Chase Wheeler's Woman (17 page)

Chase pointed when he spotted the wild herd. “Look, there’s the band. Spanish mustangs.”

They dismounted, Chase leading her behind some low-growing brush. “There’s so many of them,” Letty Sue commented.

“But it’s the band stallion I want,” he said, his gaze trained on the horses calmly grazing nearby. “He’s their leader. Look at him—he’s pacing, watching, protecting the herd.”

Letty Sue peered at the regal animal, his stance
clearly stating he was in charge. “He’s beautiful.” The spotted paint had incredible markings.

“He’s the strongest, smartest. The band obeys him.”

A pony and another horse joined him. The three moved together. Every so often the stallion would nip at the pony. “Why’s he doing that?”

“It’s his foal. He’s teaching him to graze the land. Biting and nipping is their way of showing what’s expected. That mare is the mother.”

“You mean, they’re a family?” Letty Sue asked incredulously. She knew the ways of cattle, having been raised on a ranch, but she realized she had very little knowledge of horses, other than how to ride them. Chase had an uncanny ability to read them, understand them.

“Uh-oh,” Chase said, watching the stallion. “He’s spotted us. He’s moving up behind the others, at their back. See his ears twitch? It’s going to be harder now to catch him. He’s too intelligent.”

They watched the horses run off, the lead mare at the front and the stallion following protectively. Chase came out from behind the bushes. “Another day,” he said.

“But Chase, you can’t separate him from his family. They need him. It’s cruel and unthinkable.”

“Cruel? You think it’s cruel?” He paced alongside Tornado. “He’d make a fine stud, Letty Sue. And I’d be doing him a favor. These horses starve when there’s a drought. They have to scavenge for food, and much of the time other herds have already used
up the best grazing lands. Only the strongest survive.”

“Then bring them all in. The foal, the mare, all of them. But don’t separate them. Promise me, Chase.”

“Why, Letty Sue?”

“I can’t bear it. A family should stay together, no matter what.” There was irony in her words, since in essence, she and Chase were a family, and she would be leaving soon. But Chase didn’t seem to care, and Letty Sue felt she had no choice in her leaving. The horses were different, however. They were an actual family. The mare and the foal depended on the stallion. They needed each other.

Chase studied her face and inhaled the dry dusty air. “I’ll bring them all in,” he said.

Each silent and thoughtful, they rode toward the ranch. Chase stole a glance at Letty Sue in that getup, realizing that no matter what the woman wore she always managed to look enticing. The britches fit her rounded derriere to perfection and his shirt, though loose, followed the contours of her full bosom when the breeze blew by.

Chase removed his hat, then ran a hand through his hair. Damn fool thing to do this morning, he thought, touching her the way he had. He couldn’t help it, though. When he’d seen her wearing another man’s clothes, fury had overcome his good sense. It was as if he had to lay claim to her somehow, and since bedding her was out of the question, he’d done the next best thing.

For his benefit alone, he’d had to remove Sam’s shirt from her body. Astonished at the overwhelming sensation he’d felt seeing another man’s clothing touch her skin, he’d wanted to rip it off the moment she’d said whose garment she wore.

Whether Letty Sue read any meaning into what he’d done, he wasn’t certain. But it’d been a rash thing to do, one that, if examined too closely, would surely show evidence of feelings Chase did not want to admit.

Good thing she was leaving.

“Chase, it’s so peaceful here,” Letty Sue said with a sigh, minutes later.

They rode along the crest of the ridge, where intermittent shadows blocked the sun’s heat. “You getting tired? Want to rest a bit?”

She smiled and shook her head. “No. I feel fine. Gloriously alive today, Chase.” She rode out of the shadows, lifting her face to the sun.

Watching her, Chase swallowed, hard. An uninvited thought entered his mind. He would miss Letty Sue, once she was gone.

“I think coming with you today was a great idea. I wish we could do this…” She stopped and bit down on her lip. Chase recognized her discomfort. They’d never again have this chance.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad of it, too.”

She gave him a genuinely honest, beautiful smile, and his heart tripped over itself.

“You know, we don’t have to—”

“Shh,” he said abruptly, putting up a hand. “Do you hear something?”

Letty Sue clamped her mouth shut, grateful that Chase had stopped her from saying what she had on her mind. That maybe, when she returned, they could try to make the marriage work. It had been an impetuous notion, borne of a moment just shared. Letty Sue had to learn to lock her lips and think, really think before she said something foolish.

