Sloane tried, but she couldn’t even manage a laugh. “And then?”
Raina raised her hands and spread them wide. “Then nothing. Your mother had moved away long before and Samson became more and more withdrawn, more odd, reclusive. . . .” She dropped her hands, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I just think you need to be prepared for the man you find.”
“If I find him.”
“Well, his house is gone, so you’re going to have to try—”
“Friends?” Sloane asked wryly. “We both know he has none in town.”
“None we know of. He has to be somewhere,” Raina insisted. “In the meantime, I’ve answered your questions. Now humor an old lady and answer some of mine.”
Sloane burst out laughing. “I admire you, Raina. I really do.” In fact, she enjoyed the older woman way too much. She liked spending time with Chase’s mother, and because Raina had known Jacqueline, Sloane felt an emotional bond she hadn’t expected.
“Why is that?”
“You don’t hedge, for one thing.”
“Any reason why I should?” Raina grinned, and to Sloane’s relief, the first hint of color returned to the older woman’s cheeks. “Now for my most important question.” She straightened her shoulders and tossed her best volley. “Are you and Chase a couple?”
Sloane wasn’t too stunned to reply, she was just taken off guard. “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
“Just tell her the truth.” Chase strode into the room, handsome, sexy, and disarming, with that cocky grin he didn’t use often enough. But its effect was devastating when turned her way.
“Which is?” Raina rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
Sloane met his heated gaze, wanting an answer to that question herself. “Go on, Chase. If you’re so good at answers, you tell your mother the truth.”
And then she held her breath while she waited to find out what that truth was.
CHAPTER TEN
Chase caught the anticipation on Sloane’s face. She hadn’t a clue what he was going to say, but she didn’t have to worry. He had more class than to tell his mother they were lovers. He would, however, give Raina the answer to her prayers. “Sloane and I are an item, Mom.” Something he’d confirmed with Cindy earlier.
They’d parted on amicable and understanding terms, but he hadn’t told Cindy he and Sloane were temporary. It didn’t seem appropriate or necessary.
“I knew it!” Raina clasped her hands together, her pleasure at Chase and Sloane’s pairing obvious.
Apparently, the women had hit it off, and as Chase expected, she’d already okayed Sloane as daughter-in-law material. For that reason, he’d decided to use Raina’s own needs against her.
If she thought Chase was seriously involved with Sloane, she’d leave them alone, freeing him from any unexpected visits and keeping his mother out of harm’s way while they searched for Samson.
“Now that you have your answer, I’ve come to take Sloane to lunch.” He walked to the living room and held out a hand, helping Sloane rise from her seat. “I trust you ladies had a nice morning?”
“Wonderful,” Sloane said. “Productive too. Your mother knew my mom much better than either one of us realized.”
“I’d love it if you’d come back and visit,” Raina said without getting up from her seat on the couch. “In the meantime, I’ll see if I can remember anything else.”
Sloane nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Maybe you’d like to join us for lunch?”
Damn, Chase thought. “Mom needs her rest.” He shot a pointed glance at his mother. She wouldn’t dare join them if she thought he wanted intimate time with Sloane.
Sure enough, she treated him to an almost imperceptible nod of understanding.
“You’re sweet, Sloane, but Eric’s taking me to a movie tonight, so I should take it easy now. I’ll just watch the soaps this afternoon. How’s that?”
“Sounds good to me.” He’d have to explain about his mother’s health later. Though he’d told her about Raina’s matchmaking tendencies, he’d neglected to mention her fake heart condition—something he’d yet to come to terms with. And he hadn’t yet decided how to deal with the situation.
He studied his mother for a quick moment. She still looked pale, but he wasn’t worried. When she wanted to be convincing, Raina had appeared weak and frail, and Chase had bought the act. He wouldn’t be so susceptible again.
“We should go.” Chase tugged on Sloane’s hand. “Rick would like to meet with us,” he whispered, wanting her to realize this was more than a casual lunch. His brother had called, indicating he had information on the explosion he needed to share, and Chase had a hunch they’d be needing to open up with Rick in return.
He stepped toward Raina and gave her a kiss on the cheek, good-byes were exchanged, and ten minutes later, Chase found himself seated beside Sloane at Norman’s while they waited for Rick.
She fiddled with a spoon, occasionally glancing into the reflection as if looking for answers.
“You’ve been quiet since we left my mother’s.”
She glanced up. “I have a lot to absorb. For starters, Samson’s father was a heavy gambler and I’m guessing that habit had something to do with Samson taking a bribe to stay away from Jacqueline.”
He nodded, sensing she had more to say and not wanting to interrupt.
“Raina said Jacqueline was in love that last summer before they moved away. But she didn’t know with whom.”
“That’s one answer we’re certain of,” Chase said wryly, trying to lighten her mood.
“I know.” She twisted the spoon handle between her palms.
Reaching over, he stopped her jittery movements and held her hand. “What else has you so bothered? Because you got the answers you were searching for and obviously there’s more upsetting you than what you’ve said.”
“It’s about your mother,” she said, meeting his gaze.
