Tempting Chase_Burlap and Barbed Wire Read online

  Tempting Chase

  Burlap and Barbed Wire #3

  Shirley Penick

  Contents

  About the Author

  Also by Shirley Penick

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  TEMPTING CHASE

  Copyright 2018 by Shirley Penick

  All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express written consent of the copyright holder

  TEMPTING CHASE is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed herein are fictitious and are not based on any real persons living or dead.

  Photography by Jean Woodfin

  Cover Models: Amanda Renee and Travis Keen

  Cover design by Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs

  Created with Vellum

  About the Author

  Contact me:

  www.shirleypenick.com

  www.facebook.com/ShirleyPenickAuthor

  To sign up for Shirley’s New Release Newsletter, send email to [email protected], subject newsletter.

  About Shirley

  What does a geeky math nerd know about writing romance?

  That's a darn good question. As a former techy I've done everything from computer programming to international trainer. Prior to college I had lots of different jobs and activities that were so diverse, I was an anomaly.

  None of that qualifies me for writing novels. But I have some darn good stories to tell and a lot of imagination.

  I have lived in Colorado, Hawaii and currently Washington. Going from two states with 340 days of sun to a state with 340 days of clouds, I had to do something to perk me up. And that's when I started this new adventure called author. Joining the Romance Writers of America and two local chapters, helped me learn the craft quickly and has been a ton of fun.

  My family consists of two grown children, their spouses, two adorable grand-daughters, and one grand dog. My favorite activity is playing with my grand-daughters!

  When the girls can't play with their amazing grand-mother, my interests are reading and writing, yay! I started reading at a young age with the Nancy Drew mysteries and have continued to be an avid reader my whole life. My favorite reading material is romance in most of the genres, but occasionally other stories creep into my to-be-read pile, I don't kick them out.

  Some of the strange jobs I have held are a carnation grower’s worker, a trap club puller, a pizza hut waitress, a software engineer, an international trainer, and a business program manager. I took welding, drafting and upholstery in high school, a long time ago when girls didn't take those classes, so I have an eclectic bunch of knowledge and experience.

  And for something really unusual… I once had a raccoon as a pet.

  Join with me as I tell my stories, weaving real tidbits from my life in with imaginary ones. You'll have to guess which is which. It will be a hoot.

  Also by Shirley Penick

  LAKE CHELAN SERIES

  The Rancher’s Lady: A Lake Chelan novella

  Hank and Ellen’s story

  Sawdust and Satin: Lake Chelan #1

  Chris and Barbara’s story

  Designs on Her: Lake Chelan #2

  Nolan and Kristen’s story

  Smokin’: Lake Chelan #3

  Jeremy and Amber’s story

  Fire on the Mountain: Lake Chelan #4

  Trey and Mary Ann’s story

  BURLAP AND BARBED WIRE SERIES

  A Cowboy for Alyssa: Burlap and Barbed Wire #1

  Beau and Alyssa’s story

  Taming Adam: Burlap and Barbed Wire #2

  Adam and Rachel’s story

  Tempting Chase: Burlap and Barbed Wire #3

  Chase and Katie’s story

  To all the best friends out there.

  The ones that went for it and the ones that didn’t.

  And to my own best friend and the many hours we spent riding Mister Twister and standing in line to ride that roller coaster again and again. Summer after summer.

  Rest in Peace my friend, I miss you.

  Chapter 1

  Chase Kipling was glowering, he was furious and could feel it reflected on his face. The big family dinner with both his family and the Jefferson’s had been fun, right up until his soon-to-be sister-in-law’s brother started mouthing off. His dinner had been ruined and he’d just barely held it together until the ordeal was over.

  His twin brother, Cade, looked at him with raised eyebrows. “What’s got you so riled up?”

  Chase huffed. He was certain his blood pressure was through the roof and he knew he needed to calm down before his head exploded. “Tim Jefferson going on and on about how sexy Katie is.”

  Cade shrugged. “She is a pretty little thing. It’s hard for a man not to notice. Plus, she’s such a sweetheart. I’m not at all surprised he thought she was attractive. Besides, he didn’t go on and on, it was like one statement.”

  “Seemed like more than that to me,” Chase growled. He’d wanted to punch Tim, so it must have been more than one comment. Katie was his friend and she didn’t need some guy drooling over her. “I just don’t like guys, especially tourists, ogling her.”

  “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. What in the hell is wrong with you? Are you jealous or something? She’s been our best friend since… forever. Do you think no one else is ever going to think she’s pretty? That she won’t eventually find a guy and marry him?”

  Jealous? Was he jealous? He didn’t think so, but he sure didn’t like what Tim had said. Was that jealousy or just protectiveness? Yeah, that’s all it was, protectiveness. “Of course, guys are going to notice that she’s beautiful. I only got upset because I’m protective of her.”

