Not one of them had heard so much as a word from Seattle yet. The thought made him anxious, knowing it was only a matter of time before they had things cleared up back at home. He wondered how much longer they’d have. But above that, Shane wondered if he had what it took to put himself out there again. He felt nothing for Natasha in the moment, and there was something freeing in that. Could he really open his heart to another woman – one who might be destined to leave him as well?
Shane muffled a humorless laugh, realizing it was already done. His heart had opened up to Cassie Lovell on day one. Now he was along for the journey. He just hoped he could survive the ride.
The buzzing of his cellphone pulled Shane from his musings. Blake gave him an irritated look as he answered it.
“Shane? Can you hear me?”
Wind muffled her voice, but Shane heard her alright. “Yep. How are you, Aunt Lilly?”
“Well, I’m a little concerned, to tell you the truth.”
Aw, great. “Why’s that?” he asked, shaking his head as he caught Blake’s gaze. He mouthed the words Aunt Lilly to him.
“Now, I know I’ve never met the girl, but I’m almost certain I’m lookin’ at your woman out here, and I have to say – you might have another Natasha on your hands.”
“What are you talking about? And where are you?” He eyed the distant field surrounding him.
“Fifth street. Just east of the water tower there’s a new gal runnin’ along the street half-naked, not a care in the world.”
“I doubt it’s Cassie,” he said. But then he had a flashback of her working out on the treadmill in the hotel. Those shorts. And that sports bra.
Blake stepped into his view. “What’s going on?”
Shane shrugged. “What does she look like? The woman who’s running?” Last he’d seen Cassie she was dressed in boots, denim, and plaid. Fury wasn’t exactly an article of clothing, but she was wearing that too.
“She’s got dark brown, maybe black hair. Ponytail. Shorts. And some poor excuse for a tank top that shows off her entire tummy. I’m tellin’ you Shane, we got pickup trucks tapping their horns at her. Men hollering out the windows. Looks like trouble to me.”
A flash of heat spread through him like a mean streak of fire. “Where’s your car?” he asked Blake.
“Why?”
“I’ve got to go pick up Cassie.”
~+~
The breeze felt cool against Cassie’s flushed skin as she ran, thoughts of her argument with Shane running a race of their own. Why had he become so angry all of the sudden? So disturbed about her family and past. About her life. Did he honestly hope to accomplish something with his outburst? And if so, what?
“Ugh,” she grunted to herself. What was wrong with the guy anyway? He was making her crazy. And the stress was only causing her to eat more than usual, which wasn’t difficult considering the way Betty never stopped baking and sharing goodies all the time. Just this morning, when Cassie had run back into the house to throw on her jeans, it had taken effort to pull them over her butt and hips. More effort than it had the week before when she’d bought them. If she didn’t watch it, she might not ever fit back into those jeans again.
Cassie squinted as she moved forward, the setting sun no longer hidden by the cluster of barns and houses up ahead. She pressed through the discomfort of it all, one foot after the next, a fresh spark of enthusiasm urging her to push harder, faster. She wasn’t sure how far she’d run, was only certain she was nowhere near ready to head back.
The roaring of an approaching car came from behind, and Cassie braced herself. Seemed people here didn’t consider it rude to hoot and whistle at unsuspecting women on the roadside. Yet as she heard the vehicle slow suddenly, coming to a steady crawl beside her, Cassie decided a mere honk or shout wasn’t so bad. At least nobody had pulled up beside her, like the driver of the car near her then. Small rocks and chunks of gravel crunched beneath the tires approaching at a snail’s pace. She could practically feel the presence of a menacing gaze, seeping through her skin.
With her heart skipping a solid beat, Cassie began to wonder if she should bolt toward the nearby field, away from the main road. She glanced to her side enough to see the vehicle was large and dark.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doin’?” A voice – deep, angry, and familiar – blurted from the window.
What? She glanced over one shoulder, shocked by the sight of Shane’s handsome face. Somewhere inside her she was relieved it was him and not some rapist killer. But if he hadn’t come, she wouldn’t have been scared near to death in the first place. Plus she hated his stupid, belittling question. And the way he’d asked it.
