“Jess—
Jessica looked over at her, and Cassie’s heart went out to her for the desolation she saw in her eyes. “What man, much less men, would ever want to deal with all my phobias and anxieties? It’s a monumental effort for me to stay in this seat with all the noise and movement around me this evening. And when I try to sleep, it’s even worse. Can you imagine being awakened by a woman screaming her head off? I imagine any man would get sick of that. I just content myself with a quiet life, my work, and taking care of my daughter.”
Contented was the last thing her friend appeared to be.
Cassie recalled that her mom had been jumpy, defensive, and anxious when she’d first returned to life in Divine, signs she also had observed in Jessica over the last couple of years. A doctor had diagnosed her mother with PTSD, which had been the first step toward her recovery. Even with the official diagnosis, Cassie’s father had exhibited little in the way of sympathy or support for her.
Recalling the times she’d seen Tank and Troy trying to be helpful and supportive to Jessica, Cassie knew they were more than willing to help Jessica past her trauma if she could just feel safe spending time around them and stop carrying the burden for past events beyond her control.
From personal experience, Cassie also knew eventually Jessica’s daughter would grow up and have a life of her own. Jessica needed something else in her life besides her daughter and her work.
“Have you been sitting here at the bar alone all night? You didn’t invite anyone to come with you?”
Jess shook her head. “I came over here to give Lydia and her men a chance to dance and have a good time with each other. I know your men are waiting for you, and judging by the look in his eyes, the other one wants to dance with you as well.”
“Samson. Yeah, I think so, too. It’s a nice feeling to know that big guy cares so much. Would you believe my mom is coming to live with me?”
Sympathy showed in Jessica’s eyes. “Just when you had an empty nest, too. Are your guys disappointed?”
“Nope. They come from a tightly knit family and approved of the move even before I’d made the decision. And you’ve kind of been in that boat yourself before, haven’t you?”
“Well, not quite as extreme, but yeah, I had to leave Houston with no notice when I found out about my abductor getting free. I knew he’d come after me and the baby. And even though they’d only just met me, Lydia and her men hid me in a remote part of their ranch to keep me safe, and then when it was closer to time to have Bella, they moved me by helicopter to a cabin close to the main ranch house.”
“Mmm,” Cassie said, sipping from her wineglass and hiding a smile. “Tank and Troy were a big part of that, weren’t they?”
Jessica looked down at her hands in her lap. “They were the ones who rushed me to the hospital. I realized later, after I’d had Bella, they’d been keeping an eye on me the whole time I was living near the ranch house. I knew they were handy and wanted to be helpful, but I had so much on my plate with the baby and figuring out my next step…”
Cassie said, “So what’s holding you back now, besides the nightmares and nerves?” As if those weren’t huge obstacles.
“I know I shouldn’t be intimidated. That would never be their intention. They’re nothing like Trevor Dornan. But they scare me when they…loom over me, and it triggers this panic response. I hate it.” Jessica looked over her shoulder, surveying the crowd as if she was looking for someone and then turned back to face the bar. “I hate it.”
Cassie hoped wherever Trevor Dornan was, he was suffering at least as much as his victim still suffered. “I’ll check back with you in a little while, after my dance.”
“Okay,” Jessica said as she lifted her glass in a small toast with Cassie.
But after her dance with Samson, when Cassie looked for Jessica, she was already gone.
Chapter Sixteen
“So, Mr. Cutter, you’re executive chef at Hermione?” Joseph Resendez asked as he took his seat beside Tamara and opposite of where Ivan sat next to Samson. Cassie and Delicia were seated at either end of the dining room table.
Lightning flashed outside, followed several seconds later by the rumble of thunder as Ivan cut into the succulent turkey breast, but the storm didn’t necessarily serve as a mood-setter for their Thanksgiving gathering. Cassie’s grown kids took after her in looks and were a credit to her as a mother, and they’d proved welcoming enough when the introductions had been made the day before.
Ivan set down his loaded fork and lifted his glass of iced tea. “That’s right, Joseph. And feel free to call me Ivan.”
