Page 64 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
Decision made, Chase stepped back, out of reach.
* * *
Sloane sensed Chase’s withdrawal immediately. Combined with what she’d overheard between mother and son, she understood Chase’s actions were deliberate. Raina wanted him to settle down with Sloane and Chase wanted no part of her plan. He’d have no regrets. He’d never look back. He’d said so himself.
She had no choice but to find Samson, fix the mess that her life had become, and move on. She turned to Chase, determined now to play things as cool as he was.
“I can pay for Samson’s dog myself, but thank you for offering,” she said in a more formal, more distant voice than she’d used with him before. Was it her imagination or did he flinch at her icy tone?
“Well, regardless of who pays, Chase can go with you. He’s finished here.” Raina waved her hand expansively around the room, ignoring the suddenly chilly undercurrents.
“No, I’m not. Not until I hear from your doctors exactly what’s wrong and your prognosis.” He folded his arms tight and Sloane had a hunch he was shutting her out more than trying to make a point with his mother.
“Ridiculous,” Raina said.
He raised an eyebrow. “Is it really? You got the best of me once, Mom. I’m going to hear things from the doctor’s mouth this time.”
She frowned, pursing her lips in blatant disapproval, then turned to Sloane. “Well, before you drive over to the vet, at least call Dr. Sterling and make sure he’s in the office. People in this town take advantage of his good nature and expect more house calls than an old-time doctor used to make.” Raina fiddled with the wires connected to the heart monitor. “I want out of here,” she muttered again.
“Soon enough.”. He turned to Sloane. “Mom’s right. Call the vet first.”
Sloane didn’t like Chase telling her what to do in that cold voice, but she knew good advice when she heard it. She Googled the number and dialed, listened and hung up, resigned. “You’re right. I got the answering machine.”
“See?” Raina smiled, obviously happy to be correct. “Now you can stay here with us.” She patted the side of the bed with an unspoken request that Sloane join her.
She smiled at the older woman. “Much as I’d like to, I have an errand I have to run.” Besides, Chase obviously didn’t need or want her here.
“Where to?” Raina asked.
“None of your business,” Chase said.
Sloane covered a shocked gasp with a cough, walking over to his mother, edging between them and patting Raina’s hand. “I appreciate your asking. I’m going to visit my mother’s old house,” she informed Raina with a gracious smile. “I have the address you gave me.”
“Oh dear. You really shouldn’t go alone.”
“Why not?” both Chase and Sloane asked at the same time.
Sloane only knew she wanted to get out of the hospital and away from her escalating feelings. Chase just obviously wanted her gone.
She reminded him of his failings, and apparently, Chase Chandler held himself up to higher than human standards. He didn’t permit himself to have wants or desires that came before his family. She inhaled and squared her shoulders. Well, then, too bad for him. She wanted someone human in her life. Besides, she had her hands full finding her father. She didn’t need to add Chase’s hang-ups to her own. Much as she wanted to.
Raina clucked her tongue, as if chastising them both. “Because it’s an emotional situation and Sloane shouldn’t face the past alone.”
“It’s my mother’s past. Only indirectly mine.” Sloane shrugged, forcing herself to make light of the situation, at least until she left the room. “I’ll be fine.”
Raina expelled an exasperated breath. “But I don’t need Chase here.”
He shot her a glance, then leaned down on the portable tray that substituted as a nightstand and leaned closer. “All the more reason for me to stay.”
“Chase has a point,” Sloane said, through clenched teeth. She didn’t want anything he wasn’t willing to give. “He won’t be satisfied until he hears you’re going to be okay, and I don’t blame him. I’m just going to deal with some family skeletons, try to get the dog, and then go back to Chase’s. I’m hoping maybe we’ll get a call from Earl or get a lead on Samson so I can settle things here and head back to D.C.” She shifted her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “I want to get out of everyone’s hair.”
“Nonsense.” Raina waved a hand dismissively. “You’re not in anyone’s way. But if you do get any leads, make sure you call Chase,” she said in her best dictatorial voice.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with my mother. If something comes up, you call. Whoever’s after Samson is dangerous.” Concern flickered in Chase’s darkened gaze, a hint of longing he couldn’t hide.
