“Mrs. Chase McKnight will command attention. Count on it.”

They stared at each other for a full minute before they both looked away, he to focus on the bumpy dirt road ahead.

Just as he’d decided there was no use trying to draw her into conversation, she surprised him by breaking the silence. “Have you had any luck catching the rustlers?”

“Not yet,” he said, recognizing her sudden interest in ranch business as an attempt at a truce. “But I will.” He glanced her way and changed the subject. “Cookie said you’ve been workin’ with Ginny.”

This earned him the long-awaited smile, and it was all he could do not to reach over and finger her intriguing dimple. “I have. She’s such a bright child and so eager to learn. I just wish there were other children for her to play with.”

“Peggy Sue tends to be protective of her. Doesn’t want to see Ginny get hurt. Can’t blame her for that.”

Their conversation ended when they drew up behind a long line of parked vehicles. Before they walked into the church, they were greeted by Mrs. Buttonwood.

“Oh, look at you,” she said, eyeing Emily up and down with an appraising eye. “You look like one of us. Follow me. Everyone is dying to meet you.”

Before Chase could stop her, the woman had effectively whisked Emily from his side and set to work introducing her to the other churchgoers.

Just as he’d predicted, Emily attracted much attention and quickly drew a crowd, including his neighbors, the Bentons and their twin boys.

“So, you finally decided to bring your…shall we say…pretend bride out of hidin’.”

At the sound of his stepbrother’s voice, Chase reluctantly pulled his gaze away from Emily and turned. Dark, glittering eyes met his. Church was the last place Chase had expected to bump into Royce.

Chase tried to sidestep him, but Royce barred his way.

Since this was neither the time nor place to air grievances, Chase fought to maintain control. “Where’s your wife?”

“She’s around,” Royce said. “Unlike you, I have a real marriage.” He tossed a nod at the knot of people gathered around Emily. “She’s playing her role well, I see.”

“Heard you tried to buy her off.”

Royce shrugged. “Shouldn’t have to buy what’s rightfully mine.”

Temper snapping, Chase fought to keep his voice low. “You have no right to the ranch.”

“That’s not how our father saw it.”

Clamping down on his jaw, Chase balled his hands by his side. “Your stepfather, you mean.”

Royce looked undaunted. “How do you think he’d feel if he knew who you’d married?”

Chase frowned. “Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

“A visitor in town saw her in the bookstore and recognized her. He had some interesting things to say. Would you like to hear what they were?”

“I don’t care what he said!” Chase raised a pointed finger. “Stay away from my wife. You hear? I mean it.”

“Chase?” Emily suddenly appeared at his side. “Everything all right?”