In the living room he opened a beer and slumped on the couch. Tomorrow he would look at other houses and hope to find another to suit his needs as nicely as the Smiton house. He couldn’t afford to wait much longer to begin the project.
His thoughts drifted to the Blakefield curse. He was the only unmated of his generation. Did that mean he had a chance of success?
Allie, Meg and Mark had felt the full pull of love. Until now he’d been untouched. Love them and leave them had been his way. The women he dated hadn’t held his interest for long. Then he’d crashed back into Cassie’s life and discovered he wanted a chance at forever.
He groaned. He’d never forgotten her or what he’d said and done. Memories of that long ago year when she’d approached him were etched into his thoughts.
“Would you go to the movies with me tonight?”
The question had surprised him. In the shadows he’d seen the head cheerleader and her best friend. For several years Ginger had stalked him but he’d never asked her out. He’d been sure she’d hatched this plan as payback. He’d said the words he hadn’t meant…words that had hurt Cassie.
The irony of the accident struck him. If they hadn’t’ met the day he’d crashed into the tree they would have met when he sought to buy the house. He didn’t know if that encounter would have ended differently.
You’re next. Those words while true held the seeds of a problem. He’d fallen in love. Cassie hadn’t. Once again he’d driven her away.
What now?
Patience and a plan. He had to give her time to reconsider.
Chapter Six
Cassie scurried around the apartment removing all traces of Matt’s stay. Sheets and towels went into the washer. New linens were on the beds and hung on towel racks in both bathrooms. Dishes were loaded in the washer. Remnants of breakfast and the past night’s dinner went into the garbage.
Keeping busy kept her tears at bay but all too soon everything was in order. She turned on the television and waited for her mother’s and step-father’s arrival.
Stray thoughts of Matt intruded. She fought to reject them. Tears blurred her eyes. Her chest tightened. How could she have allowed past fantasies and sexual attraction to a man…to Matt…to turn her life on end? Day one, a broken engagement. Day two, the appearance of a man from the past bringing hot sex and a plunge into love. Day three, a second betrayal.
All Matt had wanted was that house. She realized the glow in his eyes and the passion in his voice when he’d spoken of his plans to change the house. Her thoughts had filled with fantasies of living there with him. Then the call and the information her mother had provided had slashed her dreams to tatters.
The buzzer sounded. “You have a guest.”
For a moment she hesitated. She had expected two. Had Matt returned but why?
She released her held breath. “Who?”
“Your mother.”
“Send her up.” Where was Ben? Had something happened to him? Had her mother’s second honeymoon ended in disaster? But earlier when they’d talked there’d been no hint of trouble.
The moment her mother stepped inside Cassie burst into tears. Her emotions tumbled to the first time her life had tangled with Matt. She pressed her fingers against her tear ducts to stop the flow. “Where’s Ben?”
"Making dinner reservations and visiting the bookstore. Do you mind having guests until Tuesday morning? We see the attorney Monday afternoon. You need to be there.”
Cassie shook her head. “Can’t. I have patients scheduled.”
“The meeting is for four o’clock in the village. See if you can rearrange your schedule.”
“I’ll try.”
Mrs. Moore sat on the couch. “Let’s talk about Tim first. How could he do such a thing?”
Cassie sat on the other end. “I’m glad it happened before the wedding. If he saw her often enough for her to become pregnant he wouldn’t have allowed marriage to halt the affair. I doubt he loved me. Just wanted me to do most of his work.”
“Why do you think that? Maybe he made a single mistake.”
Matt’s comment rose. She batted them away. “Tim talked a good line but he used me. Since we started here I’ve done most of his work.” She drew a deep breath. “I liked Tim but I didn’t love him. I think I loved the idea of being married so I settled for him.”
“Then why were you crying.” Mrs. Moore clasped Cassie’s hand. “You saw that Blakefield boy. Is this his fault?”
Cassie stared at the floor. If her mother knew how much of Matt she’d seen the older woman would be angry. Not that she would tell. Matt was definitely no boy. She nodded. “We’ve had several dates.” No need to mention the wreck and the rescue.
“How could you bear to be around him after what he did? Honey, remember how ashamed and hurt you were about the things he said that day.”
Cassie looked away. Her mother held grudges longer than anyone she knew. “He explained and I believed him.”
“Then you learned his true nature. That blasted house.” She released a long sigh. “History repeats.”
“What do you mean?”
“She thought Bradley Smiton was hers.”
“Who?”
“Anne Torrey. He broke off with her and dated me. We fell in love. When my pregnancy was discovered his parents sent him to school in Europe. He never returned. He refused to acknowledge you. She lied and said I’d been with four other boys.”
Cassie frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Anne was Matthew Blakefield’s mother.”
“He mentioned how much she loved the house. I wonder if she told him about you.”
“Who knows.” Mrs. Moore wiped her eyes. “What are you going to do about the house?”
“I don’t know.”
“Sell it. Not to him. Then consider coming to Pittsburgh. Ben’s cardiologist would be glad to have you join his practice.”
