Free Chase Wheeler's Woman by Charlene Sands Page B

truce we’d made. I suppose white folks only pretend to honor their word, to get their way.”
    “Chase, I had good reason.”
    “There is no good reason to break your word.”
    Letty Sue’s long sigh filled the silent night. Chase wasn’t arguing or lecturing, but rather speaking conversationally. It surprised her. She’d had enough of his overbearing ways, but when he spoke to her like this, on equal terms, she felt more willing to open up. “I just couldn’t face another ruined meal.”
    She wouldn’t add that he’d been the cause of it tonight. He’d been a distraction since the moment they’d met, but this evening, watching him best his opponent in the wood-cutting contest, well, Letty Sue hadn’t a mind for anything but him.
    “What’d you ruin this time?”
    “Fried chicken.”
    “My favorite,” he said, then smiled. Her heart flipped at that rare, quick smile. “Maybe you’ll try that one on your next lesson.”
    That he allowed there would be another lesson caused Letty Sue to feel a moment of sheer joy. “Maybe I will,” she said softly.
    “Long as you tell me where you’re headed, and don’t go out at night.”
    “I think I can do that.”
    “See that you do,” he said.
    A short while later they reached the Double J and led their mounts toward the barn. Chase dismounted just outside, holding tight to the reins. Tornado snorted, sidestepped, then reared his head. Chase soothed his stallion with soft, murmured words.
    “What’s wrong with him?” Letty Sue asked.
    “Your mare’s got him excited. Best you dismount now, before Tornado gets too close.”
    Chase turned to her and raised his arms. She dismounted quickly, his hands finding her waist, helping lower her to the ground. She felt his strength, his heat as his splayed fingers grazed the soft underside of her breasts. She sucked in air, but thankfully her gasp was silent. “Maybe Starlight wouldn’t mind his attentions,” she said gently.
    “Maybe,” he replied, his gaze moving over her face, resting finally on her lips. “When the time is right.”
    “And when will that be?” She lifted her eyes to meet his.
    “Not…now,” he answered cautiously.
    The ranch was quiet except for an occasional owl hoot and the muted snorting and rustling of horses in the corral. All the ranch hands had most likely bedded down for the night. Letty Sue’s heart pounded in her chest and she wondered if Chase felt the turmoil he was creating with his hands still on her.
    Tornado snorted loudly once again, bumping Chase with his flank. It brought Chase up against Letty Sue and he wound his arms about her protectively. “You okay?”
    “Mmm…fine,” she answered, still wrapped in his arms.
    He released her quickly. “I’d best put Tornado in the stall tonight. With the mood he’s in, no telling what might happen.”
    Letty Sue stared into his silvery eyes, hoping to read his thoughts.
    He stared back, but then Tornado let out one more agitated, impatient snort and stomped his front hoof. Chase backed away and took his stallion’s reins. “I’ll be back to put Starlight in the corral. It’d be wise to keep him away from her.”
    Letty Sue dug her teeth into her bottom lip as she watched Chase lead his horse into the barn. She had something on her mind, something she had to ask him. She knew she’d be better off not stirring up trouble, but then, that particular notion had never stopped her before. Chase Wheeler had some explaining to do.
    She tethered her mare to a corral post and followed Chase inside the barn. A golden ray of lantern lightbrightened the area where Chase worked on Tornado, rubbing him down. The rest of the big barn was cast in elusive shadows. She stood there hesitantly, watching and wondering if she had the nerve to confront him. Then Chase’s voice broke the silence. He spoke in low tones, commiserating with his horse.
    “Females make you do crazy things, huh, big fella? Like chasing after them in the dark,