Return to Love (Willow Valley Book 1)

by Christine Kingsley

  Footsteps on the porch stairs shook her out of her reverie, and she opened her eyes to see Lissa walking up, Chinese takeout bags in hand.

  "General Tso to the rescue," she proclaimed, dropping into the rocker next to Cassie. "And some sweet and sour chicken for Miss Priss, of course."

  "Of course," Cassie smiled. "You're the best."

  They sat in silence for a few moments, Cassie turning her glass round and round in her hands until Lissa couldn't take it any longer.

  "Okay, spill. You can't drop a bomb on me like that and then just sit there in silence," Lissa chided.

  "I just don't know what to say. I'm terrified, Liss."

  "Let's think rationally. There is no reason for him to suspect anything."

  "He seemed really confused about Sarah. Surprised. He kept asking about her."

  "Well, yeah. Last he saw you, you were fresh out of high school, ready to take on the world with your super cooking powers, and now here you are a single mother. Did you really expect that he wouldn't be curious? You were all inseparable as kids. It's only natural that he's interested in what you're doing now."

  Cassie rolled her head around from side to side, trying to loosen the tension in her neck. "I know. I had just hoped that I could avoid him forever. Stupid, right?" She laughed tersely.

  "Well, that's off the table. From what I hear, he's back for good. Jesse said he was at the store today and seemed like he was taking this ranching stuff seriously." Lissa worked in the office at Kincade Supply.

  Cassie's eyes snapped to hers. "That's what I'm afraid of." Despite the common perception that Jack was wild and never intended to settle down, Cassie knew him better than that. She had watched him closely when they were growing up and knew he had wild oats to sow, but that deep down he wanted to be a family man. His mother had died when he was very young, and family had always been important to him. She probably knew him better than most. Definitely better than her sister ever had. That's what happens when you have a hopeless crush on an older guy your entire life. She had certainly paid him far more attention than he'd ever paid her.

  "You could just tell him, you know," Lissa suggested. She wouldn't look at Cassie as she said it.

  "You, of all people, know I can't do that." It angered her that Lissa would even mention it. "It's not an option."

  "Cass, I know you promised, but at this point, who are you hurting more? Your mom... well, she didn't know what she was asking of you."

  During one of the last truly lucid moments Caroline had with her, she had made Cassie promise to take care of Amanda, no matter what. No matter what. The words echoed in her head. Amanda had always been the wild one, the free spirit. Of course their mother wanted responsible Cassie to take care of her. She'd known she was slipping away and needed to know that Amanda would be looked after. She just hadn't known at the time how much that entailed.

  "I made a promise, Lissa. We've been through this. I promised my mother, and I promised Amanda. I'll keep my word."

  "No matter who it hurts?"

  "I can't think about that." She also couldn't think about those crystal clear blue eyes teasing her from beneath that hat this morning. Her face heated, just remembering his flirtatious words. How ridiculous. She was not a hormonal teenager anymore. She would just have to keep her distance, for lots of reasons. "Let's go inside and eat," she said, changing the subject abruptly.

  Lissa didn't push the issue anymore, but she did notice the flush and grinned wickedly. "Did he look as good as he used to?"

  Cassie punched her lightly on the arm but felt some of her tension ease. "Better." She grabbed the takeout and headed inside. Better keep my distance, indeed.

  * * *

  So much for distance. Cassie had just unlocked the bakery door and gone back to the kitchen to load up another tray of muffins when she heard the door chimes tinkle. She walked back out with a friendly smile and stopped in her tracks at the sight of Jack sauntering up to the counter, a drool-inducing smile on his lips. Drool? Good Lord, woman, get yourself under control. You will not be charmed by this man. She tried not to look at the way his shirt stretched across his shoulders, revealing his muscular build.

  "Good morning, sunshine," he drawled, leaned casually against the bakery case as if he had all the time in the world.

  "Back again so soon?" she asked stiffly. Why was he here again, is what she wanted to ask, but knew that would be rude.

  "I couldn't help myself. Just thinking about yesterday made my mouth water, and I had to come back for more."

  She stared at his watering mouth and thought again about drool. Ugh. What was it about this guy that had her in knots? She shook her head, unable to form an appropriate response.

  "The muffins," he clarified, a sparkle in his eyes. "They were delicious."

  "Yes, of course. Muffins." Could she sound any dumber?

  "So what do you have in here today?"

  She tore her gaze away and made herself move her legs toward him. She would rather have turned tail and run out the back door. Instead, she pointed out the various baked goods on display but quickly noticed he wasn't paying attention. He was looking around behind the counter.

  "Where's your little helper today? Sarah, is it?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you put her to work in the back? Free labor, I get it."

  Cassie laughed in spite of herself. She had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Jack. If only she could shake off this paranoia. And this annoying attraction. Surely she wasn't still hung up on a high school crush. "She's with Mrs. Pettigrew today." Mrs. Pettigrew was a grandmotherly spinster who had helped out with neighborhood kids since before Cassie and Jack were little. She also happened to live next door to Cassie, and she and Jack and many of their friends had spent plenty of days at her house when they were young.

