Rory

by Vanessa Devereaux

  “No, Rory. I don’t want you put out in any way by me being here. If that’s the case, then I’ll leave.”

  “What’s the big deal about me bringing you a drink in bed?”

  “Help me to the kitchen and we’ll call it even,” said Cass.

  He put his arm around her shoulders. She guessed that had been worth the effort. She always felt more secure and safe with him by her side. Maybe because at six three he was the tallest of the Malone brothers.

  They reached the kitchen and Rory pulled out a chair and sat her down.

  He wore sweats that left nothing to the imagination. Bare chest and biceps that looked like he worked out every day, and which acted like a beacon in the night to her libido. Every woman needed to get themselves a cowboy.

  He turned around and handed the glass of juice to her. She drank half of it in three long gulps. “The pain pills make me really dry,” she said.

  “We should probably get a bottle of water and a glass and put them by your bed.”

  She gulped down the remaining juice.

  “You want some more?”

  Cass shook her head. “If I do I’ll probably need to pee all night. And don’t go suggesting you put a commode in the room.”

  Rory tipped his head back and laughed.

  “Yeah, I know you, you were thinking about it, but that’s for when I’m old and wearing adult diapers.”

  He smiled. “I think it’s going to be a long time before that happens.”

  “I guess I’m going to have to clean my teeth again before I go back to sleep.”

  “At least let me give you some assistance getting to the bathroom.”

  He helped her up off the chair and then put his arm around her waist as the two of them made their way along the hallway. He held her crutches while she got out her toothbrush and paste.

  “Does the town still have a beauty salon?” she asked.

  “Sure does.”

  “Maybe I should get my hair washed and styled, so I look half decent.”

  “Maybe Mom, Lacey, or Natalie can take you along there.”

  She wiped her mouth and then Rory decided to let her rest against his body while he carried the crutches for her. She leaned into his body, which was warm, the muscles pushing against her body. He helped her back to the bed. She sat and then lifted her legs up and under the blankets.

  Rory covered her quickly like he was scared she’d catch cold or something. He blushed, and that’s when she realized the reason for his haste. She wasn’t wearing panties. She couldn’t be bothered struggling with them and getting them over the cast.

  “Sleep tight and sweet dreams,” he said, turning off the light.

  “You too.”

  She watched as he left and bit her lip still thinking about the rosy hue on those handsome cheeks of his.

  ****

  Rory pulled the covers over his body. Not that he was cold. Just the opposite, but he wanted to hide the fact that his body had reacted to seeing Cass’s pussy. He hadn’t realized she was sans panties when she’d lifted her legs up so he could help her back into bed.

  He’d tried not to look, really he had, but he was a man and what guy didn’t look at those sorts of things? His erection wasn’t going away anytime soon, probably because the image of her pussy wasn’t going away anytime soon.

  He swallowed trying to think of something else like the hay that needed clearing out of the stalls in the stable. The cattle that needed moving to another pasture.

  Heaven help him, he still saw her pussy in all its pink glory and the dark curls framing it.

  He put his hand under the blanket and stroked himself.

  He’d been without sex too long, but these days there wasn’t a woman in town he really wanted to take to his bed. He stroked himself again. The image of Cass’s folds and her pussy opening burned a hole in his brain.

  How could he look her in the eye knowing that he was jerking off to that image?

  Rory did his best to stop, but couldn’t as his hand slid up and down under the covers almost having a mind all its own.

  His climax was about to happen any second, and when it did, he had to stop himself from crying out because it was going to be such sweet release for him.

  Maybe he’d have to diplomatically tell her to go stay with Flynn or Shane and out of temptation’s way.

  Chapter Eight

  Cass hadn’t realized she’d slept so late until she woke and saw sunlight shining through the gap in the drapes. For the first time since the accident she felt rested. She hadn’t been able to sleep properly in the hospital bed, and having Rory close by had helped make her feel more secure too.

