Chase Wheeler's Woman Read Online Free Page A

reason I summoned you here,” Joellen said.
    Chase stopped eating, his spoon in the air. “I don’t understand.”
    “Jasper and I have sold off the majority of our cattle. It’s always been my husband’s dream to breed horses. We’re converting the ranch to that end. I knew you’d be the best one for the job. You have a way with horses, Chase. Your mother would often boast to me about your abilities. Not that she had to, since I’ve seen them firsthand, but it gave her great joy to speak of her son so highly. I know we have you only for the three months we’re away. Do you plan to head back to Seth Johnston’s spread when we return?”
    “Don’t know yet. I left for personal reasons.” In truth, Joellen’s request for him to work temporarily at the Double J couldn’t have come at a better time. Marabella’s deceit had left him cold inside. He didn’t want to be in the same town as her, much less on thesame ranch. “Johnston understood why I had to leave when I did. He’s given me the time off I needed to come here. After that, he expects me to return.”
    “Then we should be grateful to him. He’s letting go a talented man,” Jasper said.
    “He’s a fair man. I’ve been with him since Snow Cloud died.”
    Joellen sighed. “I miss your mother, Chase. She and I had become close friends.” She turned to Jasper, explaining, “I’d visit her on the reservation whenever I had the opportunity.”
    “She valued the visits, too,” Chase added.
    With softness in her eyes, Joellen continued explaining to her husband, “I enjoyed watching this fine man grow up. And later, after his mother was gone, I looked him up whenever I was near Abilene. It was a promise I made to Snow Cloud.”
    Jasper patted her hand. “And you kept that promise, didn’t you?”
    “She did,” Chase said. “And I, too, valued your friendship.”
    He didn’t say it, but he’d come to think of Joellen Withers as family. She’d been the only white woman who’d cared about him, keeping in touch through letters and rare visits.
    Jasper turned to him. “Your horse knowledge was one reason we asked you here. But Joellen had another reason. Want to explain, darling?” Jasper’s loving gaze fell on his wife.
    Joellen smiled, then drew in a breath. “I’m afraid Letty Sue’s too strong-willed for most of the ranchhands here, Chase. She can easily persuade them to do her bidding. That’s the other reason I wanted you as foreman—to look after my daughter. I needed someone I could trust, someone a bit older than the boys she’s used to.”
    “I believe I can handle her.” Chase had no doubts in that regard. He’d seen Letty Sue in action, had figured her out, and had known her kind before. He wasn’t some besotted suitor, willing to allow the woman her way just because she turned her blue eyes in his direction.
    “I know you can, Chase, because I can trust you. I’m asking you to watch out for Letty Sue.”
    Chase cleared his throat and straightened in his seat. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll do my best with the ranch, and with your daughter.”
    “I know you will.” Joellen’s smile was wide with relief. “Well, thank heavens. I feel so much better about leaving her now.”
    “Mama?” Letty Sue stood in the doorway, her eyes darting from her mother’s to Jasper’s, then settling on Chase. She’d cleaned up and looked well rested. Had it only been a few hours since he’d brought her back to the ranch?
    “Letty Sue, I’m glad you decided to join us. Are you feeling better?”
    “I am. I, uh, just needed some rest.” She glanced at Chase, her blue eyes searching his in question. He would just let her stew a bit. She must be dying to know what he’d told Joellen about their encounter this afternoon.
    “Are you hungry for dinner now? Come and have a seat. I made your favorite,” Joellen said.
    Letty Sue sat down next to Chase, in the only available chair. “No, Mama, I’m not at all