Spring Into Love

by Chantel Rhondeau

  Parker met her at the truck and packed the chair in with her other belongings.

  “Want me to take my own car so you don’t have to drive me back?” She still had some final cleaning to do.

  “It’s no trouble, Casey. Get in.”

  As they drove the few miles to his farm, Casey sensed her brother watching her. Afraid he’d ask things she didn’t want to answer, she started babbling. “So, the minister said a small donation is all they want in exchange for rehearsing my Cove Corps dancers in the church’s hall. They’ve already got a lot of activities going, but I might try to talk him into letting me teach a weekly class. Won’t do any good for most of my students, but at least it would help me keep some training going with my most dedicated ones.”

  “Natalie told me Taz Ravage offered to invest in your school. Is that true?”

  “Kind of. Except the only thing Taz offered was the use of a barn on his property. I checked it out and said no. It’s too close to where he holds parties the likes of which would put my students’ parents in a fit. Plus he’s so used to females throwing themselves at him that he clearly assumed a payback would be coming from me on that score.”

  “Good to know I won’t have to risk a lawsuit for teaching Mr. Ravage to keep away from you.” Protecting his sisters was the one thing that turned Parker from an easygoing honey bear to an intimidating grizzly. “Speaking of which, what happened with Drew Byrne? And don’t give me that ‘he changed his mind’ nonsense. Your answers are evasive. Your eyes are red and bloodshot. And I know it’s not just about losing your studio because you have that look of a heartbroken female.”

  She knew this was coming sooner or later. “Enough, Sherlock. You know, there are lots of other women who’d appreciate this kind of attention from you. Maybe it’s time you—”

  “Byrne spun his tricks on you, didn’t he?” The taut anger in her brother’s face only made him look more handsome than usual with his dark, steamy eyes and sculpted jaw. Every time Casey went out with Parker she wondered if he noticed how many women stared at him.

  “Look who’s talking. You stumble into hookups with women who are totally wrong for you and after three dates can’t understand why you’re no longer interested. You think none of them are hurt when you stop seeing them?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t do it on purpose.”

  “I’m not sure Drew does either.”

  “You’re defending that little prick. This really is bad. I ought to—”

  “Don’t you dare confront him. It’s done. Just leave it. I’ll be fine.”

  “Will you? Why didn’t you listen to me? I told you not to get near him.”

  “Okay, I’m a dope who makes a lot of mistakes, all right? And people who say ‘I told you so’ are incredibly offensive.” Casey turned away and stared out her window.

  Parker’s deep voice sobered. “I’m sorry, Casey. I just hate to see you hurt.”

  “Then don’t bring it up again.”

  They reached Parker’s home turf. A defunct farmhouse and dilapidated outbuildings led to a meticulously kept greenhouse and broad, lush gardens. She decided it would take a unique woman to understand her odd, lovable, and annoyingly protective brother.

  He drove the truck right up to a metal garden shed. The black-and-white mutt, Skipper, and the shepherd-collie, Reef, galloped toward them.

  As they loaded the boxes of Casey’s belongings into the shed, she told herself this was only temporary and swore that she’d find a way to come through for the kids who were counting on her.

  But that old Calamity Richardson failure streak lurked like a shadow in the back of her mind, telling her she’d just go and bungle it yet again.

  ***

  Drew needed to rant. His more than healthy male ego wasn’t used to this kind of bruising. Why can’t I just be done with her? Cross the bitch off and switch programs? If only he could chalk Casey up as just another mundane sexual conquest gone awry. But he couldn’t. For the first time in his life Drew had met a woman who’d totally dismantled him.

  He couldn’t stop thinking about her every damn minute. It hadn’t been easy to stay away from her for the past three weeks. He’d practically had to lock up his car keys to keep himself from racing over to her studio. Memories plagued him of those few blissful weeks when he’d slept with her in his arms night after night. And their last episode of frantic, angry lovemaking on the muddy ground and the back seat of his car. Drew got hard now just thinking about her fierce passion and how good she’d felt moving against him.

