Page 63 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
“I’m glad.”
A rosier glow touched his mother’s cheeks and relief washed through him. He’d obviously gotten through to her and she wasn’t going to worry about him when she should be taking care of herself.
“Just make sure you realize two things,” Raina continued.
“And what are they?”
“Make sure those dreams are present ones, not ones born in the past. And accept the difference between helping me raise your brothers, who were already half-grown pains in the ass, and the joys of raising a family of your own.” Laughter tinged her voice but didn’t negate the seriousness of her point.
She wanted him married with children. That much hadn’t changed. “I hear you, Mom.”
“But you aren’t listening, are you? Life is short. It’ll pass you by before you know it, and if you let Sloane walk out of your life, you’ll have regrets. I don’t want you—after all you’ve done for us—to have regrets.”
He shook his head. “No regrets. I never look back.” Yet he didn’t want her holding out hope that he wanted to settle down like Rick and Roman had either. “But my future’s mine to determine, and like I said, I have my priorities in order.”
“The Chandler way,” Sloane’s familiar feminine voice said from the doorway. “Family first, kids never,” she said jokingly, paraphrasing his words the first time they’d made love.
Safety first, kids never.
Chase turned to see Sloane standing in the room, a strained smile on her beautiful face. After all they’d been through together, she knew him well. Though his words and thoughts wouldn’t surprise her, he saw her obvious dismay. His gut churned, letting him know in no uncertain terms that he didn’t like disappointing her.
He ran a hand through his hair, then stood and walked over, drawing her into the room. “What are you doing here?” he asked, unable to stop the smile on his face.
Just looking at her, pale from last night’s ordeal, but gorgeous anyway, made him feel lighter and happier than he had a right to be, considering his mother lay in a hospital bed.
“I came to see how Raina’s feeling, of course.” Sloane stepped toward the bed and pulled a pink rose attached to a GET WELL balloon from behind her back. “I wanted to bring a box of chocolates but thought I should check with your doctor first.”
“You’re such a sweet girl.” Raina beamed as she accepted Sloane’s gift.
When it came to Sloane Carlisle, his mother was in as deep as Chase. The only difference was, Chase knew how a woman like Sloane, her desires and her needs, would conflict with his newfound freedom in life. His instinct this morning had been the right one. Withdraw and steer clear.
“I plan to continue eating chocolates to my dying day—which won’t be for years. I have too much living to do,” Raina said. “I want out of here.”
Chase laughed. “I saw Eric walk by and wave. I’m guessing it’s just another hour or so until you sign the paperwork and get sprung.”
“Good. In the meantime, you two go on and leave me in peace. I’d like to nap.” She closed her eyes and turned her head to the side as if she were already down for the count.
Chase rolled his eyes. “She’s so obvious,” he said to Sloane.
She laughed, brightening his spirits. “I know. But she means well and she’s so cute.”
Raina cleared her throat, but her eyes remained closed.
“Anyway, I also wanted to tell you that I planned to go by the vet and check on Samson’s dog. Would it be okay if I brought him to your place? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I hate thinking of him alone there, when I could take care of him and—”
“Chase loves dogs,” Raina said from the bed.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping,” Sloane and Chase told her at the same time.
Raina merely smiled. “Great minds think alike. Married couples complete each other’s thoughts. Same for couples who should be—”
Sloane let out a laugh she was obviously unable to contain, cutting off Raina’s expected last word.
“Go back to sleep,” Chase snapped before his mother could meddle some more. “You can bring the dog to my place,” he said to Sloane. “Just ask Dr. Sterling to give us whatever we need to feed him and tell him I’ll send him a check to cover the cost.”
“See? Beneath that gruff exterior, he’s such a softy,” Raina chimed in.
Sloane reached out and caressed his cheek. “He is, isn’t he?”
Her gentle touch seeped through his skin, warming him. Instead of enjoying, it made him nervous. If he let her, this woman could destroy his dreams of finally having his life to himself, no one at home to answer to, only his career ahead of him. He wasn’t sure why the goal that had sustained him for years suddenly made him feel cold and empty, but he wasn’t about to worry about it now.
