She chuckled and added, “And Blake gracing our presence in his lucky boots.”
“That’s for sure,” Shane said. “’Course Grant will take the microphone and talk about all the hell I raised when I was young, throwing in stories of Blake and Gavin just to keep it interesting.”
Cassie chuckled. “So this family in Rexburg knows we’re coming tonight, right?” she asked as they slowed onto a narrow dirt road.
“That’s right. Here’s the main place – out back is where we’ll stay.” Once the truck rolled to a stop, he opened the door and climbed out, insisting Cassie come along with him. Shane had no intention of leaving Cassie’s side.
After meeting his new employers, signing a few papers, and collecting a small advance, Shane held the keys to their honeymoon getaway, for better or worse. He hoped it was nice inside the modest home. Cassie had refused Shane’s offer to stay at a hotel in town, saying that she just wanted to start their lives together. And she couldn’t imagine a better place to do that than on a ranch.
Two lamp posts lit the small walkway leading to the porch. Shane carried Cassie up the steps, smiling at the way she raved about the sun-paled siding and old, picket fence. She did the same thing inside as well. While Shane brought in the luggage, Cassie wandered from room to room, oh-ing and awe-ing about everything from the old fashioned fireplace to the hardwood floors. By the looks of it, there was a kind team of thoughtful folks nearby who’d done their best to make the place look real nice.
Once the cats were munching on their food, the suitcases in the house, and the deadbolt secured, Shane strode down the long hallway to find his wife. The first room, empty save a small desk and chair, showed no sign of her but the light she’d left on. He flicked it off and looked over his other shoulder. Bathroom – light on – no Cassie. He flicked that light off as well. From the next room at his left, a light shone bright. He looked in that room first. A single bed. Dresser. No Cassie. Off went that light. Which left one, last room. A room that was lit by a single lamp – soft, warm, and inviting – like Cassie.
She sat on the edge of the large bed, biting at her lower lip, looking shy. Innocent. Flawless. “This place is perfect,” she said. The seductive edge to her voice was gone, hindered by the obvious nerves tensing her tone.
Shane lifted his hat from his head, staring into Cassie’s eyes, and tossed it into the corner where it landed on the dresser with a thud. “Yep.” He watched her gulp, hands curling into fists as she gripped the bed cover. Shane took another step toward her, began unsnapping his shirt.
“That couple was really nice,” she added.
With one careless toss, Shane’s shirt joined his hat in the corner. “Uh, huh.” He took another step.
Cassie stood up as he neared, running a hand over her hair, a timid smile owning her supple lips.
Shane reached out to soothe the line of concern he saw forming across her pretty brow. “What’s the matter?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m just… nervous.” She cleared her throat.
“Don’t be.” Shane kissed her on the cheek, letting the scruff from his chin linger in place. “It’s just me.” He kissed her again, rubbing his jaw along her cheek toward her earlobe. “And you,” he whispered in her ear, kissing her there.
Her hands found his biceps, moved up and over his shoulders, and around the back of his neck where she pulled him into her, inviting him ever closer. He nearly lost all control.
Shane worked to keep his movements slow, enjoying every sensation, assuring Cassie could do the same. He licked at her earlobe before sinking his teeth into it, aching as she sighed in response.
Shane hadn’t expected Cassie to return the gesture, but there she was kissing at a sensitive spot on his neck. Her warm breath flittered over the area before she kissed him there again. He groaned, taking her face between his hands, and looked at the woman he’d just exchanged vows with. His bride.
“You’re mine,” he murmured, rushing in to kiss her lips. He kissed her again and again, the fever building with each blessed touch. Soon they were on the bed, their lips locked in a passionate tryst. Shane moved one hand to her thigh, slid it down her leg, and grabbed the back of her knee. In one swift move, he lifted her leg to lock around him, bringing her closer still, caressing her with his touch.
Cassie whispered that she loved him. And after Shane uttered his undying love for her, he reached over and flicked off the light.
