Page 26 of On His Ranch

“Something wrong, dear?” Patti inquired.

“So, what do you have on the docket today, Piper?” Chase asked.

“Not a thing,” she put in, shooting him a small, grateful smile.

“I have a few chores I need to wrap up, but then I could give you a ride to your aunt’s, if you want.”

Piper was surprised at how quick and strong her reaction was. She didn’t want to go. In fact, the idea dismayed her more than it should have after knowing him for so short a time. But… maybe he wanted her out of his hair.

“I’m sorry I slept so much yesterday,” she said, the words timid.

“I imagine you were tired. You had a big day yesterday.”In more ways than one, his eyes said, sparkling at her.

“Yeah, that’s true… I don’t have to leave right away.” She squirmed in the chair, embarrassed by her own eagerness. Not a day went by that she didn’t hate her pale skin and her tendency to embarrass quite easily. “I know you had to work late yesterday because of me. So, I was thinking, maybe I could make it up to you.” She glanced across the table at Patti who was pretending to be too preoccupied with her coffee to pay them attention.

“What did you have in mind?”

“I thought I could help you out today. That way your chores would go twice as fast.”

“Or slow to a crawl while I teach you,” he said, deadpan.

“I think it’s a lovely offer,” Patti put in brightly. “Piper, I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of washing the clothes you were wearing yesterday.”

“No, not at all. Thank you,” she added, but her gaze never left Chase.

He was considering her while he sipped his coffee.

“I would be helpful. I can do things,” she added, suddenly feeling defensive. “You liked the grits.”

Chase chuckled. “Sure, I did, but you won’t be usin’ a stove out on the farm.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know that. I’m a quick learner, that’s what I’m trying to say.”

His look was appraising and intense. It would have made a less determined person give up.

Piper crossed her fingers under the table, wanting it so bad that waiting for him to make a decision felt physically painful.

“Alright, you can tag along.”

Yes!She stopped short of punching the air in victory.

“Get dressed and be outside in ten minutes,” he said, warning in his voice. “I won’t wait for you.”

“Yes, sir.” Out of sheer willpower, she stopped herself from giving him a mock salute.

Chase pushed back his chair, the legs scraping across the floor. He lifted his cup to his lips and downed the rest of the cup in a single swallow. “Thanks for breakfast, Ma.”

“Of course.”

With a nod that included them both, he strode to the door and let himself out.

“Well, let’s get movin’ then,” Patti said. “I have a pair of boots that should fit you, too.”

Piper made quick work of changing her clothes while Patti kept up a steady stream of chatter. She was headed for the door when the older woman put a hand on her shoulder.

“Piper… my son, he’s not a bad guy. Even though he pretends otherwise.”

She was too stunned to answer. So she nodded.

---