Chase Wheeler's Woman (11 page)

It was a dress fit for a Sunday afternoon picnic, with just a touch of lace, and modest lines. But on Letty Sue’s body, there’d be no mistaking the curves and swells, the dips and hollows or the feminine shuffle of petticoats as she sashayed by.

Last night, he could have had her. She’d been willing, but her damn innocence had kept him at bay. She didn’t know what she’d done to him, how the yielding arch of her body had told him in an unwritten law of lovemaking what she’d offered him.

But, she’d have paid a sorry price in the morning for his sexual cravings.

And she would never have forgiven him.

He wasn’t forgetting his promise to Joellen, but hell, last night Letty Sue had nearly made him forget how to breathe, much less his trusted obligation to her family.

Chase pushed himself away from the tree. He needed to get away for a spell. Watching nearly the
entire male population of Sweet Springs put their hands on Letty Sue made his blood boil.

And he hated that, as well.

Letty Sue stood on the sidelines. Eight baskets had been auctioned off already, the creator of each one anonymous. Blue, yellow or red checkered clothes covered each one. The auctioneer, Elvin Monahan, lifted a cover to reveal a lovely vine basket covered with an array of dried flowers. He called for a beginning bid, and the unattached males of Sweet Springs began to holler out. The colorful basket brought a decent price of four dollars. Applause broke out when the gentleman met the lady responsible for the basket. Timothy Higgins, a ranch hand, took up the basket, then met the shy brown eyes of Ellie Singleton, the sheriff’s daughter. Together they entered the eating area, set up with benches and tables under tall, shady mesquite trees.

Elvin Monahan uncovered the next basket in line. As the red checkered cloth was removed, Letty Sue held her breath. It was hers.

Compared to the others, this basket looked as though it had been through a stampede. A hush settled over the crowd. The auctioneer stumbled with his words. “Well, now, uh, look what we have here. Certainly, a worthy prize for anyone with a hankering for good food. Smells awfully delicious.” He lifted the basket up high. “We’ll start the bidding. Who’ll give one dollar? One dollar, I say, who’ll bid one dollar
for this basket? C’mon now, gents, loosen up your pockets.”

Silence.

Letty Sue’s heart nearly stopped. Heat enveloped her as humiliation coursed through her veins. She’d die of mortification if no one bid on her basket.

She’d tried her best, but the Withers’s traditional “rainbow” basket was a complete failure with the most dismal colors. Even the small purple wildflower she’d picked to place on the very top had shriveled up, matching the rest of the gloomy creation.

“Let’s hear one dollar,” the auctioneer coaxed, “one dollar for a good cause here.”

Murmurs went through the crowd.

Letty Sue waited, ramrod stiff, with head held high, ingrained family pride keeping her from bolting. She refused the tears welling up. No. She wouldn’t cry.

She looked out over the crowd, her eyes scanning desperately. Where was Sam? she wondered. Hadn’t he made it to town yet?

Oh Lordy, Letty Sue.

Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy.

Chapter Eight

C
hase stood back from the auction, watching. He didn’t notice the basket Sally Henderson had described to him. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t seen the girl all day.

But he was determined to have himself a fine lunch with Sally. She’d be a pleasant distraction, just the diversion he needed to keep his mind off last night and Letty Sue. Yes, having a companionable afternoon with Sally Henderson would serve two purposes.

She’d keep him occupied with her friendly manner and artless ways. And secondly, Letty Sue would know for certain he’d meant what he said to her last night.

It’d be best for both if she took off to St. Louis to meet up with her folks.

When the auctioneer called the last bid for a god-awful basket, Chase’s mind spun out, recalling this morning, when he’d spied Letty Sue out among a
patch of wildflowers. She’d picked one, purple in color, and walked back to the house.

The very same wildflower sat rather limply atop the basket the auctioneer was holding up.

A sense of impending dread settled in his gut.

That hideous basket was Letty Sue’s.

“Two bits!” a craggy-faced old dough puncher spat out. Chase recognized him from one the ranches he’d done business with a while back.

Chuckles went through the crowd.

Letty Sue’s eyes went wide with shock. Her face contorted in a way Chase had never seen it do.

No doubt about it, that basket was hers.

