Page 25 of The Wrangler Takes a Wife

“What are you doing here, Vera?” Amara asked her.

“I was bringing Chase some lunch.” Vera held up a cooler.

“No need. I have it covered.” Amara placed her hands on her hips.

“I’m just looking out for him. The poor man had to fend for himself after he was banned from ‘your little diner’.”

“Well, now he isn’t banned. In any case, if you continue to push up on him when it’s clear to everyone, he’s seeing me, you'll be more than banned from ‘my little diner’.”

“I don’t care about being banned.”

“Your family will, and I will let them know it's because you are disrespectful.”

Vera huffed. “I never.”

“Ha! We both know you have. Over and over again.”

Vera shot Amara the middle finger and ran to her car.

The word must have spread because Chase was finally given some peace.

As their relationship blossomed, the Welch brothers paid Chase a visit. They couldn’t have made their feelings clearer. After the morning roundup, they sought Chase out. Rodney stood menacingly behind his brother with his arms folded over his chest, while Roddick made it clear how they felt.

“Just make sure our sister doesn’t shed unhappy tears over you and we’ll be straight.”

Chase respected how they felt. They cared for Amara and were protective of her.

Hell, she grew on him the more time they spent together. It wasn’t just their physical chemistry. Although, the intensity of it was like nothing he had felt before. Chase found himself putting a lot of effort into their little dates. At some point, he would have to concede he just enjoyed seeing her smile. Going out riding was something they enjoyed. Amara was so relaxed then. Heloved seeing her carefree. There was the bonus of how sexy she looked when she rode.

Their riding dates were easy to plan. It was a small town and there wasn’t much to do. So, Chase had to use his creative hat. Inspiration hit him. He knew a thing or two about constellations and wanted to share it with her. Where better than an open field under the night sky? Before picking her up, he adorned the bed of his truck with blankets and pillows to make it more comfortable for them. Then he covered the rear of the truck, so he could reveal the surprise.

He timed his arrival perfectly, so that only Van and Amara remained at the diner. While Amara was in her office, he collected the basket the chef had prepared for them. “Thank you for coming through, Van.”

“It’s my pleasure. Amara is a great boss. It’s nice to help do something for her.”

Her employees not only loved working for her, they loved her. It was a sign of how big her heart was. After he ran the basket to his truck, Chase stopped by her office.

The new normal consisted of sharing supper together. When she was working, they ate upstairs in her apartment. He spent a few nights with her, leaving in the early morning. It was how Chase had learned the hands on the ranch had their gossip game on lock. A few short hours after he left her place, he’d overheard the workers talking about it.

“Well, I guess Amara is off the market. She and Harrison had a sleepover.”

They knew not to take the topic any further. They wouldn’t risk pissing off the Welch brothers. Hell, they shouldn’t risk pissing him off, either.

Chase knocked on Amara’s open door. “Hey, Sweet Darling,” he greeted. He saw the corner of her lips tip up before she suppressed her smile.

“Wrangler.” Her tone was clipped, but he saw the tenderness in her eyes. If she wanted to persist with the tough act, he wouldn’t attempt to change her. Just as long as she melted in his arms. She stood up from her desk and rounded it.

“Are you all done for the night?”

“Yeah.” Despite her smile, he could tell she was tired. Her day had started early, and here she was just finishing up. Amara had pushed herself because she was taking the day off tomorrow. “We can head out,” she informed him.

Earlier, Amara had told him that she would make him dinner at her house. She did not know he made a change of plans. He hoped it was a pleasant one. All Amara had to do was sit back and relax.

As she moved to walk past him, he grabbed her waist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I thought we were leaving.”

“Yes. Right after you give me what you have for me.”

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