Write Me Home

by Crystal Walton

  Ti’s face lit up as if he’d spoken the magic password into her world. “Like, artsy eccentric?”

  His dimples curved. “You could say that.”

  “We’re going.” She looped her bracelet-covered arm around his. “C’mon.”

  Cass dropped her tool. “Excuse me? Ethan’s on the clock.” She winced at how that came out. He’d earned more respect than that. And why was she referring to him like he wasn’t standing there?

  She rose, adjusted her jeans, and forced herself to face him head-on for the first time today. Bad move. Regret hit her in the gut the second the transparency in his eyes showed her response had hurt him. Again.

  “It’s noon, Cass. The guy deserves a lunch break.”

  Ti had her, there. Ethan worked as hard as she did. Harder. And for what? A subpar room in a rundown camp? Of course he deserved a break. More, if she could give it to him.

  “Sorry, right. I lost track of time.” She lowered her defenses along with her arms.

  Ti didn’t miss it. “Why don’t you come with us? You obviously need a caffeine break yourself.”

  And be the third wheel? Or the fifth, or however many wheels the guy had going? Ti was the better choice for a good time. Cass tightened her ponytail. “I should stay and work.” And keep boundaries where they belong.

  “Always the responsible one.” Ti glanced up at Ethan, as though sharing an inside joke.

  His forehead pinched, and Cass looked away. She’d already shown him enough weakness. Her knees hit the deck as she resumed the only thing she needed to focus on right now.

  “Fine, Party Pooper. We’ll bring you back something.” Ti tugged Ethan down the stairs toward his Jeep.

  Cass chucked the chisel across the deck the minute the gravel settled behind them. Get it together, already. She strode inside, flushed her face with water, and backed against the wall in the bathroom that Ethan had patched flawlessly.

  They were both here to work. Plain and simple. Anything else was simply a distraction. Yesterday’s visit from the city had made that much clear.

  The letter weighed against every thought. It wasn’t like she didn’t know an inspection would be in order before selling. She just anticipated having more time to prepare.

  Okay, so it’d been a full year since Grandpa had died, but she couldn’t get here any sooner. She had responsibilities. Had to make arrangements. Surely, they could understand that.

  Was this more about the taxes owed? She’d settle up if they’d give her the chance. It’d be in the city’s interest for her to sell the place and pay off the balance instead of shutting it down and carrying the bad debt even longer. Did these people know anything about business?

  She released her tight fists. Fuming over it wasn’t getting the work done. If she only had a month, she’d have to push even harder. On her way out, she stopped just past the bedroom door, retraced her steps, and picked up a slip of paper lying on the dresser. An extra pair of hands definitely wouldn’t hurt.

  Before over-thinking it, she dialed Nick’s number and returned to the deck. He worked a few days in the city. He probably wasn’t even around right now. She ran a finger along a crack in the empty planter while the phone rang.

  “Nick Ashton.”

  She hopped back from the rail. “Oh, hi. Sorry. I, uh, sort of didn’t expect you to answer. This is Cassidy.” The girl who usually didn’t ramble.

  “I was starting to think you weren’t going to call.”

  She picked at the planter again. “It’s been kind of busy. Actually, that’s why I’m calling. You wouldn’t happen to be in town, would you? I’m a little under the gun to get some renovations done and could use the help.”

  “Wish I could. My mongrel boss has me cooped up in the city most of this week, negotiating a big deal. Can I take a rain check for next week?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, of course.” Her shoulders slumped. “You know what? Don’t even worry about it.” What was she thinking, asking him to come to begin with? He and Ethan obviously didn’t get along.

  “You sure you’re okay? DeLuca’s not slacking on the job, is he?”

  She almost laughed. “Not at all.”

  “Okay. But do me a favor and be careful around him.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He paused as if debating whether to fill her in. “The guy’s kind of a loose cannon. He almost put me in the hospital when he found out his fiancée chose me over him.”

  Fiancée? She stiffened. “Wait, you guys fought over the same girl?” That explained why Ethan was so uptight when Nick came by the other day.