  To distract himself he’d scheduled hookups with other women, but that hadn’t worked before and again he ended up cancelling out. All he wanted was Casey. They were perfect together.

  Too bad Casey didn’t think so. She’d called him an “obnoxious womanizing scumbag.” And she said he was “not the right guy for her.”

  Correction. She’d said “another obnoxious womanizing scumbag.” Which meant more than one. And gave him hope, since the other was most likely Taz Ravage. Okay, so maybe there was some truth to her first point. But not second.

  There wasn’t another man on this whole planet who was as right for Casey Richardson as Drew Byrne.

  His phone rang and he snatched it. “Hey, Josh. Got your bags all ready?”

  “I’m not coming.”

  “What do you mean you’re not coming? I bent over backwards getting your mother to agree to this.” Drew gripped the phone, trying to control his temper that had been hair-trigger explosive lately.

  He stopped, took a breath, and started again in a more positive tone. “Listen, Josh, I hired a decorator to work on those rooms we talked about. Got a media room for your video games. Even ordered all the Spider-Man movies. Made a practice room that’s like a studio for you. With a barre and trampoline and all kinds of music. Plus I got a set of those wireless helicopters you wanted and the mini rocket launcher.”

  When none of this garnered a response, Drew asked, “What’s going on, Josh? Tell me.” He was fully prepared for his son to say he’d changed his mind because he didn’t want to leave his mommy to live with this guy he hardly knew. Who happened to be his father. My own fault.

  But Josh spat out, “I’ve got no reason to stay here in the States.”

  No reason? The boy had practically risked his life running away because of his reasons. “What about Got Moves? And Miss Casey’s—”

  “Miss Casey’s a liar just like everybody else! I hate her. I don’t ever want to see her again.”

  But Josh had adored Casey; practically deified her. “Why? What happened?”

  “She’s closing her school. She doesn’t care about me or any of us.”

  “Whoa. Slow down. Are you sure she’s not just moving to a new place?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. No more classes. Only Cove Corps rehearsals, and they’re in a church. But I’m not gonna show up. See how she likes that.”

  A church? What happened to Taz and his barn? Had Casey realized what a flaming dickhead the guy was? Or had Taz dropped Casey for another one of his zillion groupies?

  Even though Drew could wring her neck for choosing that druggy crooner over him, he didn’t like the idea of Casey being tossed out in the cold, upset and trying to cope. He remembered how she’d cried her eyes out in his arms that night her landlord told her she would have to leave.

  Drew also recalled the way she rallied when he’d needed help. Hadn’t even hesitated for an instant. She was the one who’d found his son the night he ran away. And she hadn’t even minded slogging through the rain and mud to do it. He owed her.

  “Tell me what she said, Josh. I might be able to help with this, but in order to do that I need to know her exact words if you can remember them.”

  “Sure. The dance academy is closing until further notice.”

  “That’s it? Nothing else?”

  “Well, when Emma and Nicole cried, Miss Casey said she’d try to find another place as soon as she could. But I know what that means.
Never. I used to think Miss Casey was different. But she’s just like you and mom and other grown ups. Saying things you don’t really mean and promising things that never happen.”

  Those words hit Drew like a blow. “I know I haven’t come through for you as often as I should. You’re right about that. But you’re wrong about Miss Casey. She is different from everybody else. She’d never let you down unless her back was against the wall. Guaranteed she’s got some big trouble you don’t know about that’s making it impossible for her to keep the academy. But I’m going to change that.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Make you a bet I can get Miss Casey’s academy back in business. And if I win you have to stay and do the performance on Got Moves.”

  “And if you lose?”

  “I won’t, Josh. I promise. And this is one promise I’m not going to break. So pack those bags, because I’ll be coming to get you this afternoon.”

  But Drew’s certainty waned slightly after calling Casey’s cell all morning and leaving messages that were not returned. He wasn’t surprised. He’d guessed she wouldn’t talk to him. Totally unfair. He was the one who got thrown over for a stupid rock star.

