A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel (13 page)

She giggled. “We barely know each other. Well, I do
know you are a mutant.”

“What’s there to know? We are completely compatible
and I love what I do to you.”

She gave him a quick kiss and stood. “How are you
supposed to go to the beach with that shoulder?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I promise, I won’t be
surfing.”

“You know how to surf?”

“Nope!” He gave a crooked grin. "I've only been to
the beach a few times in my life."

She ran her fingers through his golden-blond hair.
“Really? Next time we come, I’ll teach you. You'll love it.”

“You surf?”

She nodded. “Yes. Spent most of my childhood on one
beach or another.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“We don’t know each other very well.” She gazed into
his eyes and heat flowed over her entire body.

“I know what I feel when I’m with you.” His smile
showed off his slight set of dimples

“Yeah, horny.” She giggled.

“Lunch!” Karen called from the kitchen.

Shawn came through the back door, and Trent chased
him to wash his hands first.

Karen’s large kitchen table looked like a photo from
a gourmet food magazine.

“Gazpacho?” Cassie asked.

“Yes. Dallas and I played around with several recipes
until we found the one we thought was the best.”

“I keep forgetting that Dallas is your
daughter-in-law. She’s such a talented artist,” Trent said.

“Dallas grew up in the house next to us when we lived
in River City.”

“So she’s always known Rick?” Cassie asked.

Karen smiled. “Your Rick is my Patty. I named him
Patrick. He’ll always be Patty to me.”

“Oh, that’s who you were talking about earlier. So
who is Buck Zaro?” Trent asked.

“Dr. Zaro,” both women said in unison.

“Tate’s dad,” Cassie finished. “And you do know that
Dallas Nixon is actually Dallas Makowllen?”

“Yes, I knew that. She’s been trying to get a
children’s hospital into River City. Shawn is a prime example as to
why we need one. I know I’d be much happier if he were in an
environment that was more child friendly.”

“I think from what I’ve heard, University Hospital is
very capable of providing topnotch care to children,” Seith said as
he joined everyone at the table.

Trent grew very solemn. “If there were any question
about that, Shawn would have his surgery elsewhere.”

“I heard they were bringing in a team,” Karen
said.

“Not exactly. Most all the doctors who will be there
with Shawn are from University Hospital, but Dr. Zaro will be there
with two other doctors.”

“Is Buck going to do the surgery?” Seith asked.

“Dr. Ramsey is the lead surgeon. That’s who Shawn
sees.”

"William Ramsey? Tall, balding?" Seith asked.

"Yes."

“I know Bill Ramsey. I've played golf with him quite
a few times. Didn’t realize he was a heart surgeon.”

Cassie listened to the conversation, but smiled at
Shawn. Her heart went out to him, and he smiled back with the same
warmth. He didn’t eat his entire sandwich, but devoured his soup
and ate several cream cheese stuffed celery sticks.

“Trent, I think Shawn is done and ready to go to the
beach. It’ll only take me three seconds to put my suit on, and I’d
like to help Karen clean up.”

“Nonsense! I have a dishwasher. Go get ready for the
beach. I’ll drive you over there so you don’t have to walk or carry
anything.”

Cassie touched Trent's good arm. “Do you or Shawn
need help?”

Trent got a sly grin on his face. “Nothing you could
do right now.”

Cassie narrowed her eyes.

It didn't take Shawn long to change into his trunks
and a tee shirt. Cassie found him deep in a conversation over
baseball while sitting with Seith.

Cassie tapped on Trent's door. “Seriously, do you
need some help?”

“I got it. I helped Shawn first and chased him out of
here.”

She opened the door and saw Trent struggling with his
shirt. “Don’t bother with a shirt, or just wear it over your
arm.”

“That’ll look stupid.”

“Why? Because my intergalactic warrior got hurt
trying to rescue a damsel in distress?”

“Ah, remind me never to get into a fight with you.
Seems you did quite a bit of damage to that guy.”

“I should have told my father what Hugh Fitzgerald
was trying to do when I was sixteen, but I was too scared.
Ready?”

