A Cowboy Worth Claiming (21 page)

“Looks mighty good,” he said. “I’m hungrier than a bear.”

“Feels mighty good,” she said, and when his gaze narrowed in puzzlement, she added, “having you talk to me at breakfast.”

“You know why I didn’t, Lizzie.” He put a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

“I suppose,” she said, wondering about his code of honor. He’d been set and determined to push her into Hayden’s arms. “I was lonely, and sick and tired of your please and thank-yous.”

Chance glanced at her with a grin. “Were you now?”

“I was.”

Just as she was ready to take a seat, he grabbed her hand and tugged. She fell onto his lap. “Oh.”

Her arm naturally went around his neck. “You want to have breakfast like this?” he asked.

Lizzie was lost when he touched her. She was lost and never wanted to be found. “Sitting on your lap?”

“You won’t get lonely.” He said with a devil of a smile. Then he cupped the back of her head and leaned in to nuzzle her throat.

Stirrings awakened quickly as his lips traveled along her neck to her chin, then to her lips. He gave her a long, sweet kiss and when it ended, the look in his eyes made her breath catch.

Her immediate reaction made him hesitate.

“On second thought, that’s not the best idea.” He lifted her off him, his eyes smoldering as his gaze roamed over her.

“I thought it was a pretty good one,” she said, regaining her breath to taunt him with the dare.

“Lizzie, we just… Your body needs a rest.” He put a forkful of food in his mouth and chewed. “Someone’s got to be sensible around here. Lord knows, you make me crazy with want.”

“You’re forever protecting me,” she said softly, without complaint. He was right. They’d made love less than an hour ago and her body was still adjusting to him. She ached but she welcomed the pain and treasured his concern over her. “Thank you.”

“Don’t make me crazier by thanking me for anything, darlin’. I’ll wonder what’s going on inside that pretty little head of yours.”

They laughed and finished the meal with pleasant talk. Lizzie washed the plates in the sink and Chance came up behind her. He circled her in his arms and set her hair to the side to kiss the back of her neck. “I’ll be out on the range most of the day.”

She nodded. “I’ll be going into town this morning.”

“I’ll see you at supper.”

She turned around and found herself locked in his embrace. He brushed a quick goodbye kiss to her lips, but the second their lips met, the pull was like two gale winds joining force and it was impossible to stop. The kiss went deeper and lasted long enough that they finally had to draw apart to take a sustaining breath. Chance backed up a step, displaying more willpower than she had, but his look of regret told her how difficult it was for him.

“If I don’t go now, I’m likely to haul you back into the bedroom.” He grabbed his hat from the peg on the wall and plopped it on his head.

The sweet strumming in her body intensified as she watched him walk out the door. She stood there for a few minutes, reliving yesterday and the delicious, desirable way Chance made her feel. For once in her life, she had no regrets.

Later that morning, Lizzie packed up her dolls, then hitched up Melody to the wagon and rode into town. She had several important calls to make this morning. Her first stop was at the Swenson house. She had a special doll for little Sarah.

The Swensons were home, and replacing Sally Ann with the new doll went better than expected. Mrs. Swenson was overjoyed with Lizzie’s visit. Sarah had taken one look at the new doll, clothed in shimmery blue silk and lace, pristine and perfect, and she gladly handed back Sally Ann without too much fuss. She did place a sweet kiss on the old doll’s head before turning her over. Both Mrs. Swenson and Lizzie were proud of her for taking such good care of the doll.

Her visit with the Swensons was brief. She had other stops to make in town, but Lizzie, coward that she was, avoided the millinery shop, in fear of running into Hayden. She didn’t want to rehash the argument they’d had yesterday. So much had happened since then, and she feared if he took one look at her, he’d know the truth, that she’d fallen in love with Chance Worth. It would probably crush him if he learned that she’d slept with Chance in the real sense, and that she was immeasurably happy.

No, she didn’t look at the shop or slow the wagon as she drove by. And after she finished making doll deliveries, a great sense of pride swelled in her heart as she finally managed to fill all her orders despite that drastic episode at the lake. She’d also received orders for half a dozen more dolls, which meant extra earnings for the ranch.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Lizzie had to visit an old family friend. Lizzie had a bargain of sorts to make with her, and she only hoped the woman would comply.

When Lizzie returned home with cash in her pocket, she unhitched the wagon and led Melody to the barn. She stood on a stool to currycomb the mare then wash her down. The tail end of a dust storm had caught her by surprise on the way home, and both she and the horse were layered with a thin coat of Arizona dirt.

