by Becky McGraw
Cassie didn't tell Luke because she didn't want to scare him, but she was almost positive the man she'd seen had been James. The distinctive striped polo he'd had on was one she'd bought for him last year for his birthday. She'd tell Cole in the morning, and swear him to secrecy. She wasn't letting anything, a fainting spell, or James Barton, ruin her wedding.
Sabrina came back in the room a few minutes later, her arms full of tulle with two boxes propped on top. Cassie smiled then got up to take them from her. She hung them in the closet and smoothed her hand over the dress. "Thanks a lot for bringing this in."
"You're welcome..." Sabrina said thoughtfully distracted before she asked, "Cassie, what made you so sure that man was James today? Other than his flat butt that is," she chuckled.
Cassie poked her head out of the closet and looked around to make sure Luke wasn't there. "Close the door," she said then walked out of the closet to make her way to the bed where she sat down. "The shirt the man had on was the same one I gave James last year for his birthday."
"Well, that could be a coincidence. There are lots of shirts out there like that one, I'd imagine."
Cassie shook her head, then told her, "Not that one. It was pretty distinctive," Cassie ducked her head then admitted, "James always acted like a peacock about his clothes. He thought he was stylish, so when I saw the bright gaudy colors in the stripes, I had to get it for him as an inside joke. Funny thing is he loved it. I laughed every time he wore it."
"We have Diana's place staked out...assumed that's where he'd go, but so far he hasn't been there. I wonder how he got his hands on his clothes?"
"Is she out of jail?" Cassie asked curiously.
"She was never charged, she turned on him...spilled her guts and agreed to testify."
"She's a sneaky one, Bri...had me totally fooled. I'll bet he was staying with her after I kicked him out...and I bet his clothes were at her apartment."
"Well, he hasn't been there."
"She probably met him somewhere, or left them for him somewhere."
"That's possible, I guess...think we need to tell Luke?"
"No!" Cassie shouted, "We can't tell him! He'll be nervous as a frog in a fruit jar tomorrow anyway and he'll make me that way too. I'm going to talk to Cole in the morning and tell him, so he can let the security guys know."
Sabrina groaned, then came to sit on the bed beside her. "Okay...I just wish it was someone else in charge of protecting you. He just really got under my skin today."
"I'm sure he's feeling like crap about it now..." Cassie ventured then added, "He'll probably apologize tomorrow."
"Doesn't matter...he let me know exactly what he thinks of me--of women--by how he acted today. I can't be friends with him if he feels that way about women. Apologies can't undo some things."
"You're right about the apologies," Cassie agreed, but she wanted to help Cole smooth her feathers too. "But sometimes they do...just see what he says. If his apology doesn't make you feel better, kick his ass to the curb."
"I like your plain talking, Cassie. It's refreshing," she laughed and then leaned over to hug her. "I'm glad we're friends."
"Me too...I don't have many girlfriends left," Cassie told her honestly.
"Me either...I'm kind of a loner these days too, I guess."
"What about your family?"
"My dad died a year ago, actually not long after Kenny, and my mother left when I was really small. I don't even remember her."
Sympathy filled Cassie for all Sabrina had been through in recent years. "No brothers or sisters?"
"One older brother, Gabe...he lives in Mesa. He's a private investigator. I don't see him often."
"Your daddy was a farmer right? How'd you get into law enforcement?"
"My brother...he was military, then he was a Phoenix cop for several years...I was young and idolized him."
"Sounds like you were close...why don't you see him often now?" Cassie knew the value of family, but she also knew how life could intrude on those close relationships. Look at how her previously close relationship with her father had come down to twice yearly visits when she lived in Phoenix.
Sabrina didn't immediately answer her question, instead she twisted her hands in her lap and Cassie saw her lip trembling. She put her hand on Bri's shoulder and told her softly, "I'm sorry...we don't have to talk about it."
Sabrina nodded then said quietly, "Maybe we'll save that one for that bottle of wine too."
"Okay, so how'd you like your dress?" Cassie said brightening her tone and changing the subject to something to lighten the mood.
"Loved it. You did a good job picking it out."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Luke paced out on the porch, watching the sun set in the distance in a bright orange ball, the same ball of heat he felt curling in his gut. The path he paced was well-worn by now as he tried to rein in the fear and anger that were warring inside of him.
He could have lost Cassie and the baby today, and it made his heart twist around in his chest like someone was wringing it out with the laundry. Swallowing down the knot that formed in his throat, he continued to pace.
