Chapter Fifteen
Cassie took a couple of slow, deep breaths, letting them out and reaching for calm as she walked back into her mother’s hospital room. Emma was sitting on the side of the bed, taking Delicia’s blood pressure.
Her mom looked at ease with Doctor Emma, which was just one more reason to appreciate her doctor friend.
Her mom had suffered with anxiety issues since before returning home from her time in the state penitentiary. She was the same warm caring woman she’d always been, but certain situations set her anxiety off so easily. Like the confrontation Cassie had narrowly averted from entering the room.
“What was all the noise outside, mi hija?”
“Oh, just some visitors who were arguing about something,” she said as she sat and took her mother’s other hand.
“Mi hija, I could hear your father and one of his brother’s voices. I’d know his imperious tone anywhere,” she said, a faraway look in her eyes. Her lips pressed together, she looked down at Cassie’s hand grasping hers and patted it. “He thinks I would ever go back to him?”
Not even bothering to deny it, Cassie said, “We’ll work it all out, Mami. Don’t worry.”
Her mother gazed at her with the same mahogany brown eyes she saw when she looked in the mirror, only Delicia’s were hooded and lined with age. “He can’t tell me what to do anymore. Let him rage and shoot off his mouth all he wants.”
Emma smiled at her words and glanced at Cassie and whispered, “Your mom’s a badass. That’s the official diagnosis.”
They chuckled softly, and then Cassie turned to the doctor. “What were the lab results?”
Emma removed the earpieces of the stethoscope from her ears and hung the apparatus around her neck. “The blood tests indicate your mom is in reasonably good health, considering her age and circumstances. Her blood pressure reads consistently low, but the records indicate that may be a typical for her. Her heartbeat is strong and regular, although it was fairly elevated when your dad was outside raising Cain. Let’s see how you do over the next couple of weeks, Delicia. If anything out of the ordinary crops up, let me know right away. I may refer you to a specialist. In the meantime, I want you to get a little light exercise every day and regular time in the sunshine. Your Vitamin D levels were below what I’d like to see for you. A walk on pretty mornings would be fine. No sunbathing, though.”
“What about working?” her mother asked with concern in her tone. “Cassie needs me, you know?”
“Absolutely, you should work, but try for mornings only, and I want you to have a stool in the kitchen at Divine Drip. Take regular water breaks to keep hydrated.” She patted the fragile hand in hers and turned to Cassie. “I wish people understood how important staying hydrated is, even in the milder months. I think it played a role in her episode yesterday.”
Cassie’s mother twisted her mouth as though she knew Emma was right.
Emma looked back at her and said, “But I know your anxiety is also an issue. When you felt the panic attack beginning yesterday, did you try doing your breathing exercises like we talked about since you don’t like to take medication?”
“Yes. I mean no. Doctor, he showed up out of the blue and began ranting at my daughter,” she said, tears forming in her eyes. “His voice, the way he speaks to his family. I never even thought of the deep breathing exercises. I wanted to confront him and stop him, but I…I couldn’t face him. My heart was pounding so hard, but I couldn’t face him. I hid…I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered to Cassie. “I’m so sorry.”
Fresh anger at her father swelled inside her. Her mother was a shadow of the woman she’d been before the tragic mistake that had broken her family. She’d been sweet, calm, confident, and enthusiastic about life. Now, she cowered just at the sound of his voice, which was the true tragedy, that he’d maintained such power over them, even though they no longer lived under the same roof.
“Mami,” Cassie said, stroking her mother’s forearm. “I think it would be good if you came to live with me. I know the apartment has worked for you so far, but I’d like to have you closer to home. Just in case.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
Emma nodded as she consulted the medical chart and made a note. “Mrs. Villalobos, I think it would be a smart move to make right now. Aging but otherwise healthy parents tend to do better when they live with a family member. More interaction, more meaningful activities than television and work would be good for you. If you were my mom, I’d want you to live with me, and not just because you’re a fabulous cook,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes. “Cooking for one person usually leads to cutting many corners and less healthful choices.”
