Read Online A Daring Proposal by Sandra S. Kerns - Free Book Online

remember correctly you and Steve were involved in most of those pranks.”
    She laughed again. “Yes, but you were older.”
    Jed laughed himself. “Yeah, you married an old man.”
    “Who’s there?” Dale’s voice preceded him from the kitchen. “Chaney McBride,” he answered himself.
    “Sampson,” Jed corrected.
    Dale’s eyes grew wide. “Well, damn, son. When you decide to do somethin’ you don’t waste any time.” He slapped Jed on the arm then hugged Chaney. “Welcome to the family, Chaney.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Sampson.”
    “Dale,” he told her. His smile widened. “I must be livin’ right. I got the two prettiest girls in Crescent in my family now. You boys have done me proud.”
    The three of them laughed together realizing that Chaney and Belle had married into the same family. “Don’t spoil our surprise by telling them if they call before they get back.”
    Dale held up his hands. “I promise. You two can have the honor of shocking the whole town.”
    “Well the whole town can wait for a while. Right now, I have to grab my things and take this lady home. She’s worried about her cows.”
    “Cattle,” Chaney and Dale corrected together.
    “Yeah, those big dumb animals that don’t have sense enough to come in out of the cold,” Jed called as he walked down the hallway. He reappeared moments later with the two bags he’d carried into the house a little over a week ago. “I honestly don’t see what you guys see in them, but to each his own I say.”
    “Are you sure you want this guy for a husband? He can’t stand ranch work, you know,” Dale teased.
    “That’s perfect,” Chaney replied. “I don’t need a man coming in and telling me how to run my ranch. I’ve got a good system going. Jed can do his wood stuff and I’ll handle the real work.”
    “Oh-ho,” Dale and Jed crooned together.
    “Real work. Have you ever bent over a saw all day, or sanded until your arms won’t stop going back and forth? I’ll give you real work. Riding around on a horse all day watching a bunch of cows walk in circles and eat grass. Now there’s real work,” Jed said rolling his eyes .
    He was really enjoying this. His uncle’s reception had been better than he hoped. Jed was starting to believe they might be able to pull this off as he realized Chaney had begun to relax.
    “Boy, you’ve got your hands full,” Dale told Jed as he walked them out to the car.
    “You’ve got that right,” Jed agreed after throwing his bags in the trunk and slamming it shut. He walked back to where Chaney stood beside the car. Slipping his arm around her, he pulled her close. “Full of a beautiful woman,” he said before dipping his head and stealing a kiss.
    The quick brush of lips, simply meant to cement the realness of the marriage to his uncle was much more. It was a match to tinder. Jed wanted more. He hesitated only a second before taking Chaney’s lips in a much deeper kiss.
    “Okay, Jed, I get the idea. You’re in a hurry,” Dale said. “And I don’t think it has anything to do with cows.”
    Dale’s voice seemed so far away Jed barely heard it. Then the words registered and he forced himself to break the kiss. It was difficult to step away from Chaney but he did. Opening the car door, he helped her in before turning and telling his uncle good-bye.
    “Don’t make plans for Friday. I’m having a big dinner to celebrate the honeymooners’ homecoming.”
    Jed assured him they’d be there, then rounded the car. He didn’t relish the chewing out he was sure Chaney would give him as soon as they were out of his uncle’s ear shot. Climbing into the car, he gave her a quick glance. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips a deep dark pink from the pressure of his kiss. She was probably furious.
    He started the car and turned toward the road.
    And waited for the accusations to fly.
    He turned out of the driveway toward Chaney’s house. Jed began to think she’d better say something soon, it