Luke need some stress relief...a distraction, that's what he needed. Something to take his mind off of James Barton and his threat to Cassie. Luke was on the point of obsession with it. He wanted to load Cassie up in his truck and drive until the road ended to make sure she was safe and never had to worry about that asshole again.
Walking back inside the house, he grabbed up the phone and dialed Cole. "Hey, buddy..." Cole grunted into the phone letting Luke know he was in the same mood as Luke was. "Wanna go get a beer?" Luke asked hopefully.
Cole's response was another grunt, then he said, "Not in the mood."
"You do know as my best friend and best man you're obligated to get me drunk tonight right?"
Cole snorted and said, "Cassie would kill me...."
Luke chuckled then said, "Nah, in the mood I was in earlier, she'd understand...probably welcome it."
Cole hesitated for a second then he finally said, "Aren't you worried Barton might try to make a move on Cassie?"
"Of course, I am...but if I stay here to protect her, I'm just going to piss her off again..." Luke said then suggested, "I thought maybe you could get a couple of your guys to come sit on the porch with shotguns, while we're gone. The hands are still here setting up chairs for the wedding, and finishing up the gazebo, so I'll get them to stand watch too."
Cole grunted again. "Sounds like you have it all planned out, Slick..."
"I do my best, now get your ass over here, and call your guys," Luke told him authoritatively, but in a playful tone.
"Yes sir, Sheriff," Cole returned snidely.
"Looks like you need an attitude adjustment too, son."
"I need a lot more than that, but I guess I'll have to settle for the beer. I'll be there in a few," Cole told him, his voice lacking enthusiasm.
Luke hung up the phone, and wondered what had gone on between his friend and Sabrina today to put him in such a morose mood. It sounded like it must've been pretty bad, judging from his sour attitude. Luke knew that mood, he was suffering from it himself.
He hung up the phone and then went upstairs to find Cassie. She and Sabrina were sitting on the bed talking like two teenagers having a slumber party. Their eyes sparkled happily as they lounged on the bed telling stories. Seeing Cassie in a better mood did his heart good. At least she wasn't upset anymore. Her fainting spell had been all his fault, and he had been beating the hell out of himself, since he'd gone off on her.
How pompous and arrogant he'd sounded, even to himself, when he replayed what exactly he'd said to her. He should have known better than to take that tack with his stubborn cowgirl. But he'd gone and stepped off in it, and almost made her mad enough to cancel the wedding. Luke swallowed hard, and his mouth dried up. He needed that beer, and he needed it soon.
"Hey, darlin'. Cole and I are going grab a beer or two. Guess that's as close to a b
achelor party as I'm gonna have."
"Oh? How long are ya'll gonna be out?" she asked with a little fear in her eyes. Luke saw Sabrina's eyes narrow and her lips pinch.
"We're getting a couple of deputies to sit out on the porch until we get back. And the hands are still here working on your gazebo."
"Oh, good," she huffed a relieved sigh then smiled and said, "Ya'll have a good time, sugar...but not too good," she chuckled and raised her eyebrow to give him a warning stare.
"You don't have to worry bout that, cupcake. Wild horses couldn't keep me from marrying you tomorrow." He walked over to her and tried to give her a quick kiss goodbye, but she wasn't having it and grabbed the side of his face to keep him there then kissed him like she wouldn't see him for days, weeks.
When she finally released him and he stood up, she said saucily, "Well, if you see Candy, tell her I said howdy," and then she flipped him the bird.
He hooted and slapped his thigh, "I'll be sure to do that, darlin'."
Luke was sitting out on the porch when Cole pulled up in his SUV followed closely by a couple of police cruisers. He smiled and stood to walk down the porch steps, standing at the bottom with his hands on his hips.
Cole got out of the SUV and slammed the door. His face was a thundercloud and Luke smiled trying to get him to lighten up, but his lack of response, told Luke that wasn't going to happen before a couple of beers.
He walked up on the porch then told Luke sullenly, "Let's get this over with."
The deputies walked up behind him and after Luke talked to them, and they assured him they'd keep a good eye on the ladies. Luke put his arm around Cole's shoulder and walked him back to the truck, then slid into the passenger side.
Cole lifted an eyebrow at him then said, "So, looks like you're going to be the only one drinking tonight, huh?"
"Nope, we'll park your vehicle at the station and walk to the bar. If we celebrate too much, we'll call someone to come get us. We're going to throw a good one tonight, friend."
"I need it," Cole told him then slid behind the wheel and twisted the key forcefully.