Her mom looked decidedly guilty for a second, and Cassie thought it was because Emma had hit that nail on the head, too.
Cassie said, “Wouldn’t you prefer to move home now, rather than later when you may need more help?”
Samson picked that moment to poke his head in the door and say, “Knock-knock.”
“Come in,” Cassie called. “Mami, you remember Samson Cutter, don’t you?”
“I do. Samson, it’s good to see you again. Cassie surprised me when she told me you were visiting the coffee shop.”
He gave her mom an easy smile, and while he came forward to greet her, Emma rose from the bed, poked Cassie with her elbow, and waggled her eyebrows at her. “So this is the famous Mr. Cutter, huh?”
“One of them,” she whispered and then giggled.
Emma scribbled on her pad and then tore off the prescription, handed it to her, and murmured, “This is for the cream I told you about earlier. Fill it and keep it on hand because…yeah. Use it.” She winked and then greeted Samson and introduced herself. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you and your brother. Cassie and I are good friends. Maybe we’ll run into each other on a night when you and Ivan take Cassie out to the Dancing Pony.”
“I’d like that, Doctor Rivers,” he said as he shook her hand.
After Emma had taken her leave, Cassie’s mother said, “You’re going out with Ivan, too?” She looked a little confused. “Is Ivan with you now?”
Cassie cleared her throat and said, “He’s at work right now. Mami, we need to talk about that, too. But could you excuse us for a minute?”
In the hallway, Samson pulled her close for a hug and then tilted her face up so he could look into her eyes. He was big on direct eye contact, she’d noticed. “Cassie, you do whatever you need to do where your mom is concerned. You won’t hear a word of complaint from either me or Ivan. Being with you means being around your family, and we’re both fine with whatever you want to do.”
“But what about us?”
He didn’t look away or hesitate. “We let family dictate the course of our lives when we were teenagers. Both Ivan and I want to be a part of your life, and there’s very little which could change that, including your sweet, frail mom who obviously needs you. We can work out the logistics to our mutual satisfaction, I’m sure. Are you going to tell her?”
“That’s what I’m about to do. I’ll lay it all out for her. Samson, what you said…that’s what I want, too.”
He kept the kiss short, but that didn’t mean it was chaste or lacked heat. “I’ll be in the waiting room. Take your time, chiquita.”
Back in the room, she sat down on the side of the bed and took her mother’s hand in hers and said, “Mami, we need to talk about something. Don’t freak out, okay?”
“Now, mi hija, what could be so bad?”
A few minutes later, she’d hashed it all out for her mother. Finally looking into her eyes, Cassie waited for the questions, for the castigation. Her mom blinked, and merriment slowly crept into her gaze. “I wonder what Father Rodrigo will say.” Then she burst into giggles that were decidedly girlish.
“Damn, I was nervous for nothing.”
“Querida, do you think I don’t know about all the ménages in Divine? That I didn’t recognize the closeness betwe
en the three of you when you were together at the café yesterday, even more obvious than it was when you were teenagers?”
“We were obvious?”
Her mother flapped her hand. “Oh, I knew nothing was going on. Those Cutter boys were cut from high-quality material, but a mother knows.” She patted Cassie’s cheek. “It’s why I was reluctant to consider moving in with you. You need your space now that you are coming to life again.”
Cassie gathered her mom to her for a long hug and whispered, “Mami, maybe we’re both coming to life again. Come live with me. It’ll be fine.”
* * * *
It turned out to be a good opportunity for Samson and Ivan to meet some of her friends when they accompanied her to Violet, Josh, and Lucas Abbot’s wedding that weekend.
Violet had booked the Hourglass Inn, a Victorian bed and breakfast that had been gaining in popularity with tourists. The ceremony had taken place outdoors on the lovely terrace, and as the sun had set on the late autumn day, the guests had all come inside to eat, dance, and celebrate Violet’s binding ceremony to the two brothers she loved.
