Chase Wheeler's Woman (21 page)

“I just need an hour or two. Do you have time to care for Jake?”

Chase stared at her, then a dazzling smile crossed his features. “Sure thing. That, I can do. Give him to me.”

Letty Sue hugged the boy tightly. “You don’t mean to put him up on Tornado?” She made no attempt to hide the panic in her voice. She couldn’t fathom having the child atop such a big, dangerous animal.

Jake must have caught on, because instantly, he nearly crawled out of her arms, reaching for Chase.

“You see?” Chase said smugly, pointing to Jake. “He wants a ride.”

“He’s two years old, Chase. He doesn’t know any better.”

“But I do, Letty Sue. I wouldn’t put the boy in danger. Give him to me.”

He bent down, and reluctantly Letty Sue transferred Jake to his arms. He set Jake in front of him and placed both his chubby hands on the saddle horn. “Now hold on tight. I’ve got you.”

Jake nodded obediently.

Tornado began a slow walk around the perimeter of the yard, Chase guiding him with soft commands. Letty Sue’s gaze remained fastened on the boy, who seemed to be immensely pleased, showing no fear whatsoever.

“Better get to cooking,” Chase said. “Company will be here before you know it.”

Letty Sue stood a moment longer, watching them. Jake appeared safe enough, she thought, sighing deeply. “You just take care with him, Chase Wheeler,” she admonished mildly, “and don’t get him dirty. He’s already had his bath today.”

Chase planted his Stetson on Jake’s blond head, causing the boy to break into giggles, then shot Letty Sue an innocent look. “Yes, ma’am.”

Not two hours later, Letty Sue came dashing out of the house, striding purposefully to the corral. “Chase, have you gone completely mad?”

With a lazy roll of his head, Chase greeted her. “Not the last time I checked, darlin’. Finished cooking?”

“No, not yet. But you’ve got that boy too close to the mustangs. They’re wild, Chase. No telling what will happen.”

Chase stood directly behind Jake, gripping the child, who sat on top of the corral fence just inches from the new colt. The animal’s tawny coat was a few shades darker than little Jake’s sunny blond locks.

“It’s all about trust, Letty Sue. Watch this.” Chase leaned over, stroking the colt’s neck, just under its
mane. The pony’s mouth opened slowly and his tongue lolled to one side.

“He’s learning to trust, isn’t that right, little fella?”

Chase’s singsong voice was light and sweet. Letty Sue had never heard him use that tone. It had a soothing effect on her as well. She stared as Chase gained the colt’s trust, giving his own.

“Nothing’s more important than trust, darlin’,” he said softly, speaking of the mustangs. Or was he?

At the back of the corral, the mare rubbed against her stallion and the stallion snorted, then began prancing, his dark, watchful eyes never wavering.

“He’s not liking this,” Letty Sue said in warning.

“The mare’s worried a bit and she just let the stallion know. But they’ll see soon enough we mean them no harm.”

Letty Sue had to admit the colt seemed to be enjoying Chase’s soothing voice and his deliberate stroking. She swallowed hard, wondering if her husband’s gentle nature was solely restricted to his horses. Or would he pamper his woman that way? Would he speak soft words and stroke her tenderly with those strong hands until he gained her full trust?

Letty Sue’s body tingled with awareness, her heart thumped hard against her chest and she prayed her expression wouldn’t give away what she was feeling inside. More and more, she wanted Chase. There was a growing need inside her that knew no pride or humility. Sadly, she thought, she might never get more from Chase than the memory of his kisses, stolen during forbidden moments in their lives.

“Okay. Now Jake,” Chase said quietly, and Letty Sue was immediately brought back from her errant wanderings. What was Chase planning now with her boy?

He leaned the child toward the colt’s snout, and Letty Sue held her breath. The mare, too, seemed to stand perfectly still, both mothers watching their young. Letty Sue bit her lip to keep from crying out. She had to learn to trust Chase with the boy. He knew what he was doing.

Still, she said a silent prayer.

“Breathe into his nose and he’ll breathe into yours.”

Whether by choice of simply by nature, the boy and colt shared the same air, breathing in and out in their greeting. “That’s it, Jake. You’re doing fine,” Chase said again in a soft, lilting tone, one hand wrapped tight around the boy, the other sliding up and down the colt’s neck. He spoke again to the horse. “You’re kinda sweet, little fella, and you like my boy, Jake here, don’t you? Yeah, and he likes you, too.”

