Clandestine Christmas. Elle James

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СКАЧАТЬ the contrary, Barkley would lick any intruder to death before they could get to the front door.”

      The big dog proved Chase’s point by laying a long wet tongue along the side of Kate’s cheek.

      “Ugh.” Kate straightened and scrubbed the dog slobber from her skin.

      “Consider yourself initiated into the family.” Chase dragged his gaze away from Kate and glanced up at the porch where Mrs. Quaid stood.

      “Mr. Marsden, Jake refused to go to sleep until you got home. Will you come in and tuck him in so that he can finally close his eyes?”

      Chase nodded. “I’ll be right in. Seems Jake will be staying with us longer than we first thought.”

      Mrs. Quaid frowned. “Is everything all right?”

      “No. But we’ll discuss it after Jake goes to sleep.” Chase hooked Kate’s elbow and leaned close. “I’d rather no one but you and I knew why you’re really here. I’d like to initiate the undercover op now.”

      Kate ground to a halt. “What do you mean?”

      “Go along with what I say.” He tugged her arm, escorting her up the stairs. “Mrs. Quaid, I’d like you to meet someone special.”

      The older woman turned a welcoming smile on Kate.

      Chase performed the introductions. “Mrs. Quaid is my housekeeper, and in charge of keeping me sane. Her husband is my foreman-overseer and my right hand when it comes to all things to do with the ranch. I inherited the Quaids when I inherited the Lucky Lady Ranch from my grandfather. And believe me, they were the best part of my inheritance. Without them, I would probably have sold the Lucky Lady.”

      Mrs. Quaid’s cheeks pinkened. “Oh, go on, Mr. Marsden.”

      “I really wish you’d call me Chase. You’re more like family than just a housekeeper.” Chase faced Kate. “Speaking of family... Mrs. Quaid, this is Kate Rivers...my fiancée.”

      * * *

      KATE NEARLY TRIPPED on the step she had been climbing when Chase announced her as his fiancée. Chase had invoked the undercover op, but playing the part with his own employees seemed to be overkill. Kate struggled for something to say when her tongue was tied with the surprise of her engagement. “Mrs. Quaid, happy to meet you.”

      The older woman gripped both of her hands in her own and grinned. “Oh, my. And I didn’t know Mr. Marsden even had a girlfriend. How did you keep this from us over the past two years?”

      Chase smiled and circled Kate’s waist with an arm, cinching her snugly to his side. “You know all those monthly trips I took to Denver?” He tipped his head toward Kate. “Let’s just say, I wasn’t alone.”

      What the hell was he trying to prove? If these people were as close as family, he’d just lied to them.

      “What a surprise. I can’t believe our own Mr. Marsden is engaged.”

      Mrs. Quaid pressed her hands to her cheeks. “When did you arrive in town?”

      Kate leveled her gaze on Chase. “I came over from Denver today for the first time and bam. I’m just as surprised as you.” Which wasn’t far from the truth. Mrs. Quaid seemed like a nice lady, but Chase must have his reasons for lying to his housekeeper.

      “I’m so happy for you both.” Mrs. Quaid touched Chase’s arm. “But you better check in on Jake. He’s missing his grandma. I’ll put on a kettle for tea. When’s Ms. Sadie coming home?”

      “She’s been in an accident. She’s in the hospital.”

      Mrs. Quaid pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, dear. Is she going to be all right?”

      “I hope so.” Chase touched her arm. “Jake only needs to know she’s staying in town for a few days.”

      The older woman nodded. “Understood. If there’s anything I can do for her...”

      “There’s not much any of us can do for her. She’ll have to get well on her own.” Chase glanced around. “Where’s Mr. Quaid?”

      “He’s checking on the horses. He thought he heard something. He should be back by the time you tuck in Jake.”

      “Good. I need to talk to you two about some issues that have arisen.” He grabbed Kate’s hand. “Come on, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

      Her heart thundered in her chest and her belly clenched, the scar tissue seeming to tighten around a wound that would never heal. “No, really, I can wait in the kitchen with Mrs. Quaid.”

      “It will only take a minute and it will be worth it. I promise.”

      The big warm hand holding hers, tugged her toward the staircase.

      Once out of earshot of Mrs. Quaid, Kate asked, “Was it necessary to introduce me as your fiancée?”

      He didn’t let go of her hand as he climbed the stairs. “I thought it might make it easier for you stay here and be seen with me and not generate more questions.”

      Kate trudged up the steps, her breathing abnormally fast for the little amount of exertion. She had already worked back up to her usual three-mile jog every day. A few stairs shouldn’t have had a debilitating effect on her lungs. As much as she’d like to blame it on the stairs, she knew it was the thought of tucking a little boy into bed that had her breaking into a cold sweat and struggling against the desire to run right out the front door and all the way back to Texas.

      She thought she was ready to face the world. But she really wasn’t. Sure she could fire expert, shoot a perp and perform physical training all day long, but being around a child was beyond her endurance.

      At the top of the staircase, Chase made a left turn and hurried down the hallway to the second door on the right. He pushed the door open and peered into the shadowy interior. “Jake?” he whispered softly. “Are you asleep?”

      Chase let go of her hand and opened the door wider, allowing a beam of light to cross the bedroom floor to the full-size bed in the middle.

      “No, I’m awake,” a small voice called out. “I was waiting for you and Grandma.”

      “You gotta stop doing that. Young bodies need sleep to help them grow.” Chase entered the room and settled on the side of the bed. He brushed his hand across the boy’s forehead, pushing back a swath of dark brown hair, almost the same color as Kate’s.

      Kate fingered the long ponytail over her shoulder, her heart gripped in her chest. She didn’t want to move into the room, afraid the walls might close in around her.

      Barkley the Saint Bernard pushed past her and sprawled on the floor at the end of the bed.

      “Where’s Grandma?” Jake leaned up on his elbow and stared straight at Kate. “Who are you?”

      Ignoring his first question, Chase answered the second. He held out his hand to Kate, an invitation to step into the room. Somehow, she managed to move one foot in front of СКАЧАТЬ