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couldn’t wait to see her again.
    “Chase.” Johanna started toward him as he entered the study, her arms open.
    He allowed himself to be hugged, his hair fluffed by her loving hand. She treated him much the same way his sister did. In fact, so did Laurel Rose. It was like having a trio of sisters. He didn’t mind it too much when they fussed over him, although it did seem to amuse the hell out of their men.
    Cristofor leaned against the massive ornate mantel, an indulgent smile on his face.
    Chase kissed Johanna’s cheek and then headed toward Cristofor. He straightened away from the mantel and grabbed Chase’s outstretched hand and pulled him close for a quick hug. “It is good to see you again.”
    “It’s great to be here.” It had been so late when he’d unexpectedly arrived last night that he hadn’t had the opportunity to really catch up with his hosts.
    They all settled on the comfortable oversized chairs, which were situated around the fireplace. As it was summer, the grate was bare, but in the spring, fall and winter, a blaze usually roared, adding heat and atmosphere to the room. Above the heavy oak mantel, several large, jewel-encrusted swords hung in a place of honor.
    Chase leaned back and smiled. This place never changed. There were books and manuscripts, tucked haphazardly into cubbies and shelves, which museum curators would give their eyeteeth to have.
    Then there was the artwork. Paintings from old masters hung alongside undiscovered artists. Several rather large pieces of sculpture graced the far corners of the room. There was an entire cabinet devoted to glass and small sculpture.
    Yet the room wasn’t stuffy. The latest women’s fashion magazines were strewn across the large coffee table alongside financial reports and business periodicals. This was a family home and it exuded warmth and welcome.
    27
    N.J. Walters
    “How are you?” Chase heard the edge in Johanna’s voice and it took all his concentration not to stiffen. She couldn’t know about his health problems—the headaches and fatigue that had been a constant part of his life for the past six months.
    No one knew. He’d kept his visits to the doctor a secret, and had only finished the battery of tests his doctor had ordered hours before he’d climbed on the flight overseas.
    He figured there was no point in upsetting the family before he knew if there was really anything to be concerned about. And he’d long ago learned how to shut them out of his mind—a very necessary skill when those around you were vampires.
    “I’m good. Tired,” he added truthfully, “but good.”
    “You’ve been pushing too hard getting ready for your show in New York,” Johanna chastised. She picked up a teapot that was sitting on the table and poured him a cup. A plate of raisin scones sat on the tray next to it. If he wasn’t mistaken, the cup and plate were also worthy of being museum pieces.
    Chase took the cup from Johanna and breathed deep. The smell of peppermint tickled his nose. He’d never gotten into the habit of drinking coffee, but loved the flavor of herbal teas. Johanna always stocked about a dozen different kinds in the kitchen just for him.
    “Guilty.” He took a sip before reaching for the plate of scones. “I pushed hard to finish. I needed this vacation.”
    Cristofor sat back in his chair, his long legs sprawled out in front of him, his elbows propped on the armrests, his fingers steepled in front of his face. “It is more than that.”
    It wasn’t a question. Chase tensed, placing the plate back on the table without having taken a bite. “It is, but it’s something I need to work out on my own first.” His doctor had this number and would call as soon as the test results were in. In fact, Dr.
    McGregor had wanted Chase to remain in New York, but Chase wanted to relax and spend time with his entire family. Until the test results were in, there wasn’t any point in hanging around alone in his loft apartment