He had the uneasy feeling that Kansas Pete would recover from the night’s ordeal faster than he ever would. A whole lot faster.

* * *

Later that same morning, Chase headed for the kitchen for coffee. Cookie insisted upon whipping him up something to eat. In short order, he ushered Chase into the dining room and placed a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon on the table in front of him.

Cookie filled his cup. “You look like you got one wheel down and your axle’s dragging.”

Chase rubbed his forehead. “Yeah, well, it was a tough night.”

Cookie set the coffeepot on the stove. “All the more reason to get some grub under your belt.” Food was the cook’s cure-all for everything.

Chase picked up his fork and stabbed at the bacon. Tough night? More like a tough twenty-four hours, starting with getting thrown from his horse and being shot at. Then there was that frantic search for Ginny, topped off by Kansas Pete’s run-in with a bullet. But none of that had anything to do with his present state of mind.

After making sure his man would live to see another day, he hadn’t gone back to his room. Didn’t trust himself to. Not after what had happened.

He drew in his breath. What was he thinking? Nothing had happened! He and Emily had collided in the dark was all. No reason to keep thinking of her hands on his bare chest. His hands at her slender waist. The sweet fragrance of her. No reason at all.

My husband’s right…

The memory of her words affected him just as much today as they had when she’d uttered them. He told himself it was part of the charade. Part of the plan. She was simply play-acting as they had agreed. It was crazy to read something into a single word when there was so little chance it had been intended.

He clamped down on his thoughts only to be confronted by another memory. She’s no lady; she’s a rancher’s wife.

The sound of footsteps drew his attention to the doorway. Surprised to see his housekeeper up so early, he arched a questioning eyebrow. God, don’t let there be another problem.

Stifling a yawn, he blinked to relieve the grit from his sleep-deprived eyes. It had been a long night in more ways than one. It promised to be an even longer day. “Ginny okay?”

“She’s still asleep.” Peggy Sue hesitated. “I just wanted to thank you for everything you did. Had you not found her—”

He set his fork down and dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. “I didn’t find her. Emily…my…wife did.”

“Yes…I know. And…I’m very grateful to her.”

“We all are.” He laid the napkin on the table. “Ginny is a special little girl and a brave one at that.”

A rare smile crossed his housekeeper’s face. “Yes, I quite agree.”

He took a quick sip of coffee while considering his next words. “A girl like her needs…special care.”