  Cade punched him in the shoulder. “It’s not like Tim is an axe murderer or something. He’s your soon-to-be sister-in-law’s brother. And he seems like a nice enough guy to me.”

  “I still didn’t like it. What if Rachel talks him into moving here and buying the mini-golf place?”

  Cade shrugged. “So, what if she does? Although, I didn’t get the idea he was really considering that. I think they were just thinking about fun ideas. Hell, you and I have talked about reopening it. Only because it’s sitting there all sad and neglected. None of us really want to put in the time and effort to reopen it, we just don’t like seeing it sitting there deteriorating. And I don’t see Tim moving from Washington state all the way here to the mountains of Colorado to open a mini-golf place. Now stop acting like a dumb-ass and let’s go. We still have to check on the animals and make sure they’re bedded down for the night. It’s our turn.”

  Chase sighed. “You’re right, of course. I’m ready.”

  As Chase worked on his side of the barn, freshening water and adding hay to the feeders, he thought about his reaction to Tim’s comments about Katie. What had gotten him so riled up in the first place? The facts—when he laid them out—were pretty simpl
e. Katie is a good-looking woman. Tim is a nice guy, who lives in another state and has a life there. The mini-golf place does attract attention, but it would be a hell of a lot of work to open. Katie was his friend, his best friend, that he’d known since grade school. Men were going to look at her, and he couldn’t get all pissed off every time one did. She was his friend, not his girlfriend or lover, just a friend.

  By the time he’d finished with his chores he’d gotten his head back on straight. He hoped no one else had noticed his attitude earlier. He couldn’t explain to himself why he’d been so out of sorts, and Cade had acted like he’d lost his mind, so he was going to chalk it up to…. Shit, he had no idea what to chalk it up too. Insanity, maybe?

  Katie Jackson locked the front door and turned the sign to closed. Another day, another dollar, as the saying went. It had been fun to see Rachel and Alyssa’s brother Tim today when they had come in to gather the candy for the two families and the ranch hands. She still laughed every time one of the Kipling clan came in and walked out with huge bags of candy.

  Every single person living on that ranch had an enormous sweet tooth, and whoever was going into town was required to bring back candy for everyone else. She always enjoyed watching the event. Some of them were quick and efficient, like Emma when she brought little Tony in. Surprisingly enough, Lloyd was also speedy, the first time he came in she’d thought he might have trouble because of his dyslexia, but he had no issues at all. Some of the others took forever, reading through each text and examining each shelf, looking for the exact item. It was amusing.

  Rachel and Tim had been too busy chatting and goofing around to be efficient. Tim was a flirt and had poured on the charm for her. She’d teased him back, but wasn’t really interested. Although she did need to do something to move from where she was. Her heart was stubbornly holding on to hope that a certain Kipling would eventually see her as a woman instead of his childhood buddy. She’d turned that corner nearly ten years ago, and she’d been certain Chase would someday, too.

  It didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon. At least she had him as a best friend. A friend she hadn’t seen in a week because they were all busy with the Jefferson’s visit. Alyssa’s college graduation was in a few days, and then maybe she could convince the twins into going to Karaoke, or possibly play to some cards. Bowling would be fine, too. Or even better she could talk them into taking her riding. They hadn’t done that in a while and she thought getting on the back of one of their mares would be perfect.

  She could call them and set it up for her next day off. The question was, which one should she call? Cade, since he was the most fun to talk to, or Chase, because she wanted to hear his voice? She sighed, what a fool she was, pining over a man who had her firmly in the ‘friend zone’.

  She finished her closing chores, and called Chase before she went upstairs.

  “Yo, Katie. How ya doing?”

  His deep voice sent a tingle through her body. Bad body. “Good, Chase. How are things at the Rockin’ K?”

  “Busy. Not to be mean, but I’ll be glad when the Jefferson’s head back to Washington.”

  “Me too, which is why I called. I have a hankering for a ride. When they all leave to go back to Washington, can I come to the ranch on my day off?”

  “Of course. Cade and I would be happy to take you out on the horses.”

  “Next Wednesday?” she asked.

  “You got it.”

  “Maybe I’ll bring some cards and I can take your money afterwards.”

  Chase laughed. “You can try, darlin’. You can try.”

  “One of these days I am going to beat you, Chase Kipling.”

  “You keep trying Katie and the day you beat me you can pick any form of payment.”

  Katie shivered at some of the things she’d like to make him do. Kissing and nakedness popped into her head. She cleared her throat. “That’s quite the incentive, Chase. You might regret that promise.”

  “I’ll worry about that when I’m old and gray, because that’s going to be when you finally do beat me. When I’m senile.”

