Page 44 of Bachelor CEO

“They won’t tell me anything,” Miranda said.He was such a sight for sore eyes! Unlike her, in her rumpled clothing, he worepressed pants and a short-sleeve polo.

“They will me.” Chase handed over a document.“This is his living will and health care directive. I have a legal right to allinformation. I’m Chase McDaniel. I’m also his next of kin.”

The woman looked over at the document. “Yes,Mr. McDaniel. If you’ll take a seat we’ll get this processed and have someonewith you in just a moment.”

Chase nodded before walking toward Miranda.“You look like hell. Haven’t you slept?”

She ignored his rough, worried tone. “Howcould I?”

“I’m here now. I’ll handle everything.” Hereached into his pocket and pulled out a hotel key. “I gota room at…” He named a nearby premier hotel. “Room 315. Go get some sleep andI’ll call you in a little while. My sister’s got the adjoining room, so theinterior door might be open. At least that’s what the reception people told me.I had someone meet me at the airport. I chartered a small plane and flew in.”

His efficiency, plus his ability to climb on asmall plane when one had killed his parents, stunned Miranda. “What about yourcar?”

“I hired a service to drive it home.”

She stared at him. He had taken over like aman adept at handling any crisis. Chase didn’t think of himself. He figured outwhat needed to be done and he did it. “Okay.”

“Go,” he ordered, his tone gently insistent.

Miranda felt the weight of the world leaveher. Chase was here. He would handle everything. It would all be okay.

BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON all of Chase’s siblingshad arrived. Leroy had undergone bypass surgery Saturday night and was still inintensive care. Now rested and showered, Miranda returned to the hospital.

“He’s sleeping,” Chase told her when sheasked. “Thank you for being there for him.”

“I’m so glad I was,” Miranda replied. “So whatcan I do?”

Chase ran a hand through his hair. He’d let itgrow out, and he needed both a shave and a cut. “Seriously? Go back toChenille.”

That was not the answer she’d been expecting.She bristled. “Excuse me?”

“By tomorrow McDaniel Manufacturing will be inundated with phone calls. Your presence will keep everyonecalm. You need to do that until I arrive and take over.”

The businessman was in full force. Sheregistered his last words:take over.“Which iswhen?” she asked.

“I’m probably not going to get down there fora few more days. I have to make sure Leroy pulls through first. Then he’ll haveto recuperate somewhere, which means a home nurse back in Chenille. There’s noway he can stay at the lake in this condition. I’ll get my grandfather settledand then I’ll come straighten out McDaniel.”

“McDaniel is doing fine.” Miranda crossed herarms and stood her ground.

“Never said it wasn’t. But I’m back now andthis is my company. The line of succession has always been clear.” He gave hera tight smile.

“Chase?” Cecilia had entered the waiting room.“The doctor wants to meet with us.”

“Okay. Give me a second.” Chase faced Miranda,determination etching the lines of his face. “I’ll call you later today. Youneed to have Sarah in PR issue a press release. The only reason this has beenkept quiet so far is because his heart attack happened at the lake. Communitieslike Chenille tend to get nervous, especially since we’re the biggest employerin town. I’ll give you the details Sarah needs when I call. Also, there’s anemergency plan. It should be in a binder in my office. Have Carla give it toyou.”

“I’ll call Sarah when I get back,” Mirandasaid, knowing now was not the time to confront Chase about his taking over.

“Do that,” he replied. And then he turned andleft the room.

MIRANDA WATCHED CHASE GO. While she hadn’texpected him to run into her arms, she’d at least hoped for a hug after notseeing him for six weeks.

But Chase had seemed almost like a machine.Focused. Deliberate. Adept in a crisis, but not very warm or reachable.

She decided to give him some leeway. He’dalmost lost his grandfather. That was devastating enough to make anyone turnoff his emotions.

She walked out to the car and prepared for thedrive back to Chenille. She would run everything in Leroy’s absence, which waswhat she’d been prepared to do. It was a challenge she was ready for.

She picked up the phone and made a call. She’dspoken to Walter once already and told him she’d keep him informed. “Hi. No,no, Leroy’s pulled through the night. It’s looking good. I just thought youshould know Chase is back.”

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