by SJ McCoy
Cassidy took a deep breath. “I met him before you and I got together…Slow down,” she said as she saw the thunderclouds roll across his face. “He wanted to take me out. I wasn’t interested. Summer and I bumped into him and his co-pilot in Bozeman. We were leaving as they were arriving at the café. That’s all. That Guy Preston was there. Gina told me he was trouble.”
Shane nodded. “He is. And I’m an asshole for letting it get to me.”
“You are, but I’ll let you off,” she said with a smile.
“Yeah?” he smiled and the thunderclouds were gone. His eyes shone again and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Just this once,” she replied. “But don’t make a habit of going all jealous on me. I can’t handle that.”
“I won’t.” He grinned. “But don’t you make a habit of taking little-dick guy out for a drink.”
Cassidy threw back her head and laughed. “Little-dick guy?” she asked.
She loved Shane all the more as he held up his pinky finger and wiggled it at her. “Just in,” he said with a wink.
She shook her head at him as she laughed. “It really is all about ego with men, isn’t it?”
Shane nodded and took her hand, pulling her toward the stairs. “I admit it, it is. Come to bed and let me remind you.”
She let him lead her. “What do you need to remind me?”
“That I’m so much better than just in.”
~ ~ ~
When he awoke the next morning, Shane watched Cassidy sleep on. He gently brushed her hair away from her face. He’d been stupid last night. Stupid to get caught up in jealousy, but that was exactly what it was. It was an emotion he’d never understood before. It was so ugly. He’d always thought it was about insecurity, and that was why he didn’t do it. He knew differently now though. He wasn’t insecure, not in any sense of the word. But Cassidy was just so damned important to him. He hated the thought of losing her. He never wanted to lose her; he wanted this life that they’d begun together to last.
He watched her as she slept. He wasn’t going to say he couldn’t live without her. That wasn’t true. He could. He just didn’t want to. He wanted to know that she felt the same way. She stirred and opened her eyes with a smile.
“Good morning, handsome.”
He dropped a kiss on her upturned nose. “Good morning, beautiful.”
She held her arms up to him and he lay back down with her. “I don’t want to get up, I want to stay here with you,” she mumbled.
“I wish we could, but I have to get back to the ranch. How about Sunday morning we just stay in bed?”
She nodded. “Okay. I can wait till Sunday.”
“We can make it our thing. That’s what we do on Sundays—for the rest of our lives.”
She opened her eyes. “The rest of our lives?”
He nodded. He knew it was what he wanted. He needed to know whether she did, too. “What do you think?” He sighed at the sound of his cell phone ringing.
“I think you’d better get that,” she said.
He got up. The moment was gone even if he didn’t take the call. It was Brandon asking if he could get down to the ranch in time to lead the morning ride. Shane said he’d be there as fast as he could. They were shorthanded with two guys out sick. He needed to take on more help, he needed to step everything up, if he was honest, and he needed to shift at least some of his focus away from Cassidy and back onto the ranch.
“I’ve got to go,” he said when he hung up.
She smiled and slid her beautiful naked body out of bed. “Got time for a shower before you go?”
He shook his head sadly. He would love nothing more than to linger under the hot water with her for a while, but he needed to go. “I’ll just jump in and out and get going.”
He was ready to get out of the shower when she opened the door to join him. How was he supposed to resist? She pushed him back against the wall and he watched, mesmerized as the water ran over her, plastering her hair to head, running on down in little rivulets between her breasts. His fingers itched to touch her nipples as they pebbled in response to the water running over them. He really, really wanted to stay, but he had to go. He couldn’t keep neglecting the ranch just so he could indulge in his own pleasure. That wasn’t who he was. He cupped her face between his hands. “Meet you back here tonight,” he said, then stepped out of the shower while he still had the willpower to do so. She looked so disappointed, he almost stepped back in. But he couldn’t. Part of him was glad to disappoint her. He wanted to know that she needed him, wanted him, as much as he did her. The look on her face claimed that she did.
~ ~ ~
Cassidy watched him step out of the shower. She didn’t want him to go, but she wasn’t going to beg him to stay. She was being unreasonable and she knew it. She’d told him last night that he shouldn’t expect her to stop living her life just because she was with him. She couldn’t be a hypocrite and expect him to stop living his—or even to delay starting his day because she wanted him to make love to her. She stood under the hot water, enjoying the feel of it running over her. Make love? Who would ever have thought that she and Shane made love? Screw each other’s brains out? Fuck like bunnies? Yeah definitely. But no. They made love. Whether it was in bed, in the shower, on the island in the kitchen, or bent over the pool table in the basement—they made love. And she didn’t ever want it to change. For two people who had been the way they were before they met each other—she hadn’t wanted anyone, and Shane had wanted everyone—they’d come a long way in a short time. That thought bothered her. He had wanted everyone. Every time she’d rebuffed his advances he’d gone off with another girl. Was that why he’d been so upset about Justin? Did he really think that she might still go off with someone else? And if he did, then he didn’t understand how much their relationship meant to her. And if he didn’t—would he still go off with someone else? She blew out a sigh. She was being stupid. He loved her, she loved him. That was all that mattered.
