The Maverick (7 page)

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.”

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.”

G
RIFF 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.

C
ASS 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 take 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.

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.

“How absolutely terrible,” Belle said. “How can I help? I’m not much of a cook, but I can wash dishes.”

“The kitchen staff is arriving shortly, and they’ll see to the rest of the dishes, but thanks, Belle,” Cass said. “We plan to reopen on Monday.”

Belle turned on the charm and chatted with Gloria and Min about their trip. When she heard that Gloria was a painter, she said, “My mother-in-law is a painter, quite an excellent one. She has a gallery in Wimberley, The Firefly. You must come down sometime and visit. Do you paint, too, Min?”

“Oh, heavens no. I do needlework.”

“Don’t be modest, Aunt Min,” Sunny said. “Her needlework is exquisite. I’m so envious. I can barely sew on a button.”

“It was so delightful meeting you,” Belle said to the older women, “but I must be running along. I’m sure you must have a world of things to do before the reopening.”

Min cocked her head at Belle. “Have we met before? You look very familiar somehow.”

“No, I’m sure we’ve never met.”

“Humph,” Gloria said. “I should imagine she looks familiar. Look at her and look at your nieces. They could be sisters.”

“That must be it,” Min said.

“We’ve heard that before,” Cass said. “Strange, isn’t it? Belle, I’ll walk you out. I want to ask you something.” She hooked her arm through her cousin’s and practically dragged her out the door.

Once they were outside, Belle said, “I’m sorry I came at an awkward time. I didn’t dream they were back yet.”

“Not a problem. I’m sorry the situation was uncomfortable for you. We have to tell them about meeting the whole Outlaw family sooner or later, and your visit has given us the perfect opening. I’m glad they got to meet you.”

“I hope it turns out well. Oh, before I forget, Frank and Carrie are coming down next weekend, and Carrie said she wants to meet privately with you and Sunny. We’d love to have you join us in Wimberley on Sunday or, if that’s not possible, Carrie can come to Austin. I think she wanted to combine everything in one trip if possible.”

Curious about the odd request, Cass frowned. Carrie Outlaw, who was married to Frank James Outlaw, judge of the Naconiche County Court of Law, was a former landman for an oil company. She’d come to town to lease drilling rights in the area, and stayed to marry Frank. These days she practiced law in town. “I wonder what she wants?”

“She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. Are you free?”

“I’ll have to check with Sunny. Shall I get back to you or to Carrie?”

“Me first. I can relay your message, and she can call you if she needs to.”

They said goodbye and Cass reentered the dining room. The business with Carrie was intriguing but totally overshadowed by having to deal with telling her mother about their new relationship with the Outlaw family.

Everybody appeared as if they’d been zapped into suspended animation while she was gone. Sunny was sitting stock-still, staring down at her hands; their mom was staring at Sunny; Aunt Min was staring at Gloria.

“Sorry about the interruption,” Cass said. “Anything else we need to go over, Sunny?”

“Uh, no. I think we’ve just about covered everything.”

Cass sat back down in the chair she’d vacated earlier and tried desperately to think of the right opening. Her scalp prickled and she began to reexperience the sausage biscuit she’d eaten earlier.

“She’s a lovely young woman,” Gloria said.

“Who?”

“Belle. What did you say her last name was?”

“Burrell. Her husband’s name is Gabe.”

“I see,” Gloria said, pinning Cass with a sharp gaze, the same gaze that never missed anything. “And what is her father’s name?”

“Wes.” Cass swallowed. “Wes Outlaw.”

One could have heard the proverbial pin drop.

“My stars and garters!” Aunt Min said.

Gloria took a deep breath. “I see. No wonder her resemblance to you is amazing.”

“Belle is Belle Starr Outlaw Burrell. We’ve met the whole family. We didn’t go looking for them. One of Belle’s brothers came in for lunch one day and, quite by accident we discovered we were cousins. And, Mom, all the Outlaws were delighted to learn about us.”

“They’ve welcomed us into the family with open arms,” Sunny said. “They’re such nice people, and they’re eager to meet you, Mom.”

“I see.”

“Gloria,” Min said quietly, “it was bound to happen sooner or later. Isn’t it wonderful things have turned out so well?”

“Of course. I just need a little time to get used to the idea. Now, girls, if you’ll excuse us for a while, Min and I have some shopping to do.” She rose and walked toward the back exit.

Aunt Min shrugged and whispered, “Don’t fret. She’ll come around. Just give her a bit of time to chew on it.” She patted her nieces’ hands, rose and followed her sister.

“That went well,” Sunny said, rolling her eyes.

“Actually, it went better than I expected. At least Mom didn’t go into hysterics.”

“And when,” Sunny asked, “did you ever see Mom go into hysterics?”

