didn’t sound like she was afraid. She just didn’t do it.

  He pushed the thought away, needing to calm down before he tried to speak any more. It was a beautiful night and he was driven tonight to just show Amber that all men weren’t out to harm her.

  “I think this is the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen. Seeing you riding him over that hill that first day took my breath away.”

  Her words brought him back from his deep thoughts. He grinned. “What about the rider?” he couldn’t help asking. She laughed and he loved hearing it.

  “It was the whole package. You’re a very good rider.”

  “If it helps me impress you then that’s all that I care about.” He winked, and was glad to see her smile again.

  He put a boot in the stirrup and took the saddle in one smooth move he’d done a thousand times. Once in the saddle he held a hand down to her. She had a baffled expression.

  “But, I thought—”

  “Wrong. I thought we could ride together.” He was afraid she would refuse but then she placed her hand in his and he tugged her up so she could get her foot in the stirrup and then hop onto the horse behind him. “Now hang on to me. I don’t want you falling off.”

  She answered him by bringing her arms around his waist. He covered her hands with his own and the moment felt right. Everything about the two of them together felt right.

  The moon cast a glow across the pastures and a dreamy state over Amber’s heart. Riding like this with Chase felt as if it was right. They rode in silence for the longest time, following the shimmering trail of the moonlight through the pasture, heading toward a horizon on a hill where the moon seemed to be just an arm’s length above the ground. Amber was washed in a peace that she’d never felt before. As if God had lain this night out just for her. It was so perfect.

  She let everything fade to the background: her past, her stalker, her future. She just let the beauty and perfection of this perfect gift flow in a wave over her, washing everything else away.

  “Are you alright back there,” Chase asked as they were riding up the hillside.

  “I’m good. Just marveling how gorgeous it is tonight. Thank you for thinking of this. The moon was nowhere near this gorgeous at the hayride.”

  “It had only just begun to rise then.”

  When they reached the top of the hill Amber gasped at the valley bathed in moonlight before them and behind them. “You knew this is what I’d see. Oh, Chase...talk about romantic.”

  Even as the word was out of her mouth she wished for it back. Because it was romantic and the fact that she was here with Chase made it all the more true.

  “I thought you’d like it. I enjoy riding at night. There’s a peace to it that settles me. And I hoped it could do that same thing for you.”

  She was touched by him. She’d never been around a man who took such care to please her. To show her beauty like this. Amber knew it had only been a week since she’d met Chase but there was something powerful going on between them.

  “Let’s get down for a few minutes,” he said, then rounded his right leg over Nuggets head and hopped to the ground.

  He turned back to her and wrapped his hands around her waist then lifted her from the saddle. Her hands were on his shoulders as he lowered her to the ground. Her blood was rushing through her veins as her feet finally touched the ground in front of him.

  His eyes bore into hers and she shivered with a longing that went deep, into a part of her heart that she’d closed off so long ago that she hadn’t even realized it.

  Sadie had often said she didn’t let men get close to her he
art. That she didn’t trust them. And that was because her father had hurt her with his abuse, but more from his total let down as a good father.

  “Amber I have to confess that I brought you here because I wanted to share it with you. I was so angry back there at the house when you told me about your dad that I couldn’t think straight. I wanted to show you something good. To express...” he tugged her a step closer to him and slowly, tenderly brushed hair from her temple. “No one should hurt you, Amber. You deserve so much more.”

  His words touched her and she wondered...what would it be like to be loved by this man? Loved...yes, physically but also to be loved with his heart. His soul. What would forever be like with Chase? It would be wonderful.

  “I’ve only known you a week, Amber, but I’ve never felt this before. I’m falling for you and I can’t believe or understand how it could be happening this fast but I want you to know how I feel. I want the opportunity to see where this could go.”

  She sucked in a deep breath, his scent filling her lungs. “It’s so fast. I’m going back home when this is all over and I get the okay from the police.” She was babbling when she knew she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and tell him she was all in. That she wanted to see where this was going too.

  But she didn’t. “I can’t lie. I’m drawn to you, Chase. And so attracted to you. You’re strong and kind and I feel so safe with you. But—”

  “I get everything you’re saying. But I’m just asking for a shot. I know we have a stalker to rid your life of, but then, I’m just asking for a shot.”

  He deserved a shot at...a relationship? A life with her? Amber wasn’t sure how to classify what he deserved a shot at. But she knew that he deserved for her to take him seriously. He was putting everything on the line for her.

  She nodded and tried to get control of her runaway heart rate. When he smiled and leaned down to kiss her she lifted on her tiptoes and met him. She didn’t even fight to hold back.

  The touch of his lips sent a warm wave of passion cascading over her, weakening her knees and igniting feelings inside of her she’d thought she’d never feel. Thought she would live without...her arms wrapped around his shoulders and drew him closer as she startled herself by joining in with the kiss. She let herself go in that moment, let everything go but loving Chase.