***

While Trent watched, Cassie showed Shawn how to make
sand castles using all the fancy molds Karen had given him. Soon
two little girls joined Shawn and then another boy. Satisfied,
Cassie left him and went back to the big quilt they had spread on
the sand next to the colorful chairs Karen had loaned them.

“He’s loving this. You’d make a good mother.”

“I had lots of practice with little brothers.” She
smiled and planted a quick kiss on his good shoulder.

“How did you know Hugh Fitzgerald when you were
sixteen?”

“His father was in the military and we wound up in
the same high school for two years. Never dreamed I’d run into him
in River City.”

“Isn’t he married? Why is he chasing you?”

“Yes, he’s married, but somehow I think he still has
a thing for me. He thinks I’m going to swoon at his feet because
he’s the city manager.”

“No, you swoon at mine.”

She made a face and punched him lightly on the
leg.

“What did he do, and why didn’t you tell your
parents?”

“He wanted to kiss me, and suddenly he was trying to
get his hands under my blouse and into my pants. I panicked. My
experience with boys at that point was limited to my brothers, and
they knew better than to do that to a girl.”

“Or so you thought. Every guy at that age wants to
get his hands on a girl.”

“And I’m sure many girls are quite willing. I
wasn’t.” She scanned the beach and watched Shawn building his
castle.

“You are now.” Trent chuckled.

Another slightly older girl joined Shawn and was
helping haul wet sand to extend the castle perimeter. Cassie turned
her gaze from Shawn to his father. “Not really. I just know a good
thing when he walks into my life. Honestly, my dad would have
probably accused me of being promiscuous, and would have wanted to
put a chastity belt on me.”

Trent raised his eyebrows. “That would have been fun
getting into.”

She dug through the tote bag, looking for the
sunscreen. “They’re not a joke. They really existed through the
ages, and some were quite nasty. Piercing the labia and tying it
shut is still done in some cultures.”

“That could be very erotic.”

She slathered the lotion on her arms and shoulders,
then frowned. “It’s meant to be painful.”

He furrowed his brow. “I’m not into pain, but I’ve
seen pictures of women who have pierced certain parts for
adornment. It’s very hot.”

“Interesting. I’ve thought about getting my labia
pierced and wearing a dangle jewel.”

“We need to change the subject. I am on a public
beach, and my son is playing in the sand.”

She grinned. “Shall we continue this conversation
after Shawn is in bed tonight?”

“Maybe. This medicine is making me sleepy.”

“You nap. I’ll take Shawn into the water.” She
adjusted the big beach umbrella to provide shade over Trent and
dropped a quick kiss on his lips. "Sleep, my darling.”

***

Trent catnapped. He’d watch Cassie and Shawn playing,
then close his eyes for a moment, only to have to search for them
again. He remembered seeing his son wrapped in a towel, dripping
wet, and the next time he opened his eyes, he couldn’t find them
anywhere. His gut clenched, bringing him from his slightly drunken
stupor. He sat up and scanned the water and the beach.

“Daddy!”

Shawn scurried towards him eating a snow cone. Bright
blue liquid dribbled over his fingers and down his chest.

“Look what Cassie bought me!”

“You scared me. I woke up and couldn’t find you.”

“Sorry. I took Shawn with me to get drinks and I
bought him a snow cone from the little stand. Here, have a
pretzel.”

“That’s sugar, water, and food coloring.”

“He’s a little boy and on vacation. Shawn, you’re
going to have blue on everything. Stand in the sand.”

“Did you bring a watch?” Trent asked.

She fished in the big carryall. “Almost four. Karen
is expecting us to call around five so she can pick us up. She said
we’d eat about five thirty.”

Trent slowly stood and took the pretzel from Cassie.
He was tall and lean. Every muscle showed and his abs looked like a
washboard. This time she stayed behind while he took his son to the
water.

I’m robbing the cradle and he’s gorgeous. There’s
not a woman on this beach that hasn’t noticed him, and it's not
because his arm’s in a sling.

She watched him take Shawn into the cold water and
play in the shallow waves. The little boy beamed as he tried to
jump over each one.

