Love With A Stranger

by Taylor, Janelle

  The four stood in the reception area for a while as the Marlowes thanked them and told them what a wonderful time they had tonight.

  “So did I,” Cass concurred, “and it was a pleasure to meet you two. Maybe we can do this again in the near future.”

  Dana said, “That would be wonderful. Oh, yes, there’s something I almost forgot to tell you; I guess because we kept getting sidetracked talking about Steven. We have a company cookout on the first Saturday of every June at our house. We want you to come this year. If you take the company tour with Pat soon, the cookout will give you a chance to get better acquainted with the employees and to meet their families. We have games and swimming for the children, and the company provides the food and drinks. If you like, you can bring a friend, and Peter can bring a date.”

  “We’ll be there, Dana, but I’ll escort Cass,” Peter responded. “It’ll be more relaxing if I don’t have to entertain a strange young lady all afternoon, and it’ll give me more of an opportunity to mingle with my staff and their families. Does that suit you, Cass?”

  “I’ll write it on my calendar the moment I get home tonight. Thanks for including me.”

  Outside, after once again exchanging enthusiastic words about the evening, they bid each other good night and walked to their cars, parked in opposite directions.

  As Cass settled herself in the leather sports seat of Peter’s Porsche Carrera 4s, she gave a peaceful sigh and said, “I’m glad you arranged that dinner; I like the Marlowes; they’re a nice couple.”

  As Peter fastened his seat belt, he added, “And Pat’s a super manager for our firm. Things wouldn’t run as smoothly and profitably as they do without him. I gave him a raise; I figured he deserved it and needs it with a new baby in the house. That’s a cute little tyke they have, isn’t he?”

  “He looked absolutely precious in those pictures. He has such a head full of dark hair, and those huge brown eyes are darling.”

  Peter turned on the ignition switch, put the car in gear, and drove along the paved drive and across the covered bridge as he continued, “It’s got to make one’s heart pound with love and pride to gaze into your own baby’s face and to hold it in your arms. People kid about single women hearing their body clocks ticking at certain ages, but mine seems to tick more loudly every few months. Lordy, it would be nice to find the right woman, settle down, and have a family.”

  At the entrance, he turned right onto King’s Way to head toward the Sea Island Causeway and home. “It’s strange how one trots along thinking he’s happy and carefree and lucky to be a bachelor; then, blam, he runs into a brick wall and wakes up to realize he’s alone and real life is passing him by fast, too fast.”

  “Have you ever dated any woman you considered marrying?” Cass asked.

  “Oh, I was tempted by a couple of them, until I got to know them better. I was even engaged once, when I was nineteen.”

  “What happened? If that topic isn’t painful or too personal.”

  “It isn’t, not any more. I almost got to the marriage altar with the first one. But when she started making all of these grandiose plans about how and where we were going to live, I figured I’d better find out which she loved and wanted more: me or my family’s money. I told her I was going to work for my father after college graduation, but I’d have to start at the bottom of the company and work my way up the ladder just like everybody else employed by him, and support myself. I told her we would have to live on a tight budget for a while, and maybe she’d even have to work until we got ourselves financially secure. Needless to say, she bolted on me within two weeks. The second time was when the woman I was dating at twenty-two got pregnant by accident and had an abortion on the sly, even though I told her we would get married and have the baby. She told me afterward she didn’t want to be tied down to a kid at her age, but she still wanted to marry me; said we could have kids later, but I didn’t believe her. I guess those two experiences and a few others are what made me so leery of women’s motives. Sometimes good looks, money, and prestige are more of a curse than a blessing. Just think, Cass, I could have a four-year-old son tagging after me today. We could be…” Peter’s sigh was deep and filled with hurt. “Damn! I lied, Cass; it does still anger and pain me even after all these years. Sometimes I find myself wondering how he would look and what we would be doing. She got rid of him without a second thought just like my mother abandoned me.”

  She heard anguish in his voice and read torment in his expression. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles blanched white and his arms were stiff. Her heart went out to him for those sufferings, as she was too familiar with those feelings.

  “I’m sorry, Cass; that slipped out. I guess maybe I had too much to drink or I’m tired. Ignore what I said, please.”

  Cass knew he hadn’t drunk too much wine because he had appointed himself their “designated driver.” Despite his smile and chuckles, he appeared ashamed of his slip. “Don’t be sorry or embarrassed you have those feelings; you’re only human, Peter.”

  “Well, they go against my motto of accepting what I can’t change. We can get ourselves into some real pickles at times, can’t we?”

  “Yes, we can; I’ve certainly been in a few: Brad, for one.” Tom for another; and now, with you and Jason.

  “You think we’ll ever find anybody that’s perfect for us?”

  “I hope so, Peter, or we’re in for long and lonely lives.”

  “I hope not, Cass, because we deserve better.” You’re a naive and gullible woman, Cass! How can you believe such bullshit? Don’t you know real men don’t talk like that? No wonder you get yourself into so much trouble with men! You don’t know anything about them. You just let them lead you around by your pretty nose and cunt. Yep, my sexy and stupid stepmother, you’re just about ripe for plucking by a new man.