“Never, now that I think about it. I suppose the closest was when I got a C in conduct in the second grade. Or when you fell off your bike and were all bloody.”

“I just hope she isn’t too hurt by this,” Sunny said.

The kitchen crew arrived just then and the two of them went to get things organized.

They got busy, and Cass didn’t remember until later to tell Sunny about Carrie Outlaw wanting to meet with them. Both were curious about the request, but they decided there was no need to speculate until they talked with her. In consideration of their mother, they also decided not to go to Wimberley and spend the day with part of the Outlaw clan just yet.

Cass talked with Carrie that evening, and they agreed to meet for a late Sunday breakfast in Drippings Springs, the small town about halfway between Austin and Wimberley. Even through she tried her best to get more information, Carrie was evasive.

“It’s business, and better if we talk in person,” Carrie said. “See you in a week.”

“Okay.” Frustrated and totally baffled, Cass ended the call.

Her cell rang again almost immediately. She recognized the number. Griff.

“Hi,” he said. “I’ve been missing you. Tired?”

“Absolutely pooped. If I had a tub, I’d sit here and soak my feet.”

“I have a tub,” he said. “And a big swimming pool.”

“You know, a swim right now would be fantastic.”

“Come on over.”

“I can’t stay long.”

She could practically hear that sexy smile of his over the phone. “I’ll take what I can get. Your bathing suit is ready and waiting for you.”

T
HE NIGHT WAS COOL
, the water was warm and Griff’s kiss was hot.

“Don’t get that started,” Cass said, pulling away. “I need to get home early.”

“I can come home with you.”

“I don’t think so. My mother’s had enough shocks for one day.”

“And what was so shocking to her today?” he asked as he lazily sidestroked beside her.

“Belle dropped by.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Exactly. Sunny and I had to spill the whole thing about meeting the Outlaws.”

“Did she explode?”

“No. Strangely enough, after she had time to digest the idea, she took it rather well. I think she was relieved her worst fears hadn’t come to pass, that our father’s family wasn’t horrified to learn of our existence. Still, she’s been subdued today.”

“At least you don’t have the worry hanging over your head.” He captured her in his arms again, kissed her again and they sank beneath the water.

She came up sputtering and laughing and splashing him. “Are you trying to drown me? It won’t work, you know. At
least half the people on this side of the hotel are watching your moves.”

“Then come upstairs with me. We’ll order a bottle of wine, and I’ll massage your feet.”

She flipped on her back and floated. “You’d really massage my feet?”

“Of course. You have lovely feet.” He stroked her arch and flexed her foot. “I’ll even nibble your toes—and anywhere else you name.”

His suggestive tone sent shivers over her, and she felt her resolve to leave early quickly fading away. She wasn’t nearly as tired as she’d been earlier.

B
EFORE THEY GOT TO THE
foot massage, Cass and Griff showered, and the shower took much longer and was more intimate than she’d intended. After they’d changed into shorts, Griff took a towel and led her to the sofa.

“Lie down,” he said.

She cocked an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”

“I promised you a foot massage.”

“Yes you did. I thought it had slipped your mind. What are you going to use?”

“My hands. I’m very good with my hands.”

Cass chuckled. “I’ll grant you that, but I meant do you have lotion or oil?”

Griff looked pained. “I’ll run down to the gift shop and get something.”

“No need,” Cass said. “There should be some lotion in one of those little bottles in the bathroom.”

“Right. Be right back.”

He was back with a handful of bottles before she got settled. He spread the towel over his thighs, then patted it. “Put
your feet up here.” After he unscrewed a bottle cap, he sniffed the contents. “This ought to do it.”

He picked up her left foot, kissed her big toe, then poured about half the contents on the top of her foot and began to massage.

Griff had been right. He did have wonderful hands. Still, something didn’t seem quite right. Cass lifted her head and looked at her foot. Despite his enthusiastic rubbing, the lotion hadn’t dispersed at all. True, he’d used quite a bit, but none of it was being absorbed into her skin.

“What did you put on my foot?”

He grinned. “Good-smelling stuff. Like it?”

“Griff, my foot is beginning to lather.”

He frowned, then picked up the small bottle he’d used and squinted at the writing on it. Handing it to her, he said, “What does that say?”

She read it and started laughing. “Didn’t you read it?”

“I don’t have my contacts in.”

“I didn’t know you wore contacts.”

“I do. Otherwise I’m blind as one of those bats you’ve been talking about. What does it say?”

“Shampoo.” She howled with laughter.

Griff wasn’t amused. She could tell by the air he turned blue. “I’m sorry. Now I feel like a damned fool.”

“I think it’s a hoot. It’s reassuring to know you’re not perfect.”

“Honey, trust me, I’m a long way from perfect.”

She put her arms around his neck and drew him close. “Couldn’t prove it by me.”