Page 74 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
As she shared a chocolate square and hot tea with Pearl, the man Sloane sought finally arrived.
Samson walked in through the back, his pug following close behind. “Had to run from the cops, avoid a reporter, and that damn man who kept asking directions. Then Dog here had to make a run for it when that dumb-ass mongrel Rick and Kendall call Happy came bounding round the side of the house,” Samson grumbled, not looking up or noticing Sloane. “What the hell kind of name is Happy for an animal, anyway?”
“I suppose Dog is better?” Sloane couldn’t help asking.
Samson frowned, glancing from Sloane to Pearl. “What’s she doing here?”
“I’m looking for you.” Rising from a chair in the kitchen, Sloane rubbed her damp palms against her pants.
“And I couldn’t very well leave her on the doorstep, now could I?” Pearl put a hand on Sloane’s shoulder. “It’s wintertime.”
“It’s not quite winter yet. Anyway, how’d she find me?”
“Any reason you don’t just ask me?” Sloane said.
His scowl deepened. “Because if I ignore you, maybe you’ll go away.”
“Samson Humphrey, you apologize this instant,” Pearl said before Sloane could react. “I won’t be putting up with rudeness in my house. Just ask Eldin. We speak with respect here, or we don’t speak at all.”
“Then there must be a lot of quiet time ’round here,” Samson grumbled.
Sulking, Pearl folded her arms over her ample breasts, then lowered herself into the chair Sloane had vacated.
This wasn’t getting them anywhere. Although Sloane knew better than to be insulted by Samson, who treated everyone with the same surly disdain, there was a part of her that wished he’d look at her differently and talk to her like the little girl he’d lost. But that was a lot like wishing Chase would treat her like the woman he loved and wanted to raise a family with. Neither wish would be coming true.
At this point, she’d settle for being allowed to stay with Samson during the little time she had left in Yorkshire Falls. And she didn’t think he needed to know Michael Carlisle was on his way here either.
“Look,” she said, coming up to Samson. She scooped up the pug for good measure and petted his head. “I need a place to stay, and since we want to get to know each other, I thought I could stay with you,” she told Samson.
It wasn’t until she’d spoken the words aloud that she realized she was afraid he’d say no. Reject her. She curled her fingers into the fur on the dog’s back.
“The sofa in the family room pulls out,” Pearl said at the same time Samson growled at her.
“You ain’t staying here. I said I wanted to know if you was mine, but I didn’t say I wanted no kid in my life.”
Sloane shut her eyes, but his words remained out there. “It would just be for a day or two. Until I’m ready to go home.”
“Stay with your boyfriend. There’s no room here,” he said, a defiant tilt to his chin and an uncompromising tone in his voice.
Even Pearl, whose eyes had opened wide, merely remained silent.
“Chase only wants me when I’m some damsel in distress,” she admitted aloud for the first time. And the notion hurt.
Samson’s head jerked up and he met her gaze.
Eerily familiar eyes stared back at her, reinforcing a family resemblance she hadn’t acknowledged until now. But he glanced away just as quickly, severing the connection. Apparently, two men were about to turn her out of their lives, but she forged on, determined not to make it easy on Samson. “I can stand on my own two feet just fine.”
“Maybe you can, maybe you can’t. Depends on what kind of stuff you’re made of.”
“I’m made of your stuff,” she shot back. “And apparently, you’re not that much of a recluse if you’ve heard the gossip about me and Chase.” Sloane straightened her shoulders, holding her own with him.
“You’re shacking up with the man. How could I not know?”
She sighed, not wanting to let him get off track. “I think we have some things to discuss, like my mother, for one, and where you’re going to live, for another.”
He waved a hand, dismissing her. “I don’t remember saying I wanted or needed you in my life. I can handle things without your help, thank you very much.”
She bit down on her lower lip. “What if I want to know you?”
“Then you’re flat out of luck. Now give me my dog.” He grabbed his animal out of her arms and turned away.
She told herself it was fine. He hadn’t been a part of her life until now and she didn’t need him in her future.
She’d ensure his safety from her father’s men and be gone. But her emotions didn’t match her thoughts and the pain she felt was raw. Her chest hurt and her throat grew full. She swiveled toward the front door, but instead of an escape from the hurt, she found more.