Where the hell was Sam? Chase scanned the grounds quickly. Sam had warned him off about bidding for Letty Sue’s basket. Said he’d always had the privilege and wanted to keep it that way.

Fine by Chase.

He didn’t want to interfere.

He needed to stay the hell away from Letty Sue.

He’d made himself that promise last night.

So where the hell was Sam?

“Last call for this, uh, fine basket,” the auctioneer called. “I’ve got two bits. Going once, going twice—”

“Ten dollars!” Chase called out.

All eyes turned to him and a hush settled over the crowd.

Chase ground his teeth, holding back a curse.

And quick as you please, the auctioneer finalized the sale.

Chase glanced at Letty Sue. Relief registered on her face, erasing the worry lines and contorted expression. Then the relief was replaced by a look much more frightening; her sky-blue eyes glowed with something akin to hero worship.

Ah, hell.

Chase made his way to the front where the auctioneer stood holding out the basket. He paid for it, doling out the bills slowly while the crowd watched.

Then he turned to Letty Sue with basket in hand. She joined him, her eyes bright, filled with gratitude.

Chase led her away from the curious onlookers.

A knot of dread twisted in his gut.

He wasn’t looking forward to this lunch.

“Delicious chicken, Letty Sue,” Chase said, offering her a compliment. “And the biscuits are real fluffy.”

“Uh, thank you.” Letty Sue couldn’t meet Chase’s eyes at the moment. She wiggled uncomfortably on the picnic bench. Chase had chosen a table far away from the crowd, much to Letty Sue’s surprise. From the look on his face when he’d guided her away from the auction, she didn’t think he’d want to spend any time alone with her. He wouldn’t accept her gratitude, wouldn’t allow her thanks. He simply sat down and began eating.

“Can’t wait to dig into this pie. Cherry?” His steely eyes gleamed, taking in the perfectly browned crust.

“Uh, yes. It’s cherry.”

“You did real good with cooking this food, Letty Sue.”

“My basket was a flop, a failure.” She dipped her head.

“Ah, but I’m sure getting my money’s worth with this meal.”

Letty Sue snapped her head up. “Why’d you bid ten dollars?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.”

It did matter. She wanted to know. “After last night, I…I didn’t think you’d… You said you were bidding on Sally’s basket.”

“Sally’s not around. And where the devil is Sam today?” His head up, Chase searched the church grounds.

“Sally’s brother said Sam’s horse got spooked. Sam hurt his shoulder and Sally stayed behind to tend him.”

Chase rubbed his jaw, his hand working over the area that had been bruised last night. “Too bad. He missed a fine meal.” Chase picked up his fork and dived into the cherry pie.

“Is that all you care about? The food? Why, with the way you’re eating, you’ll be as stout as Mama’s prize heifer in a matter of days!”

Chase lowered his fork, obviously startled at her outburst. “Letty Sue, calm down. What’s got into you?”

“You like the food, don’t you? But you won’t admit the real reason you bid on my basket. You won’t admit that last night—”

“Was a big mistake.” Chase steeled his voice, exhibiting that ever-present calm that Letty Sue found most annoying. “It was my fault. I had too much to drink, Letty Sue. I take full responsibility. It’s best we both forget it ever happened.”

Angered and hurt by his rejection, Letty Sue inhaled sharply. A deep pain lodged in her chest, burning low like glowing embers. Chase Wheeler was the most infuriating man she’d ever known. He confused and perplexed her time and again. Last night he
had
felt something, she was sure, just as she had. He’d come to her when he was hurt and bleeding. He’d needed her.

No man had ever needed her before. They’d wanted her, she believed, but Chase had needed her. He’d kissed and caressed her, making her body sing with passion before denying her more. And then today, he’d come to her rescue yet again, spending far too much money on a miserable picnic basket.

“You bid ten dollars on a basket you knew darn well wouldn’t be fit for consumption, Chase Wheeler.”

He finished off the last bite of pie. “But it
was
fit for consumption. It’s one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten, Letty Sue.” His smug expression was her undoing.

She stood, tossing her checkered napkin across the table. “Well, you can just thank Emma Mayfield for that! I paid a visit to the diner after the stupid wagon hit a rough spot on the road. The basket fell off and
everything spilled out! I had to beg her to cook up her very best for my disastrous basket!”

