didn't blame herself for what her sister had gone through. She blamed that bastard, George Lockwood. And to a certain degree, she blamed the system that had failed to protect her sister from that predatory monster.
Now, having opened a bit of a dialogue with Carrie about a subject that should have been broached between them years before, Chloe was determined she would never fail her sister again.
Starting today.
The Benedict men called them in to dinner. Chloe didn't know what to expect. In her experience, men didn't always do a good job of putting a meal on the table. She stepped into the kitchen and inhaled deeply of the aromas permeating the air.
Something smelled very, very good.
"We'd like to take the credit but y'all would likely figure it out anyway." Chase held Chloe's chair for her. "It's our mother's Texas Beef Casserole we've just taken from the oven. When we found out we'd have company tonight, we got mom to drop it off for us."
"Not so strangely, she came loaded with some of Aunt Bernice's fresh homemade bread, some of her tossed green salad, and a fresh apple pie Aunt Samantha sent over."
"I'll have to make sure I thank them all when I see them," Carrie said.
Brian nodded. He said, "Mom said you'd say that. We were to tell you they were happy to lend a hand welcoming your sister here."
Chloe smiled at the men, grateful to have discovered that sense of family she'd hoped she'd find did indeed flourish here.
"That's the way it is in small towns," Chloe said. She helped herself to some of the succulent beef and cheese, and passed it on.
Salad, meat, and fresh bread made for a very tasty meal.
Carrie laughed. "I take back my 'frozen pizza' accusation."
"Now, sugar, you know if the womenfolk hadn't come to our aid, that's exactly what we'd be eating. With more preparation time, Bri and I can make a decent meal. But not on the fly. Don't reckon men - unless of course they're trained, professional chefs - can come close to what a lot of women seem to just know how to do, and do so well."
The food was delicious, and Chloe ate more than she thought she would. The men were setting out the pie and bringing the coffeepot to the table, when she judged the moment to be the best it was going to get.
"I need to speak to you" - she looked from Brian to Chase - "about my baby sister." That little lightning bolt scar sure didn't detract from Chase's good looks, not one iota. It crinkled when he smiled. He set his hand on Carrie's when she gasped, and said, "Hush, honey. She's your big sister, and as you've got no ma or pa, she has a right to see to your welfare. She needs to know our intentions, and that we'll take good care of you."
Chloe met Carrie's narrowed gaze straight on. Then she shook her head. "No, I figure if you don't do right by her, she'll geld you herself."
Both men winced and Carrie looked more than smug.
Chloe inhaled deeply and plunged right in. "She told you about that piece of human trash back in Abilene."
"She did." Brian's expression turned serious, and Chloe would be willing to bet that wasn't something that happened often.
"I've been keeping track of the calendar, and of him. He was released from prison not that long ago. And I want to know that you're watching out for Carrie and that you're on the lookout for him."
Carrie shook her head. "No, that was years ago. He likely - "
"He likely has a sick obsession about you, sugar. I'm sorry, but neither Brian nor I think it's over with him." He nodded. "Seems your sister's of the same mind." He covered her hand. "No one thinks you've seen the last of him."
Her sister went totally still. "No one?"
Chase continued to hold Carrie's hand. "We've spoken to Adam Kendall, who's the sheriff, as you know. He's been in touch with the authorities in Huntsville. They've outfitted Lockwood with a monitoring device, and he's staying at a halfway house." Then he turned his attention back to her. "You can rest easy, Chloe, that we're well aware of the danger he represents."
"How come no one thought to tell me?"
Brian took Carrie's other hand. "You didn't already guess, darlin', that he was still a danger to you? Really? You didn't choose denial as a way of coping with that? No one blames you,