  She laughed. “You never can tell when the winds of fate might change, Chase. Best not to tempt them.”

  “Not worried, Katie, you’ve got the worst luck of anyone I’ve ever played with.”

  She harrumphed. Her feet were tired, and she needed some food, so time to get moving. “Fine, gotta finish up closing. See you Wednesday.”

  “Cade and I’ll be here waiting to take your pennies.”

  Chapter 2

  Wednesday, the twins hurried through their morning chores. They had the day off as soon as they were done. Chase was looking forward to spending the day with Katie. She usually packed a lunch for all of them. They would ride for a while, probably into the National Forest. Then have lunch and afterwards head back to either his land or Cade’s to hang out and play some cards.

  They’d done those same things for years. When they were younger they would take a dip in the river or the beaver ponds. They didn’t do that as often these days, but they could if Katie wanted to. They had swim trunks in their saddlebags. No towels, so they would have to air dry, which is probably why they didn’t do it nearly as much as they had as kids. It could get cold if the sun wasn’t strong and hot. Youth didn’t notice those kinds of things.

  They’d just saddled the three horses when they heard a car pull into the drive.

  Cade said, “Sounds like Katie is right on time.”

  “Yep, she’s the one wanting to ride, so it figures she wouldn’t dawdle,” Chase answered as he pulled the stirrup off the saddle to hang down.

  They turned toward the door as Katie came into the barn. “I’m here!”

  Cade laughed. “So, you are, we just finished with your horse.”

  “Oh goody. It seems like forever since we’ve gotten in a good ride. I brought lunch.” She held out the food.

  “Anything good?” Chase asked, trying to get a peek at what she had.

  She hip bumped him. “Everything good, silly. So why are we standing here burning daylight? Let’s ride, boys.”

  “Yes ma’am,” the twins said in unison.

  They led their horses out into the perfect late summer day. Katie chattered about work while they loaded enough food for probably six people into saddle bags. Chase was certain they would bring at least some of it back. Although not as much as a person would expect, because they did get hungry while they were out and about.

  Katie looked pretty in her tank top and blue jeans that fit like skin. She had a jacket to tie onto her saddle, as did he and Cade. Colorado weather in the mountains could be unpredictable; hot one minute and hail or thunderstorms the next. He didn’t see any clouds, so they would probably have a warm uneventful day, at least weather-wise. A day with Katie was never uneventful. The woman brought fun with her, wherever she went.

  The leather creaked as Cade swung onto his horse. “So, any preference on direction, K?”

  “Not really, let’s give the horses a bit of a run across the pasture and then go into the National Forest for a bit. Maybe circle back and have lunch on the plateau.”

  “Not really, huh? Sounds pretty detailed to me.” Chase shook his head.

  Katie huffed and flipped her hair. “What would you suggest then, do you have a better idea?”

  “Nope, just giving you a hard time. Lead on.” He gestured for her to start moving.

  “Fine, but try not to eat my dust.” She let the horse know it was time for a run and took off, laughing all the way.

  Chase and Cade grinned at each other and were off like a shot.

  Chase loved to watch that woman ride, she rode like she was born for it, but rather than hang back and watch, he let his horse catch up to her. Cade had done the same, riding on her other side. She gave them both a happy smile and they all slowed so they didn’t tire the horses out too early on their adventure.

  Spending the day out in the sunshine on the back of a horse with her
two best friends was just exactly what Katie needed. She was content and happy. And if her heart yearned for a bit more from Chase, it was just going to have to long, because there was no way she would jeopardize the friendship she had with him and his brother for the uncertainty of romance. Because that’s all romance was, it was uncertain and fleeting, whereas friendship was strong and steady and lasted. The three of them had been friends for nearly twenty years.

  Not one relationship, for any of them, had lasted more than a few months. She didn’t really count the one Cade was kind of in now, because it had nothing to recommend it. That was simply a mean, nasty woman taking advantage of Cade’s laid back, easy going nature. Tanya Fielding was a sneaky snake and the fact that Cade put up with her at all was a miracle, plain and simple. Katie hoped, someday, that he would find a nice woman to date.

  Katie couldn’t stand to be around at the same time Tanya was, she wanted to punch Tanya and strangle Cade. So, she made sure to make herself scarce when Tanya was going to be around.

  They stopped for their picnic on the plateau overlooking the ranch. The land spread out before them, vast and treeless until right along the river where there was an abundance of aspen, cottonwood and pine trees. Most of the land had hay and barley growing to feed the horses in the winter. But some of the pastures had native grasses and that was where the cattle were currently grazing. The Rocky Mountains ringed the area on three sides and you could just barely catch a glimpse of the lakes in the distance. It was beautiful. A whiff of wood smoke carried on the air and Katie wondered if it was from someone cooking their lunch in the National Forest.