Blake looked at his daughter and Rick still heavily involved in their kiss, and sighed. “Somehow I just don’t think this house is big enough.”
A small laugh followed his statement as the room full of people dwindled down to two.
* * * * *
The week passed quickly and productively. Rick got to work building a trellis for the ceremony to take place under. Steve and Kevin were assigned duties of general repair and cleaning of the pool area. Martin decided to take the easy route and return to work after being given a “soft schedule only” clearance by his physicians.
Blake also opted to leave, telling Cassie he needed to tie up loose ends at home, but in reality he planned to retrieve the wedding dress worn by her mother. He enlisted Lori’s help in keeping Cassie from buying an actual wedding gown using the excuse that Rick wouldn’t want a fancy wedding. The plan worked and when Blake returned, he presented the dress to his tearful and happy daughter on the day of the wedding.
“Oh, Daddy, it’s beautiful,” Cassie sobbed, touching the cream-colored garment as though it were made of glass.
She wasn’t far off in her thoughts. The dress itself was quite sturdy, but the random beading was in fact the remains of an antique pearl necklace that had been passed down from mother to daughter for over two hundred years. It was a family tradition that had been kept secret from firstborn girls until their own wedding day. Though bittersweet, the moment was special for Cassie just the same.
“You’ll be as beautiful as your mother was in this,” Blake said steadily. The last thing he wanted was to bring sadness to the day, so he kept his voice positive. “And you’ll also be just as happy.”
“You do like Rick, don’t you?” Cassie asked apprehensively.
Eyeing his daughter carefully, Blake exhaled. “I truly believe he’s a good man, sweetheart. And besides, how could I not like someone who obviously loves my daughter so much?”
“Yes he does. So tell me something, oh wise father of mine. Since I’m about to become a married woman and you won’t have to worry about me anymore, do you think now you’ll finally marry Maggie?”
“Don’t push,” Blake scolded lightly. “And don’t ever think I’ll stop worrying about you. As for Maggie, maybe someday.”
Understanding her father’s wistful look, Cassie stepped close. “Mama would want you to be happy, Dad. Just like I do.”
“I know, Cassiopeia,” he whispered hugging her briefly. “I think for now though we only need to be concerned with one wedding, don’t you? So, I’ll leave and let you get ready.”
Making a quick exit, Blake left the room before Cassie could see the mixed tears of joy and sorrow rolling down his cheeks.
In her mother’s dress of satin, lace and pearls, Cassie entered the area where she would soon be married. Since none of the guests had arrived yet, she was able to walk about freely without fear of being seen before the ceremony. Looking around she saw the trellis Rick had built decorated with white and blush-colored roses entwined with ribbon. Candles accompanied by more flowers floated peacefully in the pool while sprinkles of glitter-covered white rose petals gave the appearance of stars twinkling just below the surface.
“Beautiful,” she whispered aloud.
“Extremely beautiful,” Rick’s voice echoed close behind.
When she turned, Cassie’s eyes widened at seeing him in a black tuxedo. “You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“That was my line,” Rick teased, looking somewhat bashful. Then his expression turned serious. “I’ve got a gift for you. I was going to wait until later, but seeing you in this dress, I think now is a better time. Close your eyes.”
As instructed, Cassie closed her eyes. By the feel of Rick’s touch she guessed the nature of the gift, but until she looked she could never have guessed its beauty. Suspended on a delicate chain of gold was a small cross. It was simple and unadorned, but the patina indicated it was old.
Uncharacteristically, Rick’s words were cautious. “We haven’t really discussed beliefs and higher powers, but, I know you prayed when Martin was sick, so I thought…”
“God brought us together, Rick,” Cassie said. “We have each other as proof. Of course I believe.”
Rick took her hand and kissed it. “The necklace isn’t as old as the pearls on your dress, but it did belong to my great-grandmother.”
Cassie brushed a tear away. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I give what I get, pretty one.” Sensing more tears and wanting only smiles, Rick walked them to the arched trellis where they would soon exchange their vows. “You know, it’s bad luck for a couple to get married under one of these unless they’ve kissed under it first.”
Cassie shook her head and laughed. “You know the strangest trivia.”
“It helps if you make it up,” he said smartly. Before Cassie could react he scooped her into his arms for a kiss. It didn’t last long.
“Hey Rick,” Kevin’s voice shouted from across the patio. “You’re not supposed to even see the bride before the wedding, let alone kiss her!”
Rick was about to fire back a remark then changed his mind when he saw Kevin was sincere. “Okay Kev, I’ll go,” he said softly before returning his focus back to Cassie. “And I’ll see you in a little while, soon-to-be Mrs. Jarrett.” With a deliberate wicked glance at Kevin, he stole another kiss and walked away.
From the sidelines, Rick watched the wedding guests. He didn’t care how many or few were in attendance. With deceased parents and an estranged brother, he knew those present were his true family. In addition to his coworkers, Rick’s only guests were his longtime landlady, Mrs. Marcel, and her daughter, Elena.
It wasn’t his style to surround himself with hollow friendships, so his list of invitees was almost as limited as Cassie’s. He grinned. It was just one more similarity that made him and Cassie suitable for each other.
