“You don’t think I’m a brat now, do you?”
Chance hesitated and Lizzie swiveled her head to gaze at him. “Do you?”
He feigned deep thought. “Depends.”
“Depends? On what?”
“On whether or not you’re gonna let me take a bath with you.”
“There’s hardly room for two of us in here. You’re so big and—”
Chance began stripping off his clothes. His chest bared, Lizzie lost her train of thought. “I got caught in that dust storm, darlin’. I’m gonna need some good scrubbing to get clean.”
Then he yanked off his boots and the rest of his clothes came next. He stood next to the tub, gloriously exposed, watching her. She couldn’t look at his body without wanting him. “You’re a devil, Chance Worth.”
“Okay by me, if you get out and wash me.”
“Is that so?”
“Just don’t put on any clothes. I sorta like the notion of you sponging me without a stitch on.”
The next few days floated by like a dream. Their time together was thrilling and amazing. Lizzie couldn’t seem to think about anything but Chance. They’d get their chores done as quickly as possible and then spend their nights making love and talking afterward for hours. Chance shared stories of his time in the orphanage and she told him about her life on the ranch when her father was alive. Lizzie now looked at Chance as the man she loved, but as her friend, too. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t tell him. She hoped he felt the same way. He certainly hadn’t mentioned leaving the ranch, which she viewed as a very good sign.
Lizzie couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier. And Chance, too, wore a smile for her every day. Their lives seemed to fit. The ranch was thriving. Everything was finally falling into place.
And best of all, Lizzie had a secret she held close to her heart. She could hardly contain her excitement. Tomorrow, she’d planned on cooking a fancy dinner and dressing up pretty for Chance before giving him her surprise.
Chapter Fifteen
New dawn broke through the curtains in Lizzie’s bedroom, the early beams of light waking Chance. He rose quietly and grabbed his clothes as he glanced at Lizzie sound asleep in the bed. He leaned over to cover her shoulders with the quilt and brush a light kiss on her forehead. He wouldn’t wake her, she needed rest. Last night, she hadn’t been her usual self, her stomach cramping and upset. He’d held her during the night comforting her to sleep.
Chance strode to the door and as he grasped the knob, he stopped to take another look at her before walking out. His lips curved up in a wide smile. He’d never been so smitten with a woman that he needed to steal one last lingering glance before leaving her bed. His feelings for Lizzie overpowered him. He was in love with her. The revelation had hit him a few days ago and since then he’d been letting the notion seep into his brain and take hold. He’d never felt this way about a woman before. He’d never trusted himself with that emotion. But Lizzie had torn down the defensive walls that he’d built inside himself as protection. She’d wedged her way in with sass and grit. She was strong, a survivor, and the right woman for him.
He loved her from the bottom of his heart.
He wanted to marry her and live on this ranch and raise children with her. The idea had been brewing in his head ever since Hayden had asked Lizzie to marry him. Funny thing, for all those weeks prior, a proposal from Hayden had been exactly what Chance had been hoping for. But when it happened, Chance had realized what he would stand to lose. More than anything in his life, he needed Lizzie.
Chance dressed quickly and strode outside to feed the livestock. As a treat for his loyal horses, he hand-fed Melody and Joyful sugar cubes after they’d had their fill of oats. He mucked a few stalls and spread fresh hay down for the two horses that would help build this ranch. Chance had plans for the Mitchell spread. He envisioned him and Lizzie, chasing their youngsters around the yard as a thousand head of cattle grazed the land. He’d pull calves, and Lizzie would bear children. They’d work hard and build something for the future. His head was bustling with ideas.
Lizzie had promised him a fancy meal tonight.
It would be the perfect time to propose.
An hour later, he washed up before entering the house for breakfast. Lizzie was standing by the cookstove, hunched over the coffeepot, her hand covering her stomach. He strode to her side. “Lizzie, what is it?”
