Chase Wheeler's Woman (13 page)

“We did, Chase. She said you and she, well, you were nearly engaged.”

Letty Sue gasped. Engaged? She didn’t know it had been that serious with Chase and the woman.

Chase slanted her a quick sideways glance, then focused all his attention back on the sheriff. “I’m sure you didn’t travel all this way to Sweet Springs to ask about my love life, Mercer. What’s this all about?”

A small crowd began to gather. They stood back,
but were close enough to hear the goings-on. Letty Sue pushed forward, wedging herself between Chase and Sheriff Singleton.

“A man’s dead, Mr. Wheeler, murdered. That’s what this is all about. Did you know a Mr. Pierce Mainwarring from Georgia?”

Chase flinched. His body went rigid. “I met him…once.”

“And when he showed up at the ranch, did you and he argue?”

Chase nodded. “We did.”

“Over Miss Donat?”

Chase nodded again.

“He shows up and next thing you know, Marabella Donat is engaged to him. Would make just about any man angry enough—”

“To kill?” Chase interrupted. “I didn’t kill Pierce Mainwarring, Sheriff, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“It is, exactly, what I’m getting at. Man’s body was found halfway between here and Abilene. A long night’s ride would be just about enough time for someone bent on revenge. He’d been tied up and shot, dumped down a ravine. Where were you three nights ago, on the fifteenth?”

“Where I always am, on the Double J Ranch.”

“Did you see anybody, talk to anybody late that night?”

“No, I went to bed.”

Sheriff Singleton came forward then. “Chase, I got no quarrel with you. Lord knows, Joellen Withers
thinks mighty highly of you, and aside from last night at the saloon, you’ve had no trouble in this town. I already explained to Sheriff Mercer that last night wasn’t your fault. But to be truthful, I’ve asked around and none of the Double J ranch hands laid eyes on you that night.”

“Doesn’t mean I killed a man.”

“No, but this might.” Sheriff Mercer turned to his deputy. The man handed the sheriff a hemp rope. “We found this on the dead man. The boys at Johnston’s place said it was yours. They recognized the different way you braid it up and tie it off—the
Cheyenne
way. Is this your lariat?”

Chase glanced at the rope and nodded. “It could be. I left more than few things behind when I came here. Anybody could have used that rope.”

Mercer took his hat off and scratched his head. “But seems you’re the only one with no alibi, and good cause to want to get rid of the man. Jealousy and revenge make darn good motives.”

Chase’s face went hard as stone, an unyielding mask of anger and indignation. “You arresting me, Sheriff?”

“I’m afraid I am.” He lifted his gun from his holster. “Josh, get the rope and tie his hands. Chase Wheeler, I’m placing you under arrest for the murder of Pierce Mainwarring.”

Up until that point, Letty Sue had stood ramrod stiff, taking in all that was happening. She couldn’t believe her eyes or her ears. They were arresting Chase for murder!

“Stop!” She set herself between Chase and the deputy. “You can’t do this.”

“Letty Sue, what are you doing?” Chase asked harshly.

“Back away, Letty Sue.” Sheriff Singleton kept his voice calm, but his gaze warned her off.

She didn’t care that she was obstructing so-called justice; she had to put a stop to this ridiculous claim.

“Not until you listen to me. Chase Wheeler is
not
a murderer. He didn’t commit this crime. You can’t haul him off to jail. It’s not right.”

The deputy sidestepped Letty Sue, put both of Chase’s arms behind his back and began tying him up.

“Stop this,” she pleaded with Sheriff Singleton. “You can’t let them arrest him. Do something!”

“Nothing I can do, Letty Sue. Now, move aside and let these men do their job.”

Letty Sue didn’t hesitate. She knew what she had to do. Chase wasn’t a murderer. He couldn’t be. There was too much honor in him to shoot a man, then dump him down a ravine. Chase would never do such a thing. He’d saved her life countless times, and her virtue, too. Her heart spoke and she listened, all else be damned.

“He was with me that night and every night since!”

Murmurs went through the crowd as nearly the entire church congregation witnessed the scene. The fiddler quit playing, and she was sure everyone on the dance floor stopped and turned to listen. Letty Sue
held her head high and fixed her gaze on John Singleton.

The sheriff stared at her in disbelief, his patience nearly tried. “Now, Letty Sue, you know that ain’t true.”

