kisses. Though from this distance, it looked innocent enough. She’d plant a quick kiss on a man’s cheek and he’d walk off with a satisfied smile.
Chase hated that he noted which of the men took all five kisses at once. He hated that she smiled at the men in line with that innocent-seductive smile of hers. And he hated that she was the prettiest woman on the church grounds today in her sunflower-yellow dress and white bonnet.
It was a dress fit for a Sunday afternoon picnic, with just a touch of lace, and modest lines. But on Letty Sue’s body, there’d be no mistaking the curves and swells, the dips and hollows or the feminine shuffle of petticoats as she sashayed by.
Last night, he could have had her. She’d been willing, but her damn innocence had kept him at bay. She didn’t know what she’d done to him, how the yielding arch of her body had told him in an unwritten law of lovemaking what she’d offered him.
But, she’d have paid a sorry price in the morning for his sexual cravings.
And she would never have forgiven him.
He wasn’t forgetting his promise to Joellen, but hell, last night Letty Sue had nearly made him forget how to breathe, much less his trusted obligation to her family.
Chase pushed himself away from the tree. He needed to get away for a spell. Watching nearly theentire male population of Sweet Springs put their hands on Letty Sue made his blood boil.
And he hated that, as well.
Letty Sue stood on the sidelines. Eight baskets had been auctioned off already, the creator of each one anonymous. Blue, yellow or red checkered clothes covered each one. The auctioneer, Elvin Monahan, lifted a cover to reveal a lovely vine basket covered with an array of dried flowers. He called for a beginning bid, and the unattached males of Sweet Springs began to holler out. The colorful basket brought a decent price of four dollars. Applause broke out when the gentleman met the lady responsible for the basket. Timothy Higgins, a ranch hand, took up the basket, then met the shy brown eyes of Ellie Singleton, the sheriff’s daughter. Together they entered the eating area, set up with benches and tables under tall, shady mesquite trees.
Elvin Monahan uncovered the next basket in line. As the red checkered cloth was removed, Letty Sue held her breath. It was hers.
Compared to the others, this basket looked as though it had been through a stampede. A hush settled over the crowd. The auctioneer stumbled with his words. “Well, now, uh, look what we have here. Certainly, a worthy prize for anyone with a hankering for good food. Smells awfully delicious.” He lifted the basket up high. “We’ll start the bidding. Who’ll give one dollar? One dollar, I say, who’ll bid one dollarfor this basket? C’mon now, gents, loosen up your pockets.”
Silence.
Letty Sue’s heart nearly stopped. Heat enveloped her as humiliation coursed through her veins. She’d die of mortification if no one bid on her basket.
She’d tried her best, but the Withers’s traditional “rainbow” basket was a complete failure with the most dismal colors. Even the small purple wildflower she’d picked to place on the very top had shriveled up, matching the rest of the gloomy creation.
“Let’s hear one dollar,” the auctioneer coaxed, “one dollar for a good cause here.”
Murmurs went through the crowd.
Letty Sue waited, ramrod stiff, with head held high, ingrained family pride keeping her from bolting. She refused the tears welling up. No. She wouldn’t cry.
She looked out over the crowd, her eyes scanning desperately. Where was Sam? she wondered. Hadn’t he made it to town yet?
Oh Lordy, Letty Sue.
Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy.
Chapter Eight
C hase stood back from the auction, watching. He didn’t notice the basket Sally Henderson had described to him. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t seen the girl all day.
But he was determined to have himself a fine lunch with Sally. She’d be a pleasant distraction, just the
Chase hated that he noted which of the men took all five kisses at once. He hated that she smiled at the men in line with that innocent-seductive smile of hers. And he hated that she was the prettiest woman on the church grounds today in her sunflower-yellow dress and white bonnet.
It was a dress fit for a Sunday afternoon picnic, with just a touch of lace, and modest lines. But on Letty Sue’s body, there’d be no mistaking the curves and swells, the dips and hollows or the feminine shuffle of petticoats as she sashayed by.
Last night, he could have had her. She’d been willing, but her damn innocence had kept him at bay. She didn’t know what she’d done to him, how the yielding arch of her body had told him in an unwritten law of lovemaking what she’d offered him.
But, she’d have paid a sorry price in the morning for his sexual cravings.
And she would never have forgiven him.
He wasn’t forgetting his promise to Joellen, but hell, last night Letty Sue had nearly made him forget how to breathe, much less his trusted obligation to her family.
Chase pushed himself away from the tree. He needed to get away for a spell. Watching nearly theentire male population of Sweet Springs put their hands on Letty Sue made his blood boil.
And he hated that, as well.
Letty Sue stood on the sidelines. Eight baskets had been auctioned off already, the creator of each one anonymous. Blue, yellow or red checkered clothes covered each one. The auctioneer, Elvin Monahan, lifted a cover to reveal a lovely vine basket covered with an array of dried flowers. He called for a beginning bid, and the unattached males of Sweet Springs began to holler out. The colorful basket brought a decent price of four dollars. Applause broke out when the gentleman met the lady responsible for the basket. Timothy Higgins, a ranch hand, took up the basket, then met the shy brown eyes of Ellie Singleton, the sheriff’s daughter. Together they entered the eating area, set up with benches and tables under tall, shady mesquite trees.
Elvin Monahan uncovered the next basket in line. As the red checkered cloth was removed, Letty Sue held her breath. It was hers.
Compared to the others, this basket looked as though it had been through a stampede. A hush settled over the crowd. The auctioneer stumbled with his words. “Well, now, uh, look what we have here. Certainly, a worthy prize for anyone with a hankering for good food. Smells awfully delicious.” He lifted the basket up high. “We’ll start the bidding. Who’ll give one dollar? One dollar, I say, who’ll bid one dollarfor this basket? C’mon now, gents, loosen up your pockets.”
Silence.
Letty Sue’s heart nearly stopped. Heat enveloped her as humiliation coursed through her veins. She’d die of mortification if no one bid on her basket.
She’d tried her best, but the Withers’s traditional “rainbow” basket was a complete failure with the most dismal colors. Even the small purple wildflower she’d picked to place on the very top had shriveled up, matching the rest of the gloomy creation.
“Let’s hear one dollar,” the auctioneer coaxed, “one dollar for a good cause here.”
Murmurs went through the crowd.
Letty Sue waited, ramrod stiff, with head held high, ingrained family pride keeping her from bolting. She refused the tears welling up. No. She wouldn’t cry.
She looked out over the crowd, her eyes scanning desperately. Where was Sam? she wondered. Hadn’t he made it to town yet?
Oh Lordy, Letty Sue.
Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy.
Chapter Eight
C hase stood back from the auction, watching. He didn’t notice the basket Sally Henderson had described to him. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t seen the girl all day.
But he was determined to have himself a fine lunch with Sally. She’d be a pleasant distraction, just the
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