A fragile little heart waiting for the right moment
to tear apart, waiting for surgery, and waiting for the chance to
live a normal life. How do you cope, Trent? How?

~~14~~

Cassie picked up their trash and deposited it in a
wastebasket, then folded the old quilt and packed up the toys and
other things they had brought with them. She checked the time and
called Karen.

Soon they were all back at the Makowllen house.
Cassie took a fast shower and joined Karen in the kitchen.

“I thought we’d eat on the porch tonight. It’s a
lovely evening. I have steaks for the grill.” Karen showed Cassie
which cabinet contained dishes. "If you'd like to set the table out
there, I'd appreciate it."

She spotted the little baby plates and knew they were
there for Tate and Ari's little girl, Pamela Wendy. “I don’t know
how to thank you for your hospitality. We really thought we were
coming into an empty house. We weren't expecting to have anyone
waiting on us.”

“Oh, I love having company. And having children in
the house is so much fun. Please feel free to come whenever you
can.”

“Thanks. I wish Trent hadn’t hurt his shoulder.”

Karen rolled her eyes. “Seith is determined that we
play horseshoes tonight, but I have no idea how he’ll manage on
crutches.”

“Oh, please not on our account. Truthfully, I was
hoping that we might sneak down to the boardwalk after Shawn was
asleep. if you don’t mind babysitting.”

“Most of the shops open Memorial Day weekend, but
it’s still a lovely walk. You and Trent take the entire evening.
We’ll keep Shawn.”

***

Cassie drove Trent to the boardwalk and parked the
car. He wrapped his good arm around her and they leisurely
strolled, checking the various little shops along the way. They
stopped in one shop that sold jewelry and Cassie picked out a
necklace and then nudged Trent to look at the one case of jewelry
that was designed for body piercings.

She pointed to a pendant that contained several
crystals. “What do you think? Could you picture me wearing
something like that?”

He grinned and steered her out of the store. “I don’t
want to think about you like that in public.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Then how will you manage
knowing I’m wearing something like that?”

“You’d wear it all the time?”

“Of course. I think that’s part of the fun.”

“Oh.” They walked to the steps that lead to the
beach. “What would you pierce?”

She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body
to his. The air was cool and he radiated heat. His hand ran down
her back. She gazed into his eyes and then answered. “The labia, so
you’d always have to undo it.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Are you serious?”

She shrugged. “Maybe it’s just a fantasy.”

“What is your greatest fantasy?” Trent asked in a low
voice.

“You won’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

She let go of him and turned towards the water. “I
always dreamed about a tall, very sexy, blond male. He’d walk
through the door and tell me I was the one for him. Then he’d whisk
me off my feet and make passionate love to me on a bed of rose
petals.” She listened to the sound of the waves crashing on the
shore and shivered, wishing she had worn more than her tee shirt.
His hand rubbed her back and then he massaged the nape of her
neck.

“You think I’m that man?”

She lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “Are you?”

“No. I’ve fallen in love with you at the wrong time
in my life. At nineteen, I was a widower with a child who needed
surgery. Any dreams I might have had about becoming successful,
shattered a long time ago. Now I’m twenty-three and it takes
everything I have to support my son. There’s no way I could ever be
anyone’s dream man.”

She turned and looked deep into his eyes. “You’re
very wrong. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“We need to go back. You’re shivering.”

***

The next morning, Cassie, Trent, and Shawn returned
to the beach. The day was overcast and not nearly as warm. Shawn
collected seashells and Cassie promised to help him turn them into
something he could keep.

“Like what?” Trent asked.

“I’ll get him a bag of ready to mix cement. An old
bucket, some water, and a couple of cake pans will make
steppingstones for the garden. He can arrange the seashells in them
and create mosaic designs. We can do it together as a family
project.”

“Family?”

She smiled. “Yes, family. He’s stolen my heart,
too.”

Trent put his arm around her shoulder as they walked
along the wet sand. “You’ve never said, and I know it’s not a
polite thing to ask a woman, but how old are you?”

“Does it matter?”

“Not really. I know you are older than I am.”

“I can’t believe I’ve fallen in love with a younger
man, but you’re not like other men your age.”