He studied his mother for a quick moment. She still looked pale, but he wasn’t worried.
When she wanted to be convincing, Raina had appeared weak and frail, and Chase had bought the act. He wouldn’t be so susceptible again.
“We should go.” Chase tugged on Sloane’s hand. “Rick would like to meet with us,” he whispered, wanting her to realize this was more than a casual lunch. His brother had called, indicating he had information on the explosion he needed to share, and Chase had a hunch they’d be needing to open up with Rick in return.
He stepped toward Raina and gave her a kiss on the cheek, good-byes were exchanged, and ten minutes later, Chase found himself seated beside Sloane at Norman’s while they waited for Rick.
She fiddled with a spoon, occasionally glancing into the reflection as if looking for answers.
“You’ve been quiet since we left my mother’s.”
She glanced up. “I have a lot to absorb. For starters, Samson’s father was a heavy gambler and I’m guessing that habit had something to do with Samson taking a bribe to stay away from Jacqueline.”
He nodded, sensing she had more to say and not wanting to interrupt.
“Raina said Jacqueline was in love that last summer before they moved away. But she didn’t know with whom.”
“That’s one answer we’re certain of,” Chase said wryly, trying to lighten her mood.
“I know.” She twisted the spoon handle between her palms.
Reaching over, he stopped her jittery movements and held her hand. “What else has you so bothered? Because you got the answers you were searching for and obviously there’s more upsetting you than what you’ve said.”
“It’s about your mother,” she said, meeting his gaze.
Chase couldn’t imagine Raina doing anything to upset Sloane. Not when she clearly liked her and was pushing for romance. Then again, when it came to Raina, he knew to expect the unexpected. “What did she do?”
“She seemed tired today. And pale.” Sloane furrowed her brows in thought. “And when she jumped up from her seat, she seemed to be in pain from the sudden movement. I don’t want to upset you, or butt into something that’s none of my business, but—”
“Raina was playing you,” Chase interrupted, not surprised that Sloane had noticed his mother’s distress. No doubt that was what Raina had intended.
“Playing me how?” Sloane crinkled her nose. “I don’t understand. Raina wasn’t feeling well. How was that playing me?”
At that moment, Rick strode up to the table and Chase saw his chance to kill two proverbial birds. “Why don’t you explain to Sloane why Mom would pretend to be sick,”
Chase said, confronting his brother about their mother’s charade.
“Shit.” Rick slicked a hand through his windblown hair. “Roman called and told me to be prepared.”
“And I would have nailed your sorry ass days ago if I wasn’t busy with other things,”
Chase muttered. “Just tell Sloane about Mom’s pretend heart condition.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Pretend heart condition?”
“Mom had an episode a while back. She figured if she told us it was serious, then played on our good natures, she could get us settled down with the right women and get herself some grandchildren in the process.” Rick grimaced and Chase knew he was recalling the days leading up to his meeting Kendall.
“Mom set him up with all sorts of women before Kendall hit town,” Chase explained.
“Anyway, she doesn’t know that Chase knows the truth. Not yet. So if you saw anything today, it’s because Mom wanted you to think that she was sick and report back to Chase.”
“So he’d feel bad and start thinking I might be a good candidate?” Sloane guessed accurately.
Chase nodded. “Bingo. But she’s got a grandchild coming from Roman and Charlotte, and with Kendall she’s got Hannah. She’s being ridiculous still trying to set me up.”
“Is that why you told her we were an item?”
She glanced at him warily, trepidation in her eyes, and he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her.
“I told her that so she’d back off, yes,” he admitted, careful to be honest. But he also wanted Sloane to know she wasn’t just a convenience for him. “I also told her that we’re a couple because while you’re here, it’s the truth.”
She licked her lips and his gaze followed the movement. “Yes, it’s true. While I’m here, I mean. Nothing beyond.”
She parroted his words, but coming from the mouth that he knew intimately, they sounded too hollow for his liking.
Rick cleared his throat. “Okay, folks. Now that we’ve established Mom’s good health, let’s move on and talk about Samson’s.”
Before Chase could ask questions or Rick could explain further, Kendall slipped into the open fourth chair. “Hi, guys.”
Chase groaned at the interruption, but he figured it would be too much to expect Rick to ask his wife to leave.
Sloane turned her gorgeous smile toward Chase’s sister-in-law. “Hi, Kendall. Nice to see you again.”
“Hi, honey.” Rick wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Can you give us a second? We’re conducting business.”
Chase raised an eyebrow. Apparently, he’d misjudged his sibling.
Kendall gave him an understanding smile. “Sure. I’ll just go say hi to Pearl and Eldin.
They’re up front placing an order. A huge order, come to think of it.”
“Pearl and Eldin?” Sloane asked, leaning forward, propping her chin in one hand. “Who are they?”
“My tenants,” Kendall said.
“Hard to call them tenants when they’re living in our guesthouse for free,” Rick said wryly.
Chase laughed. “It’s a long story,” he said to Sloane.
Sloane’s eyes lit up. “I’d like to hear it. I’m beginning to enjoy small-town life.”
He wondered if she was serious or if Sloane Carlisle was just being polite.
“Tell you what. I’ll bring them by after you finish talking, and I promise you, Pearl will sum up her life story in one minute flat.” Kendall planted a kiss on Rick’s lips and headed for the front of the restaurant.
“She’s my dream wife,” Rick said, laughing. “Never questions when I have to do business and disappears when I need her to.”