He leaned the child toward the colt’s snout, and Letty Sue held her breath. The mare, too, seemed to stand perfectly still, both mothers watching their young. Letty Sue bit her lip to keep from crying out. She had to learn to trust Chase with the boy. He knew what he was doing.
Still, she said a silent prayer.
“Breathe into his nose and he’ll breathe into yours.”
Whether by choice of simply by nature, the boy and colt shared the same air, breathing in and out in their greeting. “That’s it, Jake. You’re doing fine,” Chase said again in a soft, lilting tone, one hand wrapped tight around the boy, the other sliding up and down the colt’s neck. He spoke again to the horse. “You’re kinda sweet, little fella, and you like my boy, Jake here, don’t you? Yeah, and he likes you, too.”
After a few long moments, Chase pulled the boy away from the colt’s snout. “I think you’ve made a friend, Son. The colt’s going to like having you around him now.” He ruffled Jake’s hair.
“Chase, look,” Letty Sue said softly, peering at the mare. The bay had begun walking slowly toward the colt. “She’s coming over.”
Chase’s smile was wide with gratification. “Looks like I’ve made myself a new friend as well.” He winked at Letty Sue. “A female one.”
“Humph,” she grunted, “that doesn’t surprise me.”
Chase chuckled, mischief in his eyes. “Jealous?”
“Never,” she said, and stomped away, but Chase’s solemn voice stopped her.
“Letty Sue?”
“What?” She turned around to search his eyes.
He drew in a deep breath, then set Jake down. The boy ran off when he spotted a jackrabbit by the barn. Chase’s face wore no humor now, but instead looked pensive and somber. “I’d like the boy…well—” he took his hat off and jammed his hand through his thick dark hair “—I’d like Jake to have the colt one day. I’m sure Joellen wouldn’t mind and I’ll work with them both while I’m here….”
While I’m here. Letty Sue’s stomach clenched tightly, her insides roiling with raw emotion. Her eyes burned hot. “I—I think…that’s a f-fine idea.”
She turned briskly, picking up her skirts, and dashed back to the house.
There was no use denying it; Chase was leaving soon.
Chapter Seventeen
“This is really delicious stew, Letty Sue,” Sam said, lifting a spoonful to his mouth. “I’m impressed. Seems like married life agrees with you.”
Sam glanced at Chase, then shifted in one of the dining room’s cane-back chairs and helped himself to another biscuit. A fluffy, evenly cooked biscuit. Chase had to give Letty Sue credit, she’d done a fine job with the meal. Everything tasted mighty good tonight. But hell, Sam was rubbing salt into fresh wounds, bringing up their marriage. Sam knew why Chase had married Letty Sue. Everyone pretty much did, so why was he forever trying to make it seem as though the union was real?
Chase had no such illusions. Yet every time he looked into Letty Sue’s deep blue eyes, viewed her near perfect face and stared with longing at her tempting body, he had a gut feeling she wasn’t the same woman he’d married all those weeks ago. The thought didn’t settle well. He needed to cling to the notion of leaving soon, but each time he did, an uneasy sensation crept up his spine.
Letty Sue granted Sam a gracious smile. “Thank you, Sam. I appreciate the compliment. But Petey Mayfield gets credit for my cooking abilities. He’s been giving me lessons.”
A look of astonishment crossed Sam’s features. “So that’s where you go when you steal away in the evening. And to think Chase here thought—”
Chase warned Sam off with his most deadly stare.
“What did you think, Chase?” Letty Sue’s full attention was on him, her eyes coaxing out an answer—trying to get him to admit he’d been plagued with jealous notions, no doubt.
“Nothing, Letty Sue.” He turned to Sam. “Not one blasted thing.”
“Well, I did go out one night, but Chase made me promise to take my lessons during the day, when he can drive me into town.”
Sam’s laughter filled the room. “Is that so?”
“Sam, what is so funny?” Sally asked, her face registering confusion.