Everyone had raved about the beauty of the cake, which had confirmed Cassie’s trust in Ivan to complete the job for her, as well as the taste of it, which encouraged her and also earned her some more potential customers when guests asked if she had a business card. Samson and Ivan were also helping to promote her cake business.
Once her mother had been released from the hospital, they’d all put their heads together and decided to move her out of her efficiency apartment the following weekend. The word spread through the grapevine, and before Cassie knew it, she had so many volunteers to help pack, move, and set up that the chore would likely take less than a day to accomplish. For the weekend, however, her mom had packed a bag and was staying at Cassie’s house.
Cassie had been prepared to just set up the wedding cake, stay for the ceremony, and return home so her mother wouldn’t be lonely. But after her mother had reassured her numerous times that she’d be fine at her home alone, Cassie had gone ahead and attended the wedding and reception with Samson and Ivan as guests.
“Mom likes you being around, with me, you know,” she said as she and Ivan swayed slowly together in the ballroom to one of her current favorites, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton.
Ivan’s eyes twinkled as he gazed down at her. “How could you tell?”
“If she didn’t like you, she would’ve been giving me hints that I should go out on a romantic date alone with Samson. And she wouldn’t be feeding you at every turn, either.” Her mother hadn’t been in her house fifteen minutes before she’d had her head in the fridge and the pantry, wanting to cook for them, and insisting he and Samson could call her Delicia.
He patted his ribcage and said, “I need to be careful, or I could get tubby on her tortillas.”
“She seemed to enjoy talking food with you.”
He chuckled. “It’s amazing what you can do with just a few simple ingredients and the necessity of feeding a family. I picked up a few tricks from her that I may try in the future. I want to ask you about something.”
“Anything.”
“I’ve been thinking about returning to Divine permanently. I also wondered if you’ve ever considered expanding your business. I’m not ready to retire yet, and I was just weighing my options.”
“Joseph and Tamara have been talking about returning to Divine, too, after they finish school.” She was gleeful at the thought of them coming back home to settle down, but she wanted them to be sure about the choice. They could do so well in a larger city.
A broad smile spread over his handsome face, and he nodded. “I remember you mentioning that. If they wanted to follow in their mother’s footsteps, would you be open to an expansion, or perhaps a secondary location? Given the way the area is growing, Divine’s economy could handle another food establishment.”
Tingles shivered up her spine as he stroked her temple. “You’d really come back to the area?”
“For you, I would.”
“Wow.” She felt like a ninny when her chin started trembling, and he chuckled as he tightened his arms around her.
“You’re worth it. I’d need some time to prepare for it, and then there’s Hermione to deal with.”
Cassie sniffled and smiled. “Good luck with that.”
His cheeks appeared a little flushed as he looked out across the ballroom and then back at her. “It’d be worth it to have this chance with you.”
She caught a glimpse of Samson, chatting nearby with friends, as Ivan spun her around, and she completed the turn and cuddled as close as she could to Ivan, close enough to feel the hard evidence of his devotion, and shimmied against him teasingly. “I wonder where you’ll live.”
“I don’t care, as long as I can see you on a daily basis.”
“A daily basis? I hope you’re not thinking of shacking up with me.”
“Are you kidding? Your uncles and your father would hire a hit man. Nope. Let’s say I’m a guy who’s got patience, focus, and goals involving a certain brunette.”
“Is she prettier than me?” she asked and then giggled. “Don’t make me get out my ass-kicking boots.”
“She’s my whole world these days, baby. But I’d love to see you in those boots. Want another drink?”
“I’d love one.”
He escorted her to the bar, where Samson and several of their friends were standing, and then she spotted Jessica Bright, down at one end, all on her own. She recognized Jessica’s ill-at-ease, tight posture and knew her friend was moments away from walking out.
“Honey, would you mind if I went over and talked with my friend for a few minutes?” she said, tilting her head in her shy friend’s direction rather than pointing.
