Chase's Story (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 10)

by P. A. Estelle

  The horse’s eyes were wide as she started cutting through the thick rope, but he didn’t struggle. Rain poured down on them and the task seemed to take forever. The muscles in her arms were screaming by the time the rope finally cut in two.

  Molly held her breath as she waited to see if the horse would fight to get up. When he continued to simply lie there, she threw the knife out of the corral and loosened the rope. She had to walk past his front legs to unwrap the rope there. Molly knelt by the horse’s powerful front legs and put her hand on its foreleg as she kept talking. Taking a piece of the cut rope, she pulled it and started to unwrap it. As soon as the rope was loosened, Ghost rolled toward her to get up. As Molly stood, Ghost’s powerful body slammed into her, sending Molly into the post.

  A groan escaped her and she closed her eyes, waiting for it to subside. When she opened them again, Ghost was standing at the far end of the corral. Molly walking stiffly walked backwards to make her exit, afraid to turn her back on the stallion. But her fears were for naught. He just watched and pawed the dirt.

  Chapter 11

  The rain continued throughout the afternoon. Molly changed out of her muddy dress, took her clothes and Timmy’s, washed them out in the sink and dried them in front of the stove. The rain made it damp and cold and so she started a fire in the hearth..

  Timmy was taking an afternoon nap when Chase walked through the door. He was wet, dirty, and no doubt, cold. He shook the water off his hat and his coat before coming in.

  “Oh Chase, you must be freezing,” Molly said.

  “I’m fine,” Chase replied. “What happened with the stallion?”

  “Let me get you a towel.”

  “I don’t need a towel.” His voice was strained. “How did Ghost get loose?”

  Molly put on water so she could make Chase some coffee to help him warm up. “Socks ran into the corral and riled your horse up. He started rearing and bucking and before long he was on his side, tangled in the rope. He couldn’t get up. I was so afraid he would do harm to himself.” She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to make it sound innocent. “I went in to help—”

  Chase ran his hand through his wet hair, muttering a string of oaths. Still her back was to him. He waited, saying nothing. “The rope was too tight to move so I had to get a knife and cut it. I’m sorry about ruining your rope.

  “I don’t care about the rope! You could have been killed!” he barked. He grabbed her arm to turn her around but when she yelped in pain, he let go “Molly, what happened?” His anger turned to concern. When she didn’t answer, he gently turned her to face him. She clutched her shawl tightly to her chest.

  He lowered her hands and removed the shawl. Her right arm was badly bruised. His eyes widened in shock then shut angrily. “I’m going to shoot that damn horse,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “You will do no such thing. He could have killed me but he didn’t. He just laid there like a perfect gentleman.” She touched Chase’s chest. “When he jumped up, his rump hit me and knocked me against the post. That’s the truth of it.”

  “Where was Jackson? I always leave at least one man behind to make sure you’re safe!”

  “I don’t know, but don’t go and get all surly with him. He has things to do. We don’t need nursemaids around here. As I was told this morning, we all have jobs to do!”

  He shook his head and left the kitchen. When he came back, he had a can of salve. “Let me rub this on your arm and shoulder. It’ll ease the pain a little and help with the bruising. Juanita makes it from Catclaw. She’s given me medicine for everything that ails you from headache to toothache to a toe ache.”

  When he was done, Chase put his finger under her chin and raised her eyes to his. “If you think this is painful, if I see you in the pen again with that stallion, regardless of the reason, I’m going to turn you over my knee and you won’t be able to sit down for a week.” He brushed her lips with his, leaving Molly blushing furiously.

  “Since I’m still wet, I’m going to see what I can do about getting Ghost tied up again.” He put his coat and hat on and went out to brave the weather.

  Molly took a deep breath and put her hands to her burning cheeks. She shook her head and got up to start supper.

  * * *

  That night it was only the three of them for dinner. The rain kept the men holed up in the bunk house and Emma and Ed in their own home. “Why were you back so early today?” Molly asked Chase when he sat down for dinner.