As she soaped herself down, she smiled. She was happy, she was relaxed in her life, and she was in love. How about that? Her mind strayed to Summer. She wished she could help her friend find the same. Right now Summer didn’t have any of it. She wasn’t happy, she was far from relaxed in her life. How could she be, when she didn’t know where it was heading? She might be in love though.
Cassidy stepped out and dried herself down. Today she was determined to get hold of Summer or Autumn—hopefully both. When she was dressed, she went to the window. It was a beautiful day already, she needed to get out there and get on with it. She looked down at the yard. The patio was almost complete, the flower beds were nearly done. The big trench was dug and ready for the line of Quaking Aspen Carter was bringing. She looked at the side yard where the mens’ trucks sat. Carter’s was there. Parked up with the others. He was back?
She ran downstairs and out into the yard to look for him.
“Carter!” she called. He was down in the side yard talking to two of his men. He looked up and made his way to her.
“Cassidy.”
He was shut down. It was plain to see. “How are you?” she asked.
“I’m fine, thanks. Sorry about the delay, but the guys have been working to the plan. I think we’ll still be finished up here on schedule.
She touched his arm. “I don’t care about that. I care about you. How are you?”
He finally met her gaze. “I’m better, thank you. I just needed a little time to remind myself not to be an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot!”
He shrugged and looked away. He scuffed the toe of his boot in the gravel. “How is she?”
“I don’t know. I can’t get hold of her.”
“Give her my best when you do. Now if you don’t mind I need to get back to work.” He turned and walked away.
Cassidy wanted to go after him, but thought better of it. She needed to get to the gallery. Hopefully she’d manage to get hold of Summer today. She’d fin
d Carter after she had and talk to him then.
Chapter Twenty-One
At lunchtime Cassidy and Gina decided to close up and head to the coffee shop for lunch. They’d just taken a seat at a table in the back when Katie and Angie came in.
“I could strangle her,” said Gina as Angie gave them a dirty look.
Cassidy stood up. “I just might.” She made her way over to the line where the two girls were waiting. “What the hell did you think you were doing?” she asked Angie.
“Leave her alone,” said Katie. “What’s it to you anyway? She didn’t do anything wrong.”
Cassidy was fuming. “She didn’t do anything wrong? She came into my home, took photos of my friend, and abused my trust. She was very wrong, and I think she knows it.”
Angie hung her head. “I didn’t think she’d leave because of it.”
“You didn’t think at all, did you? I just don’t understand what you were hoping to gain by it?”
Angie shrugged.
“Just leave her alone, would you. You think you and your friend can come in here and make a move on the Remingtons. It’s not right. Everyone knows Carter will come around one day and be ready to take a wife. It should be someone local, not some up stuck-up singer bitch. And you? Thinking you’ve got your claws into Shane. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again. It won’t last. He’ll dump you and come back to me, just like he always does. You’re just like the ones at Chico and the ones who come to the ranch. You’re different, something new, but you won’t last. You’re just a novelty that’s all.”
Cassidy stared at her. Stupid little girl. She shook her head. “For starters don’t you ever call Summer a stuck-up bitch again. You have no idea who she is. And I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Shane will not be coming back to you this time. We’re together. Get used to it. And stay away from him.” She turned on her heel and went back to Gina.
Gina gave her an odd look.
“What?” she couldn’t believe she’d just made a scene like that, but she’d just seen red. She’d seen how sad Carter had been this morning, she still hadn’t heard from Summer, and she was worried about them. And it was all down to that stupid little Angie and her attention seeking—or whatever it was she’d done it for. Then Katie butting in like that and telling her that she and Shane wouldn’t last… She blew out a big sigh. “Sorry. I guess I over-reacted, huh?”
Gina nodded. “Maybe a touch. And I hate to say it, but you probably just set yourself up for more trouble. Telling Katie to stay away from Shane wasn’t the wisest move.”
Cassidy groaned. “I know. But she brings out the worst in me. And besides. He’s hardly likely to go near her—is he?”
“No, but she’s vindictive. Just remember that, if she sets him up somehow. Don’t let her make trouble for the two of you.”
Cassidy smiled. “Don’t worry. I think we’re past the stage where anyone can come between us.” She met Gina’s eye. “Love will do that to you, won’t it?”
Gina’s face lit up with a big smile. “Yes, it will! So you two are…”
Cassidy nodded. “We are. I love him, Gina. He’s proved me wrong at every turn. Even last night, he was all jealous about me going for a drink with Justin, but we talked it through. He was open and honest and he listened. This feels like it’s for real.”
“I am so happy for you.” She shot a wary look at Katie. “If it’s for real, nothing will be able to mess it up for you.”
Cassidy nodded. She was starting to believe that was true and wondering where it might lead. She hadn’t forgotten his comment this morning about every Sunday morning for the rest of their lives. It seemed as though he was feeling the same way she was. They’d rushed into this so fast, but they were growing stronger with every challenge they faced. They were overcoming the hurdles together, helping each other over them. It was so different from anything she’d known before. Perhaps they really had found the real deal? And if they had, why not admit it and make a start on the rest of their lives together?
