The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers 1)

Chase’s words were ones Roman had used himself a short time ago. But things had changed from the time Roman had returned, exhausted, from London.

Until recently, he hadn’t taken the time to examine the hows and whys of his actions during his short time home. Jet-lagged and exhausted, he’d just known the family had a need and it was his turn to fill it. Charlotte’s presence in town had changed things. And he wondered how to explain his change of heart to Chase, the brother who prized his solitude and bachelor status most.

* * *

Charlotte walked up the path to the Gazette, only to find the door wide open. She knocked lightly, but no one answered. Since the Gazette had always been a relaxed place, one where you could stop by, hang out, talk to Lucy, Ty Turner, or even Chase, depending on his mood and schedule, she let herself inside. Expecting to see Lucy on the phone at her desk, Charlotte was surprised to see the large room was empty.

She glanced at her watch and realized it was earlier than she’d thought. But voices came from the kitchen and Charlotte followed the low-pitched tones. The closer she came, the stronger the smell of coffee, and her stomach began a steady rumble, reminding her she hadn’t had anything to eat yet today.

A masculine voice sounded like Roman and her insides twisted into coiled knots. Would it always be like this? she wondered. Pure enjoyment at the thought of seeing him? His voice exciting her, turning her on? An overwhelming desire to look into those deep blue eyes and have them stare back at her with equal longing? If so, she hoped like hell he felt the same way, because she didn’t see her affliction going away anytime soon.

She reached the doorway to the kitchen. Roman stood eyeing the ceiling, as if searching for answers, while Chase guzzled coffee. Neither brother realized she was there.

She was about to clear her throat and speak when Chase beat her to it.

“I still say make sure you can live with any decision you make.” He paused for a gulp of coffee. “Rick and I will understand if you don’t want to be the sacrificial lamb in Mom’s quest for grandchildren just because you lost the coin toss. You can still back out of the deal.”

Charlotte heard Chase’s words and stars danced before her eyes. Her mind quickly interpreted what she’d heard. Raina wanted grandchildren and Roman had promised to give them to her? Was that why the self-proclaimed wanderer and bachelor had suddenly started talking marriage? Love and marriage? Oh, God.

Her stomach clenched in pain, but she reminded herself that eavesdroppers never heard anything correctly. She’d listened to part of a conversation only. But it didn’t look or sound good. Not for her.

Good manners dictated she announce her presence now, before she overheard anything else that wasn’t meant for her ears. But that didn’t mean she could ignore what she had heard. “What coin toss?” she asked.

The sound of her voice obviously startled both men, because Chase whirled around and Roman’s body jerked as if she’d shot at him from across the room. He turned toward where she stood in the doorway.

“How’d you get in?” Chase asked, with his usual flair for bluntness and no tact.

“I knocked, but no one answered. The door was wide open, so I walked in.” She tossed her bag onto the kitchen counter and strode past Chase to face Roman. “What coin toss?” she asked again pointedly. With determination, fire, and … trepidation all locked in her throat.

“This is where I excuse myself,” Chase said.

“Coward,” Roman muttered.

“Somehow I don’t think he has anything to do with this.” Her heart pounded hard in her chest as Chase spilled his coffee into the sink and strode out of the kitchen, leaving her alone with Roman.

A man with secrets she was afraid to hear.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Roman walked toward Charlotte, grasped her elbow and led her to a small table in the corner of the Gazette kitchen area. White Formica, white chairs, furniture she knew came from Raina’s original set. She shook her head at the bizarre way the mind sought to avoid painful truths.

“Sit,” he said.

“I have a feeling I’ll take this better standing.”

“And I’d rather know it wasn’t so easy for you to turn and walk out. Now sit.”

She folded her arms across her chest and lowered herself into the chair. She wasn’t in the mood for games or beating around the bush. “Please tell me you didn’t ask me to marry you because your mother wants grandchildren.”

His steely blue eyes met hers. “I didn’t ask you for that reason.”

Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. “Then what deal did you make with your brothers?”

“Come on, didn’t I just tell you last night how ridiculous brothers can be?” He reached out and grabbed for her hand. “Whatever went on between the three of us doesn’t matter.”