Yet, he thought as he followed Cassidy inside.
Cassidy walked into the kitchen and washed her hands. He followed, exchanging a smile and getting a shy expression from her. Was she a flirt? Was she after something? His mind wandered, questioned, and his untrusting side dominated his thoughts. He needed to ask questions and find out more about Cassidy. He thought about Stryker. If she were superficial, or out for a good time to use men, he wouldn’t let her near Stryker, never mind the rest of the team.
He joined her by the table outside, and as she passed Orlando and Memphis, both men held her gaze. Memphis brushed by her shoulder. She turned sideways, and Coast could have sworn he saw her nipples harden. The woman had a great set on her. He licked his lower lip. He would get some answers. He was good at interrogating people in a nice, friendly way.
* * * *
Cassidy didn’t want to be here having lunch with these men. They were too intimidating in a group like this. Plus, they seemed to be watching her every move, and it made her feel uneasy. She needed to make a sandwich, eat it, and get back to the house to paint.
“Do you have a lot of stuff to move?” Coast asked her, and she cringed inside. Why did he have to ask questions? Couldn’t he just be the silent type?
She pressed her hair behind her ear and looked away from him. “Not really.”
She hoped the non-engaging response would halt his efforts. She was wrong.
“No furniture or boxes from where you lived before?” he asked, looking surprised.
“I left it there for my roommate. Didn’t really have enough time to reconsider I might need it. A lot of places come fully furnished.”
“Sounds like you left in a hurry or didn’t think ahead,” Memphis said in a challenging tone, joining them on the porch.
It was as if he was saying she wasn’t a planner, a smart soldier, and it aggravated her. What the hell did he know? She released an annoyed sigh and held her ground. They didn’t need to know her business. She wouldn’t falter under their commanding tones and jarhead attitudes.
“Not the case, Memphis. I’ve learned over the years what’s necessary to survive and most important. Those things were just that, things. Besides, none of it would have gone with the nice country cottage my friend Red has hooked me up with. Have I thanked you enough, Red, for finding me a temporary place?” She turned toward Red, completely dismissing Memphis and his demanding attitude.
Red smiled.
“I think I’ll be thanking you, Cass. It will be real nice to have a woman on the ranch, a friend I admire. Hopefully, you love it here so much it won’t be temporary either.”
“So, who wants some iced tea?” Red asked, obviously picking up on the awkward silence, never mind the dark, hard stares Memphis and Coast were giving her.
At least Orlando remained silent. She hoped her response hadn’t made them more curious. She didn’t take getting the third degree from someone lightly. In fact, Blaze had given her the third degree so much they turned into interrogation sessions that had her pressed up against the wall in some Army-military hold she couldn’t get out of.
“Cass?”
She jerked out of her upsetting thoughts to feel Coast’s fingers brush her arm. She locked gazes with his green eyes.
“You okay?”
She forced her “life is good” smile.
“Sure thing, Coast. Are you going to make a sandwich or just watch Red and I eat lunch?”
He held her gaze and eased back. She didn’t care for the intense stare he held her with. It was as if he could read minds. But, worst of all, was the attraction she felt to the man, or should she say men? Memphis, despite the big, bulging muscles, the cowboy hat, and attitude, did something to her deep inside. Orlando? Hell, he was a complete flirt with a very upbeat, energetic attitude. She couldn’t fault that. She could use some of his extra energy to continue painting three more ceilings in the house. Her shoulders and arms were already sore.
He didn’t respond. He just reached for a roll and began to make his sandwich. Coast did the same, and then they took seats across from her and Red. Orlando sat on the other side of Red in silence.
Cass couldn’t help but feel the uneasiness. She didn’t want to get involved with anyone. She was better off alone, just trying to survive in this life. A life that changed so much and left her wondering where she belonged and who she really was. All because of men like these guys. Retired American soldiers. Warriors, survivors, and men who had the capabilities to break down the defenses of all women, including her.
She ate in silence as the men spoke about the changes they were making to the house and what else might be needed while she forced up her defenses. A wall of steel needed to remain in place. When she let her defenses down, that was when the unexpected happened.
* * * *
“What are you thinking?” Orlando asked Memphis as they finished cleaning up the mess of wires on the floor. Cassidy was painting her bedroom.
Memphis looked toward the doorway. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, you know damn well what I mean. Something is up with Cassidy. I think Red knows and is helping her out.”
Memphis looked at him as if he were strange, yet he had been thinking the same thing. He wondered if she’d gotten into some trouble or even lost what she had. She was in the Corps. She did have a job at the VA hospital in Houston. Maybe she’d gotten laid off.
He replied to Orlando, saying what he was thinking. Memphis placed his hands on his hips.
“She got on the defensive when Coast asked her about not having furniture or items from her old place. She said she didn’t have time to take much. Sounds like she left in a hurry, don’t you think?”
“I thought the same thing, but she isn’t budging with any information.”
Memphis wiped his brow. “It sure is hot in here.”
“We need to check on the order for the AC unit for the window. She’ll suffocate in this place,” Orlando said.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” Cassidy stated, walking from her bedroom with a paintbrush in hand. She had a smudge of paint on her cheek and one on her chest.
