“Here it is.”
She shook her head. “What am I looking at?”
“Sweet Susie’s.”
“I don’t understand?”
“It’s perfect. A good location for you to start up your shop. I came across it as I was looking for commercial property for my own offices. The Realtor said it’s been empty a while, so you might be able to get a good deal on it.”
“Oh...I...” Her dreams took flight and she imagined herself working here, alongside a few trusted employees. Efficient ovens and baking equipment to handle large orders would fill the back workroom. She envisioned the café-style tables lined up against the wall facing the bakery case. The walls would be lavender and white and she’d have daily specials posted on a black chalkboard for walk-in customers. For a moment and just a moment, she saw it all and it was everything she’d ever wanted.
By the glint in his eyes, Casey seemed to see it too. Why was her vision so clear to him? Didn’t he know how painful it was to envision her dreams and not be able to act on them? “Casey, I appreciate the thought, but I can’t do this.”
“Why not?”
She began shaking her head. “I’m not ready for this.”
“You’re one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. You can do this.”
“No, I can’t. I can’t afford to open up a shop until all my ducks are in a row.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I practically have to prove that I don’t need the money for startup costs, in order to get a small business loan. I’ve been denied on three separate occasions. Apparently, I’m not a good risk.”
“I can speak with my banker and see if he’ll cut you some slack.”
“No, Casey. I can’t let you do that. I appreciate it, though. I really do, but I’m saving up my pennies and it may take a while, but one day, I’ll have my shop.”
Casey stared at her for a moment, opened his mouth to say something and then clamped it shut. He nodded without another word. She lifted her lips in a small smile and slipped her hand from his as they walked back to the car in silence.
* * *
Casey rested his head on the back of the recliner, stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he spoke into his cell phone. “Audrey, I’m not cut out for this.”
“Not cut out for what? Shh, shh, now, Ava.”
In the background his niece’s tiny voice carried to his ears as she made sweet baby noises.
“What I’m trying to do for Susie. She’s not buying it, little sis.”
“Maybe you’re not selling it good enough.”
“I never claimed to be a salesman.”
“Casey, you could charm your way into a convent if you wanted to.”
Maybe the old Casey could have, when he’d been cocksure and full of himself. But Casey had taken a hard hit that matured him and made him view life differently after his injury. He no longer played games with women to get what he wanted, even if the cause was just. If Audrey could’ve seen the momentary spark in Susie’s eyes when she gazed into that shop window and envisioned it as her dream place, his sister would realize he’d done more harm than good today. Tempting Susie with what she wanted most, then seeing the spark in her eyes die when she realized she couldn’t afford her dream had been hell on both of them. The jab of regret that followed him home had made him pick up the phone and dial his sister’s number.
“Shh, sweet baby,” Audrey whispered to Ava. “I’m rocking her, but she’s fighting me.”
“Yeah, well. That’s exactly what I’m doing with Susanna.”
“You’re rocking her?”
It was the other way around. Casey was drawn to Susanna and seeing her disappointment this afternoon almost sent him over the edge. He’d wanted to cradle her in his arms and tell her he’d give her anything she needed. That emotion scared the hell out of him and he’d kept his mouth shut for fear of saying something he’d later regret.
“Hell, Audrey, you know what I mean. She’s fighting me. I’m imposing myself on her. I don’t think she appreciates the intrusion.”
“Nonsense. She’s always liked you. I know she’s glad you’re there.”
That was doubtful. Judging from conversations he’d had with Audrey, she didn’t have a clue about the secret he and Susanna shared. Audrey would’ve brought it up to him, chewing him out in the process, and she surely wouldn’t have sent him on this mission, if she’d known the truth. He sure as hell hadn’t told a soul either. That’s what made this whole thing so touchy. Now that he was here, he’d see it through for Susie and Ally’s sake, but he wanted his sister to know how difficult it was. Wouldn’t hurt if she suffered along with him. “She’s not making it easy.”
“I never said it would be easy. Susie is headstrong and prideful. The girl’s been saving her pennies, but children cost money and so does running your own business. She’s doing both and she’s barely making ends meet. She gave up college for her folks, and now she’s afraid to take a risk, because she’s raising Ally.”
“How do you know that?”
“We had a midnight conversation shortly after Ally came to live with her. It was a rare occasion where she let down her guard and told me some specifics. She confided in me, so don’t you mention a word about this, but she’s barely holding on financially. And she’s running scared.”
“She told you that?”
“She was drinking wine to my apple cider and it helped loosen her tongue.”
An image of Susie’s luscious tongue sweeping over his lips last night jumped into his head.
Crap.
He wasn’t letting Audrey off the hook so easily. “You should come down and help me out. Ally’s birthday is coming up.”
Ava’s cries rang out. Right on cue. “I’d be there in a heartbeat if I could.” Audrey’s voice rose above the crying. “But Ava is teething something terrible. And the Slades are hosting a benefit dinner at the ranch this weekend. I can’t get away. Why don’t you bring Susie and Ally up here one weekend?”
