"Great idea, I know just the place," Cassie agreed as she wheeled the minivan into traffic. A few miles down the road, she pulled into the parking lot of a small coffee shop. Turning to Cora, she said, "This place has the best iced mocha."
"Sounds like my kind of place; let's go."
After they'd found a table in the back of the room and each ordered a tall iced mocha, Cassie again asked, "Now, Cora, tell me what you want from Dale."
"I wasn't sure, at first, Cassie. It was exciting to be with him, and the weekend we spent together in Austin was just… perfect. There is no other way to describe it. But then reality set in. I went back to my life, and he prepared for his move to Fredericksburg."
"But you've been keeping in touch."
"Yes, we have, but I'm not sure it's any more to him than just friends with benefits, at this point. I felt, for a while, there was no way it could ever be more than that, but recently, I've begun to think that we actually could work it out if we wanted to."
"Well, hallelujah, finally," Cassie said as the mochas arrived.
"What do you mean?"
"You kept saying there was no way. At least now, if he should decide he wants it to be more, you're open to the idea. That's a start. And what about the lifestyle you mentioned. Is he still into that?"
"I haven't asked. I've decided the ball is in his court. I'll wait and see if he makes a move. If he does, I'm ready to discuss the possibility of a relationship. But I won't be the one to bring up the subject, just like I won't address his lifestyle, either. That's for him to tell me."
"That's probably the smartest thing to do. That way, you'll know for sure how he feels—about all of it."
They lingered over their mochas as they changed the subject to Cassie and her little family. Cassie shared monumental happenings in Adele's life with her and showed her recent pictures.
"So what about the buyers for Gram's house, do you know anything about them?" Cora asked when they were on their way back to Cassie's house. Clay was to pick up the baby on his way home from work.
Cassie looked away before answering, "No, not much."
"I couldn't get much out of Mom, either, just that they'd had an offer and the buyers were going to be moving in soon."
Cassie quickly changed the subject, "What would you like for dinner? I thought I'd cook tonight."
Cora laughed. "Don't you usually cook?"
"Yes, of course I do, but not for you."
"I'm just your sister, Cassie. Cook whatever you want to."
"I'm in the mood for lasagna. What do you think?"
"Sounds great, and I'll even make the salad."
"You're on." Cassie grinned as she pulled into the driveway of a beautiful modern styled Texas home in one of the gated communities in San Antonio.
"This is really nice, Cassie. I'm so proud of you and Clay."
"We like it. And the yard will be great when Adele is older."
The rest of the evening couldn't have been any better as the two sisters prepared dinner together. After dinner, Clay offered to clean up the kitchen so the two of them could play with Adele and get her bathed and ready for bed.
"You have a wonderful life, Cassie."
"A life you could have with Dale, someday."
"Maybe, but—"
Her sister interrupted her, "No buts. Keep thinking positively. He may just surprise you one of these days."
"I can only hope that you are right. You know, the weekend we spent at his condo in Austin gave me a hint of what life with him could be like. It was so domesticated, the entire weekend."
"That can only be a good sign. You really are starting to consider a life with him, aren't you?"
"I'm afraid to think about it too seriously, Cassie. What if that isn't what he has in mind at all?"
"Just give him some time. He may come around. And who knows, maybe he is already thinking about it."
After Cassie had tucked Adele in for the night, the three adults talked for a while before calling it a day. Each of them had to be up early the next morning for work, and Cora wanted to be alone to think about the things she and her sister had discussed.
Yes, Dale, I'm falling for you all over again. I only hope you won't break my heart again. I don't think I'd survive it this time.
Cora was much too busy over the next few days to give much thought to the idea of pursuing a relationship with Dale. The book show kept her well occupied as she met many new people and had the opportunity to touch base with past acquaintances. By the end of the second day, she had signed three new authors to book deals.
After her sister had picked her up at the end of the day, she leaned her head back and took advantage of her first chance to relax.
