Grace reached for the handle on the car, then paused. “Hannah said she thought you were Chase’s new girlfriend.”
Sloane chuckled. “I don’t know what’s worse, the small-town grapevine or a teenager’s perspective on life.”
“You mean Hannah exaggerated?” Grace placed a hand on her heart and donned a shocked expression. “Do tell,” she said, laughing.
Sloane rolled her eyes. “Let’s say she’s got the bare bones, not the whole story.”
Grace’s eyes lit with curiosity as she rubbed her hands together. “Sounds like an interesting tale.”
“One that’s just not worth telling,” Sloane said, trying in vain to hide her disappointment at the turn her relationship with Chase had taken.
She said good-bye to Grace, then waved to the girls before climbing into her own car and pulling out of the driveway.
She fought the tide of emotion, attempting to keep any thoughts or feelings of Samson at bay. She needed time to think back on their conversation, to understand the events that had shaped the man he’d become. But not dwelling on Samson meant focusing on Chase.
And that prospect wasn’t any more uplifting.
Yet despite the pain, common sense told her she couldn’t fault him for not giving when he’d never promised her more. She was lucky he’d helped her out when she needed it after the accident, and she should be grateful for the time they’d shared. He was a good man, one who in another lifetime would have made a great husband.
But in this lifetime, Chase Chandler had made his choices and they didn’t include Sloane.
“If actions could make things happen, I’d think I caused this heart condition.” Raina glanced around her bedroom, happy to be home, a little scared to really be sick, and a lot guilty for what she’d done to her boys.
Eric sat down on his side of the bed. Raina had long since redecorated the bedroom she’d shared with John, her husband, and lately she’d started to think of things here as belonging to Eric too.
“As your doctor, I can tell you that I am one hundred percent certain your charade did not cause this illness.” He grasped her hand, bringing it close to his heart. “But as the man who loves you, I can say the stress you’re adding to your life hasn’t helped.”
She nodded. “I understand. I do. I just wish Chase would see the error in his think—”
He cut her off by lifting her hand and kissing her knuckles, startling her into silence. He had the most amazing ways of shutting her up, Raina thought, warmth heating her veins and her heart rate picking up.
“I like when you touch me,” she told him.
“See how easy it is to refocus your attention?” he said, laughing. “Anytime you mention the boys, I’m going to have to kiss you into forgetfulness.”
Leaning against the pillow, she turned her head toward him. “I want to be married. I want you to be able to shut me up anytime you want, day or night.” She reached for him, pulling him down so he lay beside her. “I want to make your breakfast every morning and let you take care of me every night.”
“Why, Raina Chandler, what would the town think if they knew just how old-fashioned you really were?”
She laughed. “They’d think what I already know. That I’m lucky to have found you. And with life being so short, I don’t want to put off our days together anymore.”
“I was never the one holding us back.”
“I realize it’s been my fault and I’m the one who insisted we wait. I just wanted my sons happy.”
Eric reached out and stroked her cheek. “And they are, Raina. You raised them well. It’s time to let them go.”
“Now? Before Chase has settled his turmoil?”
He graced her with a gentle smile. “What better gift could you give them? What better gift could you give yourself than to let their good judgment and fate take over?”
“Quite frankly, Chase’s judgment is wonderful when it comes to his family, but it sucks when it comes to his personal life.”
Eric burst out laughing. “I do love you, Raina. Now, how about setting a date?”
A buzzer rang, preventing Raina from answering.
“That’s dinner. I’ve been heating the meal Izzy sent over. I have to go check it before it burns,” Eric said, rising from the bed. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten where we left off.”
“Of course not.” She waited for Eric to disappear out the bedroom door. He had no idea how fortunate the interruption was. Because Raina wasn’t getting married until Chase proposed to Sloane.
Where was she? Chase had gotten his mother settled at her house hours ago, leaving her in Eric’s capable hands. He’d come home expecting to find his guest, but instead the house was empty. The way it should be.
So why didn’t he feel better?
Because he was worried about Sloane. Because he wanted her by his side. He kicked his foot against the carpeted floor in frustration.
He grabbed his keys and started for the door at the same time she slowly walked inside, as if she had no idea he’d been pacing the floors in concern. He wanted to demand answers, to know where she’d been way past dinner, but the lost, dazed expression on her face stopped him.
Sucker punched him, in fact. He stepped back from his anger and exhaled hard. He knew she’d gone to her mother’s old house, but if anything urgent had come up, she’d have called. She’d promised.
Or had Raina just asked her to check in? He no longer remembered. “Where have you been?” He studied her, wanting to be certain he didn’t miss any clues to what she might be thinking.
She shrugged. “Around.” Swinging her hands at her sides, she started past him.
Without meeting his gaze. “You said you were going by your mother’s old place. Did the memories there upset you?” Drawn back to her despite his better judgment, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
He sensed her struggle not to give in, to maintain the distance he’d begun in his mother’s hospital room. But just as his deepest feelings pushed him toward her, she came to him.
Her body molded to his, her light weight leaning against him. “I found Samson,” she said as her legs went weak beneath her.
“You what?” He turned her around, not letting her fall and providing the support she needed.
Wide eyes met his. “I found . . . my father. My real father.”
Her voice cracked, and so, he thought, did his heart.