by Julie Benson
Or rather a certain feisty artist and keeping his hands off her was. Being around her had become a new form of torture and exercises in self-control. Worse yet was the fact that he’d come to look forward to it. What did that say about him?
“What about Chloe’s sister? Cassie, right? Isn’t she helping with the business?”
Ty laughed. “Yes and no. That woman creates chaos by walking into a room. When she did a practice run making breakfast, the stove caught on fire and she had to call the fire department. She’s going to drive me to drink.”
A.J. raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the beer in Ty’s hand.
“Okay, she’s going to drive me to drink more. A lot more. How can any one female get into so many scrapes?”
But that wasn’t the real problem. Every time he heard her voice or looked at her, he remembered what it felt like to have her body molded against his and he got hard all over again. He took another long drink. Yup, pull up the beer truck because he had a feeling he’d need it.
“You sure that’s all it is?”
Instead of answering, Ty glanced at his watch and explained about his deal with Ella. “I need to head to the barn. She’ll be here any time now.”
AJ eyed him in a way only a best friend could. “What about her aunt? Does she come, too?”
“Yeah, she’ll be there.”
AJ grinned, making Ty want to smack him. “This should be fun.”
Chapter Twelve
‡
Cassie knew getting Ty alone wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined it would be nearly impossible. For two weeks after Grace’s call interrupted them she’d waited for an opportunity to make another move without any success, and every day sexual tension between them grew more unbearable.
The only good news was her artwork was benefiting from her pent up sexual energy. The volume of paintings, sketches, and photographs she’d created astounded her. Never in her career had she been this prolific. Her work felt effortless, flowing out of her very soul. Better yet, the art continued to sell with tourists, both at the ranch and at Wishes and Dreams.
But the piece she felt most connected to, the one she thought had break out potential was her sculpture. She stepped back, eyeing what she’d entitled Man on a Horse: Strength and Harmony in Motion, and pride welled up inside her.
Despite her satisfaction, insecurity simmered just below the surface. Years ago, her attempt in this form had been a dismal failure, making her question her judgment and the piece’s marketability now.
No. Her instincts insisted the sculpture was good. No risk, no gain. Before she could change her mind, she picked up her phone, snapped a picture, and texted the image to Malcolm. Then she called him.
“How’s life in the sticks?” he asked when he answered.
“Not too bad,” Cassie said, and realized for the first time the words weren’t pleasantries, but the truth. Life had been pretty darn good lately thanks to a certain cowboy. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve taken an entirely new direction with my art.” She outlined her vision for the new line with the sculptures as the centerpiece. “I sent you a text with a picture of the first one.”
“It just came through. Let me pull it up.”
She waited, her nerves tightening every muscle in her body. Pieces of art were like children, and artists weren’t any more objective than parents. When she’d first started she focused on expressing herself through her creations. While that still remained important, paying the bills, making her art a profitable business, held a new appeal.
“It’s good. Very good. Maybe the best thing you’ve ever done,” Malcolm said. “I’d be happy to put it in the gallery. In fact, I have some clients that like Western art. What’s even better is they’re willing to pay a hefty price for it.”
“You’re not just being nice?”
“You know me, girl. I don’t do nice. Not when it comes to business.”
Of course he didn’t. She knew that, but it was nice to hear him say so. The man, while a sweetheart on a personal level, was a python when it came to business.
“In fact,” Malcolm continued. “I’m going to give those clients a call and let them know I have something special coming in they’ll want to see. You know, heighten the anticipation.”
Cassie glanced at her watch, and then flipped through her sketches of the other pieces spread out on the desk. A rope clenched in Ty’s strong hands. His dusty worn boots beside the horse’s lean, graceful legs. His tanned hands against a nervous horse’s neck as he soothed the animal. His hands fascinated her, so gentle, yet capable of such strength, and the thought of what they could do to her body left her aching.
“I’ll send the sculpture today before I pick up Ella at school, and if you want, I’ll include sketches of the other items for the series.”
“Send the drawings and anything else that will display well with the sculpture,” Malcolm said. “I think you’re onto something here, Cassie. I’ve always wondered if you were on the right path with your art. Not that what you’ve done in the past wasn’t good, but it wasn’t like this. I think you’ve found what you’re meant to be doing, and it could be very profitable for both of us.”
Anxious to share her good news, once she ended her call with Malcolm, Cassie called Grace. “For the first time since I came to Wishing I feel hopeful. I’ve been telling myself things would get better, but now it feels like it’s really happening.”
“You are on a roll because I was about to call you with more good news. Our client wants to make an offer on the inn. Should I fax it to you or a realtor?”
Someone wanted to buy the inn. When she’d first arrived Cassie would’ve done the happy dance after receiving this news, but instead of comforting her, the thought left her empty. The same way her life had been for the last few years. “Wow. I can’t believe it.”
“That was less than enthusiastic. Are you sure you want to sell?”
