“You okay, darlin’?” he asked.
“I will be. Damn him. I should have known.”
“Don’t blame yourself, sweetheart. He’s the one who tricked you and lied to you.”
She stepped back from him. “I can’t believe he went that far though. I hate him.”
Ash stared at her, not knowing what he could say to make her feel better. He knew she was hurting and he wanted to take that pain away. He stepped closer to her.
“Come to the house tonight,” he said as he reached out a hand to touch her hair.
“Ash, I think I want to be alone tonight.”
Not at all what he wanted to hear.
Sighing, he nodded his head. “All right but if you change your mind, I’ll be there. No matter what time it is.” He kissed her forehead and walked out of the barn.
He gave Brian and Nora a wave as they stood on the porch. As he climbed into his truck, it hit him that Brian had seen him holding Cassidy. Hell. Starting his pickup, he drove off to head home and hoped she’d show up later.
****
Cassie walked out of the barn into the bright sunshine, but it could have been cloudy for all she noticed. August was on its way out, and September was moving in. Soon the leaves would change, and snow would arrive. Being in northern Montana, the bad weather moved in quickly. To see snow in September wasn’t a stretch of the imagination. She crossed the yard to head for her SUV when the back door opened, and her mother stepped onto the porch.
“I’m heading home, Mom.”
“Come in here first, please,” Nora said and reentered the house leaving Cassie to follow.
Taking a deep breath, she entered the kitchen to see her mom sitting at the table. She motioned for Cassie to join her. Pulling out a chair, Cassie took a seat and stared at her mother.
“What is it?”
“How long have you and Ash been seeing each other?”
“Mom––”
“Don’t. I want the truth.”
“Since Butte,” Cassie muttered, suddenly feeling as if she was in the principal’s office. Nora Marlowe was a strict professor, and Cassie knew she wasn’t going to get out of this quickly.
“And yet you didn’t tell me. Why not?”
Cassie could hear the hurt and anger in her mother’s voice. Sighing, she looked at her. “To be honest, it’s my business but if you want to know the real reason, I didn’t want you and Dad thinking it might go any further.”
“Any further than what? Sleeping with him?”
Gasping, Cassie stared at her mother. “Mom!”
“What? Just why can’t it go any further?”
“You know why,” she muttered.
“You cannot seriously think that Ash Beckett is like Ross? There is no comparison.”
“Mom, I don’t want another heartache. Ross may have broken my heart, but Ash would shatter it.”
“You’re already in love with him then and by the looks of it, I suspect he feels the same.”
“No. It will go no further.”
Nora stood and moved to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup then retook her seat and stared at her.
“Then you’d better break it off with him now. I thought something was up at the barbeque because you two couldn’t keep your eyes off each other, and then your dad just mentioned Ash holding you in the barn when Ross was here. But if you’re not going to take this any further, then you’d best break it off now because he’s in love with you, and you’re going to hurt him. The longer you wait, the worse it will get. Ash is a good man. A man with morals and I’m sure, a man who would never cheat on the woman he loves. He saw that little tramp Belinda for over three months and not once were there any rumors he was screwing around on her.” Nora stood. “You’re making one hell of a mistake, Cassie. So if you’re not willing to give your all to Ash then break it off before it goes further. You know how your dad and I feel about him. You’re going to hurt him enough as it is.”
Cassie opened her mouth to say something, but her mother marched from the room. Shaking her head, she pushed the chair back and stood then walked outside to her SUV. Could her mother be right? Could Ash be in love with her? Why hadn’t he said it then? Probably because she’d made it abundantly clear that she was not interested in falling in love again.
She started the vehicle then pulled away from the house to go to her cabin. A night in alone sounded good, but she knew she’d miss Ash tonight. They’d rarely been apart at night since returning from Butte, but she needed this time alone. She was going to lie in her bed and watch a movie. She needed to figure out what she wanted. Ash was taking her to a rodeo tomorrow afternoon.
****
The next day, Ash drove up to the cabin and stopped the truck. Just as he threw his door open, Cassidy came out of the cabin, closed the door behind her, and walked to his pickup. She gave him a small smile.
“Hi, darlin’,” he said as he walked around the front of the truck.
“Hi, yourself.” She stood waiting for him to reach her.
Cupping her face in his hands, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. When her hands wrapped around his waist, he deepened the kiss and moved his tongue into her mouth. She moaned, and his dick shot up.
“Want to go back inside?”
Cassidy laughed. “No. You promised to take me to the rodeo.”
“Damn it.” He blew out a breath. “All right, let’s go.”
Cassidy climbed into the truck and put her hat on her head. Ash strolled around the front of the vehicle and got in. Pulling his visor down, he retrieved his sunglasses and put them on. Glancing over to Cassidy, he smiled as she put hers on too.
“I’ve never been to a rodeo,” she told him.
“Never? You grew up in Montana.”
“I married Ross when I was twenty, and I was away at college before that.”
“Well, I hope you like it.”
