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

call.”
    Hannah smiled her thanks and hurried up the stairs. As soon as she disappeared, Chase leaned forward and spoke in a low tone. “Listen, as soon as you finish choking down your pie, you’re hitting the road, got it?”
    Mike’s slow grin grated on Chase’s nerves. “Hell, man, it’s only five-thirty. I was going to suggest we watch a movie. And maybe you’re the one who should get lost. I’m pretty sure Hannah’s into me.”
    “Didn’t I warn you about pissing me off?”
    His partner’s smile never wavered. “You want her, admit it. Or I’m going to ask her out as soon as she gets back. My cousin’s getting married next week and I—”
    “All right, you asshole,” Chase admitted in a low growl. “Want me to say it? Hannah is mine . If you even think about making a move, you’ll leave here on a stretcher.”
    “Holy balls, it’s worse than I thought,” Mike whispered, clearly enjoying himself. “And it would almost be worth it to see the most level-headed man in Redemption lose his temper over a female.”
    “Don’t push me, Donovan.”
    “Fine,” Mike conceded with a grin. “I’m done giving you shit. But I fully expect you to quit screwing around and make your move. A beautiful woman like that won’t be single for long.”
    Mike had just crammed the last bite of pie in his mouth when Hannah came down from her room. “Crap, don’t tell me you guys are already done with your pie? I didn’t think I was on the phone that long.”
    “You weren’t,” Mike assured her. “I just need to get home. I promised Maddie I’d give her a call around supper time.”
    Hannah’s face blossomed with genuine pleasure, and Chase wished those warm feelings were directed at him. “Such a good daddy. Please tell Maddie and your mom I said ‘hello.’”
    “I will.” Mike rose to his feet and polished off the last dregs of wine in his glass before adding, “Thanks for inviting me to supper. Everything was delicious. Sheriff, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Chase walked with Mike to the door and reminded in a low tone, “Those DNA results should be in early tomorrow. If they come in before I make it to the station, give me a call.”
    “Planning to stay up late?” Mike teased.
    Chase grabbed the door, shoved Mike out, and pushed it closed. “See you in the morning,” he said, loud enough for Hannah to hear.
    Mike chuckled and was on his way. Chase shut the door with a shake of his head. Why the hell couldn’t people just mind their own business?
    Hannah eyed him with curiosity as he walked back into the kitchen. “So, what was that all about?”
    “What was what all about?”
    She propped her hands on her hips and leveled him with one of her special ‘Don’t even try it’ looks. “All that whispering. You guys must think I’m deaf.”
    “Relax, it was about some DNA results we’re expecting.”
    “Oh.” She turned back to the sink and resumed washing the dishes. Odd considering there was a dishwasher.
    Chase strode over and leaned back against the counter beside her. “How’s your dad doing?”
    “He’s okay. Better than I’d expected.”
    “That’s good…right?”
    She shot him a sidelong glance. “Of course. Why would you even ask?”
    Chase shrugged. “You just sounded a little less than enthused. Wanna talk about it?”
    “Nothing to talk about. I just told you he’s fine.”
    Chase tried to suppress a grin, but it was impossible. “Okay, okay, got it. I just…care about you.”
    She cast him another enigmatic glance. “As a friend. I remember.”
    “Hannah—”
    “No, don’t say it. I had no right to put you on the spot like that. It’s just been…a long day. Think I’ll crawl into bed early for a change and—”
    He grasped her warm, wet hand and reached over to shut the faucet off. “Look, I freaked out the other night. Drew called and started talking about how much he trusts me to look after you, when just minutes before I’d been on the verge of