They said little as the sounds of the others' activities drifted over them. Robbie became so still that Cassie thought he'd fallen asleep. She even grew sleepy herself. A succession of restless nights—both before and after her arrival at the ranch—this morning's early start, the various stresses of the day, the aftereffects of a pleasant meal, all combined to make her drowsy.
She was just drifting off when Robbie shattered the tranquillity by saying, "I think I'm gonna have myself a little talk with Ray tomorrow mornin'."
Surprise jerked Cassie to awareness. "You are?"
Robbie seemed very pleased with himself. "Yep. Think you could help me get to town? I don't want Will and Sylvia knowin' about it."
Cassie frowned, troubled. "Well, yes, but—"
"Good. I'm thinkin' nine-thirty. That all right with you?"
"Certainly, but I'm still not sure—"
"What they don't know, ain't gonna hurt 'em."
"How are we going to do it? Will probably will be working, but Sylvia would notice."
He gave her a devilish wink. "I'll deal with Sylvia. Don't you worry about that."
"Considering what happened last time, do you think it's wise for you to—" She stopped. She didn't want to insult him.
"This time it'll be different," Robbie said.
And there was something in his voice that caused her to believe him.
~~~~
SYLVIA MADE ICE cream again that evening at the behest of the children. Though the light was fading, Will still hadn't come in from the pastures by the time it was being served. Robbie took his bowl with him to his room, and Cassie slipped upstairs without anyone noticing.
Exhausted, she stretched out on the bed fully clothed and instantly fell asleep. Not even her worries could prevent it. When she awakened some time later, darkness had fallen and all was quiet inside the house and out. The stiffness of her body told her she hadn't so much as twitched in the time she was asleep. It was an effort to move. But she wanted to at least brush her teeth.
After checking that the other doors in the hall were firmly closed, she made her way as quietly as she could to the bathroom. Once back in her room, though, she couldn't settle. A vague restlessness had overtaken her. She tried pacing, but the room wasn't large enough. She stretched out on the bed again, hoping that might help her relax. But it didn't. She had no idea what time it was. She could have checked her watch, but that would entail turning on a light. And did knowing the time really matter that much?
Again, after checking that it was safe, she stepped into the hall, and this time made her way downstairs. She had yet to change into her night clothes and, upon opening the front door and stepping onto the porch, she was glad she hadn't. Without the sun, the temperature had dropped.
She stopped at the railing and peered into the night. It was so quiet here. No speeding cars, no sirens. Just the occasional cricket calling for a mate. Giving a light shiver, she folded her arms across her chest and gazed at the star-filled sky, breathing the scents of the cooling land. This close to nature, it was hard to believe that anything besides nature was important.
But certain things were important. The ranch Taylors were a part of this land, and in order for them to keep it, they needed to make the sale. She needed to make the sale as well, but had nothing to show for her days spent trying. What did Robbie have up his sleeve that he wanted to talk to Ray about in the morning? And why keep their meeting secret?
A speck of space dust flamed across the sky—a shooting star. More nature on display. Will worked with natural elements all the time—the cattle, the horses, the grasses, the weather. In the city, the elements mattered only in how to dress for the day ahead and whether to carry an umbrella. Animals were mostly pets or observed in the zoo.
Cassie took another breath and felt a slow release from the restlessness that had seized her. For now, just for now, she would ignore tomorrow and everything that might come with it. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the starlight.
~~~~
To Will's mind, he'd never seen anything as beautiful as Cassie at that moment. Her face lifted to the stars... She might have been an elfin princess or a statue lovingly carved by a master. Unobtainable, yet so close he could actually touch her. For those magical seconds, he had to battle himself not to go to her and pull her into his arms.
There was a sound, a muted creak of floorboard. Suddenly on alert, she whirled to face him.
"You couldn't sleep either?" he asked. The words came low and husky. He hadn't planned them. If he had, he hoped they would have been better chosen.
"How did you get here?" she demanded. "I didn't hear—"
He wiggled his sock-covered feet. "Boots make a lot of noise at night."
"Well," she said, "you shouldn't sneak up behind a person like that!" She turned away, pretending to gaze at the stars again. But it wasn't the same. Her body was tense, tight.
As a polite host to a guest in his home, he should apologize and leave. But he had no intention of doing either. He maintained his distance, barely a foot away from her. Only he softened his presence by moving to where he could rest a hand on the nearest porch support and kind of lean into it.
"I like to come out here at night when the house is quiet and Mom and Granddad are sleepin'." He chuckled softly. "Doesn't happen often these days. Most times I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow."
"Except tonight," she said tartly.
"There's just somethin' so peaceful about it. In the daytime, too many things are happenin'. At night, it's just you and the crickets…if they don't have somethin' better to do."
She said nothing.
"Am I botherin' you?" he asked.
She shook her head.
Her taut body gave lie to her denial. She started to ease away, one small step to the side and back, and then another.
"How'd you like the hayride?" he asked.
"It was nice."
"I think the kids had fun."
She rubbed her arms a little too vigorously and produced a shiver. Real or pretend, Will didn't know.