“You’ve known me since I was a tot, John. Do you honestly think I’d admit that in front of the whole town if it weren’t true?”

“Don’t, Letty Sue,” Chase warned.

She ignored Chase’s admonition. “We spend our nights together. He’s trying to protect me, but it’s the truth, Sheriff, I swear.”

“She’s lying, Sheriff. Don’t believe her,” Chase declared rigidly, his silver eyes now burning black with anger. And he turned those black eyes on her. There was dire warning in his voice. “Don’t do this, Letty Sue. Tell them you’re lying.”

Letty Sue stood her ground. She couldn’t let them take Chase to jail for murder. If it meant losing her pride, then that was the sacrifice she’d have to make. “Chase Wheeler and I spend all our nights together, that’s how I know for sure. He
was
with me three nights ago. The entire night.”

She didn’t dare look at Chase. She could almost feel his anger scorching her skin. Instead, she shot Sheriff Singleton a look of indignation. “Well?”

“Uh, just a minute.” Sheriff Singleton took Mercer aside, while the deputy trained his gun on Chase. They spoke in hushed tones and finally, after several minutes, Sheriff Mercer approached.

“Let him go, Josh. Sheriff Singleton vouches for
her word.” He turned away from his deputy and shot her a sharp, cautioning look. “But if I find out you’re lying, miss, I’ll be back. And Mr. Wheeler won’t be the only one getting arrested.”

She held her breath and nodded. No words would come. At least now she’d repaid Chase for all the times he’d come to her rescue. With a glance, she noted the deputy removing the ropes. Chase rubbed at his wrists and marched over to her. She cast him a tentative smile.

He grabbed her arm and yanked her off to the side, away from the curious onlookers. “You little fool. You don’t know what in the hell you’ve done!”

“I do know what I’ve done, Chase. I kept you out of jail. Or do you want those ropes that were on your wrists a bit higher—say, around your neck?”

“I’m innocent. I could’ve proved it.”

“I don’t see how. Seems Sheriff Mercer’s mind was made up before he spoke with you.”

“Letty Sue, damn you! I’m not going to let you ruin your reputation.”

She cringed then, acknowledging that her reputation was, in fact, ruined. The whole town had heard her admit to spending nights with Chase, sharing his bed. “It’s too late for that. Besides, all I truly care about is our own friends on the ranch. And they all know it’s not true.”

A dubious look crossed Chase’s face, replacing the anger. “And how’s that?”

“Why, because they all know you sleep in the
bunkhouse with them. They know you don’t come to me at night.”

His mouth twisted and his dark look frightened her. “That’s where you’re dead wrong, woman. I haven’t spent one night in the bunkhouse. Not one. I sleep way out back beyond the barn.”

Letty Sue flinched as though she’d been slapped. “Oh.”

“And now not only the whole town, but all the men at the ranch believe I’ve been bedding you all this time.”

Heat flushed her cheeks, the implications of what she’d done coming full circle now. Her heart pounded wildly, frantically. She’d gotten herself in trouble before, but nothing compared to this.

Chase’s lips twitched angrily. He spat out, “You’ve given me no choice. I’m going to have to marry you.”

Chapter Ten

“M
-marry m-me?” Letty Sue’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t be serious. Her racing heart speeded up even more. “Y-you don’t w-want to do that.”

“No, I don’t. But I will.”

“Chase, it’s not necessary. I’ll…I’ll find a way out of this mess. You—”

His face went hard like granite and his dark gaze bored into her with such powerful intensity she thought she’d split in two right on the spot. “You’ll marry me and that’s the end of it.”

“The end of it?” She raised her voice. “I’m sorry, but when I marry, the joining won’t be the end of anything…but the beginning of something grand. My answer is no.”

He took her arms and shook her gently but thoroughly. She felt his restraint, what it cost him not to shake the dickens out of her. “You
will
marry me. Tonight.
Now.
”

“But—”

“Letty Sue.” Sam came forward, interrupting. “He’s doing right by you. It’s the only thing a man can do. I’d do the same if I were in his place.”

She stomped her foot. “Sam, you’re my friend.”

Sam shook his head. “I’m telling you like it is, Letty Sue. It’s best you get married. The sooner the better.”

“Oh,” she said, bewildered. She hadn’t thought Sam would side with Chase. Letty Sue wasn’t ready for marriage. She didn’t want a man who felt obliged to marry her. Chase would never love her. He hardly tolerated her. What kind of marriage would that make?

