Hands folded across his chest, Chase had an inscrutable look on his face. He had removed his hat, and a strand of mussed hair fell across his forehead.

“Is that why you think I asked you to come to my office?” he asked.

The question surprised her. “Isn’t it?”

“I don’t know how it is in Boston, but here if a husband dictates how a wife spends her time, he’s likely to find himself full of lead.” He picked the ledger off the desk. “The reason I asked to see you,” he began with a droll smile, “is to take you up on your offer. You said you were willin’ to handle the bookkeepin’ chores.”

She stared at him, speechless, before taking the offered ledger in hand. Never in a million years would she have thought he’d trust her to handle the books to his beloved ranch. “I d-did,” she stammered.

He opened a drawer and pulled out a second tome. “I record expenditures in the daybook and enter them in the ledger later. I think you’ll find the system self-explanatory.” He dropped the second book on the desk and indicated the stack of bills that had yet to be recorded.

“That’s it?” she asked. “You don’t object to my dancing with Beanpole Tom?”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Why would I?” he asked.

“I just thought—”

He tossed a nod at the ledger in her arms. “Your taking over the books will free up some of my time.”

“That’s good,” she said, her tone concealing her confusion. Was this his way of saying he planned on spending more time with her?

He hesitated. “I thought maybe…we could take a ride one night.” He cleared his throat. “The ranch looks different in the moonlight.”

Surprised by the unexpected invitation, she nodded. “I’d…like that.”

“Well then.” Standing, he moved away from the desk. “Feel free to use my office. That way, you won’t be disturbed.”

“Thank you.”

They stared at each other for a moment. “I better get back to work,” he said, though he made no effort to leave. “Unless you have any questions. About the books, I mean.”

“No, no.” Her gaze dropped to the heavy ledger in her arms. “I think I can manage.”

“Okay then.” He turned to the door. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he left.

Staring at the closed door, Emily hugged the ledger close to her chest. He hadn’t objected to her spending time with the ranch hands, so that was good. He hadn’t even said anything against her dancing. She was free to do whatever she wanted. So why did his lack of interest in her activities leave her feeling so despondent?

* * *

Leaving his office, Chase walked through the house with brisk, purposeful steps and let himself out the front door.

Why would Emily think he objected to her dancing with Beanpole Tom? Why would he? She was his wife in name only. He didn’t own her. Long as she lived up to their agreement, she could do whatever she dang well pleased.