The thought had entered his mind. He could drop them off and get Susie’s sweet face and body out of his head for a few days. “She’s working six days a week. It’s hard for her.”
Ava’s crying ebbed to soft little sobs. “Hang on, Casey. I think she’s hungry. Let me just get my blouse—”
He gestured with a wave of his hand. “TMI, Audrey.”
She laughed into the phone. Sometimes he thought his sister enjoyed making him cringe. The baby stopped crying. “Okay, baby is happy now.”
Now, a softer image came into his head, of his little sister nestling her baby in her arms and nourishing her. “Give her a kiss for me. And tell her Uncle Casey loves her.”
“Ah, that’s sweet. I will. Now, back to Susie...you’ve done a good thing, Casey. You got her some additional work. You’ve introduced the idea of her getting her own shop. That’s a start. I hear Charger is making Ally happy as a clam.”
“Good call, Sis.”
“What do you mean?” she whispered. The baby must be falling asleep.
“Audrey,” he grumbled.
“Oh, okay...I won’t pretend I didn’t know what I was doing. But an adorable puppy gets your foot in the door.”
“I hope I can keep it inside the door and not jam it straight into my mouth.”
She smothered a chuckle. “I have faith in you. How’s work going?”
“Right on schedule. I found two locations that may work out for our Reno offices. Now, it’s a matter of choosing one and setting the wheels in motion. The restaurant will be opening soon. I’ll be going to the soft grand opening. After that, I hope to be heading home.”
“Okay. Well, I have to say thanks for all you’re trying to do for Susie. You know, you won’t r
egret helping her. And brother, I know this isn’t easy for you, but I trust you have a few aces up your sleeve.”
“At least one more,” he said. “And this time I don’t see how Susie can refuse.”
“Tell me.”
“No. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Casey!”
“Bye, Sis.” He grinned and pushed the End button on his cell.
* * *
“Max, don’t touch the cupcakes. sweet boy. It’s not time for them yet.” Maxwell Caruso’s mother gently led him away from the dining room table before he destroyed the cupcakes that spelled out the letter A for Ally. Max was six and lived around the corner with his mom, Jackie, and his dad, Ryan.
“We’ll have them in just a little while,” Susie said. “Come say hello to Ally. Everyone is in the backyard.”
“Sounds like fun,” Jackie said. “Come on, honey.”
“Some of the boys are tossing a football,” Susie said, leading them out of the dining area. “Max, I bet you’d like to join them.”
They followed her outside onto the patio. Helium balloons tied to the patio cover bumped in the breeze and a homemade banner that Susie had stayed up late to finish stretched across a wide beam helping to hide the splintered wood. Susie had meant to paint it, but that just hadn’t happened.
Ally ran up to Max. “Hi,” she said, smiling. “I’m a princess.”
Susie was happy with what she’d done with the pink ruffle dress she’d found on clearance, a play tiara and two yards of tulle lace. Ally looked beautiful and the little princess stole her heart all over again.
Max squirmed around and stared at his tennis shoes. “Hi.”
“It’s Ally’s birthday, Max. What do you say?” his mother prodded.
Still fascinated with his shoes, he said, “Happy birthday.” Then his gaze lifted to the grassy area where Casey was throwing a soft spiral to Darryl Robards. Casey looked in his element, his mouth spreading in a megawatt smile as he instructed Darryl and another small boy on how to throw. He was obviously glad to find something to do that didn’t involve face painting or pink lace.
Susie had resigned herself to the fact that Casey thought of her and Ally as friends. Why else would he come to the party?
“Is that Casey Thomas?” Jackie asked. “Oh, wow, the rodeo champion has come home.” Jackie’s eyes followed Casey’s movements. “He looks...” she gazed down at Max and bit her lip, her eyes glazing over. “Healthy. The years haven’t hurt him, have they?”
Susanna couldn’t argue with that. There was no denying that blond-haired Casey, in crisp blue jeans, a black polo shirt defining his perfect form and well-muscled arms, had aged well, despite his injury. Still, every so often she’d catch him wince in pain, or rub his back. “He’s here temporarily, staying at the house while on business.”
Max ran over to the boys in the yard and little Darlene Robards grabbed Ally’s hand. The two girls skipped over to the Pin the Glass Slipper on Cinderella poster taped to the wall.
“I heard he did really well for himself. He’s some hotshot CEO now?”
“Something like that.”
“He’s not engaged or married?”
“No...I mean from what Audrey tells me.”
Jackie’s lips curled up and her eyes drilled into hers. “So?”
Susie caught on and began shaking her head. “Oh, no...no. We’re only neighbors,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded quickly. “Very.”
Jackie’s smile thinned. “Well, darn. I’m usually a pretty good matchmaker.”
“Trust me on this,” Susie said, her nerves jangling. She didn’t want any of the neighbors getting ideas or making assumptions. It was hard enough to deal with her own emotions regarding Casey, without having her friends intervene. “It’s the last thing I need.” She sighed and glanced at her watch. “I think it’s time to play some games.”
