Page 34 of Bachelor CEO

Since Chase’s leg was pressed up against hers,Miranda thought she might be better off going home and taking a cold shower.“It’s okay. Chase has already played tour guide once today.”

“The island is gorgeous. You really must seethe grounds while you’re here,” Laverne insisted.

What was it with this family and tours?Miranda started to wonder if there was a conspiracy to get her and Chase alonetogether.

“Besides, Chase won’t mind,” Leroy said, as ifhis statement settled matters.

Miranda knew Chase did mind. He’d grown tensebeside her. She had no idea what he was thinking, but the gazebo didn’t soundlike a safe place for two people trying to keep their hands to themselves.

But he must have realized there was no arguingwith the older McDaniels. “I’d be happy to show you,” he said. “Shall we forgodessert?” He was already getting to his feet.

“Don’t forget to take a peek at the rosegarden, too,” Laverne added. “It’s on the way.”

“I’m sorry you have to keep taking me places,”Miranda told him as they left the dining hall. “I’m notsure why your grandfather is being so stubborn.”

“I think it’s because he knows I hit on youonce.”

She stopped dead. “What?”

Chase took her arm and gently propelled herforward, down a stone walkway through the flower gardens. She was so furious athis admission that she saw nothing but the path ahead. They reached awrought-iron bridge that covered a ten-foot-wide inlet from the lake.

“The island is really two parts, but the waterhere is so shallow the only craft that can get through is a canoe. A long timeago it might have been wider, but it’s filled in over the years.”

“I couldn’t care less about canoes. What doyou mean, you told him you hit on me?”

Chase shrugged. “He asked. I told him aboutthe first day we met. It’s the truth, after all.”

“Oh my God.” Miranda tried to process theimplications as they crossed the bridge. “Don’t tell me he’s matchmaking.”

“Quite possibly. With Leroy you never know.”

“I don’t believe this. Is that why you keepkissing me?”

Chase paused and put a hand on her arm. “Trustme, my grandfather has no influence over what I want to do with you. And youseem to enjoy it.”

She did. Which was the problem. Knowing Leroyknew about her and Chase… it was embarrassing. She didn’t want to be seen asunprofessional.

The path changed from stones to gravel andthey began walking up hill to the northernmost point, where a square stonestructure awaited exploration. The door had long since vanished, as had theglass in the windows, but inside there was a fireplace and a small picnictable. They were about twenty feet above the lake level butsurrounded by trees, which blocked most of the light.

“This is it—the gazebo. There’s not much tosee, I’m afraid. The view’s better from the lawn. Shall we go?”

Miranda wasn’t listening. She’d beencaptivated. Didn’t Chase see how perfect this place was? This was where you’dspend lazy summer afternoons with a picnic basket and a book. She went insideand ran her fingers over the weathered stones. She couldn’t help herself. Thebuilding called to her spirit. “You could really let your imagination run wildin a place like this.”

“Yeah,” Chase said. He sounded bored.

She whirled to face him, where he stood in thedoorway.

“Oh come on. Didn’t you ever play make-believewhen you were a kid?”

“When I was six.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “And youtell me I never relax. I could bring a book here and hide out. This is theperfect place for make-believe. IfIwas six I’ddream of princes and such.”

“We’re not six,” Chase pointed out.

“So? That doesn’t make it wrong. All girlswant to be princesses at some point in their lives. Even if we plan on savingourselves.”

He took a step forward. “Guys don’t dreamabout being princes.”

---