Page 2 of The Wrangler Takes a Wife

“Is she ever going to ease up?” he asked her brother, Rodney.

“I’m afraid not. Amara Welch is the Queen of holding grudges.”

“I have a deal for you.” Chase selected his words carefully. He was aware this could go south, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“Do tell,” she drawled.

“Let’s start with what I will give you.”

Amara took another sip of her lemonade and side eyed him as she loudly munched on the ice.

“I will give you fields 8 and 9 that border the Welch’s Ridge Ranch.”

She shifted in her seat, sitting up straighter. “And what do you want in return?”

Chase smiled internally. Amara was quick on her feet. She wouldn’t allow anyone to take advantage of her. If she agreed to this thing, she would enter the agreement with her eyes wide open. He didn’t do well with game playing, so he got straight to the point. “I need a wife.”

“Okay,” she said slowly, narrowing her eyes at him. “Well, you’re the most eligible bachelor in town. Your choices are endless.” Amara was a sharp woman.

Was she pretending not to get his meaning?

“Wait!”

Okay, here we go.She was using that big, sexy brain of hers.

“You want me to help you select a wife? Be your personal matchmaker?”

“No. I’ve already decided on who I want to marry.”

“Good for you. Why are you here?”

“I have chosen to marry you. Like I said, I’m making it worth your while.”

Her mouth opened, then shut. She huffed softly and picked up her glass. He noticed her long fingers and short manicured nails. No polish for her. Chase studied her hands. Her complexion reminded him of rich, dark roasted coffee. His inspection jumped to her eyes. They were trained on him. He liked the fire he saw there. Maybe a little too much. He lowered his eyes to her down-turned lips with the full pouty bottom.

Amara finished her lemonade, placed her glass on the table then chewed the ice.

“You came. You spoke. I think it’s time you go.” She moved to get up from her chair. Chase thought she would question him about his declaration, but he misjudged her.

“Wait!” he called.

“For what? You came into Willowridge, a place you never heard of, and inherited land from an uncle you never knew existed. After hearing about the land dispute, you refused to do the right thing and even entertain an offer. You hired my brothers to work the land that should have been theirs. If all of that wasn’t bad enough, you stopped by the audacity tree and picked it bare before coming in here asking me to marry you. You! A man I don’t know or like. But wait, there is more. You want me to marry you for the land that should have come to my family. Are you outta your damned mind?”

“No, not at all.”

Whew. Chase had never heard anyone suck their teeth for so long. “I’m not for sale, Chase Harrison.” She stood, then sat back down abruptly. Her long finger pointed at him. “Let me tell you, if I were for sale, the likes of you couldn’t afford me.”

While he understood the optics, he bristled at the thought he was trying to buy her. “Look, no one is trying to buy you. Think about it more like a dowry.”

“A dowry?” She sounded like she was chewing glass.

“Yes, I need a wife, and I am willing to give her a generous gift.” Of course, he would never mention it was his intention all along to gift the Welches that portion of land. This was the only upper hand he had to negotiate with her.

“Look, I worked all day, and I am starving.”

His stomach rumbled in agreement. Like Amara, he was hungry as well.

“I’m going to fix myself a plate…”

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