He took her hand and placed a soft kiss there. “I’ll tell you later, sweetheart.”
Chase pursed his lips before lifting his glass of wine. He stared at the ruby liquid, wishing instead it were a stiff shot of whiskey.
Damn Sam and his meddling ways.
Just because he was getting hitched didn’t mean he knew everything there was to know about the subject.
Letty Sue picked up their plates, Joellen’s finest, refusing Sally’s help. Then she brought in the dessert, a precisely cooked, golden-crusted pecan pie topped with Letty Sue’s steaming-hot fried apples. Even the coffee tasted great.
Chase frowned, glancing at the three happy faces before him. Letty Sue had already put little Jake to bed, feeding him his meal earlier. Apparently, Chase had worn the boy out today, and now the two couples sat drinking coffee and nibbling on pie at the fancy dining room table.
Letty Sue was the perfect hostess, serving up the food and refilling coffee mugs, a charming smile on her face.
Chase wanted to make love to her tonight. He wanted to undo those tiny pearl buttons she wore and free up the restraints so her ample bosom would spill out. He’d peel her out of her pretty ivory dress and lay her down gently, feasting on her creamy skin. He’d make long, slow, torturous love to her all night, easing the anguish of his taut and tense body.
He wanted all those things. Now. Tonight. And he cursed his nobility, his honor and the vows he’d made to Joellen and his own mother. Vows he’d also made to himself.
Her soft hand on his shoulder stung like wildfire as her sweet jasmine scent surrounded him. “Chase, would you like some more pie? Coffee?”
She stood close by his side—too close. On impulse, he shoved his chair back and stood abruptly. “No thanks, darlin’. I need a smoke. Sam, want to step outside and let these two get to planning your wedding?”
“Sure thing,” Sam said, taking a last bite of pie and a large gulp of coffee. “Ladies,” he said, standing. “Excuse us.”
He followed Chase outside.
Letty Sue watched them go, then let loose a slow, woeful sigh.
“He’s crazy about you, Letty Sue.”
“Who?” Letty Sue wouldn’t even entertain the notion that Sally might be speaking of Chase.
“Chase, that’s who. You know, the man you married? Your husband.”
Letty Sue cleared away the dessert dishes, bringing them into the kitchen. Sally brought out the cups and coffeepot and set them down in the wash bucket.
“There’s no truth to that, Sally.”
“I’d say there is. That man’s eyes fairly smolder when he looks at you. And he does it often enough. Why, a body wouldn’t think there was anyone else in the room when you’re around, the way those silvery eyes follow your every move.”
Letty Sue shrugged. “What difference does it make? He as much as told me today he’s leaving. He wants little Jake to have the colt he and Sam brought in the other day.”
“He cares for that boy, too, honey. It’s a fact.”
“I know he does. He spoils him, but won’t admit to that.” Letty Sue’s heart lifted at the thought of Chase and Jake today with the pony. They’d been so close, had had so much fun together. Anyone looking at them would think them father and son from the way they were acting this afternoon.
“When’s your mama due back home?” Sally kept her tone light, but Letty Sue knew what spurred her thinking.
“First of next month. She’ll be sorry she missed the wedding.”
“I wish she could be here, too, but honey, that’s less than a month away.”
“Twenty-five days, to be exact.” Letty Sue had been counting the days, wondering if she could continue living in this house, without Chase, once her mother and Jasper returned.
She shrugged, unable to hide a grim smile. “Every man but one.”
Sally sidled up to her, whispering, “Have you ever tried to, um,” she began, then cleared her throat, “You know.”
Letty Sue knew immediately what Sally was intimating. But seducing Chase would only lead to more heartbreak. “It wouldn’t do any good, Sally. Chase would only turn me away. He’s done it many times in the past. He’s headstrong and willful. He’s got notions in his head and I can’t change them.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Sally teased, bumping her shoulder. But Letty Sue didn’t laugh or smile. Her fate was almost upon her.
“Still,” Sally said, her eyes filled with mischief, “if he was my husband, I wouldn’t give up.”
