A Family Affair: Summer: Truth in Lies, Book 3

by Mary Campisi

  So, what the hell, Cash confessed, and when he darted around the O’Reilly’s issue, just in case Christine hadn’t divulged that bit of information, Nate scowled and said he’d heard all about it and it better damn well never happen again. Then he’d slapped Cash on the back, shook his hand, and asked him what he thought of helping him out with his furniture business. That had come as a surprise, but the logic was there if you looked close enough. Nate loved to build but hated the sanding, varnishing, resanding part. As in H-A-T-E-D it. He didn’t have the eye or the interest needed to complete the task, though he’d been forging through piece after piece, cursing the whole way through it. Cash had the eye and the talent. Hadn’t he done refinishing work on cars back in the day? He’d sanded, painted, resanded, pinstriped, and basically created a shiny newer version of an old clunker. Nate told him if he could do that with paint and an air gun, then he could do it with stain and varnish.

  Nate must have seen the interest on his face, because he skipped past the “Do you want to do this?” to “Will you be around to do this?” That was a roundabout inquiry into Cash’s plans to stay in Magdalena. A month ago, he wouldn’t have even considered it, but these past days and nights with Tess had made him believe they had a future together. A second chance, right here in Magdalena. He’d help Nate out, but he had bigger plans and that included Tess, both on a personal and business level.

  Cash wasn’t letting her get away again. They belonged together and tonight he’d tell her what he’d been hiding from her and himself for too long—he loved her. He’d always loved her, and that wasn’t going to change. Maybe he was rushing things, but he’d been waiting eight years for this. Why wait a second longer to start their life together? Nate and Will wouldn’t be surprised to see Tess with a diamond on her finger—not the one he’d bought her years ago, though he wanted to give that one to her as well, a symbol of a love that wouldn’t die. The new ring would be bigger, bolder, with clarity, color, and whatever the hell else a person looked for when they bought a diamond. Christine could help him with that. She seemed like she’d know that kind of thing, even if her wedding ring was a simple one.

  He’d ask Ramona if she still had the old engagement ring Tess had returned—okay, she’d thrown it at him, but he preferred to bury that memory. Maybe his aunt had pawned it. Or maybe she’d held onto it so she could look at it now and again and remember just how much she disliked Tess and Olivia Carrick. That would have to change, and soon.

  Once he and Tess were engaged, he’d talk to her about becoming his partner on the venture he planned to start, the one he’d shared with Will yesterday that had made him lift his ball cap and scratch his head. Cash wanted to build a camp for troubled boys, right here on Will’s land. The kids could come here in the summer and on vacations, learn things like basic woodworking, carpentry, plumbing, and equipment maintenance. There would be land work too: tilling, planting, and tending a garden.

  There were a lot of life lessons to be gained from working together and the kids would benefit from the side-by-side respect they’d have to show each other as they performed teamwork. Knowing somebody cared about them enough to spend time teaching them a skill would make a difference. Cash was certain of it, because it had worked for him. Tess could teach them how to manage and sell the produce they grew or maybe even how to do public speaking. Whatever, didn’t matter, she’d be great at it. Will and, hell, maybe even Nate, could give the older boys lessons on how to work the equipment. Cash knew what it was like to feel as though you didn’t fit in anywhere. That’s what had landed him in the back seat of Will’s cruiser with a stiff warning. He’d teach these kids basic car mechanics and maybe Nate would give a cooking class 101. Hah, that would be interesting, but if anybody could pull it off, Nate could.

  JJ hadn’t been strong enough to get out of the self-destruction mode and it had killed him. The boy who had shot Cash in Philly was seventeen years old, a kid with a rap sheet since he was thirteen. Cash didn’t much believe in divine intervention but if these troubled kids kept getting thrown in his path and had become the cause of life-changing events, maybe it was time to redirect as many kids as he could. Maybe that would save a life, maybe it would save a dream, too.

