“When I what?” Indignation shot up her spine like a steel rod. “Came crawling back? Is that what you were going to say?”

Frustration flitted across his face. “What I was about to say is when you agreed to stay.”

She started to leave, but the muscles in her upper thighs hurt so much, she could hardly move. The most she could do was cling to the fence. Exertion made it hard to speak, but that didn’t stop her.

“For your information, I did not come crawling back!” It wasn’t like her to be argumentative. But she was hot and tired, and her body ached all over. She was done trying to please him. Done trying to be a “proper” rancher’s wife! As far as she was concerned, their deal was off!

Taking Chase’s lack of response as dissent, she flung up her hands. “Okay, that does it. I’m leaving, and it won’t be on hands and knees.” Or at least she hoped not.

12

Watching Emily stagger away like a drunken cowhand, Chase kicked himself mentally. Now he’d done it.

All he’d wanted to do was keep a safe distance from her emotionally. It was the only way he could keep from thinking things he had no business thinking. Things like how she’d looked in that blasted towel.

But he’d gone too far, and now it appeared he had pushed her away completely.

He hated thinking that he’d taken out the resentment toward his father on her. She wasn’t to blame for any of this and was as much a victim of circumstances as he was.

Feeling lower than low, he watched her cross the yard for a moment before chasing after her. She might not admit it, but it was clear by the way she limped that she was hurting.

Emily stopped when he caught up to her. “Now what?” she demanded, eyes flashing.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

If she was surprised by his interest in her welfare, it didn’t show. “I’m fine!” she snapped. “No thanks to you.”

Yep, she was hurting all right. He could see the strain in her eyes. She also looked like she’d been through the wringer. She straightened her hat, but not much could be done for the abundance of yellow hair that had sprung free from its bun. The intriguing smudge on her cheek, however, called for a man’s touch. His touch.

When he reached a finger to her smooth, silky skin to rub the spot away, her startled blue eyes met his. “Sorry,” he said, pulling his hand away. “You had somethin’ on your face.”

Her hand flew to her cheek, and her already heated face turned another shade darker.

“It’s gone now,” he said.

Her mouth formed a perfect circle, and she lowered her hand to her side.

He felt bad for giving her a hard time. Lack of sleep had made him start the day out of sorts, and his encounter with Cassie Decker hadn’t helped. Poor woman. She had counted on their marriage for her children’s sakes.