“It’s nothing.” She moved very slowly to pour coffee.
“You’re white as a sheet, darlin’. Your stomach upset again?”
She nodded. “It’ll pass.” She glanced at him, meeting his eyes. “It always does this time of month.” A flush of color rose up her face. After all they’d been through together, Chance didn’t think anything would embarrass her.
He took the coffeepot out of her hand and led her to a chair. “Sit down. I’ll get the meal on the table.”
She sat and braced her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her fists. “Just so you know, I’m gonna be cranky today.”
“I’ll forgive you,” he said, concealing a smile and dishing up the eggs. He bent to kiss her cheek and then sat down to eat.
Lizzie picked at her food. Every so often, she would wince and rub her stomach gently. Chance didn’t know much about a female’s monthlies, but he could see she had some pain this morning. She appeared tuckered out and hadn’t bothered to comb her hair. Her pretty eyes looked weary.
“I planned to go into town later today. If you’re not feeling better—” he began, then stopped when he heard the sound of pounding hooves. Riders were approaching. “You expecting anyone this early?”
Lizzie’s eyes lifted in surprise. “No, but that doesn’t mean—”
“Stay inside,” Chance said, rising to retrieve his gun belt. He strapped it on and checked his gun. It was loaded. “I’ll see who it is.”
Lizzie blinked, and a worried look crossed her features, but Chance didn’t have time to ease her concern. Though he’d never had any trouble in Red Ridge, he knew enough to always be prepared. Hard lessons had taught him as much.
He walked out the front door and stepped into the yard, just as three riders greeted him. Chance gazed at their faces, recognizing each one.
“Alistair,” he said. His adoptive father sat atop a pure black gelding. His graying hair and beard were impeccably groomed and the clothes he wore were those of a wealthy land baron. The other men, his lackeys, were on either side of him. All three honed in on Chance with eagle eyes.
“Finally found you, son.”
Chance flinched at the way he said “son,” sugary sweet, as if the reunion was a joyous occasion.
Chance took a second to meet with the other men’s eyes, before turning back to Dunston. “What do you want?”
“A fine way to greet your father.”
“My father died when I was five. You know the story.”
Dunston’s mouth twisted in a sneer. “You always were ungrateful.”
“Why are you here?” Chance asked.
“I’m asking you to come home.”
“Home?” Chance spit the word out. The notion of the Circle D Ranch being his true home was strange and foreign to him, now more than ever. A pang of dread sliced through his gut. Dunston never did anything for selfless reasons. He was up to something.
Alistair nodded. “That’s right.”
“I recall you saying once I stepped foot off the Double D, I didn’t have a home anymore.”
“I was mad as hell at you, Chance. You left when I needed you most.”
Chance said dispassionately, “You never needed me. You got twenty men working your spread. I was just another ranch hand to you.” He pointed his finger back to the road that led off the property. “Turn your horse
s around and head out. You wasted your time coming for me. I’m not going back there.”
Chance turned his back on them and approached the steps.
“You don’t come home willingly, you’re gonna pay. I got me an eyewitness to you stealing my payroll right outta the cash box.”
Chance spun around, his ears ringing from the false accusation. “What? I didn’t steal anything.”
“Ole Larry says different. He claims you hit him over the head with the butt of your gun and took off running with all the cash. He had quite a headache for days. Didn’t you, Larry?”
Larry jumped to attention, sitting up taller in the saddle. “Yes, sir. I sure did.”
“That’s a damn lie and you know it.”
“I don’t know anything for sure,” Dunston said. “Except, I had a dickens of a time finding you. You hid yourself away pretty well. But you didn’t figure on my connections with the local authorities, did you? I put out wires and one marshal up Prescott way recognized your name. Seems you killed a man.”
Chance bristled. “That man stole from me and was ready to take my life.”
“Well, I’m glad he didn’t.”