  “It wasn’t like that. He drove Jenni away. She shouldn’t still be—” He stopped himself and released a gruff breath. “He’s got a history of letting people down, Cassidy. I’m glad he’s there to help, but don’t put too much faith in him, or you’ll end up disappointed.”

  She glanced at the sander, lying on the deck where Ethan’d left it after busting his tail all morning for free. Would he end up walking out on a job half-finished? The image didn’t jive with what she’d seen of him so far. But either way, Nick had nothing to worry about. She’d stopped putting faith in people years ago.

  Someone called him in the background. “Listen, I gotta run. We’ll catch up next week, okay?”

  “Okay.” She hung up, but his warning kept festering. She shouldn’t have called.

  An SUV with a canoe strapped to the top soared around the corner and parked in front of the deck.

  She had just enough time to shake off the effects of the call before a gorgeous blonde glided up the steps. Cass stood a little taller. “Can I help you?”

  She peered around her. “Yeah, I’m looking for Ethan DeLuca.”

  “And you are?”

  The girl’s attention drifted to her then. A swaggering grin touched her face. “An old friend.” She extended a hand. “Jenni Weiss.”

  She was his ex-fiancée? Begging her face not to flinch, she shook Jenni’s hand. “Cassidy McAdams. Ethan’s not here.”

  “But he works here, right?” Blondie scoped out the camp in one panoramic sweep. “Don’t even worry about answering that. A fixer upper like this has Ethan’s name all over it.” Her scrutinizing gaze trailed down Cass’s profile. “A lost cause is his specialty.”

  This chick was about two seconds away from being strangled by her salon-perfect hair.

  “Would you return this for me?” She held out a sweatshirt. “Tell him I said thanks.”

  Was that where he was last night? Sharing his clothes with an old “friend”? It took a moment for Cass to find her voice again. “Did you, um, hang out with him recently?” What was she doing? It wasn’t her business.

  Jenni stopped at the bottom of the stairs with her back toward her. “If you can call it that.” She peered over her shoulder. “From one girl to another, stay away from that one. He’s a heartbreaker.”

  Sounded to Cass like it was more the other way around.

  Jenni strolled to the car, curvy hips swaying with each strut.

  If there weren’t spiders under the deck, Cass might’ve crawled under it until enough time passed for Ethan to forget the way she’d held on to him last night. As if it couldn’t get any more embarrassing, now she had the firsthand image of who he was used to having in his arms. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples.

  Something wet brushed her elbow. Head cocked, Sandy looked up at her with sympathetic eyes.

  “Do I look that bad?” She squatted and rubbed both sides of his mud-crusted face. “Look who’s talking, buddy. I think it’s past time for a bath. What do you say? Good idea?” If she were lucky, it’d wash away the stress she couldn’t get a handle on. At least, until Ethan got back.

  In front of the turn to the driveway, Ethan waited for a string of cars to pass from the opposite direction.

  Was Cassidy going to ignore him all day? He hadn’t meant to pull her into his arms last night, but the helplessness on her face had just about crumbled
him. She was scared. And for good reason. If some punks were trying to trash the place, they could end up putting her and Ti in danger.

  Maybe they should get a security system. Except that’d mean an extra expense she probably wouldn’t want to pay for. And who would they get to install it? Wood and a hammer he could handle. But techy stuff, he had no clue.

  At the very least, he could stay on the property more. She could do the cold shoulder thing if she wanted to. Keeping his heart off the table would make it easier to stay on track, anyway. But they needed someone around to keep an eye out.

  He gassed the Jeep up the driveway, suspension squeaking. Was it really so bad for him to want to protect her?

  Ti grabbed his forearm. “Slow down, Speed Racer. I know this thing has four-wheel drive and all, but I’d rather not toss my lunch getting seasick from these potholes.”

  “Sorry.” He let off the gas pedal. “Wasn’t paying attention.”

  She transferred her hold from his arm to her seatbelt. “Brooding will do that to ya.”

  “I’m not brooding.” He circled the wheel and pulled into the spot beside her smart car.

