“Stay in touch, Wade.”
The minute she realized Chase had been speaking with Wade Rogers, she recalled the check Chase had written to him. The telltale creak of the desk chair followed by the clump of the cane warned Sloan that Chase was getting up. Not wanting him to find her, she moved quickly and noiselessl
y back to the Christmas tree.
By the time he emerged from the den, she was occupied with bending the thin wire hook on a bauble and re-hanging it on a different tree branch.
His sharp gaze traveled over her with a thoroughness that made her quail inside. Then his attention shifted to the wrapped presents. “Either my eyes are deceiving me or that heap is growing higher. You must have added more.”
“A few.” She nodded, fighting an attack of nerves. “I did.”
“Aha. I thought I heard you come downstairs. Having fun playing Santa Claus, are you?”
“Always,” she said with a quick smile. She was relieved that he didn’t suspect her of eavesdropping, but that didn’t make her feel less guilty about it. “I wanted to get them out of hiding while Jake is over at Dan’s house playing. He should be back any minute.”
“I wondered where he was.”
“I have nearly everything wrapped and one batch under the tree. So far, I’m in good shape.”
“Indeed.”
Sloan didn’t know whether to stay or leave. Chase was looking at her as if he expected her to say more. Overcome with curiosity, she decided to ask him about the call. It wasn’t as if he’d had his door shut.
“Did I hear right? Were you just on the phone with Wade Rogers?”
“I was. Why do you ask?”
She attempted an idle shrug. “I was just wondering if he told you when he would be back. I mean it’s so very obvious how much Cat is looking forward to having dinner with him.”
The remark, meant to distract him, worked. His pleased expression told Sloan that much. “Yes, she is anxious.” Then he remembered her initial question. “If all goes well, Wade should be here this weekend.”
“Just in time for the ranch Christmas party.”
“Forgot about that,” he said. “It’s this Saturday, isn’t it?”
“Yes, although I can’t say Jake’s looking forward to playing the shepherd boy.”
Chase gave a chuckle. “Still grumbling about wearing those sandals, is he?”
“Only all the time. Oh—” The bauble she’d hung slipped off its pine twig and went rolling. Sloan knelt behind the Christmas tree to look for it. “Darn, I think it went under the bookcase,” she said to Chase.
Bending low, she slid a hand under it but found a dust-bunny instead of the missing ornament.
The front door opened and Laredo called out, “Anybody home?” as he came in.
“In here,” Chase replied.
Laredo’s long stride carried him to the living room, and he spotted Chase. “Just the man I’m looking for—” He broke off in surprise when Sloan scrambled to her feet, brushing her hands on her jeans. “Hello, Sloan.”
“What do you need?” Chase asked.
Laredo’s glance lingered on Sloan. “Just wanted a word with you. Nothing important.” He half turned. “I’ll catch you later.”
Sloan had the definite impression that her presence was the cause of his sudden change of plans. “Don’t leave on account of me. I still have a bunch of gifts upstairs that need to be wrapped, believe it or not. You two go have your talk.”
She followed through on that tactful exit line by crossing to the staircase, leaving the pair alone. Laredo tracked her progress while Chase took the opportunity to study him in silence. The other man’s impassive expression didn’t tell him much. But Chase was well aware that if Laredo wanted to speak to him in private, it had to be about something serious.
“Let’s go in the den,” he suggested. Laredo walked behind him for the short distance, slowing his steps to match Chase’s, until the older man reached his desk and settled into his seat. “Close the door.”