Chance shook his head, trying to figure why, after all these weeks, Dunston had gone to the trouble to find him. “I don’t get it. Why’s it so important to you that I come home?”
Alistair hesitated, darting a look behind him as a buggy ambled toward the house.
“Chance?” Lizzie’s voice carried from the front porch. He should’ve known she wouldn’t stay put in the house. “What’s going on?”
“Go back inside, darlin’. I’ll take care of this.”
True to her nature, Lizzie did just the opposite. She came down the steps and stood beside him, gazing at the men on horseback.
Alistair’s gaze went to Lizzie. His lips curled into a cruel smirk. “Don’t tell me she’s the reason you don’t want to come home? Why, she’s as sorry a sight as this dilapidated, pitiful excuse for a ranch.”
Horrified, Lizzie gasped. Her hand went to her chest.
“You son of a bitch!” Chance lunged forward, ready to pound some sense into the older man, but Lizzie grabbed his arm, tugging him back.
“Chance, don’t! Please…don’t! It’s alright.” It wasn’t her slight strength but the power of her plea that stopped Chance from grabbing Alistair by the throat.
“It’s not alright. He owes you an apology.”
“I don’t need an apology,” Lizzie said quietly. “I don’t care what he says about me.”
It was clear to him Lizzie was trying to calm the situation down, but Chance’s nerves were bursting out of his skin. He put a warning threat in his tone as he looked at the old man. “I’m waiting for that apology, Dunston.”
Alistair had the foresight to remove his hat and look contrite. “I’m sorry, miss. But if you care a hair about my son, you’ll tell him to come home. I’m a generous man. I can forget all of this unpleasantness.”
“Like hell I will,” Chance said through tight lips.
Lizzie’s chin jutted out, her eyes sharp on Alistair. “He didn’t steal from you. I know that for fact. Chance isn’t a thief.”
The older man continued, “I’d hate to see my son thrown into jail. It’s not a pretty place.”
Lizzie raised her voice. “He won’t go to jail.”
Alistair rubbed his nose, hiding a smile. “Sorta hard to prove a man’s innocent when there’s an eyewitness. Truth is, Chance stole a lot of money from me and then ran. There were other men that saw him leave the ranch in a hurry after the robbery. They’ll testify to it.”
“He’s innocent!” Lizzie raised her voice, seeing firsthand the unscrupulous nature of the man who’d adopted Chance.
“Is that so?” Dunston was a picture of serenity now as he nodded to the driver of the buggy that had come to a stop a short distance from the house. “Let’s see if you still think so, once you hear from my stepdaughter, Marissa. Abe, go help her.”
Marissa?
Chance thought he’s seen the last of the spoiled girl.
He watched Dunston’s lackey stride over to the buggy to get her. Dressed in the finest clothes, with flowing skirts fashioned with delicate lace, she looked as regal as a princess stepping down from the buggy. Her honey-blond hair gleamed like spun silk and curled in ringlets under a stylish hat. She held her head high as she approached, her jade-green eyes darting from Alistair to Chance.
Lizzie gave another gasp, this time one of awe as she stared at Marissa.
Chance let go a vile curse. Seeing Marissa turned his stomach. She’d never been anything but trouble to him. “What the hell is she doing here?”
Dunston finally dismounted his horse to greet his stepdaughter, taking her by the hand. The two faced Chance. “Marissa is with child,” Dunston said. “Your child.”
Beside him, Lizzie’s body visibly shook.
His gaze flew to the belly hidden under the vast amount of material of Marissa’s dress. Sure enough, there seemed to be the slightest bump. But he had no claim to it. That was not his baby.
Now, his blood boiled over. “I never touched her.” He sent the woman a sharp glare. “Damn it, Marissa. Why in hell are you lying like this?”
“I’m…not lying, Chance,” she said, hesitating and glancing at Lizzie, before meeting his eyes again. “You’re the father of my child.”