She listened, watching Chase carefully search the land. “I think so,” she said, as a distant mewling sound caught her attention.

“Sounds like an injured animal.”

“Do you think it’s far?”

“No, not too far.” Chase reined Tornado toward the sound. With rapt attention he listened, his entire body alert.

They traveled for a time, the whining sound, coming in spurts, growing a bit louder.

Letty Sue followed behind, a prickling fear raising bumps along her arms. “What kind of animal do you think it is?”

Chase was quiet for a time, listening keenly. “Maybe it’s not an animal at all.”

Then his gaze sharpened. He’d spotted something. He dismounted and Letty Sue did the same. They ground tethered their horses and walked toward the moaning sound.

“Here,” Chase said. He shoved aside a thorny shrub and lifted the downed animal in his arms. Once
Letty Sue reached him, she let out a horrified gasp. It wasn’t an animal at all.

In his arms, Chase held a badly bruised and battered little boy.

“He isn’t dead, Chase, is he?” she asked, her stomach clenching violently at the sight of the young child’s limp and bedraggled body.

Another pained sound stole from the boy’s lips. “He’s breathing, but he needs help. We’ve got to get him home…quick.”

Chapter Thirteen

L
etty Sue mopped the boy’s forehead gently with a damp cloth, brushing back the blond hair matted there. He lay in her bed with a soft feather pillow under his head. She sat beside him, watching him with anxious eyes, hoping he’d awaken. His breathing was shallow, his face, behind the bloody scratches and abrasions, pale and ashen.

Chase stood by the side of the bed.

“What do you suppose happened to him?” she asked in a whisper.

“Don’t know, exactly. Maybe he wandered off from his folks and got lost. Maybe something worse. Looks like he’s been afield for days. Let’s get some more water down him. He’s dry as a bone.”

Chase tipped a spoon and dripped the liquid onto the boy’s mouth. Instinctively, his parched, shriveled lips parted. He took in the water, then swallowed so hard he coughed up most of what they’d given him.

“He’s in a bad way, Letty Sue. I hope Sam hurries Doc Ramsey along.”

She nodded slowly and continued to wipe away as much dried blood as possible from the child’s face. “How old do you suppose he is?”

“Looks no older than two, I’d say.”

Letty Sue couldn’t tell the boy’s age, so she took Chase at his word. She didn’t know much about children, never having had siblings. “He’s so still, Chase. And sometimes I think his breathing’s stopped.”

“He’ll make it, Letty Sue. He’s a strong boy, judging by the way he’s held up so far. No telling what he’s endured, but he’s alive, and soon he’ll have the doctoring he needs.”

Letty Sue rose from the bed then, glancing once more at the boy. Weary from the long ride home and exhausted with worry for the child, she turned and fell into Chase’s arms. “Oh, Chase. I’m afraid for him.”

He closed his arms around her. Tears moistened her eyes. She blinked them back.

“We’re doing all we can, darlin’. Don’t cry.”

She brushed a fallen drop from her cheek. “I’m not.”

Chase pressed his lips to her forehead, stroking her hair gently. “Why don’t you rest a spell? I’ll watch out for him until the doc arrives.”

She moved away from Chase and sat back down on the bed. She couldn’t fathom leaving the boy, no matter how tired she was. “No. I’m fine, Chase. Truly I am.” Rinsing the cloth in a bowl, she dabbed at the child’s face once again.

Letty Sue silently prayed for the boy’s recovery.
Whatever happened to him, she knew he didn’t deserve the pain inflicted on his young, delicate body.

“Poor child,” she murmured quietly.

Standing beside her, Chase laid a hand on her shoulder. The comfort he offered soothed her. She reached up and covered his hand with hers. The strength she felt from the contact brought an overpowering sensation of peace. She was amazed how the touch could nearly completely subdue her desperation. Chase had the power to calm her with just a thoughtful word, a tender touch. She glanced up at him then, and he returned her gaze with a warm, reassuring smile.

That was how Sam and Doc Ramsey found them when they entered the room. “Oh, thank heavens!” Letty Sue stood and rushed over to the doctor. “Please help him. He’s hurt badly.”

Doc Ramsey peered at the boy through his thick spectacles. “I’ll do what I can. You’d best leave the room now, Letty Sue.”