"I—I think I'll go in now," she said. "It's cooler out here than I thought."
"Hold it. I'll give you my jacket." He had his denim jacket off and around her shoulders before she could blink. "There," he said, adjusting the collar. "That better?"
He was facing her now, and she was looking up at him.
Will could hold off no longer. He had to taste her lips again, feel the softness of her body pressed against his.
~~~~
CASSIE CAUGHT HER breath as his head dipped to hers. She needed to get away! Not let herself be put in jeopardy! But all resistance melted as the warmth and vitality of his mouth covered hers in a kiss that was so exquisite she lost all care as to who she was or had been...who he was both past and present...and why this uninhibited intimacy between them would be something they would both regret later. Her hands moved up his chest to his shoulders, and then wound around his neck to pull him even closer. He caressed the small of her back, until one hand moved to her ribs, while the other— She, at last, found strength to break free.
The jacket he'd placed over her shoulders had slipped to the floor, and she stumbled over it as she tried to get away. Will bent to pick it up, and the closeness of his golden head made her wonder if she'd ever forget the springy softness of the hairs at the nape of his neck and the way her fingers had threaded through them.
She took another step back, then another. She had to put distance between them! If he so much as tried to steady her, she didn't know what would happen. Her heart was thundering madly, her breaths wholly unsteady.
"That shouldn't have happened," she said, her voice shaken.
"But it did."
"I didn't mean for it to!"
Will watched her steadily. "I did."
She shook her head in denial.
He gave a slow smile.
Cassie was almost at the screen door.
"I meant every second of i
t," Will elaborated.
"Will, I'm not here to— I'm going back to Houston just as soon as I can. I'm not here to start anything."
"Sometimes things just happen, Cassie."
"Not between us!"
"Why not between us?"
"I'm Cassie. Cassie Edwards. You know who I am!"
"You're female, I'm male. And we're both unattached."
"It's not just that!"
"I agree. I'm thinkin' it's a lot more than that."
Cassie shook her head again. "Will, I can't— I don't—"
He closed the distance between them, but instead of catching hold of her and again sweeping her into his arms—as a part of her longed for him to do—he settled the jacket back into place over her shoulders and said softly, "I'm the one who's goin' in, Cassie. You stay and enjoy the stars. You were here first."
Then, taking only long enough to lightly brush a fingertip along the curve of her cheek, he went silently back into the house.
Of its own accord, Cassie's hand covered her cheek. But there was nothing automatic about the haze of tears that blurred her vision as she made her way back to the railing and, once there, held on for everything she was worth.
CHAPTER NINE
THE ROOSTER AWAKENED Cassie again the next morning, and she greeted it with about as much enthusiasm as she had the day before. Then as memories from last night flooded over her, her dismay increased.
What had happened between her and Will— The way he had talked after— The way she had felt—before, during, and after. She moaned and covered her face with her pillow. She didn't need more complications. Why was this happening now? She was here to do a job. She wasn't here to…what? To play out an attraction that, she now had to admit, carried over from her pubescence? She moaned again. If she could, she'd stay in bed all day!
But she had made a promise to drive Robbie into town to see Ray. And now, after last night, it was even more imperative that she get the contract signed so she could leave this place. Before she did anything to completely embarrass herself. Will could have his pick of women. He'd always had. Any involvement with her would just be light amusement for him. Where for her— No, she wouldn't let herself go there. Not even in her mind. She had to concentrate fully on what she was here for. Robbie seemed to think he had a way to get through to his brother; she would give him every bit of assistance she could.
The rooster seemed to have his internal alarm set for around seven-twenty and since Robbie didn't want to leave until half past nine, Cassie didn't have to rush. She took her time showering and dressing, knowing that the longer she took, the less chance she'd have of running into Will. Their next meeting was going to be awkward enough. She didn't want to start the day off with it.
~~~~
THE KITCHEN WAS abuzz when Cassie put in an appearance. The Warrens were at the table finishing a lazy breakfast, Robbie sat with his coffee cup cradled in his hands, and Sylvia was at the counter packing sandwiches and snacks for the Warrens to take with them on their trip back to San Antonio. Will's chair was empty…just as she had hoped.
Her eyes met Robbie's after she'd greeted all the others, and he motioned her into her chair with a little tip of his head. As soon as she'd settled into it, Sylvia passed her a filled cup.
"It's our last morning here, Cassie," David said regretfully. "I sure envy you getting to stay longer. If I didn't have patients already lined up for tomorrow, I'd say we'd stay on, too."
"Melissa's missed all the piano practice she should, David," Cindy said quickly. "And Seth has karate." Then, in order not to give the wrong impression, she added hurriedly, "Not that I wouldn't like to stay longer. It's been so much fun!"
Only Cassie was aware of Robbie discreetly tapping Melissa's elbow.
"We didn't get to ride a horse!" the young girl cried, as if struck by a sudden thought. "I told all my friends I was going to ride one, and Seth did too! Oh, please—" She darted around the table to station herself between her parents. "Please, please, please!" she begged first one, then the other. "Let us ride a horse. Please!"