EPILOGUE
Cassie nearly lost her step as she clung onto Shane’s arms. His hands were placed over her eyes as he walked behind her. “Almost there,” he assured.
She knew what he was about to show her, had helped design it from a state away, but Cassie hadn’t yet laid eyes on their new home – the one Shane had had built for them while he and Cassie were away.
“Stop opening your eyes,” he scolded.
She let out an irritated huff. “I’m not.”
“I can feel your lashes moving against my palms,” he said.
Cassie giggled. “I’ve waited long enough. I’m ready to see this.”
“Patience, my sweet,” he crooned in her ear with that deep, low voice of his. He guided her two steps to the side and stopped. “Okay. Here it is.”
His hands lifted. Cassie’s eyes shot open.
A gasp pulled from her throat as she took in the home before her. It had been stressful trying to sort through swatches, pick out colors, all from miles away. But in that moment, from where she stood, it looked as if everything had paid off.
Shane grabbed her hand and began speeding toward the house. “Let’s go see the inside.” At the top of the stairs, Shane picked Cassie up, held her in his arms as they crossed the threshold. When he set her to her feet, he rested his hand on the small of her back.
Plush, tan carpet, cream-colored walls, and warm, copper light fixtures had the place looking just as she’d imagined. “I love it,” she breathed. And though she’d have been just as happy to return to their little place behind Betty and Grant’s, the couple decided that, since they both wanted to start on a family right away, it was best not to put things off. Besides, Trey had assumed Shane’s position as foreman over the ranch hands, which meant Shane could spend more time with Cassie.
She toured the house again and again. On her third time through, she paused to look out back. Beyond the unfinished yard and large, grassy field, Cassie could see the view she’d become accustomed to – only from the opposite angle. Shay and Drake trotting side by side across the way. She smiled, eyeing a spot on the patio.
“We going to get a hot tub one day?” she asked.
“Yep,” Shane said. He rested on a single chair, pretending to prop his feet on a coffee table that wasn’t there. It was like watching charades as he proceeded to click at a fake remote, and watch a nonexistent TV.
She giggled. “You trying to say something?”
“Yeah. Furniture would be good here,” he said.
Cassie nodded. “I know. We’ll get there soon enough.” She walked up to him where he sat on the chair, blocking his imaginary television. “For now, we’ll just have to think of other ways to entertain ourselves.”
Shane’s hands gripped her hips, and Cassie leaned down to kiss him. She hadn’t meant to get pulled into a moment of passion, but with Shane it was hard not to. While bringing her body toward him, he urged her to sit on his lap, positioning her knees at either side of him. “I can think of something right now,” he murmured against her lips before kissing them.
“Knock, knock,” a voice sounded from the front door.
Cassie broke the seal of their kiss, but Shane held tight to her body. “Hello?” she hollered, recognizing Jade’s voice.
“Warning, warning,” Gavin called, “innocent eyes are about to enter the premises.”
“Maybe we should invest in a deadbolt first,” Shane mumbled, releasing Cassie so she could stand.
Jade propped Kate onto her hip. “Glad to have you back
,” she said, extending one arm toward Cassie. “And congratulations,” she whispered in her ear.
“Thanks,” Cassie said, marveling at how much the baby had grown. After hugging Jade, Kate, and Luke in an awkward embrace, Cassie leaned down to talk with the sweet little babe. “Hi there, Kate. Look how big you are.”
Kate began to babble while clapping her hands.
“She says my name now,” Luke said proudly.
Cassie watched as Luke prompted the sweet, little thing to repeat his name, praising them both as Kate did just that. Soon Reese and Blake came, followed by Betty and Grant. Even the ranch hands showed up, minus the interns who’d gone back to their homes over the season. With the remaining Lawson brothers safely behind bars, the permanent help had been filled in on the details.
Trey stepped over to Cassie, casually tossing an arm around her shoulders. “Got any friends coming down here for the ring ceremony? Maybe you can hook a brother up.”
