by Tara Randel
Shaking water from his hair, Luke noticed the tables they’d set up earlier against the building on either side of the entrance. Since they’d gotten dumped on from overhead, he assumed the empty ice chests on the grass had been the ones filled with ice.
“What’s this all about?” Cassie asked, finally finding her voice.
“You’ve seen how sports teams dump water on the coaches after a victory?” Denny explained. “We wanted to show you how much we care.”
“This is caring?” Luke asked, wringing the hem of his shirt.
Kyle tossed Luke a towel. “We just meant to have fun.”
Erin approached Cassie, handing her a towel that she immediately wrapped around herself. Despite the warm day and blazing sun, their body temperatures would need a while to warm up.
Luke eyed Denny. “This was your idea?”
“Well...” Denny glanced away.
“It was mine,” Kyle admitted. “We used to get my coach when I played peewee football.”
“I need to keep a better eye out in the future.”
“C’mon, Mr. H., you liked it,” another boy called out.
He wrapped the towel around his neck. “Liked is too strong a word.”
“Are we in trouble?” Erin asked from her spot a few feet away.
“Nah. But I want to remind you, payback is never fun.”
“Ooh, we’re shaking,” Kyle cooed in a mock frightened voice.
Luke grinned as he viewed the scene before him. Denny and Kyle high-fived, laughing, while a group of kids clapped over their success. Erin stood on the periphery, biting a fingernail. Cassie stood beside him, dripping wet, but smiling. Despite the fact that Luke had just learned someone had stolen money from the Klub, his heart expanded. He’d figure out what was going on and fix this mess, just as Cassie suggested. Maybe even with her at his side.
* * *
CASSIE WATCHED LUKE’S FACE, relieved to see a smile. Yes, they were cold and wet, but the prank had taken his mind off money matters. For a while, anyway. Knowing Luke, he’d go back to this office after the party broke up and get to work on who’d pocketed the money from the Klub.
“That’s a good look on you, sis,” Lauren said as she strolled over, bagel in one hand, coffee in the other.
“The drenched animal look? Exactly what I was going for.”
“Mission accomplished.”
Cassie rubbed the fluffy towel over her face. Her makeup was sure to be gone, but at least she hadn’t taken the soaking alone. Luke looked a mess, too. A handsome mess, though.
When he’d grabbed her to shield her from the brunt of the dousing, her shock had been more from his actions than the surprise attack. She hadn’t needed his protection, but she wasn’t going to lie, his arms locked around her felt good. Almost like they fit together. Which was ludicrous, since they’d only known each other a short time.
Maybe it’s meant to be.
And maybe the cold water had knocked the good sense right out of her head. She had no expectations that Luke might be interested in her. Now or ever. At this moment they were friends. She’d take it. And if he offered more? Well, time would tell. She wasn’t about to tempt fate.
Sidling up beside her, Lauren spoke out of the side of her mouth. “You should make a quick trip to the ladies’ room before Mom arrives. She’ll be all over you to change and probably even lick her thumbs to smooth down your hair.”
Cassie hands flew to her head. “No.”
“Yep. It’s sticking out all over.” She pantomimed drying her head with her hands.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Cassie hissed at her sister.
“And ruin the fun?” She tossed Cassie her gym bag. “Lucky for you I keep clean workout clothes in my car. Go. Change.”
Noticing Erin hovering nearby, looking miserable and out of place, Cassie grabbed Erin’s arm. “I’m going to the restroom. Come with me.”
Erin’s dark-lined eyes crinkled. “Me?” she choked.
“Sure. You know girls can’t go to the restroom alone.”
“Um...okay.”
Cassie tugged her to the building, the voices of the boys ribbing Luke fading in the distance. Once out of hearing range, she said, “Thanks for going along with me.”
Erin lifted her shoulders in an offhand shrug.
“I didn’t embarrass you, did I?”
“No, it’s... I’ve never hung out with anyone famous before.”
Cassie laughed. “I’m far from famous. Just a woman who needs to fix herself up.” She glanced at the teen. “You could give me some serious makeup tips.”
“Really? I mean, no one usually notices, well except my parents but they don’t count, so I wouldn’t know what to tell you.” Erin stopped rambling to inhale a breath. “Sorry.”
“Hey, I hijacked you. It’s okay.”
Once inside the building Cassie stopped. Looked around.
“This way.” Erin took the lead, walking toward doors to their right.
Inside the ladies’ room, Cassie stripped out of her wet clothes. Her sister’s tank top and shorts fit, even though she still shivered from the cold water. Her mouth formed an O when she viewed herself in the mirror.
“Just shoot me now.”
Erin joined her. “It’s not so bad.”
“I do look like a drenched animal.”
Her hair matted to her head on one side, stuck up on the other. Mascara ringed her eyes. The foundation she used to cover her freckles had melted away. “What a disaster.”
“Don’t worry. Even wet you’re pretty.”
“Stylish was more what I was going for.” With practiced hands, Cassie unraveled her braid. Once loose, she fluffed out the wet, heavy mass. She took the towel and rubbed, hoping to make herself presentable again.