Seth looked momentarily confused, but quickly added his voice to hers. "A horse! We want to ride a horse!"
Sylvia turned from the boxed meal she'd just put the finishing touches to and said, "Well, I don't see why you can't. That is, if it's all right with your mom and dad. I have a fat old horse out in the pasture who could do with a little exercise."
David frowned at his children. "Why didn't you two say anything about this before?"
"I forgot," Melissa said. "But I really want to. I really, really do!"
"Me, too! I do, too!" Seth agreed.
David sighed and glanced at his wife, before apologizing to his hostess. "If you don't mind, then I guess—"
"Eeeee!" Both children screeched in happiness and started pulling on their parents' arms, prompting them to get up.
"You have to watch us, Daddy. Mom, you too," Melissa decreed.
Sylvia laughed. "All right, let's do it." She dropped the kitchen towel she was wearing over her shoulder onto the counter. "Dad, Cassie…you two want to come along?"
Robbie shook his head, and Cassie did the same before taking a sip of her coffee.
The children gravitated to Sylvia, one on each side, as she saw them and their parents through the back door.
"My horse's name is Polly and she's older than you are, Melissa," Sylvia said. "I've had her for a long, long time." Her words faded as they moved away from the house.
Alone in the kitchen, Cassie arched an eyebrow at Robbie, who grinned widely in return. "Is this where we're supposed to make a quick getaway?" she asked.
"You bet it is," Robbie said, and unkinking himself from his chair, he took a note from his breast pocket to leave on the counter. "Cost me enough. That little gal drives a hard bargain."
"You paid her?" Cassie said.
"It was the only thing I could think to do."
Cassie motioned to the note as she stood up. "What's it say?"
"That you remembered somethin' you forgot in town and asked me to come along."
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "You're a wily old man when you want to be, aren't you?"
"C'mon." He urged her down the hall and out the front door. "Let's get movin' before Will comes in and wants to know what we're up to."
He couldn't have come up with anything that would have gotten Cassie moving faster.
~~~~
ROBBIE WAS DEEP in his own thoughts as they drove into town. With each passing mile he grew more somber. Cassie itched to know his plans. What was he going to say to Ray? What could it be that would make him think that, after hearing him out, Ray would suddenly change his mind and agree? Cassie had the contracts with her, just in case. But Robbie kept his own council, and she had to console herself with the sure knowledge that the situation couldn't get any worse than it already was.
She pulled her car into a parking slot outside Handy's and turned to look at the old man.
He stirred. "Might be best if you wait out here."
"I'd rather come with you."
He shrugged and opened his door.
By the time they crossed the open space behind the registers and reached the staircase, everyone at store level was aware of them. Both cashiers, the bag boy, the customers in line and those in the aisles…everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch. Word must be out that the twin brothers had clashed and that somehow Cassie was involved.
Robbie was intent on his objective. The stairs were difficult for him—Cassie could tell by the way he moved that it hurt him to climb—but he forged on until he reached the top. There, rather than knocking, he called out his brother's name.
"Ray! It's me. Open the door."
The door swung open almost immediately, a surprised and irritated Ray on the other side.
"Goldernnit, Robbie!" Ray protested. "Can't you at least try to be civilized?"
"I thought I was," Robbie retorted. "I didn't just barge in."
R
ay's gaze shifted to Cassie. "Why's she here?" he demanded. "I've already made it clear that—"
"I got somethin' to say to ya." Robbie pushed past him into the room.
Ray's lips tightened, but he let Cassie through as well, then shut the door with a decisive thump.
The brothers stared at each other for a tense moment after everyone was seated. Finally, Ray bit out, "If you've got something to say, say it because I'm supposed to be at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in—" he pulled back his sleeve "—twenty-five minutes."
"You still headin' up that thing, or did you finally let somebody else have a turn?"
Ray's eyes widened. "If you're just here to insult me—"
"An' what about the mayor's job? I hear you're groomin' Ray, Jr. for it. How many times were you elected?"
The color heightened in Ray's cheeks. "Are you coming to a point?" he demanded.
Cassie's heart sank. Robbie was doing it again. Didn't the man understand that angering the person he wanted to bring over to his side was exactly the wrong way to go about it?
Robbie leaned forward. "What I'm comin' to is that you've done real well for yourself, Ray. People 'round here think highly of you. They respect you."
Ray waited. So did Cassie.
Robbie continued, "An' maybe…maybe I should start respectin' you, too."
Cassie didn't realize she'd been holding her breath until she heard a soft hiss escape her lips.
Ray seemed just as taken by surprise. Until surprise turned to anger. "If this is your way of trying to soften me up—"
"It's my way of tryin' to make amends!" Robbie snapped. "I made some mistakes over the years. Like when you came to me all those years ago and asked me to buy out your share of the Home Place…I shoulda done it. No matter what."
"But you didn't!"
"No, I didn't."
"And I came this close—" Ray measured a sliver of air between his fingers "—this close...to losing Handy's. And did you care? No, you didn't care!"
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