Return to Love (Willow Valley Book 1)

by Christine Kingsley

  He suddenly became aware of the gentle touch of Cassie rubbing her hand up and down his back and wondered how long she had been doing that. It was comforting.

  She leaned forward and whispered to him. "It can't be much longer, Jack. Just try to breathe. He's going to be okay."

  He looked over and noticed the lines of worry that were creasing her forehead as she regarded him and was instantly grateful that she was there with him. Reaching over, he clasped her other hand with both of his and looked sincerely into her eyes. "Thank you for coming with me."

  "There was never a question." Her brown eyes were full of compassion.

  He tried not to think of what may have happened if Cassie hadn't gone in when she did. Judging by the gash on his cheek, it looked as if Tom had passed out and hit his head on the way down. He hadn't lost much blood according to the paramedics, but that wasn't Jack's biggest concern. His father had been having heart problems for a while now, and as much as he'd tried to downplay the severity of them, now it looked as if he may have had a heart attack.

  "Why didn't you tell me?" Cassie's question broke into his thoughts.

  Jack shook his head and shrugged. "He didn't want anyone to know. He thought it wasn't a big deal. I knew better though." He searched her eyes, wondering what he should tell her, and instantly knowing he could trust her with the truth. "It's one of the reasons I came back, you know. He didn't let on to me for a long time, but when I came back for my last visit, I noticed something was different. He had let the ranch go. It's a small operation, but he hadn't been able to keep up with even the simplest parts. That's when I knew something was up, and he finally admitted to me that he'd been having difficulty with his heart. I should have pushed for more information, or talked to his doctor. I didn't realize it was quite this severe. Cassie, what if he's not okay? What if I could have prevented this by making sure he got better treatment?"

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in close, cradling his head on her shoulder. "Shh, don't talk like that. You did everything you knew to do, so don't go blaming yourself. We have great doctors accessible to Willow Valley, but if we have to take him to the city, we will, simple as that. Besides, the paramedics didn't seem to think it was too severe."

  Jack noticed her usage of the word we, but didn't mention it. Instead, he let himself relax in her arms, enjoying the closeness that, for once, he hadn't initiated. It comforted him to know that regardless of all the ups and downs they had been through recently, when he really needed her, there was no question that she was there for him. She ran her fingers through his hair over and over, and he wondered if she even noticed. Risking a glance at her face, he tried to read her, but all she gave him was a tiny smile, then leaned her head back against the cinder block wall and closed her eyes, continuing to hold him.

  He wasn't sure how long it had been, but after a time a nurse called them back through the double doors where a doctor was waiting for them. Jack laced his fingers through Cassie's and she squeezed his hand as they followed the doctor down the hall.

  Stopping outside his father's closed door, the doctor turned to them. "He's had a mild heart attack. The laceration on his cheek is minor, and he didn't lose much blood. He's going to be fine, but we want to transfer him to a room and keep him under observation for a day or two. We need to run some tests and talk with his cardiologist. He's tired, but you're welcome to stay with him until we get him moved."

  Jack thanked the doctor and took a deep breath. Cassie smiled encouragingly at him and he felt a renewed strength with her by his side. Nodding determinedly, he pushed the door open and entered the small room. Seeing his father hooked up to machines, looking tired and weak, wasn't a sight that Jack was prepared for, and a fresh wave of worry washed over him.

  Cassie whispered in his ear. "It's okay. Remember what the doctor said." She moved to the opposite side of the bed and took Tom's hand. "Hey, Mr. Martin. You gave us quite a scare." Jack noticed the kindness and gentleness in her eyes as she spoke with his father, and his heart warmed again. He was reminded of how Tom had always been somewhat of a father figure in the absence of Cassie's own growing up. Much as Caroline had been kind and motherly to him.

  "Damned old heart," Tom joked, attempting a laugh that turned into a fit of coughing.

  Jack rushed to his side. "Take it easy, Dad."

  "I'm going to be fine, kid."

  Jack told him what the doctor had said, and Tom insisted that it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Jack could only hope so. He remained quiet for much of the next few hours, lost in thought and watching Cassie interact with his father. Tom fell asleep after a while, and Cassie and Jack settled in on the stiff plastic covered sofa that barely fit in the room. Cassie didn't say much, and neither did Jack, but it was a comfortable silence. Something had changed between them. All the walls were down, and Cassie was giving herself to him in all the ways he needed without him having to ask. Her wordless support spoke volumes. Regardless of what she was struggling with, and why she was so determined not to give in to her feelings for him, she was there for him when it counted and she cared about him. For now, that was all he needed, and he quietly accepted it.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Cassie rode in silence on the way back to Jack's house, replaying the evening in her mind. It was close to midnight by the time they finally got Tom settled in his room, and though she should have been exhausted, she was too keyed up from the events of the night. At the same time, she was at a loss for what to say to Jack.

  Nothing had actually changed between them, but at the same time everything felt different. She had wanted nothing more than to be there for him tonight to offer comfort and support, and she didn't know what to make of it. It was more than just a life-long friendship that had pushed her hold him close and offer reassurances, but it had lacked the heat of passion that she normally felt every time they touched, and that confused her. What scared her the most was how natural it had felt to be with him in that way, as if they were a team, dealing with what life threw at them together.

