by Erica Penrod
“Sure,” he said with a mouthful.
She reached up into the cupboard, feeling her face flush hotter than the frying pan. On her tiptoes, she struggled to pull the plate from the stack.
“Here, let me help you,” she heard, and felt Kip reach above her head.
Her body froze while her mind escaped into last night and the feel of his arms around her. She could still feel the pressure of his lips on hers, the tingle from the autumn air, and the taste of mint that lingered long after the kiss.
“Thanks,” Cassie said, as her body reanimated and she landed flat-footed on the floor.
He handed the plate to her with deliberate intention. His fingers brushed hers, and his eyes probed for answers. A surge of confidence hit Cassie when she realized he was waiting for her reaction to everything that had happened between them last night.
She couldn’t deny the way it felt when he held onto her, cradling her head against his shoulder once their lips parted. They had stood there for a moment underneath the stars. After he said good night, he pressed his lips to her forehead before he climbed down the balcony, leaving her breathless. Kip made her feel things she’d buried in the ground, while raw emotions sprouted into unfamiliar fruits, tempting her to taste and experience a new world and a new … love?
The plate fell to the counter. The noise pulled her from her trance, and her elation quickly morphed into her defense mechanism, warping her feelings into tiny daggers headed straight for her heart.
“You okay?” Kip asked, touching her shoulder.
She flinched beneath his touch and saw the hurt in his eyes. This wasn’t a game to him. No matter what happened between them or where the future led, he was honest in his feelings for her, and that smoothed out her worry lines. “I’m fine,” she said, and before her heart could argue, she stood tall and kissed his cheek. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m just a little clumsy this morning.”
Cassie forgot about the kids in the room; the look on Kip’s face blindsided her. Ironically, she felt like a movie star, and he was her biggest fan, grateful her fear hadn’t ruined the moment.
“Mommy kissed Kip,” Rhett said matter-of-factly.
“Okay, spill,” Skyler said, and leaned back into her barstool. “What’s going on with you two?”
She looked up at Kip. “Just that your brother is going to take me on a date tonight, and you’re going to watch the boys.”
“I am?” Kip asked with a smile as wide as the great Lone Star State of Texas.
“You are,” she answered, and he placed a kiss on her forehead.
Later that day, after many tears cried in her behalf because of her lack of wardrobe, Cassie finally pulled together an outfit Skyler and Elle approved of. Thankfully, she still owned a pair of skinny jeans suitable for public. A stunning cashmere sweater, courtesy of Grace’s closet, and camel-colored knee-high leather boots made her feel like a million bucks. Gold hoops dangled from her ears, peeking now and then from beneath the soft waves in her hair. Hints of gold makeup illuminated her hazel eyes that, in turn, complemented a shade of lipstick Cassie would’ve never dared try on her own. She had to admit, for teenage girls, they were excellent personal stylists.
Careful to avoid Kip for most of the day, Cassie was now eager to see him. She bounded down the stairs. They’d agreed to meet by the staircase at seven, and she was a couple minutes early. Her reflection shone in the mirror hanging in the hallway, Grace’s souvenir from an anniversary trip to France, and she touched her hair, happy with the extra effort.
Footsteps approached, and Cassie smiled to herself. She liked the sound of cowboy boots on a wood floor. “Hey,” she said.
Kip’s eyes roamed over her face. “You look beautiful.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She lifted an appreciative eyebrow.
He took her hand and led her down the entryway. His grip was solid, and she liked the way it came naturally, like they’d held hands a thousand times before. Kip turned the handle and pulled the front door open. He stood back, allowing her to go before him.
“Thank you.” She smiled over her shoulder at him and turned just in time to stop herself from bumping into Kip’s leading lady gracing the front porch with all her Southern beauty-queen charm. Bless her heart.
