The Firecracker Gets Her Man Read Free

but not her kitchen. Once the coffee was ready, she sent her father and Lance into the parlor to sit and talk while she did a hurried clean as she was frying the chickens for their dinner.
    “I am so hungry just from smelling that chicken cooking, Lance. I hope you’re hungry, too?” Caleb questioned. “My Rachel is a wonderful cook. She takes after her dear mother, God rest her soul.”
    “How long ago did she pass, sir?” Lance asked politely.
    “It has been three long years,” Caleb admitted. “It’s been hard on me, but it’s been even harder for little Rachel. She never would have run off to marry that no-good Jess Archer if my Estelle were still alive. I said all the wrong things.”
    “You should have put her over your knee and walloped her and then tried to talk to her. You would have had her full attention then.”
    “Probably, but I just couldn’t do that, Lance. She came to Estelle and me after we were married nearly eighteen years, and she was born way too early. So tiny, and I didn’t hold out much hope that she would live, but my Estelle worked day and night to save Rachel’s life, and she did it, but I am still afraid she will break if I put a rough hand to her behind,” he confessed.
    “That explains why she is so feisty and sassy,” Lance said aloud and the older man looked at him thoughtfully.
    “You sound as though that pleases you, young man.”
    “I like a sassy, spunky redhead, sir. Your daughter is very pretty, and I would like your permission to take her for a walk after dinner?”
    “You will need her permission, Lance,” he answered with a chuckle. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking she is of low virtue because of that fancy talker she ran off with. I know my girl, and she is still as innocent as the day she was born.”
    “Yes, sir, she is. She refused to be with him when he wouldn’t put a ring on her finger. Stupid man ran out on her a couple of days after they left here,” he added.
    “And you know this how?”
    “I asked and she answered me. I wanted to know if I needed to track the bastard down and beat him half to death for mistreating her.”
    “And you just met my child when she stepped off the stage?”
    “Yes, sir.” He looked at the doctor and then said, “I don’t act this way normally, sir. There is simply something special about Rachel.”
    “Yes, there is. Don’t try to talk her into anything improper, son, or else. I might not raise a hand to my daughter when I should, but I could make you hurt in ways you cannot imagine.”
    “I am not like that either, sir. I have nothing but respect for Rachel. You need to trust her. She is a good girl; she misjudged a man who was trying to lead her astray and told him to get lost when she learned the truth. Rachel is a smart lady.”
    “You met her less than an hour ago!” The doctor shook his head. “You have it real bad, son.”
    “I sure do, don’t I?”
    “Make sure you don’t forget about Jared Cane.”
    “I won’t forget. I want to put him behind bars and watch him stand trial for all the wrongs he’s done. Sir, Rachel shouldn’t leave this house alone. She would be easy prey for Cane if he figures out she is here. I don’t want her where he can see her and shoot her.”
    “I don’t want that, either!” Rachel said as she entered the parlor. “But, you needn’t worry about me, Lance. I am armed, and I will shoot Cane if he comes near me.”
    “I don’t want you to take any chances, Rachel. It’s only a few days, and surely you can find something to do inside while I capture that man.”
    “Yes, of course, I could , but I don’t want to. I want to help capture Cane and put him behind bars, and I want to testify against him and prove he killed Dr. Merritt.”
    “I understand your feelings, Rachel, but it is too dangerous. The answer is no,” Lance said firmly.
    Rachel smiled and tipped her head to one side, “You have no say over what I do, Ranger Underwood. I am going to