Shock registered on Chase’s face. His eyes went wide with astonishment and his gaze roamed over the plate of food he’d just eaten. Letty Sue stood there with hands on hips, happy to have finally rattled the man.

He stood then, unfolding to his full height, taking her in, his smoky eyes penetrating hers.

Then he burst out laughing.

Chase made his way to a tall mesquite tree. The meal had filled his belly and he was ready to sit for a while, maybe close his eyes and rest. He sat down, then sprawled out, bracing his head against the tree trunk. Overhead, leaves rustled and the thick lacy branches shaded him from the day’s heat.

Lifting the brim of his hat, he scanned the area. Angry with him, Letty Sue had taken off a minute ago, but now he spotted her talking with Sam and Sally. The two had lunched together after the bidding was over. Sam’s shoulder was wrapped, but from all appearances, the man seemed fine. It didn’t appear that he minded Sally’s attentions, either.

Chase closed his eyes, ready for a short respite, but Letty Sue’s image, furious and indignant, popped into his head. He knew the woman had spent the entire day cooking yesterday. She’d probably worked harder in one day than she had in her entire young life. Then, by accident, all her hard work had been dumped off the wagon when it hit a bump in the pitted road.

But he did admire her resourcefulness. Her dismal failures would have bested a weaker woman. Letty Sue hadn’t given up. She’d been determined to show up here today with a basket filled with food. She’d done it, too.

Chase grinned. It was plain as day that Letty Sue wasn’t cut out for domestic skills. Any man who wound up with her would have to know that from the start. Yet that man probably wouldn’t care, given her other female attributes.

She could make a man forget his own name.

She’d had that very same effect on him last night.

Chase had regrets about their encounter, but the memory of her pliant body in his arms, the soft, creamy smoothness of her skin, the giving way her mouth pressed his would be forever etched in his mind.

He yanked his hat down low on his forehead and closed his eyes. Nothing like a good nap to clear a man’s head.

The all-too-familiar scent of jasmine wafted in the air, bringing Chase out of his slumber. He turned his head in the direction of the pleasing fragrance and opened his eyes slowly. Raising up slightly, he made sure not to disturb the silence.

Letty Sue lay curled up next to him on a thin quilt she’d brought to the picnic. Her pinned-up hair had come half-loose in a wild tangle. Dark strands framed her lovely face, creating a vision so darn enticing Chase could only stare, watching her sleep peacefully.

“Brave Spirited Raven,” he whispered. He longed to run his fingers through the dark silk, but he didn’t want to disturb her peace, or his own. Touching her again would only bring forth images he’d best wipe clean from his mind.

He still couldn’t believe she’d come anywhere near him again. Her anger had matched her exasperation when he’d laughed in her face today. He hadn’t meant to hurt her and he hadn’t been laughing over her carelessness with the basket, as she believed. It was her clever and inventive way of dealing with a dilemma that surprised him.

But the woman would never believe his claims of innocence on that matter. They were too different, though both were more than a bit stubborn, and they tended to lock horns more than they ever agreed on a subject.

Walk as one, stand together.

With his gaze fastened on Letty Sue, so pretty in her saffron-yellow dress, her ample chest rising and falling serenely in her slumber, Chase could only shake his head.

Letty Sue, the temptress with the near perfect face and brilliant azure eyes, would never be his.

He knew that as sure as he knew that the blazing sun would most certainly vanish below the horizon tonight.

Letty Sue opened her eyes to find herself lying next to Chase Wheeler under a tall mesquite tree, away from the festivities. His gaze was on the potato-sack
race happening in the clearing just beyond the picnic tables. She sat up quickly, fidgeted with the hair that had come undone and straightened out creases in her dress. It hadn’t been her intent to fall asleep next to him. She’d come to speak with him, and while she patiently waited for him to awaken, she must have fallen asleep as well.

He turned to her and smiled. Why did his smiles mean so much to her? And why were her feelings all jumbled up? Up until now, she’d been a woman who knew her own mind. She’d always known what she wanted from life, had always known how to get it.

But it was Sally who’d coerced her earlier into coming back here. She’d said that Letty Sue didn’t really know Chase, and that to better understand him, she should try talking with him. Simply talking. They’d never really done that.