  She got out of bed and reached for her crutches, guessing that he was already up and probably hard at work. She went into the hallway, glanced into his room and saw his bed empty and neatly made. She slowly headed to the kitchen.

  Cass hobbled over to the window and looked out at the beauty of the place. She’d missed it so much, and she hadn’t fully realized that until right that very second.

  The mountains and the valley were so beautiful at this time of the day. She made her way over to the fridge and pulled open the door. She wasn’t that hungry so just some toast would satisfy her until lunch. Pulling out the loaf of bread, she heard the side door open and saw Rory taking off his dirty work boots.

  “Good morning,” she said. “I guess you’ve already eaten?”

  “Yep, bright and early. Flynn and I had some cattle to move.”

  He took off his hat and hung it on the post. “Anything I can get for you?”

  “No, that’s fine. I was about to get myself some toast.”

  “How about some coffee? I have to make some because Flynn said he’d stop by for a mug and to say hi.”

  “That sounds great.”

  Cass put two slices of bread in the toaster, feeling Rory’s arm brush hers as he filled the coffee maker with water. He was warm, and she imagined snuggling up with him on a cold Montana winter morning. Both of them putting their heads under the covers, rubbing their toes on one another’s legs, and then making love for hours on end while the snowflakes fell outside.

  The toast popping up made her jump, almost knocking over her crutches.

  “You okay?” asked Rory.

  “Yep, but that’s a pretty fierce toaster you have there.”

  “Perfect thing to wake me up every morning.”

  Cass turned around when she heard the side door opening, and saw Flynn standing there taking off his hat.

  He looked exactly the same as he had when she’d left. Well, maybe he gained a little weight probably because he had a wife cooking for him. Hard to believe that he and Shane were now both married men.

  “Well, look who this is.” Flynn walked over to her and hugged her so hard he lifted her off her feet.

  She kissed him on the cheek “It’s great seeing you again,” she said.

  “Same here. Sorry to hear about the accident but Rory here will have you up and dancing in no time.”

  “Let’s sit down and enjoy our coffee and break before we have to get back to work,” said Rory.

  The three of them sat at the table, and Cass took a bite of toast. “I hear that you now have a wife.”

  “I do, and we’re also having a baby.”

  “That’s wonderful,” said Cass, patting his hand. “What does Emily think about it?”

  “She’s over the moon. Talks about it every day.”

  “I told Cass that your wife is Emily’s birth mother,” added Rory.

  Flynn nodded. “I’m so happy they found one another and that she was the one I fell in love with. I guess I should have known anyone who could produce someone as wonderful as Emily had to be pretty special.”

  “Do you know what sex the baby is?” asked Cass.

  Flynn took a sip of coffee and shook his head. “We want to keep it a surprise, but Emily’s convinced it’s a boy.”

  “She’s not been wrong so far with th
e horses and cattle, and she predicted correctly for Shane and Lacey.”

  “And what’s Shane’s son’s name?”

  “Liam Ryan.”

  Flynn had said the two names obviously not realizing what he’d done because he glanced at Rory. She saw the look of sadness and pity in their eyes.

  Cass bit her lip. Hearing his name was painful, but she was happy Shane had honored Ryan by giving his first born his name.

  “Now all we need to do is get this guy a wife, and we’re all set,” said Flynn nodding toward Rory.

  “Not me, I’ll be one of the town’s last remaining bachelors,” said Rory.

  Flynn winked at her.

  “Are you dating anyone?” asked Cass

  She hoped that had sounded like she was just casually interested and not thinking of herself as a potential candidate to become Mrs. Rory Malone.

  “Who me? Nope, too busy for that sort of thing,” said Rory.

  “All work and no play,” said Flynn.

  “Which reminds me we have a fence to mend before lunch,” said Rory finishing his coffee. “Anything you need before we head out again?”

  Cass shook her head.