Memphis stopped her as Orlando stepped closer.
“You got a little messy this time, Cass,” Memphis whispered.
He reached up and pressed his thumb gently against the paint on her cheek. Cassidy stood there in silence. She stared up into his eyes, and her hazel ones sparkled.
“And one here,” Orlando added, coming up next to her and stroking a finger along her upper chest by the collarbone, which held a drip of paint. She didn’t move. Only her eyes went from Memphis’s to Orlando’s.
Memphis licked his lip. Cassidy cupped the paintbrush before more paint dripped on the floor.
“Oh God, I need to wash this off.”
She hurried out of there, and Memphis absorbed the feelings he felt. He glanced at Orlando.
“Was it me, or did you get completely turned on by touching her like that, together?” Orlando asked.
Memphis didn’t respond. He was too busy analyzing the intensity of the attraction he felt, the way it doubled with Orlando there and how hard his dick was right now.
He glanced toward Cassidy who washed the paintbrush in the kitchen sink then dabbed a paper towel with water and rubbed it against her cheek. Orlando walked closer.
“Here, you’re missing it,” he said.
Cassidy stepped away from Orlando and gripped the counter behind her. She looked both scared and turned on, and her breasts pushed forward. She was feeling it too. She was panicking.
“No, Orlando, I’ve got it.”
Orlando looked a bit taken back at her resistance.
But that didn’t stop him from pushing for more.
He pressed his hands against the counter, trapping Cassidy there in front of him and against the sink. He towered over her just like Memphis did. Memphis walked closer too.
“Don’t get all pissed off and push us away. You feel the attraction.”
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She shook her head in denial.
Orlando gave a soft chuckle then clutched Cassidy’s chin.
“Baby, don’t. I know you don’t know me, but I think we can change all that.”
“No, Orlando, we can’t. I’m sorry to inform you that I am not some easy lay for you and your team to fuck around with. I don’t want any trouble. I’m not looking for any relationships. I’m just trying to live my life.”
Memphis crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“You in some kind of trouble?” he asked her.
Her cheeks turned a nice shade of red, and she looked away from him. A sure indication that he’d hit the nail on the head.
Orlando gripped her hips and gave her a squeeze.
“Someone hurt you, or causing you trouble?” he asked.
She grabbed Orlando’s forearms and began to push him away.
“No. I’m not in any trouble. My life is none of your business. The sooner you get that, the better. Now, if this is going to be a routine thing with you guys, then maybe I should reconsider moving in here. Respect my privacy.”
This time when she pushed forward Orlando knew enough to release her. The last thing they wanted was for her to be out of their sights. Memphis had a feeling that she was running from something. It could be minor or not, but he would find out.
“You don’t need to look elsewhere. We get it, Cassidy, and we’re not prying. You interest us. We would like to get to know you,” Orlando told her.
“I’m not looking for friends, for anything with anyone. Just leave me be. Please.” She headed back toward the bedroom.
Orlando ran his fingers through his hair, and Memphis stared at him a moment. No words were exchanged. The silence was enough to know they shared the same thoughts. Cassidy was in some kind of trouble or had been hurt by someone and was maybe even running from that trouble. They needed to talk to Cash, Coast, and Stryker. Hopefully, Red and his big heart wouldn’t get hurt by Cassidy.
All Memphis knew was that the woman interested him in more ways than any other woman had. That was why he wouldn’t just leave this alone. That was why he would pursue her and find out more. For some reason, his gut told him that Cassidy was worth it.
Chapter 5
Cassidy was careful to make the phone call from a burner cell phone she’d picked up at the local Wal-Mart on her way from Houston to Tranquility. She bought several of them just to keep in touch with Lynn and not take a chance that someone might be tracking her cell phone. She got rid of that too.
“You shouldn’t be calling me. What if he or his friends are trying to track the call?” Lynn asked.
“I got it covered. I’ll make it quick. How are you?”
“Me? I’m fine. It’s you we’re worried about.”
“We?”
“Yes, Chris and Jim.” She could sense the change in Lynn’s voice, and immediately, Cass’s gut kicked in.
“Did something happen, Lynn? Did Blaze come bother you?”
“It’s no big deal. Jim and Chris took care of it. Their friend Kyle is good friends with Blaze’s buddies. Chris and Jim told them that you headed to New York to help a sick aunt and to work for a big hospital there.”
“Don’t say anymore, just in case. Be sure to be smart and let Chris and Jim protect you. I’ll call soon.”
“Take care of yourself, Cass.”
Cassidy ended the call and then walked down the side street, crushed the phone, and threw it into the garbage dumpster. She wasn’t taking any chances.
Cassidy headed toward the small hardware store in town. She noticed all the excitement and people setting up for what appeared to be an event. As she held the door open for a man carrying a bunch of bags, he said hello and thank you. She nodded then headed inside.
“He nearly knocked you over with all that stuff,” the gentleman behind the registered told her.
“He was okay. He had a lot to carry.” She walked closer to the counter.
