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“It depends on what part of the field you go into. Sales representatives make about sixty thousand a year. Research and development, quality and project managers can earn about one hundred thousand dollars. But laboratory analysts make about twenty to fifty thousand a year.”
“Do you have to have a degree in medicine to do those jobs?”
“It does help,” Derek answered.
Chance liked the way Derek’s long finger stroked his wine glass as he spoke. “Are you married?”
“Who me? No,” Derek said, mimicking Chance’s response from earlier. “I’m not dating anyone at the moment either.”
“That should make some of our readers happy,” Chance said. “Harriet’s pretty hot.”
“Are you sure you’re not interested in her? I can try to hook you up on a date with her.”
“No, I’d rather be set up on a date with you,” Chance answered.
Derek smirked. “Thought so.”
Chance shook his head again at Derek’s attempt to find out his sexual orientation. “Sometimes it’s easier to just ask.” Derek got up and refilled Chance’s glass. The scent of the man’s cologne drove him crazy.
“That would be rude,” Derek replied. “I’ve had heterosexual guys approach me before. Most of them I guess are just curious.” He walked back to his seat and refilled his wine glass.
“Yeah, me, too.”
“Tell me about this article. Since it’s in a family magazine I suppose it will be tastefully done. You know, I’ll get to keep my clothing on.”
Chance chuckled. “Yes. The readers just want to know about Jaden and your relationship with him. I can also include Jaden’s parents in it if that will make you more comfortable.”
Derek’s beautiful smile disappeared and the twinkle went out of his eyes. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” He picked up his wine glass and took a big gulp.
“Why? Are they out of town? I can wait until they return.”
Derek put his glass down on the table. “Jaden doesn’t have parents. They’re dead.”
“Oh! I’m sorry,” Chance said.
Tears shimmered in Derek’s eyes. “They were killed six months ago in an automobile accident. My sister Ashlynn was pregnant with Jaden. The doctor was able to deliver him before she died.”
It all began to make sense. His article wrote itself right before his eyes. “So, you’re Jaden’s legal guardian?”
Derek nodded. “We’re the last of the Webster line.” He regained his composure.
Everything inside of Chance told him to run. Derek had gone from cute guy to a young man with a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. But even as he struggled to find a way out of the situation, he couldn’t. Chance was already falling in love with Derek Webster.
*****
“Hey, Jaden,” Chance said to the infant after dinner.
Harriet had brought the child to Derek in the parlor, after dressing him in a cute red, white, and blue sailor outfit. He sat on his uncle’s lap and Chance was trying to get him to smile so he could take their picture. He finally got Jaden’s attention. The child’s smile revealed those dimples.Perfect.Chance took the picture. Chance put them in several different poses over the next hour. Jaden finally got cranky so Harriet took him away to prepare him for bed. Chance hated to see the adorable child leave, but now he could focus on Derek. He got a few candid snapshots of the young man when he wasn’t paying attention.
“What was it like in the beginning, when you realized you were going to be responsible for such a young life?” Chance had his note app on so he could record Derek’s responses. Derek had given his permission earlier.
“Scary,” Derek answered. “I was in the emergency room waiting area when the doctor came out and gave me the bad news. I had just found out that Jaden’s father, Neil, had died earlier, at the scene of the accident. I couldn’t stop crying. Thank God one of my friends was there with me. Ashlynn was my life. Our parents were murdered in an armed robbery attempt six years ago, and then something like this happened. So, on top of losing my sister I’d just learned that her last words were for me to take care of her child.”
“Were you angry?”
Derek nodded. “I had just turned eighteen when our parents died and I had to take care of a thirteen-year-old. Do you know how difficult raising a teenager can be?”
“You could have put her into foster care.”
