Taking a Chance

by April Zyon

  “Anyway, I was told that Miles was going to take over my position both professionally and personally. I lost my shit then.” She laughed. “I don’t know why honestly because, to be truthful, I was never really in love with him. I never really wanted a life with him. I guess I was coasting and looking for more while trying to hold onto what I thought was expected of me?” She looked back over the beautiful vistas of Texas and smiled. “So I told them both to fuck off, gave my final show, and left. I made the bastard pay me back for everything that I had put into the house that we shared. And it was one hell of a lot because I also then made him pay me half of the going value of the place, which was a cool six million thanks to the lux resorts that were going into place. So I walked away far better off than I could have. I walked away from what would have been a terrible mistake and came back to the only place that ever felt like home.”

  “Holy hell,” he muttered. He was staring at her with an expression of disbelief. “While I am eternally glad you did come back, I have to say, was he a fucking idiot? My God, he had you and decided to play on the same team? He definitely didn’t deserve you, Cass. I’m glad you took him to the cleaners and then some. What a moron.”

  Cassidy blushed and ducked her head. “Well, I’m glad that you think so.” She put her hand over his and gave it a squeeze. “Although, just between the two of us, I guess that things weren’t nearly as sunshine and roses as I believed. I wasn’t nearly as attracted to him as I should have been. I think that it was more of a friendship that became comfortable, and I guess we were both just idiots. Although, he was the bigger one since his team also had to buy me out of my contract to put his lover in place.” She snickered. “Now that was a conference call that was hilarious, him explaining how and why Miles would make a better caster than me.” She shrugged. “I’m happier in this moment than I was in the three years I was with him.”

  “I’m glad,” he said softly. Drawing her into his arms, Travis held her close without crushing her. “At least you figured it out, Cass, and got out of there. The fact you made him pay for it in such a spectacular way just proves how amazing you really are. Of course, the fact you’re now here with me makes me question those smarts of yours, sweetheart.” He smiled down at her, teasing her, as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

  Cassidy laughed and shook her head. “And why in the world would you question my smarts? I’m in a beautiful place with an incredibly handsome man that makes me feel all kinds of spectacular. If you ask me, I did some incredible thinking in coming back home.”

  “Glad you think so,” he said with a soft laugh. “Let’s keep moving before we gain any more attention from the nosey townsfolk of Massey. As it is, this will be back to my mother within the next five minutes. It will also be wildly out of proportion, so be ready for much wild speculation.”

  “All we are doing is just standing here talking.” Even though she wanted to step in closer to him, wanted to put her hand on his chest and have him lean in to kiss her again. Yep, she was a glutton for punishment, that much was for certain.

  “Yup, we are,” he said with a grin. Leaning back, he winked and got them moving again. “That won’t be the story by the time it reaches my mother. You need to remember one thing about small towns. The children’s game of telephone we all played, it’s nothing compared to the way old biddies twist up the facts to one-up one another.”

  Cassidy snorted in laughter and shook her head. “God, I had forgotten about that. I didn’t spend a great deal of time here, but I recall the grams playing that game. They would get one story and then the next breath, they were telling someone else a different story with a new spin. It was comical.”

  “It is, as long as you’re not the one on the receiving end of it. While someone will say we were seen talking, someone else will add in something more, and by the time Mama hears about it…” He let out a pained breath. “Don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly pregnant and I’m the no-good baby daddy refusing to marry you. People who think this shit doesn’t happen, they just don’t know small towns at all.”

  Cassidy laughed. “Oh God, that’s priceless.” She patted his chest and leaned into him, hugging him because she could. “Well, I think we would need more than a trip to the ice cream shop for me to get pregnant.”

  “You know that, hell, even I know that, but that’s how this horrible tale will end up. Bet on it. Well, maybe not that exact version, but it will be something completely impossible that sounds really great.”

  “Oh I’m sure.” It felt nice to have him close like he was and even better to have his arms wrapped around her. “Well, I say that if we are going to be pregnant and whatever, we should do something to at least give some joy to each other. Thoughts?”

  He stopped their slow stroll again to look down at her. “I like where you’re thinking is at. What would you happen to have in mind, Ms. Milner? Be careful what you say. I’m pretty much the state champion of accepting dares. I really have very little shame.”

  “Well, I am thinking that we should drive out of Massey, find a nice little restaurant to have dinner in, and then see where things go from there?” Good lord, she kept asking him out. It should be the other way around, but she couldn’t find herself able to freaking stop asking him out.

  “It’ll need to be a casual place. I’m not exactly dressed for fine dining. Though I accept your proposal for dinner. As to seeing where things go from there…” he said slowly. “I’m not sure what kind of guy you think I am, but a measly dinner is not going to get you in my pants, Ms. Milner. You’ll need to shell out for a really great dessert too, at the very least.”

  Cassidy blushed and shook her head. “God, the things you must think of me,” she whispered in horror as she realized just how she was coming off. Yeah, she wanted just what he was proposing, but damn, she never had to all but beg before in her life. “How about we just have dinner? Casual is good. The diner here in town has really great food. I had lunch there today.”

