Glancing down at the grinning dog she leaned slightly forward and patted the bedspread beside her.
“You want to come up?” she giggled.
Chad had a rule, no dogs on the bed, and since Mickey was the only dog in the house that meant him, but occasionally she’d let him up. Excitedly Mickey jumped on to the mattress and bounced around, thrilled to be doing something that was rarely allowed, but as soon as she slid back under the covers he laid down next to her.
“No telling Chad,” she warned.
He whined and dropped his head between his paws, and she languidly placed her hand on his head to rub his soft fur. Mickey’s calming presence sent her off to a restful doze, but approaching footsteps sent him jumping off the bed, rousing Cassie from her post-sleep nap.
“Hey, you’re still in bed?” Chad remarked as he walked in.
“You have an remarkable capacity to state the obvious,” she quipped.
He stared at the excessively rumpled bedspread, looked across at Mickey, then back at her.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” he asked, raising his one, stern eyebrow.
“Yes, there is,” she admitted. “I want to tell you how much I love my note, and thank you. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“You are a very naughty girl,” he grinned.
“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with Miss Sugar Tits and her cohorts?”
“Damn, girl,” he chuckled. “I’m here because Jeb and Tommy are taking the group on a short trail ride in preparation for the longer one tomorrow.”
“Cool. Okay, I’m getting up,” she sighed. “You wouldn’t want to brew some fresh coffee, would you?”
“I can do that, and next time you let Mickey on the bed at least straighten it out a bit when you hear me comin’.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she giggled, and leaving the bed she scampered into the bathroom.
Mickey had returned to his mat, and leaning down Chad began to run his hand along Mickey’s back in a smooth, flowing rub.
“You should know better, Mick,” he softly scolded.
Mickey moved both paws over his eyes, then slightly shifted one and gazed up at him.
“Stop the with cuteness. You know I love you no matter what. Come on, let’s put that coffee on to brew for our Princess.”
Some time later, as Cassie was cleaning up her breakfast dishes and Chad was getting ready to head back to the barn, he sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for her to join him.
“What’s up?” Cassie asked as she took her seat.
“Marty definitely wants Ranger,” Chad began, “and I think it will be terrific to have a solid english horse like that on the ranch.”
“That’s fantastic,” Cassie smiled.
“The thing is, I know he’s goin’ to belong to Hannah, and I know that Hannah and Marty are both excellent horse handlers, but you’re the only one around here who knows the ins and outs of english ridin’. The tack, the right bits, maybe even diet and supplements, so I’m gonna have a talk with Marty and ask him to let you take the lead with all that, but only if you want that responsibility.”
“Thank you, Chad,” she sighed. “I was worried about that. It will be a relief, not a burden.”
“I thought you’d feel that way,” Chad nodded, “so go ahead and call Randy, and this Saturday late afternoon would be the perfect time to have him arrive. The construction will be startin’ up again Monday mornin’, and I think it’d be best if he had a day or so to settle before then.”
“Ah, right. Mind you, Ranger’s been around the block a few times, I doubt he’ll care,” Cassie remarked. “If anything he’ll be a calming influence.”
Chad paused, studying her, then broke into a smile.
“You look so much better, you were really wrung out last night.”
“I know, thank you for taking care of me, I mean, really taking care of me,” she winked, “and letting me sleep in.”
“Hey, it’s in my job description,” he winked back. “It’s getting late, and I need to head back down,” he said, standing up to leave. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’ve decided to let Hannah do her lunch thing over the next three days. It may be too much for her, but we’ll see.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she could do it with one hand tied behind her back,” Cassie said confidently. “I’ve never seen anyone cook the way she does.”
“Marty will have the list of things she needs, so it’s gonna be a lot of grocery shoppin’ you’ll be doin’.”
“No problem, I’m energized now, thanks to you,” she grinned, standing up and hugging him.
“I really need to go,” he said firmly, disentangling himself. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, have fun down there. I’ll be thinking about you.”
“I’ll be thinking about you too,” he chuckled. “Later. Mickey, you know you’re charge again.”
Mickey barked his understanding, and as Cassie watched Chad saunter out the back door, she wanted to run after him and hug him again.
I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love you. It’s kind of amazing.
Pouring herself another cup of coffee, she retrieved the shopping list she'd made and began to check it.
“I think you’ll be staying here Mickey. I don’t want to leave you in the car, and you can’t come into the store with me. Sorry, fella.”
Dropping down on all fours he laid his head between his front feet and stared up at her with sad eyes.
“You should go and be with Chad while I’m gone. Everyone there will make a fuss of you.”
She watched, disbelieving, as he lifted his head and began to pant happily.
“Do you really understand absolutely everything that’s said to you?”
Mickey barked, and Cassie shook her head.
“I have no idea, but regardless, you are something else.”
A short time later Marty knocked on the back door, and grabbing her list and kissing Mickey on the head, she walked out to greet him.
“I, uh, I’ve got an errand to run myself,” Marty remarked as they climbed in his car, “so I’ll come find you in the store when I’m done. It shouldn’t take me too long.”