"Are you tired, sis? We were planning to go out to dinner tonight. Mom and Dad should be at the house by the time we get there."
"I'm fine, just taking a breather. This has been a whirlwind two days. Normally, Camille or Kayla accompanies me to one of these things."
"Maybe it's a good thing you're taking the extra days off, then. It will give you a chance to unwind."
"Maybe, although I'm not sure what Dale has planned for us. On the phone, it sounded like he wanted to be out and about all weekend rather than relaxing in the suite."
Cassie shot a quick glance in her direction and let out a giggle. "Somehow, I am imagining that there will be some time spent in the suite. He hasn't seen you in months."
"I don't know, Cassie. I guess that would depend on whether or not he thinks of me as a dear old friend or as something more."
Cassie looked away and smiled.
"Oh, look, there's Dad's Ford in the driveway. The folks have arrived," Cora said as they rounded the corner on Cassie's street.
"Looks like Clay is home, too, so that means Adele is probably getting pretty spoiled about now."
"They do love that little girl," Cora replied wistfully.
"You know, Cora, you could have a family someday. It's not too late to change your lifestyle."
"I've been thinking about it more and more lately, sis."
Cassie pulled her minivan into the garage, and the two sisters made their way into the kitchen through the garage door.
"We're home, where is everybody?" Cassie called out, not seeing anyone.
Clay walked into the kitchen with a baby bottle in his hand. "They're upstairs getting the little princess all dolled up to go out for dinner. They brought her a new outfit," he explained as he rinsed the bottle and refilled it with juice for his daughter.
"Like she needs any more clothes." Cassie laughed. Looking at Cora, she added, "This is why you need to get busy. If you don't have kids, mine will be so spoiled we won't be able to live with them."
Clay looked at Cora. "Have I missed something?"
Cora grinned as she answered her handsome brother-in-law. "No, Clay, you haven't missed anything. Cassie is trying to get me married off and pregnant. That doesn't mean it's going to happen anytime soon."
Chuckling lowly, he said, "You never know, Cora."
Cassie shot him a look, and he quickly turned his attention to filling the diaper bag.
Just then, her dad appeared in the kitchen with a squirming Adele in his arms. "Hello, girls, what do you think of our little sweetheart's dress? I'll have you know I picked it out. Reminded me of the times I used to help your mother pick out things for the two of you."
"So that's why we wore such weird clothes when we were little," Cora teased. "I'm joking, Dad. It's beautiful," she quickly added so as not to hurt his feelings.
"Come over here and give the old man a hug. Three months is too long to go without seeing my oldest child. Why you ever moved so far away is still a mystery to me."
She obeyed, answering, "It wasn't that I wanted to be that far away; it's just that the opportunity offered to me in New York was too good to pass up."
"I know, honey, and I couldn't be prouder of your success. We miss having you around, though. At least Cassie is within driving d
istance."
Her mother joined them. "I'm ready to go. Clay mentioned Mexican. Is that what you've decided?"
"We haven't talked about it, but that's fine with me," Cora told them.
"All right then, I know just the place," Clay announced.
As they piled into the minivan, her mother said to her, "Cora, you should have invited Dale to meet you here. I'm sure he'd love to see you again."
Cassie winked at her. Rolling her eyes, she admitted, "Mother, you'll be very pleased to hear that Dale is joining me on Friday afternoon. We're planning to take in the sights at the Riverwalk."
Smiling happily, her mother continued. "I'm glad you asked him. I was tempted to let him know you were coming to San Antonio, but your dad told me to stay out of your personal life for a change."
"Thank you, Daddy."
He grinned at her. "I try, honey, I really do. Sometimes, though, I just can't control her."
They all broke into laughter at that, and the rest of the ride to the restaurant was filled with pleasant conversation. No mention was made of Dale for the rest of the evening, to the great relief of Cora.