After a few long moments, Chase pulled the boy away from the colt’s snout. “I think you’ve made a friend, Son. The colt’s going to like having you around him now.” He ruffled Jake’s hair.

“Chase, look,” Letty Sue said softly, peering at the mare. The bay had begun walking slowly toward the colt. “She’s coming over.”

Chase’s smile was wide with gratification. “Looks
like I’ve made myself a new friend as well.” He winked at Letty Sue. “A female one.”

“Humph,” she grunted, “
that
doesn’t surprise me.”

Chase chuckled, mischief in his eyes. “Jealous?”

“Never,” she said, and stomped away, but Chase’s solemn voice stopped her.

“Letty Sue?”

“What?” She turned around to search his eyes.

He drew in a deep breath, then set Jake down. The boy ran off when he spotted a jackrabbit by the barn. Chase’s face wore no humor now, but instead looked pensive and somber. “I’d like the boy…well—” he took his hat off and jammed his hand through his thick dark hair “—I’d like Jake to have the colt one day. I’m sure Joellen wouldn’t mind and I’ll work with them both while I’m here….”

While I’m here
. Letty Sue’s stomach clenched tightly, her insides roiling with raw emotion. Her eyes burned hot. “I—I think…that’s a f-fine idea.”

She turned briskly, picking up her skirts, and dashed back to the house.

There was no use denying it; Chase was leaving soon.

Chapter Seventeen

“T
his is really delicious stew, Letty Sue,” Sam said, lifting a spoonful to his mouth. “I’m impressed. Seems like married life agrees with you.”

Sam glanced at Chase, then shifted in one of the dining room’s cane-back chairs and helped himself to another biscuit. A fluffy, evenly cooked biscuit. Chase had to give Letty Sue credit, she’d done a fine job with the meal. Everything tasted mighty good tonight. But hell, Sam was rubbing salt into fresh wounds, bringing up their marriage. Sam knew why Chase had married Letty Sue. Everyone pretty much did, so why was he forever trying to make it seem as though the union was real?

Chase had no such illusions. Yet every time he looked into Letty Sue’s deep blue eyes, viewed her near perfect face and stared with longing at her tempting body, he had a gut feeling she wasn’t the same woman he’d married all those weeks ago. The thought didn’t settle well. He needed to cling to the notion of
leaving soon, but each time he did, an uneasy sensation crept up his spine.

Letty Sue granted Sam a gracious smile. “Thank you, Sam. I appreciate the compliment. But Petey Mayfield gets credit for my cooking abilities. He’s been giving me lessons.”

A look of astonishment crossed Sam’s features. “So that’s where you go when you steal away in the evening. And to think Chase here thought—”

Chase warned Sam off with his most deadly stare.

“What did you think, Chase?” Letty Sue’s full attention was on him, her eyes coaxing out an answer—trying to get him to admit he’d been plagued with jealous notions, no doubt.

“Nothing, Letty Sue.” He turned to Sam. “Not one blasted thing.”

“Well, I did go out one night, but Chase made me promise to take my lessons during the day, when he can drive me into town.”

Sam’s laughter filled the room. “Is that so?”

“Sam, what is so funny?” Sally asked, her face registering confusion.

He took her hand and placed a soft kiss there. “I’ll tell you later, sweetheart.”

Chase pursed his lips before lifting his glass of wine. He stared at the ruby liquid, wishing instead it were a stiff shot of whiskey.

Damn Sam and his meddling ways.

Just because he was getting hitched didn’t mean he knew everything there was to know about the subject.

Letty Sue picked up their plates, Joellen’s finest,
refusing Sally’s help. Then she brought in the dessert, a precisely cooked, golden-crusted pecan pie topped with Letty Sue’s steaming-hot fried apples. Even the coffee tasted great.

Chase frowned, glancing at the three happy faces before him. Letty Sue had already put little Jake to bed, feeding him his meal earlier. Apparently, Chase had worn the boy out today, and now the two couples sat drinking coffee and nibbling on pie at the fancy dining room table.

Letty Sue was the perfect hostess, serving up the food and refilling coffee mugs, a charming smile on her face.

Chase wanted to make love to her tonight. He wanted to undo those tiny pearl buttons she wore and free up the restraints so her ample bosom would spill out. He’d peel her out of her pretty ivory dress and lay her down gently, feasting on her creamy skin. He’d make long, slow, torturous love to her all night, easing the anguish of his taut and tense body.

