by Jan Hudson
Standing stiff and still as a post, she closed her eyes and refused to look behind her. She almost hoped it was a burglar; the other alternative was scarier. Unable to stand it a moment longer, she opened one eye and peeked over her shoulder.
There he stood. Tall, gray-haired and smiling. Her heart hammered faster.
“You!” she croaked.
“Me.”
“But—but—but you can’t be there.”
He chuckled. “I can’t?”
The doorbell rang again. She glanced at the door, then back over her shoulder. He was gone.
Quickly, she unlocked the door and yanked it open.
Griff’s smile faded. “What’s the matter? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
Cass must have gone a shade paler. She couldn’t have had much blood left in her face. “Come in. I’m not quite ready.” She turned and fled toward the bathroom.
Shaking and feeling a bit queasy, she propped herself against the vanity and stared at herself in the mirror. She did look as if she’d seen a ghost. Well, she had. Or had she? She splashed water on her face and buried it in a towel. Making an effort to clear her mind, she focused on deep breathing, the kind she’d learned in yoga classes.
Fatigue, she told herself. Fatigue had her mind playing tricks. Cool it, Cassidy. She did some more deep breathing until the shaking stopped. When she was calm, she repaired her makeup and added an extra dash of blush.
Pasting a bright smile on her face, she went back to the living room. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It was worth it. You look fantastic. Want to order a pizza and stay in?”
“No way. My mouth is watering for diamond-back rattlesnake cakes.” Picking up her big purse, she took Griff’s arm and steered him to the door.
Although it was a half hour drive to the restaurant, the route was one of the prettiest in Austin. A bit after seven they pulled to a stop in the lot of the restored rock cottage with a huge Texas flag displayed on the wall between the blue-shuttered windows. The fragrance of its beautiful flower and herb gardens filled the evening air.
“Want to sit inside or out on the patio?” Griff asked.
“Inside I think.”
The restaurant was a cozy and colorful mixture of rustic and elegant, and the tables were set with crisp white cloths and gleaming glasses and tableware.
When they were seated and looked at the menu, Griff said, “You weren’t kidding about the rattlesnake.”
“Nope. They have lots of exotic dishes here, and if venison, quail or wild boar doesn’t suit you, they have tamer things like ordinary steak and lobster. And their wine list is extensive.”
“Are you up to trying the chef’s seven-course meal?” Griff asked. “I don’t believe I’ve ever had seven courses before. Five maybe.”
“Go for it,” Cass said. “I don’t think I could eat that much, and I don’t much care for duck.”
“I love duck. What looks good to you?”
“I think I’m going to ask the chef for his recommendation.”
“You know the chef here?”
“Of course. Where do you think he comes for chili?”
The chef did indeed have suggestions, and they had a fabulous meal.
“Now I can say I’ve eaten rattlesnake,” Griff said.
“Think anybody in New Yawk will be impressed?”
“Cass, what is it with you and New York? You must have really been stung there. Was it a man?”
“Only partly. That was the final straw.” She stared into her wineglass and moved it in a slow circle. “It’s a matter of ‘New York is a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.’ And even though I was fairly successful, I really wasn’t cut out to be a lawyer. I suppose that because Sunny and I were raised with the Outlaw myth of everybody in the family choosing an occupation in law and law enforcement, we naturally gravitated in that direction.”
“And now you sell chili.”
She laughed. “And now we sell chili.”
“Ever thought of franchising the place? I think Chili Witches would go over great in New York. And Chicago. And Denver.”
“Sunny and I have talked about it, but we’ve never gone beyond the talking stage. We’ve also given some thought to a company that wants to offer a frozen version commercially.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” Griff said. “Who was the man?”
She frowned. “Who wanted to market frozen chili?”
He shook his head. “No, the man in New York.”
“Just another attorney with my firm.” She shrugged. “We were engaged, but that didn’t stop him from throwing me under the bus to score points with the bosses. I trusted him, and he used me.”
“I’m sorry.” Griff looked pained, and she wanted to hug him for his sensitivity. “What did he do?”
She signed. “I really don’t want to talk about it. I’d much rather have dessert. What looks good to you?”
He grinned, cocked an eyebrow and stared across the table at her.
Cass returned his grin with a cheeky one of her own. “Besides that?”
They decided on coffee outside on the patio, and had their dessert boxed up to take home. When they were the only two left outside under the stars and full moon, the waiter removed their cups, and they strolled through the garden.
Cass breathed in the lovely fragrance of geraniums and roses mixed with herbs. “Isn’t it wonderful out here?” she asked.
He nodded. “I really like Austin.”
“Because of the great food?”
He took her in his arms and kissed her. “That, too. I can hardly wait for dessert.”
Chapter Eleven
On the way back to town, they debated about going to Cass’s apartment or to Griff’s hotel. “I vote for your hotel,” she said. “That way I don’t run the risk of your running into my relatives on your way out.”
Griff chuckled. “And you’re how old?”
“Don’t hand me that, smart guy. Would you have a woman over if you knew your mother was dropping by for breakfast?”
“Point taken. My mother is a bit old-fashioned.”