“What’s going on in town anyway, Leonard?”
The man smiled.
“Getting ready for the big parade. Fire trucks, police cars, military and local committees. They do it in the beginning of every summer to help raise funding for the wounded warrior program in town. Did you have enough paint and supplies for the job at the new place?”
“Sure did. I was thinking about staining the front porch and back porch to the house. It needs some sanding first. Do you rent out hand sanders, Leonard?”
“Sure do. But aren’t you staying on Red Halloway’s ranch?”
“Yes.”
“He’s got a few men around there that could do that kind of work instead of a pretty young thing like you,” Leonard replied, and she chuckled. He was in his forties, a very likable guy, and had flirted with her the first time she was there.
“I can handle the hard work. Besides, I enjoy fixing things and trying to make them look new again, or at least appealing.”
“Well, you let me know if you’re still working on that project on Sunday. I’ll come over and lend you a hand.”
“I’ll let you know if I need the help. Thanks. So show me what you have.”
“Follow me, honey, and I’ll give you some pointers and send you out with the right stuff.”
Thirty minutes later, Cass was filling up the back of her Jeep once again. As she finished loading up the Jeep, she heard someone call out her name.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Gia walking with another woman.
Cassidy waved.
“Good morning, Cassidy. Looks like you’re starting another project,” Gia said as they got closer.
Cassidy glanced toward the two sanders in the back of the Jeep. A push one for larger spaces and the hand one for tight spots and between the spindles on the porch.
“I like to keep busy.”
“I see that. This is Deanna, my cousin Teddy’s wife. You met Teddy and Jim, her husbands, at Casper’s last week.”
“Oh yes, great guys, very good reputations in the police department from what their friends said.”
Cassidy shook Deanna’s hand hello.
“Thank you. They’re a rowdy bunch. Gia tells me you’re a Marine and you were a trauma nurse too. That is so impressive.”
“Thank you. I don’t really do the trauma nurse thing anymore,” Cassidy added.
“Cassidy does more private care now. Some physical and emotional therapy, right?” Gia asked.
“Kind of. It’s a unique approach to aid any soldiers trying to transition back into civilian life or handle their PTSD and things like that. It’s more hands-on and more than just one aspect of rehabilitation.”
“It sounds wonderful and a bit intense. We have plenty of friends who were active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of them are still suffering terribly,” Deanna told her. “We have a wounded warrior program that helps, but a lot of these men get a little frustrated and wind up not coming to meetings or seeking assistance. It’s sad.”
“I hate to hear things like that. How often do they have meetings?” Cassidy asked.
“Not too often. Maybe twice a month. They haven’t been able to hire anyone who can handle the caseload and coordinate these meeting groups. It’s intense stuff these men and women talk about,” Gia said.
Cassidy nodded and felt bad that the program seemed to not be working.
“It isn’t easy to hear about the trauma, the anxiety and fear soldiers go through in the midst of combat. Whether small scale or large, it’s still life altering.”
“Hey, are you still looking for a job in the same type of thing?” Gia asked her.
Deanna gasped and then got all excited.
“Oh my God, maybe you could interview for the position of running those groups. It would probably be part time. Jim’s friend Jack Walker runs the veterans association here in town. They have a small board of volunteers that meet in the town hall and community center. I bet they would love to meet you and discus the position and possibly try to deve
lop it again,” Deanna told her.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m not sure about how long I’ll be staying in Tranquility.”
“What do you mean? I thought you’d moved here for good, considering you’re doing all those changes to the cottage. Don’t you like it around here?” Gia asked.
Cassidy felt the tightness in her chest, that forewarning sensation that told her to not get too comfortable anywhere, or with anyone.
“It’s a very nice community, but as I said, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing. I really need to get moving. It was nice meeting you, Deanna. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“Probably at the parade,” Deanna said and gave her an expression as though she wanted a concrete affirmation that Cassidy would be there.”
Cassidy gave a small smile. “I’ll see.”
She walked around to the Jeep and got inside. As she pulled out of the parking spot, she noticed Gia and Deanna exchanging some words and Deanna nod.
She had to get out of there before they pushed for more about her.
Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies.
* * * *
“That was a little strange,” Deanna said to Gia as they walked along the sidewalk in town.
“What do you mean?” Gia asked, but she knew exactly what Deanna was hinting at. Something was up with Cassidy. She was holding back.
“She definitely doesn’t like the conversation to focus on her, and it seemed like it upset her to not be able to stay around here. Even though she said she wasn’t certain how long she would be staying, it sounded like she was upset about it. How did she wind up coming to Tranquility?” Deanna asked.
“She knows Red Halloway. She also was there in the ER in Iraq when Garrett came in with his injuries.”
“Hmm. Where did she live before? Do you know why she left her job?”
Gia chuckled.
“Are you picking up on your husbands’ investigative intuition?” Gia teased.
Deanna smiled. “You know you sense it too.”
“I know too well about holding back information and being on the run from my past. I just hope that isn’t the case with Cassidy. She’s so pretty and very likable. She would fit in here well.”
Ask Me No Questions Page 5