Cassie smiled. “As a matter of fact, I do. I have two coming from Seattle. They’ll be here next week.”
“I call dibs on the hottest one,” Trey bellowed.
“Good luck with that,” Randy said. “The hottest one’s going to like me.” As the two fought it out, Cassie thought of how nice it would be to have her friends there, and to catch up on everything they’d missed in each other’s lives. She could hardly wait to return Ann’s book and tell her how much she’d loved it, and to discuss the others she’d read since then. Ann and Zoe had been thrilled to hear Cassie had snagged a handsome Montana cowboy, and were hoping to score one of their own when they came out for the ring ceremony. It would be interesting to see which ones they fell for.
For the night, dinner was set to be at Betty and Grant’s place, and as the large group filed out of the new house to head over, Shane tugged on Cassie’s hand, closing the front door and twisting the lock. “Not so fast,” he said. He cradled her belly with a large, but gentle hand. “Do you think any of them noticed?”
Cassie shrugged. “I’m barely showing.”
“Yeah, but if we don’t hurry up with that ceremony, you won’t fit into the dress.”
She giggled. “You’re right.”
Shane’s warm hands began to wander as he leaned to speak in her ear. “New home,” he said. “You know what we’ve got to do, don’t you?”
Cassie shook her head. “Not really.”
“We’ve got to christen the place,” he said, kissing her neck.
“Like, get a priest out here?” she asked, stumped.
Shane’s deep chuckle sounded in Cassie’s ear. “Nope.” He trailed kisses down her throat.
Her arms broke out in goose bumps. “Umm. Break a bottle over it, like a ship?”
“Wrong again,” he said, nudging her blouse to the side with the tip of his nose. He pressed hot kisses to her shoulder, then spoke, warm against her skin. “I’m giving you hints now.”
A light went off in her head as she remembered something Zoe had said about christening her new apartment in Seattle. “Oh,” she said. “Right now?”
Shane flattened one hand against her back, gripped her waist with the other, and murmured, “Mm, hmm,” against the sensitive curve in her neck. More kisses. More caressing.
Cassie lifted her chin and brought her hands to Shane’s ruggedly handsome face before kissing him in return. “Okay,” she finally said, pulling away. “But you’ll have to catch me first.”
Working to stifle the laughter in her throat, Cassie ran down the hall of her new home, toward the start of a new life. And as she wandered through the rooms, searching for a great spot to hide – among other things – Cassie realized she’d come to that place in her life. This was just the beginning of her story, the start to her happily ever after.
Keep reading for a peek at Book Two of the Sweet Montana Bride Series - Jade’s Cowboy Crush.
CHAPTER ONE
Jade’s phone buzzed, causing a smile to tug at her lips. She huddled closer to the glowing screen, anxious to read the message.
We’ve done enough texting. Time to talk face-to-face.
A quiet thrill rushed through her as she laughed out loud. “The nerve of this guy,” she muttered, typing back to the unknown stranger.
Not going to happen. You could be psychotic for all I know.
“What’d he say now?” LeAnn hovered over Jade’s shoulder, blocking the afternoon sunlight with her spikey hair.
“Nothing yet.” Jade glanced at the time on her phone. “Crap. Our break’s almost over.” She looked up to see LeAnn checking behind her.
“I’m not even on break,” her friend admitted, adjusting her apron, “but I’ve got to see where this leads.”
Jade twisted each one of the small, silver studs in her left ear as she waited for an answer. Nothing said entertainment like flirting with a guy she’d never met. Or at least couldn’t remember meeting. The guy swore he’d collected her number over a year ago, had marked it with four stars to ensure he wouldn’t forget to call. Problem was, according to him, he’d had a girlfriend at the time.
Her phone vibrated, the screen glowing with his response.
You think you would give some psycho your number?
No. But that was just it. Jade didn’t give out her number. And she rarely went to clubs. She sighed, sensing an end to their little game, and typed out her message.
I’ve got to get back to work.
