The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers 1)

Her heart reached out to him, the desire to help him past his fear and pain strong and overwhelming. But she couldn’t afford to connect with him any deeper than she already had. “When did you get into town?” she asked.

“Early Saturday morning.”

And Raina had been rushed to Emergency late Friday night. Charlotte admired Roman’s fierce protective streak, one shared by all the brothers when it came to their beloved mother. Though a part of her longed for him to turn that caring her way, she knew even if he did, it couldn’t last.

He exhaled, then strode toward her. Powerful and sure, he came up beside her. Her heart beat more rapidly in her chest, her pulse picking up rhythm. His body heat encompassed her, along with a rush of warmth and emotion that surpassed mere desire. The man had hidden depths and an innate goodness that came with his family name. He could give her everything she desired except forever, she thought sadly.

He reached out and tipped up her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Be careful. Let’s face it, Rick can’t say for certain whether this is a freak incident or if a someone more unhinged is at large.”

A chill raced through her. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll make sure you are.” His husky voice was filled with the caring she’d desired and a lump rose to fill her throat.

“One last thing,” he said. “Rick wants to keep all this quiet. The cops don’t need a panicked town or rumors of a panty thief spreading like wildfire.”

“As if you can control gossip around here.” She pursed her lips. “But word won’t come from me.”

She escorted him to the door, torn by the desire to have him stay and the logical need to see him gone. He held her gaze one last time, then let the door shut behind him. Charlotte’s palms were damp, her pulse was racing—and the panty thief wasn’t the reason.

Heading back to the lavender panties she’d left on the counter, Charlotte recounted reality in her mind. There couldn’t be two more different people on the face of the planet than she and Roman. He thrived on transience and challenge, she needed permanence and the comfort of routine. Even her brief stint in New York, as exciting as it had been, had been necessitated by fashion school and apprenticeship. She’d returned to Yorkshire Falls as soon as possible. Roman made it his life’s goal to stay away.

She hadn’t let a relationship begin between them once before because his excitement at leaving Yorkshire Falls behind had convinced her he’d hurt her in the end. Nothing he’d done in his life since had convinced her he’d changed. She gripped the panties, wishing with all her heart things between them could be different but accepting reality as only someone who lived it could.

Then and now, her sole consolation lay in the fact that she had no choice. She’d done the right thing. She didn’t want to repeat her mother’s life, living in limbo until a man returned and deigned to give her attention on his terms, only to disappear again.

She couldn’t afford to admit to the sexual feelings Roman inspired inside her or acknowledge the truth hidden deep in her heart—that both his daring persona and impermanent lifestyle enticed her. And so she’d ruthlessly squelched the part of her that desired Roman Chandler, and the seeds of discontent that lurked in her soul.

Even now.

CHAPTER FOUR

A spring breeze floated through the early morning air, bringing unaccustomed warmth to Yorkshire Falls and filling Raina’s lungs with incredibly sweet, fresh air. As fresh as her sons in their teenage years, she thought wryly.

She left Norman’s, walked across First and onto the grassy mound in the center of town with a gazebo in the corner. She was meeting Eric here during his lunch hour, before he had to return to the office to see his afternoon appointments. Although he’d done the inviting, she’d chosen the place and picked up lunch. Who could resist a picnic in the outdoors? She had the most delicious grilled chicken sandwiches for them.

She paused in the center of the median, surprised to see Charlotte Bronson and Samson Humphrey, the duck man, as the children in town called him, standing together. Samson lived on the outskirts of town, in a run-down house that had been passed down from generation to generation in his family. Raina had no idea how he got by or what he did with his time other than sit in the park and feed the ducks, but he was a staple fixture in town.

She walked up beside them. “Hello, Charlotte. Samson.” She smiled at them both.

“Hi, Raina.” Charlotte inclined her head. “Nice to see you.”

“You too.” When Samson remained silent, Raina prodded again. “Nice weather we’re having. Perfect for you to feed the ducks.”