She corralled Melody and was surprised to see Joyful was back in the pen, too. Her heart raced hard in her chest, knowing Chance was back already. She liked the days when he worked at home and she could see him fixing things around the house or dealing with the livestock as though he truly belonged here.

Lizzie went in search of him. She grinned when she found him around the back of the barn, washing up by a water trough, his head down, hands covering his face.

She snuck up beside him and reached down into the water, scooping out two handfuls and tossing it at him. The water splashed his neck and shoulders.

His body shot upright. Stunned, he reached for his gun, which he didn’t have holstered, and she backed away, cackling with laughter. The back of his hair and shoulders were soaked

When he saw her, his face split into a smile. His eyes twinkled devilishly. “You think you’re gonna get away with that?” Before she could turn and run, he grabbed her wrist with one hand, trapping her, and reached down into the trough.

“No, Chance! Don’t do it! Don’t you dare!” She laughed, trying to squirm away but his grip was firm. He splashed water onto her hair, her face, her neck and her chest.

“Come to think of it, I think you need a bath.”

Lizzie looked down at the water trough and began shaking her head, giggling. “No! I’m not going in that trough! I’m not.”

“Oh, yes you are, Lizzie.” His laughter loosened his hold on her and Lizzie broke free of his grip. She dipped her hand into the trough one more time to splash his shirt before she took off running.

Chance chased her and she ran as fast as she could around the corral and barn. When he finally caught up with her just outside the barn door, she was breathing heavily and was too exhausted to fight him. He grabbed her around the waist and she didn’t try to squirm free. His hands on her felt too good.

With a triumphant smile, he lifted her in his arms. “Gotcha. Question is, princess, what am I gonna do with you?”

“Anything you want,” Lizzie whispered, her body tingling from his touch. Every second she was with Chance, her heart pounded and every nerve in her being became sensitive and alive.

He arched a brow and a hot gleam of desire sparked in his eyes. “I think we’ll have us a bath
later.
”

Chance carried her inside the barn and laid her down on a soft batch of straw. It was dark and cooler inside. The scent of damp earth and freshly mucked stalls filled her nostrils. She was cushioned on all sides with new hay and as she peered up, Chance met her eyes as he gently covered her body with his. They were both wet and breathing hard from the silly chase.

He looked into her eyes and then at her mouth. Her lips parted in anticipation and the gleam in his eyes intensified. Then he crushed a sweetly demanding kiss to her lips. She drank in his scent, his taste and kissed him back with the same such demand.

Soon their bodies were entwined with heat and passion. Chance touched her through her clothes and she bared his shirt to touch his chest. Her breaths came harder now and that yearning that deepened at the very sight of Chance surfaced with full force.

“This is crazy,” he said, kissing her throat, neck and chin. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Lizzie felt power and pride that she could satisfy such a man. “I can’t get enough of you, either,” she breathed. Chance stopped for a second to gaze into her eyes. Then he grabbed her around the waist with both hands and rolled her over, so that she now was on top of him and his back was against the bed of straw. She straddled his legs and Chance murmured commands, stroking her beneath her dress, until moisture pooled between her thighs and she ached for welcome release.

He coaxed her with gentle words and taught her how to please him. Without shedding her dress, she took Chance inside her, guided by his hands on her hips until she found her own rhythm. She moved on him and the hint of soreness that had remained from last night lent itself to great pleasure. She moaned as she rocked up and down, feeling their exquisite joining to the hilt of her womanhood.

Chance rose up then, wrapping her legs around him and pulling her closer, to drive his manhood deep until they simultaneously splintered with thrilling, earth-shattering spasms. “Elizabeth,” he murmured as he held her tight and fell back against the straw.

She could only smile, with a glow that beamed from the inside out.

* * *

A short time later, Lizzie sat in the bathtub Chance had brought into the kitchen. She’d warmed pots of water over the cookstove and scented it with lavender and he’d filled the tub for her. Now, he kneeled behind her and washed her hair, fingering the long strands and scrubbing them clean.

“The first time I saw you, all this pretty hair was sticking out every which way.”

“Don’t remind me,” Lizzie said, “of that day at the lake.”

He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “You hated me.”

“I, uh…” Lizzie couldn’t think straight with Chance grazing his fingers over her neck and shoulders. He was so careful with her now, his touch so gentle. “You were a brute.”

He laughed and tugged at her hair. “You deserved my brutish ways. You were a brat.”

“You don’t think I’m a brat now, do you?”

