Page 43 of Bachelor CEO

“Great.”

Chase began to hit the directory, but hisphone beeped as it registered voice mail. “Hold on. Let me check if this isBrice. He might want to go.”

“The more the merrier,” she replied.

Chase had three messages. He hadn’t had thatmany in one day since he’d left Chenille. The first was from Miranda, sentaround 10:00 a.m. She’d asked him to call back as soon as possible.

Chase frowned. Why would she be phoning himafter six weeks? He gripped the phone tighter. She’d said she was on the pill.But what if she was pregnant? His mind raced and he almost didn’t hear thestart of the second message, which was indeed from Brice. He wanted to gettogether for a beer before Chase left.

The last message had been sent only a halfhour ago.

He recognized Cecilia’s voice, but he couldhardly make out what his sister was saying, since she was sobbing so hard. Heheard her gasp out “hospital” and he panicked, wondering if she’d lost thebaby. Surely she was too far along for that.

“Call me, Chase, the moment you get this. I’mon my way to the airport. I know I’m not supposed to fly, but this is anemergency.” She’d calmed down and focused. “I just have to be there. He coulddie. Chase, call me. Hurry.”

Chase could sense Rachel’s query. He held up afinger and hit a button on his speed dial.

His sister answered on the first ring. “ThankGod it’s you,” she said.

“What’s going on?”

He heard her sniffle. “Grandpa had a heartattack. He’s in the hospital in the Twin Cities. I’ve been in touch, but you’rethe power of attorney and his health care director.”

Chase remembered the papers he’d signed,giving him permission to carry out Leroy’s wishes not to resuscitate. He feltweak-kneed and sick. “Are we at that point?”

“I don’t think so. I hope not. He can’t die,Chase. What will we do?”

His decision was instantaneous. This was whenChase was at his best. Brice, Rachel and Eddie’s would have to wait. He wouldsee his family through this crisis. “I’m on my way.”

MIRANDA PACED the waiting room. She’d beenthere since late Saturday afternoon, arriving a few hours after Leroy had beenairlifted from the hospital closest to Lone Pine. The E.R. doctors at the firsthospital had diagnosed him with heart failure. They’d stabilized him, but the best place for surgery would be in Minneapolis–SaintPaul, so they’d sent him to a hospital in the Twin Cities. Her newly purchasedGPS unit had come in handy as she’d made the drive in her car.

She poured another cup of coffee. She’d losttrack of time and how many cups she’d had in her attempt to stay awake.

The wall clock read 7:00 a.m. It was Sundaymorning.

She’d learned Leroy had made it throughsurgery, but that was all she knew.

Chase hadn’t called, but Cecilia was on her way.She’d texted a message before boarding, to say her flight would land at nine.

Miranda sank onto the seat. Never in a millionyears had she expected this. She’d driven to the lake Friday evening, and sheand Leroy had eaten dinner. He’d been chipper and upbeat when she’d met withhim in the morning to discuss business. After lunch, he’d told her he was offfor his daily siesta.

For the past few weeks she’d been leavingaround noon. But yesterday the water had called to her. Not confident in themotorboat without Chase, she’d taken out a canoe. She’d paddled for hours,until her arms ached.

She missed Chase. Sleeping above the kitchenkept alive the night they’d shared there. She hadn’t heard from him, and Leroyhadn’t ventured any details. She’d reached for the phone several times sincehe’d been gone, and then she’d set it aside. They had to walk these separatepaths. It was better this way.

Miranda bit back tears. She’d lost Chase. Shecouldn’t lose Leroy, too. It had been close. The paramedics had told her thatif she hadn’t stayed those extra hours Leroy wouldn’t have had a chance. He’dhad a heart attack in his sleep. She’d gone to check on himwhen he wasn’t in the great room on her return from canoeing, and found himlying in bed, looking far too pale and still. When he hadn’t responded to herattempts to wake him, she’d called 911.

Miranda dropped her head in her hands. She’dgotten only an hour of sleep here and there and she was exhausted. The staffsaid they’d come and get her if something changed. She wondered if they’dforgotten her.

“Leroy McDaniel’s room.”

She started, turning her head so sharply shealmost wrenched her neck. She knew that voice.

“Chase.” She rose to her feet. “You’re here.”

He turned, his eyes raking over her. She knewwhat he saw: a woman wearing yesterday’s shorts and T-shirt. She hadn’t evenwashed her face or put on makeup.

“Yeah.” He tapped his fingers on the counteras the floor nurse did something with her computer.

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