by Creator
“It’s complicated. How much do you know about Chloe?” Ramsey asked.
“Not much. She seemed really distressed when she showed up on our doorstep looking for Michael. I figured she hadn’t told him about the baby, but now that he knows I’m just waiting on him to pop the question.”
Ramsey cleared his throat. “He did. She turned him down.”
Gabriel was quiet on the other end. “Why?”
“It seems that Michael offered her marriage in order for her to have insurance for the baby’s delivery and for her and the baby to have a place to live.”
Gabriel groaned. “He’s an idiot.”
“I can’t argue that one. I know he’s your brother, but it gets worse.”
“How much worse?” Gabriel asked quietly, afraid of the answer.
“They were arguing when I stopped by to pick up Chloe tonight.”
Gabriel swore under his breath. “Did he hurt her?”
Ramsey stilled. “Is that something we need to worry about?”
“Did. He. Hurt. Her?”
Ramsey told him what happened, about Michael’s relationships with the various nurses on staff.
Gabriel groaned. “He’s made a mess that I can’t clean up this time. He’s on his own.”
“Gabriel, I’m not leaving Chloe here by herself. Besides, I may have to stick around to sign something when they release her.”
“Why would you have to sign something?” Gabriel asked.
Ramsey explained about the insurance issue and Michael’s unwillingness to pay.
“I’ll take care of Michael. Stay with Chloe and see that she gets to her new apartment safely.” Gabriel paused. “And Ramsey?”
“Yes?” Ramsey visibly swallowed. He hoped the alpha wasn’t angry with him. He’d never felt like he truly belonged to a pack until he’d found the Ashton Grove pack. He’d hate to be asked to leave.
“Thank you for stepping in and taking care of Chloe. I’d assumed that she was Michael’s mate because she was carrying his child. But maybe I was wrong,” Gabriel said before disconnecting the call.
Ramsey stared at his phone dumbfounded. Turning off the device, he slipped it back into his pocket and walked back to Chloe’s room in a daze. Had the alpha just given him permission to pursue Chloe? He had planned on seeing as much of her as possible anyway, but with the alpha’s permission… it was like having a father’s permission to marry his daughter.
When he reached Chloe’s room, he noticed the door was open. Peering inside, he saw that she was once again surrounded by nurses.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, stepping into the room.
“Everything is fine,” the blonde nurse assured him. “We’re actually going to release her.”
Ramsey visibly relaxed. “Good. When I saw all of you in here…”
The nurse smiled. She left the side of Chloe’s bed and walked over to Ramsey. “We know that Michael Andrews is the father of her child, but we’ve also noticed that you haven’t left her side for a moment.”
He nodded. “I’m a…uh… friend.”
“I have a feeling you’re more than that. I’m going to give you a list of care instructions for her. She’s okay to go home, but she needs to be monitored closely and needs to avoid stressful situations.”
He nodded, unable to say anything. The nurses had noticed the way he looked at Chloe? Was it really that obvious?
“Which means she needs to avoid Michael as much as possible,” the nurse said with a significant look.
“I can’t keep them apart. He’s the father of her baby.”
The nurse shrugged. “He may have planted the seed, but from what I’ve seen you’re already more of a father to the baby than he could ever be. Maybe you can convince her of that, too.”
She wasn’t telling him anything he hadn’t already thought of, but it still didn’t set well with Ramsey. He believed a child had every right to know who its father was. He didn’t have a right to keep the baby and Michael apart. If he had to keep Chloe and Michael apart for medical reasons, he would do so.
“Just give me the list of what she needs to do, and I’ll make sure she follows it,” Ramsey assured the nurse.
“Are there any stairs where she lives?” the nurse asked.
“Yeah, she lives in a garage apartment.”
“Well, she needs to be extra careful climbing the stairs. Closer to time for the baby to be born, she may need to move.”
Ramsey nodded. He’d move to the garage apartment if he needed to in order to make sure Chloe and the baby were safe. She could have the main house, if he could only convince her to take it.
“Once the doctor signs her discharge papers, she’ll be free to go.”
“Chloe doesn’t have insurance. I paid a deposit when we arrived, but I’d imagine it didn’t quite cover the whole bill,” Ramsey said.
“The hospital will probably just send you a bill, unless you want us to put the whole thing on your credit card?”
“If you could send me a bill, that would be great. I don’t know how much the total will be and it might put me over my limit,” he said.
“I’ll be sure to notate that on the chart so the billing department will know to invoice you,” the nurse answered.
“I appreciate it.”
Chapter Eleven
A few hours later, Ramsey pulled down the drive to his house. It wasn’t as large as most in the neighborhood, but it was a decent size. A Cape Cod style with a porch across the front, it boasted four bedrooms and two and a half baths. The three car garage had been added later with the studio apartment over it.
A mechanic typically wouldn’t have been able to afford a house such as this one, but it had fallen into disrepair and Ramsey had gotten a deal on it. Every time he arrived home, Ramsey sat in his SUV and eyed the place appreciatively. He'd repainted the outside himself, put on a new roof, replaced rotten wood, and replaced broken windows. He’d also landscaped the outside. The inside had needed just as much work, if not more.
