His shoulders eased, the tension gone from his stance. “Sloane, I’d like you to meet my mother, Raina Chandler. Unfortunately, she was just leaving. Weren’t you, Mom?”
Aah, so he wants to be alone with Sloane. This afternoon, which had started out with a scare thanks to the explosion and had caused genuine heart palpitations for Raina, had taken an unexpected sunny turn.
Before Raina could greet Sloane properly, Chase continued. “And this is her friend, the town’s best doctor, Eric Fallon.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Fallon.” Sloane shook Eric’s hand, then turned her attention to Raina. “And you, Mrs. Chandler.” With a genuine smile, she grasped Raina’s hand next for a brief shake.
As Sloane pulled a strand of hair off her cheek, Raina noticed her damp curls fell to her shoulders, while shorter pieces touched her face. For a brief minute, Raina had a flash of déjà vu. The girl looked familiar, but she couldn’t figure out why.
“A pleasure to meet you too.” Raina stared into Sloane’s wide green eyes, taking in the obvious intelligence there.
Good. Chase would need a woman capable of smart breakfast conversation, something more solid than How does this eyeshadow look, dear? Sloane could most definitely provide that.
Her gaze darted between Raina and Chase. “I don’t see a strong family resemblance,” Sloane mused.
“That’s because Chase looks like his father.” Raina smiled, appreciating the chance to recall her beloved husband.
“While Rick looks like you.” Sloane crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, sure of her conclusion. “Well, regardless of who they favor, your sons are handsome men, Mrs. Chandler.”
“Thank you. Would it be too presumptuous of me to say I agree?” Raina laughed.
“Of course not.” Eric placed an arm around her shoulders and she welcomed the warm, secure feeling he provided. “Raina wouldn’t be Raina if she wasn’t extolling the virtues of her sons. Especially her last unmarried one,” Eric said wryly.
“You have to admit, he knows you well, Mother.” Chase raised an eyebrow, daring her to disagree.
“Oh pooh. Both of you need to back off. I’m old and frail.”
At that, Chase and Eric burst into disbelieving laughter. Raina wished she were joking, but lately, she was growing short of breath while doing activities she used to enjoy. She’d even cut back on her sneaky treadmill runs. She wondered if it was God’s way of telling her that her charade had gone on too long. But since after a brief rest, she’d return to feeling normal, she ignored the problem. Surely it would pass.
Those around her continued to laugh and Eric squeezed her tight. Chase was correct. Eric knew her too darned well. He was aware of her charade and vehemently disapproved, yet he understood her reasons and accepted her without reservation. Though she adored Eric and he’d given her a future, she’d never completely forget the past. How could she, when John had blessed her with three handsome, wonderful sons?
Something Sloane had obviously noticed too. But Raina felt certain she had eyes only for Chase. In fact, she kept meeting his gaze frequently, and each time she did, the heat in the room would soar another notch.
Oh, to be young. Raina stifled a happy laugh. “You do realize that by complimenting my sons, you’ve found the right way to charm me?”
Chase shot Raina an annoyed look. “Mother, leave her alone. She isn’t working her wiles on you. She’s just being polite.” He placed his hand on the doorknob. “You have to understand,” he said to Sloane. “She’s been trying to marry off all three of her sons and now that I’m the only one left, she’s turned shameless.”
Sloane chuckled. “That’s okay. Your mother’s assuming a few things. The first is that I’m interested in you.” She raised one finger in the air. “The second is that even if I were interested, that I’d need her approval.” A second finger went up. “She’s right on the last one. Any woman who is interested in a man should make nice with his mother.”
“She’s a smart woman,” Raina said, enjoying the girl’s forthrightness.
“It’s just that in this case, we’re simply friends, Mrs. Chandler.” Sloane put a hand on Raina’s arm. “But I’d still like your approval.”
She tilted her head to the side, waiting for a reply, and with Sloane’s chin at an angle, Raina felt that sense of familiarity again. “You have my approval. In spades.”