“Let me have a minute with her.” Sally took Letty Sue by the arm, away from Chase’s scrutiny. She spoke softly, calmly, once they were out of earshot of the men. The crowd stood back, but watched curiously, most likely wondering about the outcome to the most scandalous occurrence Sweet Springs had ever seen. “Letty Sue, my friend, I’m afraid this is one fix you can’t get out of on your own. You helped Chase, and I understand why you did it, but honey, he’s trying to help you now.”

“He’s furious. I’m to marry a man who’s not at all happy about the marriage? How can I do that, Sally?”

“Simple. You just do, my friend. Your reputation is at stake. Think of your mother and how the town respects her, Letty Sue. Do it for her, if not yourself. Besides, you and Chase, you’re like two rushing streams flowing alongside one another, each one on its own path. But honey, once you two merge, the
currents will unite like the waters filling a river full up, and make for a beautiful union.”

Letty Sue was skeptical. Doubts gnawed at her, yet she couldn’t see any other way out of her predicament.

Sally continued to beseech her. “Chase is handsome, intelligent, and Letty Sue, his eyes burn with desire when he looks at you.”

Letty Sue stole a quick glance at Chase, then shivered. “They’re burning now, Sally, but it’s not desire I see in his eyes.”

Sally’s blond brows lifted and she spoke low in her ear. “I know there’s something between you two. Marry him, Letty Sue. Find out what it all means.”

“I guess I don’t have a choice,” she said, attempting a smile. She glanced back at Chase, who was staring directly at her, pinning her with a gaze filled with rigid determination. Her legs weakened and her whole body trembled.

“Cheer up, Letty Sue. You’re marrying a good man.”

But would he make a good husband? And she a good wife? Marriage had been the farthest thing from her mind. She planned to travel, to see new things. Now she’d have obligations, wifely obligations. Again, her body shook with trepidation.

Sally laced their arms together, giving Letty Sue courage as they walked over to the men. “You have yourself a bride, Chase,” Sally said with pride in her voice. Dear Sally, she truly was a good friend.

He grunted in acknowledgment, yet his eyes stayed
fastened on Letty Sue. Her breath caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and prayed she was making the right decision.

Sam called for the preacher, who’d been observing the entire scene from the steps of the church. He rushed over and spoke with them, making sure there was mutual consent. Then he invited everyone inside the church. “Please stay for the service,” he said. “There’s going to be a wedding.”

“Tonight, Reverend Davidson?” Letty Sue asked.

The robust, balding man smiled warmly and took her hand. “Tonight, Miss Withers. There’s no time like the present.”

Letty Sue felt the eyes of the entire congregation on her back. She stood stiff and straight next to Chase, listening to the vows Reverend Davidson read out. He made fast work of getting them married, the ceremony taking scant minutes. She could almost hear the preacher’s silent sigh of relief once the vows had been spoken.

Chase turned to her and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Still and all, with nearly the whole town watching, Letty Sue felt heat singe her cheeks. She was astounded at how one lie could manifest such dire consequences.

She was a married woman.

Chase Wheeler was her husband.

She was Letty Sue Wheeler now.

The magnitude of her actions just hitting her, she turned in a daze and allowed Chase to lead her out
of the church. There were congratulations, handshakes, kisses to the cheek, and as quickly as they were wed, Chase whisked her away from the well-wishers surrounding them.

Just before the ceremony, Sally had quickly rounded up flowers blooming outside the church gates and made up a small bouquet. She’d also insisted on repinning Letty Sue’s hair and tucking in bright yellow buttercups along her crown.

Chase said little to her, but had taken her hand and walked her down the aisle automatically, as though this ceremony was an everyday occurrence. He’d said his vows, yet never once did he look at her face or into her eyes. Tears had welled up then, but her stubborn pride wouldn’t allow them to fall.

Letty Sue had imagined her wedding day, when the proper time came, to be much, much different.

And Mama wasn’t even here.

Letty Sue gasped inwardly. What would she tell her mother? And when?

Oh, she’d put that dilemma aside for now. Right now, she had enough to contend with—namely, one deceivingly calm, handsome, headstrong husband.

“Where are we going?” Letty Sue ventured to ask, noting they weren’t heading toward the livery where the horses were stabled.