Page 46 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
“You didn’t need to do that.”
He heard the steely tone in Sloane’s voice, the one that never ceased to remind him she’d indeed been raised by Senator Michael Carlisle, a master at getting what he wanted, and his wife, Madeline, the strong woman alongside the man.
“I wanted to.”
“I could have explained things myself,” Sloane said.
“But you don’t want her spreading this rumor about Samson and inadvertently exposing the very story you’re trying to hide.”
Not that he was concerned about his mother being informed about Sloane’s relationship to, or search for, Samson. Nobody would go further than Raina to protect someone they cared about. Once he’d explained their reasons for needing Raina’s discretion, Chase trusted her promise to provide it. His mother only participated in town gossip out of boredom and to maintain a sense of community. She’d put Sloane and Samson’s needs first now and remain silent.
Yet Sloane was still quiet. She still didn’t seem pleased that he’d interfered and he felt compelled to explain. Which surprised him. He’d always made decisions first and explained himself to no one. As the head of the family and the paper, he’d never had to justify a decision.
But he didn’t want this woman to think he’d steamrolled over her needs and desires. Her feelings were important to him. “I just felt better paving the way,” he said, uncomfortable and gripping the steering wheel harder as he spoke.
Sloane nodded. “And now that you have, I can handle it,” she said once more.
Her placating tone set his nerves on edge. He hated sounding like a worried parent, when all he really was, was a concerned lover. Besides, older habits died hard and he couldn’t help wanting to look out for her. “And don’t leave here until I get back,” he added.
“Yes, sir.” She saluted him again.
He winced. “Am I really that bad?” he asked.
She chuckled, her light laugh allowing him to release much of his emotional tension.
“Let’s just say it’s a good thing for you I like my men assertive.” Her voice dropped, taking on a husky quality he couldn’t misinterpret.
One hand on the wheel, he leaned closer. “We’ll discuss your penchant for dominant men when we get home later.”
“Promises, promises.” She reached for the door handle, then turned back to brush a kiss over his lips before getting out of the truck.
She adjusted the sweater she’d worn and walked up his mother’s front lawn, her hips swaying, her mood good despite everything going on around her. He admired her spunk. Chase figured the two women would get along fine. He gripped the steering wheel harder, knowing that thought ought to worry him much more than it did.
Once Sloane safely entered his mother’s house, Chase pulled back onto the street and turned around, heading out of town. Now that he knew the potential for danger, he’d promised himself he wouldn’t leave Sloane alone. With both women together and not out looking for trouble, he could rest easy. Unless he counted Raina as trouble, he thought wryly. But he was certain Sloane could handle anything his mother tossed her way and would return question for question, giving as good as she got.
In the meantime, he planned to make good use of his time alone. He couldn’t stop thinking of Cindy’s expression after seeing him with Sloane and he intended to head into Harrington to officially end a relationship that was already long over. Then he planned to do some journalistic digging on Sloane’s grandfather, Senator Jack Ford, and his past with the elusive Samson Humphrey. He was surprised Sloane hadn’t gone digging on the Internet for information but he had a hunch she was using her worry about Samson’s well being as a way not to deal with her emotions regarding her past.
* * *
Sloane waited in the family room while Raina made them tea. She walked from bookshelf to bookshelf, examining the photos of Chase and his brothers as young boys, studying their progression to grown men. They’d been adorable children and even more handsome adults. And if Raina had her way, they’d have gorgeous families of their own. In Roman and Charlotte’s case, that day wasn’t far off since Chase had told her Roman’s wife was pregnant, due next month. Having met Rick’s wife, Kendall, Sloane had no doubt the good-looking couple would also have beautiful babies.
But Chase’s children could be the most incredible of all, and the vision was all too clear in her mind. Blue-eyed, black-haired imps. But reality intruded painfully. He’d already decided against the notion. Too bad, she thought, her stomach fluttering with warmth and an unexpected sorrow.
Her gaze drifted to the photos and that sadness inside her grew stronger each time she caught sight of Chase. With each passing year, his expression grew ever more serious. He’d borne so much on his broad shoulders, more than any teenager should have to bear. But he’d held up well and his family had benefited from his sense of duty and caring.