He wanted all those things. Now. Tonight. And he cursed his nobility, his honor and the vows he’d made to Joellen and his own mother. Vows he’d also made to himself.

Her soft hand on his shoulder stung like wildfire as her sweet jasmine scent surrounded him. “Chase, would you like some more pie? Coffee?”

She stood close by his side—too close. On impulse, he shoved his chair back and stood abruptly. “No thanks, darlin’. I need a smoke. Sam, want to step
outside and let these two get to planning your wedding?”

“Sure thing,” Sam said, taking a last bite of pie and a large gulp of coffee. “Ladies,” he said, standing. “Excuse us.”

He followed Chase outside.

Letty Sue watched them go, then let loose a slow, woeful sigh.

“He’s crazy about you, Letty Sue.”

“Who?” Letty Sue wouldn’t even entertain the notion that Sally might be speaking of Chase.

“Chase, that’s who. You know, the man you married? Your husband.”

Letty Sue cleared away the dessert dishes, bringing them into the kitchen. Sally brought out the cups and coffeepot and set them down in the wash bucket.

“There’s no truth to that, Sally.”

“I’d say there is. That man’s eyes fairly smolder when he looks at you. And he does it often enough. Why, a body wouldn’t think there was anyone else in the room when you’re around, the way those silvery eyes follow your every move.”

Letty Sue shrugged. “What difference does it make? He as much as told me today he’s leaving. He wants little Jake to have the colt he and Sam brought in the other day.”

“He cares for that boy, too, honey. It’s a fact.”

“I know he does. He spoils him, but won’t admit to that.” Letty Sue’s heart lifted at the thought of Chase and Jake today with the pony. They’d been so close, had had so much fun together. Anyone looking
at them would think them father and son from the way they were acting this afternoon.

“When’s your mama due back home?” Sally kept her tone light, but Letty Sue knew what spurred her thinking.

“First of next month. She’ll be sorry she missed the wedding.”

“I wish she could be here, too, but honey, that’s less than a month away.”

“Twenty-five days, to be exact.” Letty Sue had been counting the days, wondering if she could continue living in this house, without Chase, once her mother and Jasper returned.

“Letty Sue, I’ve never seen you give up on anything before. What’s got into you? Why, just about every man in Sweet Springs would almost die for a chance at your attentions.”

She shrugged, unable to hide a grim smile. “Every man but one.”

Sally sidled up to her, whispering, “Have you ever tried to, um,” she began, then cleared her throat, “You know.”

Letty Sue knew immediately what Sally was intimating. But seducing Chase would only lead to more heartbreak. “It wouldn’t do any good, Sally. Chase would only turn me away. He’s done it many times in the past. He’s headstrong and willful. He’s got notions in his head and I can’t change them.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Sally teased, bumping her shoulder. But Letty Sue didn’t laugh or smile. Her fate was almost upon her.

“Still,” Sally said, her eyes filled with mischief, “if he was my husband, I wouldn’t give up.”

Letty Sue balled her fist and set it on her hip. Sally certainly had her curiosity sparked. “And what exactly would you do?”

“I’d let that man know exactly what I wanted from him. I’d show him what he’d be missing without me.”

“I c-can’t, Sally, because in the end he’d still leave. His mind is set. And all I’d be left with was a broken heart.”

“How can you be so doggone sure?”

She lifted her shoulders, then let them fall. “I just know.”

“Still and all, twenty-five days is a long enough time.”

“For what?”

“For the man to realize he’s in love with you.”

Letty Sue felt better a little later, after helping plan Sally’s wedding. Excitement stirred the air with all the fancy ideas they’d both come up with. The ceremony would be held inside, since the Henderson home was large, and Sally would walk down the curving staircase to greet her groom in the parlor by the hearth. Sally’s aunt Bessie would play the piano.

They’d decided to decorate with flowers, since so many were in bloom now, and Sally would wear some of the paler ones in her hair. She’d wear her mother’s cream-colored taffeta-and-lace gown. Her mother, thank heavens, had preserved it in a cedar chest all
these years, hoping one day Sally would have an opportunity to wear it.

They planned to hire Emma and her diner crew to cook up the meal, and afterward, they would celebrate out back under the mesquite trees.

Letty Sue was in charge of the entertainment. She would round up the best musicians in Sweet Springs and they’d have dancing and singing.