Due to Cassie’s current circumstances, her friends and family consisted only of the Technicians and her father. It would be a small wedding.
Large or small, this wedding will be wonderful, Cassie thought as she stood behind a screen with her father and Lori. Since Steve was acting as best man, it seemed logical for Lori to serve as matron of honor. But it was also what Cassie wanted. Cassie’s choice for an attendant was limited to one, but it didn’t matter becuase Cassie liked Lori and knew it was mutual. What started as friends by chance had quickly become friends by choice.
Tradition reigned supreme as the familiar sounds of “Here Comes the Bride” began playing softly. Even before he saw her, Rick knew Cassie was in view by the audible sigh from Steve standing next to him. His assumption was correct. Escorted by Blake, Cassie was the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen.
When they reached him, Rick nodded at Blake and whispered, “Your daughter is my life.”
Blake returned the nod then kissed Cassie’s cheek. “Be happy, Cassiopeia.”
Cassie smiled and watched her father walk away. When he’d moved to sit near Martin, she looked up at Rick.
No man was ever more handsome. It was impossible to say which sparkled more, his eyes or his smile. Both made it clear—Rick loved her. And she loved him.
Whatever vows the minister would have them say would be a formality. Words could not bring Rick and Cassie any closer than they already were.
* * * * *
After a reception consisting of warm hearts and warmer wishes, the couple left for their honeymoon. They decided to spend it camping at the same riverbank where they had first shared their commitment to each other. Since it was also where Cassie first said she loved Rick, he cherished the location even more.
Snuggled in front of a crackling fire, they fed each other marshmallows and talked quietly about the events of the day.
His arms securely around Cassie, Rick’s mouth grazed her ear. “Happy?” he asked, assuming her answer.
“Mmmm, more than I thought possible.” Accepting a warm kiss, she pulled
Rick’s arms tighter around her. “I never thought anything so wonderful would happen when I started this whole business of Luther.”
“Luther’s out of business,” Rick corrected.
“Just like me.”
“What does that mean?” Rick asked suspiciously.
“I may have put Luther out of business, but in the process I put myself out too.”
“You’ll find something,” he soothed.
Turning around to face her new husband, Cassie braced herself. “I think I already have.”
Cassie’s voice was soft, yet something about it bothered Rick. He wanted to ignore it, but he had worked too long at his job not to know a red flag when he saw one. Or heard one. With only a small arch of his brow he asked the question he knew he didn’t want to know the answer to.
“What’s on your mind, Cassandra called Cassie?”
“I was thinking maybe there could be two married couples on Martin’s team of Technicians.”
Rick struggled to figure out if she was joking or not. He decided on not. Taking her hand, he hoped to squelch the subject with levity. “Mrs. Jarrett, we just got married, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to spend time together.”
“You want to rephrase that?” she asked with her own brow arched. “Look, Rick, Lori and Steve are—”
“No, you look,” Rick said gently, but with determination. “Lori and Steve are different, they didn’t start out married. And, in addition to being a lot older than you, Lori was a cop who actually worked as a cop. She had experience prior to becoming involved with Martin’s team.”
“I went through police training, Rick,” Cassie said sourly. “I know how to handle myself. And besides, what experience does someone need to lounge around a house and baby-sit witnesses?”
“The experience is needed if something were to happen!” Rick’s voice sharpened. “I told you I lost a witness. I will not lose my wife!”
Cassie started to speak again, but Rick cut her off.
“Let me finish.” An argument on his wedding night wasn’t what he had in mind, but a fight was what they were heading for. Inhaling, he gently pushed Cassie on her back and leaned over her. She didn’t resist, but he could feel she wasn’t responsive either.
Drawing on his personal brand of experience, Rick gained her attention. “I do want us together and happy. And while it scares the hell out of me thinking someday I may become too obsessed with your safety, that you’ll hate me, I swear I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Because above everything else, my Sassy Cassie, I love you more than life.”
Cassie’s eyes filled with tears, but before Rick could continue talking, she pulled him down to her. They kissed briefly then broke away long enough to smile in understanding at each other. Then they kissed again as thoughts of a different kind of understanding occupied them.
Chapter Six
The end of their honeymoon marked the beginning of their life together, Rick declared as he carried Cassie over his modest threshold. The apartment was small and dark, but when he suggested moving to a larger place Cassie wouldn’t hear of it. Though her living quarters at Luther’s had been a bit larger, she liked the warmth and coziness of living where Rick had called home for so many years.
Secretly, Rick was relieved they weren’t moving. The apartment was close to work and he liked the idea of being near home if Cassie needed him. Even with Luther safely behind bars some habits died hard, and for Rick the habit of keeping Cassie safe wasn’t one he intended to break. Also, since his job would sometimes take him away for days at a time, he wanted the security of knowing Steve and the others would be close as well.
As with all new marriages, they had their share of troubles. Cassie’s efforts in the kitchen were less than edible at first, but with the help of their landlady, Mrs. Marcel, she eventually learned to cook.