  The sound of a distant buzz coming from the area beyond the tennis courts suddenly registered. He raced to the other side of the house and saw the truck. Richardson’s Landscape Gardening And Lawncare.

  Drew followed the buzz across the back lawn. And there he was. That same Mr. Tall- Dark-and-Handsome that he’d seen with Casey. Drew laughed to himself about the way he’d accused her of lying about the hunk being her brother. He’d never been so jealous in his life.

  “Hi. You’re Parker Richardson, right?” He held out his hand. “I’m Drew Byrne.”

  “I know.” Parker shook his hand, eyeing Drew with what appeared to be a combination of curiosity and suspicion.

  “You mind taking a break for a minute? I just need to talk to you about something. Want a beer or iced tea?”

  “No, thanks.” He joined Drew on a stone garden bench under a shady apple tree.

  “You know my son goes to your sister’s dance academy?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I heard she just closed it.”

  “Yep.”

  Add Strong, Silent Type to that casting profile. “Why’d she close? I thought she was going to use Taz Ravage’s barn?”

  “Casey never accepted his offer.”

  “But she told me she had.”

  Parker shrugged.

  “She still dating him?”

  Parker shook his head. “She never dated Ravage.”

  Drew scolded himself for acting like a damn girl, getting all elated that Casey had nothing romantic going on with Taz. “Where is she living now?”

  A muscle tightened in Parker’s jaw. He paused. Then he stood, glanced silently back at Drew and studied him through hard, squinted eyes. “I’ll be honest. At the risk of losing a good client, I have to tell you I don’t like you dating my sister.”

  “I never treated Casey with anything but respect.”

  “Must’ve done something to hurt her.”

  “For your information, she dumped me. Out of the blue.”

  “I’m sure she had her reasons.”

  “Well, I’d sure as hell like to hear what she told you because—”

  “She won’t talk about it. So just keep away from her.” Parker started walking away.

  Drew followed. “You’re being ridiculous about this. I can help her if you tell me where she is.”

  “Don’t you get it? I don’t want you seeing her.”

  “Too bad. You’re not going to stop me. I’m not quitting till I find her.”

  Pop! Parker’s fist caught Drew clean on the chin, knocking him to the ground. “Now do you get it?”

  Drew jumped to his feet, the world around him spinning, his warrior instincts a hair from dishing out the payback. Nobody took a piece of Drew Byrne. But he stopped himself. What was at stake here went far beyond two alphas going toe-to-toe. “You can hit me all day if you want, but I won’t fight back. Casey wouldn’t like that. And you won’t keep me from her either.”

  Parker’s lips pressed together as he balled his hand into a fist. Then with a frustrated exhale he released the tension and tucked his hands in his pockets.

  “Look, Parker, I understand why you’re acting this way. You no doubt see me as a rich player working my games on your sister. Especially after the image I portrayed on that reality show. Personally, I think I was a fool for agreeing to do the damn thing. And, yeah, I’ve often played out that role. I won’t deny it. But there are some things you don’t see, and I’d like you to just hear me out.”

  Drew held up three fingers. “Number one: I’ve spent most of my life working my tail off for the family trucking business, and I’m not as big a jerk as I might seem to someone like you. Two: I’m not sure what value you put on Casey’s little dance academy, but it gave self-worth, a purpose and a dream to the two people I care most about: my son and your sister. I refuse to let either of them get lost in the shadows while I’m able buy a building to house the school and provide the funds for its set-up. Three: I’m in love with Casey. I need her and want to be there for her when she needs me.”

  Parker wasn’t the only one stunned by these words. Drew could hardly believe he’d spoken them.

  I’m in love with Casey.

  And he realized it was true.

  He glanced up at Parker, whose dark eyes were fixed on him. All at once the tension seemed to lift from both men.

  Parker’s mouth eased into a faint smile. “Know something? I believe you really mean it. You do love my sister.”