* * *
An hour later, Susie gathered everyone around the dining room table to sing “Happy Birthday to You” to Ally, and after she blew out her Cinderella candle marked with the numeral three, the kids lined up for cupcakes and punch. Ally was the first in line.
Susanna was aware of Casey hanging in the back of the room, leaning against the wall, ankles crossed. She made the mistake of looking into his eyes. He arched a brow and his mouth cocked up. The hand she had on Ally’s special cupcake trembled, the cupcake tipped and she fumbled with it. She caught it just in time. Images of the cupcake sitting upside down in a pool of chocolate frosting flashed in her head. Darn him. He’d told her he had something special for Ally and he’d bring it by after the party. Now, her curiosity was killing her. “Here you go, Princess Ally. You get the first one.”
“The one I baked all by myself?”
“Yes, sweetheart. It’s the one you made. Look, see the pretty princess ring right on top?”
Ally’s eyes sparkled as Susanna handed over the cupcake. The joy on her daughter’s face filled her heart.
Daughter.
It was the first time Susanna had actually thought of her that way. Sweet sensations whirled in her belly. They were becoming a family. She’d never expected this deep love to consume her, but now that she had Ally, she wouldn’t trade her life with anyone. It was her and Ally against the world.
Susanna doled out the cupcakes one at a time to the children first, and then served the adults. She was glad to see a handful of clients she’d invited had come to the party, along with neighbors her family had been close to through the years. She wanted everyone to get to know Ally. It was important that she fit in and have friends.
After everyone was served cupcakes, her guests dispersed and Susanna was about to join them outside when Darryl Robards popped his head up by the table again. “Can I have another? One with silver swords this time?”
The prince swords and princess rings made of fondant were totally edible, but packed with enough sugar to fuel an army of little boys and girls. “I suppose you can have another if your mother says it’s okay.”
Susie lifted her head, searching for some sign of Lana, and found her instantly. She was sitting on the living room sofa next to Casey, the two looking very cozy. Lana flipped her long mane of dark hair over her shoulder as she focused on what Casey was saying. As if he was the most important man in the world. Susie’s stomach pinged. She fisted her hand to keep it from reflectively going there. Sharp irrational emotions tunneled through her system, watching the two of them thoroughly engaged in conversation. Lana was a natural with men. She had all the right words and knew how to capture a man’s attention.
“Here, hon,” Mindy said, nudging Susanna. “You forgot to serve the punch. Let me help you.” She picked up a ladle and filled a few cups.
“Oh, uh. Thanks.”
“Darryl, why don’t you go ask your mother if you can have another cupcake,” Mindy said.
“Okay!”
Mindy leaned in to whisper, “That should break up their little huddle.”
“It’s none of my business,” Susie mumbled.
“Sure thing, sweetie. And I’ve just swallowed a soccer ball.”
A quick glance at her friend’s belly had her smiling. “Does the soccer ball have a name?”
“Don’t change the subject,” she hissed. “You’re green.”
Susie shook her head and but it was no use trying to deny what she was feeling. She hated thinking of Lana hooking up with Casey. That pill would be hard to swallow. “I can’t do anything about it.”
“Says who?” Mindy ladled punch into two more cups and set them onto a plastic fairytale princess tray.
“Says me.” Susanna had no options when it came to Casey. Though she’d secretly loved and despised him, depending on the day you asked her, she kne
w that road only led to destruction. “I have Ally now. She’s my main focus.”
“As it should be, but you deserve a little fun, too, you know. You give and give.”
Susie sighed. “It’s a fatal flaw.”
“So why not take a little? No one deserves it more than you.”
“I’ll think about it, Mindy.” The trouble was, she had been thinking about Casey. Too much. Some days she didn’t mind getting out of bed at an ungodly hour in anticipation of seeing Casey Thomas jog by her house. She’d peek out her kitchen window hoping to catch a glimpse of all six feet two inches of him, working up a sweat.
Susie lifted the tray of filled punch cups and headed outside. Walking onto the patio, she announced, “Punch time, kids.” She hoped Lana got the hint. The party was outside...with the children.
* * *
Ally barreled into Casey’s legs at the foot of his garage and her unexpected outburst of affection had him bending on one knee to accept her tight hugs. “Does this mean you like your present?”
Ally’s head immediately bobbed up and down. The tulle train attached to her tiara loosened and fell to the ground. Ally didn’t notice. Giggling and pointing, she focused on the gift she’d just been given. “Lookee, Auntie. Lookee!”
“I see it, Muffin.” Susie stared at a glossy stainless steel double-wide oven wrapped in a giant bubblegum-pink bow. Her heart began racing. The digital, three-way oven had every feature known to man, or at least to the baking world. Lost in the moment, Susie pictured herself standing over the oven with Ally by her side as they worked together. But then reality seeped in. She couldn’t allow this. She sent Casey a firm look. “It’s...it’s very generous of Casey.”
He kept his focus on Ally. Was he deliberately refusing her eye contact?
Heck yeah, he was.
Redeeming the CEO Cowboy Page 10