Joseph was an amusing mixture of protective son and ardent admirer because Hermione’s far-reaching reputation for quality was partly Ivan’s doing. Hermione Jones might be high maintenance, but she was an ace with the marketing, and he was her ace in the hole behind the kitchen door.
Joseph nodded as he took another bite of dressing and cranberries, and merriment filled his gaze, his eyes the same color as Cassie’s, which were like her mother’s. “Just not sure I can do that, Chef, being a fan-boy and all.”
Ivan heard the amusement in Samson’s soft snort. Tamara and Joseph been more reserved with his brother since arriving the day before on the eve of Thanksgiving. What they didn’t know was that, behind Samson’s steely-eyed seriousness, he worried they might not approve and give Cassie a hard time in private.
It’d been several weeks since he and Samson had spent that amazing night with Cassie. At first he could tell she’d been braced for bumps in the road in the days that followed, but their lives had settled into a comfortable rhythm.
Ivan didn’t see her quite as much as he wanted because of work and living in Morehead. It was the same for Samson, but they were making it work. Cassie welcomed them on any night they saw their way clear to spend with her, which had allowed for some time alone with her, as well as nights where the three of them fell asleep together, crammed onto her king-sized bed. She was a little cold natured, so snuggling between them suited her just fine.
He wasn’t surprised by how natural it was being with her, no matter what they were doing. Delicia had taken their presence in stride, and gradually the worry over how the rest of her family would react had faded. They were being discreet to avoid her having to deal with more histrionics from her father after what Samson had told him had happened at the hospital.
“Samson, would you like another roll?” Tamara bravely said as she held out the cloth-covered basket to his brother.
“Thanks,” Samson said with a grin as he lifted the cover and took one before she smiled at Ivan in turn and offered him the basket.
“Thanks, Tamara.”
“You’re welcome,” Tamara said, maintaining eye contact with him before glancing at his brother and then back at him. Ivan could practically hear the gears turning in her head, and when he maintained eye contact and smiled back, she chose her target. “So, are you a ménage like Lucy Owen has with Patrick Owen and Beck O’Malley, and Patrick’s sister, Maizy Welsh, has with the bears?”
Cassie choked and nearly spewed her tea through her nose before she started laughing and blotted herself with her napkin. Laughter filled the room, with even her mother joining in, and Cassie finally lifted a hand to Tamara and said, “Gentlemen, my daughter, the conversation starter and life of every party.” She giggled some more, and Ivan was relieved no embarrassment showed on her lovely face, so he turned to Tamara.
“I haven’t met everyone you mentioned yet, but your mom did introduce me to Lucy and Maizy at Violet’s wedding.” He glanced at Cassie to make sure as he spoke, and when she nodded, he continued. “And yes, in answer to your question, Tamara. I hope that’s not a problem for you or your brother.”
Tamara’s eyes danced with merriment as she shook her head. “Nope, although I don’t envy you when Grandpa finds out.” She covered her giggle with her fingertips. “Does Dad know?”
Cassie shrugged. “I haven’t talked to him.
Rumors might’ve reached his ears, I suppose. I didn’t pay attention to his love life after we split, or have an opinion one way or another, so I’d expect he either doesn’t know or isn’t saying anything.”
Delicia arched an eyebrow. “Your ex-husband resisting the urge to butt in with his opinion? I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Cassie hid her smile and scanned everyone’s plates. “How is the turkey?”
They all made yummy noises as they continued eating, and Cassie preened like a peacock over her perfectly cooked bird. Ivan was impressed as well.
“So, does this mean you’re moving in together?” Tamara asked, endeavoring to look innocent as Samson choked that time.
When he’d recovered, Samson replied, “We’re not interested in living together with your mom, Tamara. We think very highly of her.”
Undeterred by his mildly censorious tone, Tamara got big eyes and looked at her brother and then her mother before saying, “Well, all-righty then.”