Chance hesitated and Lizzie swiveled her head to gaze at him. “Do you?”

He feigned deep thought. “Depends.”

“
Depends?
On what?”

“On whether or not you’re gonna let me take a bath with you.”

“There’s hardly room for two of us in here. You’re so big and—”

Chance began stripping off his clothes. His chest bared, Lizzie lost her train of thought. “I got caught in that dust storm, darlin’. I’m gonna need some good scrubbing to get clean.”

Then he yanked off his boots and the rest of his clothes came next. He stood next to the tub, gloriously exposed, watching her. She couldn’t look at his body without wanting him. “You’re a devil, Chance Worth.”

“Okay by me, if you get out and wash me.”

“Is that so?”

“Just don’t put on any clothes. I sorta like the notion of you sponging me without a stitch on.”

The next few days floated by like a dream. Their time together was thrilling and amazing. Lizzie couldn’t seem to think about anything but Chance. They’d get their chores done as quickly as possible and then spend their nights making love and talking afterward for hours. Chance shared stories of his time in the orphanage and she told him about her life on the ranch when her father was alive. Lizzie now looked at Chance as the man she loved, but as her friend, too. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t tell him. She hoped he felt the same way. He certainly hadn’t mentioned leaving the ranch, which she viewed as a very good sign.

Lizzie couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier. And Chance, too, wore a smile for her every day. Their lives seemed to fit. The ranch was thriving. Everything was finally falling into place.

And best of all, Lizzie had a secret she held close to her heart. She could hardly contain her excitement. Tomorrow, she’d planned on cooking a fancy dinner and dressing up pretty for Chance before giving him her surprise.

Chapter Fifteen

N
ew dawn broke through the curtains in Lizzie’s bedroom, the early beams of light waking Chance. He rose quietly and grabbed his clothes as he glanced at Lizzie sound asleep in the bed. He leaned over to cover her shoulders with the quilt and brush a light kiss on her forehead. He wouldn’t wake her, she needed rest. Last night, she hadn’t been her usual self, her stomach cramping and upset. He’d held her during the night comforting her to sleep.

Chance strode to the door and as he grasped the knob, he stopped to take another look at her before walking out. His lips curved up in a wide smile. He’d never been so smitten with a woman that he needed to steal one last lingering glance before leaving her bed. His feelings for Lizzie overpowered him. He was in love with her. The revelation had hit him a few days ago and since then he’d been letting the notion seep into his brain and take hold. He’d never felt this way about a woman before. He’d never trusted himself with that emotion. But Lizzie had torn down the defensive walls that he’d built inside himself as protection. She’d wedged her way in with sass and grit. She was strong, a survivor, and the right woman for him.

He loved her from the bottom of his heart.

He wanted to marry her and live on this ranch and raise children with her. The idea had been brewing in his head ever since Hayden had asked Lizzie to marry him. Funny thing, for all those weeks prior, a proposal from Hayden had been exactly what Chance had been hoping for. But when it happened, Chance had realized what he would stand to lose. More than anything in his life, he needed Lizzie.

Chance dressed quickly and strode outside to feed the livestock. As a treat for his loyal horses, he hand-fed Melody and Joyful sugar cubes after they’d had their fill of oats. He mucked a few stalls and spread fresh hay down for the two horses that would help build this ranch. Chance had plans for the Mitchell spread. He envisioned him and Lizzie, chasing their youngsters around the yard as a thousand head of cattle grazed the land. He’d pull calves, and Lizzie would bear children. They’d work hard and build something for the future. His head was bustling with ideas.

Lizzie had promised him a fancy meal tonight.

It would be the perfect time to propose.

An hour later, he washed up before entering the house for breakfast. Lizzie was standing by the cookstove, hunched over the coffeepot, her hand covering her stomach. He strode to her side. “Lizzie, what is it?”

“It’s nothing.” She moved very slowly to pour coffee.

“You’re white as a sheet, darlin’. Your stomach upset again?”

She nodded. “It’ll pass.” She glanced at him, meeting his eyes. “It always does this time of month.” A flush of color rose up her face. After all they’d been through together, Chance didn’t think anything would embarrass her.

He took the coffeepot out of her hand and led her to a chair. “Sit down. I’ll get the meal on the table.”

She sat and braced her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her fists. “Just so you know, I’m gonna be cranky today.”

“I’ll forgive you,” he said, concealing a smile and dishing up the eggs. He bent to kiss her cheek and then sat down to eat.

