Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page A

against the wall
    “Chase? Hey, man, what’s going on? Where’s my sister?”
    Christ, how he hated having to lie. “Sorry. We were out on the back porch and didn’t hear the phone right away. She’s coming.”
    “So, what happened? Charlie told me two guys robbed the diner at gunpoint and Hutch and Max were both hurt. But that was two nights ago, why hasn’t Hannah called?” After a slight pause, he added, “And what the hell are you doing there? Did something happen? Is Hannah all right?”
    Chase cleared his throat, the taste of Hannah still lingering on his lips. “She’s fine, man, I promise. She didn’t call because she didn’t want to worry you guys and have you cut your trip short.”
    “And you agreed to that crazy notion?”
    “Excuse me, but have you met your sister? She’s almost as stubborn as you are. I tried reasoning with her—”
    “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here!”
    “—but she was pretty adamant. She knew if she called, you guys would’ve rushed home. Your dad would’ve missed his seminar, and Lindy’s visit with her parents would be cut short. I didn’t like it, but her heart was in the right place. So I agreed…but only if she allowed me to stay at the house until you guys got back.”
    Hannah closed her eyes and stretched her neck from side to side as if preparing for the coming storm. Chase braced himself as well.
    Drew was silent for a moment before letting out a hearty sigh. “Charlie failed to mention that part. Though I guess you can’t get any safer than having the sheriff under your roof. And you’re one of the few people I know who wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, so thanks.”
    Chase’s faced prickled with shame as he cast Hannah a sidelong glance.
    Lowering his voice, Drew continued. “Lindy’s been a bit emotional since we arrived; crying while flipping through old photo albums with her mom, dragging all of her old baby stuff out of storage. I really would hate to cut the trip short.”
    “Then don’t. I’ve got things covered here, and I swear I won’t let Hannah out of my sight. You just enjoy your trip and keep that lady of yours happy.”
    “You’re a good man, Chase.”
    You wouldn’t think so if you could see what you interrupted, Chase thought as he handed Hannah the phone.

 
    Chapter 6
     
    It wasn’t until Hannah hung up the phone that she realized Chase had left the room. Eager to get back to where they were before the phone rang, she hurried into the living room, expecting to find him on the sofa waiting for her. Only he wasn’t there.
    “Chase?” When he didn’t answer, she called his name again, a bit louder. Still no answer.
    Huh. Now where could he have gone off to?
    It wasn’t until she’d checked the entire house that she started to worry. She rushed into the kitchen and grabbed the phone to call his cell, and that’s when she caught a glimpse of him through the window, sitting on the glider out back on the patio. Relief came out on a hard breath as she once again returned the phone to its cradle.
    He didn’t look up when she opened the sliding glass door. Sitting forward with his elbows on knees and his hands clasped, his expression was hard to gauge.
    “Penny for your thoughts,” she teased as she approached. She sat down beside him and slid her hand across his thigh, giving it a playful squeeze.
    Chase gently grasped her hand and placed it on her own lap.
    “Chase…?” Hannah leaned back, turning to face him. “What’s wrong?”
    He remained oddly quiet, and she was just about to demand an answer when he looked up and met her gaze.
    “Look, Hannah…I lost my head in there and took advantage of the situation. I want you to know that I respect you more than just about anyone I know, and I am so sorry for—”
    “Whoa, hold up. Are you apologizing for what you said to Drew? Because believe me, I understand why you had to lie. My brother can be a real hard ass sometimes.”
    “No, you