Cassie chuckled but didn’t seem surprised and said, “I think Lucy rubbed off on you a little while you were working with her, Tam.”
Tamara nodded but then said, “Maybe a little but I think I get it from you as much as from anyone else. I’m cool with all the ménages in Divine.”
“In what sense?” Delicia asked, also seeming unperturbed by the direction the conversation had taken.
“Economically. Makes sense to have more adults contributing to the well-being of the family.”
Ivan had to agree with her.
Joseph got up from the table with his empty plate and took it to the sink as he said, “Mom, if you have time later, I’d like to talk with you about what we’d discussed. Remember?”
“Of course, honey.” Cassie made eye contact with Ivan and winked.
“Me, too, Mom,” Tamara said. “I know I’ve still got a few more semesters to go, but Joe and I have been talking and…”
“Tam, don’t feel obligated to come back just because you think I need help.”
“Nuh-uh, Mom, it’s not like that. I miss Divine. I miss the people and the whole small-town vibe. I thought once I got to a bigger city that would be it. San Marcos is fantastic, and I’ve made some great friends there, but I’m ready to be back here. I think this is where I’m meant to be.” Tamara’s love for her hometown was palpable as she spoke.
Ivan glanced over and noticed Joseph at the sink smiling and nodding as he rinsed other dishes and poured soap in the sink. Ivan was impressed that he didn’t hesitate to help out with the cleanup.
“And, no, Mom, we’re not moving home. We’ll find work to make ends meet until we can agree on a plan and set it in motion. We won’t be a burden to you that way.”
Ivan sat back and listened with Samson and the others while the two young adults began clearing the table. Tamara said, “Mami…Joe and I were talking, and we think it would be fine if you want to sell the house.”
“Where’s all this coming from?” Cassie asked as she got up, but Joseph took her plate and utensils from her and bade her to sit back down.
“Dad called sis a few weeks ago.”
“Yeah,” Tamara said, biting her lip. “I’m like any kid whose parents have divorced. I have the fantasy about them getting back together and everything being perfect again. But I’m not dumb. He’s trying to employ us to get to you. He came right out and asked me to tell you today that he wanted to try for reconciliation.”
Cassie looked at her hands in her lap, and a spear of unease shot through Ivan. He didn’t want to overreact and nudged Samson to be quiet when he would’ve spoken up. After a few moments, she looked over at Ivan and Samson.
“Bill’s been calling me at the coffee shop as well. I didn’t tell you because you have nothing to worry about. My father has also called me a couple of times. He says I’m a big disappointment to him because I’m not doing my duty by my family.” Cassie glanced at her mom but said nothing else.
“And I’ll bet he said I was a bad example, didn’t he?” Delicia asked, shaking her head in consternation. “Macho asshole. It’s my fault for not setting him straight in our younger years. Not that it would’ve done much good. His father was even worse than he was. Talk about an iron fist.”
“Yeah, see?” Joseph said, his posture stiffening. “If I was at the shop with you, that would be one of the first things I’d nip in the bud. There’s no reason for him to be speaking to you like that.”
Ivan was liking Cassie’s son more and more all the time.
“I don’t need a babysitter, Joseph. You have a better use for your time than keeping the macho assholes in our family at bay.”
I plan to make it job number one as soon as I can.
“This topic of conversation is bad for my digestion,” Cassie said as Tamara gave her a kiss on the cheek. “But you two are the most wonderful children ever. All right. We’ll talk about all your ideas, plans, and dreams after the kitchen is clean.”
Tamara and Joseph stopped any of them when they offered to help and Tamara said, “Nope. It’s our turn to take care of you for a change, Mom, Abuela. Go sit and relax. Digest. The game should be on by now.”
“Fine,” Cassie said with a giggle as she reached out for him and Samson. “Then we’ll decorate the Christmas tree. It should be easy this year with such tall helpers!”
Remembering that special Christmas so long ago, Ivan gladly helped her with the tree as the storm tuned up and the delay between flashes of lightning and roars of thunder decreased.
