Denim and Diamonds Read Online Free Page B

different. And he was. The Chase Brown that Letty remembered wasn’t judgmental or unkind. He used to be fond of children. Letty recalled that, years ago, when they walked through town, kids would automatically come running to Chase. He usually had coins for the gumball machine tucked away in his pocket, which he’d dole out judiciously. Something about him seemed to attract children, and the fact that Cricket had taken to him instantly was proof of his appeal.
    An icy hand closed around Letty’s heart at the memory. Chase was the type of man who should have married and fathered a houseful of kids. Over the years, she’d hoped he’d done exactly that.
    But he hadn’t. Instead, Chase had turned bitter and hard. Letty was well aware that she’d hurt him terribly. How she regretted that! Chase had loved her, but all he felt for her now was disdain. In years past, he hadn’t been able to disguise his love; now, sadly, he had difficulty hiding his dislike.
    Letty had seen the wounded look in his eyes when she’d walked into the kitchen the day before. She’d known then that she’d been the one to put it there. If she hadn’t been so familiar with him, he might have been able to fool her.
    If only she could alter the past…
    “Mommy, what’s his name again?” Cricket demanded.
    “Mr. Brown.”
    “Can I wave to him?”
    “Not now.”
    “I want to talk to him.”
    Exasperated, Letty placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper, “Why?”
    “Because I bet he has a horse. Uncle Lonny won’t let me ride his. Maybe Mr. Brown will.”
    “Oh, Cricket, I don’t think so….”
    “Why not?” the little girl pressed.
    “We’ll talk about this later.”
    “But I can ask, can’t I? Please?”
    The elderly couple in front of them turned around to see what all the commotion was about.
    “Mommy?” Cricket persisted, clearly running out of patience.
    “Yes, fine,” Letty agreed hurriedly, against her better judgment.
    From that moment on, Cricket fidgeted. Letty had to speak to her twice during the fifteen-minute sermon; during the closing hymn, Cricket turned around to wave at Chase. She could barely wait for the end of the service so she could rush over and ask about his horse.
    Letty could feel the dread mounting inside her. Chase didn’t want anything to do with Cricket, and Letty hated the thought of him hurting the little girl’s feelings. When the final prayer was offered, Letty added a small request of her own.
    “Can we leave now?” Cricket said, reaching for her mother’s hand and tugging at it as the concluding burst of organ music filled the church.
    Letty nodded. Cricket dropped her hand and was off. Letty groaned inwardly and dashed after her.
    Standing on the church steps, Letty saw that Chase was walking toward the parking lot when Cricket caught up with him. She must have called his name, because Chase turned around abruptly. Even from that distance, Letty could see his dark frown. Quickening her step, she made her way toward them.
    “Good morning, Chase,” she greeted him, forcing a smile as she stood beside Cricket.
    “Letty.” His hat was in his hand and he rotated the brim, as though eager to make his escape, which Letty felt sure he was.
    “I asked him already,” Cricket blurted out, glancing up at her mother.
    From the look Chase was giving Letty, he seemed to believe she’d put Cricket up to this. As if she spent precious time thinking up ways to irritate him!
    “Mr. Brown’s much too busy, sweetheart,” Letty said, struggling to keep her voice even and controlled. “Perhaps you can ride his horse another time.”
    Cricket nodded and grinned. “That’s what he said, too.”
    Surprised, Letty gazed up at Chase. She was grateful he hadn’t been harsh with her daughter. From somewhere deep inside, she dredged up a smile to thank him, but he didn’t answer it with one of his own. A fresh sadness settled over Letty. The past would always stand