by Julie Benson
As he headed downstairs to the kitchen, he whistled the Aggie War Hymn. After he texted Aubrey to ask her to drive Ella to school since he couldn’t leave Cassie alone, he glanced out the window at the gray clouds blanketing the sky. Now if they’d get some rain the day would be darn near perfect.
While he waited for his sister’s reply he gathered the ingredients for French toast and threw together the batter.
“Isn’t Aunt Cassie up?” He turned to see Ella in the doorway dressed in the rumpled jeans and T-shirt from last night. On one side of her head her blonde curls stood out at odd angles while the other was plastered against her head. “She’s still sleeping.”
“Are you sure she’s okay? Maybe I should check.”
Before the child could head for the stairs he raced across the room and knelt beside her. “I looked in on her a while ago, and she was fine. After last night she could use some extra sleep.”
Especially since they hadn’t slept much.
“I guess you’re right.” Ella eyes him critically. “Mrs. Radebaugh says it’s important we get ’nough sleep to stay healthy.”
He nodded. “Now hurry and change for school and you can help me make the French toast.”
“Can we take Aunt Cassie breakfast in bed?”
“When it’s ready, I’ll see if she’s awake. If she is then we’ll take her breakfast.” Once I help her dress, that is. “Now off you go, but remember, don’t bother your aunt.”
Hopefully she’d follow his directions. He paused. He was expecting a child concerned about her aunt to leave not to check on her? Since explaining to an inquisitive six-year-old why her aunt was sleeping naked wasn’t how he wanted to start his day, he chased after Ella. He caught her as she reached for Cassie’s door.
“Hold on there, little one.” He guided Ella back to her bedroom, opened the door, nudged her inside, and waited for her. After she’d changed her clothes they went into the bathroom and he brushed her hair and put it in a ponytail.
“You do my hair better than Aunt Cassie does,” Ella said, her voice filled with awe.
“Sometimes our mom left early for work and I had to do Aubrey’s hair.”
With Ella ready for school, they returned to the kitchen and took up where he’d left off with French toast.
“My, you two have been busy this morning.”
Ella turned and frowned at Cassie. “You’re supposed to be sleeping. I was gonna bring you breakfast in bed before I left for school.”
“Oh?” Cassie’s eyebrows rose as she peered at him as if to ask how he intended to manage that considering her state of undress when she woke.
The image of her, gloriously naked, snuggled up in bed when he’d left her earlier washed over him and Ty grinned as he walked toward her. He took the sling from her right hand and helped her slip it on. “The plan was, I would check to see if you were awake first. If you were, then Ella and I would come back with breakfast.”
She nodded and smiled in understanding. “Rats. Breakfast in bed would’ve been a real treat.”
“You could go back to bed,” Ella suggested.
“As wonderful as that sounds,” Cassie said as she walked across the kitchen and kissed her niece on the forehead, “I’d rather have breakfast with you and Ty.”
“Ladies, have a seat.” Ty held out a chair for Cassie and then Ella. “I’ll play waiter.”
“I see you got your robe on by yourself,” he said as he plated their breakfast and placed it in front of them.
A bright blush spread across her cheeks. “I had to do some major contortionist moves, but I managed.”
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he joined them at the table. He peered into her eyes. “Your pupils are equal size and your speech isn’t slurred, so that’s good. Any weakness on one side of your body?”
She shook her head. “I’m guessing someone read up on concussions.” Not waiting for an answer, she rushed on. “I’m not feeling any weakness. My wrist and head hurt, but it’s nothing two ibuprofen won’t take care of.”
“You’re sure everything’s okay,” he asked, trying to refer to their lovemaking without alerting Ella.
Are we okay? Do you have any regrets about last night because I sure as hell don’t?
Damn this was hard. How did parents discuss anything with kids around? There must be a parent code. He wondered if he could find it online.
Her gaze locked with his, confident and clear. “I’m completely fine.”
Relieved, Ty glanced at his watch and turned to Ella. “Aubrey will be here soon to take you to school, so finish your breakfast.”
“Ty, will you we be here when I get home?”
“The plan is that we’ll pack up a few things so you two can stay at the ranch for a couple of days.”
“What? Why do we need to stay there?” Cassie said before Ella said anything.
Was that uncertainty in her voice? Concern? Maybe she wasn’t as comfortable with what happened between them after all. Was she worried his family would find out about their affair? He almost cringed at the thought. Affair wasn’t the right word, but fling sure as hell wasn’t right either. So what should he call what was going on between them?
Deciding he didn’t need to label it. Instead he’d do what AJ said and quit over thinking. “It’s either you two stay at the Bar 7 or I move in here, Cassie. Right now there’s no way you can take care of yourself, much less Ella.”
“I think Ty should move in here.” Ella said, her voice filled with childish enthusiasm as she ran to Ty. She linked her small hand with his and stared at Cassie. “Don’t you think Ty should move in here, Aunt Cassie? We have lots of room, and we could have so much fun. Just the three of us. Please?”
“I think someone wants you all to herself.”