10
“Hi, y’all,” Austyn Macoy said, undaunted by Kip holding another woman’s hand. The Texan gave their entwined fingers a moment’s glance, then focused her attention on the cowboy. “I’m so glad I caught ya.” She gave a toothy smile, knowing her cherry-red lipstick was perfect, since she checked it in the rearview a dozen times on the way up this forsaken path Utahns called a road. “I’ve just been heartbroken—” She placed a hand over her voluptuous chest. “—over the way things ended at your place.”
She’d painstakingly dressed for this “drop-in” with a hand-tooled leather bag, a Confederate blue that matched her eyes, and red high heels punctuating her long legs. The waves in her long blond hair took over an hour; an hour that was well worth it if Kip was the prize for her efforts.
“I’ve really missed you,” she pouted.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I better go check on the boys.” The other woman yanked her hand from Kip’s.
That was easier than I thought.
“Wait—” Kip called. But he was too late. She was already halfway up the stairs.
“Let her go Kip,” Austyn said. “I’m here.”
“I don’t remember inviting you,” Kip said coldly.
“Don’t be silly.” Austyn walked through the doorway. “It was just a little fight, and you know we’re supposed to make public appearances together.” She ran a finger across the table lining the wall and surveyed her surroundings. Nice.
“The key word is public.” Kip closed the door. “And I already told you, unless I’m legally obligated to escort you somewhere, my private life is off limits.”
She picked up a picture frame from the table, a young Kip on a pony. “You were just as cute as a speckled pup under a red wagon.”
He took the wooden frame from her hands and set it down. “I’m not sure how you interpreted leave me alone as an invitation.”
Austyn set her purse down. “Kip, we are on a reality show.” She peeled away her denim jacket, revealing a tight red shirt. Unfortunately, Kip’s gaze didn’t dip down like she’d hoped. “There’s not supposed to be any difference between our real lives and what folks see on TV.”
“If you believe that, you’re—”
“Now Kip.” She stepped into his personal space. He stepped back and was trapped by the door. She reached up and tipped his hat away from his face. “Don’t say anything you’ll regret. You know my daddy doesn’t like it when I don’t get what I want.”
He took her hand and pulled her away from the door. Her smug smile melted away when he retrieved her jacket and purse and shoved them into her arms. “I told you, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, and I appreciate your work on the show, but that’s all it was to me.”
“But Kip—”
“I’m sorry you came all this way.” He opened the door. “But, you’ll have to leave.”
She stepped out into the dusk, clutching her jacket and bag. “I’ll be here for a few days. I’ve never been to Park City before, and I was hoping you would show me around …”
Biting her lip for a moment, she paused. “But I guess I’ll have to settle for old what’s-his-name … Michael Sanders.” She flounced off to her rental car.
Kip caught her quickly and spun her around. His jaw worked dangerously. “What did you say? Sanders is here?”
“Oh, yes. He said he’d be happy to accompany me when I called asking how to find you.” Austyn stepped closer. “He said he had some sort of business here.”
“How did you know to call him?” Kip asked.
“The producers said Sanders might know how to reach you, and he’s a friend of Daddy’s, so I knew he’d help.”
Kip sho
uld’ve known Sanders would somehow be tied to the Macoy family. Austyn’s father was one of the most powerful men in Texas. Kip had crossed paths with him at several charity functions over the last couple of years. He gave Kip the impression that he wasn’t someone you wanted as an enemy, and now that he knew Sanders was an associate of Macoy’s, it seemed Kip’s intuition of the Texas tycoon was correct.
She touched the collar of his shirt. “I told them you and I were planning to spend some time together, but you took off before I could get your address.”
His brow furrowed. “They didn’t tell you to text me?”
“Of course.” She licked her lips. “But I told them you didn’t have service all the way up here in the mountains.”
Kip’s brow furrowed in further frustration. “Where’s Sanders now?”
“How should I know?” Austyn huffed and rolled her eyes. “Besides, I did you a favor.”
That caught Kip’s attention. “And how’s that?” He didn’t respond to her touch; his mind reeled with possible scenarios, all revolving around Cassie.
“I didn’t tell them you were in breach of contract.”