Her hand found one hip. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “I’m minding my own business. I’m trying to burn off some of the stress you managed to plague me with today.” Not to mention the extra calories but there was no need to bring them up.
“No. What you’re doing is letting the whole town gawk at you while running around half-naked.”
Cassie gasped, refusing to look down at herself. Sure, she’d removed her sweatshirt and wrapped it around her waist, but her sports bra covered more than enough. And of all the workout shorts she owned, these were the longest of the bunch. She glared at him as a current of unwanted adrenaline surged through her body, a force that made it hard to hold still.
“You have a lot of nerve,” she said.
“I have a lot of nerve? I just got a phone call telling me I better keep a better eye on you because you were out here for all eyes to see without a care in the world.”
“What? Who called to tell you that?” she asked, disgusted.
Shane ignored her question. “Do you have any clue how easy it would be for someone to throw you in the trunk of their car and take off with you? Not just the Lawson brothers, who you seem to have forgotten, but messed up people in general. Heck, we’ve got some good people around here, but you still need to watch your back.”
Cassie’s gaze dropped to the great rise and fall of Shane’s massive chest. She looked over his face, disturbed by the tight furrow of his brow. “I’m not a child,” she managed. “And believe it or not, I can run along an open road without getting abducted over it.”
“Well, that’s enough for now. Get in. I’m taking you home.”
Cassie’s jaw dropped open. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope,” he said, eyes burrowing heat with his focused glare. “Get in.”
She let out one short chuckle while eyeing him back. His expression didn’t change. “No,” she finally spat.
“Yes. I’m not kidding around, Cassie. Get in here and let me take you back.” He removed his hat, letting his hand run through his dark hair before replacing it. Beads of sweat gathered at his temples. And for a moment, she almost caved – the strong tug of guilt making her regret causing him stress. But he was going too far.
“I’m not getting in there, Shane. I’m going to finish my run-” Her words were cut off when Shane opened the vehicle’s door and reached for her.
Cassie jerked away, hiding a laugh. “Stop it.” She smiled – couldn’t hold it back for another minute. He was so adorable in that moment. Like a nagging puppy. Or pouting child wanting his way. He wasn’t going to get it.
A tiny hint of that dimple appeared in his cheek as he tucked his hand into one pocket and nodded toward the open door. “C’mon,” he said. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“You’re right,” Cassie agreed, eyeing the ground. “You do need to get back to work. See ya.” And then she ran. Fast and hard, fighting back the laughter that would slow her down. It took only a moment to realize the chase was on. Shane’s loud footsteps pounded out a rhythm a short distance behind. Cassie darted toward the field, the long, yellow grass scraping against her bare legs up to her knees. Thick patches of lush green growth weaved its way through the dried-up field, making the ground lumpy and uneven beneath her shoes. She was sure at any moment her ankle w
ould twist and snap. But still she continued to run.
Shane was laughing now. “You are a spoiled brat,” he said as he gained on her. And just before she threw her weight into another stride, his footsteps dangerously close behind, Cassie decided on another course.
Forcing herself to stop dead in her tracks, she hunched low, ducking her head over her knees and covering it with her arms.
Shane grunted and cursed.
A swatch of denim grazed the backs of Cassie’s arms. She squinted her eyes open in time to see him roll into the tall grass.
She burst into laughter, relieved when he joined her. As she came to a stand, Cassie surveyed the damage. She’d lost her hoodie somewhere along the way, and her legs were scratched, but it had been worth it.
Shane stood too, striding toward her with an amused grin on his face.
Turning her back to him, Cassie spun around, squealing as he caught up to her.
“I ought to paddle your behind for that.” He wrapped his strong arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground before setting her back down.
She laughed some more, enjoying the comfort of being held in his arms. The loud sound of their jagged breathing accompanied them back to the large SUV.
“Is that Blake’s?” Cassie asked.
“Yep,” Shane said.
