Page 4 of The Wrangler Takes a Wife

Amara cut him off. “It won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“It isn’t believable.” Now, he didn’t know about that. They were attractive people.

“Because?”

“I don’t like you, Wrangler, and everyone knows it!” Well, she was right. Amara had been very vocal about her dislike for him.

“I don’t see why we can’t convince them you’ve changed your mind.” It would take some work. She shot daggers at him. Okay, lots of work.

“What about you?”

Chase raised his eyebrow in confusion. “What are you talking about?” he asked.

“You think you can convince them I’m your type?”

What the hell was that supposed to mean?“I don’t have to convince them of anything. They don’t know me. So, how would they know my type?”

Amara sighed, looking more exasperated at him than usual. “You think they are going to buy you’re into me?”

“Why wouldn’t they? I’m a healthy man with good vision. What is there not to be into?”

“Oh, you one of those, I don’t see colour folks.”

“No. Now you are gonna have to keep up. I just told you I have good vision. Is this your way of saying they won’t buy it because you’re Black?”

“Yes!” She threw her hands up in the air. “No one is going to believe your southern ass is into me.”

“Well, I guess we will just have to tell them I’m not from the south. I’m from the Midwest, Sugar.”

Her eyes opened comically. “That sounds very southern to me. And don’t call me Sugar.”

Chase did everything he could not to laugh. She was furious, but he found her adorable. “Well, I’m going to have a sweet name for you. Mm. Let’s see.” He said rubbing his beard covered jawline. “I’ll come up with something, don’t you worry.”

“I’m not worried because like I said this…” she said, motioning between them. “…just won’t work.”

Chase took her warm hand in his larger ones. They both inhaled sharply. She felt the charge; it wasn’t just him. He didn’t allow her to pull away from his hold. The pad of his thumb stroked herhand. Her hand was so soft. “I can promise you they won’t doubt that I’ve fallen for you.” He brought her hand to his lips. Desire flared in her eyes before it was replaced. With fury.

“Gimme back my hand, Wrangler.” Amara’s usual sharpness was missing.Oh, yeah, he was going to win her over.

“Okay, as enlightening as this has been. I have to close up so I can get to bed.”

“Alright, I will stop by tomorrow before closing and talk about it some more.”

“We don’t need to talk?—”

“Can you add a slice of that rhubarb pie to my bill? Actually, add two.” He’d been eyeing the pie.

Amara glared at him before she stood. “You are going to have to take your pie to go.”

“No problem.” He rubbed his hands together. His sweet tooth was grateful for something other than those oatmeal cookies and Scottish biscuits. The general store only stocked the ones with raisins, and he hated raisins.

True to her word, she brought over a to-go container. He opened it and saw his slices of pie. My oh my. She was generous with her cutting. There was half a pie in there. His future wife cared about him. Closing the container, he gave a big smile and winked at her. Amara dropped the bill on the table. “Cash or credit?”

“Cash.” The bill was more than reasonable. Especially given how much food she gave him. He left her a generous tip. Then totally unnerved her by stepping into her space. He squeezed her shoulder. She took a step back.

“Good night, Amara. See you tomorrow.”

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