He gnashed his teeth and shot her a hot glare. “That’s not possible, Marissa. And you know it.” Then he whipped his head toward his adoptive father. “So that’s it, Alistair? The reason for the trumped-up charges. You’re blackmailing me to come home, because of her. If I don’t, you’ll have me thrown in jail.”
Dunston sent him a crafty smile. “You come home, son. Marissa’s mother and I will welcome you back. You’ll marry Marissa and raise your child under my roof. I’ll make you foreman. I’m offering you what you’ve always wanted, Chance.”
Chance scoffed and shook his head, too angry to speak.
Marissa closed her eyes briefly, as if to gather her strength. “Chance, please. This is all so very humiliating, standing here, begging you to come home and help me through this time.”
Lizzie turned to him, her expression revealing her confusion. “Maybe you should speak with her privately.”
“No, Lizzie. You can’t possibly believe her.”
Lizzie drew her lower lip in as her gaze went to Marissa. Beautiful. Feminine. Desirable. He could see Lizzie’s mind working now, thinking about all the ways she didn’t measure up. When the truth was, Lizzie was ten times the woman Marissa was.
“I’m about to faint from the heat,” Marissa said, fanning her face with her hand.
“Why don’t you go inside the house, Marissa,” Lizzie said quickly. “Have a seat and cool off for a spell.”
Chance fumed. “You’re inviting her in?”
Lizzie nodded. “It’s hot out here for her. And you should go inside, too. Talk to her, Chance.”
“No, Lizzie. The only person I’m gonna talk to is you.” He shot Dunston a hard look. “Alistair, take Marissa behind the barn. It’s shady there and she’ll be…more comfortable,” he nearly spat out.
The older man began, “That’s hardly—”
“You shouldn’t have brought her here in the first place,” Chance said.
With that, he took hold of Lizzie’s hand and led her inside the house, shutting the door good and hard, so he could talk to her.
* * *
“Listen, Lizzie. None of this is true. I swear—”
“I know you’re not a thief,” Lizzie said, bolstering her courage. “You don’t have to convince me of that.”
“I’m not guilty of any of it, Lizzie. Marissa’s lying
through her teeth.”
Lizzie smiled sadly. For a few days, she’d been blissfully happy. She’d had everything she’d ever wanted. It crushed her to know it was all over.
She couldn’t let Chance go to prison for her. And she believed, from the things Chance had said about Alistair Dunston, he would be vengeful enough to send him to prison for a long time if Chance didn’t agree to leave with them. She’d seen the ruthless glint in that old man’s eyes. He meant what he said. He was too wealthy and powerful for Chance to fight him. “She’s beautiful, Chance.”
“That doesn’t make me the father of her child, Lizzie.”
Lizzie squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t blame you, Chance. Really.”
He backed away from her, shocked. His voice elevated. “You do believe her. You think I fathered her child!”
The look of betrayal in his face sliced her right down the middle. She couldn’t meet his stare. She turned away for a moment, trying to hold back tears, trembling inside. Once she gathered her courage again, she forged on, turning to look him straight in the eyes. “You and I… We both know what it’s like for a child to grow up without both parents. We’ve been through it. You, more than anyone—”
“Stop talking crazy, Lizzie. Just stop it.”
She’d never heard that pleading tone in Chance’s voice before. Pain seared through her stomach. “Y-you n-need to go with them.”
“What?” Chance’s eyes narrowed. There was pain on his face.
They were hard words for Lizzie to say, but once she’d said them she knew in her heart they were true. Alistair Dunston would make sure Chance rotted away in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. It was better to break it off now. To let him think she didn’t trust his word. To make him hate her. She lifted her chin. “I never thought you’d stay on here with me anyway.”
“I never said I was going anywhere else.”
“But you would have. Eventually. You wouldn’t have stayed and where would that have left me?”
“Lizzie, damn it. I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to protect me, but I don’t need your protection. I’m innocent. I won’t go to prison.”
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