Chase Wheeler's Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sue.”
    Letty Sue flinched. “He’s not divine, Sally. Why he’s downright…difficult.”
    Sally kept her eyes focused on the man across the yard. “Don’t you dare tell me you haven’t noticed how positively handsome he is.”
    “Handsome? Sally, are you blind? Why, he’s…he’s nearly a savage.”
    Sally inhaled deeply. “Why yes, my friend. He’s all man. Not like those dapper gents with the three-piece suits and bowler hats you seem to prefer.”
    “So I like a man of refinement. When I marry, I’d like my husband to be cultured. You know—someone uncomfortable with mud on his boots.”
    “Letty Sue, you can have just about any man in Sweet Springs you want. Isn’t that good enough for you?”
    Letty Sue sighed. “I want to see something of the world, Sally.”
    “Oh, I bet your new foreman could take you places you’ve never ever been before.”
    “Sally!”
    Her friend chuckled, lifting her hand to her mouth. “That was completely sinful of me, wasn’t it?”
    “Yes, it was,” Letty Sue answered, giggling. “But that’s why you’re my best friend.”
    “So, did you invite him to the church social next week?”
    “Heavens no. Chase Wheeler isn’t the type for church socials. Believe me, he wouldn’t go.”
    Sally watched Chase close the corral gate. “Oh my, looks like he’s heading this way. I’m going to askhim, Letty Sue. I swear, I’m going to ask him.” Sally’s voice nearly squeaked with eagerness.
    “Don’t you dare,” Letty Sue cautioned. But it was too late. Sally had that determined look in her eye. Letty Sue didn’t want Sally to be turned down harshly, but at least she had tried to warn her.
    Chase took off his black hat, swiped at his forehead and smiled at Sally when he approached. “Afternoon, ladies.”
    Letty Sue was forced to make introductions.
    “Chase Wheeler, I’d like you to meet my friend Sally Henderson. Sally, Chase is the temporary foreman of the Double J while Mama is gone.”
    Chase didn’t let her comment bother him. At least, his expression didn’t change, she noted. He continued to smile at Sally. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Henderson.”
    “It’s just Sally,” she gushed.
    “Sally,” he repeated with a smile and a nod.
    “I came out to visit Letty Sue. I’m teaching her how to bake a pecan pie this afternoon. She’s got to put together a basket for the church social next week. You are going, aren’t you?”
    “Wasn’t planning on it,” he answered, his silvery eyes meeting Letty Sue’s. “Didn’t know a thing about it.”
    “Oh, well, consider yourself invited, Mr. Wheeler. The whole town usually comes out. We have games, music, and we auction off the lunch baskets. Whoever wins the bid for a particular basket lunches with thewoman who made it up. I always tie a big red-and-white ribbon on my basket, and set a flower on top.”
    “Sounds real pretty.” He smiled at Sally before returning his gaze to Letty Sue. “And how do you prepare your basket?”
    “I, uh, Mama usually ties bows all along the handle.”
    “They call it the rainbow basket,” Sally interjected, “’cause Joellen uses ribbons from all the colors of the rainbow. Everybody in town knows it’s Letty Sue’s basket. You can’t miss it. It goes for the highest price.”
    “I see,” he said. “Well, I’ll have to think about going. Got a whole lot of work to do here. Don’t know if I can spare the time.”
    “Oh, you have to come!” Sally’s face flushed a rosy hue.
    Chase grinned, his dark eyes gleaming. “Maybe I will.”
    Sally returned his smile and stared at him.
    Letty Sue twisted her mouth. She wasn’t going to stand there while Chase Wheeler flirted shamelessly with Sally. And Sally…why, Letty Sue had never seen her act so bold.
    “Mr. Wheeler, did you have a reason for coming over here?” Even to her ears, she sounded rather shrewish.
    Chase continued to smile. Nothing seemed to daunt that man, she thought with annoyance. How