“Lots of cowboys, what’s not to like?” She laughed when he growled low in his throat.
“You’re pushing it, sweetheart,” he said.
“I won’t look at any but you.”
“I missed you last night,” he said.
“I missed you too, but I needed some time alone. I can’t believe Ross did that to me. I mean, I know he’s scum but to do that, and let me believe he wanted children too.” She shook her head. “I hate him now.”
“I’m sure you were on the verge of hating him, and that just pushed you over.”
“Yes,” she murmured.
“Well hopefully, today you’ll have fun.”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it. Do you know some of the cowboys competing?”
“A few of them. I’ll introduce you as long as you promise not to run off with any of them.”
“I promise.” Cassidy laughed as she crossed her heart with her fingers.
Ash nodded, and they rode in silence to the fairgrounds in Hartland. Dust swirled around the truck as he drove through the lot to find a place to park. Finding a spot, he pulled in and shut the engine off.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yep, and I’m hungry. I can smell the food from here.”
Ash laughed. “Well, then let’s get you some food then we’ll find some seats.”
****
An hour later, Cassie was sitting on the edge of the metal bleacher with her fingers wrapped around it. She gasped as she watched a bull jump one way then the other trying to dislodge the rider on its back. Glancing at Ash, she frowned.
“You did that?” At his nod, she continued. “Were you nuts?”
“I think so,” he said smiling.
“And your brothers do this too?”
“JD and Gage still do, but Gray and Brayden never did.”
“Did you make a lot of money? You don’t have to answer that. I just think they’d have to pay me a lot of money to do that. A lot!”
“It can be gratifying. If you’re good enough and sponsors want to put their logos on your back.”
“You said you had sponsors before. Big ones?” When he named a few, she let out a gasp. “Wow.”
“It’s how I started growing feed.”
“Do you still get money from bull riding?”
“No. Once I quit, the sponsors didn’t pay me anymore. I had made enough to buy the grain to get started, and the rest went into a savings account. I make money now from the feed I sell. I’ve only used the money I inherited to buy the land and build my home.”
“I know that Beckett Feed is one of the best out there.”
“Yes, it is. I’m proud of it.”
Cassie nodded and turned her eyes back to the arena to see the cowboy flying through the air as the bull dislodged him. She stood when the beast ran for the cowboy, and she heard Ash chuckle. Looking at him, she sat back down.
“It’s exhilarating but scary.”
“I agree. Looking at it now, I wonder what the hell I was thinking.”
Cassie laughed. “Can we go get some cotton candy?”
“You just had a hamburger and a chocolate shake,” he said with wonder in his voice.
She leaned toward him. “I’ll just have to work it off later.”
“At least, I wasn’t taking a drink this time.”
Cassie stood and put her hand out toward him. He took it, and they walked down the stairs to get her cotton candy. They weaved their way through the crowd to the concession stand.
“I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom first,” she said as they neared the end of the line forming.
“Do you want me to get your cotton candy or wait for you?”
“Wait for me. I might want something else instead.” Giving him a smile, she made her way to the restroom.
A few minutes later, Cassie made her way back from the restroom and stopped in her tracks when she saw Ash talking with a beautiful woman with long blonde hair. She was running her fingers down his arm then as Cassie watched she stuck her hand into the front pocket of his jeans, stuffing a note in them. Ash stepped back from her but didn’t take the paper from his pocket. Cassie watched him smile at the woman and shake his head. She rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek then walked off and his eyes never left her as she disappeared into the crowd. Just like Ross used to do.
Taking a deep breath, Cassie moved toward him. He turned and when he saw her, a smile lit up his face. Quickly blinking tears away, she continued to him. Her heart ached. He was no different than Ross. A pretty woman had turned his head, and Cassie wondered how much longer it would be for him to make an excuse to end the night with her, so he could go see that woman. Her insecurities would always nibble at her, she knew it. Her trust issues would always remain where men were concerned, and it killed her because she was so in love with Ash.
Stopping in front of him, she mustered up a smile. “Who was that?”
“Angie. She wanted to say hello.”
“Angie? The woman you wanted to marry?”
“That’s the one. Listen, Cassidy––”
“Hey, Ash!”
Ash and Cassie turned to see who had called out to him. Cassie saw a tall, dark-haired man putting his hand out toward him. Ash laughed and shook the man’s hand.
“Outlaw, how the hell are you?”
“Good. How about you?”
“Great. This is Cassidy Marlowe. Cassidy, this is a good friend of mine, Roark Outlaw Callahan.”
Cassie stuck her hand out, and Roark shook it. Another Callahan? Was he related to the others she’d met? He was very good looking with black hair and beautiful grey eyes. He had to be a brother or cousin to the other Callahan men she’d met. He was as tall as Ash and built just as well. Wow!
“It’s nice to meet you, Cassidy. Are you related to Brian and Nora?”
“My parents and please, call me Cassie. Ash seems to be the only one who insists on calling me, Cassidy.”
“If you would have gone to the barbeque, you would have met her,” Ash teased Roark.