No, but then she wasn’t sure about anything. Running the inn was going better than she expected. It kept her connected with people and from becoming isolated with her art. She discovered she enjoyed chatting with guests, and Ty had been right. Organization was the key. She’d learned as long as she followed Chloe’s to do lists, everything ran smoothly. While she still couldn’t whip up the gourmet breakfast her sister had, Joann at The Lucky Star taught her enough breakfast dishes to get by. She and Ella had settled in and the house had started to feel like home.
And what about Ty? The thought of leaving him left her feeling almost sick to her stomach.
“Did you hear what I said, Cass? I’ve got an offer for the inn.”
“I did. Really, I’m thrilled.” She told Grace to fax the offer, and she’d get back to her with a decision.
Talk about a day full of surprises that made her head spin. She glanced at her watch. If she hurried, she could ship the sculpture before she picked up Ella. As she scooped up the piece and headed for the door, the fax machine buzzed and spewed out papers.
The offer. She really should look it over, in order to discuss it with Ty, but she couldn’t bring herself to. Plus, getting the sculpture shipped was more important. She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Maybe she wouldn’t have to decide whether or not to sell at all. After all the offer could be too low, financing could fall through, or Ty might refuse to approve the sale.
All she knew was right now she didn’t want to think that hard.
She picked up Ella from school and as they did every day, they headed for the Bar 7. As usual, Ty was waiting for them in the barn, but today his friend AJ was there as well.
Cassie almost sighed in relief. No way could they discuss the offer now. Instead they talked about the guests scheduled to arrive and what the guys planned to do during AJ’s visit.
“What’s going on with you,” Ty asked, eyeing her as if he knew something was up. “You’re as fidgety as a cow at branding time.”
“Thanks for comparing me to a cow.”
&
nbsp; “That’s what I mean,” Ty said. “Normally you’d have some biting comment to put me in my place.”
“That really wasn’t very gentlemanly of you, buddy,” AJ added.
“Yeah, you’d say something like that.” He stepped closer and peered down at her. “Is something wrong?”
His gaze filled with genuine concern almost loosened her tongue. I’ve got an offer for the inn, but now I’m not sure. Things are going so well here, and then there’s you and me. I’m not sure what’s up with us, but I really want to find out.
Instead she said, “I was up late last night working. I’m just tired. That’s all.” Then she rushed forward to Crunchie’s stall and peered inside. “Time to go, Ella.”
“Aw, can’t we stay a little longer?”
“Not today. You’ve got homework, and I’ve got things to do at the inn. You know what a slave driver my boss is. You wouldn’t want me to get in trouble, would you?” Great. Ty thought something was wrong before and now she was rambling.
“You heard what your Aunt Cassie said. Time to go,” Ty added.
For once she was grateful for him taking over and playing the enforcer.
*
“Can we go rollerblading, Aunt Cassie?” Ella asked after dinner.
Cassie hesitated. She really should look over the offer, but after cutting Ella’s afternoon short with Crunchie, she didn’t have the heart to say no. “Sure thing. Let’s go.”
Once outside Cassie forgot about the offer and what she should do and concentrated on having fun with Ella. They raced up and down the driveway. The warm spring air wafted over Cassie, taking her cares away with them. At least temporarily. She and Ella raced, with her niece winning three out of the four. They worked on their spins and skating backwards.
“Watch this, Aunt Cassie.” Ella spread her arms wide, pushed off with her left foot, kept it raised and glided toward Cassie. “I’m an eagle soaring over the lake.”
Cassie smiled. “You’re magnificent.”
Ella started flapping her wings, but her movement threw off her balance. She reached for Cassie. “Help me. I don’t want to fall.”
When Ella lowered her left foot, her skate bumped Cassie’s. Ella clutched Cassie’s shirt sending them both teetering. Realizing there was no hope of avoiding a tumble, Cassie twisted so she landed on the bottom. Her head connected with the cement, sending pain radiating through the back of her skull. Ella landed on top of her bent wrist. Pain shot through Cassie’s arm and her vision blurred. She tried to focus on what Ella was saying, but the buzzing in her ears grew so loud it drowned out everything else.
*
After dinner, Ty and AJ headed to The Horseshoe for a game of pool. As AJ lined up his shot, he said, “There were wicked sparks flying between you and Cassie today. What’s up with that?”
Ty considered trying to bullshit his way past AJ and then figured he could use another man’s take on whatever the hell was going on. Especially since he’d started worrying all the estrogen swirling around him was frying his brain, and if a guy couldn’t trust his best friend—well, that was a pretty sad commentary on his life. “I don’t know what the deal is. Cassie’s pretty much invaded every part of my life. She’s here with Ella every day after school. Then on weekends she helps with the tours.” He told AJ about Cassie’s idea to take photos and sell some those and sketches. “It’s not bringing in a lot of money, but it has potential.”
“It’s about time a woman you’re involved with showed interest in your business and helped you out.”
Involved with? No. AJ made the wrong jump there. “We’re not involved.”
“Sounds like you’re seeing her every day. What would you call that?”
Ty’s eyelid twitched and he reached up to still it. “Okay. We’re not involved in the way you mean.”
Liar. He and Cassie were tied up tighter than a calf at a rodeo, and the only reason they weren’t more intimately involved was because they kept getting interrupted.
“If you say so.”