The text earned a groan of disapproval from LeAnn. Jade stared intently at the phone, vaguely noting the sounds of cats rummaging through the dumpster across the alley.
WAIT! I really think we should meet. Why won’t you do it? What are you… scared?
“Oooh,” LeAnn said, “he’s trying to bait you. Don’t fall for it. You don’t want to end up like Wanda with all those restraining orders.”
Jade rolled her eyes and typed out a reply.
Not scared. Sane.
“Who else does Wanda have a restraining order against?” Jade asked once she sent the text. “I thought it was only Rhet.”
LeAnn flicked her blue-streaked bangs out of her face. “The other guy is from last year sometime. Like, her ex, ex-boyfriend.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a hundred women had a restraining order against Rhet,” Jade said. “I feel like I need one for talking Wanda into breaking up with him.” Jade meant it as a joke, but felt a level of truth in the words as she’d spoken them.
“Me too,” LeAnn said. “That guy terrifies me. Glad we don’t have to see his face around here anymore.”
The phone buzzed again, bringing Jade’s attention back to the matter at hand.
You may not remember me, but I definitely remember you. It’s the reason I’m being so persistent.
LeAnn laughed. “What a load of crap.”
“Totally.” Jade was already texting back a reply.
Yeah, right. What number am I on your little list, friend? Ten? Eleven? Or have you been rejected by an even dozen?
It may not have been nice, but Jade was done playing along. Chances were, the two had never met at all and he’d only stumbled onto her number by accident. Another text showed up on the small screen.
Okay, your eyes are brown.
Jade fought back a smile. “Lucky guess.”
The phone buzzed again.
I thought your hair was blond at first, but when we sat down at the table I realized it was red.
“Strawberry blond,” Jade mumbled, a bit of recollection mingling just beyond her grasp.
When I finally got you to smile, I noticed the light freckles across your cheeks.
Jade felt herself blush. She hated those freckles.
“Maybe you two did meet,” LeAnn said, hunching closer to the phone as it buzzed once again.
You were wearing green when we met, and for a reason I tried to drag out of you, you were sad that night.
“Whoa. This guy is good,” LeAnn said. “Seriously. I’d meet up with him.”
Jade’
s jaw dropped. “Two seconds ago you were talking about restraining orders.” Never mind the fact that Jade had goose bumps rising all over her skin and a pool of warm, liquid sugar bathing her heart. His final text caused her to remember. She liked this guy. Was interested in him. And disappointed when he hadn’t called. Too bad she’d sworn off men since then.
With a sad sort of resolve, Jade texted him back.
Well, sorry to break it to you, but I’m married.
In order to make her lie more convincing, she added to it.
Got hitched three months ago today.
The small screen glared at her – daring her to hit send. What was stopping her? The image of the guy; the strong, ruggedly handsome, not-your-typical-L.A. guy at the club. One who’d managed to cheer her up after a terrible day. There had been something about him that caused her to give out her number – an act she avoided at all costs.
“Married?” LeAnn shouted. “No! Don’t send that. Just meet the guy somewhere. For a drink. Or a yoga class. The beach.
“He had a girlfriend at the time, LeAnn. And he was hitting on me that whole night.” Her thumb hovered over the word send, before pressing down on it.
LeAnn groaned. “Hitting on you? How? Did he try to make out with you?”
“No,” Jade realized. “He just, didn’t leave my side. He was sweet, actually. But still… single moms shouldn’t date.”
LeAnn came to a stand and pulled a pad of order slips from her apron pocket. “You can’t let the advice of some radio shrink run your entire life.” The flutter of pages flipping sounded as she thumbed the corner of the small pad.
“But she’s right.” Dr. Movay’s voice echoed within Jade’s mind as she repeated the woman’s famous phrase. “Kids don’t need the drama of a dating mama. Luke deserves better than that.” She watched for something to show on the screen. Anything. And despite the conviction of her own words, a bitter sting of regret sunk into her chest. An ache for something that might have been.
Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) Page 23