Ty couldn’t miss the huskiness in Cassie’s voice or the glint in her eyes. He’d seen that same look a number of times last night.
Male pride at having put that satisfied look in her gaze pulsed through him. “If that’s what you two want, that’s fine with me.” He wasn’t sure he was ready to share these two with anyone else either.
Chapter Fourteen
‡
After Ella left for school, Cassie and Ty headed for the ranch. While he saw to the horses, she fired off a quick text to Grace. Not sure about selling the inn. Tell your client thank you, but I’m going to decline his offer.
Grace’s response came a few seconds later. What about the money issues?
She told Grace between her salary, the art she sold in Wishes and Dreams, and the commissioned work she’d picked up, she was holding her own. She added that the store’s owner had approached her about doing painting classes, so that was another option if she needed money.
What about a certain cowboy? Does he have anything to do with you changing your mind?
What could she say? Of course Ty factored into her decision, but she wasn’t ready to talk about that with anyone, but she had to say something. Things are going better between us. She laughed at what she’d typed. Boy were things better.
The decision on the inn made Cassie checked the schedule of upcoming tours. Noting the groups were predominantly male, she decided to bring more photos of horses, saddles, and distant shots of riders. But she’d also add a couple of her bluebonnet paintings since those made great presents for wives, mothers, or girlfriends. As she sat one-handedly typing her list into the computer, AJ walked into the office. “You look pretty good considering the fall you took.”
“I’m doing well.” More like thoroughly satisfied in a way she’d never been before.
AJ nodded toward the computer. “Don’t tell me Ty wouldn’t give you the day off.”
“He’s here seeing to his chores. I told him I’d be fine at home by myself, but you know him. The doctor said someone’s should keep an eye on me for twenty-four hours. I won’t be officially cleared until seven tonight. That is if he goes from the time of my accident rather than the time I saw the doctor.”
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“He is a stickler for following the rules.”
She chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”
“What’s an understatement?” Ty asked as he sauntered into the office.
“That you break out in a rash if you think about breaking a rule,” Cassie teased.
Instead of refuting her comment, Ty harrumphed in her general direction and turned to AJ. “Keep an eye on her while I pack a bag.”
“You act like I’m going to fall apart if I’m alone for five minutes.” The teasing tone in her voice contradicted with the excitement she felt over his concern. That had to be a good sign, didn’t it?
“I’m just following doctor’s orders.”
Both she and AJ chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” she and AJ said simultaneously.
AJ glanced between her and Ty. “What’s this about packing a bag?”
“With her wrist in a brace and her arm in a sling, she can’t take care of Ella. I’m staying at the inn for a couple days to help out.”
“I’ll see to the stock here. You can concentrate on helping Cassie,” AJ said with a slick grin that said he knew there was something more going on between them.
Feeling the blush spread up her neck into her face, Cassie couldn’t meet AJ’s gaze. How come she’d never been embarrassed like this before when someone found out she was sleeping with a guy?
Maybe because you’ve never been in love before or cared about what anyone thought about your relationship.
“I can handle my responsibilities around here.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t,” AJ said. When Ty looked like he would argue, AJ continued. “See my taking care of things around here as me earning my keep. Now get Cassie out of here. She had a long night, and I bet she could use some rest.”
Then he shoved his hands in his pockets and left, but she heard him chuckling until the barn door closed behind him.
“I’m sorry AJ was an ass,” Ty said.
“I like him, and he’s right. I think I could go back to bed, and this time we won’t have to worry about being quiet for Ella’s sake.”
*
A couple of hours later after a loud and energetic lovemaking session, Ty sat propped up in bed, the sheets pooled around his waist, with Cassie curled up against his side amazed how at satisfied he felt. Sure, part of it was the fact that he and Cassie had shared some of the best sex of his life. Damn. For a little slip of a woman, her stamina nearly wore him out. But it was more than physical contentment. He felt at ease emotionally. A rare state for him.
As Cassie absently traced circles on his bare chest, he decided if they stayed here until they had to pick Ella up from school, he wouldn’t mind one bit.
“I have a question for you,” she asked, her voice hesitant.
He tensed. Here it came, the awkward discussion about where they went from here. “Shoot.”
“I was wondering if you’d sit for me to sketch you.”
That was what she wanted to ask him? He never would’ve bet on that. “Sure. Sometime you can do that.”
“No, I meant now.”
“Here?” He swallowed hard. “You don’t mean naked, do you?”
She laughed and her chest rumbled against his side. “Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed?”
“Course not,” he lied.
She chuckled again. “You’re such a lousy liar, but we’ll work up to that. I want to draw you as you are now.”
Though he couldn’t imagine why she’d want to, he said, “It’s a good thing you hurt your left wrist.”
“I know. There are a lot of things I can’t do one handed, but at least I can still draw and paint. Now quit trying to sidetrack me. Can I sketch you or not?”
“What the hell. Sure.”
She jumped out of bed, scooped up the closest item of clothing which happened to be his shirt and her sling. Then she walked to his side of the bed for him to help her slip them on. “That looks way better on you than it does on me. Forget the drawing. Come back to bed.”