  “Yeah, just like you weren’t brooding for the last hour. Which we happened to have spent visiting Amy at the coffee shop, in case you missed that part while lost in your own head. Good thing I was there. She would’ve been talking to a wall.”

  He gaped at her. “Were you guys off getting pedicures the day they were handing out filters or something?”

  She laughed. “Glad you’re finally catching on.”

  He clambered out of the Jeep, shut the door, and stared over the hood. In jean shorts, a tank, and Ti’s rain boots, Cassidy danced around the basketball court, trying to get Sandy to stay still while she sprayed him with the hose.

  She must not have noticed they’d come back. Covered in suds, she laughed and played with the dingy dog she’d had too much compassion to turn away.

  Ethan’s foot slipped off his Jeep’s rock rails, his heart falling after it.

  Ti looked between the two of them, grinned, and waved the coffee she’d brought back for her. “Yo, Cass. Coffee time.”

  Cassidy sprayed off her hands and jogged over with Sandy galloping behind her. “Thanks.” She practically inhaled the drink.

  Ti rubbed the top of Sandy’s wet head with a single finger. “Thought you had work to do.”

  “This was work. Trust me. That dog had at least ten years’ worth of junk on him.”

  He wasn’t the only one.

  Hands in his pockets, Ethan shuffled around the front bumper and forced his gaze to stay on Cass’s face instead of her wet clothes. Not that it made things much easier. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Damp curls matted around her cheeks. A streak of mud smeared across her freckles. Short enough without her heels to fit into his arms perfectly.

  If he didn’t come up with a reason to excuse himself fast, he was gonna be in trouble.

  Sandy shook from head to tail, showering both girls in dirt-tinted water.

  Ethan called him over and kept him still. Wet dog smell clashed with hints of some kind of Hawaiian fragrance. He smiled. She’d washed him with dish detergent.

  Cassidy took one look over herself and cracked up.

  Ti, not so much. She wiped the dirty residue off her arms. “It’s a good thing we have to get cleaned up tonight, anyway.”

  “For what?” Cassidy lifted the wet tips of her hair off her shirt.

  “Ethan’s taking us out to a club tonight.”

  He rose and almost tripped over the dog.

  “What?” he and Cassidy said at the same time.

  “His friend Amy was telling me about this cool joint where they used to hang out. It’s only like three blocks from here, if you can believe it. Bar’ll be open from six on, but dancing starts at eight. Ethan agreed to take us. Well, his side of the conversation was more like grunts and nods in between brooding over you, but whatever. We’re going.”

  Wow. Just when he thought her no-filter issue couldn’t get any worse. He scratched his warm cheek. But if Cass caught anything other than the we’re-going-out part, she didn’t show it.

  “Ti, I’m not here to go dancing.”

  She grabbed Cass’s arm and led her toward the deck. “Yeah, you’re here to work. I know. You have a full eight hours to work to your heart’s content. Then, we’re having fun.”

  They disappeared through the door, leaving him and Sandy outside. “Got a doghouse we can go hang out in?”

  Sandy rolled on the gravel and squirmed back and forth with his paws in the air. So much for staying clean. He sat up and yawned.

  Ethan laughed. “I’d love a nap after a shower, too, buddy. But it’s gonna be a long afternoon.” And night. He’d stayed away from that bar the last eight years for a reason. Just the thought of bringing Cass there made his stomach turn.

  He looked back at the soap-covered basketball court. Images of her laughing with Sandy balled his heart in a knot. And he was supposed to keep his distance from her? Like that was happening. Especially not tonight.

  chapter eleven

  Invincible

  Eight hours might as well have been eight minutes. Working like a madman the rest of the day hadn’t kept Ethan’s mind off the club. He glared at his silent pager, willing it to go off on command so he could cancel.

  He finished brushing his teeth, trimmed his “scruff,” as Nonna called it, and ran his hands through his toweled hair. One glance at his antsy reflection in the mirror sent him hustling downstairs and into the night’s cool air.