“This is your home?” Chloe asked her eyes wide in wonder.
“It didn’t look like this when I bought it,” he answered, his cheeks flushed. He didn’t want her thinking he was richer than he really was.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks. It was falling down around my ears when I first bought it, but a lot of hard work later this is what I get to look at every day.”
Chloe smiled at him. “It was definitely worth the effort.”
“The apartment is just over here,” he said, tipping his head toward the garage.
Getting out of the SUV, he reached into the backseat and pulled out Chloe’s bags of clothes. He sat them at the foot of the stairs then walked around to help her out of the vehicle.
“I know you don’t like a lot of help, but the nurse said you had to be careful with stairs. I’ll help you up and then I’ll come back down for your things,” he told her.
Chloe sighed. “So much for independence.”
“You still have your own space. You just need some help getting to and from it. Promise me you won’t go running up and down these stairs on your own.”
She nodded. “I can’t promise that I won’t go up and down them without your help, but I promise I’ll be extra careful. I don’t want anything to happen to the baby.”
“I guess that’s all I can ask for,” Ramsey responded with a grin.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Ramsey pulled a key out from under a plant pot. “This is your key. Ashton Grove is pretty safe so there’s only one lock on the door. If you want another one added, I’ll be happy to put a dead bolt on the door.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, Ramsey.”
He nodded and unlocked the door. “Ready to see your place?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Hopefully it won’t disappoint you. I haven’t had a chance to do much over here yet.”
He pushed the door open and ushered her inside. He almost didn’t
recognize it. The scent of fresh paint assailed his nostrils. His eyes roamed around the room, taking in the fairly new furniture and decorative throw rugs. It seemed that Cassie had done more than bring over some pots and pans.
“It’s wonderful,” Chloe said as she gazed at the sage walls, taupe loveseat and matching chair, burgundy throw pillows, and matching throw rug that made up the living room. Her eyes wondered to the kitchen painted the same lovely shade with taupe leaves stenciled on the wall around the stove and on the off-white cabinets. Tears gathered in her eyes.
Ramsey cleared his throat. “The bedroom’s through here,” he said motioning toward the screen behind the loveseat.
They stepped around the rice paper and mahogany screen. A full-size bed was pushed up against a wall, a small mahogany nightstand sat beside it with a bronzed lamp burning on top. The bed was turned down, the bedspread a neutral taupe with burgundy flowers blooming across the background with sage leaves a tad darker than the walls of the bedroom. A dresser dominated the far wall.
Chloe eyed the door in the corner questioningly.
“That’s the bathroom through there. It’s small, but it’s functional,” Ramsey said.
Chloe walked over to the door and opened it. There was a small shower stall with a sliding door, a pedestal sink, and a toilet. The mirror over the sink was a decorative gold oval; in the corner stood a small corner cabinet for toiletries.
“So, will it work?” Ramsey asked.
“It’s perfect, Ramsey.”
“I, ah, didn’t realize the paint smell was going to be so strong. It’s probably not good for the baby,” he murmured.
“I thought you said you hadn’t done much in here.”
Ramsey blushed. “I didn’t. I asked Cassie to drop off a few things. She apparently thought this place needed some sprucing up before you moved in. I can’t ask you to sleep in paint fumes tonight.”
“I’ll be fine, Ramsey.”
He shook his head. “You should sleep in the main house tonight. I’ll sleep out here.”
“I’m not evicting you from your house.”
“I’m not going to ask you to share a house with me either,” he responded.
“Your house is much bigger than Michael’s and I was sharing a house with him.”
Ramsey eyed her stomach. “You’re also having a baby with him.”
Chloe wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach. “That remains to be seen.”
He sighed. “What do you want to do, Chloe?”
“I don’t think it would be a problem for us to sleep in the same house for just one night, Ramsey. Besides, your house is big enough for me to get lost in.”
His lips twitched in a grin.
“Of course, I don’t want to stay there if you don’t want me to.”
“I don’t mind you staying in my house. But all of my guest rooms are upstairs.”
She spread her arms. “So is my apartment.”
“Promise me you won’t come downstairs in the morning without some help?”
She set her jaw.
“If you don’t promise me, I’m going to make you sleep in the master bedroom downstairs.”
She knew he would, too. Sighing she nodded her agreement. “Can you bring my things up first though? I want to go ahead and get my clothes situated. I’ll just take over what I’ll need in the morning.”
“I’ll be right back then.”
Chloe used her time alone to survey her surroundings. Her apartment had been nice, but nothing like this. She knew Ramsey was charging her such a small amount just to be nice. He was a true gentleman.
Walking into the kitchen, she opened the cupboards and peered inside. She found a matching set of dishes and glasses, silverware, and a few pots and pans. A cookie sheet and broiler pan were in the drawer under the stove. A vase on the counter held some cooking utensils.