  "So how long have you had the shop? It seems to be pretty popular from what I can tell by the local gossip."

  "About two years. Right after I--" adopted Sarah. Change of subject, and fast. "Speaking of the local gossip, rumor has it that you're back for more than just a visit." Please deny it.

  "So it seems," he said mysteriously.

  "You'll neither confirm or deny these allegations?" She quirked an eyebrow at him. Was she flirting? She had a sneaking suspicion that she was.

  "Come here and I'll let you in on a little secret." He leaned forward slightly and she was appalled to find herself drawn in, leaning toward him until they were only a foot apart. "I may be convinced to stay with the proper motivation." She stared into his eyes, breathless, feeling her center of balance tip slightly off kilter. They were so close she could breathe him in. He smelled like a mixture of pine and straw, an intoxicating combination that put an image in her mind of him lifting giant bundles of straw, biceps bulging through his shirt.

  She jerked upright at the thought. One too many romance novels, Cass. This was not keeping her distance. Fortunately, the early morning rush chose that exact moment to crowd through the door. She heard Jack mumble something under his breath that sounded a lot like, "Saved by the bell." Her thoughts exactly.

  * * *

  Jack stepped back and let Cassie help the sudden influx of customers, needing a minute to get his head on straight. What was he thinking, flirting with Cassie? Hadn't he learned his lesson about getting involved with a Powell? That wasn't fair, though, and he knew it. Cassie and Amanda were like night and day. They always had been. It was even more apparent to him now as he watched her work.

  She moved quickly and efficiently, getting the customers served and on their way, but still managed to take the time to chat and be friendly with the townsfolk without holding up the line. Responsible, kind, caring. That was Cassie. Still, he had no business flirting with her. It was in his nature to flirt with a pretty woman, and he'd teased her plenty over the years, but there was a new element to this. He'd seen the heat spark in her eyes, if only briefly, and it had sent a punch straight to his gut.

  That was definitely n
ew.

  He'd told himself this morning that he really did just want another of her delicious muffins, but he was kidding himself if he didn't admit there was more to it. He'd wanted to see her again. Part of him had hoped that when he did, it would be like old times, and those disturbing thoughts from yesterday would just be a moment of temporary insanity. But here he was, getting all hot and bothered by having a simple conversation with her. He shook his head, reminding himself that he would not put a wedge in their old friendship.

  Cassie finished up with the last customer, and looked over at him, surprise on her face that he was still there. Or was it anxiety? He couldn't tell.

  "I told you I wanted one of those muffins," he reminded her as he walked back over.

  "So you did. Lucky for you I have a couple left." She reached into the case and he tried his hardest not to look at her hips in those tight jeans as she bent down. Damn treacherous eyes.

  She stood up smiling, apparently back at ease after waiting on everyone else. "On the house, since you waited so patiently."

  "Thank you kindly, ma'am," he joked, bowing slightly. "You might want to keep these on hand."

  "Isn't it out of your way to come into town every morning?"

  Yes. Instead he said, "I have some errands to run. Business to straighten out." Which was true. The more he looked into his father's business, the more he realized how overdue he was to help out. It was too much for one man to handle. Especially when Tom wasn't as young and healthy as he used to be.

  She must have seen something in his expression, because she softened slightly, her protective instincts coming out. "Is everything okay?"

  He sighed. Why bother keeping secrets from her? She had always been able to see right through him. "It will be. Let's just say, it's a good thing I'm home. But let's keep that between you and me."

  She put a hand on her hip and looked at him with admonishment. "Do you even have to ask? You can trust me. And please, let me know if there's anything you need."

  "Well, since you asked." He winked at her and pursed his lips. Before he knew what he was saying the words were out of his mouth. "What are you doing--"

  And just like that, her guard was instantly back up. She stepped back and started toward the kitchen. "I really have a lot to do, Jack. I'll see you around, I'm sure." She gave him a halfhearted smile and scurried away.

  "Yeah, see you," he echoed, mentally smacking himself on the back of the head. It didn't take much for her to put that wall firmly in place. Now he was even more determined to find out what had changed with her since he'd been gone.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jack sat next to Jesse at the bar in the Old Gin, nursing a beer. Try as he might, he couldn't get Cassie out of his mind. He'd spent the better part of the week getting things in shape at the ranch, but she was always there, hovering in his thoughts. When Jesse had called him up to see if he wanted to go get some drinks, he'd jumped at the chance of a distraction.

  He tipped his head back and drained the rest of his beer then signaled the bartender for another and glanced around the bar while Jesse continued to talk about something or other going on at work. The Gin was pretty much just like it had always been, a place that had stood the test of time, unaffected by the push of modern trends. Like most of the places in Willow Valley, Jack mused. Perhaps that's why he felt so comfortable being back. The bar itself was made of stained oak planks and spanned half the length of the far wall. To the left of the bar was a small stage and an even smaller dance floor, and the rest of the room was littered with tables and chairs. Jack knew from prior experience that the tables and chairs could be pushed aside to make room for more dancing if required. There had been plenty of line dancing at the Gin when he'd lived here, and he was pretty sure nothing had changed. He wondered if Cassie came here to dance very often, and if so, with whom?

