by Julie Benson
“I’m glad to see you, but you can’t go anywhere without telling your aunt. Now let’s join her before she starts to worry.”
As Cassie stood at the bar waiting to pick up dinner, the sounds of families sharing a meal and friends enjoying each other’s company mixed with country music from the ceiling speakers attacked her frayed nerves. The Horseshoe Grill was a down-home family place, but then most establishments in Wishing were. Simple, worn wooden tables and serviceable chairs. Saddles, rope, and neon beer signs for décor. A far cry from the delis and restaurants she’d frequented in New York where people rushed in, grabbed a quick bite and blew out. Here dinner was a social event, a chance to catch up with practically everyone in town.
Normal every day life in small town Texas. Cassie squeezed her eyes shut as loneliness pinched her heart. At times, she could pretend Chloe and Jack were gone for a romantic weekend and she was staying with Ella until they returned.
Then there were nights like tonight when memories bombarded her, sending her into a tailspin. The last time she’d been here Chloe had been excited about her business venture with Ty offering packages including a stay at the bed and breakfast along with the “cowboy experience” at his ranch. Cassie had shared how thrilled she was that her urban architecture series was selling. While they talked, Jack and Ella, a true blue daddy’s girl, played pool.
The bartender arrived with her food, pulling Cassie away from her memories. She smiled as she handed him the signed credit card receipt, picked up her order and turned to tell Ella they were ready to go. Only her niece wasn’t there. Razor sharp fear raced through her.
Oh, Lord. I’ve only been responsible for her for a month, and now I’ve lost her.
Don’t panic. That never helps.
Since she’d picked Ella up in Orlando after the crash, except for school, the child hadn’t strayed farther than two feet from her side. She had to be here. Cassie’s heart beating the way it did after a good Pilates class, she scanned the crowded restaurant. Then she spotted Ella near the pool tables in Ty’s arms.
After her relief subsided and she started breathing again, her heart did that little flutter thing again as she stared at the cowboy dressed in a blue plaid shirt, Wranglers, and boots. What was up with that? Maybe she’d developed some kind of heart condition. One triggered by a certain good-looking cowboy?
Right. People came down with those heart problems every day.
Of course she appreciated a good-looking man. With dark hair and eyes, Ty possessed a rugged, chiseled face and a tall, muscular body without being the fake I-work-out-every-chance-I-get type, and the artist in her dreamed of painting him. The cowboy definitely qualified as first-rate eye candy. Too bad the handsome face and great body came with an all work and no play, stubborn, know-it-all personality.
When she reached the pair, Cassie said, “Ella, sweetie, I was worried when I turned around and you were gone.”
“I told her while I was glad to see her she can’t go anywhere without letting you know.”
“Ty’s right. I need to know where you are at all times.” Because that was her primary job now. To make sure nothing happened to Ella. To see she reached adulthood. No pressure there for someone who’d been too scared to get a goldfish.
“I also said Crunchie misses her.”
“I know all about Captain Crunch. I hear he likes hugs and is one of the smartest horses on your ranch. Isn’t that right, Ella?”
She smiled at her niece and resisted the urge to beg Ella to say something. Anything. Even the simple word yes, but instead her niece nodded, her gaze almost vacant. Gone was the sparkle, the innocence that once shone there. Then Ella shoved her thumb in her mouth, and Cassie bit her lip to quell her disappointment.
Her gaze locked with Ty’s, concern evident in his warm, brown eyes. And something else. Understanding.
“How about you bring Ella over tomorrow afternoon to visit Crunchie?”
Cassie pulled her gaze away from Ty’s and turned to her niece. Eyes so similar to Chloe’s her heart ached, but now Ella’s eyes flickered with excitement and interest. Something Cassie hadn’t seen much of the last month.
Ella loved horseback riding. Maybe it would be a way to reach her niece. Something to build on. If nothing else, the outing might help them forget for a while and let them have fun. Something else that used to be easier to do. Right now she’d take that and call it a win. “Would you like to see Crunchie?”
Ella nodded.
“Good. How about you and Aubrey go riding while your aunt and I talk?”
Cassie stiffened. Hold the horses, cowboy. That wasn’t what she had in mind. “I don’t know. Ella hasn’t been comfortable with many people lately.”
“She and Aubrey have known each other for years. She’s babysat for Ella, but it’s up to her. What do you say Ella? Do you mind going riding with Aubrey? If it’s not, that’s fine, too.” Ty glanced down at the child and received another small nod. He turned to Cassie. “We need to hammer out your responsibilities with the business and decide when to start booking guests.”
Their budget discussion had left her dazed, confused, and discouraged. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough for round talking about her duties with the inn and having guests. The walls closed in on Cassie, squeezing out her ability to breathe, making her head ache from lack of oxygen. She knew she should tell him the truth, but now wasn’t the right time. Like there would be a good time?
“I know we need to talk about that, but what’s important now is Ella. She and I always talked about going horseback riding, but we haven’t gotten around to it. We could both use some fun, and horseback riding—”
“It’s not going to work this time, Cassie,” Ty said, cutting off her. “I’ve let you put this off too long as it is. You need to reopen the inn. You need the money.”
––––––––
Find out what happens next...
Buy now!
Keep Up with your Favorite Authors and their New Releases
For the latest news from Tule Publishing authors, sign up for our newsletter here or check out our website at TulePublishing.com
About the Author
An avid daydreamer, Julie Benson doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t creating stories. After graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Sociology, she worked as case manager for a social services agency before having her children. Three boys, and many years later, she started actively pursuing a writing career to challenge her mind and save her sanity. Now she writes full time in Dallas, where she lives with her husband, their three sons, two lovable black dogs, a mischievous brown one and a turtle. Julie says, while her house is never quiet or predictable, it is full of heroes.
––––––––
For more from Julie:
Visit her website at JulieBenson.net
Join her mailing list
Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @julierbenson
For all the latest news from Tule Publishing, visit our website at TulePublishing.com and sign up for our newsletter here!