“No way. You promised to model for me. You’re not backing out now.”
She grabbed her sketch pad and pencil off the dresser and settled into the overstuffed chair in the far corner. After eyeing him for a couple of minutes, she frowned. “Something’s not right.”
“You sure know how to make a man feel good.”
“I know. That’s what you said a while ago. Now quit fishing for compliments. You look wonderful and you know it.” Then she snapped her fingers and her eyes brightened. “I’ve got it.” She bolted out of the chair, and raced to pick up his Stetson. “Here, put this on.”
“You’re kidding. Why would I wear my hat in bed? That’s silly.”
She reached up with her right hand and worked the buttons on his shirt. Though awkward and slow, she managed to unbuttoned first one, then another. A third followed, revealing the swell of her breasts. Then she leaned forward giving him an unrestricted view of paradise. The breath caught in his throat as his body flared to life.
She wet her lips. “Humor me. Put on the hat, and I’ll make it up to you later.”
Silly or not, he put on the hat. Right now if she asked him to sell a kidney, he’d head for a computer to log onto eBay.
After ten minutes sitting there with her staring at him, the intensity in her gaze making his heart race, he thought he’d go crazy. Plus, the bulge under the sheets was getting down right embarrassing not to mention unbearable. In attempt to get his mind off wanting to vault out of bed and take her in the chair, he said, “How’s your art selling in Maddy’s shop?”
“I’ve sold a few pieces and gotten some commission work, but what I’m really excited about is the sculpture I created.” Her pencil stilled for a few seconds while she studied him. His breathing accelerated and he couldn’t wait until his hands were on her body again. “I texted a picture of it to the gallery owner I worked with in New York. He loved it and said a couple of his clients might be interested in buying it.”
“That’s great.” Despite his congratulations, apprehension snaked its way through him. “I guess if you make it big, you won’t have time for the inn and the tours.”
Her focus returned to her drawing. “Yes I will. Running the inn and helping with the tours keeps me connected with people. Being an artist is isolating at times.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I guess if the artwork was making enough money and I couldn’t manage it all, I’d hire someone to help with the inn. But the tours, I can’t see giving that up. I enjoy those too much, and they’ve been a great inspiration for my art.”
She said that now, but if her art took off in New York, how long would it be before she thought she needed to live there to keep the career momentum going?
Deciding to quit borrowing trouble, he focused on a more comfortable subject. “This weekend’s groups are guys coming for a manly get back to nature weekend, so your bluebonnet, historical house frilly feminine stuff isn’t likely to sell.”
“You can talk since I’m working on your abs and not your face right now, but don’t move.” A blush worked its way up his neck into his face as her gaze lowered and her pencil scratched across the paper. “The fact that a lot of my art won’t appeal to men occurred to me while you were seeing to the stock this morning. I figure my horse shots and the stuff I’ve taken around the barn will appeal more. But I’ll bring some of the ‘feminine stuff’, too. Those items would make great gifts for the women in their lives.”
“Great idea.” The intoxicating scent of their lovemaking still lingering in the sheets surrounded him. He cleared his throat and tried to focus on business. Right. Her artwork could be gifts guys could give their wives or girlfriends. “We’ll remind them it’s also a way to score brownie points. You know, the-I-was-gone-all-weekend-honey-but-I-saw-this-and-thought-of-you gift.”
She smiled. “That angle never occurred to me.”
“That’s because you’ve never been a guy in trouble
because he spent the weekend with his buddies.”
“I’m gathering you have.”
He nodded. “My ex hated when I spent time with AJ, Zane, and Coop. She never liked them.”
“Why wouldn’t she? They’re great guys. A little goofy at times, but they know how to have fun, and they make me laugh. I think they’re great. I’m just amazed how different you all are.”
“That’s for sure.”
“AJ’s the serious one with the old soul. Coop’s the intellectual with the razor sharp sense wit, and Zane—” She shook her head. “Zane could sell snow shovels in Florida.”
But not to her. She’d seen right through his cousin. Ty liked that. “You’ve got them pegged.” His gaze locked with hers. “What about me?”
“You’re the one that holds them all together. I bet you make sure the retreat happens every year.”
He thought about what she’d said. Damned if she wasn’t right. He was the one who sent out the emails saying it was time for them to pick a date and bugged everyone until they selected one.
“Speaking of male bonding getaways,” she said, pulling him back to their conversation, “I was trying to think of a way we could get them to stay at the inn rather than a cabin or a hotel.”
“Men aren’t big on bed and breakfasts. There’s not much we can do about that.”
“Maybe there is. While the guys are off hunting or playing cowboy, what do you think their significant others are doing?”
He shrugged, not having given it much thought.
“I said don’t move,” she snapped.
“Dang, you can be bossy. This modeling stuff is harder than it looks.”
“If these guys’ wives aren’t home with the kids, they’re probably spending time with their girlfriends. That made me think of a way we can capitalize on that by offering a couple’s package.”