Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George

sprinter. I guess some things never change.” When their eyes met, she knew without a doubt that he’d picked up the double meaning in her comment. Before he could say anything that would make her uncomfortable, she said. “I was on my way out. Still intent on walking me to my car?”
    Without saying a word, he bowed and let her lead the way.
     
    * * * *
     
    “That went well.” Chase muttered to himself as he got behind the wheel of his truck. He followed Reggie until she parked her car outside her parents’ front door. Instead of turning and waving to him in appreciation for his concern, she pretended he wasn’t there. He smiled. She wasn’t so unpredictable after all. He was glad she was home.
    To Chase, she looked as beautiful as ever. He couldn’t remember Regina Stanton looking anything but breathtaking, even at her worst. He’d had to force himself not to stare at her with raw hunger in his eyes. He’d missed her these past months. He couldn’t get enough of the sight of her. She defined the word animation. No still photography could ever capture that woman’s glory. Just when he thought he’d seen her every expression, he’d glimpse something new and be enchanted all over again. He sighed heavily.
    Driving home to his place, he remembered how she’d looked in the garden. Her golden eyes had mesmerized him. He’d longed to drink them in like he would a fine whiskey. She certainly intoxicated like fine spirits, he thought as he pulled up in front of his house.
    Chase didn’t live on an estate like most of the other Old Families. He owned a garden center and lived in a small bungalow on the property. The money meant nothing to him. The principle, however, had gnawed at him for years. He supposed he should be grateful in a twisted way. By frittering away all of the McCann family money, his stepfather had done him a favor in the long run. Chase knew what a good hard day’s work meant, and he was proud of his ability to stand on his own. He’d refused help from Travis and Sam, who’d both offered whatever he needed. He was proud that he did it on his own.
    The only thing he’d managed to keep out of creditors’ hands was his mother’s garden center. When she was still alive, it had been merely a hobby business, an indulgent gift from Chase’s father. After her death, Chase had struggled long and hard to make it turn a tidy profit, but he loved the work.
    Standing on the step, he opened the mailbox and took out a stack of flyers and trade catalogues. Before entering the house, he ran a hand over the childishly painted mailbox. His stepsister Jade had painted it and everyday when he got the mail, he thought of her. She’d been such a roly-poly little thing when her father married his mother. Chase had fallen in love with her on the spot. She was six years his junior, but they’d adored each other from day one. Her father, Robert Adams, was an abusive son of a bitch who’d gambled away all they had. Adams had charmed his way into Mary McCann’s life, but soon after the wedding, his charm wore off, and the emotional abuse started. A fact she’d kept hidden from her son. Jade was helplessly aware of it because he’d been the same to her for her entire life.
    After his mother’s death, Chase did everything possible to get custody of Jade, but he’d had no legal rights over her biological father. In the end, it was Jade herself who’d made him stop the fight. With a world-weary look in her eyes, she’d told him that she needed to stay with her father. When he started to argue with her, she silenced him, displaying a maturity far beyond her fifteen years.
    “It has to be this way Chase.”
    He could still remember how she’d cried in his arms before saying goodbye.
    Distance hadn’t severed their bond however. Over the years, they didn’t see much of each other, but they’d stayed in touch. Jade would never discuss her father with him, and Chase couldn’t touch the man without hurting her,