  Peter was so caught up in his devious and lewd thoughts that he failed to realize the change in his feigned somber expression and mood, but Cass witnessed the smug grin that curled his mouth up at one corner and the devilish gleam that filled his hazel eyes. The alteration was alarming to her. She had no doubt that Peter still disliked and distrusted her and was deceiving her. What remained to be discovered was his motive.

  When they reached her door at home, Cass faked a sunny smile, told him good night, and thanked him for a lovely evening. She almost cringed when he kissed her cheek before he departed. You may have won a few battles, Peter, but you haven’t won the war, and you won’t; I swear it. You may think I’m blind and dense, but I’m not; you’ll see very soon.

  On Sunday morning, Cass didn’t go to church. Though she wanted to be there, she thought it unwise to see Jason with an audience present. When they next talked, she decided, it must be in private.

  That opportunity came sooner than Cass expected when Jason came over that afternoon while Peter was playing golf again. She was standing at the kitchen window when he wheeled his vehicle into her driveway. No doubt he was breaking his word about leaving her alone temporarily because he saw her out last night with Peter. Now that she had a different view of Tom’s son and the police investigation was over, it was time to learn if Jason Burkman could be trusted. She opened the front door as he approached the porch.

  He looked at her and said, “I know I promised to wait until you called, but I had to see you, Cass. I have to know the answer to one question: Did Peter tell you about our past problem? Is that why you stopped seeing me?”

  “That’s two questions, but the answer to the first one is yes, he did. The answer to the last one is yes and no. Perhaps we should have a serious talk. You have a right to tell me your side of the story. Please, come in. Have a seat in the den and I’ll join you in a minute with some colas.”

  Jason walked to the fireplace and gazed at the painting above the mantel. He was nervous and worried, despite the fact she was willing to give him the opportunity to explain. All he could do was tell the truth and hope she believed him. When he heard he
r enter the room, he headed for the sofa and she, for the loveseat nearby.

  Cass focused her gaze and attention on him and listened to his version, which was similar to Peter’s account in most areas.

  “I’m sure Peter must have proclaimed his innocence to you, like he did to me. I can’t prove he lied either time, but it sounded fishy to me. I don’t see how Brenda could have secreted enough money from a household account to rent an apartment, and afford all the expenses that go with it: I think somebody had to be paying for at least half of those costs. Since she was having an affair with Peter, I had to assume he was footing the bill for their love nest. I was skeptical that he wasn’t suspicious of her crazy schedule. I also can’t believe he never saw our pictures on the society page since we were featured in that section on several occasions at charity functions. Since we lived and socialized in the same area, how could he not see us out together at least once or twice?” Jason shrugged. “Maybe he was telling the truth about Brenda using him, but I think there were too many holes in his story for me to believe him. What did he tell you?”

  Cass was honest with him. She watched his gaze widen as she told the whole story.

  Jason stared into her brown eyes and vowed, “Even if he’s as guilty as sin, Cass, I would never use you to spite him. If you knew me better, you’d know I’m not that kind of person. Besides, if I was only out for revenge, I would have come after you sooner. I could have tricked you into divorcing Tom, then rejected you and created a terrible scandal for them. You would have hated and blamed Peter for provoking me to revenge.”

  Jason took a deep breath and an even deeper plunge into murky emotional waters as he confessed, “I started falling in love with you the first time we met and those feelings have gotten stronger as time passed. I need to have you in my life, Cass, but more so, I want you there. If I do or say anything to turn you against me, it will be the biggest and most painful mistake I’ve ever made. All I’m asking for is a chance to prove myself to you. Am I praying and wishing for too much? I know this is probably not the right time to be pressuring you, but I don’t want to give myself false hopes.”

  “What I said by the pool the other day is still true, Jason; it is too soon for me to be dating seriously. But I do have deep and strong feelings for you. I enjoy being with you. I look forward to seeing you or even to speaking with you on the phone. I do want to date you. I do want to get to know you better. I would like for us to have a relationship one day. Where it might lead, I don’t know. It’s just that I’ve been through so much in the last few months that I have to make sure I’m ready to turn to another man. I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want to get hurt.”

  “I would never hurt you, Cass, not intentionally.”

  “That’s what my first husband said, and what Tom said. They both lied to me and deceived me. I can’t fall in love with another stranger and end up with another broken heart. Besides, there are things you don’t know about me and my marriage to Tom and about my current position in certain matters. I can’t divulge those things to you, and you wouldn’t understand certain decisions I have to make without knowing my reasons.”

  “There’s nothing we can’t work out together, Cass. Let me help you.”

  “Perhaps I’ll tell you everything one day, but not today or any time soon. Now that I know about Brenda, I understand why you were giving me subtle warnings about Peter and why you were so concerned about my ill health. I must tell you, at those times, I found your attempts to cast doubts on him strange, and after I learned about the trouble between you two, I viewed them as being suspicious. That’s no longer true. I know now Peter can’t be trusted. It’s nothing he’s said or done overtly, it’s just a feeling I have. He and I never got along until after Tom died; now, he’s trying to act like my best friend.”