“And despite the circumstances of Sunny’s and my birth—or maybe because of it—so is mine. She likes to think Sunny and I are still virgins.”
He laughed. “But I thought you told me Sunny’s been married.”
“So?”
“My hotel it is. Have you told your mom about meeting the Outlaws yet?”
“Not yet. Sunny and I are trying to think of the best way to break it gently.”
“Better hurry or they’ll find out some other way.”
“Tell me about it,” Cass said. “I’ve learned that secrets have a way of jumping up and biting you on the butt. We’ll probably tell them tomorrow. Maybe casually over lunch. Mom is less likely to blow a fuse if we’re in a public place.”
“Does this mean you’re not having lunch with me?”
“Sorry. We have a lot to take care of tomorrow. Business. We’re reopening on Monday. But if you’re not busy on Sunday afternoon, I have an idea of a fun thing to do.”
“Does it involve a lot of family?”
“Nope. Let’s let it be a surprise.”
“Give me a hint,” he said.
“Do you like bats?”
“Baseball bats?”
“Nope. The critters.”
“Like Count Dracula?”
“Not vampire bloodsuckers. The little insect-eating kind, and I’m not telling you any more.”
“Come on. Now I’m intrigued.”
“Good. I like being a woman of mystery.”
When they pulled up to the hotel valet, Cass exited with her big purse, which she’d stowed in the backseat.
“That’s the biggest purse I’ve ever seen you carry,” Griff said as he held open the glass door.
“It’s the longest one I have that doesn’t look like an overnight bag. I have my jogging gear in here.”
“Ahh. You planned ahead
.”
She winked. “I was a Girl Scout.”
He laughed. “You make me laugh more than any woman I’ve ever known. I love that about you.”
Her heart gave a little flutter, but she ignored it. She wasn’t out for any serious declarations of any shape or form. Griff was fun. Here today, gone tomorrow. Or next week. Or the next.
In the elevator they could barely keep their hands off each other, and once they were in his room, they didn’t even try. The chemistry between them was explosive.
They left a trail of clothes to the bedroom, and by the time they fell in bed together, the only things left were Cass’s earrings and Griff’s left sock.
“Oh, woman, you set me on fire,” Griff said as he stroked her breast.
“The feeling’s mutual,” she murmured against his lips.
Their joining was quick and hot, interrupted only long enough for protection.
“I’m sorry,” Griff said a few moments later. He rested his forehead against hers. “I meant for that to last. I usually have better control.”
“Do this a lot, do you?”
“Not as much as you might think. I don’t have much time for dating. My mind is generally on work.”
“Uh-huh. Sure. And I have this bridge for sale…”
He chuckled and rolled her over on top of him. “Come here, you.”
He made love to her again. Slowly. Sweetly. Thoroughly.
Sometime later, they showered, wrapped up in soft hotel robes and fed each other dessert.
“Ahh,” she said, licking her lips. “Pecans, caramel and chocolate all in one. What could be better?”
Flicking a little drip off her chin with his tongue, he said, “Give me a few minutes, sweetheart, and I’ll show you.”
GRIFF COULDN’T SLEEP. He lay holding Cass, listening to her breathing and trying to figure out when his feelings for her had changed. He’d always been satisfied to be a love ’em and leave ’em type. Early on he’d learned commitments could be messy, but none of the women in his past had been like Cass. He’d never cared for them in the way he was beginning to care for her. Maybe it was because he was getting older. Maybe it was because there was something special about her—her laugh, her fierce dedication to her beliefs, the softness of her skin, the way she touched his heart and warmed him inside. He didn’t want to leave her.
Nor did he want to hurt her.
If she knew why he was in Austin and why he’d schemed to meet her that day on the jogging trail, she would be furious. She would never forgive him if she found out. Secrets had a way of jumping up and biting you in the butt, she’d said. He would have to make sure she didn’t discover his. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt, and he wasn’t ready to give her up. He might never be ready.
Hell, he’d already amassed enough money to last most people the rest of their lives. Why did he need more? This deal didn’t seem so important any longer.
CASS HAD SLEPT LATER than she intended, and Griff was still out like a light, sleeping so peacefully she hated to awaken him. So she dressed in her jogging clothes and left him a note. She left her other clothes and big purse behind, taking only a few essentials in her fanny pack, and tiptoed out. She’d meant to jog home, but it was getting late, so she grabbed a taxi and climbed out a block from her destination in case her mom and aunt got there early.
They had. Dressed for work, they were just getting out of their car when she trotted up.
“Good morning,” Gloria said. “Have you been out for a run already? You don’t even look winded.”
“I’ve been practicing,” Cass said. She kissed her mom and Aunt Min on their cheeks. “Why are you here so early?”
“There’s lots to do yet, and you girls shouldn’t have all the burden,” Min said. “Besides, what else do we have to do? Have you had breakfast?”
“Not yet. Come upstairs and I’ll make us some coffee.”
“No need,” Gloria said. “We brought a thermos full, and Sunny’s stopping by one of the fast food places on her way here.”
“Speak of the devil, here she is,” Cass said. She waved to her sister as Sunny pulled into the back lot, and went to help carry bags inside. “You got sausage biscuits, I hope?”
