Brighter Tomorrows Read Online Free Page B

ranch north of here, but he…oh Lord, he set my heart to pounding when he first looked at me. He’s only twenty-four, but he seems so much more mature, and his voice—” She broke off, and in a moment, went on shyly, “Just to hear him talk sent thrills through me to my toes like I’ve never felt before. And he never once commented on my gimpy leg.”
    Callie saw red. With hands fisted on hips, she glared. “I’ll say it again; a lame leg doesn’t make you any less of a person. All Timothy wanted was a wife who could work his farm from sunup till sundown, and when he realized you couldn’t, he showed his true colors. He wasn’t worth your time.”
    Marianne burst out laughing. “My staunch defender. My guardian angel. My—”
    “Oh, stop,” Callie spat. “I’m just saying it like it was. Howard wanted a rich wife. When he found out you weren’t as rich as he thought, he hightailed it. You’re too good for someone like either of them.”
    Marianne scowled. “If it hadn’t been for my gimp leg—”
    “I’m telling you, your leg shouldn’t make a difference,” Callie snapped.
    “That’s fine for you to say. You don’t want a man. I do. I want love, laughter… and a few cuddles.”
    Callie raised her brows. “Only a few cuddles? Really?” When their gazes met, they started laughing with a spate of shared giggles just as the overhead bell jingled.
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    “Shucks, Matt, I think we just missed a good joke.” Chase grinned at the two lovely women in the throes of merriment. Callie’s allure robbed his breath, and his desires flamed as hot as a raging camp fire. His growing feelings scared the hell out of him. He hadn’t wanted to care again.
    They jumped and turned. Their mutual rounded-eyed surprise looked as if they had been caught smoking a cigar. “Why…Mr. Tate,” Callie stammered as her cheeks turned a delightful shade of rose. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Her eyes sparkled. Pleasure he knew he should not allow crept through him.
    “Met young Tremayne, here, and he wanted to stop and say hello to Miss Grover.”
    “I couldn’t walk past your shop without saying good morning, Marianne,” Matt said, his firm, deep voice once again surprising Chase. Matt had matured ten years before his eyes. After only two days, they were on first-name basis, Matt and Marianne. Chase smiled. The kid had it bad. Who the hell was he to talk?
    “That’s so nice to hear, Matt. I welcome your visits anytime,” Miss Grover said sweetly as she crossed the room.
    Chase noticed her slight limp.
    “Have you met my dear friend, Miss Callie Lynch? She runs the boarding house, Apple Grove Inn.” Miss Grover smiled at Matt.
    “No, I haven’t,” Matt replied. “It’s a pleasure,” he tipped his head in greeting.
    “Thank you, Mr. Tremayne. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Marianne mentioned she’d met you. Have you seen her animals? If you like cats, dogs, ducks, and rabbits, you’re in for a treat.” She offered a congenial smile, yet Chase noted her eagle eye as she awaited Matt’s reply. Hmm.
    Matt’s eyebrows arched as his eyes went round. He glanced at Marianne. “You never mentioned animals. Are they here?” The minute his grin turned into a wide, open smile, Chase noted Callie’s satisfied smile—a smile that just about completely disarmed him. Get a grip, Matlock!
    Marianne shook her head. “They’re at home. Sometimes, I bring Hunter and Millie, my two dogs, but not too often. They’re happier at home.” She beamed at Matt, and Chase figured the two lovebirds had totally forgotten two other people were present.
    “I love animals. I’d enjoy seeing them sometime,” Matt eagerly offered.
    “You can visit any time,” Marianne returned with equal zeal.
    “Please excuse me, but I need to be on my way.” He nodded. “Miss Grover, Miss Lynch.”  He leveled Matt with a scowl he hoped told the young’un to hustle so they could meet the others. As he exited, he heard