“Sure, no problem. Let’s meet by the quick check out, not that I’ll be going through that line, but it’s the easiest place to make sure we don’t miss each other.”
“Sounds good,” he replied.
Cassie noticed a slight blush to his face, and thought he seemed a bit uncomfortable.
“Marty, is everything okay?”
“Sure, why do you ask?” he frowned.
“I’m not sure, you just seem a bit edgy,” she replied.
“Me? Noooo, I’m not edgy,” he said quickly. “Maybe a bit worried about all this crazy business with that guy and stuff, but nothin’ else.”
“If you need to talk about anything…” she offered.
“Nope, not a thing,” he said firmly.
“All righty then, if you say so,” but I don’t believe you for a minute. “I called Randy,” she continued. “Ranger will be here late Saturday. I’m really excited, he’s such a neat horse.”
“Now that’s some great news, thanks so much, Cassie. I owe you one, I can’t wait to see Hannah’s face,” he beamed. “We’ll have to plan this somehow.”
“I’ll figure it out,” she promised.
“Yeah, well, maybe we can do that together,” he said gently.
“Sure, of course, it’s your surprise, what am I saying,” she apologized. “However you want to do it, you just let me know.”
“That’d be good,” he nodded.
But as they drove into town Cassie could sense he was deep in thought. Something was brewing, and she had an inkling she knew exactly what it was.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
When Marty helped Cassie unload the shopping bags into the back seat of the car, he let out a low whistle.
“I don’t know wher
e she’s gonna put all this.”
“She’ll figure out it,” Cassie assured him. “Three days of lunches for sixteen people, something different every day, that’s a lot of food. Besides, she probably got more than she needs because this is a big deal and she probably wants too much rather than too little.”
“She sure is excited,” Marty nodded climbing into the driver’s seat. “She spent half the night tryin’ to decide what to serve. Must have changed her mind half-a-dozen times.”
“I’ll bet,” Cassie laughed, buckling up her seat belt.
“I’m real proud of her,” Marty declared as he pulled on to the main street to head home.
“You should be,” Cassie declared, “I had no idea when we were growing up together that she was so talented. Anyway, what errand did you have to run? Something for Chad?”
She watched his face, and to her delight he turned a faint shade of pink, then coughed, but his answer didn’t jive with her suspicions.
“I went by Vicki’s and bought a bucket, then had her fill it full of fun stuff for Ranger. I’m gonna give it to Hannah when he arrives. Might even tell her he’s comin’ and give it to her when I do, not sure which. Kinda hard to keep the news to myself.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Cassie commented, disappointed that she’d been mistaken and Marty hadn’t been off buying a ring. “You’re right, it might be fun to tell her before he gets here.”
“Just have to think about it a bit,” he nodded.
As they turned on to the road that would lead them back to Horse Haven, a sheriff’s car whizzed by, and Cassie’s buoyant state of mind began to dissipate. Feeling the shift in her mood, Marty reached across and touched her shoulder.
“Hey, don’t worry,” he said kindly. “That nutter will be picked up in no time. Chad told me you’re meetin’ with that artist today, right?”
“Yes, she’s coming this afternoon,” Cassie nodded.
“Once that picture gets out someone will spot him. This is a small town. The Sheriff will run it in the paper, it’ll be in shop windows, it’ll be all over the place. Believe me, they’ll get him,” he said firmly.
“Marty, thank you,” she sighed. “It’s scary. You know he attacked those other women in their homes, and those are only the ones we know about. I’ll bet there are a whole lot more.”
“He sure as hell can’t get to you,” he remarked. “All that security, all of us keepin’ an eye out. You’re safe, you know that right?”
“Being reminded is always good,” she smiled, “so thank you.”
A few minutes later as he turned up the driveway, he noticed the clinic was still on its lunch break.
“Thank goodness for that,” he declared. “I won’t have to rush back down. You need any help with your groceries?” he asked as he pulled up to the back door of the house.
“No, I’m good. You get home to Hannah, tell her I’ll be along shortly to help.”
“Ah, no, Cassie, I’d leave her be. She’s better off workin’ alone. She needs the space to focus on what’s she’s doin’, you know what I mean?”
“Of course, you’re right, silly me,” she agreed climbing from the car. “Just tell her to call me if she needs me, how’s that?”
“That’ll work,” he grinned.
Unloading her four bags on to the back porch she waved goodbye as he drove away, and was about to take them inside when Mickey appeared through his doggy door.
“Hey there,” she giggled, leaning down and making a fuss of him. “I wish you could carry these in for me.”
“He can’t but I can,” Chad exclaimed.
Looking up she found Chad standing in the doorway.
“I didn’t hear you,” she laughed, and wrapping her arms around him, hugged tightly. “So good to see you. Still working away in your office?”
“Fraid so, and it’s good to see you too,” he chuckled.
“It’s wonderful to come home and find you and Mickey here. Really feels good,” she sighed.
“Yep, I know what you mean,” he agreed. “Come on, let me help you get this stuff inside.”