  Cash and Tess could start over and they could help these kids start over, too. Will wasn’t letting up on him about Philly and the “rest of the story,” as he called it. The man was too damn smart and had been in law enforcement too damn long to believe Cash’s story about taking time off and exploring other opportunities outside of being a policeman. Will Carrick wanted the details of what led Cash to make that decision, and apparently getting a bullet in the chest and shoulder wasn’t reason enough. He was right, of course, but the man usually was about things like character and motive. Okay, he’d tell him the whole story, not the watered-down crap he’d been throwing at him.

  Before he had time to consider how he was going to tell Will the truth, the screen door clanged open and Nate called from the kitchen, “Got that beer ready?”

  “Yup.”

  Nate made his way into the living room, snatched his beer, and eased into a chair. “I’m going to have to install a few more fans in the barn before summer kicks in.” He took a long pull on his beer and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Too damn close out there.”

  Summers in Magdalena were hot and sticky and people found relief with fans, dips in the lake outside town, and lots of water—or other beverages. “I could help you.”

  Nate’s gaze narrowed a fraction. “You’re serious about staying here, aren’t you?”

  Cash hedged. “If the pieces all fit, then yeah, I’m dead serious.”

  “Hmm.” Nate studied his beer a second, then slid a glance at Cash and smiled. “I’m guessing the big piece is Tess. Will she stay? Will she marry your sorry ass, give you a kid or two and a casserole every Tuesday?”

  “Go to hell.” Cash grinned. “I hadn’t thought about the casserole part. Which one would you recommend?”

  Nate shrugged. “Couldn’t say. My wife’s not much of a cook.”

  “I’m guessing she makes up for it in other areas.”

  The smile faded. Nate Desantro did not like anyone insinuating anything sexual about his wife, even if the insinuation wasn’t meant to be sexual. “She does.”

  “Good.” He drifted back on safe ground before his buddy flattened him with a scowl. “Tess was a decent cook, but I have no idea if she can even boil an egg anymore.”

  “Won’t matter.”

  The man was knee-deep in love with his wife. Who would have thought? Cash knew that feeling even if he’d denied it for too long. “Good to know.”

  Nate nodded. “Glad to help.” His lips twitched. “Should I dig out a suit? Or is this going to be a jeans and T-shirt ceremony?”

  The man was awfully certain there would be a marriage. Well, good, Cash needed that bit of reassurance. He and Tess hadn’t said the words yet, but “I love you” had been smothered in every kiss, every minute of their lovemaking. Hadn’t it? All they needed to do was put sound to feeling and spit out the words. He’d say, “I love you, Tess Carrick. I’ve never stopped loving you. Will you share your life with me? Will you be my wife?” And she’d throw her arms around his neck, tear up, and sob, “I love you, Daniel Casherdon! Yes, I will share my life with you. Yes, I will marry you.”

  Simple. Easy. Sweat beaded along his forehead, trickled down his temples. “Damn but it’s hot in here.”

  Nate smiled. “That’s not the heat, old man, that’s nerves. Take my advice, do it and be done.”

  “Is that what you did?”

  Nate shook his head and frowned. “Hell, no. When did I ever do anything the easy way? I’m just saying, don’t be a fool like I was. Say the words and get that ring on her finger so you can start breathing again.”

  “There’s a lot to figure out.” Like would she be willing to stay in Magdalena, or would she want a job that took her all over the world like the last one? An
d when the kids came, what then? And Cash would have to confess the real reason he’d resigned from the force…and…

  “Just do it,” Nate said, with a knowing look.

  “Okay.” Cash took a long pull on his beer. Nate was right. It was time to suck it up and tell Tess he loved her and wanted a life with her. And damn, Nate was right about doing it so he could take a full breath again. The guy really was head over heels for his wife. Who would have thought Nate Desantro would be giving him relationship advice?

  He’d like to say he and Nate strategized about how and when Cash would spill the truth and pop the question, and even where he might take Tess on their honeymoon, but that didn’t happen. Instead, his old partner from Philly, Ben Reed, took that exact moment to barrel up the driveway in his shiny new sports car, spewing gravel and a whole lot of dread. And he wasn’t alone.

  Paige Reed eased out of the sports car: long, toned, blond, sexy as hell. She was a dancer, traveled with a dance group around the country. She was also Ben’s cousin, and some called her Cash’s almost-girlfriend.