“Hey, Mom?” Joseph called from the kitchen. “You know what I miss?”
“What?” she replied as she stretched up to place an ornament, tightening the fabric of her top until it was tugged taut around her full breasts and revealed an inch or so of the sweet curve of her waist. Ivan lost track of the conversation for a moment as he watched.
Joseph came to the doorway with a dishtowel, drying his hands. “Remember when we were little how you used to play your guitar and sing to us? Do you ever do that anymore?”
“Yeah!” Tamara said as she wiped down the dining room table. “I think that’s one of my favorite memories from my childhood. Do you still have your guitar?”
“Like you’re so old,” Cassie said with a giggle and then said, “I do still have it. Matter of fact, I accidentally knocked it over in the closet looking for my boots this morning. I haven’t played it since then, so I’m sure it’s out of tune and needs new strings. Why?”
A pretty blush colored her cheeks as she glanced directly at Ivan, and he grinned and held up his hands. He hadn’t said anything to Joseph, but he was glad he and Samson weren’t the only ones who wanted to hear her sing and play her guitar. He wished he had a piano for her to play and filed the thought for later.
Samson said, “Why don’t you dust it off and play for us tonight. I bet even with strings that need replacing, you’d sound fantastic.”
Ivan grinned like a big idiot and said, “And you have to sing for us, too.” Hesitancy was in her body language so he added, “Pleeeease?”
“Oh, all right, after we’re done with the Christmas tree.”
With a big smile on his face, Ivan handed her the angel tree topper, and Samson squatted down and grasped her around her thighs, chuckling when she squealed before placing the angel on the tree.
“You know, it’s kind of cool you asked about that. Uncle Rudy caught me one day at the bank and told me he’s building a shady, garden-type seating and serving area, complete with a bar, onto the back of the restaurant. He wants to offer live music out there, and he asked if I’d be interested in playing and singing for his guests.”
“Oh man, Mom!” Joseph said, his face practically glowing as he hugged her. “That’s perfect for you. With us helping you out at the shop, you could afford to stretch your wings a little, and people will love listening to you.”
“I know, right?” Tamara said, all atwitter as she hugged her, too. “I’m so proud of you! You said yes, right?”
“Well…”
Joseph put his arm around his mother. “Do this for you, Mom. Not because we want you to.”
Ivan took her hand. “Baby, your eyes tell me your heart is already committed to the idea. You just got your confirmation.”
“Okay, I’ll do it! I’ll call him and tell him yes. He said it would all be finished by late spring.”
“That’s perfect,” Joseph replied. “I’ll be well into the swing of things at the shop by then, and with Tamara coming in another year, you could retire if you wanted to.”
Cassie looked around all of them and began to sniffle. “Well, now, don’t put me out to pasture just yet, guys. I can do both.”
“Yeah, but you won’t need to, not with us around,” Tamara replied. She slid a glance at Samson and Ivan. “And who knows? You may have even more on your plate.” Then the little minx winked. Samson softly snorted but gave her a slight nod. Ivan’s heart felt as if it would bust out of his chest as Cassie hugged her kids and then turned watery eyes on him and Samson.
With her arms spread wide to encompass both of their shoulders, she kissed them both and whispered, “Happy Thanksgiving, my loves. I have so much to be thankful for. My cup surely runneth over.”
Ivan’s cheeks grew warm when he heard Tamara from the doorway to the kitchen. “Awwwww.”
When Samson was done smooching Cassie, Delicia approached him, a little teary-eyed, and whispered quiet words to him while Cassie hugged and kissed Ivan again.
The storm swelled outside, the rain pounding on the roof and the lightning and thunder rumbling all around, but inside the house, the warmth of the fireplace was overshadowed by the love and affection shared by all within.
While the ladies put away the ornament boxes and Cassie retrieved her guitar from its case in the bedroom, Samson nudged Ivan and said, “Delicia told me any man, or men, who would encourage Cassie’s gift deserved her blessing.”
How Cassie Got Her Grind Back [Divine Creek Ranch 23] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 22