“Priscilla wasn’t feeling well, and I didn’t want to go without her.”
“Is she all right?” Ash asked with a frown.
Roark grinned. “Yep. She just had a summer cold.”
Ash slapped him on the back. “Glad to hear that. Is she here with you?”
“Yeah, I’m getting us some food. I’d better get busy or she’ll wonder what happened to me.”
“Tell her hello for me.”
“Will do. Maybe we can get together one night for dinner.”
“Sounds good, Roark.”
“Cassie, it was nice to meet you.” Roark touched the brim of his hat and moved past them.
“He’s very good looking. He has to be related to the other Callahans who were at the barbeque, right?”
“Yep, another cousin. Come on, let’s get to our seats.” He took her hand in his, and the earlier conversation was forgotten.
Later, as Ash drove them home, he glanced over at her. “Are you all right? You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“I’m fine. Could you please take me to my cabin?”
“You don’t want to come home with me?”
“Not tonight, please.” She did everything in her power to hold it together.
“All right,” he murmured.
Cassie watched as his hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel and his jaw clenched. She had a feeling he knew something was up. She’d been quiet since she’d seen him talking with Angie. A woman who’d once held his heart. A tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.
Ash pulled up in front of her cabin and turned to look at her. “Can I come in?”
“For a minute, yes, I’d like to talk to you.”
Ash blew out a breath, opened his door, and stepped out. Cassie did the same. He reached for her hand, but she moved around him. She walked up onto the porch and used her key to open the door. Flipping on the lights, she tossed her purse onto the sofa then turned to look at him. He pushed the door closed then leaned back against it with his arms folded across his broad chest and his booted feet crossed at the ankles, staring at her.
“What is it, Cassidy?” he asked in a quiet and cautious sounding tone.
Taking a deep breath, she looked him in the eye. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”
“What?” He pushed himself away from the door. “Why not?”
“It’s gone as far as it can go.”
“Really? How far is that? Just a good time in bed?”
“It’s done, Ash.”
“Like hell it is. I’m in love with you, Cassidy. I was hoping you felt the same.”
Her chest ached with the pain of hurting him. She shook her head but couldn’t say anything.
“What was I to you then? Just someone to get you off?”
“Don’t be crude,” she shouted.
“I’m being honest. You’re not.” Ash began to pace. He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair then resettled the hat. God, she loved when he did that.
“Please leave,” she whispered.
“Damn it, woman. I love you,” he shouted and stepped toward her. She held her hand up to stop him.
“Please…just go, Ash.”
“Do you know how many horses I train?” he asked her, making her frown. “Not even one a year. I quit doing it because I’m too busy with the feed, yet I did it for you because I wanted to be around you. I’d do anything to be with you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I love you, Cassidy. More than you’ll ever know.” Ash stared at her.
She could see the hurt in his eyes but she just couldn’t chance that he’d hurt her. She had to break it off now, just as her mother had told her even though it killed her to do this to him. It was better to do it now. He turned, walked to the door, opened it, and then looked back at her.
“No one will ever love you like I do and you’re throwing it away. I know what this is about. You’re scared I’m going to cheat on you like Ross. Well, let me tell you something, sweethea
rt, I am not your ex-husband. I am nothing like him, and I never will be. I will always love you, but I won’t wait for you to make up your mind and see that I am not Porter. I won’t wait. You may come around one day and find out I’ve moved on. And I will, Cassidy, because I want a family. I want kids. I wanted them with you but since that isn’t going to happen, I’ll find someone new one day and you’ll still be alone. Enjoy your lonely life.” With that, he walked out, slamming the door behind him. Cassie dropped onto the sofa and cried.
Chapter Thirteen
A week later, Ash sat on his porch with his feet propped up on the railing. The sun was just beginning to set behind the Glaciers turning the sky shades of blue, pink, and yellow. He didn’t see any of it though and the cooler temperatures didn’t register either. His thoughts were on Cassidy. Why had she broken it off just out of the blue? Things had been going great until she saw him talking with Angie. Cassidy didn’t think he was still interested in Angie, did she? It didn’t matter. She was done with him, and he hurt like he never had before. Why did he keep giving his heart to the wrong women? He’d been sure Cassidy was the one, and he thought she felt the same about him.
“Yeah, there you go thinking,” he muttered as he lifted the beer bottle to his lips but sat up quickly when he saw a pickup truck coming up his drive.
Disappointment set in, and he sat back again when he saw it was only Brayden. Hell! Here we go. Ash knew he’d have to tell Brayden about Cassidy. He watched as his brother stopped the truck by the side of the porch, exited it, and then climbed up the steps to take a seat in the rocking chair beside Ash’s.
“I could use a beer. It’s been one hell of a day,” Brayden said as he scratched Bandit’s head.
Ash reached down into the cooler beside him and handed Brayden a beer. Brayden took it, twisted off the top, and raised it to his lips. He took a long swig.
“I haven’t been out much,” Ash said.
Ash: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 2 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 15