Rick also needed to learn a thing or two about living with the person he’d aptly named Sassy Cassie. His original thoughts of her staying at home while he worked were quickly dismissed when she took a job as a riding instructor giving lessons to children. He wasn’t happy about her being around horse people again, but gave in when she pointed out it was all she knew how to do unless he wanted her flying cargo into the far reaches of Canada or visiting the local police station. Knowing full well where she was heading with that particular conversation, Rick quickly agreed to the riding lessons. She won that battle, but there would never be a war. Both agreed on that point.
* * * * *
The months passed smoothly and happily in the small apartment above the restaurant. Both members of the Jarrett team worked and played contentedly. Though Rick had taken some good-natured ribbing from his friends about losing his freedom when he married Cassie, he also knew no freedom would be worth losing her. And while Cassie was aware of Rick’s continued watch over her, she knew it was out of love and not possession as Luther’s watch had been, and maybe still was.
Luther’s one attempt to unnerve Cassie was thwarted. It was only by the grace of God that on the very day a package arrived for her, Cassie had decided to visit her father, leaving Rick alone for the weekend. Something about the parcel had intrigued Rick and while he wasn’t the sort to open his wife’s mail, once his internal radar was alerted he opened the box.
Inside he was horrified to find the ear of a horse. Revolted by Luther’s attempt to intimidate Cassie, Rick nearly went after the man in jail, but stopped when Martin pointed out that Rick could end up dead instead. He didn’t like it, but Rick listened to his friend and threw away the box. When Cassie returned she was oblivious to the fact that her husband had almost committed murder—or suicide.
In addition to their own happiness, another within the family of Technicians found some. Much to Rick’s relief—and shock—Kevin finally found the real girl of his dreams. At the wedding when Cassie first met Rick’s landlady and her daughter, Elena, she’d noticed Kevin’s interest the girl, and thought they’d be perfect for each other. Kevin apparently agreed.
Elena Marcel was a lovely nineteen-year-old who stole Kevin’s heart the moment he laid eyes on her. But because Rick had known Elena since she was little girl, he had a tough time accepting anyone as her suitor. In time though, and with Cassie’s gentle, yet firm influence, he conceded that Kevin was a good a choice.
When Martin opted for semi-retirement, the general consensus was that Rick should take the helm of the Tech team. He didn’t particularly want the job, but knew Martin was depending on him. Also, as memory would serve to remind, if it hadn’t been for the Technicians’ team in the first place, he never would have met Cassie. He accepted the position with no further argument.
That same evening that Rick told his wife about his added responsibilities, Cassie gave him another one—he was going to be a father.
The next day, inspired by Cassie’s gift of their baby, Rick presented her with a gift of his own. He bought the parcel of land where they camped on their honeymoon and soon he would build their house overlooking the world.
* * * * *
Although the plan was to start building the house immediately, Rick’s work schedule made it impossible for him and Cassie to do little more than walk around the site and imagine. Cassie’s work schedule no longer posed a problem. She had quit her job as a riding instructor the moment she discovered the baby was on the way.
In addition to scheduling problems, the weather seemed to be against the construction as well. So much rain had fallen that the trickle of water almost too small to be called a river had swollen over its banks. Twice the road had been washed out and twice Rick and Cassie were forced to turn around without their usual weekend visit.
Sunshine finally won out and with two days off from work, Rick and Cassie’s hopes for a weekend of camping and planning were coming true. Or so they thought.
“I want to take pictures of the site and the camera’s in my office,” Rick said, pulling into his parking space. “You want to wait here or come up?”
“Disagreeable?” Rick asked in feigned offense. “Actually, I hear he’s a regular pussycat now that his wings have been clipped.”
“Wings clipped?” Cassie laughed. “Is that what I’ve done to you? Well, you must admit that’s better than being gelded.”
“Gelded?” Rick cringed. “Don’t go there, woman.”
With camera in hand they were on their way out of Rick’s office when Martin called asking to see Rick.
The moment he saw Steve and Kevin in Martin’s office Rick knew he wasn’t going to be happy. They looked glum.
“Where’s Cassie?” Martin nearly demanded.
“In my office with Lori. Why, what’s wrong?” Rick’s radar beeped urgently.
“Maybe nothing,” Steve offered, “but we’re not sure.”
“Then just tell me and forget about Cassie, right now,” Rick snapped and sat down next to Steve.
“All right,” Martin said. “I got a call, this morning, from a Sheriff Bishop. He lives in a small town up north and he wants to speak to you.”
“Why?” Rick asked suspiciously.
“He wouldn’t tell me,” Martin answered. “He just said there was something he needed to discuss with you and soon. He did say he needed help with a certain problem and that it probably concerned you, too.”
“What’s this got to do with Cassie?” Rick asked impatiently.
“I don’t know.” Martin sighed. “But he said for you to come alone. As in without your wife.”
Rick’s jaw twitched slightly. “I don’t know anyone named Bishop, so how does he know I even have a wife?” His eyes narrowed. “Did he ask about Cassie by name?”
“No,” Martin shook his head, “and I didn’t confirm you had a wife when he said the word, but I think it bears looking into.”
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