Erin stood nearby, gnawing on a fingernail.
“Now, you,” Cassie said in hopes of setting the girl at ease, “are gorgeous. Do you know what women in the business would give for your hair and complexion? A fortune.”
Her hands shooting up to touch the hair falling over her shoulders, Erin looked in the mirror. “I doubt it.”
Cassie noted the uncertainty on the young girl’s face. She remembered those days, worrying over every little detail of her appearance. She snorted. Guess she hadn’t changed that much.
Erin shot her a questioning glance.
“Just thinking that no matter the age, we all care about our appearance.” She ran her fingers through her hair, trying for a semblance of control. “So, do you hang out at the Klub?”
“When I can.” Erin leaned a hip against the counter. “Mr. H. is always coming up with cool stuff for us to do.”
“Like what?”
“Music. Sports. Stuff like that.”
“What are you involved with?”
“Nothing.”
“What would you like to be involved with?”
Erin pressed her lips together before she spoke, a lost little girl expression on her face. “I like music. But I’m not good at it.”
“What kind of music?”
“I’m in chorus at school.”
“That’s fun. You’ll learn technique and theory.”
“I guess.”
“Listen, I may teach some music classes here. Come by and check it out.”
“I don’t know. My parents may not like it. They’re weird about musicians.”
“I can talk to them. Are they here today?” Cassie asked as she tried in vain to braid her straight hair once again. She finally gave up and twisted it into a messy bun and secured it with the band she’d used at the end of her braid.
A shadow crossed Erin’s face. “No. They, um... This isn’t a good day.”
Home issues? P
robably. Who didn’t clash with their folks at Erin’s age? Given the edge in Erin’s voice, her need to make excuses, well, the tension prompted Cassie to wonder if it went deeper, but she didn’t know the girl well enough to stick her nose in Erin’s business.
“Oh. No matter how old you get, you’re always their kid.”
Erin turned away, but not before Cassie saw the hurt in her eyes.
“This is the best I can do. Thankfully Luke, er, Mr. H., shielded me from most of the water.”
“You should have seen your face.” Erin giggled.
“I’m glad I didn’t.” She faced Erin. “Presentable?”
“Are you kidding?”
“No, I’m not. Tell me the truth.”
Hesitating a moment, Erin motioned to her ear. “You’ve got some loose strands hanging there.”
Glancing in the mirror, Cassie fixed the problem. “Okay, let’s head out.”
She held the door open for Erin. They cut through the now empty gymnasium to the exit.
“Thanks, Miss Branford.”
“For what?”
“Dragging me to the bathroom. I had fun.”
Cassie looped her arm over the girl’s shoulder. “If that’s your idea of fun, you need to get out more.”
Erin laughed, but it sounded stilted to Cassie’s ears. “I meant it when I said to come by the Klub. I’d love for you to be in one of my classes.”
“For real?”
“As real as it gets.”
“I’ll try.”
They joined the group gathered around Luke, who’d also changed into a dry T-shirt and shorts, when she heard a voice say, “Cassie, what on earth happened to you?” She turned to find her mother, hands on her hips. “Your hair is soaked.”
Was it too late to hide behind the towering oak tree or sprint to the back of the warehouse?
“You said something about breakfast, not water games.”
“Not games, Mom. Only overzealous teens playing a joke on us.”
Dottie Jackson had to be the most gentle woman on the planet, but mess with her kid and the claws came out. “Are you okay? You don’t want to catch a cold and hurt your throat.”
“It’s okay. I’m already warming up.”
Bud, her stepfather, joined his wife, a grin on his face. “Heard you took one for the team.”
Cassie sent a lethal look at her sister, who shrugged and sauntered away.
Dottie hugged her. “So sorry we missed the concert, honey. Bud mapped out the entire trip in advance, so we couldn’t get back here any earlier.”
“It was last-minute. I knew it would be tough for you guys to swing it.” Cassie disengaged and grinned at her mother. “It’s not like you’ve never seen me perform.”
“Yes, but I hate to miss your shows.”
In the early years, Cassie had flown her mother to as many shows as possible. As her career took off, her mother only managed to make it to nearby venues.
“Mom. Bud. I want you to meet someone.” She took her mother’s hand and steered her in Luke’s direction. “Luke Hastings.”
“We’ve met.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Are you responsible for the attack on my daughter?”
“Actually, I’m a mutual victim.”
Bud stuck out his hand to shake Luke’s. “Dottie’s like a mama bear with her young’ns.”
Luke took his hand. “Surprise attack. No causalities.”
“I should hope so,” her mother grumped. “Cassie, you need to get home and put on warmer clothes.”
Normally Cassie didn’t mind her mother’s fussing. She’d gotten used to it growing up. It had been her mother’s way of making up for their father’s desertion and the subsequent long hours she’d worked because of it. Whenever Cassie came home, she reveled in the attention the woman loved to lavish on her. But right now she’d rather be viewed as an accomplished adult, especially in Luke’s eyes.