Cassie bit her lip. “Pittsburgh never felt like home to me. I like my partners and the area. I’m staying. Leaving after I’ve been made a partner would be rude.”
“Will you move into that house?”
Her mother’s comment reminded her of what she wanted to forget. A tear trickled from her eyes. “I doubt I’ll leave this apartment even if the house is mine. Why do you have to see the lawyer?”
“I told you he left money for me. Twenty-two years of child support.”
Cassie choked. “What did Ben say?”
“We should give the money to you or put it in an account for grandchildren. Melissa’s expecting.”
Cassie frowned. Her oldest half sibling had just turned nineteen. “Is she happy?”
“She and Joe are excited.” Mrs. Moore looked at the clock. “Go change. We’re going to Five Cuisines for dinner. Read about the restaurant in Good Eatin’. Since we’re here we want to try the place.”
Cassie sucked in a breath. Would she run into one of the Blakefields? Surely neither Allie nor Meg worked there. Hadn’t Allie said Greg cooked mostly during the day and also designed the menus and tried new dishes?
“Is something wrong?”
“Not really. It’s just…I’ve met the owner.”
“Is he handsome?”
“He is but happily engaged.”
“Shame.”
“Mother.” Cassie hurried away. She showered and changed into charcoal slacks and an aqua sweater. As she lightly applied makeup to hide the signs of her tears she frowned. Her eyes screamed with grief. She couldn’t give into another storm of tears caused by anger and disappointment. She drew a shuddering breath and wished for luck.
She and her mother walked to the restaurant where Ben waited. When they entered Greg stood at the reservation desk. “Cassie, good to see you again. Matt coming?”
She shrugged. “He’s on the way to the city.”
She shook her head and hoped he took the hint. She wouldn’t speak of what had happened. “My company arrived. This is my mother and step-father.”
<
br /> “I see.” He waved to the hostess. “Talk to you another time. Give Allie a call.”
“I will.”
After a wonderful meal in the Italian Room, they left to walk back to the apartment. Cassie’s mother paused to study the window of the Peek-A-Boo Boutique. “Shame they’re closed.”
“The assortment is wonderful.”
Mrs. Moore grinned. “I’ll give you sizes and you can bring some when you come for Thanksgiving.”
Cassie winked. “She has some interesting men’s briefs.”
Ben shook his head. “Not for me.”
“The village has changed so much since the last time I was here.”
Cassie grabbed her mother’s hand. “Come and see what I’m giving myself for Christmas.” She led them to the jewelry store. “The owner designs everything.” When she saw the emerald ring was gone, she sighed. “I wonder who bought the ring I loved.”
Her mother patted her arm. “Next time you see something you like, put down a deposit.”
“I will.”
The rest of the weekend was uneventful. On Monday Cassie managed to rearrange her schedule. At three thirty she drove her mother to the attorney’s office where they signed papers.
“If you’re interested in selling, we have an offer,” the lawyer said.
Cassie shook her head. “I’ll need to consider what I should do. Give me several weeks to make my decision.”
As they left the office her mother frowned. “Don’t do anything foolish.”
“Have I ever, other than agreeing to marry Tim?” Or asking Matt to go to the movies with me?
* * *
Matt finished handling the writing assignments for the spring issues of Good Livin’. He leaned back and studied the plans for the remaining issues of the year. He might have to change his plans for next December’s issue, changing the Smiton house into an energy efficient home.
The door of the office banged against the wall. Allie burst into the room. “What have you done? Greg saw Cassie Saturday evening at the restaurant with her parents. He noticed she’d been crying and she shook off his attempt for a conversation. Did you hurt her again?”
“Afraid so.”
Her eyes narrowed. Her mouth formed a thin line. Matt nearly laughed at the ferocity of her expression.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Right now not a thing. I do have a plan for future actions.”
“You should go after her instead of sitting here.”
“She needs time and space.”
Allie chuckled. “So she’s the one. You know how the curse worked. Were you afraid to face her parents?”
“Why would I be?”
“Because of what you did years ago?” Allie started toward him.
Matt held up his hands. “Not the problem. Cassie learned something that rattled her.”
“What.”
“That she owns the Smiton house. I knew and didn’t tell her.”
Allie’s brow wrinkled. “Why is she angry about that?”
“She thinks the house is the only reason I wanted to see her.”
“Is it?”
He glared. “That isn’t your business.”
“She’s a friend though a new one. Are you sure avoiding her is the way to go?”
Anger bubbled toward the surface. “She told me to leave and I did.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Butt out.”
“Your loss. What happens when your waiting game ends?”
He leaned his elbows on the desk. “I’ll handle this.” He had no need of interfering relatives. Until he asked Cassie to marry him he had to play this close. Her answer would be important. Did she love him?
Allie laughed. “Love this. No more love them and leave them for you. Wait until I spread the news.”
Matt pushed his chair back. “Be warned. Do not meddle and don’t spread what you think you know.”
She reached for the door. “You don’t care for me.”
“This time I mean what I say. Butt out. Jumping in with one of your match-making schemed will make Cassie run. She might even decide to leave town for good.”
