Page 1 of The Wrangler Takes a Wife

Chapter One

Chase

The chime alerted the owner of Chase’s arrival as he pushed the diner’s door open.

“It’s two minutes until closing, whatever you want, you’re going to have to get it to go.” She conveyed her message with sternness despite her dulcet voice. Chase knew she wouldn’t sound so friendly if she knew it was him. Especially after refusing to serve him for the last three months. Willowridge was a small town, and the diner was the only decent place to get a good meal. The smells of the diner assailed him. It smelled like all your favourite meals and baked goods.

He decided not to respond. He was pretty certain Amara would hear his voice and tell him to leave her diner.

“Hello?” she called out.

Chase remained quiet. He didn’t venture into the restaurant. He stood by the door, waiting for her to appear. It was a mystery how she managed to be so unreasonable and ornery yet remainone of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. She was tall and thick, just the way he liked it.

“Oh, it’s you.” Her words made him feel like his existence was offensive. “What do you want, Wrangler?” Mind you, the woman knew his damn name but insisted on calling him wrangler. Normally, he wouldn’t mind. After all, that is who he was and what he did. It sounded more like a cuss word, based on the way she said it. In fact, the dirtiest. Chase wondered how dirty Ms. Amara Welch could get. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue or something?”

“Nope.” As he shook his head, he attempted to dislodge the X-rated thoughts that were threatening to take over his mind. “Can I come in?”

Amara placed her hands on her ample hips and cocked her head. It didn’t take a genius to read her expression.

“I meant, can I come in and sit down?”

“Why?”

Chase sighed; he didn't think this would be easy. “I need some help?—”

“Now I know your ass is in the wrong place.”

She kissed her teeth.

“Amara, how about you hear me out before you reach a conclusion?”

She stared at him for what seemed like forever. Her large chocolate brown orbs bored into him. Chase stood his ground under her scrutiny.

“Fine. Come on in.”

He stepped inside. Amara walked past him and flipped her open sign to closed, then locked the door. Turning around to face him, she instructed, “go on, take a seat.”

“Anywhere?”

“Sure. You want something to drink? I have lemonade or iced tea.”

Chase took this as a good sign. “Lemonade would be nice.”

She nodded and disappeared through the swinging doors. Chase looked around the diner. The décor was a perfect mix between an old school 50s diner and a French bistro. It was his first time stepping foot into the warm, cozy space, since Amara essentially barred him from her establishment. Well, not barred him, as much as she refused to serve him.

Amara returned with two glasses. In front of him she placed one and across from him she placed the other.

“Okay. What do you need?” she huffed, taking her seat.

“I hope you and I can come to an arrangement.” Chase paused, gauging her reaction.

She arched a perfectly shaped brow at him, urging him to continue.

“I know you aren’t happy that my uncle left the land he promised your family to me, and that I’m not willing to sell the property.”

A bored expression blanketed her face, and she took a sip from her glass. He knew bringing it up would rile her, but he wanted all the cards on the table. It wasn’t like he didn’t understand where she was coming from. His uncle, a man he didn’t even know, and never met, had made a promise then failed tokeep it. Well, Uncle Willis was no longer here, but Chase was. Consequently, he had to deal with her wrath.

“In our family, we learned early on not to promise Amara anything. Nothing gets her steaming mad more than a broken promise. It’s not like she can be mad at Mr. Willis. One, she loved him like an uncle. Two, he is gone, and he's left you to feel her wrath.”

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