Brighter Tomorrows by Beverly Wells Read Free Book Online

fingers gently caressing her cheeks. “There’s nothing to worry about. We’re only going to make sure everyone knows their parts. I may be back late, so don’t wait up. I’ll need to get up before sunrise so I can coordinate everything before the bank opens at nine.”
    “I have a Seth Thomas alarm clock I brought from Virginia. I’ll set it for five—if that’s all right with you—then fix you breakfast before you leave. I’ll need to see you before you go. Please.”
    “I’d like that. Just seeing your face before I leave will start my day off right.” He kissed her, slow and gentle. Her heartbeat fluttered.
    “Hmmm,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around him and leaning against him. Feeling his arousal, her blood surged hot and wild through her veins.
    “We’ll resume this discussion another time. I need to leave now, or I won’t leave at all.” He gave her a peck on the lips, winked and grabbed his Stetson. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” 
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    “Another cup of coffee?” Callie asked, covering her mouth as she yawned.
    Chase pushed back his chair and stood. “No thanks, but I appreciate you getting up to fix me breakfast. Henry’ll be here any minute. He’s bringing my horse in case we need to ride.”
    They walked down the hall and stopped by the hall tree.  He already wore his guns, and had forgone wearing his suit coat today. He looked good either way, but oh my, he looked so very much more the Texan without the coat.
    He turned toward her. “You bakin’ your corn bread today?”
    She shook her head. “I’m going to do loads of laundry, and lots of cleaning so I don’t have to think. I won’t bake the bread until tomorrow afternoon.  That way, I can cover the pans with a quilt and they’ll stay warm. I’ll go watch the games and visit for an hour or two in the afternoon, then come back to bake.”
    “Sounds like you’ve got it down to a science.” He hesitated.  “Just promise you’ll stay out of town today. For me.”
    Their gazes met, each saying a thousand words silently.
    “I promise. And you be careful. For me. Will you have someone tell me when it’s over?” Her attempt to smile failed.
    “I will. Most shop owners do their banking first thing, and others, usually right after lunch. If I have him pegged correctly, he’ll wait until late morning or early afternoon, when the crowd is thinner.”
    He crushed her to him, devouring her lips, robbing her of all thought. She matched his passion.  He pulled back and gazed at her with so much emotion she trembled.  “Henry should be outside by now. Hold all your thoughts till I get back.”
    He turned, placed his Stetson. She followed him out to road. She greeted Henry, and Chase mounted. She watched the two walk their horses toward town.
    Ready to turn and go inside, Callie stopped when she saw Chase halt and twist in the saddle.  “Just in case,” he yelled so loud the birds overhead took flight, “I love you. More than life itself. Just sayin’…so you know.”  His grin matched that of a cocky, pleased little boy.
    Her heart almost took flight with the birds. “It’s a helluva time to tell me,” she bellowed loud enough for anyone down the road to hear. “I love you too, and you better come back to me. Just sayin’.”
    Chase and Henry both hooted and set their mounts to jogging.
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    Callie scrubbed clothes to lessen her rioting nerves. As she hung out the towels, she sputtered. Of all the times to profess his love, he had to yell it while going off to a shootout. She smiled, remembering the look on his face, his laughter. Don’t you leave me now.
    “Well, now, ain’t that the purdiest sight,” a voice, scratchy and sinister, sneered from ten feet behind her.
    Callie’s fingers froze against the line. Sheer black fright ran through her. If this was Amos Marten, why would he be here, now, unless…unless he had been following Chase’s moves. Dear Heavenly Father.