Sloane narrowed her gaze. “What are you talking about?” She turned to Chase. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He actually envied Sloane her confusion. “Come on, Izzy. Why the hell are you bringing this up here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” She placed her hands on her generous hips. “The pot’s bigger than the Super Bowl. I want to win and you two can give me the advantage.”
Rick snickered. Damn fool obviously knew what was going on too.
Chase groaned. “Sloane, it seems we’re the subject of a pool.”
“I’ll just put up some burgers on the house.”
Rick chuckled. “Good idea, Iz.”
“What kind of pool?” Sloane asked.
“They’re laying odds on whether or not you’re it . For me.” Chase’s cheeks burned and he could only imagine what shade of red he’d turned during this embarrassing conversation.
“It?” She bit down on her lower lip.
He itched to kiss that mouth and forget everything else.
“Everyone in town is betting on whether you’re the one for Chase,” Kendall piped in.
“The woman to finally make the heartbreaker part of a couple. A permanent couple,”
Rick added, and wagged his eyebrows in exaggeration. “Get it?”
“Got it,” Sloane said, obviously shell-shocked and stunned.
“It started as a Gazette office pool and somehow became a town bet.” Chase held his head in his hands. “Still enjoying small-town life?” he asked Sloane wryly.
Her eyes opened wide. He wondered what she was thinking and wouldn’t blame her if she ran far and fast. Instead, she burst out laughing, obviously amused by it all. “I am. I really am enjoying this town and these people.”
The truth was as much a revelation to Sloane as it obviously was to Chase. But sitting here, the subject of town speculation, watching Rick laugh at his brother’s predicament and seeing Chase squirm, Sloane felt lighter than she had in years. She was happy despite her very personal, now very dangerous, circumstances.
Because she wasn’t on call . Wasn’t expected to perform.
Wasn’t expected to be a Carlisle who fit the family mold. She was just a woman whom Chase Chandler seemed to enjoy, whom his family seemed to like and approved of.
Izzy returned with a bottle of ketchup and extra napkins. “So? Any inside tips?”
Sloane chuckled. “I’m not sure what to tell you. You know yourself, Chase is the ultimate heartbreaker and I’m only in town for a short time,” she said over her shoulder.
“Oh pooh.” Izzy waved her hand in the air. “That’s what they all say. Just ask Kendall.
You’re here now and I’m laying odds on you going all the way.” She snickered; then to the older woman’s credit, she turned a beet-red shade. “Didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
Sloane grinned, laughter bubbling forth again.
“Hello, all.” An older woman in a housecoat, her hair pulled into a gray bun, strode up to the table. “Say hello, Eldin.” Packages filled her and her companion’s arms, yet she managed to elbow him in the side anyway. “Who’s this new woman in town?” She eyed Sloane curiously.
“I’m Sloane—”
“A friend of the family,” Chase said before she could advertise her last name.
“I’m Pearl Robinson and this here’s my significant other, Eldin Wingate.”
“Hello.” Eldin shuffled the bags. “Sorry. Can’t shake with my hands full.”
“That’s okay.” Sloane smiled. “Nice to meet you both. Kendall mentioned you earlier.”
“Which means she told you we’re living in sin,” Pearl said, lowering her voice. “If Eldin didn’t have a bad back, he’d carry me over the threshold and we’d get married. But until he can, we’re living in sin.” She nodded, pleased with her explanation.
“I see,” Sloane murmured. Kendall had a point when she said the woman could sum things up quickly. “Kendall just said you rent out her guesthouse.”
“When her aunt Crystal was alive, she used to let us live in the main house in exchange for upkeep, bless her soul.” Pearl sniffed. “Then Kendall came to town and she fixed up what we couldn’t and gave us an easier place to live. The guesthouse has no stairs, so it’s easier on Eldin’s back.”
“Are you having a party?” Kendall pointed to the bags of food.
Pearl started to cough. “Heavens no. It’s just hard for me to cook and so it’s easier if I load up for the week.”
“I understand,” Sloane said, laughing.
“We’ve got to be going,” Eldin said. “If I don’t stop her, Pearl will talk all day.”
“Eldin Wingate, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Pearl shot him an annoyed glare. “Bye, Kendall. It was nice meeting you, Sloane. Boys, you say hello to Raina for me.”
“We will,” both Chase and Rick said at the same time.
The elderly couple took their leave, Pearl talking Eldin’s ear off the entire way out of the restaurant.
“They seem nice.” Too afraid she’d laugh again, Sloane bit the inside of her cheek and didn’t meet anyone’s gaze.
“You mean weird,” Chase muttered.
“Odd,” Rick added.
“They’re just old and harmless.” Kendall chuckled. “You guys better be careful because one day people will be talking about those old Chandler brothers and their strange habits.”
Sloane sighed wistfully. “I’d think it would be nice to grow old in a place where everyone knows and accepts you for who you are.”
The sound of her own voice startled her. Realizing she’d spoken aloud, she glanced at her companions, who were staring at her as if she’d lost her mind. Little did they realize, she was just starting to find her mind, and herself, in this small town called Yorkshire Falls.
Chase paused outside his guest room. The door was open and Sloane stood by the wooden dresser, adjusting her shirt, another tight long-sleeved number, this one emblazoned with USA on the front.
He knocked once. “Ready to deal with your biker friends?” he asked as he stepped into the room.
“Don’t you mean, am I ready to find my father?” She turned his way and treated him to a warm smile, but he didn’t miss the hint of nervousness in her voice or the fact that the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.