Pink stained Sloane’s cheeks, while Chase’s gaze zeroed in and didn’t let go. Oh, Raina liked this girl. She was exquisite and her son was obviously enthralled. Raina didn’t buy for a minute that Sloane didn’t reciprocate that interest. She was just being coy, completely appropriate so early in the game.
If Raina was reading the signs right, Sloane and Chase could possibly end up together. If so, the end of Raina’s “heart trouble” was in sight. She’d be able to slip Eric’s engagement ring, now settled in a bank’s safe-deposit box, on her finger, get married, and dance at her own wedding. After she danced at her eldest son’s wedding, of course.
Not that she’d figured out how she’d wrangle her miraculous recuperation, but she’d manage. She’d finessed the marriage of her two youngest sons, and once Chase was settled, managing to bounce back would be a welcome piece of cake. The first two hadn’t quite forgiven her, but they obviously hadn’t yet told Chase. And with Sloane here, Raina would milk the situation for all she could.
“We have to be going now,” Eric said. “Your mother needs to get off her feet.” He squeezed Raina’s hand, silently urging her to go. Eric tended to pull her out of the fray and prevent her from meddling further.
She appreciated his concern and since she was unusually tired, she nodded. “I would like to lie down.”
Chase narrowed his gaze as he stared at her. “Are you okay? You look a little pale, and with your heart problems and all, you shouldn’t be running around town.”
“I’m fine.” She mentally crossed her fingers. Not even the mild pain she’d experienced recently eased her guilt over lying. The charade was awful, but she couldn’t deny it made her boys soften toward women and the idea of marriage. Even if it was an imperceptible softening at first, in the end, it had led her first two sons down the aisle.
Surely Chase had to be next.
Eric glanced at her and his lips turned downward in a frown. “Chase is right. You do look a little wiped out.” He glanced at Chase. “Don’t worry, son. I’ll take care of your mother.”
Chase opened the door to let them through. “I know you will. She couldn’t be in better hands.” He smiled at Eric.
“The way you’re both talking about me, I feel like I’m not even in the room,” Raina grumbled.
“And now you aren’t,” Eric said, pulling her over the threshold and into the outdoors. “Good-bye, Chase. Nice to meet you, Sloane.”
Raina had but a moment to wave and then Chase shut the door, leaving them on the street. Eric was laughing so hard, Raina thought he’d fall onto the grass. “I’m not amused,” she said, knowing she was pouting like an unhappy child.
“Only because you’re on the outside looking in. Don’t worry. Chase is old enough to take care of himself.” He patted her hand, but she knew he wasn’t placating her, rather trying to alleviate her distress. “Meanwhile, I’d like to take care of you. Are you feeling okay?”
His gaze told her he was truly worried, just as Chase had seemed to be earlier. An odd reaction for a man who knew about her charade, Raina thought. She debated telling him about her recent bouts with shortness of breath and slight pain, but she’d just been checked by his new partner and given a clean bill of health. There was nothing to be concerned about, so why mention it?
She nodded in reply. “I’m fine.” But she’d be even better once she knew Chase was settled and happy. “Sloane is a beautiful girl. That red hair and those curls. I kept thinking she reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t figure out who.” And then realization dawned, the fragments she’d been grasping for falling into place.
“Who?” Eric asked.
“Do you remember Jacqueline Ford from high school?” She and Eric had been born and raised in Yorkshire Falls.
He narrowed his gaze, obviously trying to remember. “Pretty redhead, lots of curls?”
“That’s her,” Raina said excitedly. “She kept to herself because her parents were such snobs, but she and I were very good summer friends. We’d hang out in the tree house in her backyard when she was home from college. It’s still there, on the McKeever property.”
Then one hot summer day, Jacqueline’s family moved with no warning. The house went on the market and no one except servants returned to pack up their belongings. Jacqueline didn’t keep in touch. In fact, she never returned. Her death was town lore, if only because her father was a senator who made news, as was the man she eventually married, Michael Carlisle, who was now running for vice president. Raina had seen clippings of the press conference on the late-night news.