  “We have most of the cattle where we need them. Good thing we got them across Flat Rock last week because it was almost a river today. With all this rain we sure couldn’t brand, and the men have been working hard, so we called it early.”

  “Is Flat Rock the tiny creek that runs along your ranch? When we saw it there was hardly any water in it.”

  “Flash floods are something that happens around here and you need to know how dangerous they can be. Dry one minute and a river the next. My first year here, I lost several head to a flash flood.”

  Molly shivered as she got up and brought three bowls of bread pudding to the table. There was silence as they dug into their dessert.

  “Well,” Chase said, shoving the last bite into his mouth, “I left the stallion untied. He’s come a ways, so I don’t think he’ll try to jump out.”

  “Could he jump that tall fence?” Timmy was wide-eyed.

  “He probably could if scared or mad enough. Which brings us to that pup of yours.”

  Timmy looked at his bowl. “She didn’t mean to scare the horse.”

  “I know that, but Ghost didn’t. If Socks and Ghost go head to head, Socks will not come out the winner. She needs to be taught. It might be a good idea to keep her in the barn or tied up until she learns.”

  “Okay, Chase.” Timmy’s bottom lip stuck out and tears filled his eyes.

  “Hey, little man,” Chase said, tousling the boy’s hair, “I’m not mad, just want your pup safe.”

  Adoration sparkled in Molly’s eyes. Chase winked at her and helped to clear the table. “I’m going to put some wood in the hearth.” Before leaving he asked Molly if she’d ever played checkers.

  “As a matter of fact, I have. I was the champion in my household.”

  “Later, if you’re up to it, we can test that…talent of yours and then see who gets bragging rights.”

  Her smile was saucy when she replied, “Anytime you feel lucky.”

  That was the start of the checker wars between Chase and Molly. Several nights a week they would sit in front of the fire and play. One night when they were playing, Timmy had fallen asleep in one of the chairs. “I guess I better put him to bed,” Molly said, getting to her feet.

  “I’ve been doing some thinking, Molly. I’ve got this room next to mine that has no purpose except to store some things and gather dust.” He nodded at Timmy. “That boy is growing like a weed and between him, Socks, and you, I know there isn’t much spitting room in your bedroom. What would you think of putting Timmy in the room next to mine?”

  Surprise registered in her eyes. “Are you sure? You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Wouldn’t have offered if I did.” Chase picked Timmy up and carried him to his bed, Molly following. Socks curled up in the corner of the room. “I’ve got another feather tick in the barn. Tomorrow I’ll shake it out and you can get it set up.”

  “Thank you, Chase,” Molly whispered. “You, well, you’ve been so good to us. I don’t know where’d we’d be without you.”

  He leaned in. She drew in her breath, opened her lips and welcomed his kiss. Chase pulled her closer and her arms circled his neck. The kiss deepened and any resistance she might have felt disappeared.

  Chase raised his head and took a step back. Her green eyes shimmered in the dark room. He put his forehead against hers. “You aren’t ready for this yet and as much as I want it, I don’t want you hating me in the morning.” His breath was hot against her ear as he kissed her cheek and left the room.


  Chapter 12

  The next morning, Chase was up early making a wooden frame for Timmy’s bed. While her son was out trying to teach his dog to listen, Molly had the bed made up, hung some colorful curtains she’d made from material Juanita had left, and put a chest at the foot of his bed for his clothes. “Timmy!” Molly called him in from outside. “Tie up Socks and come in here.”

  The order to tie up his dog was forgotten when Timmy learned he would be sleeping in the room right next to Chase. “I’m going to have my own room? Next to Chase’s?” He jumped on his new bed. “Can Socks sleep in here with me?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Chase stood in the doorway.

  Timmy jumped off the bed and threw his arms around Chase’s legs. “Thanks for my own room.”

  “What…what…what about my curtains and the cleaning and making up the room?” Molly stuttered, holding her hands out in question.

  Timmy blushed and hurried to give his mother a hug. “Thank you, Mama. I like everything in it.”