  “You’re going to get bored here so why don’t I drive you into town this afternoon. Did Rory tell you that my wife and Emily now run a craft store next to Mom’s café? Rory knocked the connecting wall down so people can wander back and forth. They’ll both be there later so why don’t you go check it out?”

  “That sounds like fun,” said Cass.

  “I can drive her because I have to go to the store to pick up some food,” said Rory.

  “I guess my services won’t be needed then.”

  ****

  Cass looked so pretty. She couldn’t wear pants because of the cast so she’d put on a denim skirt and pink blouse to take a trip into town with him. Her perfume drifted over to his side of the truck as they turned the corner and headed down the hill away from the ranch.

  He glanced over, noticing her staring out of the window. He’d never left Timber Creek, and he could imagine how strange it would be to go away and come back like this. He put his foot down and sped by the road where she and her father had once lived. He didn’t want to make it obvious, but when she turned to look at him he’d guessed she’d known his motives for the sudden heavy foot.

  “Did they ever rebuild the house?” she asked.

  Rory shook his head. The land was still vacant. It had been rubble and charred grass for a year after the fire. He tried to get the image out of his mind.

  “Is there anything I can get you while I’m at the store?” he asked, hoping that would take the edge off the moment.

  “Anything you’re eating is fine with me. And please let me pay for my share of the food.”

  “You’re not working and one more mouth to feed isn’t going to bust my budget.”

  “Then as soon as I get back to Tacoma and start working again I’ll repay you.”

  The thought of her going back to Tacoma suddenly made him feel sad and lost. Just having her under the same roof for one night had sparked something inside him that he hadn’t even realized was actually dormant, or maybe even dead.

  “So have you been in retail since you moved to Tacoma?”

  “Yes, the current job was the second store I’ve worked at.”

  “You like it?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It pays the bills. I tried beauty school but…I didn’t think it was a good fit after all.”

  “Maybe while you’re laid up you can think about what you’re really like to do. Even train for a new career.”

  “It’s definitely something to consider.”

  Rory pulled into the lot for the café.

  “Emily and Me,” said Cass reading the sign above the craft store.

  “They even have craft parties in there every Thursday, and it’s standing room only now. I never knew Timber Creek had so many ladies into knitting and crafting.”

  Rory got out of the truck, opened the door for Cass and then helped her out. He walked beside her as they approached the café door.

  Cass went inside, and his mom looked up and smiled. She walked over to her, and Cass hugged her. “Look at your pretty face all battered. I’d like five minutes with the person who did this to you.”

  They hugged again and then Emily came running at full speed from the craft store.

  “It’s Cass, she’s here,” said Emily.

  Emily threw her arms around Cass, almost pulling her over as she did so.

  “Hey, don’t knock her over, okay?” said Rory.

  “Sorry. I’ll be real careful with Cass.”

  “Look at you, all grown up,” said Cass.

  “You remember when you and Uncle Ryan would read to me?” asked Cass.

  Cass nodded. They’d been happy times.

  “You got to meet my mom. She’s having a baby.” Emily tugged on her arm.

  “Guess I’ll see you later,” said Rory watching poor Cass trying to stay on her feet as Emily pulled harder on her arm.

  “She looks more beautiful than I ever remember,” said his mom. “Is she doing okay?”

  He nodded. “I think she’s healing just fine.”

  “No, I meant mentally.”

  Rory shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure. It can’t be easy. However, I would like us all to work on her so she’ll think about coming back home. I think it’s for the best.”

  “Rory Malone would that be best for her, or for you?” asked his mom.

  She winked at him. Surely she couldn’t know that he’d always had harbored feelings for Cassandra Perkins.

  ****

  “Mom, mom, this is Cass. She’s my friend.”

  A pretty dark haired woman, with an unmistakable baby bump, turned around and smiled at her.

  “Hi Cass, I’m Natalie.”

  Cass held out her hand, and they shook.

  “Emily’s been so excited since she heard Rory was bringing you back to Timber Creek. Sorry to hear about your accident. That must have been scary.”