“No, no. I—I want to stay.”

He lowered his head to peer over his glasses. “Now, Letty Sue, we all know you don’t have the stomach for these things. I can’t have you collapsing dead away.”

The doctor was right; normally, Letty Sue wouldn’t have been able to handle the bloody sight. But it was different today. She felt the boy needed her there. He was so very alone, in an unfamiliar house, among complete strangers. She grabbed hold of the doctor’s arm and guided him toward the bed. “I promise I
won’t faint, and I’m not leaving, so please examine the boy.”

Letty Sue stood with Sam and Chase against the wall, watching the doctor administer to the child. Ten minutes later, Doc Ramsey rose from his place on the bed, stretched his arms and twisted the kinks from his neck. He muttered something about not being as young as he once was.

He turned to them and said quietly, “Well, he’s not as bad off as he appears. Most of the bruises are what you see, on the surface. I don’t believe there’s internal bleeding. His ribs will pain him, but not a one appears to be broken. He’s lost a great deal of body liquids. Dehydrated, I’d say. It’s important that he drink water, broth, anything you can get down him. He’s exhausted and catching up on the rest his body needs. Now, can you tell me who he is? Where’s the boy’s family?”

Chase explained the situation, answering Doc Ramsey’s questions the best he could. In truth, they didn’t know a thing about the child.

“It’d be best not to move him around too much,” the doctor instructed, once he’d been given all the facts, limited as they were.

“He’ll stay right here,” Chase announced.

Letty Sue’s head snapped up. “He will?”

“Yep.”

“But I, uh—” She tugged at her bottom lip. She wanted the boy to survive, prayed for it, but having him stay meant she’d be responsible for him. She’d have to tend him day and night. She’d never cared
for another human being before, much less a small injured child.

“We’ll keep him until his parents are found, Letty Sue,” Chase said quietly. And as if reading her thoughts, he stated with certainty, “You’ll do fine.” He glanced down at the child. “It’ll be best for the boy to stay, since he’s already here and shouldn’t be moved. I’ll ride out today and talk to the sheriff. Maybe the boy’s parents have contacted him by now.”

It was all settled in Chase’s mind. Letty Sue still had doubts, yet she couldn’t refuse to help the child.

They listened to Doc Ramsey’s instructions, noting the most important thing was to give the child fluids. The doctor promised to come by tomorrow to check on his progress. Letty Sue prayed there would be some.

Once they saw Doc Ramsey out, Chase turned to Letty Sue. “I’m heading to town now. I’ll find out what I can. Are you sure you’re all right with this?”

She nodded, realizing Chase would be gone most of the day and she’d be solely responsible for the child’s welfare. A tingle of fear rose up, but the child’s needs outweighed her own uncertainties. “I’ll take good care of him, Chase.”

He studied her intently, piercing her with his gaze, then nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Letty Sue watched the boy sleep. She’d been able to get some water down his throat earlier. Color began to rise in his pallid cheeks and Letty Sue felt
some-what encouraged. This afternoon, she’d made broth from beef stock and vegetables. The boy needed the nourishment, as much as he could tolerate.

She lifted his head gently, propping another pillow behind him. “Here, sweet little one, try to sip this.”

With her fingers, she parted his lips and spooned in a scant amount of broth.

The boy’s eyes opened.

Big, sad, beautiful blue eyes.

“Hello,” she said softly. Relieved that he’d finally awakened, she smiled broadly. With his eyes open, which somehow defined his features more clearly, Letty Sue thought the boy handsome, adorably so.

He stared up at her.

“I’m Letty Sue. We found you a ways from here. I know you hurt now, but soon you’re going to feel much better. Do you think you can drink some of this broth? Doc Ramsey said you need lots of nourishment.”

He didn’t move or make a sound.

“Can you open your mouth like this?” She showed him what she wanted him to do.

Slowly, his lips moved, opening enough for her to spoon the broth in. The boy’s dire hunger must have kicked in, because from then on, feeding him became much easier. Once all the broth was gone, he stared at the empty bowl with obvious longing.

Nothing could have made Letty Sue happier. “You want more? I’ll be right back, I promise.”

She dashed from the room, filled the bowl quickly, then, balancing it precariously, hurried back to the
bedroom without spilling a drop. “Here we go,” she said, out of breath.