Letty Sue balled her fist and set it on her hip. Sally certainly had her curiosity sparked. “And what exactly would you do?”
“I’d let that man know exactly what I wanted from him. I’d show him what he’d be missing without me.”
“I c-can’t, Sally, because in the end he’d still leave. His mind is set. And all I’d be left with was a broken heart.”
“How can you be so doggone sure?”
She lifted her shoulders, then let them fall. “I just know.”
“Still and all, twenty-five days is a long enough time.”
“For what?”
“For the man to realize he’s in love with you.”
Letty Sue felt better a little later, after helping plan Sally’s wedding. Excitement stirred the air with all the fancy ideas they’d both come up with. The ceremony would be held inside, since the Henderson home was large, and Sally would walk down the curving staircase to greet her groom in the parlor by the hearth. Sally’s aunt Bessie would play the piano.
They’d decided to decorate with flowers, since so many were in bloom now, and Sally would wear some of the paler ones in her hair. She’d wear her mother’s cream-colored taffeta-and-lace gown. Her mother, thank heavens, had preserved it in a cedar chest all these years, hoping one day Sally would have an opportunity to wear it.
They planned to hire Emma and her diner crew to cook up the meal, and afterward, they would celebrate out back under the mesquite trees.
Letty Sue was in charge of the entertainment. She would round up the best musicians in Sweet Springs and they’d have dancing and singing.
How perfect Sally’s wedding would be! Both she and Sam deserved such a fine celebration. Letty Sue couldn’t be more pleased for her friends, but she realized during all the planning that she didn’t need any of that to make her happy.
No, what would make Letty Sue happy was far different than flowers and dancing and a fancy celebration.
Chase entered the kitchen after seeing Sam and Sally off. “I’ve never seen two people better suited for each other.”
Letty Sue smiled in agreement and walked into the parlor. It was late, she was tired, and most of all, she needed some time apart from Chase. Tonight especially, after entertaining their friends, the marriage felt almost real, but Letty Sue had to let go of those feelings. She knew that now. “I know. I’m so glad they found each other. Some people go their entire life and don’t find what they’re looking for.”
Chase stepped closer to her, searching her eyes. “Sam found Sally, your mother found Jasper. Sometimes it works out.”
“And sometimes it doesn’t,” she said softly. “I’m tired, Chase. I’m going to bed.”
She turned to leave, but his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close. He had a look about him tonight, a dangerous, dark, seductive look. Letty Sue didn’t want to delve into what that look meant, not now. She just wanted to shut her mind off, close her eyes and lose herself in sleep.
“You did real good tonight. The meal was wonderful.”
She nodded and pried herself out of his arms. “Thank you. I’ve been working at it.”
When she stepped back, he followed her, his eyes gleaming, calling to her. She landed smack against the parlor wall. He moved in closer, trapping her with his legs widespread. “You look real pretty tonight, too.” His index finger traced the edging of lace around her bodice, until he met the first of her pearl buttons, just above her breasts. He toyed with the button and dropped his gaze to it. “I like this dress.”
Letty Sue’s body stirred. Every time the man touched her she had to subdue the rapid rumblings of her heart and the incessant tingling his every caress evoked. “Chase, don’t.”
“Can’t a man compliment his wife?”
“I’m not really your wife, remember?” She spoke in hushed tones, her back pinned against the wall.
“Sometimes I forget.”
“Well, it’s best you remember because I—”
His finger brushed her lips. “Shh. No more talking, darlin’.” And his mouth replaced his finger, covering her lips in a fiery kiss.
Letty Sue thought she’d melt from the heat, the flaming fire of his kiss was so potent, so incredibly intense. He pressed his body close, his solid strength overwhelming her. She could get lost in him, in his power and vitality.
His mouth consumed hers, commanding her to respond. And she did respond, thrilling to his nearness, his absolute, unyielding passion. The intimate way he possessed her, parting her lips and driving inside as though staking his claim, made her head spin crazily.
