Page 27 of Bachelor CEO

Not hers. As much as she’d like to, she didn’tbelong here.

He saw her shiver. “Cold?”

“I’m fine.” The temperature had dropped, buther chill was from the sad feelings overtaking her. Under any othercircumstances she and Chase could probably have been friends. Perhaps evenlovers. Maybe more.

He was like no other man she’d ever met. Theyhad fun when they were together. He’d wanted her once. They’d kissed. Twice.

She would probably find the love that wasmissing from her life if only they’d met in another time and place, whereoutside forces didn’t dictate their roles, and he didn’t despise her for takinghis job. She’d coveted his position and his lifestyle, and fate had handed themto her at his expense.

But she’d learned one thing tonight. Despitewhat people said, you couldn’t have it all.

FROM THE GREAT ROOM windows, Leroy watchedas Chase moored the boat. The two looked as if they’d had fun.

“Are we working tonight?” Miranda asked, whenshe and Chase entered the lodge.

“No. Tonight’s about relaxing,” Leroy replied.“We’ll start at eight-thirty tomorrow, over breakfast. So how was dinner?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Simmons send birthday greetingsand asked me to say they’re sorry they missed your party. They were in Hawaii.But they want you to know you’re to come to their Fourth of July bash just likeevery year,” Chase said.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Leroy said. He turned toMiranda. “So did you like the country club? It’s modeled after Saint Andrew’sin Scotland.”

“I did. The food was terrific. And afterwardChase showed me Balsam Lake.”

Ah. That’s where they’d been. Although, asLeroy assessed his grandson’s body language, he could tell nothing hadhappened.

“There aren’t any fish in that lake, either,”Leroy grumbled, continuing to observe the pair. He usually despised the womenChase dated, but Miranda just might be perfect for him. The signs were allthere.

“We McDaniels aren’t very lucky with fishing,”Chase explained.

“Never even seen a keeper,” Leroy added,keeping the small talk going while watching Chase for signs that he wasinterested in Miranda. His grandson had mastered the poker face. Miranda waseasier to read, and her expressions revealed a lot. “I’ve arranged for us toeat on the big island tomorrow. Harvey and Laverne are coming, too.”

“That sounds nice,” Miranda said politely.

“The lodge there is the only property on thelake older than this one. It’s now a resort. You can see their boathouse fromhere. I’ll show it to you up close tomorrow,” Chase offered.

“They’ve done a good job of restoration,”Leroy said. “We were worried for a while that it might get demolished forcondos or something. Places like this need to be preserved.”

“I agree.” Miranda stood there for a moment.“So we’re meeting at eight-thirty?”

Chase nodded.

“Then, if you both don’t mind, I’m going toturn in. Good night.” And with that, she was gone. Leroy noticed the wayChase’s eyes followed her. So the boy did like her a little.

“How was your dinner?” Chase asked.

“Great. Laverne made meat loaf. Sent me theleftovers for lunch.” He loved meat loaf, especially the next day in asandwich. “So you took her to Balsam?” he prodded.

“She’d never been out on a boat beforetonight. She loved it.”

“Unlike the floozies you date.”

“I never brought anyone here,” Chase snapped.

Leroy suppressed a chuckle. Chase was testy.He was more affected by Miranda than he let on. “Your previous women were morethe yacht type, and we don’t own one of those. Too big and fancy for mybritches. People shouldn’t show off just because they can.”

“I agree. We’ve had this discussion manytimes. You aren’t trying to push Miranda on me, are you?”

Leroy realized he was entering dangerouswaters. He wasn’t good at matchmaking, that had been Heidi’s forte. He decidedto try another tactic.

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