from the pain killers so Sam said he’d call. Then, when you wouldn’t return his calls, I started to worry so he called your office to make sure you were okay. When he found out you were good to go, he wrote you a letter and had it messengered.” Her father chuckled and patted her hand. “I had no idea you were such a hard little lady to get in touch with. You must be having more fun up there in New York than I thought if you didn’t have time to answer your calls or letters.”
Chloe felt horrible because she didn’t really have a good life. She worked so many hours that she rarely had time to go out and meet with her friends. The biggest social event of her daily routine was her morning run where she spotted generally the same people in the park. Although she didn’t know their names, it gave her a sense of security to know they were there at the same time she was each morning.
“Everything is going great in New York. No need to worry, dad.”
“I worry,” he grunted, knowing she was lying but not sure why. He knew his daughter too well and when she couldn’t hold his gaze, something was going on.
He didn’t push her for the moment, deciding to find out the truth a bit later on. Instead, he explained his medical issue, assured her that he was mending just fine, then they talked about life in general for about an hour. When Chloe saw his eyes start to droop, she knew he needed to sleep again and promised him she’d be back later in the day.
“Sam’s taking care of some horses I was watching for the neighbors. You’re going to help him out, right?”
“Of course dad. Don’t worry about anything.”
She kissed his forehead, tucked the blanket around his shoulders, and then tiptoed out of the room.
She found Sam in the great room, reading some papers and sipping coffee. His coat was next to him and he stood up when she walked in.
“Ready to go?”
“Dad said there are some horses that need some help?”
He nodded and pulled his coat on. “They’re beauties. You’re going to love them.”
“I need to head into town and get a coat. Remember?”
“No need.”
“Are you kidding? Its twenty degrees out there. I can’t take care of those horses without a coat.”
Sam’s mouth turned up in the corners in what she suspected was a smile but he turned and headed to the back of the kitchen, returning moments later with a large leather coat. “How’s this one?” he asked, handing her the thick, wool lined coat.
Chloe eyed the coat, noting it was obviously a woman’s winter coat. Instant, red hot jealousy flared up inside her and she almost stomped her foot at the emotion. “I’m not wearing your girlfriend’s coat, Sam. You can just dump that back into whatever closet it came from!”
Sam continued walking toward her, his eyes still lit with amusement. “Girlfriend?” he chuckled. “Now why would you automatically assume this was a girlfriend’s coat? Don’t you think that all my women leave with whatever they came here in?”
Chloe took a step back and scowled at him. “I don’t care what they arrive in or leave without. But I’m not wearing they’re castoffs.”
Sam laughed outright now. “Soothe your ruffled feathers, beautiful,” he said and trapped her between his large body in front of her while he swung the coat over her shoulders. She would have ducked out of the soft leather, but his hands were faster and they steadied her on her waist. “The coat is one of my sister’s. She lives in California with her husband and two kids but she leaves some clothes here for convenience.”
Chloe felt her face flame red once again. “This is Sylvia’s coat?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“Yep.”
“Oh,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “And just for the record,” he said, his voice soft and husky as he bent down close to her ear, “You’re not very interested in that guy I saw at your place last night.”
Chloe stepped out of his arms, glaring at him. “What do you know about my relationship with David?” she demanded. “I care about him a great deal. He’s very nice and a gentleman.”
The grin was slow and wicked as he bent even lower. “Ah, but you see,” he said, his body crowding hers against the table while his hands braced against the chairs, forcing her to lean back or have his