“What are you talking about?” Kip felt like a sock in the dryer, all tossed about and full of static.
Checking her manicure, she didn’t answer immediately. “The way you spoke to me in Texas,” she looked him in the eyes, “wasn’t very gentleman-like.”
Austyn was like a rattlesnake ready to strike, and he had to tread carefully. He needed information. He had probed Sanders as far as he dared, not wanting to raise suspicion, and as far as he knew, neither Austyn nor Sanders had any idea about his relationship with Cassie.
“You said you never wanted to see me again,” she said, and he didn’t miss her pouty lips.
He lifted his hat and scratched at his forehead. He lowered the brim and looked at her with eyes that made his mama forget his mischief. “I apologize for my temper back in Texas.” He laid it on thick, letting his dimples enunciate his words. “You just caught me at a bad time.”
He saw her body relax as she exhaled. “It’s alright, darlin’. I knew you were smarter than that,” she said, and the tone of her voice felt like an early morning frost. “Because it ain’t over till I say it’s over.”
Kip made a fist and swallowed what he really wanted to say. In his mind he pictured Cassie with her boys and calmly replied, “How about we just forget about all that, and maybe I can meet up with you tomorrow. Maybe show you some of the sights.”
Her eyes lit up, and her voice was smooth. “I just knew you’d come to your senses once you saw me.” She pecked his lips and climbed into her car.
As the taillights faded, Kip closed his eyes, preparing himself for what waited for him in the house. He walked slowly and then waited on the porch while he sorted his thoughts.
Maybe he was crazy to think he could protect Cassie, and maybe it would be better to just tell her the entire truth. But that didn’t feel right. First, he needed to find out what Sanders was doing in town and if Sanders had any idea that Cassie worked for his parents. As far as he knew, and he was careful not to mention it, Sanders had no knowledge about his relationship with Cassie (what sort of relationship he didn’t know). But, from the conversation he overheard between Cassie and his mother, he knew someone had threatened her. He assumed it was Sanders, or at least someone working for his firm. What he didn’t know was what they wanted from her and how much she knew about Danny’s involvement.
Was it fate for him to hire Michael Sanders’ firm, or just dumb luck? He’d like to think he was always supposed to see Cassie again somewhere in this life, and that there was a reason she influenced every relationship he’d ever had. It wasn’t normal for a teenage crush to navigate which direction his life took, especially a girl he’d only met once. And yet, she’d driven many of his decisions since he was twelve years old.
Even if the woman waiting inside to string him up with barbed wire didn’t know she was that sun-kissed girl who stole his heart all those years ago, he did. Kip opened the door, and there she was, close enough to touch but always so far away. He couldn’t measure the miles in her eyes or the distance he’d put between their hearts, and he worried he might never reach his Arizona.
* * *
Cassie pressed her head to the window and watched as Kip kissed the woman before she drove away. It shouldn’t hurt, not at this point; they hadn’t even had an official first date, and obviously he wasn’t exclusive. She reprimanded herself and decided it was time for her to stop acting like a jealous teenager. The kids didn’t know she’d come upstairs, so she checked the security screens and found the boys in the kids’ room with toys strung from corner to corner. The girls were on the floor, building with blocks one minute and then checking their phones the next.
Cassie quietly went back to the entryway, but not before she checked herself in the mirror. Nothing had changed in the last ten minutes; she wasn’t any taller, and she would still take the Miss Congeniality title in a beauty pageant. No, she couldn’t compete with the women Kip kept company with, and that should have been a big enough reason to run back to her room and eat the chocolate hidden in her drawer. Not this time. It was time to find out what Kip’s intentions really were. She was a mature woman, a mother, and she didn’t want to waste her time, to play games, or find out if he was only interested because she was the only woman to ever turn him down. But then …
He just kissed another woman, so maybe she should rethink this. It could also be possible that Kip was just the catalyst needed for her to move on in her life. After all, he was younger than she was, and that would really stink when she turned thirty. Not to mention he was too handsome for his own good. Even before the reality show, she’d bet women hovered around him. That was exactly what she didn’t need; giving birth to twins was already hard enough on her self-esteem. Cassie could feel the familiar scorch through her veins as she thought about Kip kissing that—
The door swung open.