Lizzie picked at her food. Every so often, she would wince and rub her stomach gently. Chance didn’t know much about a female’s monthlies, but he could see she had some pain this morning. She appeared tuckered out and hadn’t bothered to comb her hair. Her pretty eyes looked weary.

“I planned to go into town later today. If you’re not feeling better—” he began, then stopped when he heard the sound of pounding hooves. Riders were approaching. “You expecting anyone this early?”

Lizzie’s eyes lifted in surprise. “No, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Stay inside,” Chance said, rising to retrieve his gun belt. He strapped it on and checked his gun. It was loaded. “I’ll see who it is.”

Lizzie blinked, and a worried look crossed her features, but Chance didn’t have time to ease her concern. Though he’d never had any trouble in Red Ridge, he knew enough to always be prepared. Hard lessons had taught him as much.

He walked out the front door and stepped into the yard, just as three riders greeted him. Chance gazed at their faces, recognizing each one.

“Alistair,” he said. His adoptive father sat atop a pure black gelding. His graying hair and beard were impeccably groomed and the clothes he wore were those of a wealthy land baron. The other men, his lackeys, were on either side of him. All three honed in on Chance with eagle eyes.

“Finally found you, son.”

Chance flinched at the way he said “son,” sugary sweet, as if the reunion was a joyous occasion.

Chance took a second to meet with the other men’s eyes, before turning back to Dunston. “What do you want?”

“A fine way to greet your father.”

“My father died when I was five. You know the story.”

Dunston’s mouth twisted in a sneer. “You always were ungrateful.”

“Why are you here?” Chance asked.

“I’m asking you to come home.”

“Home?” Chance spit the word out. The notion of the Circle D Ranch being his true home was strange and foreign to him, now more than ever. A pang of dread sliced through his gut. Dunston never did anything for selfless reasons. He was up to something.

Alistair nodded. “That’s right.”

“I recall you saying once I stepped foot off the Double D, I didn’t have a home anymore.”

“I was mad as hell at you, Chance. You left when I needed you most.”

Chance said dispassionately, “You never needed me. You got twenty men working your spread. I was just another ranch hand to you.” He pointed his finger back to the road that led off the property. “Turn your horses around and head out. You wasted your time coming for me. I’m not going back there.”

Chance turned his back on them and approached the steps.

“You don’t come home willingly, you’re gonna pay. I got me an eyewitness to you stealing my payroll right outta the cash box.”

Chance spun around, his ears ringing from the false accusation. “What? I didn’t steal anything.”

“Ole Larry says different. He claims you hit him over the head with the butt of your gun and took off running with all the cash. He had quite a headache for days. Didn’t you, Larry?”

Larry jumped to attention, sitting up taller in the saddle. “Yes, sir. I sure did.”

“That’s a damn lie and you know it.”

“I don’t know anything for sure,” Dunston said. “Except, I had a dickens of a time finding you. You hid yourself away pretty well. But you didn’t figure on my connections with the local authorities, did you? I put out wires and one marshal up Prescott way recognized your name. Seems you killed a man.”

Chance bristled. “That man stole from me and was ready to take my life.”

“Well, I’m glad he didn’t.”

Chance shook his head, trying to figure why, after all these weeks, Dunston had gone to the trouble to find him. “I don’t get it. Why’s it so important to you that I come home?”

Alistair hesitated, darting a look behind him as a buggy ambled toward the house.

“Chance?” Lizzie’s voice carried from the front porch. He should’ve known she wouldn’t stay put in the house. “What’s going on?”

“Go back inside, darlin’. I’ll take care of this.”

True to her nature, Lizzie did just the opposite. She came down the steps and stood beside him, gazing at the men on horseback.

Alistair’s gaze went to Lizzie. His lips curled into a cruel smirk. “Don’t tell me she’s the reason you don’t want to come home? Why, she’s as sorry a sight as this dilapidated, pitiful excuse for a ranch.”

Horrified, Lizzie gasped. Her hand went to her chest.

“You son of a bitch!” Chance lunged forward, ready to pound some sense into the older man, but Lizzie grabbed his arm, tugging him back.

“Chance, don’t! Please…don’t! It’s alright.” It wasn’t her slight strength but the power of her plea that stopped Chance from grabbing Alistair by the throat.

“It’s not alright. He owes you an apology.”

“I don’t need an apology,” Lizzie said quietly. “I don’t care what he says about me.”

It was clear to him Lizzie was trying to calm the situation down, but Chance’s nerves were bursting out of his skin. He put a warning threat in his tone as he looked at the old man. “I’m waiting for that apology, Dunston.”