  Travis was frowning down at her. “Hey,” he said softly. Cupping her face gently, he leaned in to rest his forehead to hers. “I was just teasing, Cass. I think you are wonderful, amazing, and stunning. I think that you are way too good for the likes of me. Not that I’m ever going to complain about having the attention of a gorgeous woman, especially one with a brain too. The things I want to do with and to you, Cassidy Milner. Well, honestly, you should likely already be running for the county line.”

  Cassidy snorted. “If you haven’t noticed, I don’t scare away easily. Especially not when it’s something that I know could be spectacular. I’ve just never had to constantly throw myself at someone before, and it feels rather odd, to be perfectly honest with you.”

  Chuckling, Travis wrapped her in a tight hug. “Aww, is the cute girl getting all frustrated because the boy she likes is playing hard to get? I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was aiming for taking things slow and easy so I didn’t scare you off. I never meant for you to get peeved with me. I should also mention, for the record, I’m a guy. We don’t always notice the subtleties you women use. A two-by-four works well for getting our attention. That and naked female flesh. Just for future reference.”

  Cassidy laughed. “Well, I was all but offering you naked female flesh and you all but denied me.” She moved in and hugged him tightly as well. “And yes, the cute girl was getting all frustrated with the cute boy because he was ignoring her obvious hints. It’s okay, though. Slow is good. I can do slow.”

  “Referencing naked female flesh is not the same as having it dangled before your eyes,” he said softly. Shaking his head, he hugged her for another moment before letting her go. “Let’s go and get something to eat. We can talk some more and figure out just when I will get the chance to see all your lovely naked female flesh.”

  “That sounds good to me. Food and then talking. And with us being out in the middle of the path, I don’t think that us doing anything more than talking about it would go over well with the locals. Don’t
you think?”

  “True enough.” He nodded. Looking around, he suddenly grinned. “Can you imagine the stories that would be sweeping through town if we did more than talk about it, though?” Laughing, he took her hand in his and tugged her back up the street. “So, do we do dinner here, the next town over, or should I lay temptation at your doorway and take you back to the ranch to cook you a meal?”

  “Oh you are a devious male,” she teased. “I wouldn’t turn down any of them. How about you surprise me? Whatever we do, though, we do need to remember to get your brother his ice cream, and likely extra for the ladies or they will never let us live this down.”

  “True.” He seemed to be thinking it over as they walked along. “If we stay in town, we can get the ice cream and drop it off with everyone. If we leave town, we’ll have to swing back through to get it. If we go to the house then we either have to pick up the ice cream, drop it off to them, and hope to get away clean, or have our dinner and get it to everyone after the fact.”

  “Well, you are the one deciding here, bub. I am willing to follow you wherever you lead. Just remember that the longer my truck is at your ranch with no chaperones there, the more the ranch hands will wag their tongues to the ladies they want to gossip with, or impress, or whatever.”

  “Just think what they’ll say if it’s still there when my mama gets home,” he said with an evil grin. “I made my decision. Let’s get that ice cream and head out. It really has been much too long since I was last the hot topic of discussion around town. That is, of course, if you don’t mind being lumped in with me on this, Cass.”

  “Nope, I don’t mind at all. Remember, this girl is here and more than willing to play. Just don’t freak out if I cry to you when someone asks me when the baby is due because I’m gaining weight.” And she would. Now that she no longer had to worry about being in front of the camera, she could do that.

  “My shoulder is always there for you, sweetheart. Though,” he said. He shot her a look, one that burned from top to bottom. “I doubt you could look bad no matter what you did. If the biddies start poking at you, you just point them in my direction. I’ll ensure they know that just because you’re having triplets doesn’t mean they have to make fun of you.”

  Cassidy snorted she laughed so hard. She began to hiccup then, fanning her face as she did so. “Oh God, you are a keeper, Travis Carver. I don’t think that there is another soul on the planet that has made me laugh as much as you have, and that’s the honest to goodness truth. You make me feel good about life. Thank you for that.”

  “Happy to be of service, ma’am,” he said. “In absolutely any way your dirty little mind might conjure up, or even whatever my dirty little mind might come up with.” Winking, he led her back into The Factory for the ice cream he’d promised to take home. It didn’t take them long to get what was needed before they were in her truck and headed out to the Carver Ranch.

  Chapter Five

  When they arrived at the Carver Ranch, Cassidy looked over at Travis and grinned. “You sure about this, Trav? Because you know as well as I do that once we get out of this truck, the ranch hands are going to start to time how long I stay here. If it’s more than ten minutes, they will be calling their women, and it will get back to your momma, who may or may not come back to smack me over the head with a frying pan for molesting her baby boy.”

  “Wrong mother with the frying pan,” he said with a laugh. He got out and went around to her side. “Come on, it’ll be fine. If they rat us out, they rat us out. I’m fine with it, sweetheart. Not like I have a shiny reputation to protect anyway. Mine’s pretty rusted out, practically crumbling honestly, so I’m more worried about your reputation.”