And she slapped his face.
* * *
Austyn’s rental car took the curve like it was on rails, and she squealed with excitement. She made a mental note to thank her assistant for finding her something sporty. Daddy always told her good help was hard to find these days. Speaking of Daddy, she pressed favorites on her phone and called her father to report in.
Aiden Macoy answered on the first ring. “Hello, baby girl.”
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Are you having a good time?”
“I guess so,” she said, but then stuck her bottom lip out. “It’s kind of cold here and not what I expected.”
“What’s the matter, sugar? Didn’t you get to see Kip?”
“Yes.” She glanced in the rearview mirror. “I did, just like you said I should. But Daddy, I had to talk him into spending time with me.”
“You did?” Her dad sounded as surprised as she was by the development. “That doesn’t seem right.”
She sighed. “We’re going out tomorrow, and I’ll let him know you’re going to be doing business with him.” That was the real reason she was here: a pretty delivery girl with a song and a mission.
“Thank you, sugar.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, and Daddy? Could you increase the limit on a couple of my cards? I didn’t bring enough clothes for this weather.”
“Sure, anything for my little girl.”
11
Michael Sanders fed the Park City parking meter and gave the red Porsche 911 he’d rented for the excursion a slow once over. It was an impressive vehicle, and after a few more days, he might be sold on the idea of buying his own, once he convinced Carter’s widow he was serious.
He opened the door to the steak house on Main Street, and the scent beckoned him: sizzling meat tangled with caramelized onions and expensive liquor. The thought alone was enough to give him a buzz, but tonight he’d be turning his glass over. There were things he needed to do, and though it pained him both physically and mental
ly, he would stay sober tonight. He gave the hostess his name, and she directed him to a private table in the back. His dinner guest had already arrived, and he smiled when he saw her. Punctuality—he liked it.
The woman’s bare shoulders were bronzed by the dim light, and he straightened his shoulders beneath the Brunello Cucinelli sport coat with his gold cross necklace tucked beneath the lapel. A beautiful leather jacket the color of a newborn fawn was draped across the back of her chair. Her cream-colored satin top with small spaghetti straps revealed only enough to keep a man guessing. She was tempting … and he bent down, placing a kiss on smooth skin only youth could afford.
The lawyer lingered at her neck as her scent filled his head, but he knew a beautiful woman could be more intoxicating than a bottle of whiskey, and too much was on the line at this point. There would be plenty of time for a pretty face once he completed what he’d set out to do.
“Hello, Michael,” Austyn said. Her Texas accent made him feel right at home.
Sanders was a born and bred Northerner, but he’d always had a weakness for that southern drawl. Her vivacious eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Although he found it alluring enough to entertain the idea of teaching Austyn Macoy the art of submission, he couldn’t afford the distraction.
“You look lovely tonight,” he said, and took the seat directly across from her.
Austyn smiled as she lifted a glass of wine to her lips.
A waiter with long hair tied in a ponytail asked Michael if he wanted to see the wine list. Sanders shook his head and asked for a ginger ale.
“Not drinking tonight?” Austyn asked, as she set her glass on the table.
“Not tonight.”
“Well, you’re no fun,” she said, leaning in closer. “I thought we were here for a good time.”
He couldn’t help but be captivated by her. If he were twenty years younger, it might have been difficult to focus, but he wasn’t in his thirties, and girls like her were easy to come by in his line of work. “Of course we are.” He reached across the table to take her hand and caressed it with his thumb. It pleased him to see her cheeks turn a shade darker in the dimly lit room. He considered his time in the gym a business investment, and more than once it had paid off. Austyn’s father didn’t have any fewer candles on his cake than Sanders did, and it only fueled his ego.