  Chapter 25

  Drew took the ferry to Shelter Island, then to Greenport and sped down the road to North Cove. He’d seen the quaint coffee shop before, but hadn’t realized this was the one owned by Casey’s best friend. Of course he’d arrived at noon and hadn’t anticipated the sizable lunch crowd. Bigger than he’d expect in this small town on a Wednesday. Scanning the place, he saw Casey taking an order at a table, noticed an empty one in her section and quickly seated himself there.

  He tried to watch her without being obvious. How could a woman look so innocently sweet and so wickedly hot at the same time? She wore a short denim skirt, white blouse and a turquoise apron tied in a bow at the back of her waist. Made him want to pull the bow and watch the apron fall to the floor. Along with the rest of her clothes.

  When Casey turned from the table she spotted him. Her eyes went wide, her jaw dropped, and she moved swiftly to the kitchen. And didn’t come back. The big, bad womanizer was here.

  A slightly plump, baby-faced chick delivered that table’s food and came to take his order. He recognized her as the woman who’d given out the raffle prizes at North Cove’s community bazaar. Thinking to get on her good side, Drew said, “Any raffle going on lately? I enjoyed my free readings with Madame Lumina.”

  Instead of opening a friendly conversation between them, this seemed to make her extremely uncomfortable. She went silent, but finally said, “Glad to hear it. I’m Natalie, may I take your order?”

  So this was Natalie. Casey’s best friend. But Drew could tell mentioning that wouldn’t get him anywhere. He ordered the lunch special. Didn’t even know what it was, since he’d been too busy watching for Casey to actually read the menu.

  Left alone with his coffee, he contemplated his options. Obviously, Casey did not want to see him, and Natalie would probably pinch hit for her until he was gone. Parker had told him Casey worked until two, so she was still here. Unless she ducked out the back door to get away. Would she pull that move?

  Before he even knew he was doing it, Drew found himself striding through a swinging door into the kitchen. A thickly built guy, a tall woman, and a teen gaped at him. But he saw Casey hovering in the back.

  As he moved toward her, Natalie stepped into his path and said, “You can’t come in here.”

  Drew stopped but didn’
t give ground. He called over her shoulder, “Casey, I need to talk to you. It’s important.” Casey said nothing, but looked as if she might cry.

  Which only made Drew fight harder. “You don’t have to lose your studio. It’s stupid. I can help.”

  “Want me to get rid of him?” a thickly built cook asked.

  “Only if he won’t go quietly,” Natalie said.

  Drew figured he could take the guy and pay for any damages, but he didn’t want that. He pulled out the stops. “Cut the indulgent crap, Casey. Josh is so upset he’s backing out of Got Moves, quitting dance and moving to Germany with Heather next week. Think of him and all the kids you’re letting down. Let’s put our own mess aside and do something for them.”

  Before Casey could respond, Natalie turned to her and said, “He’s right.”

  Casey sighed, then nodded. “I know.”

  “Deal?” Drew said to her.

  “As long as we keep it business and nothing more.” She seemed nervous and reluctant to look him in the eye.

  Drew agreed, figuring he’d better not push her any farther. He rushed over to her, saying, “I spoke with Karl. He has a few properties we could look at right now.”

  “I have to work until—”

  “You’re fired,” Natalie barked. “Get out of here and look at those buildings before somebody else takes them.”

  ***

  Two of the properties didn’t even come close, but the third was in a perfect location, still in North Cove. It had once been a roadside hay and feed store. Only one story, which meant no upstairs living space for Casey, but that was actually preferable. She didn’t want to live in a building that belonged to Drew. Didn’t want to take any chances of being used and hurt by him again. This time she’d keep it all business.

  Now if she could only keep herself from staring at him whenever he turned his back, drinking in his presence as if it were some kind of elixir. Elixir? More like poison. She wondered how many women he’d slept with since she’d seen him. Or was it his habit to pick just one, use her as a toy for a month and then drop the poor girl? The way he’d done with her.