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Chase bagged the last of his sandwich. “Okay, I’m going out to the ranch to check on her.”
Josh grimaced. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, it’s pretty late. My dad’s probably sleeping.”
Chase didn’t care. Old man Halloway never had much use for him anyway. “This Quentin guy has Jacquie in his sights. I don’t want to take any chances. I don’t care if I have to keep watch from the sofa, I am not letting anyone get into that house.”
“All right. Here.” Josh removed his key to the ranch off his keyring and gave it to him. “In case no one answers the door.”
“Thanks. I know chances are this guy is probably long gone, but Aiden didn’t want Jacquie anywhere near him. Said he was obsessed with her. That guy managed to get his hands on her twice today, I’m not taking any more chances.”
Josh’s smile was slow and deliberate.
“What?”
“Are you sure there’s not something going on between you and my sister?”
Chase thought of the ring burning a hole in his pocket as he glanced at Stuart and his mother, who were both very interested in their conversation. “Yeah, I’m sure. I blew my shot. I know better than to think it could happen again.”
“Maybe,” Josh said, still grinning.
Chase couldn’t help the hope rising in his chest. “You know something I don’t?”
“Nope. Just seems to me there’s a reason neither one of you have ever had a serious relationship with anyone else for all these years.”
Chase glanced at his mother and the DEA agent again. Both had the good grace to look away. “How do you know that?” he asked, lowering his voice.
“Have you?” Josh asked. “Has there been anyone serious?”
“No.”
Josh shrugged. “Then I rest my case.”
Chase turned toward his mom and kissed her cheek. “I’ll catch you later,” he said, then left the hospital for the Big Stone Ranch.
Was Josh right? Was Jacquie the reason he never committed to anyone?
As he thought on the issue, he admitted she had set a pretty high bar that no one ever seemed to reach. Even if he did want to see where this thing between them could go, that didn’t mean she was ready to forgive him, or trust him again. He had a lot to make up for. Too much.
Plus, wasn’t it her who said she didn’t trust easily?
He supposed he’d done that to her.
He had put Aiden first, again and again. Even today, and she got nabbed because of it.
Nah, she wouldn’t be able to trust him after that. Heck, he wouldn’t trust him.
Truth was, even when they were kids, he always followed Aiden’s lead.
In every other aspect of his life, he made good decisions—he ran a great business, and easily took charge in most situations. But not when it came to Aiden. Aiden was reckless and had led him down one disastrous road after another, and yet he still followed. Every time.
No, she was right to steer clear of him.
As soon as he made sure she was no longer in danger, he’d go back to Charlotte and back to his old life.Alone. But until Quentin was found, he wasn’t going to leave her side, whether she liked it or not. He just hoped she’d listen to reason.
He reached the ranch, drove down her long drive, and parked his car out of sight around back of the house. He got out of the car and approached the porch, taking the time to walk slowly around, peering through the bushes, making sure Quentin wasn’t lurking around. All seemed to be quiet. He sent Jacquie a quick text as he circled the house and stepped up onto the wide porch.
You awake?
Yeah.