Ty picked at the label on his bottle of Shiner Ruby Red. “The woman knows how to get to me in a way no one else can. I got to admit she’s becoming an itch I can’t scratch.”
“Then do something about it.”
He stared at his friend who’d apparently lost his mind because he sure as hell wasn’t grasping the problem. Getting more involved with Cassie wouldn’t help. If anything it would do the opposite. “Keep it up, and you’ll find your smart ass out on the street.”
AJ shrugged. “I can get a hotel room. Or better yet stay at The Bluebonnet Inn. The question is why’re you getting all pissy about this?”
No way would he admit how far things had gone with Cassie. Instead he said, “I’ve thought about starting something up with her, but I’m responsible for Ella’s finances until she’s eighteen. That means two of us have to get along for the next twelve years.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“Playing football in a minefield would be safer than getting involved with Cassie.”
“Damn. When did you become such a pessimist?”
“I see it as realistic.”
“Maybe it would be good for both of you. Have you ever thought of that?”
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t see a scenario that ended well. “What about when it’s over? How do I continue working with her?”
“You really have thought about this, haven’t you?”
Ty nodded. More often than he wanted to admit and in great detail. Vivid Technicolor live action detail that left him sweaty and breathing hard. “I’m not good at let’s stay friends now that we’ve seen each other naked. I don’t know how Zane does it.”
“He claims it’s a gift.” AJ leaned forward. “You’re a cautious guy. After a broken engagement, I understand that, but I say quit overanalyzing. Have fun with Cassie and see what happens. Otherwise you’ll always wonder. What could be the worst thing that could happen if you and Cassie started dating anyway?”
Ty wasn’t a full speed ahead, damn the consequences guy. Probably because he’d spent the majority of his life dealing with the costs when someone else did that, but AJ had him wondering. What were the chances he and Cassie could enjoy each other’s company for however long it lasted and remain civil afterwards? He doubted the odds were in his favor, but did he want to take the risk.
What could be the worst thing that could happen if you and Cassie started dating anyway? Ty had no idea how to answer AJ because the possibilities boggled the mind.
Darth Vader’s theme blasting from his cell saved him from having from having to answer. “Speak of the devil.”
“You gave her Darth Vader’s theme as a ring tone?”
“Trust me, it’s fitting. I bet you five buck’s she’s in another mess.”
He thought of the saying when it rains, it pours, but that wasn’t true with Cassie. If it was raining with her around, it meant he was in the middle of a damn monsoon.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” she said, her voice tight when he answered. Yup, something was wrong. “I didn’t know what else to do because I didn’t want to scare Ella by calling an ambulance.”
Ambulance? His heart rate skyrocketed. “What’s wrong?”
“Ella and I were rollerblading. Our feet got tangled, and we fell. I’m afraid my wrist might be broken. I’ve also got a Texas size bump on my head and a matching headache. I think I blacked out for a couple of seconds.”
She blacked out? That could mean a concussion. “How’s Ella?”
“A little scared and worried about me, but thank God she’s not hurt. I’m in my studio because I don’t want her to hear I need to go to the hospital. I don’t want her to panic.”
“I’m on my way.” The woman ought to be wrapped in yellow caution tape to warn the rest of the world. And lucky him, she was his problem.
*
Cassie didn’t know which hurt worse, her head or her left wrist. Thank goodness focusing on her yoga
breathing kept the pain manageable. All she had to do was hold it together until she got to the hospital. Then once she was in an exam room away from Ella she could fall apart.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Cassie.”
She reached out with her right hand and brushed away Ella’s tears. The pain in her niece’s blue eyes hurt worse than her injuries. “Accidents happen, sweetheart, and that’s what this was. It wasn’t your fault.” She paused for a minute as another wave of pain washed over her. “I called Ty and he’s on his way. After he takes you to stay with his mom, he’ll drive me to the doctor.”
Ella lips quivered and fresh tears filled her fearful eyes. “I want to stay with you. Please don’t make me go. Don’t leave me.”
Whoa. Boy she’d taken a wrong turn there. “I’m going to be fine. There’s no need to worry. The only reason I’m going to the doctor is so I know what to do so my wrist heals. It’s like when I called the fire department. I didn’t really need to, I was just being cautious.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Absolutely. It may take a while at the doctor—”
“I want to stay with you. Please?” Her hand clutched Cassie’s so tight she winced.
“All right,” Cassie said, keeping her voice light, despite her throbbing wrist and head. “Now go watch for Ty so you can let him in when he gets here.”
A few minutes later when Ella opened the door for the cowboy, the child burst into tears. “Aunt Cassie’s hurt, and it’s all my fault ’cause I fell on her arm.”
Cassie sighed. So much for her reassuring Ella.
Ty scooped the child into his arms. “Look at me. This is not your fault. People fall. Hell I’ve broken my arm twice. Your aunt’s tougher than she looks. She’s going to be just fine.”
Cassie slumped on the couch grateful Ty used his no nonsense I-know-what-I’m-talking-about-assertive-cowboy voice. “See I told you. If Ty agrees with me then you know I’m right.”
Because the man agreeing with her happened as often as Halley’s Comet came around.