Brighter Tomorrows Read Online Free

Horner, our cooper, can bevel a stave to perfection in minutes. He slightly curved the staves where your backside sits for more comfort. Our blacksmith, Evan Burrows, made the wrought iron braces, the hooks and chains. I took them my plans, they did their part. I stained and varnished the staves, and then Tom helped me put it together and hang it.”
    She was one smart cookie and an enterprising one at that.  “Y’all did an outstanding job. You’re a great team; you should go into business together and produce these.” His burdened heart lightened as she beamed from his praise. He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. The instant he felt her stiffen, he lifted his hand. His intent had been to let her know he offered no threat as well as… Well, hell, he came here to see Bethany’s killer apprehended, not to start something he would never be able to offer.
    She acted as if nothing had happened. “We gave it some thought after several people commented on it.” She looked him in the eye and grinned. “If it comes to fruition, we may need an investor to get it off the ground. Do you think you might be interested, Mr. Tate?”
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    When Chase burst out laughing, an infectious deep belly laugh at that, Callie joined in with him. The man’s hearty guffaws and smile could turn a nasty, grouchy, old biddy into kicking up her heels and asking for a dance. While she doubted she would ever trust another man with her affections, she, from the very first, appreciated his devilishly handsome face, and all the other attributes. She found herself extremely conscious of his virile appeal. And the blasted man had a sense of humor. Well, shoot! That made him twice as hard to resist.
    Chase stopped the motion of the swing, stood and turned to her. “I better skedaddle. I don’t anticipate them before two or three days, but I can’t take any chances.” He reached for his Stetson. “And I don’t want to hold you up from your paintin’.” His wink sent a warmth scurrying through her.  He turned, made his way down the steps, and strode down the road.
    She might live by the code to never take interest in or trust a man again, but she found herself admiring his vitality, and again, sensed some bond between them. Maybe it was the fact they had simply loved and lost. She needed to remember the pain, the insult, the sheer agony a man could cause a woman without a second thought.
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    Lunch and supper passed with both relating the day’s events. Callie had finished the painting, and now concentrated on rearranging furniture and adding new draperies. Chase had reviewed plans and schedules with Sheriff Millet, Deputy Hollis, Matt, and several others. Though Callie flinched and worried over his casual “showdown” and what that might entail, they both laughed as he reenacted  how his young recruit had become moon-struck upon meeting Callie’s friend, Marianne Grover.
    Callie lay in bed agonizing over the strange attraction. For years, she had resisted the pull to any man, no matter how handsome or how nice. So, why now? And why would she suddenly feel her heart yearn for a man who still loved his deceased wife? She wouldn’t repeat her mistake of believing she could take another’s place. When she punched her pillow, she cried, but no tears came. They never did.
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Callie leaned back in her chair and enjoyed watching Chase devour the last of his breakfast. It always pleased her to watch a man fully appreciate something she had cooked.
    “I’ve shopping to do, so I may see you in town,” she said, setting down her coffee cup.
    He glanced up. “Be happy to get what you need and save you a trip.”
    “I appreciate your offer, but I’ll need the wagon. I need several odds and ends, plus a lot more flour and corn meal for the corn bread I’m making for the Fourth’s celebration. I should stop to see Marianne, and then Laura at the Chat-a-While, too. I’ve neglected them all