Alistair had the foresight to remove his hat and look contrite. “I’m sorry, miss. But if you care a hair about my son, you’ll tell him to come home. I’m a generous man. I can forget all of this unpleasantness.”

“Like hell I will,” Chance said through tight lips.

Lizzie’s chin jutted out, her eyes sharp on Alistair. “He didn’t steal from you. I know that for fact. Chance isn’t a thief.”

The older man continued, “I’d hate to see my son thrown into jail. It’s not a pretty place.”

Lizzie raised her voice. “He won’t go to jail.”

Alistair rubbed his nose, hiding a smile. “Sorta hard to prove a man’s innocent when there’s an eyewitness. Truth is, Chance stole a lot of money from me and then ran. There were other men that saw him leave the ranch in a hurry after the robbery. They’ll testify to it.”

“He’s innocent!” Lizzie raised her voice, seeing firsthand the unscrupulous nature of the man who’d adopted Chance.

“Is that so?” Dunston was a picture of serenity now as he nodded to the driver of the buggy that had come to a stop a short distance from the house. “Let’s see if you still think so, once you hear from my stepdaughter, Marissa. Abe, go help her.”

Marissa?

Chance thought he’s seen the last of the spoiled girl.

He watched Dunston’s lackey stride over to the buggy to get her. Dressed in the finest clothes, with flowing skirts fashioned with delicate lace, she looked as regal as a princess stepping down from the buggy. Her honey-blond hair gleamed like spun silk and curled in ringlets under a stylish hat. She held her head high as she approached, her jade-green eyes darting from Alistair to Chance.

Lizzie gave another gasp, this time one of awe as she stared at Marissa.

Chance let go a vile curse. Seeing Marissa turned his stomach. She’d never been anything but trouble to him. “What the hell is she doing here?”

Dunston finally dismounted his horse to greet his stepdaughter, taking her by the hand. The two faced Chance. “Marissa is with child,” Dunston said. “Your child.”

Beside him, Lizzie’s body visibly shook.

His gaze flew to the belly hidden under the vast amount of material of Marissa’s dress. Sure enough, there seemed to be the slightest bump. But he had no claim to it. That was not his baby.

Now, his blood boiled over. “I never touched her.” He sent the woman a sharp glare. “Damn it, Marissa. Why in hell are you lying like this?”

“I’m…not lying, Chance,” she said, hesitating and glancing at Lizzie, before meeting his eyes again. “You’re the father of my child.”

He gnashed his teeth and shot her a hot glare. “That’s not possible, Marissa. And you know it.” Then he whipped his head toward his adoptive father. “So that’s it, Alistair? The reason for the trumped-up charges. You’re blackmailing me to come home, because of her. If I don’t, you’ll have me thrown in jail.”

Dunston sent him a crafty smile. “You come home, son. Marissa’s mother and I will welcome you back. You’ll marry Marissa and raise your child under my roof. I’ll make you foreman. I’m offering you what you’ve always wanted, Chance.”

Chance scoffed and shook his head, too angry to speak.

Marissa closed her eyes briefly, as if to gather her strength. “Chance, please. This is all so very humiliating, standing here, begging you to come home and help me through this time.”

Lizzie turned to him, her expression revealing her confusion. “Maybe you should speak with her privately.”

“No, Lizzie. You can’t possibly believe her.”

Lizzie drew her lower lip in as her gaze went to Marissa. Beautiful. Feminine. Desirable. He could see Lizzie’s mind working now, thinking about all the ways she didn’t measure up. When the truth was, Lizzie was ten times the woman Marissa was.

“I’m about to faint from the heat,” Marissa said, fanning her face with her hand.

“Why don’t you go inside the house, Marissa,” Lizzie said quickly. “Have a seat and cool off for a spell.”

Chance fumed. “You’re inviting her in?”

Lizzie nodded. “It’s hot out here for her. And you should go inside, too. Talk to her, Chance.”

“No, Lizzie. The only person I’m gonna talk to is you.” He shot Dunston a hard look. “Alistair, take Marissa behind the barn. It’s shady there and she’ll be…
more comfortable,
” he nearly spat out.

The older man began, “That’s hardly—”

“You shouldn’t have brought her here in the first place,” Chance said.

With that, he took hold of Lizzie’s hand and led her inside the house, shutting the door good and hard, so he could talk to her.

* * *

“Listen, Lizzie. None of this is true. I swear—”

“I know you’re not a thief,” Lizzie said, bolstering her courage. “You don’t have to convince me of that.”