The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers 1)

“Tell me something. Did you plan to leave me behind in Yorkshire Falls while you went back to your beloved job?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what I planned except that I want like hell to make it work. I’ve had a job offer from the Washington Post that would keep me based in D.C. I thought I could go check it out—we could go check it out,” he said, inspired by the sudden idea. “And together we’d come up with a livable working arrangement.” His heart pounded in his chest as he realized just how much he wanted that.

The fear he’d experienced earlier over changing his lifestyle was gone, replaced by a new and much more credible fear—of losing Charlotte forever. At the thought, he broke into a cold sweat.

Sad green eyes met his. “A livable working arrangement,” she repeated. “In the name of love or in the name of the lost coin toss?”

He narrowed his gaze, hurt despite it all. “You shouldn’t have to ask.”

“Well, forgive me, but I do.” She leaned back and folded her hands in her lap.

He leaned closer, getting into her personal space, inhaling her scent. He was irrationally angry at Charlotte for not trusting him, though he hadn’t done anything to earn her trust. He was also furious at himself and ridiculously aroused all at the same time.

“I’m going to say this once.” He’d already thought it through in his head when talking to Chase. “The coin toss led me to you. It was the catalyst for everything that’s happened since. But the only reason I’m here with you now is love.”

She blinked. A lone tear trickled down her face. On impulse, he caught it with the tip of his finger and tasted the salty water with his tongue. He’d tasted her pain. Now he wanted to make it go away. She was softening. He could feel it and he held his breath while he waited for her reply.

“How will I ever know?” she asked, taking him off guard. “How will I ever know if you’re with me because you want to be, or you’re with me because you promised your brothers you’d be the one who gave your mother a grandchild?” She shook her head. “This whole town knows Chandler family loyalty is strong. Chase is the prime example, and you’re following his lead.”

“I’m proud of my big brother. It’s not a bad lead to follow. Especially if it takes me in the right direction.” There wasn’t anything more he could say. He’d already told her he was only going to state his case once. Nothing he said now would change her mind unless she wanted to believe.

“Take a chance on me, Charlotte. Take a chance with me.” He held out his hand. His future stretched before him—would it be full or as empty as his palm was now?

His guts shook with real fear as he watched her clench her fists tight. She couldn’t even meet him halfway.

“I … I can’t. You want me to trust while I know damn well you Chandlers are confirmed bachelors. None of you wanted commitment. You had to toss a coin to decide who’d have to give up his life for the family this time.” She rose to her feet. “And I can’t even claim to be a prize you won, but a penalty for losing everything you held dear.”

She’d put up walls he doubted he could breach. At least not now. He stood and grabbed her hand one last time. “I’m not your father.”

“From where I stand, I don’t see much difference.”

And that was the problem, he thought. She couldn’t see past her family’s troubled history. She was obviously afraid. Afraid of repeating her mother’s life, her mother’s mistakes. He’d damn Annie and Russell to hell and back, only he couldn’t blame them any longer. Charlotte was a grown woman capable of seeing the truth and making her own decisions.

The urge to pull her into his arms was strong, but he doubted it would do any good. “I never figured you for a coward.”

She narrowed her gaze and glared at him. “You’re an equal disappointment.” She pivoted and ran from the kitchen, leaving him behind.

“Son of a bitch.” Roman walked into the outer room and kicked the first garbage can he saw across the room. The heavy metal clunked across the floor and hit the wall with a dull bang.

“I take it things didn’t go well.” Chase met him at the bottom of the steps that led to his upstairs office.

“That’s an understatement.” He let out a groan. “This isn’t the way it was supposed to be.”

Chase swung the door shut. “That’ll keep out any more stragglers. So whoever told you life would go easy? You’ve just been lucky for a while. But no more coasting, little brother. You’re going to have to work for this.” He turned and leaned against the doorframe. “If it’s what you want.”