Chase Wheeler's Woman Read Online Free Page B

hungry.”
    “Poor dear. I guess it was fortunate for you that Chase came along when he did today. I understand Albert’s buggy broke a wheel. You would have had to walk all that way back to the ranch in the pouring rain. Whatever did happen to Albert?”
    Letty Sue’s face flushed ruby-red. She swallowed hard and found her lap real interesting. “Uh, Mama, I, um—”
    “He was determined to fix that broken wheel, Joellen. Couldn’t talk him out of it,” Chase explained.
    Letty Sue fixed her startled gaze on him. “Yes. Yes, that’s right, Mama.”
    “Oh, well, I suppose he made it back to town all right then.”
    “I don’t expect we’ll be seeing much of him for a while,” Chase added, rubbing his jaw.
    “Really? Why is that?” Joellen asked.
    “Uh,” he began, capturing Letty Sue’s wide-eyed, fearful expression. “I imagine the man’s caught himself one heck of a chill.” He raised his eyebrows at Letty Sue. She froze, sending him a stony look. Chase cleared his throat. “What with trudging all the way back to town in the downpour.”
    “Oh, dear. Maybe we’d better check on him before we leave, Jasper,” Joellen said, deeply concerned.
    “No!” Letty Sue exclaimed, shaking her head. “Imean… I think Albert’s going to be just fine, Mama. Really, there’s no need.”
    Chase kept his expression blank. “I agree. Men don’t usually like to be coddled. He’ll be fine. You and Jasper have more important matters to tend to. You’re leaving day after tomorrow, isn’t that right?”
    “Yes, that’s right. We’re almost all packed. And Jasper and I have some details to go over with you about the running of the ranch. Tonight you’ll bed down in our spare room, but I’m afraid, once we’re gone, you’re going to have to sleep in the bunkhouse.”
    Chase glanced at Letty Sue. The ruby-red color singed her cheeks once again. She was a beauty who could tempt a man to distraction, so how on earth was it possible the woman was still as innocent as a newborn foal? Yet he’d bet his bottom dollar that she was. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Jasper stood and slapped him gently on the back. “Good, then let’s retire to the parlor and have us a smoke. We’ll go over those details Joellen was referring to.”
    Chase raised up from his chair, but not before casting one more glance Letty Sue’s way. “’Night, Letty Sue.”
    In a haughty tone, Letty Sue replied, “Good night, Mr. Wheeler.”
    Letty Sue bristled in her bed. Oh, that man, she thought scornfully, he’d loved making her squirm tonightat the supper table. For one frantic moment, she thought he’d told her mother the truth about what had happened with Albert.
    That would have been disastrous.
    But in the end, Chase had concealed the truth, making up that story about the buggy breaking down.
    Still and all, she didn’t trust him. He was too sure of himself, a bit too confident.
    Letty Sue had been reduced to receiving his aid in a most undignified manner this afternoon—wearing that scratchy grain sack and having his hands on her, rubbing her limbs back to life. She’d shivered so fiercely from the cold, her brains had nearly rattled inside her head.
    Yet he’d been kind to her and he had warmed her. His touch was gentle and sure and, Letty Sue admitted grudgingly, better than anything she’d ever experienced with Albert.
    Chase Wheeler’s hands, filled with strength and tenderness, had made her tingle with warmth almost from the first moment they’d caressed her skin. She closed her eyes now, recalling how he’d made her feel—soft, feminine, womanly.
    A thought filtered in: he’d be a wonderful lover….
    Letty Sue! Your brains must be rattled today. He’s a half-breed, this side of savage, and not at all the man for you!
    She punched her pillow and shifted in bed. Besides, she thought bitterly, he doesn’t even like you.
    And she certainly didn’t like him, either.
    The next two days sped by faster than