“You know I’m still not going back with you, don’t you?” Cassie spotted her sweatshirt a few yards ahead, draped along a tall patch of grass.
Shane snatched it with one hand and stopped walking. “Yep.” He stretched his arm out to her.
“Thanks.” Cassie wrapped it around her waist once more.
“I want you to take this,” he said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “You should probably head back now. Sun can sneak away pretty quick, and you shouldn’t be out past dusk.”
She nodded, watching as he sauntered back to the vehicle. And as Shane wheeled around, heading the way he’d come, Cassie broke into a jog toward the house, a smile still set on her face.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Cassie held her stomach as her laughter continued to the point it hurt. “Oh, I have not laughed this hard in … forever,” she said, wiping at the corner of her eyes. “It feels so good to hear about you girls’ stories. To know how you came to where you are now – married to Blake and Gavin. Kids. Happy ending and everything.”
Jade gave her a sideways glance. “I guess you could call it a happy ending. I endured enough torment from Gavin to get it, though.” She lifted the fuzzy pink blanket off the baby carrier nearby, checking on the small bundle inside.
Cassie laughed. “Sounds like Reese was the one doing the torturing where Blake was concerned. Flirting with all the ranch hands.”
Reese’s eyes got wide and innocent. “I had to,” she said. “The guy was too dense.” Pastel pieces of candy clinked against the glass as Reese reached in for another handful. “And it wasn’t all of the ranch hands.”
“I would’ve loved to see that.” Cassie dug into the bowl herself. “This is the best-tasting candy I’ve ever eaten,” she decided, tossing another into her mouth. The chocolate, egg-shaped candy softened as she pressed it against her tongue, the thin shell crumbling under the pressure.
“They’re my favorite too,” Jade said. “Sucks that I can’t eat them while I’m nursing.”
Cassie glanced at her, surprised. “Really?”
Jade tucked a few strands of her light red hair behind one ear. “Serious. Kate hates chocolate. I tried it twice, just to be sure, and she punished me for hours over it both times. A total fit.” She shrugged. “I guess it gives her a belly ache.”
After a thoughtful pause, Cassie sighed. “I feel so behind. I’m not much younger than you guys and I’m not even married. No babies on the horizon.”
“You’re still really young,” Reese said, a soft smile on her pretty face. “You’ve probably noticed this already – but Shane loves kids.”
Cassie nodded, remembering how he’d wrestled with the boys the other day at Betty and Grant’s. Even while pinned beneath three rowdy kids in a dog pile, Shane had managed to glance over at Cassie and give her one of those winks that caused her heart to melt like butter.
“Yeah,” Jade added. “He’ll make a great dad one day.”
“So, Blake said you and Shane had a blow out last week,” Reese said. “But from the looks of it, you guys have kissed and made up?”
Her comment took Cassie by surprise.
“Geeze, Reese, just get right in there, why don’t you?” Jade teased. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” she added, “but we did tell you ours…” Jade’s mannerisms reminded Cassie so much of her friend, Zoe, she had to laugh. Perhaps it was part of the reason she’d bonded with her so easily.
“Well, we did have it out last week while we were having a picnic.” Cassie proceeded to tell the girls about the argument, revealing details of her past she hadn’t shared before. Once the tale was told, she leaned into her chair and sighed. “In retrospect, I can see where his frustration came from, but he just … confused me with how angry he was.”
“It seems like you two are pretty cozy now,” Jade said, “so I’m guessing Reese was right.”
“We made up pretty quickly,” Cassie said, remembering their innocent romp in the hayfield afterward. “I’m not the type of person to hold a grudge. If I have someone in my life, it’s because I’m okay with them. If it gets to a point that I’m not, I cut them out of the picture. Not in an I’m-angry-at-you sort of way. More of an I’m-done-with-you-and-probably-won’t-think-about-you-again way.”
Reese looked at her for a moment, thoughtful.
“Wow,” Jade said. “I’d like to learn how to do that.”
Cassie wasn’t sure why, but a vision of Reynold came to mind then. She’d noticed him looking at her more than usual over the last few days, and though she tried to squelch it, Cassie couldn’t help but feel uneasy around him.
