Accustomed to the sidesaddle riders back home, Emily was surprised at the woman’s masculine command of her horse, as well as her manly attire.

Chase moved his arm away from Emily’s shoulder. “Nice to see you, Mrs. Buttonwood.”

“Yes. Well, I wanted to meet the new bride.” Switching the reins from her right hand to her left, Mrs. Buttonwood afforded Chase a playful punch on the arm. Turning to Emily, she nodded approval. “So, you’re Cassie.”

A moment of awkward silence followed before Chase spoke. “Actually, my wife’s name is Emily.”

“Oh?” Mrs. Buttonwood looked confused and then curious. “I could have sworn that I heard that your new bride’s name was Cassie.” Falling silent, she waited for an explanation and, when none came, remembered her manners. “By the way, I’m Helen Buttonwood. My husband and I own the ranch down the road a piece.”

Since Mrs. Buttonwood was considerably older, Emily bobbed her head. “Pleased to meet you,” she said politely.

Mrs. Buttonwood’s eyes widened. “Oh my! Aren’t you the lady? Please call me Helen. And do let me see your ring.”

“Well, I—” Emily hid her bare hand in the folds of her skirt.

“It’s being resized,” Chase said as smoothly as if he’d rehearsed it.

Mrs. Buttonwood looked momentarily alarmed. “Oh. I do hope it’ll be ready by next Saturday.”

Chase frowned. “What’s next Saturday?”

“I’m planning a little get-together. You know, to help celebrate your wedding. Nothing outlandish, of course. Just a small gathering with a few neighbors. You didn’t think we’d let an occasion like this pass unnoticed, did you?” Without waiting for a reply, Mrs. Buttonwood directed her next comments to Emily. “This is the most important occasion in a woman’s life, and men act like it’s no big deal. Everyone will want to meet you. You will come?”

Fortunately, Chase answered, relieving Emily of the need to do so. “My new bride and I haven’t had a chance to discuss how and when I would introduce her to our neighbors.”

“Problem solved,” Mrs. Buttonwood said, undaunted. “So, do I hear a yes?”

“I’d rather we wait for a couple of weeks,” Chase said, and Emily didn’t miss the challenge in the look he gave her. “That will give my wife time to get used to her new role.”

“Oh…I see… I understand,” Mrs. Buttonwood said, though it was clear by the disappointed look on her face that she didn’t. “But do tell. How did the two of you meet?”

It wasn’t a question Emily was prepared to answer. How did one explain marrying the wrong man—a stranger—by mistake?

“We would love to tell you the full story, but we’re fixin’ to take a ride,” Chase said smoothly. “I want to show my bride the ranch.”

Mrs. Buttonwood’s gaze lit on Emily’s dress, her expression changing to alarm. “You’re riding dressed like that?”

Emily glanced at Helen’s plain divided skirt and no-nonsense man’s shirt. “Well, I…”

Mrs. Buttonwood didn’t give her a chance to finish before assailing Chase. “How could you think about taking her horseback riding dressed in her Sunday-go-to-meeting best? Why, she’d have to lift her skirts to unprecedented heights just to mount.”