Marty had arrived at his cabin, and opening the door he found Hannah with several empty cutting boards on the kitchen table, knives beside them at the ready, along with empty bowls on the counter, their wooden spoons neatly resting inside. The kitchen itself was spotless and orderly, with any unnecessary items having been removed.
“A chef’s kitchen,” he grinned, “and look at the chef. In a skirt and blouse and an apron. You don’t wear a skirt very often, it looks great.”
“You have to be organized if you’re going to prepare more than one dish at a time,” she declared, “and its much cooler to cook in a skirt than jeans or slacks.”
“I’ll bring in the bags, but first,” he said, moving towards her, “place your hands on the table and stick out your butt.”
“What? Why?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nope, not at all. I just need to warm your bottom a bit. Just a light spankin’ ‘cos I want to, and ‘cos I think it will keep you company while you’re doin’ all this.”
“Oh, Marty,” she beamed, “you’re right.”
An unexpected warm gush flooded her sex, and placing her hands on the table she arched her back.
“That’s my girl,” he said firmly.
Lifting her skirt to lay around her waist, he lowered her panties, and as his hand moved gently across her naked cheeks, she moaned her pleasure.
“Uh-huh,” he uttered, touching between her legs. “Already wet? Such a horny chef.”
“It’s what you do to me,” she sighed.
His response was to slap her backside, landing several swats in succession before pausing to caress.
“Feel good, kitten?” he purred, his lips at her ear.
“Oh, yes,” she murmured.
“A few more, gotta get a little sting goin’,” he commented, and placing his arm around her waist he increased the force and pace of his spanking hand.
Marty was a big guy, and Hannah relished his muscled arm holding her fast as his wide palm smacked her, and she wriggled in his grasp just to feel his strength. The hot sting began to set in, causing her to utter exclamations of pain, and when he stopped and rubbed, then checked her wetness, she felt completely powerless.
“I think that should see you right,” Marty declared, pulling up her panties.
Slowly rising she turned to face him, and buried her head against his chest.
“Thank you, that was heaven,” she sighed. “I just wish you could take me into the bedroom right now.”
“Screw the bedroom,” he growled, “I wanna take you right here at the table.”
“Oooh, why don’t you?” she begged gazing up at him.
“Cos I’ve gotta go,” he frowned. “Lunch time’s over, the Clinic will be startin’ back up any minute now, and I don’t need someone knockin’ on the door lookin’ for me when I’m in the middle of enjoyin’ you.”
“You mean, fucking me,” she whispered.
“Oh, girl, did you have to say that?” he groaned. “You know what it does to me when you talk like that.”
“Yes, I do,” she winked, placing her hand on his swollen crotch.
“You’re gonna get another spankin’ when I get home, teasin’ me like this,” he grinned.
“Promise?” she asked coyly.
“For sure, but I’m not sure you’ll be wantin’ what I’m gonna deliver.”
Grabbing her hair he yanked it back, and planting his lips on hers he kissed her with an urgent need, then releasing her just as quickly he stepped back.
“You’d best get to work and I’ll see you later. Cassie said to call if you need her, and Hannah, I’m real, real proud of you.”
Hannah felt her heart swell like a balloon on an air machine, and as he strode out the door she felt the heat of pending happy tears in her throat. Pushing them away she turned her attention to the many bags of g
roceries and began to put them away.
In an industrial park a few miles away, the man calling him Jason Lewis was parked in a nondescript late model car he’d just bought for cash from a seedy used car lot on the outskirts of town. He’d paid more money than the car was worth, but that had allegedly assured him of no questions, no hassles, no ID required.
Gazing through the binoculars at the row of yellow vans parked behind the wire fencing, he chuckled.
Idiots, and they call themselves a security company.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Cassie had just finished making a fresh pot of tea when the doorbell rang announcing the arrival of the sketch artist, but when she pulled out her phone and checked the camera just to be on the safe side, she saw the Sheriff was there as well. Mickey, of course, was already running to the door and she hurried to catch up.
“Hi, Sheriff,” she smiled. “Come on in. I love this camera thing. Being able to see who’s waiting is awesome.”
“Hi, Cassie, this is Marion,” the Sheriff said as he gestured the attractive, middle-aged woman to move ahead. “I decided to join you. This mornin’ I got a sketch from one of those other cases, and I want to compare it when you’re done.”
“Oh, can I see it?” she asked.
“I’d rather wait until you’ve finished,” he replied. “I don’t want you to be influenced.”
“You’re right, of course,” Cassie nodded as she led them through to the living room. “Would you like to be in here, or the kitchen, or does it matter?”
“A kitchen table is always good,” Marion answered.
“Then the kitchen table it is,” Cassie grinned. “I just made some tea, would you like some?”
“Tea sounds great,” the kindly woman nodded.
“I’m coffee’d out,” the Sheriff declared, “but thanks anyway.
As they settled at the table, Cassie began to describe the handsome stranger while the Sheriff began petting Mickey, but it was only a few minutes later that Chad arrived.
“I saw the car, but I didn’t expect to find you here, Sheriff. Everything going okay, Cassie?”
The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) Page 15