  Cash didn’t see it that way. Unfortunately, Ben and Paige did, and that was probably what they were doing outside his door right now. Checking in and checking up on him because he hadn’t answered the last eighty-nine phone calls she’d made or the texts. Did she really not get it? She might be Ben’s cousin and she might be beautiful, intelligent, with the longest legs he’d ever seen, and she might be able to bend her body in and out of bed like a contortionist, but there was a problem. A huge, insurmountable problem that had become a mountain these last several weeks.

  She wasn’t Tess. Nobody was. And now that he’d touched Tess again, tasted her, listened to her soft breathing while she slept, he didn’t want anybody else. He’d never wanted anybody else, and the women who had filled his bed had been nothing but an excuse and a miserable attempt to forget the woman he loved. Cousin or not, Ben should not have brought her here.

  “Who’s that?” Nate leaned forward and peered at the couple.

  Cash set his beer on the table and eased himself from the recliner. “My old partner.” He paused and added, “And his cousin.” How the hell had they found him? He’d only mentioned Magdalena to Paige twice, when she wouldn’t leave him alone about hometown memories and family, as if he were going to share the truth.

  “Huh.”

  That sound meant something, like Nate had already deduced the cousin was more than a cousin. But how? Cash hadn’t even looked at him. He had to stay calm and get rid of them as soon as possible. Certainly, before Tess returned from the grocery store.

  Cash opened the door and forced a smile. “What a surprise. Ben.” Pause. “Paige.”

  Ben grinned and held out a hand. “Good to see you, man. I had a helluva time finding this place. You could have saved me a lot of grief if you’d just returned my cousin’s phone calls. You know how she gets all emotional when she doesn’t hear from you. Pictures that pretty face with a scratch on it.”

  “Ben! Stop tormenting him.” Paige stepped inside the door and smiled up at Cash. “And I do not get emotional,” her voice dipped. “I get concerned.” She stroked his cheek and kissed him softly on the mouth. “Hello, Daniel.”

  The only other person who called him that was Tess. He’d told Paige his name was Cash, but she’d ignored him and continued calling him Daniel, saying she loved the sound of it on her lips. Whatever. It didn’t do anything for him to hear her say it, not like when Tess called him by that name—usually when they were in bed. She’d called him that last night and the sound of her voice saying his name was still embedded in his heart.

  “Paige.” His lips stretched into a tight smile. “What a surprise.”

  She leaned into him, pressing her body against his, fingers stroking the hair curling along the back of his neck. “I’ve missed you.” A breathy sigh. “So much.”

  He’d always thought she was an actor as well as a dancer, but she’d denied it. Still, she could be an actor, majoring in drama. Cash eased her hands from around his neck and pulled away. “I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Nate Desantro.”

  Nate stood, nodded, and held out a hand to Paige, and then Ben. “Pleased to meet you,” he said, avoiding Cash’s gaze. Oh, but Nate was taking it all in, Cash could tell by the quiet stance, the alertness, the cautious speech. He didn’t know what to make of these people, especially Paige Reed. Well, neither did Cash. Paige had been alluring and sexy and didn’t mind his moods or his silence. She traveled weeks at a time with her dance group and called him when she was in town.

  It had worked well for them for almost two years, until she broke her ankle and couldn’t travel. She’d just started back when Cash was shot. Maybe it was his near-death experience or maybe it was because her friends had started having babies, but Paige had become clingy, in an “I can’t breathe” way. The spark they’d shared fizzled and Cash found himself avoiding her. Or maybe it wasn’t Paige at all. Maybe when he’d been lying in the hospital fighting for his life, he’d realized that while she was an alluring woman, she wasn’t his woman. She wasn’t Tess.

  “I’m so glad to meet you.” Paige clasped Nate’s hand and said, “I don’t know anything about this town or Cash’s family. He’s never wanted to talk about it, like he’s wanted for a crime or has a wife and kids stashed away here.”

  How about an ex-fiancée who is about to become a fiancée and a dead almost brother-in-law?