She didn’t recall details of his family, but then she hadn’t been paying much attention. Not with Eric sitting by her side and nuzzling her neck. She glanced over, not forgetting for a moment how lucky she was to have been given this second chance with a wonderful man.
Jacqueline, whose life had been cut short, hadn’t been given that kind of opportunity. And Raina hadn’t thought of her old friend in too many years. Not even seeing Michael Carlisle on television had reminded her. Too much time had passed.
But then she’d seen flashes of Jacqueline in Chase’s female guest. Enough to strengthen her hunch. Raina grasped Eric’s hand tighter. “I’d bet anything that Sloane is Jacqueline’s daughter. In fact, I’m going inside to—”
“No, you are not.” Eric rarely took a stand, but his dark eyes flashed determination. If that, along with his stern voice, wasn’t enough to halt her, his firm grip on her hand was. “Those two want to be alone. It’s not only obvious, but Chase threw you out.”
“He threw us out,” she countered, then bit the inside of her cheek, knowing good and well Eric was right. Raina was the only one who’d lingered.
He shook his head, a smile tilting his lips despite it all. “What am I going to do with you?” He pulled her close, then brushed a light kiss over her mouth.
A delicious tingling took hold of her body and Raina inhaled deep. The scent of the outdoors, cut grass, and late fall lingered in the air, making her jubilant and happy. Just when she thought age would catch up with her, Eric had come along, causing her to feel young, vibrant, and alive.
“Whatever you’re doing is working wonderfully.” She brushed her hand over his cheek. “And you’re a dear for postponing announcing our engagement until Chase is settled.”
“I agreed to wait until Rick and Kendall got themselves settled. They have. Now all I’m waiting for is to have all three of your sons in town at the same time.”
“Roman’s in D.C., but he’ll be back soon,” she reassured him.
He frowned, rubbing a hand down his face in a weary gesture she’d come to recognize. “Still—”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, not liking when he seemed upset.
He groaned. “It just seems that now’s not the right time anyway. Even if Roman and Charlotte were here, Chase has his hands full with Sloane’s problems. Whatever her relation to Samson, with that house burning down, it’s insensitive to start planning a wedding.”
She’d thought the same thing but feared bringing up the issue. She didn’t want him to think she was finding an excuse to stall.
He was such a sweet, understanding, caring man. “I’ll make it up to you.” Raina grasped his face in her hands. “I know I’ve been a handful for you lately, but when this settles, I promise everyone will know and we’ll get married as soon as possible.” She kissed his cheek, inhaling the masculine scent of musky aftershave that never failed to warm her senses. “I’m lucky to have you,” she murmured.
“And that’s what makes it all worthwhile, Raina.”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Now let’s go home and let me take care of you for a change.”
“I’d like nothing better.” He guided her toward the car, unlocking and holding open the door for her to sit inside.
“You know,” she said before he walked around to the driver’s side, “you’ve successfully managed to distract me from bothering Chase and Sloane.”
Eric chuckled. “But not for long, I imagine.” He winked and slammed the door shut tight.
On the ride home, he left her to her thoughts, which was a good thing since her mind swam with memories and possibilities. Who was the girl inside Chase’s house?
He hadn’t offered any useful information. In fact, he’d failed to mention Sloane’s last name during their introduction and Raina knew her son and his manners too well to believe it was an accidental omission. Sloane could very well be Jacqueline’s daughter. But why would she be looking for Samson? Raina didn’t recall them knowing each other back then.
Samson had been just a solitary young man with an unhappy family life. Now he was a loner, and a recluse who grew more bitter with each passing year. If Jacqueline’s daughter was here looking him up, there was a connection Raina hadn’t been aware of.
And the young woman deserved to be forewarned about the kind of man she’d find.