Chase couldn’t imagine Raina doing anything to upset Sloane. Not when she clearly liked her and was pushing for romance. Then again, when it came to Raina, he knew to expect the unexpected. “What did she do?”
“She seemed tired today. And pale.” Sloane furrowed her brows in thought. “And when she jumped up from her seat, she seemed to be in pain from the sudden movement. I don’t want to upset you, or butt into something that’s none of my business, but—”
“Raina was playing you,” Chase interrupted, not surprised that Sloane had noticed his mother’s distress. No doubt that was what Raina had intended.
“Playing me how?” Sloane crinkled her nose. “I don’t understand. Raina wasn’t feeling well. How was that playing me?”
At that moment, Rick strode up to the table and Chase saw his chance to kill two proverbial birds. “Why don’t you explain to Sloane why Mom would pretend to be sick,” Chase said, confronting his brother about their mother’s charade.
“Shit.” Rick slicked a hand through his windblown hair. “Roman called and told me to be prepared.”
“And I would have nailed your sorry ass days ago if I wasn’t busy with other things,” Chase muttered. “Just tell Sloane about Mom’s pretend heart condition.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Pretend heart condition?”
“Mom had an episode a while back. She figured if she told us it was serious, then played on our good natures, she could get us settled down with the right women and get herself some grandchildren in the process.” Rick grimaced and Chase knew he was recalling the days leading up to his meeting Kendall.
“Mom set him up with all sorts of women before Kendall hit town,” Chase explained.
“Anyway, she doesn’t know that Chase knows the truth. Not yet. So if you saw anything today, it’s because Mom wanted you to think that she was sick and report back to Chase.”
“So he’d feel bad and start thinking I might be a good candidate?” Sloane guessed accurately.
Chase nodded. “Bingo. But she’s got a grandchild coming from Roman and
Charlotte, and with Kendall she’s got Hannah. She’s being ridiculous still trying to set me up.”
“Is that why you told her we were an item?”
She glanced at him warily, trepidation in her eyes, and he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her.
“I told her that so she’d back off, yes,” he admitted, careful to be honest. But he also wanted Sloane to know she wasn’t just a convenience for him. “I also told her that we’re a couple because while you’re here, it’s the truth.”
She licked her lips and his gaze followed the movement. “Yes, it’s true. While I’m here, I mean. Nothing beyond.”
She parroted his words, but coming from the mouth that he knew intimately, they sounded too hollow for his liking.
Rick cleared his throat. “Okay, folks. Now that we’ve established Mom’s good health, let’s move on and talk about Samson’s.”
Before Chase could ask questions or Rick could explain further, Kendall slipped into the open fourth chair. “Hi, guys.”
Chase groaned at the interruption, but he figured it would be too much to expect Rick to ask his wife to leave.
Sloane turned her gorgeous smile toward Chase’s sister-in-law. “Hi, Kendall. Nice to see you again.”
“Hi, honey.” Rick wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Can you give us a second? We’re conducting business.”
Chase raised an eyebrow. Apparently, he’d misjudged his sibling.
Kendall gave him an understanding smile. “Sure. I’ll just go say hi to Pearl and Eldin. They’re up front placing an order. A huge order, come to think of it.”
“Pearl and Eldin?” Sloane asked, leaning forward, propping her chin in one hand. “Who are they?”
“My tenants,” Kendall said.
“Hard to call them tenants when they’re living in our guesthouse for free,” Rick said wryly.
Chase laughed. “It’s a long story,” he said to Sloane.
Sloane’s eyes lit up. “I’d like to hear it. I’m beginning to enjoy small-town life.”
He wondered if she was serious or if Sloane Carlisle was just being polite.
“Tell you what. I’ll bring them by after you finish talking, and I promise you, Pearl will sum up her life story in one minute flat.” Kendall planted a kiss on Rick’s lips and headed for the front of the restaurant.
“She’s my dream wife,” Rick said, laughing. “Never questions when I have to do business and disappears when I need her to.”
“Something tells me she’s your dream wife for more reasons than that,” Sloane said indulgently.
Chase caught the hint of wistfulness in her voice and knew he wasn’t imagining things. She’d been through so much recently, not the least of which was the betrayal of her parents. She was missing out on love, trust, and dependability, Chase knew. And she sensed the depth of which Kendall and Rick felt those things for each other. She wanted it for herself.
The notion brought a lump of pure fear to his throat. Because he had a hunch that Sloane’s vision of love, trust, and dependability included hearth, home, and stability, the very things he swore he was finished with.
“Earth to Chase.” Rick tapped his fist on the table, jarring the silverware and Chase jumped. “What the hell’s got you so distracted? Kendall’s gone, so let’s talk.”
Chase blinked and realized his brother and Sloane were staring, waiting for him to focus. “I’m ready now,” he muttered, offering no explanation for spacing out on them.
“Okay.” Rick leaned forward, motioning for them to do the same. “First things first. Off the record, the explosion at Samson’s was no accident. The boiler had been tampered with.”
“What?” Sloane’s voice raised to a high pitch and Chase lay his hand over hers to calm her down.
“I thought you should know.” Rick splayed his hands in front of him.