“Can I tell Greg?”
“No.”
“Go after her soon. I’m not sure how long I can keep quiet.”
He captured her gaze. “I’ll go when the time is right.”
After Allie left Matt returned to his desk. He picked up the phone. The talk with his sister had made him decide to take the big plunge. He would ask Cassie to marry him. If she refused life would continue the way it had before he had crashed into her life.
The jeweler answered. “Antoine’s.”
“Matt Blakefield here. About the emerald ring.”
“I hope you haven’t changed your mind. I’ve located four perfect sapphires.”
“I want to add to the order. A pair of wedding bands. Your design but with a sapphire and two emeralds for hers and the reverse for mine.”
“Congratulations.”
Not yet. Matt swallowed. “Here’s my ring size. Call me when all three are done.”
“Will be about ten days.”
“I’ll wait.”
And he did.
Time dragged and tested his patience. Both Allie and Meg reported on Cassie. From all they said she seemed busy and content. They had had dinner with her but she had refused to talk about Matt.
He scowled and then laughed at himself. Had he expected her to go into a decline like the heroine in some Victorian novel?
Two weeks and two days passed before Antoine called to report the rings were done. Matt completed his plans. He would make an appointment to see her on Thursday afternoon for the last appointment of the day.
What if she said no? He negated that thought. He could persuade her.
On Wednesday evening he packed his saddlebags. He put the red bikini in a gold gift bag and added it to his things.
Thursday morning he rode his repaired bike to the office, cleared his desk and left instructions for his assistant about expected articles. By noon he left and rode across the bridge. Upon reaching the jewelers he paid and picked up the rings. From there he walked to Peek-A-Boo and bought silk ropes. This done he rode to Cassie’s office.
The receptionist handed him a stack of papers to fill out. “You look healthy.”
Matt leaned on the desk. “I’m not here because I’m ill. You might say I have a heart needing to be mended. I’m here to surprise Dr. Moore.”
She looked at the gold bag in his hand and grinned. “Wonderful. She’s been down lately since the incident… I’ll have the nurse take you to her office.” She scurried away.
Moments later a middle-aged woman in a white uniform beckoned. “Come with me.” She led him into an office. “Wait here. I’ll send her in.” She eyed him. “Have you known her for long?”
“Since high school and lost touch. Recently connected again.” He leaned against the wall.
“Are you playing a game?”
Matt shook his head. “We had a misunderstanding. There’s something I need to tell her.” He pulled the ring boxes from the gold bag and placed them on the desk.
Her eyes lit with laughter. “Three rings. I can’t wait to see Dr. Greece’s reaction.”
“Who?”
“Just my name for a man who broke their engagement to marry another woman.”
“You mean the fool,” Matt said.
Her laughter filled the room. “An apt description. Cassie is an excellent doctor and a wonderful woman. I’ll send her in.” She closed the door.
Matt felt the need to pace but there was no room. He read the diplomas on the wall and looked out the window into the parking lot. He returned to the door and fought the gnawing temptation to step into the hall and search every room for Cassie.
Finally the door opened and she stepped inside. Her eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”
For a moment all he could do was stare. His cock st
irred. He lifted the gold bag. “I had to return these. You must have packed them by mistake. They don‘t fit me.”
She covered her mouth with a hand. “You didn’t have to. You could have given them to one of your sisters.”
“Not on a bet.” He reached for the first of the ring boxes. “I had to see you again. I love you.”
Her mouth gaped. “But I thought…”
“Erroneously. Let me finish. I’ve used these weeks to think about what I need in my life. All of the answers to the question led to you.”
Cassie sucked in a breath. “How can I believe you?”
He opened the box. “You blindsided me the way you did years ago.”
“What do you mean?”
“All those years I’ve been looking for you. Just like Mark looked for Christa and the way my sisters knew the first time they saw their men. It’s the Blakefield Curse. Remember the ring you liked, I bought it. Made a small change. The emerald is for you and the sapphires for me. Will you wear it?”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Matt.”
“Don’t cry. Will you have me?”
“Yes, oh, yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger and opened the other box. “Hope you don’t mind I bought the wedding bands.”
“You’re going to wear one?”
“Yes.”
She stepped into his arms. Their mouths met in a kiss that felt like coming home. He pressed her against his throbbing cock. “How soon can we take care of this?”
The office door crashed against the wall.
* * *
“Cassie, we need to talk. Rhonda lied to me. There is no pregnancy. I’ll filing for divorce and we can be together.”
Tim’s voice startled her more than his words. “You have a nerve bursting into my office.”
Tim arched an eyebrow. “Are you with a patient? Interesting way to conduct an exam.”
“Not a patient.” Matt’s hand tightened on her shoulder. “An old friend.”
“And her fiancé,” Matt said.
“That was quick work.” Tim’s lip curled into a sneer.
“Get out,” Cassie said.
Matt stepped toward Tim. “For your information I’ve loved Cassie since we were in high school. Then her family moved away and we lost touch. I ran into her weeks ago and we connected.”
Seducing the Doctor (At First Sight #4) Page 7