She walked back into the living area just as Ramsey came through the door with her things.
“Where do you want these?” he asked, lifting the sacks.
“In the bedroom is fine. It will just take me a minute to put them away.”
He nodded and stepped behind the screen to place the bags on the bed. “I’ll just wait in the living room for you.”
“I’ll be right there,” she said with a smile.
Folding her clothes, she carefully placed them in the dresser. She kept a knit dress out and some clean underwear for the next day. Leaving her toiletries in the sack, she walked back into the living room.
“I’m ready if you are.”
Ramsey held his hand out to her.
With her small hand engulfed in his larger one, they exited her tiny apartment and locked the door. Slowly descending the stairs, Ramsey led her over to his house.
“I should warn you that I haven’t had time to clean the house lately,” he said as he pushed the door open.
“Does this mean there will be dirty laundry piled everywhere, empty pizza boxes and beer bottles scattered about, and the fridge will be empty?” she teased.
He laughed. “Not quite that bad.”
Chloe followed him into the side entrance of the house and stepped into a small laundry area.
“Actually, I need to give you a key to the house. You can use the laundry room anytime you need to,” Ramsey said, indicating the washer and dryer. “Your apartment doesn’t have cable or internet so you’re welcome to use mine if you want.”
“I don’t want to encroach on your privacy. Besides, your girlfriend probably won’t like the fact that I’m staying here as it is,” she said.
Ramsey gave her an odd look. “I don’t have a girlfriend, and you’re welcome over here anytime you want.”
She nodded and followed him into a spacious kitchen. Through an archway, she saw a living area with hardwood floors and leather couches. A flat panel TV hung on one wall, a fireplace took up the opposite wall. Chloe felt extremely out of place.
“Do you want to see the guest rooms? You’ll have your pick.”
“I think I’d just like to sit for a minute if that’s okay?”
Ramsey nodded. “You don’t have to go upstairs before you’re ready.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, it’s past dinner time. Are you hungry?”
“I hadn’t thought of it before now, but I should eat something. I’m not all that hungry, but I know I need to eat for the baby’s sake.”
“Do you feel up to going out?” Ramsey asked.
“Oh, I couldn’t!”
Ramsey held up a hand. “My treat. You’ve been through a lot today. You deserve a good meal at a nice restaurant.”
She glanced down at her rumpled jeans and top. “I’m not exactly dressed for a night out.”
“Then how about a good meal at a casual place?” he amended. “There’s a great steak place not too far from here, if you’re up for it that is.”
Chloe groaned. “A steak and potato sounds heavenly.”
He grinned. “Then that’s settled. Grab your purse and let’s go.”
Chloe smiled and picked up her purse. She followed him out to the Hummer and climbed into the passenger seat. As she eyed the house and the vehicle, she looked at Ramsey with new eyes.
“Is there something I need to know about you?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” Ramsey asked.
“Nice car, nice house. How do you afford it on a mechanic’s salary?”
He grinned. “I invested well at my last job. Plus my family left me some money. I’m not broke if that’s what you mean.”
Chloe blushed. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, I shouldn’t have stuck my nose in where it didn’t belong.”
“Chloe, it’s fine. Really.”
Chloe stared out her window and watched the scenery go by. It didn’t take long for them to reach the restaurant. For a Wednesday night, the place was rather packed. It took Ramsey a moment to park.
“It’s times like this that I
wish I had a smaller vehicle,” he muttered.
Chloe laughed. “Yeah, but you’re so tall you probably wouldn’t be very comfortable in something small.”
He grinned at her. “True enough. Every now and then Kiera convinces me to ride around in her SUV, but it’s quite a bit smaller than mine. It makes me feel claustrophobic.”
“I don’t see how Michael drives the Corvette all the time. I had a hard time getting in and out of it the other day.”
“He didn’t mention getting another car?” Ramsey asked as he helped Chloe out of the SUV.
She shook her head. “Why would he?”
“Well, with a baby on the way, he’s going to need something with a backseat. That is, if he’s serious about wanting to be part of the baby’s life.”
Chloe studied him for a moment. “I didn’t think about it, but you’re right. He never once commented on my struggles getting in and out of his car. He doesn’t let anyone else drive it and he never mentioned trading it in on something the baby could ride in.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It’s not my place,” Ramsey said.
She shook her head. “Ramsey, you’ve been kinder to me than anyone has in a long time. Don’t feel like you have to hide anything from me.”
He laughed. “I’m afraid I need to keep one or two of my secrets.”
She smiled. “I guess we all need to keep a few things close to our hearts.”
“What about you and Michael? Did you share a lot of things?” Ramsey asked.
“Not really. He told me he was a mechanic and where he worked. At the time, he was living at the Victorian with his two brothers. Other than that, I didn’t really know anything about him. Still don’t.”
Ramsey opened the restaurant door and ushered her inside. He told the hostess they needed a table for two in a non-smoking area. Once they were seated and had ordered their drinks and food, he continued his conversation with Chloe.
“What about you? Is there anything Michael doesn’t know about you?”