  Jack interrupted her thoughts suddenly as they turned onto the drive leading to his house, worry ringing in his voice. "What about Sarah? I didn't even think to ask if you needed to go home to her, and now I've kept you away all night."

  His concern for her daughter had her melting inside. "I took care of it. Lissa said she'd stay as long as I needed her to. I checking in earlier, and Sarah was asleep by eight."

  Jack parked the truck and turned to her. "You don't need to rush home then?"

  "I'm sure Lissa has already passed out on the couch herself."

  Jack hesitated, and her stomach clenched, sure she knew what he was about to say. "Would you mind staying a while? I'm too wound up to sleep, and I don't really want to be alone yet."

  She knew it was a bad idea right away, but heard herself speaking before she could think better of it. "I can stay for a bit." What was she doing? This was a terrible idea. But the thought of leaving Jack alone when he'd had such a rough night already made her heart ache for him. She told herself that a good friend would be there when they were needed, but knew she was kidding herself. She wasn't ready to leave him anymore than he wanted her to go.

  He came around and opened the passenger door for her, and they walked into the house, Cassie being careful not to get too close. She didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She was here for support, that's all. But that was a lie and she knew it.

  They walked into the kitchen and Jack pulled a beer from the fridge, holding up to her. "Want one?" She shook her head. Best to keep her wits about her. He popped it open and took a long drink, then went in to sit on the couch. Cassie followed and sank down beside him, the soft cushions feeling wonderful after a night of unforgiving plastic seating.

  "Thank you again for being with me tonight," Jack said, looking at her earnestly.

  "I'm glad I could be there." She didn't know what else to say. Had he felt the connection earlier, as she had? There was definitely
a new level of comfort between them. Cassie didn't know what to make of it. She knew she should go, but she didn't want to break this fragile bond when she'd come here earlier in the day with the intention of setting things right between them.

  Jack leaned forward and set his unfinished drink on the table, then turned toward her, effectively closing the space between them. Suddenly the room felt small and bit too warm. Gone was the worried boy she'd comforted earlier, replaced with the man who knew how to set her on fire.

  He pursed his lips and scrutinized her, trying to read her reaction to him. When she didn't move away he smiled slowly. Her breathing picked up the pace and she felt the familiar heat that he so easily brought to her body. Her mind raced as she debated what to do next. Part of her screamed in the back of her brain that she needed to get out, now, but it was drowned out by the roaring in her ears. Her pulse quickened in anticipation. Bad idea or not, she desperately wanted him to kiss her again. The memory had haunted her for days of what it felt like to be in his arms.

  He reached his hand up, brushing her hair from her face and let his hand linger on her cheek. "I don't want you to leave. Stay with me tonight." She couldn't speak. "All night I've been thinking about how fragile life is, and I don't want to waste another moment with you."

  Jack waited for her to say something, probably for her to pull away. She knew she should, but she didn't want to. All the emotions that had been rolling around inside of her begged to be released. She had been craving his touch for years, dreaming of it. Would it really be so bad to let herself enjoy it? The rational side of her took hold for a moment as she remembered all the reasons why it would be, and it must have shown in her eyes because he brushed a thumb across her temple.

  "Don't over-think it, Cassie. Let's just live in this moment and not waste what time we've been given together." She waited one second too long to respond, because in the next instant he brought his lips to hers, and any hope of rational thought went out the window as she gave in to his touch.

  His kiss was light and soft, teasing her lips. Her eyes fluttered shut as she opened her mouth to him. He dipped in to taste her, slowly, gently. Fireworks were going off all over her body as he trailed his hand down her throat, past her shoulder, and down her arm before he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  She wound her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair, and responded to his kiss. As their tongues danced she felt the knots in hers stomach release, and she felt at ease with him for the first time in weeks. This is right. This is perfect.

  He tightened his grip on her waist and the kiss intensified. He let he hands roam down to the curve of her hips, then suddenly he lifted her and pulled her against him until she was straddling him on the couch. She gasped as she felt the hardness beneath her.

  Cassie let her hands fall to his shoulders and tightened her fists in his shirt as he trailed kisses down her jaw to the sensitive spot on her throat, then ran his hands up and down her sides, brushing lightly against her breasts. Her head fell back and she moaned as he caressed her gently. Moving on pure instinct, she ground her hips against his and he growled in response.

  She worked her hands under his shirt and peeled it away from him, biting her lip as his chiseled stomach was revealed, inch by gorgeously tanned inch. She let herself look at him for a moment, then, lifting her head, she stared into his clear blue eyes and swallowed with difficulty.

  "Cassie," he whispered, a question in his eyes. She knew he wouldn't take this any further if she didn't want him to. But feeling him straining against his jeans beneath her, she knew wild horse couldn't drag her away now. She merely nodded, and placing a hand on either side of his face, lowered her head to his and kissed him with such need that he couldn't mistake her intentions.

  In response, he gripped her hips again and stood up in one quick move with her still in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he buried his face against her chest, then gave her a wicked grin that had her aching in anticipation.