“Of course not. Take your time,” he said, parting from her with a sweet kiss.
“Hey, Jess,” she murmured as she slid into the spot beside Jessica and nudged her, smiling at the relief that shone in her friend’s eyes when she turned to her. “How’s baby Bella? Is she here tonight?”
Some of the tension in Jessica’s shoulders seemed to diminish as she said, “She’s at the sitter’s tonight. She’s toddling around the house and jibber-jabbering more and more every day. I swear sometimes I pick her up from daycare and I can tell she grew.”
“Oh, I know the feeling! Both of mine grew so fast it made my head spin.”
The bartender stepped down to their spot and placed a wine spritzer in front of Cassie and murmured, “From the gentlemen over there, ma’am.” He pointed in Samson and Ivan’s direction before moving away to make the next drink. Samson winked at her, and Ivan blew her a kiss.
She glanced at Jessica in time to catch her eyes widen at the sight of Ivan and Samson before she turned to Cassie. “You too? I remember that one guy, the one with the beard, from the funeral for Bunny’s grandmother.”
“They’re very old friends. Actually the one you mentioned and I were high school sweethearts.”
“Looks to me as though his brother is in the picture, too, huh?” Jessica asked, her eyebrows arched with surprise. At Cassie’s nod, Jessica’s jaw dropped. “They’re huge, like freaking giants.” She shuddered, and sympathy filled Cassie’s heart at the reaction.
She patted Jessica’s shoulder. “Yes, they are, but I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with them. Not with my father or my uncles or for damn sure my ex-husband. They’re strong and protective, and pretty intimidating to outsiders, I imagine, but with me…” She thought of waking up with them after that first night and let out a long sigh. The feeling defied description.
“You’re in love,” Jessica whispered.
Heat filled her cheeks when she realized she was staring at her men and they were watching her just as closely. “I am. When I’m with them, it’s as if I’ve been lonely all my life and now I’m not.”
Jessica jabbed at the ice in her glass with the straw. “I can’t imagine.” She smiled at Cassie, as if rea
ssuring her she was all right. “So, will I be attending another wedding for a friend soon?”
Cassie shrugged, feeling at peace with where they were, perhaps because she had reason to be confident. “I don’t know. But I’m open to the idea, you know?”
Jessica pursed her lips but nodded. Cassie put an arm around her friend’s shoulders and hugged her. Thinking of protective men brought two specific red-haired men to mind. “How are Tank and Troy?”
For long seconds Jessica didn’t say anything but then slowly shook her head, and Cassie saw tears in her eyes when she looked up. “I haven’t heard from them in a while. I think I finally succeeded in running them off. Could we talk about something else? I hate to ruin your fun with my men problems.”
“Hey, I’m always here for you, Jess. You have a special set of circumstances, it’s true, but you are worthy of being loved. You and Bella both.”
It’d taken a while for her friend to trust her with the whole story, but over time, Jessica had shared with Cassie and Violet that she had been the victim of an abduction a couple of years before and had been held captive as a sex slave, barely fed enough to keep her alive. After she’d been found and freed, she’d been stalked by the man who had abducted her after he’d broke out from a prisoner transport, and she’d found herself in Divine, where the men who had saved her now lived.
Cassie had gotten to know Val Teller and Ransome Cross, who were Justin Connors’s cousins, before finding out what heroes they were to Jessica. Talk about larger than life. The woman they loved, Charity, and her sister, Grace, had subsequently been endangered when Jessica’s captor had come to Divine looking to take her and her baby captive again. It was amazing the crazy things that could happen in a small town sometimes.
Jessica’s attempt to smile was a miserable failure before she shook the ice in her nearly empty glass and said, “I look at it this way. I have Bella, and I’m alive, and I’ve made a safe home for us here in Divine. Anything else good that comes my way is almost more than I could hope for. Maybe more than I deserve.”
How Cassie Got Her Grind Back [Divine Creek Ranch 23] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 21