  There was a sharp rap on the back door. Ed opened it and yelled, “Chase, Barnett’s are here.” Chase went outside. Molly and Timmy followed. There were three riders. Two men and a woman.

  The younger man and the woman got off their horses. “Steve?” Chase said, shaking his hand. “Caroline? I didn’t know you were back.”

  The woman was a beauty. She had long, blonde hair held back by a black cowboy hat, a shirt that showed off her curves, and a pair of black pants that looked like a second skin. She put her arm through Chase’s. “You know I always come back here at round up time. I have yet to miss the spring party and you know how I like...catching up.” Her meaning was clear to anybody who cared to listen. She kissed Chase’s cheek. With a look back at Molly, she asked, “Who do we have here? Family come to visit?”

  “Oh, excuse me, this is Molly Simms and her son, Timmy. Molly, this is Steve Barnett, his pa, Bill, and his sister, Caroline. Molly is helping out around the place since Emma had a baby.”

  Chase extricated himself from Caroline’s clinging arm and turned back to the men. “What brings you clear out this way?”

  “Having some problems with a mountain lion getting some of our stock,” Steve replied. “Wondering if you’re having the same?”

  “We are at that. Haven’t seen anything like it since I’ve been here.”

  “Been a number of years back, but there were some wild dogs running in packs that were killing young calves,” said Bill. “We took care of them and haven’t had any trouble since.”

  “I remember those wild dogs,” Emma said, walking up holding little Rosie. “It was a really scary time.”

  Steve nodded at Emma then looked in the blanket at the sleeping infant. He slapped Ed on the back. “You old reprobate. How could someone as ugly as you have such a purty little thing for a daughter?”

  “Watch that mouth, boy,” Ed teased. “Least ways I got myself a wife. Nobody will have you.”

  Caroline hadn’t been the only one eyeing Molly. Steve went over and took her hand in his. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, a pure pleasure.”

  Molly’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Thank you,” she mumbled.

  Chase frowned at the intimate exchange.

  “Caught sight of some tracks a few miles back and thought you might want to help with the hunt, if y’all are done with the pleasantries,” Bill said.

  “Ed, would you grab our horses?” Chase ran back into the house and put on his holster and grabbed his Winchester. When he came back out, he walked over to his horse and said, “Caroline, you can stay here with the women if you prefer?”

  The pretty blonde glanced down at Rosie and then at the women. “I think I’ll just mosey along with you boys. Babies and I just don’t mix and the subject of quilting bees or recipes or rearing children just bores me to distraction.” Caroline smiled and trotted her horse up next to Chase’s and they all rode away.

  “I didn’t realize Chase had a girl he was seeing.” Molly’s teeth were clenched.

  Emma giggled. “Rein in the green-eyed monster. Caroline Barnett has tried hooking Chase for as long as I can remember, but he simply won’t take the bait.”

  “I’m not jealous!”

  “Uh-huh.” Sarcasm dripped from Emma’s mouth. “Let’s go over to my place and I’ll make you some tea then we’ll talk about recipes and child rearing.”

  Both laughed as they walked over to Emma’s.

  “Mama! Mama!” Timmy’s yell had Molly and Emma running outside.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Socks is gone! His rope is untied and I’ve looked everywhere.” Timmy’s eyes started to water and his bottom lipped trembled.

  “Sweetie, I’m sure she’s around. We’ll go look for her.”

  “Rosie is asleep, so I’ll go look behind our house.”

  “Timmy, go look in the barn and I’ll look by the corral.” He ran off to do as he was told and Molly went to where Ghost stood, terrified she would find the dog trampled to death. She let out a loud sigh of relief, thankful there was no sign of Socks.

  The search continued and they walked farther and farther from the ranch. “Socks! Socks!. Come here girl!” Timmy ran ahead, yelling the whole way.

  “Timmy don’t go too far!” Mesquites and Palo Verdes dotted the area, the farther away they got. To the west, the land was relatively flat, but to the east were hills that stretched into mountains. Boulders were stacked here and there not far from where Molly stood. Suddenly, silence surrounded her. There wasn’t a breath of wind. Not a single bird’s chirp. Nothing! Molly’s blood ran cold and the feeling of being watched was strong.

