Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) (18 page)

“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 would 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 any 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.

“So we’re all on our own for dinner tonight,” Reese said. “Are you guys going out?”

Cassie eyed the spotless kitchen, unable to think of what she could possibly throw together at such short notice. “I haven’t even thought about it.”

The boys began pounding at the back door. Jade darted toward the mudroom. “You don’t want to let those animals in, trust me. See you tomorrow night.” With her large bag secured over one arm, the carrier looped beneath the other, Jade hobbled toward the door.

“Thanks for helping me with the garden,” Cassie hollered. “And for lending me the books,” she added, recalling the novels she’d brought.

Reese stepped over to give Cassie a hug. “Call me if you want any last minute recipe ideas for tonight. I’ve got a million,” she said. “And about that little blow-up between you and Shane last week – it’s better that you got all that out in the open. Makes it easier to move ahead.” She gave her a friendly smile, her face looking thoughtful.

“You’re in the right place, Cassie. And I’m not saying that because it was right for me and Jade. I just … I can feel it.” She leaned in closer. “Truth be known, I prayed you here, knowing it was the only way Shane would give a girl a chance. And no matter what happens now, I will care about you forever.” The tender-hearted woman wrapped her arms around Cassie once more.

Reese was a lover and a dreamer, and Cassie adored that about her. As she returned Reese’s embrace, the kids noisily wrestling outside, she mused perhaps Shane’s sister-in-law was right. Maybe she was meant to end up here – be a part of their lives. For how long she didn’t know, but Cassie planned to enjoy it while it lasted. Embrace the family who’d welcomed her into their lives – one day at a time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Shane worked to steady the odd-shaped boxes and bags in his arms as he headed up the steps, grateful Cassie had thought to turn the porch light on. He gave the door a small series of kicks once he reached it, unable to do more.

Cassie gasped as she creaked open the door. “What is all this? Do you need help with anything?”

“No,” Shane grunted. “Got it. Just uh, close the door behind me if you don’t mind.” A warm dose of air spilled over his body as he entered the room, making him realize just how cool the night had become.

Cassie had been following him into the family room, eyeing the items in his hand, but at his suggestion, she hurried over to close the front door. “You sure you’ve got it?”