  Jack carried her down the hall to his room at the back of the house and laid her gently on the bed, removing her boots one at a time, then sliding her jeans down over her hips so slowly that she was squirming. He laughed at her eagerness, but didn't get in a hurry.

  "I'm going to take my time with you and savor every bit. No rushing tonight."

  Finally he had removed her clothing, leaving her in only her lacy underwear, and lowered himself next to her on the bed.

  "You're like a dream come true. An angel," he whispered.

  Cassie's heart thumped heavily in her chest, swelling at his words. This was even better than a dream. And she'd dreamed of this moment for as long as she'd been aware of him in this way. She felt an ache in her chest, as unspoken feelings rose up inside of her. Jack had always been the one, but she'd never let herself acknowledge it.

  She pushed all thoughts of the world outside away, and determined, at least for now, to enjoy this moment for what it was. Two people sharing a connection that ran deeper than mere physical desire.

  Cassie closed her eyes as Jack brought his mouth to hers again and gave in to the storm of passion raging inside. When he brought her to the highest heights, she clutched him against her. He murmured something into her hair, but she couldn't discern it over the sound of their hearts beating in sync. Then they held on tight to one another as the waves of passion overtook them, and they fell, together.

  * * *

  The early light of dawn peeked through the windows, and Jack reached out in the bed to pull Cassie against him. Not finding her there, his eyes popped open and he squinted against the light. He sat up and looked around for signs of her, worry overtaking him as he realized she was gone.

  Then her whispered words came back to him vaguely. Something about Sarah as he had drifted off to sleep. Of course, she couldn't have stayed all night. Not when she had a child at home to take care of. He grinned at the thought of the questions Lissa would surely have grilled her with. It had to have been after four in the morning before they had collapsed in exhaustion.

  Stretching his arms above his head, he recalled the moment the night before when she had decided to give herself to him. Everything had been perfect. He thought she would have recoiled when he whispered into her ear the words he never thought he'd say again. I love you.

  He really did, and it amazed him that he had found this with Cassie. It took him by surprise, but there was no denying that was what he felt for her. He only wished he had realized it sooner, then maybe they wouldn't have wasted all those years. But that was water under the bridge and perhaps they needed those years to become who they were now.

  Jack knew he could lie in bed all day, and he debated going back to sleep, but he knew he needed to get back to work on the guest house. His dad had been steadily making comments about how as much as he liked having Jack around, it would be nice to have his own space. Now, more than ever, Jack agreed with him. Tom would be home in a few days, and what better way to welcome him back than with the guest house completed?

  He took a quick shower then sent Cassie a quick text before getting to work. Who needed sleep when he had memories of last night to get him through the day? He grinned as he got dressed and headed outside.

  * * *

  Cassie checked her phone, saw the message from Jack, and shoved it back in her pocket.

  Thinking of you.

  She'd come straight from his house to the bakery, not having had time the night before to prep for that morning. She'd worked like a madwoman, trying to get as much done as possible, but also trying her best not to think about their night together. She wasn't ready to figure out what it meant, or where to go from here, and his message had her on edge.

  He never appeared in the bakery, of which she was relieved, and by the time afternoon rolled around and Emily came in, she was coasting on fumes. She hadn't had sleep for over thirty hours, and was sure it showed.

  "Rough weekend?" Emily asked.

  "Do I look that ba
d?"

  "No, just tired." Emily smiled as she put on an apron. "Go on home, I've got it from here."

  Cassie didn't think twice. She was ready to get home and rest, but she also missed Sarah terribly. She hadn't seen her since yesterday afternoon. There had only been a handful of times in her life that she'd had so much work at the bakery that she'd not been able to make it home at night. Of course, last night was a different matter, but no one had to know that.

  Her phone buzzed again as she left the bakery. A text from Lissa popped up on the screen.

  I'll be over after work.

  It wasn't a question, and Cassie knew nothing she could say would prevent her from showing up demanding details. Lissa had stayed with Sarah that morning until Mrs. Pettigrew could watch her. She could just tell Lissa that they'd been at the hospital all night and she'd had to go straight to work, but she was reasonably sure she would see right through the lie.

  An hour later, she was playing with Sarah on the front porch when Lissa pulled into the driveway and strolled up to them.

  "I saw Jack at Kincade's today," she said in a sing-song voice. Great.

  "Oh?" She tried to look innocent, but failed miserably.

  Lissa squealed and clapped her hands. "I knew it."

  Cassie tried to keep a straight face, but just thinking about last night had her face flaming and a smile playing on her lips.

  "Tell me everything."

  Cassie looked pointedly at Sarah. "I don't think now is the time."

  Lissa pouted and threw herself onto the porch swing. "Well, I'm not leaving until I have details."

  "I'd expect nothing less," she responded wryly.

  They played together with Sarah, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and blowing bubbles, and they were about to go inside to find something to eat when Jack's truck rumbled to a stop in front of the house. Sarah jumped up and ran toward him. What was he doing here? Cassie wasn't ready to face him yet. She hadn't even let herself sort through her feelings about the previous night, so there was no way she could discuss anything with him.