Cassie had taken a personal day off from the hospital on Thursday, and the two Watson girls, along with little Adele, spent the day visiting, shopping and sightseeing with their parents. Clay joined them after work, and they all went out for another enjoyable family dinner together. As Cora looked around the table at her beloved family, her heart kept telling her that there was one person missing from the group. That person, of course, was Dale. He belonged with them; he always had, and it was a shame that he didn't know that too.
When they'd returned to Cassie's home, Clay and Grandpa Watson went upstairs to put the baby down for the night, leaving the three women to talk.
"Cora, I know you don't want to hear this, but I hope your time with Dale is as pleasant as the weekend you spent together last winter," her mother began.
Cora blushed slightly as she remembered the heat that had ignited between the two of them throughout that memorable weekend.
"You're blushing, sis."
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, Cora, you will be thirty years old in a few months. Do you think I don't know what you and Dale did that weekend?" her mother teased.
"Okay, Mom, so it's official. We all know what Dale and I did. That doesn't mean this weekend will be a repeat performance."
"Cora, you have been in love with that boy since you were fifteen years old. If you want him, go after him."
"It's not as easy as that, Mom. Dale has to want it too."
"What makes you so sure he doesn't? I think you're both stubborn."
Cassie looked at their mother. "Mom, back off a little. Cora knows Dale. She and I have discussed this. She's willing to compromise to make this work, but she's waiting for a sign from him that he wants to take things to the next step. I think she's doing the right thing. I know you feel responsible for their breakup, but they'll work it out for themselves now, one way or the other."
"You really are ready to do whatever it takes to be with him?" Her mother looked at her with an astonished look on her face.
"I've told you that, Mom. Yes, I had a long talk with my boss, Camille, and she made me realize that if there is a chance to make it with Dale this time, I should go for it. But as I've told all of you, Dale has to be the one to tell me he wants that, because as attentive as he's been, he's made it clear to everyone that he is a confirmed bachelor."
Cassie and her mother exchanged glances. Cassie shook her head, and her mother looked away.
"What was that silent exchange all about?" Cora asked them.
"Nothing, honey, you know what's best. And I see the point in what you're saying. Good luck. I hope you get what you want after all these years."
The men rejoined them, and the subject was closed. The five of them spent the next two hours playing cards before Cassie stood up, yawned, stretched, and announced that it was time for her beauty sleep.
"We need to get to bed, as well. We plan to leave right after you and Clay leave for work. Honey, how are you getting to the Riverwalk to meet Dale?" Her mother looked at her questioningly.
"I was going to take an Uber, but Cassie insisted on taking me. She is only working until noon."
"I'm part time now, so my hours are weird. Sometimes, I work a four-hour shift, other times, an eight-hour shift, and some days, a twelve-hour shift. It just depends on when the full-timers need time off," Cassie explained.
"And I'll drop Adele off at day care in the morning. Cassie will pick her up after she sees that Cora has been safely deposited into Dale's care," Clay told them with a wink.
"Sounds like you guys have this under control, then," Cora's dad said with a grin.
"I'll see all of you in the morning." Cora kissed each of them goodnight and went upstairs to the guest room that she was occupying. Cassie's house had four bedrooms, with the fourth on the main floor. Mr. and Mrs. Watson were using that room during their stay. Cassie and Clay had done well when they'd chosen the house. It was tastefully decorated and roomy enough for family get-togethers such as this one.
The next morning, as she kissed and hugged both her parents, her niece, and her brother-in-law, she promised to call them after she returned to New York.
Looking at Cassie, she told her, "I'll be ready when you get here, sis."
When they'd finally gone and she had some time to herself, she sat down to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. A text message came in from Dale.
On my way soon, can't wait to see you.
Smiling, she typed these words in reply.
I'm counting the minutes.
Her phone rang immediately.
"Hi, baby."
"Hi."
"I should be there right on schedule."