“We appreciate that. And we have something we need to tell you too,” Chase said.
Sloane tipped her head to the side and whispered in his ear. “No, please. Not yet.”
“You promised if we found out that the explosion was deliberate, we’d go to Rick,” he reminded her.
“What’s going on?” his brother demanded. “If it has anything to do with the explosion, I don’t want you holding out on me.”
Chase met and held Sloane’s gaze, knowing he had to push her and hating it at the same time. “Do you want to fill Rick in or should I?”
Sloane grit her teeth. Chase’s tone brooked no argument. Someone would be informing Rick that her father’s men had threatened Samson and two days later, his house had exploded.
“It’s my story to tell.” She explained what she’d overheard between her father’s men and how she and Chase planned to go back to Crazy Eights in Harrington in order to look for Samson. Tonight.
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose, and in that instant, the brothers who didn’t look alike suddenly had an eerie resemblance. “You two don’t do anything halfway, do you?” Rick asked, and motioned to his wife to rejoin them.
“She plans on going with or without me,” Chase muttered. “So I’m in.”
“And so am I. I’m off duty tonight, so I’ll go along.” Rick patted the gun in his holster. “Because you two might need backup.”
Sloane was shocked to discover her eyes welling up with tears. The bond between the brothers, the lengths to which they would go to help one another, were all something she envied. Something she shared with her family, but since finding out that her life had been based on a lie—that her family wasn’t really her family—she felt the enormous loss.
She cleared her throat, trying to push the emotion aside. “Thank you, Rick.”
“He’s the best,” Chase assured her. He winked at his brother, and Sloane cleared her throat once more.
“We already have an APB out on Samson,” Rick said, all business. “Carlisle’s men can be questioned, but tipping them off without real evidence isn’t smart. In the meantime, we’re all going to Crazy Eights tonight,” Rick said.
“That place is the epitome of slime,” Kendall said, slipping back into her seat. “Why would we want to go there?”
Chase groaned, something he seemed to do often since sitting down at the table. Not that Sloane blamed him. Now they had Kendall to deal with and she obviously planned to accompany them. If Sloane were married to Rick, she’d plan to do the same thing.
“Why don’t you explain everything,” she said to Rick. If Kendall was going to go with them, she deserved to know details. “Kendall’s coming with us can work in our favor. We’ll seem more normal going out as two couples anyway.”
“I don’t believe this,” Chase muttered.
Sloane grasped his hand beneath the table. “I’m sorry.”
“For turning my life upside down?” He treated her to the lopsided grin she adored.
She opened her mouth to reply and he took advantage of the opportunity, kissing her into silence. As always, his touch was electric, fueling a desire that always simmered just below the surface, no matter what went on around them.
“What was that for?” she asked when he finally let her up for air. Rick and Kendall, she noticed, were deep in conversation.
He shrugged, looking sheepish. “Because I felt like it.”
He wasn’t normally an impulsive man, and though the change surprised her, she was careful not to read too much into it or attribute it to her influence. Though he cared about her, he’d also admitted that he had an agenda. Making this relationship public was a way to keep his mother off guard and avoid her matchmaking. And now the entire town was in on the act. The charade would continue while she stayed in Yorkshire Falls, not any longer.
Something she’d better remember and quit getting so attached to Chase or to his wonderful family.
“Okay, we’re on for tonight.” Kendall smiled, obviously pleased to be in on the action.
Rick frowned and Sloane recognized his stern cop face. “Only because she promised to behav
e herself and not get into any trouble.”
“We won’t stay long,” Sloane promised. “Just long enough to see if Samson shows up.”
“Sodas for everyone!” Izzy interrupted, placing drinks on the table. “I provided all your favorites. If you want to order lunch, just give me a wave.”
“We’re ready now, Izzy,” Chase said. “If we wait any longer, it’ll be dinnertime. What are today’s specials?”
“I love you Chandler boys and your appetites.” She pulled her pad out and read from the back. “Today’s specials are Norman’s potpie—”
“Since when do you need to refer to a pad for specials, Iz?” Rick asked.
“Since they involve more than just food.” She winked and continued. “In addition to the daily special, we’ve got a betting pool going. The more people who enter, the bigger the winnings, so I’ve been told to mention it to every table. But seeing as how two people here have the inside track, only Rick and Kendall are eligible.”
Sloane narrowed her gaze. “What are you talking about?” She turned to Chase. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He actually envied Sloane her confusion. “Come on, Izzy. Why the hell are you bringing this up here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” She placed her hands on her generous hips. “The pot’s bigger than the Super Bowl. I want to win and you two can give me the advantage.”
Rick snickered. Damn fool obviously knew what was going on too.
Chase groaned. “Sloane, it seems we’re the subject of a pool.”
“I’ll just put up some burgers on the house.”
Rick chuckled. “Good idea, Iz.”
“What kind of pool?” Sloane asked.
“They’re laying odds on whether or not you’re it. For me.” Chase’s cheeks burned and he could only imagine what shade of red he’d turned during this embarrassing conversation.
“It?” She bit down on her lower lip.
He itched to kiss that mouth and forget everything else.
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