His arms wound around her, pulling her in tight, the carnal need in him evident and breathtaking. He didn’t try to hide his desire, and there was no mistaking it.
The top button of her dress popped open under his nimble fingers. And then the next. He drove his hand inside the material, cupping her breast and letting out an anguished groan of pleasure.
She felt it, too, this pleasure, this unwavering spark of passion. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to know him this way, to give herself up to him. His kisses were hot and heady as he continued his primal assault. She relished the feel of him stroking her, making her tips go pebble hard. Oh, it felt so good, so right.
Did he not feel the love pouring out? How could he not see what his touch did to her? How could he not see how much she wanted to be truly his?
Lordy, Letty Sue, she thought frantically.
I love him.
She did, and there was no more denying it. A sense of futility set in. No matter what occurred, Chase would leave the Double J. He’d leave as soon as her mother returned. Letty Sue wouldn’t fool herself into thinking otherwise. He’d spoken of lust many times in the past. That was all he felt for her.
There was no grand love or devotion on his part. She might wait a lifetime and not hear the words she so desperately needed from him. She feared she never would. She’d give him her all and in the end she’d be left, once again, with nothing. No marriage, no husband, no heart.
As right as his caresses felt to her, the whole of it was wrong, because love did not enter into the picture. At least, not for him.
Letty Sue wanted his love.
She was proud enough not to settle for anything less.
With all her might, she shoved at him. Catching him off guard, she was actually able to move him off her. He fell back a step.
Stunned, he simply stared.
She redid the buttons on her dress with trembling hands and pleaded, “Don’t compliment me, Chase. Don’t say nice things. Don’t kiss me until I want to die from the pleasure and don’t touch me so tenderly my heart nearly bursts from my chest. Just don’t do it. I really can’t take it anymore.”
“Letty Sue—” he began gently, but she interrupted, pointing her finger.
“And don’t…don’t say my name like it means something to you. I’m asking you, Chase. Please, just leave me be.”
She pushed away from the wall, leaving the parlor and an astonished, dumbfounded husband behind.
Letty Sue
closed her bedroom door, slumping against it. “And most of all, Chase Wheeler,” she whispered in her dark, desolate room, “don’t make me fall deeper in love with you.”
Chase stared at the empty hallway, his body still tight with undisguised desire. He dragged a hand down his face, wondering what had just happened.
He had entered the house after seeing Sam and Sally off, fully intending to say a brief good-night to Letty Sue before turning in. But then he saw her—looking so damn beautiful, wearing a pride-filled, satisfied expression—and realized he, too, had been proud of her accomplishment tonight. He’d only wanted to tell her so, but then something had fairly snapped in his brain—or farther down, below his waist, more likely—and he’d nearly seduced her.
He’d wanted to.
She was his wife, dammit.
But Chase didn’t think he’d ever lose control that way. She hadn’t tempted him or teased him. She hadn’t connived or played havoc with his mind, and Lord only knew, she certainly could if she wanted to. But she hadn’t done any of those things.
Instead, she’d been sincere in her efforts, making for a most pleasant, entertaining evening. Chase enjoyed watching her bustle about the dining room. He couldn’t quite get that vision out of his head, of her sweet smiling face, her cordial ways, her courteous behavior. She was a true friend to Sam and Sally, wanting only to please her friends with helping to plan the wedding.
The spoiled, inept woman he’d married, Twisted-foot Woman, seemed to no longer exist. Maybe she’d grown up. And if that were the case, Chase was in real big trouble.
He let loose a weary sigh and began to undress. Tossing aside his shirt, removing his boots, then undoing his pants, he laid his blanket down and cursed his predicament.
He had a wife and child.
He couldn’t keep either of them.
He was leaving in less than a month.
That was the way it had to be. Besides, Letty Sue had told him she’d not ask him to stay even if he had a mind to. She didn’t want this marriage any more than he did.
Chase Wheeler's Woman Page 17