“Do you guys know Reynold’s story?” she asked.
A bit of quiet ensued at the sudden change in topic.
Jade shrugged. “A little bit. He was brought on as an intern, but the guys ended up putting him on the payroll. I guess he’s a really hard worker, and they didn’t want to lose him.”
“Hmm,” Cassie mumbled. “Is it just me, or does he seem a little… off?”
“Definitely,” Jade said. “He’s a total weirdo.”
Reese rested one elbow on the table, tilting her head to steer her blond bangs from her face. “He’s strange. I’ve noticed. In fact, when I asked Blake about it, he told me Reynold’s mother is terminally ill. Said she’s all he’s known his whole life. I think he’s trying to pay off the bills by himself. It’s pretty sad.”
Talk about a slap of guilt to the face – Cassie felt horrible for having brought it up at all. The kid was working night and day, trying to pay off the debt of his dying mother, and all Cassie could do is wish he was gone. At least she hadn’t brought it up in front of Shane. She would have made a fool of herself.
“So… what are your feelings like – where Shane is concerned?” Reese’s sweet southern accent softened the words of her bold question.
Cassie eyed the two girls briefly, knowing they’d just poured their hearts out to her. And though it took a spark of courage, she decided to open up in return. “I really like him,” she admitted, her voice wobbly.
“You like, like him?” Reese prodded.
Cassie felt like she was back in the fifth grade. But she played along, nodding in reply. Too scared to speak it. Uncertain of how he felt for her. Sure, Shane flirted with her a lot and treated her well. But he hadn’t made a move since he’d found out about her breakup. And she didn’t know what to think about that.
“So what was that kiss at Betty and Grant’s all about – when he took you into the pantry?” Jade asked.
A dose of heat warmed Cassie’s face.
Reese leaned further onto the table. “And have you gotten a
ny more kisses from Shane?”
There was no stopping the second dose of heat that rushed to Cassie’s face. The mere mention of that incredible kiss had her recalling just how hypnotizing Shane’s mouth was. She licked her lips, thinking of how to answer the question.
“Oooh…” Jade bellowed, “Clearly she has. It’s written all over her face.” Jade checked over her shoulder, as if one of the men might walk in on them at any moment. “Who’s initiating – him or you? And was that your first kiss – at Betty and Grant’s? Have you guys kissed since?”
Cassie shook her head, afraid the girls may be getting the wrong idea. “It’s nothing major,” she said. “I mean, we’ve kissed a few times, but they don’t lead anywhere. And I can’t exactly say who has initiated each one. But to answer your next question – no. That wasn’t our first kiss.”
Jade nodded in approval. “Nice.”
“Or our last,” Cassie added, recalling their moment in the entryway.
Reese let out a high-pitched squeal. “I love it! And I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am that Natasha is out of the picture for good. I swear, I don’t know what Shane ever saw in her, but at least he’s coming to his senses now.”
“There really isn’t anything going on between us,” Cassie assured. “He just … has moments of weakness, like any man would.”
“No,” Reese said. “He’s whooped. I can tell.” She came to a stand and put an ear to the sliding door before cranking it open. “Here come the boys,” she said.
“The guys are back?” Cassie straightened the bun at the back of her head and stood up as well.
“Not the men,” Reese said. “Luke and the twins.”
Cassie peeked over Reese’s shoulder, smiling as she saw the rowdy boys running along the dirt road from Betty and Grant’s, a pile of dust kicking up at their heels.
“Betty’s probably pumped them full of sugar,” Jade said.
Reese slid the door closed. “For sure.”
As the two women packed up their things, Cassie reveled in the familiar comfort of having friends. Girl friends. How she’d missed Ann and all her swooning over the cowboys in her novels. And Zoe with her sharp tongue and flirtatious way. Cassie was dying to let Zoe know Griffin was out of her life. Bless her loud-mouthed friend, always biting her tongue on the one subject she hadn’t dared breech after an ugly argument between the two of them. She wouldn’t have to hold back any longer.
Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) Page 14