“Naturally.”
Once they were inside and the alarm turned off, Gloria led them to a table near the front window, and they distributed food and ate.
Sunny bagged their trash and said, “Since all of the dishes and kitchen items have to be washed, let’s get the first loads into the dishwashers, and then we can have our company meeting.”
“We’re having a company meeting?” Cass asked.
“Yes, I left a message on your cell,” Sunny said with a little smirk.
“Oops. I haven’t checked my messages.” She pulled her phone from her fanny pack. “My battery’s down, and I forgot to recharge it. Sorry. What are we discussing?”
“A bunch of stuff,” Sunny said. “Let’s go load dishes first.”
After the dishwashers were running, they gathered again at the table and Sunny handed out summaries of the books for both Chili Witches and their other properties, covering the past six months. Cass was very familiar with the figures because she’d helped Sunny and the accountant prepare them.
The elder sisters looked them over carefully. “Very nice,” Min said. “It appears as if you girls are doing well with the business.”
Gloria beamed with pride. “I knew everything would be in good hands. I didn’t know we were worth so much.”
“With the downturn in some of the markets,” Cass said, “I think our company is doing exceptionally well. So well, in fact, we’ve had some offers to expand in new directions.”
“As well as some other offers,” Sunny said, glancing quickly to Cass, “that we’ll get to later.”
Cass could see those antennae of her mother’s going up again. “I’m intrigued now. What are these mysterious other offers?”
“Well,” Sunny said, then cleared her throat. “We’ve had an offer to buy Chili Witches and the entire property around it.”
“Really?” Aunt Min said. “For how much?”
When Cass told them the figure, both her mom’s and her aunt’s eyebrows went sky-high.
“Holy guacamole!” her mom said.
“That’s a fortune!” Aunt Min added.
“But, of course,” Cass said, “I wrote and declined their offer.”
Gloria and Min looked at each other.
“And,” Sunny said, “I received a special delivery recently from the same gentleman. This time he upped the offer by ten percent.”
“Oh my!” Min said. “He’s persistent.”
“He’s a bastard!” Cass exclaimed. “Dollars to doughnuts his company plans to tear down the whole block and build an ugly high-rise. No way, Jose! Chili Witches is not for sale.”
Gloria and Min looked at each other again.
“Let’s move on to those offers to expand you mentioned,” Min said.
Sunny handed out more papers. “This company would like to introduce our chili as a frozen food item, first in selected markets, then nationally if it goes well. This is their proposal and marketing plan.”
“Have you checked out this company?” Gloria asked.
“I did,” Cass said. “They have an excellent reputation and a good track record.”
“I’d like to give this some more thought,” Min said, “but it looks like a fine idea to me.”
“I agree. Anything else?”
“Another company that specializes in the start-up of franchises has approached us about franchising Chili Witches,” Cass said.
“You mean like McDonald’s or KFC?” her mom said.
Cass smiled. “On not so grand a scale.”
“Wouldn’t that require a tremendous amount of work?” Aunt Min asked.
“Only at first. This company has developed a model for franchising that streamlines the process considerably. They have a lot of experience. Of course, they tak
e a big cut of the pie, as well.”
“I think this franchising idea will take several nights sleep, but it sounds a little scary to me,” Gloria said. “What do you girls think?”
“We’re still sleeping on it as well,” Sunny said.
“Wouldn’t marketing a frozen chili be in direct competition with franchises?” Aunt Min asked.
“Actually, no,” Cass told them. “The stores, as they call them, would be another marketing outlet. Eat some, take some home for the freezer.”
There was a rap on the front window, and Cass looked up to see Belle Outlaw Burrell waving and smiling on the other side of the glass. Cass felt the blood drain from her face, and Sunny looked as if she might bolt out the back door.
Chapter Twelve
Cass hadn’t felt such panic since she’d been called into the vice principal’s office when she was in the eighth grade. No way could she ignore Belle, but she could try her best to head off any problems. Talk about secrets biting you in the butt.
Jumping to her feet, she pasted on a bright smile, waved to Belle and hurried to the front door. She fumbled with the lock and finally got it open. Throwing her arms wide, she ran outside and wrapped her cousin in a big hug.
“For gosh sakes, don’t mention the Outlaw family,” Cass whispered in her ear. “We haven’t told Mother yet. Follow my lead. I’ll explain later.” She grabbed her hand and dragged her inside.
“Why are you closed?” Belle asked.
“We had a flood,” Cass said. “Look, everybody, it’s Belle Burrell. Belle, this is our mother, Gloria O’Connor, and our aunt, Minerva O’Connor. We call her Min. Belle is Sunny’s and my dear friend from Wimberley. She owns the newspaper there. Mother and Aunt Min just got in from France a couple of days ago. They rented a house there and have been having a grand time.”
“Welcome home,” Belle said. “I’m delighted to meet you. Sunny and Cass speak of you often. I dropped by for a visit and a bowl of chili, only to see the closed sign. Am I interrupting something?”
“Not at all,” Sunny said. “We’re just finishing up a meeting and starting to wash dishes.” Sunny explained the vandalism and the flooding.