Page 15 of Bachelor CEO

“You could have told me,” Chase murmured, themoment he and Leroy were as alone as two people at a party could be.

His grandfather stiffened. “What? That theperson replacing you was a woman? I didn’t think you were a chauvinist.”

“I’m not. I’m upset that you blindsided mewith all of this. The sabbatical. A second vice president. Her. And trust me, Iknow she’s a woman!”

Leroy’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me youalready hit on her.”

“I am not a Casanova!” Chase protested, butnot fast enough.

The older man’s jaw dropped. “Chase. Pleasetell me you didn’t.”

“Well, how was I supposed to know who she was?We met Friday morning outside McDaniel. That’s why I was late arrivingyesterday afternoon. I changed her flat tire. I asked her to lunch. I flirtedwith her again in the boathouse. Now I look and feel like an idiot.”And I kissed her.

“I’m sorry. I did what I thought was best. Ididn’t want you more stressed than you already are.”

Chase reined in his temper. He and Leroy werea lot alike, and he loved his grandfather dearly. He’d made sure they wantedfor nothing growing up.

“It will be fine. All I have to do is trainher and then go, right? That’s your plan?”

“Yes, but—” Leroy began.

Chase straightened. “I am a professional. Iwill treat her with the utmost respect. I won’t do anything to jeopardize thecompany or its reputation.”

“That’s not what I meant.” His grandfatherpaused. “None of this has ever been about you being incompetent. It’s neverbeen meant as a slap in the face. I just want to give you the opportunity Inever had. What you never had. A choice.”

Chase knew that. Still, his pride had beeninjured, and he’d overreacted. He’d also just kissed the woman taking his job.He reached out and gave his grandfather a quick hug. “Iunderstand. I may not like it, but I understand.”

“Trust me, you’ll be grateful for this year.You just don’t see it now.”

Chase sighed as he let the anger and the blowto his pride go, at least where his grandfather was concerned. As for Miranda,the jury was still out.

THE PARTY HAD WOUND DOWN a bit beforemidnight, give or take a few stragglers not quite ready to call it an evening.Leroy and Walter had left around eleven-thirty. They were both notorious earlyrisers, and had stayed up way later than their norm. Miranda had lingered abouttwenty minutes longer, but Chase hadn’t approached her. She’d thought abouttalking to him, and had even headed in his direction, but it was as if he’dsensed her coming. He’d disappeared before she made it through the crowd.

She sighed and rolled over in bed now, staringup at the ceiling.

Even though the mattress was comfortable, shewas too keyed up to sleep. She’d been tossing and turning for what felt likehours. She pressed the button on her cell phone, brightening the display. Itwas a little after one.

She swung her feet to the floor and stood up.The best thing to do in a situation like this was to clear her head. Mirandapulled on yoga pants, traded her nightshirt for a T-shirt and slipped onflip-flops. Then she left the cottage.

She’d lived in the city her whole life, andthe stillness of the night seemed foreign yet comforting. Low voltage solarlights provided just enough of a glow that she could see the path, and the mooncast a swath of light over the grassy slope leading down to the lake.

The water itself shimmered, parts of itreflective, while other areas remained dark and mysterious. She lookedheavenward, gasping at the number of stars visible. She’d never seen a nightsky quite as sharp and clear.

In Chicago the city lights muted theuniverse’s brilliance. Her aunt hadn’t been rich, so Miranda and her sister hadlived far from any Lake Michigan view. Open space hadn’t been grassy meadows,but empty lots filled with rubble and weeds.

She inhaled deeply now, filling her lungs withfresh northern air untainted by car exhaust.

So this was how the other half lived. Mirandahad seen those television shows that featured celebrity houses. She hadn’tnecessarily wanted something like that, but she’d longed for more than heraunt’s small apartment on the wrong side of the interstate.

She planned to exceed every one of herparents’ expectations, to make a better life for herself and her sister.

Miranda made her way toward the dock. Shereached the end, took off her shoes and sat down. Her dangling feet didn’tquite reach the water, but its gentle lapping created a breeze that tickled hertoes.

She sighed happily. Here she was, in thiswonderful place, ready to embark on something new.

“Guilt keeping you awake?”

Chase’s familiar voice made her jolt, and eventhough she was seated, she tumbled off balance before righting herself.

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