~ ~ ~
Shane ran up the steps to the main house. It had been a busy morning. He could have done with staying out at the lodge, working on the housekeeping orders, but his mom had summoned them all for lunch. She didn’t do it often, but when she did, they dropped everything and came.
He kicked out of his boots in the mudroom and went through to the kitchen. He was surprised to see Carter sitting at the big table. He went over and slapped his back. “Good to see you home, Big C. How you doing?”
Carter nodded. “I’m back.”
“What’s his problem?” asked Beau. “I haven’t been able to get a word out of him.”
Shane shrugged. He didn’t want to talk about it if Carter didn’t. “You know what he’s like. He just goes quiet on me sometimes, and I worry.”
Beau gave him a puzzled look, but didn’t get a chance to ask anything further as Mason came in through the back door. “What’s with the family meeting?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” said Beau. “I could have done without it today though.”
“Beau, Beau, Beau.” His mom came up from the basement and smiled at him. “Always my impatient one.” He smiled back. “Sorry, Mom.”
Shane shook his head. Beau made out he was the hardheaded one, but he was as soft as the rest of them at heart. He may get prickly with his brothers sometimes, but he’d defend them to death against anyone else. He remembered what Carter had said about Beau just wanting love and approval. He could see it now.
Chance appeared at the basement door behind their mom. Beau’s smile faded. Shane wished that tension wasn’t there; he wished they could all just be brothers, but he did have a little more understanding now for the way Beau felt.
Their dad stuck his head out from the office. “Is everybody here?”
“Yep,” said Mason. “All here and all ears.”
“Well let’s all sit down then, shall we?”
Once they were all settled around the big table, Shane thought he knew what was coming as his dad looked around.
“I’m sure it won’t surprise any of you to hear that your mom and I are making plans to head south for winter.”
They all murmured their agreement. “That’s not news,” said Beau with a smile. “So what is? What do you want to tell us?”
“Well, seeing as things are changing for some of you as well, we want to propose some major changes, but we want to ask what you all think first.”
He looked at Mason. “You and Gina are going to be getting married soon. As the eldest, we wanted to know if you want to move in to the main house.”
The silence around the table was deafening. They all knew the division of the ranch was coming, but Shane didn’t think any of them had expected to take over the big house The look on Mason’s face said that he’d had no clue this was coming either.
He looked from his dad to his Mom and back again. “What’s your reasoning?”
“It’s quite simple really. We’re going to be gone.” He turned to Shane. “The littlest brother isn’t living on the ranch anymore, and I have a feeling that’s not going to change.” Shane nodded. He saw his future as being with Cassidy, and he knew that would mean living at her house. She loved it, she wouldn’t want to leave it, and he had no desire to ask her to.
“The ranch needs a family living in the big house,” their dad continued. He looked at Carter. “You’re settled where you are. You’ve built your home and your business.” He hesitated, considering his words and then went on with an encouraging smile. “I have a feeling you might move back down the valley in the not too distant future, but even if you do, you won’t make it all the way back down to the ranch.”
Carter nodded, but said nothing.
“You,” his dad looked at Beau. “You’re off out in the world.” Shane could tell that Beau was pissed, but he softened at his dad’s next words. “You make me so proud, son. You’ve got all the balls and the brains to go off and do what I never could. I
don’t want to tie you to this place. It’s in your blood, but it’s not in your heart is it?”
Beau’s eyes glistened as he shook his head.
“And you, Chance. Don’t think I’m forgetting you. You’ve got the cabin to yourself these days. I’m still hopeful that one day you’ll bring home a girl and start a family of your own. And when you do, you’ll have your share of the land to build on as you see fit.”
Shane turned to Beau who made a huffing sound at that. All eyes turned toward him, but he just shrugged. Shane was glad he wasn’t going to start the argument now. Chance was the only one who wasn’t happy to let it go.
“I understand how you feel, Beau. I don’t want to take what’s rightfully yours.”
“It’s rightfully yours, Chance.” Dave Remington’s tone brooked no arguments. He looked at Beau. “You need to get over it, son.”
Beau nodded but didn’t meet his dad’s eye.
“Mason. You need to talk to Gina and think about this. We decided to bring it up now, because we thought you might like to move in after the wedding. We’re not going to leave until the end of September, but we can trade you for the cottage if you set a date before then.”
Mason nodded. “I’ll talk to her. But I don’t see kicking you out of here so we can move in.”
His mom laughed. “I’m hoping that you will. I want you to hurry up and set a date, and until we move out of this house and the routines of a lifetime, I’m not going to be able to get your father to go anywhere.”
Their dad smiled. “Take your time, son. That’s fine by me. Anyway, that’s what we wanted to talk to you all about. Meeting over. Who’s staying for lunch?”
“I have to go.” Carter was out the door as fast as he could go.
Shane’s mom put a hand on his arm. “Is there any word from Summer?”
How did she know everything? “No, Cassidy’s still trying to get hold of her.”
His mom nodded. “And you’re okay with us assuming that you won’t be moving back here?”