  She looked around. “Timmy!” she screamed. “Timmy, where are you?” There was no answer. “Timmy! Timmy!”

  A sob caught in her throat when her son rounded one of the boulders. “Did you find her?” he asked, out of breath when he reached her.

  Molly offered no explanation when she picked Timmy up and ran for home as fast as her legs could carry her.

  “Mama,” Timmy protested as he squirmed to be released, “we need to keep looking.”

  Molly just kept running.

  * * *

  Chase and Ed didn’t get home till after dark. Molly, Emma, and Timmy had just sat down to eat their supper when they came through the door. Ed walked over to kiss Emma’s cheek. “Any luck?” she asked.

  “Not a lick,” he replied. “Waste of a whole day.”

  When Chase sat down, he noticed Timmy’s red-rimmed eyes. “What’s the problem, little man?”

  “Socks got away and we can’t find her.” Timmy wiped his nose as a tear slipped down his cheek.

  Chase glance at Molly who shrugged and shook her head. “She’s probably just out chasing rabbits and will be back before you know it.”

  Ed shoved a biscuit into his mouth. “Lots can happen in these parts. There’s rattlers, coyotes….OUCH!” He looked under table, then at his wife who was shooting daggers his way. “Oh, well, course nothing like that happened to your dog. She’s way too smart for that.”

  “Really? Do you think so?” Timmy’s hopeful eyes looked to Ed.

  “A course!” Ed cleared his throat trying to avoid the three adults glaring at him.

  That night, after everybody left and Timmy was asleep, Molly told Chase about the feeling she had of being watched. “It was so real, Chase, and it scared me. I thought maybe it was—Clay.”

  Chase took her in his arms. She trembled. “That’s just what I was thinking.”

  Chapter 13

  Molly sat down at the table with a hot cup of coffee. It would be a while before the sun came up, but sleep had eluded her most of the night. She leaned back in the chair, letting her head fall back. She rubbed her eyes with her fists.

  She squealed when she opened her eyes to find Chase looking down at her. “You couldn’t sleep either?” he asked grabbing a cup of coffee for himself. He wore a pair of tan pants and an unbuttoned, flannel, long-sleeved shi
rt.

  “No.” Molly tore her gaze away, looking everywhere but at him. “I dreamt that somebody was after me and just as he was about to grab me, I woke up. And now, I’m afraid to go back to sleep.”

  “I couldn’t sleep because I kept thinking of all the things I’ll do when I get my hands on him.”

  Molly giggled. “Maybe I can come up with a few ideas.”

  They talked and laughed until the black faded to gray. “I guess I better—“

  “Do you hear that noise?” Molly interrupted.

  “I don’t.”

  “There!” She got to her feet. “There’s something out there.”

  Chase put his hand up to quiet her. He moved the curtain to peek out, but it was still too dark to see anything. He did hear something, though. Chase pulled a knife from a kitchen drawer and slowly opened the back door. Socks limped in. “Socks!”

  She had a rope tied tightly around her neck but the dog had managed to chew the rope in half. Chase cut the rope away and found her neck rubbed raw. She was covered in goat heads and pieces of cactus. One of her paws were bleeding as was her snout. She cried when Chase picked her up and laid her on the table. After donning gloves, he pulled the cactus burrs out. Molly wet a towel and carefully cleaned the dog’s cuts. She was rewarded with soft licks on her hands. “I know a little boy who is going to be so happy to see you,” Molly said.

  Socks was shivering, so Chase made up a bed right by the stove to keep her warm. Molly heated some milk and Socks lapped up some of it before drifting off to sleep.

  Molly couldn’t help but yawn, over and over. Having Socks home seemed to ease some of her anxiety.

  “Why don’t you try to get a little more sleep. I’m up for the day. I’ll keep an eye on the pup.”

  The next few days were uneventful. Timmy didn’t let Socks out of his sight and the dog, except for some scabbing, was back to normal in a few days.