Grant watched him. “She’s my sister. I’m notgetting into who’s right and who’s wrong. Just be careful—both ofyou.”
“Will do.” The message from his best friendwas obvious. Lance was to stay away from her.
***
Chantelle held her cell to her ear, dreadingto hear Brenda’s comment on her notes so far with Lance. He wassuch a private person and there was no way he would spill detailson him and Andrea. She felt sorry for him.
How was he supposed to feel with his lifeunder a microscope? Living in the spotlight wasn’t easy, especiallyin a small town like Delta Heights. What could Chantelle say? Theyloved that a local was getting married.
“Any good news?” Brenda asked, not botheringto say hello.
“Hello, Brenda. Did you get my email?”Chantelle rubbed the back of her neck.
“This is not what I expected. There’s noromance in this. Does he even love this Andrea?”
Chantelle swallowed. “He does. Lance Tayloris just very private. This is still his relationship.”
“I understand, but he is a celebrity.Celebrities give up those rights once they become famous. LanceTaylor is no different.”
Blowing out her cheeks, Chantelle shut hereyes for a moment. She never condoned exploitation. It was notacceptable in her eyes, but it didn’t matter to her boss. At leastBrenda was better than Edward Lyle.
She could see his sky-blue eyes. Working atThe Hillside as a reporter proved to be an exciting task.Being fresh out of graduate school, Chantelle loved every minute.Though in his late fifties, the man ran the newspaper like anassembly line. There was a downside. He didn’t care about thetalents of his employees. It was about the circulation numbers.When Chantelle came at the height of the newspaper, she caught theeye of Edward.
“Do you think you can make it out there?” Hehad asked, with his deep raspy voice. The corner of his eyescrinkled with his smile. “It’s better if you let me help you getthere.”
Chantelle despised him. She shivered,bringing her mind back to the present. “I understand, Brenda.”
“So, where does that leave the story? Youhave a few weeks left. If anyone can pull this off, you can. Don’tforget why you’re doing this.”
Nodding her head, though relieved Brendacouldn’t see her rolling her eyes, Chantelle breathed. “I’ll do mybest not to let you down.”
Brenda hung up without a goodbye. Chantelleplaced her phone on her mother’s kitchen table. Where did she gofrom here?
“Can’t sleep?” Douglas asked as he paced intothe kitchen.
Chantelle straightened in her seat. “No, Ihad a business call.”
“Everything alright?” he asked, tighteningthe royal blue robe around his waist. “You sounded a littlestressed.”
“I’m fine.”
Douglas bobbed his head, but his lips partedto say something else. His eyes softened. “I am here for youChantelle. When you’re ready.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Herkind-hearted dad would sit her on his lap as he read her shortstories as a kid. Then he would kiss her temple and tell her howsmart she was.
“You’re going to be great, and remember youalready are,” he had said.
“Really Daddy?” She had asked in herchildlike voice.
He kissed her full cheek. “You’re not onlybeautiful, but you’re smart.”
Chantelle closed her laptop on her mother’stable. She drained the rest of her coffee cup and carried it overto the sink. “Thank you, Douglas.”
She went to her room and shut the door behindher. Chantelle laid her laptop on the bed. Pacing to her dresser,she pulled out an old jewelry box given to her by her paternalgrandmother. No jewels inside, but the scratched wooden box kepther beloved stories she would write for her father. Unfolding thecrumpled, worn notebook paper, Chantelle read the words scribbledin pencil.
The little princess lived in a castle in afaraway land. No one cared what she thought since they only lookedat her face. Why? She was pretty, but more was inside. She had aheart, but no one cared. Would anyone?
She spotted another piece of paper tucked inher jewelry box. Chantelle grabbed and opened it. She wrote thisone in pen. Ten years ago. Her chest heaved as she read.
I couldn’t protect you. I failed. Maybe Ididn’t know what I was doing. Maybe it was better this way, but Ican’t imagine how. The safest place in the world should have beenwith me, and I can’t apologize enough. I won’t forget you. I’llalways love you. I’ll never know what you would have looked like. Ican only picture your smile as you would look up at me.
Chantelle folded the paper. She couldn’t readanymore. Tears brimming in her eyes, she stopped and returned thepaper to her jewelry box. She wiped her face as she nibbled on herlips. Rubbing her arms, she forced herself to remember the goodtimes. She needed to focus on one thing. Her article.
She could do this. Chantelle could write herstory without exploiting Lance and his life. There had to be a waywithout disappointing her boss.
Sitting on her bed, she opened her laptoponce more and typed an introduction to her article. What would shecall it? Tapping her slim fingers to her lips, she mulled titlenames.
“The Bachelor Takes a Wife”? She noted it asa placeholder. She could change it later. Lance had a future withAndrea Williams. They would marry and live happily ever after.Chantelle’s stomach hardened at the notion. She would return toChicago—alone.
***
Lance waited for Andrea to pick up the phoneas he paced his bedroom. Waking up early, he made his coffee,grateful Dottie had made him a hearty breakfast. After his workout,he slept better, and woke up refreshed.
He only had a few minutes before going intothe office today, so he wanted to catch her in his free time. Thefresh scent of his aftershave overwhelmed his nose. Running hishand down his face, he bit back the groan in the back of histhroat. Then he heard Andrea’s voice.
“It’s about time you answered.” Wrong move,but he said it.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve beenworking. Aren’t you?” Andrea asked, a hint of annoyance in hervoice.
He sighed, plopping down on his bed. “I don’twant to argue with you. It’s not why I called.”
“Why did you?”
His eyebrows furrowed as he sat up