"I'll be waiting. Cassie is bringing me to the hotel. I'll meet you in the parking lot."
"Great, we'll get your luggage, say goodbye to your little sis, and start our weekend."
"Whatever you say, you're in charge of the plans."
"Oh, you might want to rethink that phrase…"
"Surprise me."
"Later, CB, I've got to get busy so I can get on the road."
"Bye, Dale." Smiling as she took another sip of her coffee, she wondered what he had in mind, romance, seeing the sights, or a little of both?
Oh, Dale, how I wish I could tell you what I want. But it has to come from you. I have to know that you remember our promise.
She spent some time relaxing in a jasmine-scented bath in her sister's huge garden tub before selecting her outfit for the day. Finally deciding on tight-fitting jeans, a lightweight raglan-sleeved coral sweater with a scooped neckline, and chunky jewelry, she dressed. Brushing her hair to a glossy golden shine, she pulled back one side with a coral-colored comb and carefully applied her makeup. Deciding on a pair of flats rather than heels since they planned to walk, she surveyed the end result of her efforts in the full-length mirror. Satisfied that he would be pleased, she smiled to herself.
We'll see how long it takes you to resist this, Mr. Barton.
She glanced at her watch and saw that it was nearly time for Cassie to return home, so she hurriedly finished packing, carried her bags down to the entryway and put them near the front door. As she set her purse on top of her luggage, she heard her cell playing the song “Dancin' Away with my Heart.” She had downloaded the old song a few days before, because the words made her think of Dale. Installing it as the ring tone for his calls, she now knew it was him before she even picked up her phone. She had told herself that she was being silly, but she didn't care. She was falling deeper and deeper under the spell he'd cast on her heart.
Digging into her purse to retrieve the phone, she answered, "Dale, where are you?"
"I'm almost to San Antonio, where are you?"
"I'm still at Cassie's, waiting for her to pick me up. She should be here any minute."
"I'll see you soon then, baby."
"Yes, Dale, you will. I see
Cassie pulling into the driveway now."
"Soon, baby."
"Bye," she said as she ended the call and opened the front door.
"Hey, sis, are you getting all tingly thinking about seeing Dale in a few minutes?"
Cora laughed. "You really are a pain. You know that, don't you?"
Cassie grinned. "But you love me anyway."
The two girls hugged before Cassie helped her carry her luggage to the minivan. Soon, they were on their way to meet Dale at the Westin. They pulled into the parking lot and found an empty spot with one next to it. She dialed his number to tell him where they were.
"I'm pulling in beside you as we speak. Little Cassie has a minivan. Wow. She's all grown up."
"Yes, Dale, she is." Cora laughed as she looked at her sister.
"What?" Cassie asked.
But Cora was glancing over at the Lexus parked next to her. A heat began to build in the pit of her stomach at the sight of the gorgeous male specimen emerging from the car. His dark hair perfectly styled, sunglasses shielding his eyes from the bright Texas sunlight, he was dressed in jeans that fit his muscular form perfectly and a pale blue oxford shirt. The sleeves were rolled up and the top three buttons opened, exposing just enough of the curly brown hairs on his chest to cause her breath to catch in her throat at the sight of him.
Cassie playfully smacked her. "You have really got it bad."
"Shut up," she replied as Dale opened her door to help her out of the van. She smiled up at him.
He hugged her before walking around to the back of the minivan to get her luggage.
"Hi, Cassie, how are you, girl?" He gave her sister a hug as she opened the back for him and then grabbed the bags and put them into the trunk of the Lexus.
"I'm good, Dale, how are you?"
"I've never been better, although I've been busy with the new job and the new place and all," he replied with a wink.
"Cora, hug me again before you leave. I've loved having you here the past few days." Cassie walked over to her and kissed her cheek as she told her goodbye.
"And I've loved being here. I'll call you next week; thanks for everything."
Her Promised Dom (Dominant Men Book 3) Page 12