  “Since you’ve told me that much, Cass, I’ll reveal another worry I have: I think Peter and Hines were responsible for your strange condition.”

  “So do I.” She saw him look surprised. “I think Peter needed me doped up so he could discover the will’s contents and carry out other business matters without my interference. I can’t say anything because I have no proof. Rest assured I know he’s up to mischief—or was—and that I’m being alert. For those reasons I can’t explain at this time, I have to pretend to believe him and be friends with him. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but this is something I have to handle on my own.”

  “Do you think he had anything to do with his father’s accident?”

  “No, but I think he will go to great lengths to get the entire estate, short of murdering me. So if you see us together and we appear to be having fun, understand it will be nothing more than a pretense, each of us trying to dupe the other for different reasons.”

  “You don’t know how happy and relieved that makes me, Cass. I was afraid he would turn you against me and might harm you.”

  “The only thing that could turn me against you is if you’re lying about your feelings for me. I won’t be fooled in that department again.”

  “I swear to you, Cass, I love you and want to marry you, that’s all.”

  “I have strong feelings for you, too, Jason, but I have to be honest and tell you that marriage isn’t in the picture for us for a long time.”

  “I can wait, Cass, as long as I know my hopes aren’t in vain.”

  “If you’re trustworthy and sincere, they aren’t.” Because I have a plan to outwit Tom and Peter. With it, I’ll get you and the money.

  Jason gazed into her eyes and vowed, “I’m both of those things, Cass, believe me.”

  She smiled and urged, “Then, be patient while I resolve one final matter.”

  “You have my word of honor; I won’t break it again.”

  “I believe you. Now, if you resist the urge to phone me or visit me this week, I’ll come over to your house Friday night for dinner.”

  “You will?”

  “Yes, but you have to leave now before Peter returns home and finds you here. I don’t want to antagonize him.”

  “Consider me gone, but as a happy man this time.”

  They exchanged smiles, and kissed. The kiss was long, deep, and filled with emotion; and it ignited their desires.

  When they felt their passions rising, they parted as if on cue and grinned knowingly at each other.

  “I best hightail it while I can keep my new promise because you’re mighty tempting. I’ll see you Friday night at my house about six.”

  “I’ll phone you I’m on the way so you can open the garage for me; that way I can hide my car from everyone’s view, especially Peter’s.”

  “I do love an exciting adventure.”

  “So do I when I’m on the winning side. Now, scat, Doc.”

  “I love you, Cassandra Grantham. Good-bye until Friday.”

  She caressed his cheek, smiled, and echoed, “Until Friday.”

  After he was gone, Cass thought, You went with your head the other two times and did what you thought was best for you; this time, go with your heart and your feelings and see where they lead you.

  Linda called her later that afternoon and they made plans to go to a local beauty spa and have lunch on Thursday. Cass didn’t tell her about Jason or Peter or Brad; she would wait until they saw each other to mention those subjects, if she decided to do so. Perhaps Linda would be willing to be her alibi for her planned mischief Friday night.

  Mary came on Monday, and they did their separate chores; then Cass ran an errand that took longer than she had expected.

  When she returned home at seven-ten, Peter joined her at the car and helped her unload the sacks. “I was wondering where you were and I was getting worried about you. It’ll be getting dark soon.”

  Cass pasted on a bright smile and said, “As you can see, I went to Winn-Dixie. I’ve been there since Mary left at five. I must be bored out of my skull because it was fun. I walked up and down every aisle and probably looked at every item on the shelves. I haven’t gone gr
ocery shopping in ages; Tom insisted that Inez always do it. I must have bought enough to last me for months. With her gone, I’ll get to plan my own menus and I’ll have to bone up on my cooking skills.” That’s it, Cass, make him think you’re simple-minded and easily appeased, totally gullible, and oblivious to business and his deceits.

  As she unpacked the bags and put away her purchases, Peter asked, “Would you like to grab a bite to eat at Mullet Bay? Afterward, we can go for a swim or take a walk on the beach to settle our tummies.”

  Cass glanced at him and forced out another phony smile. “I’m tired tonight, Peter. But we can do those things on another evening, if you don’t mind. Besides, I’ve already eaten,” she lied to get rid of him.

  “You did have a busy day. I’m glad to see you so well, and getting out a little, even if it’s only to run errands.”

  “I have you to partly thank for my improvement. If you hadn’t called Doctor Hines when you did, I may have had a nervous breakdown. I don’t know what got into me or came over me to cause me to act so crazy. It was weird and scary, almost like I was inebriated or on drugs.” She gave a fake nervous laugh. Don’t let him suspect you’re watching him for slips. She used a serious expression and tone to add, “I hope it didn’t give you a bad impression of me, and I regret other people saw me like that. I’m going to take good care of myself because I never want to go through that dark maze again.”

  “You won’t, Cass, because you’re completely recovered, and you’re a smart and strong woman. You just got caught up in a terrible ordeal with Dad’s death, the police investigation, and nosy people. I’m sure everybody realized you were suffering from grief and exhaustion. As for me, it helped me understand how much you loved and missed my father.”