  At least the stars were perfect. Probably the only thing about tonight that would be. Ti and Cassidy were about to be handed the small town weekly special—gift-wrapped in beer bellies, greasy beards, and even slimier hands. Two gorgeous girls from out of town walk in, and those country star wannabes will be all over them in a second.

  He gripped the rail, stomach tensing. Last time he’d stepped foot into Corbit’s club was the night he gave up drinking for good. But if “getting cleaned up” meant Cassidy would look even half as attractive as she did in jeans and a ponytail, his eight-year streak of no bar fights might be over.

  Ti bounced through the door, looking chic as usual, but his attention gravitated straight to Cassidy’s long red curls swaying over her shoulders. She stepped out in heeled sandals, fitted jeans, and a flowy shirt that complemented her petite frame in all the right ways.

  The lump in his throat plummeted past the pit of his stomach and bottomed out on the nerve ending controlling his ability to move.

  Ti patted him on the shoulder as she passed. “Ready?”

  Not if being ready required breathing.

  Cass kept her gaze on the deck. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  The fact that she didn’t know made her even more attractive. He waited for her to meet his eyes. “Because you’re beautiful, Cass.” All sense of logic lost, he edged closer and raised her chin. “Don’t ever doubt that.”

  Her lashes closed and lifted slowly, sending his pulse thundering under his skin.

  Ti snapped a picture from the Jeep. “You two are adorable, but save it for the dance floor.”

  Backing up, he rubbed his neck. Cass hurried past him and climbed into the passenger side. Ethan joined them, never so thankful for his topless ride. The cool wind was bound to save him.

  If only it would’ve lasted. The crowded inside of Corbit’s bar cranked his temperature up in two seconds flat. And when some young thing in boots and a low-cut dress brushed by him while pulling a cherry between her teeth, his dinner almost came back up, too.

  How did he ever stand that nauseating stench of beer?

  At the bar, Joe Schmoes One and Two gawked at Ti and Cass as if they’d locked their John Deere headlights on them.

  Ethan tried to block the girls behind him, but Ti bubbled around his shoulder. “Excuse me. A hard lemonade’s calling my name.”

  “How about you let me get that for you.”
He intercepted her and steered them both toward a table by a window. “Cass, you want something?”

  “Whatever you’re having.” She caught his wrist before he left. “Actually, just a Coke is fine.”

  An exhale of relief oozed out of him as he turned. Having to watch her get tipsy in a place like this might’ve sent him over the edge. He made his way to the bar and nodded at a girl in all black behind the counter. “One Mike’s Hard Lemonade and two Cokes, please.”

  A hunched-over guy on the stool beside him waved a beer bottle in his direction. “Well, I’ll be damned. Hey, Corbit,” he yelled toward the guy behind the bar. “Look who decided to show his pretty face in these parts again.”

  At the register, Corbit wobbled his oversized self around. “If it ain’t Ethan DeLuca. Knew you was talking trash when you said you wasn’t coming back.”

  God help him. As if merely being here weren’t enough of an embarrassing reminder of how he used to get wasted to dull the pain of missing Izzy. He slapped two bills on the counter. “I’d love to take a trip down memory lane with you guys. But since you’ve got a packed house, you probably want to keep those customers happy.”

  He turned before they got another word in and weaved through the crowd. Four feet in front of the table, he almost fumbled the drinks. Some lumberjack dude was escorting Cass onto the dance floor, and all Ethan could do was stand there. Staring.

  Ti snagged his sleeve and pulled him to the corner. “She has trouble saying no.”

  He deadpanned her. “That girl has never had trouble telling me exactly how it is.”

  “You’re different.” She swiped her lemonade from his arms. “That’s business.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.” He set the cups down and sank onto the chair. Fresh air breezed through the half-open window, but everything about the stuffy room still choked him. People yelling over the music, sweat and cologne warring for dominance, girls eating up every lame come-on thrown at them. His past had never looked more repulsive.

  Without releasing Lumberjack from his sight, he tapped a straw on the table to unwrap it and plunked it into his glass. Cassidy could dance with whomever she wanted. She’d made it clear where he stood in her eyes. He sucked down his Coke, the sting harder to swallow.