  “Was engaged to a man who decided that he liked men better than women. What do you think that the people of this illustrious town are saying about me? Believe me, it’s not all sunshine and candy canes when they talk about That Milner Girl.”

  “Good point,” he said slowly. Grinning, he shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter. Let’s get inside and have dinner. The busy bodies will talk no matter what we do. At least we can enjoy a good meal while they get their jollies with their imaginings. Now, if I could talk you into staying the night…” Wiggling his eyebrows, he grabbed up the ice cream and led her into the Carver house.

  “Sounds good to me.” Cassidy was grinning as she followed him. “I don’t think that you would have to talk too much for me to stay.” With that, she took the ice cream from his fingers and said, “Point me to the kitchen?”

  He stuck out a hand, finger pointed, but just stared at her. A moment after she’d headed in the direction he’d indicated, she heard him following behind her. “Did you mean it?” he asked her, his voice serious.

  After putting the ice cream in the freezer, Cassidy closed it and leaned against the stainless steel appliance. “Yes. I meant every single word of it. I’m not one who believes in the hokum of love at first sight, not after the way I was burned in the past.” She held up a hand and smiled. “But there is something here.” She pointed from him to her. “Something between us, and I’ve never felt it before. It’s intense, it’s unusual, and I like the way that it makes me feel. I certainly hope you do as well?”

  He walked to her, lifting his hands and bracing them on the fridge at her back. Leaning in close, he got them nearly on the same eye level. “I feel it too, Cass. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt this for another woman, ever. I’m worrying that I might push you too fast. I know you’ll likely smack me if I did, but it’s still a worry. It is fast, it is amazingly powerful, and I definitely want to explore it more. I would like you to stay, Cass, but only if you’re comfortable doing so.”

  “I am.” She lifted her hands and cupped his cheeks. “I know what you are saying. That’s why I pulled back at the lookout. I was worried that I was asking for more than you could give. I kept asking you to make more dates with me and I have got to tell you, I’ve never done that before in my life.” She stepped in a bit closer so that she was totally in his personal space. “So if you want me to stay, and if you don’t think your mom will have a fit, I’m staying.”

  “She’ll likely have something to say, but she won’t have a fit. Mama doesn’t do fits so much as the silent eyeballing until you cave under the pressure.” He pressed closer, his breath warm on her cheek. “Stay with me tonight, Cass. We don’t have to do a damn thing, but I would really love to hold you in my arms as we sleep and wake with you still there in the morning.”

  “Then I’m staying.” She rubbed her cheek to his and lifted her hands to wrap them around his neck. “So how about you make us some dinner and then we can figure out what to do with the rest of our time together before being invaded by your family?”

  “Deal.” He nuzzled her cheek gently, one of his arms slipping around her waist to hold her close. “In a minute, I want to hold you for a bit longer,” he admitted softly. “I find I quite like holding onto you, Cassidy.”

  “That’s a very good thing, Travis, because I find that I quite like it as well.” Her arms were wrapped around his neck and she held him. This was the stuff dreams were surely made of.

  His arms squeezed her to him, one hand rubbing up and down her back. They stood like that for a while. Finally, he drew away, his hands sliding over her back and coming to rest on her hips. “We should eat,” he said quietly, his voice a low rumble to her senses. “So, chicken or steak?” he asked with a crooked little smile.

  “Steak. I haven’t had a really good one in a while and since I’m back in Texas, I should get a really good one. Right?” Cassidy watched him as he watched her. His hands on her hips felt incredibly right. “I am going off the assumption that you do have really good homegrown steaks here, right?”

  “Damn straight we do,” he said. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “All right, let’s get this show on the road. I’m going to start the grill if you want to dig in the fridge and see what else you’d like to have. There’s usually
a salad or two kicking around. There might even be some potatoes we can cook or grill up. I’ll let you pick the sides.” He stepped away from her then, his hands sliding away and hers slipping off of him.

  “I think that if you have raw veggies, I can make us up a quick and easy stir fry and maybe some rice as well? Steak, stir-fry, and rice?” It sounded wonderful to her, and she could already picture the colors of the food in her mind. Colorful food was important.

  “Whatever you want, Cass.” Winking, he headed for the back door. “I’ll be back in a minute to see what you’ve come up with. Do me a favor, though, no teriyaki sauce in it. Don’t know why, but it always sets off a migraine for me.”

  “Don’t worry, I don’t like teriyaki sauce. What about soy sauce? You okay with that?”

  “Soy sauce is fine, so’s Worcester sauce,” he said, hand on the doorknob. “Do whatever you’d normally do, sweetheart. I’m sure it will be marvelous.” He slipped out the door, and she watched him cross the deck toward the large, serious-looking grill.

  “Sounds good. Soy it is.” She used soy sauce anyway, so it was better for her. She watched him as he walked out of the house. “Mercy.” She fanned herself for a moment and then got to looking for the things she needed for the stir fry.

  Travis came back into the kitchen a few minutes later. He stopped next to her to peer over her shoulder at what vegetables she was preparing. “If you’re doing rice, you will need to tell me your timing on it. Also, how do you like your steaks? And if you say well done, we’ll need to run you out of Texas.”