Being a Friday night, their old watering hole, the same one they'd been in when Luke met Candy, and basically the only one in town worth anything, was filled with a rowdy crowd whooping and hollering, dancing, drinking and having a high old time. It was a scene that Luke had enjoyed before Cassie had reappeared in his life, but not anymore. The bar was smoky and crowded and Luke just wanted to find a little relief in a few beers then go back home to her.
He smiled at the irony of how much his life had changed in the last month, because of the reappearance of the last woman he'd wanted to see again. With a pat on Cole's back and a firm hand on his shoulder he pushed him toward the bar.
Luke leaned around Cole and told the bartender, "Two tall boys."
"How the hell do you know that's what I want?" Cole grumped and pinned him with angry eyes.
"It's what you're having. No glasses tonight, we're celebrating...no tears in your beer," Luke told him then smiled at a pretty blonde at the end of the bar who was eyeing him and Cole.
"Looks like that cute blonde at the end of the counter, wants a piece of us."
"You've already got all the pieces you can handle, Slick," Cole said gloomily.
"But you on the other hand..." Luke raised his hand and invited her to come down and sit with them.
The green-eyed blonde in the tight white tank top, which showed off her more than ample assets, winked and slid off the stool then grabbed her drink off the bar and pushed her way through the crowd toward them. When she got there, she slid her arm through Luke's and pressed her breasts against his arm. He looked down at her and what would have sent him into overdrive a month ago, did nothing to rev his engine now.
"Hello, darlin'," he drawled and took in the scenery anyway. It was what he was supposed to do, this was his last night as a single man. Luke took a long slow drink from his beer then sighed and licked his lips. He saw the woman following his movements, then decided he needed to pawn her off on Cole quickly before he got into trouble out of habit. Cole was the one who really needed her attention.
"My friend here had a really bad day, and he could use some cheering up. You think you could do that, sugar?"
The pretty blonde looked up at him, then over at Cole whose stiff back was to them, while he nursed his beer. He hadn't even turned around when the bombshell had walked up to say hello.
"I don't know...he doesn't look like he's in a friendly mood."
Luke elbowed Cole in the back and he grunted. "Turn around here Cole and meet the pretty lady, who's gonna put a smile back on that ugly mug of yours."
Cole took another deep draw on his beer then turned around to face them with a sigh. "Hello pretty lady..." he said in a gruff tone, then he softened it with a twist of his lips. Luke watched as his friend's eyes wandered over her t-shirt that announced to the world that she was a 'country girl' then moved back up to her interested green eyes. "Why you're right, Luke, she's as pretty as a ray of sunshine..."
He set his beer on the bar and then stood and grabbed her hand, "Let's dance, sugar," he said then pulled her into the crowd toward the dance floor without waiting for an answer. Yeah, maybe she could put his normally affable friend back in a better frame of mind. At least Luke hoped so anyway. Luke sat back down at the bar and finished his beer, then ordered another.
Cole didn't come back for a long while, but Luke had seen him on the floor spinning the blonde around the floor, seeming to be having a good time. When they finally walked back to the bar, breathing heavily, Luke smiled and Cole returned it this time. A good sign, he thought. The woman was glued to his side with her arm around his back. Another good sign.
"What'll you have, darlin'?" Cole looked down at her with a smile.
"Bud, please."
"A woman after my own heart," he said then ordered two and leaned on his elbow on the bar, with his arm still around the woman whose name Luke still didn't know.
"You're a miracle worker, sugar. You put a smile on his face," Luke tapped his bottle with hers the one that Cole had just handed her.
She lifted her head and took a long drink of her beer, then said, "Wasn't too hard, he's a great dancer," she told Luke then looked up at Cole and winked at him, "Was pretty hard by the time we finished though."
Luke sputtered and almost spewed his beer across the room, then hooted, "Darlin' not much shocks me, but you just managed to do that."
"Glad to oblige," she told him with a saucy grin. She squeezed Cole's waist and then turned to give him a hug. Cole growled then set his beer down and pulled her to him and bent down to put his lips over hers.
Luke didn't want to see him making out with her, so he turned back around to the bar and motioned the bartender for another longneck. The tension that had him wound tighter than Dick's hatband earlier, had eased a little more with each beer he drank...and he was on number four, so he was pretty near loose now.
In the mirror behind the bar, Luke's eyes snagged on a nice looking brunette who'd just walked in the door. His eyes skimmed over her curvy toned body in the tight jeans she wore with a low cut red western shirt with rhinestones on the chest that spelled out 'cowgirl'.
Luke had seen that shirt before...Cassie had one just like it. And she had a black Stetson with a rhinestone band just like the one the woman wore too. He noticed the woman had her long dark hair curled and tucked behind her ears to show off her dangly feather earrings.