No sooner had Chase gotten rid of his mother, when he turned his devouring gaze Sloane’s way. “So you aren’t interested in me, huh?” He started across the hardwood floor.
She licked her dry lips. “I had a feeling you’d pick up on that line.” That was why she’d tossed it out in the first place. More to convince herself that she didn’t find the exhausted, disheveled, still-sooty-looking man too appealing. She’d failed in her attempt.
“Say it again, and this time, look me in the eye when you do.” He drew closer.
Instinctively, she backed up, not because she feared Chase, but because she feared herself and the certainty that she’d betray her instincts and common sense in favor of the desire and heated feelings he evoked. She stopped only when she reached the back wall.
“Say it.” He leaned an arm overhead, much as he had in the elevator that first night. “Say you’re not interested.”
“And then?” she asked, buying time.
“And then we’ll see if I believe you.”
Sloane swallowed hard. She needed to get out of here and find Samson. She figured she’d start with Crazy Eights. But first she’d have to ditch Chase, whom she felt certain wouldn’t let her go there alone. Which meant she had to be convincing in her rejection, when every fiber of her being screamed how much she wanted him.
She leaned against the hard wall for support and met his sexy blue gaze. “I’m not interested.”
To her surprise, a wry smile tilted his lips. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Her palms grew damp and only sheer force of will prevented her from wiping them on his shirt. Any excuse to touch him would do; then she could curl her fingers around the soft cotton and pull him closer, until the heat of their bodies singed the clothes they wore. A soft, little moan escaped the back of her throat and his eyes dilated with need.
“You don’t want me.” With his thumb, he began to stroke the sensitive flesh on her neck, pausing at her rapidly beating pulse. “Is that why you just made that little noise in the back of your throat? The same sound you made when I came inside you?”
She sucked in a startled breath. Even his words had an erotic, almost hypnotic effect on her. One she couldn’t afford right now. “What’s your point?” she asked, hoping to break that spell he wove.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers in reply, a soft touch that sent shivery tendrils of desire shimmering through her system. Just when she expected him to deepen the kiss, he raised his head and met her gaze.
“We’ll finish this after I shower.” His mouth lifted in a knowing grin and she realized he’d just made his point without speaking. She desired him and protesting was ridiculou
s.
His cocky retreat toward the bedroom came as a welcome respite. She needed space and time to think.
They were working backward, she and Chase. Having slept together first, she already knew the man was a master with his hands and could turn her on in an instant. All he had to do was look at her and her body temperature soared. Lord, but she was hot now.
But she wasn’t into one-nighters, wouldn’t have slept with Chase had she not been reeling from the revelation of her parentage. She’d done so because she’d also felt something special that first time she’d looked into his eyes. And having made love with him, she was already emotionally bonded with him in some inexplicable way.
Her only hope of keeping her distance would have been if he’d turned out to be someone she couldn’t like or respect. She mentally recounted what she’d learned so far: He tried to act tough but had an obvious soft spot for his mother; he’d stepped in to save Sloane; he’d thought of protection their one night together. With those attributes in the pros column, how could she not like him?
But he was a journalist, Sloane reminded herself. Starting over in life and seeking a story. That much she’d pieced together on her own. And if that fact weren’t enough to tip the scales against trusting or falling any harder than she already had, there was her future. Once she settled this mess she was in now, Sloane very much wanted a husband and children and the designing career she’d temporarily left behind. In his own words, Chase Chandler believed in protection always and children never.
Words she couldn’t ever let herself forget.
Somewhere out there, Samson awaited her. With the list of cons against Chase firmly in mind, and his shower running in the other room, she slipped out the door.
Chase considered his options, strangling Sloane among them, as he pulled up in front of Crazy Eights, a pool and beer hall on the seedy side of Harrington, the next town over from Yorkshire Falls. With its bright neon lights and motorcycles parked out front, the bar didn’t attract the best crowd and was no place for a lady, let alone Senator Carlisle’s daughter.
01 - The Heartbreaker Page 8