“I know I can’t force you,” her mother relented. “But I worry.”
“I’m fine. I promise.”
“Let’s get some of that coffee before it’s all gone.” Bud slipped his arm around his wife’s waist and winked at Cassie.
She grinned, thankful he stepped in.
Dottie’s serious gaze met Luke’s. “No monkeying around, young man.”
Cassie rolled her eyes.
Luke’s lips twitched.
After her mother and Bud walked away, Cassie finally looked at Luke. “Sorry.”
He shrugged.
By now most of the kids had dispersed.
“I...ahh, should be headed home.”
Luke’s gaze held hers. “You didn’t mind the shower, did you?”
“No. The kids were just having fun. And who am I to ruin their good time?”
“As long as you aren’t upset.”
“Far from it.” She paused. “Thanks for protecting me.”
“Now, what kind of man would I be if I hadn’t protected you from the brunt of the attack?”
Luke might not open up easily, but he was a decent man. His work with the kids proved it every day.
“You’re a stand-up guy, Luke.”
His good humor faded. Was he thinking about the missing money?
She reached over and touched his hand. “You’ll figure out what’s going on, Luke. Lauren and I will help you any way we can.”
His troubled gaze met hers. “I’m gonna take you up on that offer.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“HEY, LAUREN, I took a towel from the linen closet.” Cassie yelled as she padded down the hallway in her bare feet while twisting the towel over her hair.
The aroma of brewed coffee spiced the air, along with the apple-cinnamon candle her sister burned regularly. Homey. Just what Cassie needed after traveling so much. “I’ll make sure—” She stopped short as she came into the kitchen, finding her father seated at the table with her sister.
“Look, Daddy’s here.”
Cassie thought back to the day of the reception when Lauren rebuked her for calling him dad. Daddy? Father? How was she to address the man?
“Dad,” she went for, tugging the collar of her robe closer while sending her sister a dirty look.
“He just stopped by. Unannounced.”
Her father pushed his coffee mug to the side and rested his elbows on the table. He watched Cassie with a measured gaze. Great. Now what?
“The concert went well,” he started. “You put on quite a show. Although less interaction with the crowd would have better served you.”
“I always give the fans their money’s worth,” she responded, pulling out a chair to join the happy family surrounding the table.
“Perhaps next time you’ll want advance notice of my availability.”
Like that was ever going to happen.
“How is the writing going?” he asked.
It was all Cassie could do not to glare at her sister. Dad would catch the exchange and know something was up. “Slow. You know you can’t rush the process.”
“I remember when I penned the score for Speed City. The ideas flowed so easily. And with the film’s success, the music became iconic.”
They’d been hearing about his one foray into movie fame for three years. There’d been a spin-off movie, but no offers to work with the team again. He still continued to conduct, but even his touring schedule had slowed significantly. By his actions lately, she got the distinct impression he was trying to reinvent himself.
Lauren smiled at their father. “Everyone remembers your music.”
“I have a call in with another director friend of mine. He’s considering a project he thinks would benefit from my musical skills. I’m hoping to be asked to compose another score.�
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“How exciting,” Lauren gushed. “Can you give us any details?”
“Not yet. It’s hush-hush.”
Right. Crossing her arms over her chest, Cassie noticed the slight frown on her father’s normally smooth forehead. Perhaps he wasn’t as sure of his career path as he’d once been.
“They’ll call you, Daddy. I’m sure of it.”
He dropped his gaze for a beat, then met Cassie’s. She read the great big question mark there before he blinked. Yes, something was up.
“So, Cassie, when will you return to LA? Angelica and I have a home out there. You must come see it.”
“Dad, you have three houses scattered around the country and you’ve never invited me over once.”
“Times change. Angelica has reminded me how important family is.”
“Ooh,” Lauren cut in, “Wouldn’t it be fun to have a family reunion? I’d love to visit you.”
“Yes, of course.” He acknowledged Lauren briefly. “Certainly my doors are always open to both of you.”
Cassie wanted to believe he meant it, but Robert Branford had always been out for number one. Was this a true change of heart or did he have an ulterior motive? She didn’t plan on engaging him long enough to discover the truth.
“I have no idea what my schedule will be like once I head out west,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll be busy.”
“Not too busy to visit your father.”
“Like you visited us when we were kids?”
Her father drew back in the chair. “You know I was focusing on my career. Travel was part of the deal.”
“Oh, I get it. Leaving Mom and us behind was all for the greater good, right?”
“We’ve gone over this numerous times, Cassandra.” He struggled to keep the exasperation from his voice, but it leaked through anyway. “I can’t help that the means to support you meant I was in and out of your life.”
She nearly snorted at the notion of him putting his family first. “Support? Is that what you called it?”
“I worked to take care of you.”
She reined in the mounting resentment she always fought against when her father showed up in her life. “No, Mom worked to take care of us. She’s the one who stuck it out—looked after us when we were sick, cried with us when we were hurting, was there for the accomplishments in our lives. She made us a family when you couldn’t bother.”