  He turned his attention back to Jesse and realized his old friend was staring at him expectantly. He must have asked him a question.

  "I'm sorry, my mind was wondering. What was that?"

  "I asked if you've seen Cassie any more this week."

  "Oh, I've been by the bakery to get a muffin here and there."

  "According to Lissa, you've been by every day," Jesse laughed.

  Jack looked at him sharply. "Did Cassie tell her that?" What else was she saying about him? And why was he so hopeful that she'd been talking about him with her girlfriend?

  Jesse shrugged. "Or her mother. Nothing escapes that woman." Mrs. Winters was a notorious gossip. She knew things going on around town, sometimes even before the people involved. Jesse shifted uncomfortably.

  "Been the topic of Mrs. Winters' interest lately, have we?" Jack was relieved to find an excuse to change the subject from Cassie. As much as he may be interested in her, he didn't feel like making it known just yet.

  "Nah, not really," he said dismissively. "Speaking of Lissa..." His voice trailed off as he glanced toward the door of the bar.

  "Is she joining us?"

  "I don't know. She overheard me when I called you earlier, and she mentioned that it sounded like fun." He shrugged casually, but Jack noticed his eyes dart back to the door on more than one occasion as they continued to catch up over their beers. It seemed as if Jack wasn't the only one who had a woman on the brain.

  * * *

  Cassie pulled on the hem of her turquoise dress, certain it was too short. She hobbled across the gravel in her rarely worn heels. How had she let Lissa talk her in to this? She typically spent her one or two free nights a month doing something like going to the movies or going to a restaurant. Karaoke night at the Old Gin was definitely not something she did.

  "Stop messing with your dress,” Lissa ordered. “You'll ruin the effect.”

  "What effect am I going for?" she asked, confused.

  "The young and carefree, I-wanna-have-some-fun effect."

  Cassie laughed. "That is definitely not what I'm going for." She may have been young in age, but she felt older than her years, and definitely not carefree. Although, she admitted, she could use a little fun in her life. The past week had been beyond stressful, thanks to the daily appearance of Jack in her bakery. She was thinking of discontinuing her muffins just to keep him out of there. All she wanted was to live her life the way she had been, and he kept popping in and throwing her for a loop. Not that he'd really done anything more than be friendly. In fact, the flirting had seemed to abate after that awkward encounter where she'd been sure he was going to ask her out. But his daily presence made her uncomfortable in more ways than one. She needed to steer clear of him to protect her secret. And with the way her heart jumped every morning when she saw him, her secret wasn't all she was protecting.

  Lissa rolled her eyes. "You're a mom, you're not dead."

  "Exactly. I have responsibilities. I can't just go out and party the night away. I have a child and a business to take care of."

  "That's why you need to live a little. You're entitled to a bit of fun now and then, or you're going to work yourself to death. Now come here." They were standing just outside the door and the music was slightly muffled. Lissa reached over and pulled down the neckline of her dress, effectively revealing what cleavage she had.

  Her breasts weren't tiny, but she knew they could use the boost. Still, she swatted Lissa's hand away. "Stop it," she laughed. "I'm not here to pick up guys." Definitely not. That ship had sailed. She had no time for dating. Sarah was her focus. Plus who would want to take on her baggage?

  "You never know," Lissa said with an air of mystery. Now it was Cassie's turn to roll her eyes.

  They opened the door and walked through, and the beat of the music hit them like a wave. Cassie felt it pulsing through her body and thought maybe she would have a good time after all. It had been so long since she'd had a truly exhilarating night out. Karaoke didn't start for another twenty minutes, so the DJ was playing upbeat tunes until then.

  "Go grab us a table," Lissa said hurriedly, pushing her off in the right
direction. "I'll get us some drinks from the bar."

  Cassie looked at her strangely, but headed toward the back, hoping that maybe it was far enough away that they'd still be able to talk over the music. She pulled out a chair and was about to sit down when she stiffened at the sound of a voice.

  "Fancy meeting you here," Jack drawled.

  The skin on her arms tingled and she turned around slowly. He was dressed in jeans and a snug black shirt, cowboy hat atop his head. When her gaze met his, her heart skipped a beat. Why, oh why, did he have to look so good?

  "What are you doing here?" She didn't mean for it to come out quite so sharply, but he must have noticed because his smile faded a notch.

  "Jesse and I thought we would see what this old place could offer in the form of entertainment on a Friday night. He said it wasn't like the 'big city,' but that I'd have a good time anyway." He made air quotes with one hand and tilted his head toward the bar. She looked over his shoulder to find Lissa and Jesse standing at the bar together, not even trying to hide that they were watching them. She felt her face flush, but she wasn't sure whether it was in anger or embarrassment. Traitor. Lissa merely smiled back.

  She narrowed her eyes at her then looked back to Jack. She smiled overly largely, and through gritted teeth said, "Did you know about this?" The confusion on his face at her words let her know that no, in fact, he did not.