  “It was, but I’m glad Rory could be there for me.”

  “Cass, Cass, come and see all our crafts.” Emily pulled on her arm.

  “Emily, not so rough because you’re going to make Cass fall over. Why don’t you both go and sit at one of the tables and you can show her some of the things we’ve made.”

  “This way,” said Emily, taking no notice of her mother and tugging once again at Cass’s arm.

  She smiled as she followed Emily to some shelves. How wonderful that her mother and her had found one another. If only her own mom was still around. She sat down, and Emily brought over an assortment of necklaces and bracelets.

  “We make these at our Thursday night craft parties, and Gran serves lemonade and scones. I made this one,” she said pushing a pink stone bracelet toward her.

  “Emily, it’s beautiful.”

  “You can have it,” said Emily.

  “No, really I couldn’t.”

  “I want you to.”

  The last thing she wanted to do was offend Emily. “Okay then,” said Cass, pushing it over her wrist.

  “And you have to come here on Thursday to do crafts with us.”

  “Emily, Cass probably wants to just stay home and rest,” said Natalie.

  “No, really, I’d love something to do. In fact, I might take a look around before I leave and buy something to make while I’m recovering.”

  “That reminds me, Rory’s new paints and canvas arrived this morning. So the two of you should have great fun in the evenings,” said Natalie.

  Cass blushed. Some other activity besides crafts and painting suddenly sprung to mind.

  ****

  Rory lifted out his bag of paints and the two canvases from the back of his truck. Now the town had a craft store he didn’t need to drive into Missoula for supplies. He put them under his arm while he put the other one on Cass’s arm making sure she didn’t fall over as they made
their way into the house. She’d bought a kit to make a necklace and matching earrings. Emily was quite the sales girl.

  “I’ll just take these into my studio and then I’ll start on supper,” said Rory.

  “You don’t need to. I can make something for us.”

  “You shouldn’t be on your feet for too long.”

  “I’m fine, and I can sit at the table and maybe peel potatoes or whatever you need me to do.”

  “Okay, then, there are some potatoes and green beans in the fridge and I bought some ground beef that I’ll make into hamburger patties.”

  “I can get started on that.”

  He left Cass in the kitchen and carried his art supplies through to the back room. He’d love to paint Cass while she was here. Something to remember her by after she left. No, he was going to make her damn well stay. This was her home. This is where she belonged. Or was he just being selfish thinking of her as another lonely soul to hang out with?

  Hearing something fall in the kitchen, he rushed out and saw she’d dropped a saucepan and was in the process of picking it up. Her butt was in the air, and her skirt got caught on her cast, allowing him a generous view of her thighs.

  The front of his jeans pulled tight. Another hard on. He felt borderline guilty. Yes, only borderline because any guy in his situation with a pretty girl hanging around the house would react the same way. He should have let her know he was standing in the doorway ogling her, but he was enjoying the view way too much to stop.

  A naughty thought of painting her nude washed over him. Now that would be one sketch he’d never be able to share with the rest of the family.

  He coughed, finally letting her know he was back in the kitchen.

  “Finding everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. You know Rory, you’re such a neat housekeeper. You’ll make someone a mighty fine wife one day,” she said and pulled a face at him.

  He smiled and walked over to the bag of groceries and pulled out the package of ground beef. Cass took the vegetables and hopped over to the table and sat down. Marriage. Marriage and a family. He hadn’t given either thing much thought for years. With each turn of the calendar he guessed time was slipping away, and he’d end up a bachelor the rest of his life. He hadn’t even thought about it, been even the least bit envious, when Shane and Flynn had gotten married. But now Cass was back in his life, being in a permanent relationship was constantly on his mind. He watched as she peeled the potatoes. He could imagine her sitting there doing the same thing when he came in from the ranch every night. Someone to greet him; kiss him, eat with him, watch TV with him. And finally someone to make love to. To snuggle with on cold winter nights, and someone who would still be there the morning after.