  Nate coughed and cleared his throat. “You’d be surprised what goes on in small towns like these.”

  Nate should know. His wife’s father had kept a secret family hidden here for fourteen years.

  Paige’s green eyes lit up. “Do tell. I love secrets.”

  “I’m not the one to ask,” Nate said, shaking his head. “I prefer to keep my head down and ignore the gossip.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s sad.” She clasped Cash’s arm and looked up at him. “I intend to find out every little detail about you while I’m here.”

  She’d find a mountain of details about him the second she entered town. Eight years ago, tragedy tore Cash Casherdon and Tess Carrick apart, but the love never died. Now, they were going to get a second chance, and nothing could stop them this time. Yeah, she wouldn’t like that detail.

  “There’s not much to tell,” Nate said, sliding a look his way. “He was a hoodlum but he could sure tune a Chevy V8, and he was a good cop. But,” he shrugged his broad shoulders, “bright lights, big city called him, and he left our tiny dot on the map for bigger and better things.”

  Paige nodded. “I want to see where you grew up, where you went to school, where you—”

  “No.” She wasn’t seeing anything but the sign leading out of Magdalena. “Nate and I are working on a project right now that requires a lot of hours. I don’t have time to show you around.” He toned down the irritation in his voice and said, “Sorry.”

  “That’s my cousin you’re talking to,” Ben said, challenge in his voice. “Not some second-hand rug you plan to wipe your feet on.”

  Nate stepped in and tried to save Cash. “It’s been a long several days. My fault for pushing him before he was ready. It’s just,” he shrugged and looked at Cash, “he’s finally found something that makes him feel alive again and I want him to go for it and hold nothing back.”

  He was talking about proposing to Tess.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Paige said. “You should go for it, Daniel. Go after what you want.”

  You have no idea what you’re saying.

  Ben crossed his arms over his chest and studied Cash. “There’s still respect when it comes to a woman, especially if the woman’s my cousin. Now, I’m all for a challenge, but you have to know the obstacles and the chances of success. Have you considered these?”

  Oh, he’d spent years considering and denying them. “To the point of overkill.” Wasn’t that the truth?

  “Then go for it.” His buddy grinned. “And don’t accept no for an answer.�
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  “That’s what I’ve been telling him.” Nate nodded at Ben and Paige. “It’s been nice meeting you but if you’ll excuse me, I have a wife and baby waiting for me.”

  “Your wife’s a lucky lady,” Paige said, smiling at him.

  “I’m the lucky one.” Nate turned to Cash and held out a hand. “See you soon.” He paused, and his lips twitched before he finished with, “Daniel.”

  Cash watched him go, wishing he could hop in Nate’s truck and leave Ben and Paige here. Hell, he’d let them stay at the cabin a few days and he’d head to Ramona’s. Of course, he’d have to confess to Tess, but once he told her he loved her, wanted to marry her, and spend the rest of his life with her, why would she be upset about a woman who thought she was his girlfriend?

  On second thought, maybe he ought to get a ring on her finger, even the old one, and then he’d tell her about Paige. The woman had never been his girlfriend even though she might have thought in some small part of her brain that sharing a bed and the shower constituted girlfriend. It didn’t and she should have understood that because he’d never said the word love unless he was referring to her marinara sauce or those dancer’s legs.

  “Where are you staying?” He had to know the plan so he could figure out his own plan, which would not be with Paige.

  Ben cleared his throat and said, “I’ve got a place in town.” He paused and said, “It’s called Heart Sent.”

  “Mimi Pendergrass owns the place. Great lady, fantastic cordon bleu.” Cash turned to Paige whose neck and cheeks had turned the palest pink. “And you?”

  She let out a half-laugh and touched his hand. “I thought I’d stay with you.”

  “Uh—”

  “Okay, I’m outta here while you two lovebirds figure it out.” Ben gave his cousin a peck on the cheek and said, “I spotted a diner that advertised homemade apple tarts. Think I’ll check it out. See you two later.”

  Damn. Now what? The sooner he set Paige straight, as in whatever might or might not have existed between them was over, the better.