“Somebody say my name?” John T.’s voice filtered through the house.
Cassie bounded up from her seat at the computer and went to the front door. “Hello, Mr. Anderson.” She let him in.
He yanked off his hat, holding it at his side. “We’re not formal around here. It’s John T. And my son says you go by Cassie?”
“Jake said that?” Cassie wondered what else Jake had told his father about their relationship. Heavens, she didn’t want to think about that right now.
John T. eyed her for a moment, gauging her reaction. “May I call you Cassie?”
“Of course. I’d like that.”
“I came to invite you to supper tonight. Figured I’ve given you enough time to settle in. Everything suit your needs?”
“Yes, I love it here. The place is great. And Lottie’s been by every day to train me. I think I’m catching on.”
Lottie entered the living room. “You’re more than catching on. Another day or two and you won’t need my help at all.”
“Morning, Lottie,” John T. said, his eyes just a bit brighter as they rested on the blond-headed woman. “I just came by to invite Cassie to supper tonight. You come, too, Lottie.”
Lottie smiled. “Sorry, John T. I have plans tonight.”
John T. grimaced and an awkward silence ensued as the two stared at each other. “Fine. I’ll see you tonight at seven, Cassie.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there.”
When John T. walked out the door, Cassie couldn’t help but grin at Lottie. “What was that all about?”
Lottie waved a hand in the air. “That man thinks a woman’s got to jump when he says jump. About time someone taught him a lesson or two.” She mimicked him. “‘You come, too, Lottie.’ Tell me, is that a way for a man to invite a lady to supper?”
“You’re in love with him!” Cassie blurted. She couldn’t help notice the sparks flying between the two of them and she felt comfortable enough with Lottie to speak her mind.
“Sweet darlin’, a woman’s got to be a damn fool to love that man. I’ve worked for him for twenty-two years. I know him better than he knows himself and believe me, he’s no bargain.”
Before Cassie could reply, her stomach clenched. Each day she had hoped to be the last with her nervous stomach, but each day she’d been disappointed. Today was no exception. The cramping tightened and she groaned, “Oh, no, not again.” She headed straight for the bathroom.
Lottie called, sincere concern in her voice, “I sure hope it ain’t my muffins making you sick every morning, darlin’.”
Later that afternoon Cassie strode out her door, needing a breath of air. She’d been diligent at the computer for days, learning the new program she’d be using for the ranch business. Lottie had been a great help, but she’d also been right about Cassie needing to know more about the ranch itself. She needed to see it firsthand. So once her bout of queasiness had subsided, Cassie had changed into worn-out jeans and an old tank top. She laced up her new black boots, frowning at the thought of getting them dusty, but as they say, when in Rome… She walked across the road then headed down a path toward the outer buildings she assumed were barns and stables.
“Need a lift?”
Cassie peered up to find Jake mounted on a big black horse with beautiful white markings on its snout. Her heart pounded in her chest seeing Jake look so at ease upon that massive animal. It suited him, as though horse and man were one, both moving fluidly with grace and agility.
Cassie kept walking, Jake and his horse following at her side. “I thought I’d take a look around. Haven’t seen much of the ranch since I got here.”
Jake squinted into the sunlight then lowered the brim of his hat. “Lottie gave me a sharp tongue-lashing for not showing you around. You can’t see the ranch on foot, honey. There’s more than thirty thousand acres here.” He reached down and put out his hand. “Climb on up.”
Cassie cringed, staring up at Jake. “What’s wrong with your truck?”
He laughed. “Nothing, truck’s running just fine. But if you want to really see the ranch and the animals, you have to see it my way.”
Cassie continued to stare at the towering horse. “I’ve never ridden before.”
Jake’s brow lifted. “A small-town girl like you hasn’t been astride a horse?”
“That’s right. I’m a small-town girl at heart, but I’ve never lived on a ranch before, Jake.”
He gestured with a quick swipe of his hand. “Come on up. Shadow and I will make it painless.”
Cassie pursed her lips. She didn’t like the look of the stallion, yet she knew Jake to be an expert horseman. She’d be safe with him in that regard, but riding double with Jake might create another kind of danger. “O-okay. But you’re going to have to help me up.”
Jake dismounted and moved to her side. “Put your left foot in the stirrup and swing your right leg over the saddle.”
Cassie turned and looked up into his eyes. “Where will you be?”
“Right behind you.” With both hands, he grasped her waist. “Ready?”
She followed his instructions and before she knew it she was cradled in Jake’s arms, his thighs pressing against hers, her bottom tucked up against his groin. Her body prickled with sensation as he reached around to grab the reins, brushing the undersides of her breasts. Cassie moaned silently.
Not a good thing.
“Just relax,” he said softly in her ear. “The nickel tour starts right now.”
Cassie was a fool to let him talk her into this. She wasn’t over him, not by a long shot. Seeing him again, living on the same ranch, his ranch, and spending time with him like this, could only lead to more heartache. Cassie knew enough about Jake Griffin to know he wasn’t an easy man. He had issues, with his father for one and with trust for another. He was just as much the loner he’d been when she’d met him in high school. He’d been sorely disillusioned by events Cassie had yet to learn, but they were there, always, in his eyes, the firm set of jaw and in the way he had of putting up defenses.
She’d vowed to steer clear of troubled men and Jake Griffin was first on that list. Cassie knew he’d never let her in, never put her above his list of priorities. Yet, being held in his arms, having his body so close, had a way of making her forget everything in her head. “Jake, maybe this isn’t a good idea.”
“I’ve got you, Cassie. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
He’s got her.
That was everything to be afraid of.
Seven
“Normally, I eat in the kitchen, but Marie thought since you’re the invited guest, we should do it up nice in here,” John T. stated.
Cassie glanced around at the austere dining room. The room was dark with stately elegance that Cassie thought didn’t quite fit the rest of the house. Deep-red velvet curtains, walnut oak crown molding and the most intimidating furniture Cassie had ever seen made up the bulk of the large room. She was seated to the right of John T. and there were seven empty chairs around the table, with the exception of one other place setting. Cassie assumed that had to be for Jake.
“You want the truth, John T?” Cassie had to force his first name out. In her mind, he was still Mr. Anderson, her staunch employer.
There was interest in his dark eyes. “Always.”
“This is…nice. But this room is nearly bigger than my old apartment in Los Angeles. I’d rather have our meal in the kitchen, too.”
John T. cracked an iota of a smile. He stood and grabbed both their plates. “Well, let’s go.”
Five minutes later, and much to Marie’s dismay, she and John T. had plates of food in front of them in the bright, cheerful kitchen. They began their meal with a glass of red wine.
“Make a toast, Cassie,” he ordered, and she was starting to believe John T.’s bark was much worse than his bite.
She lifted her glass. “To new beginnings,” she said, and they put their glasses together before taking a sip.
“Ah, if on
ly I could go back,” he said softly.
“Back?”
John T. nodded. “We don’t get the luxury of second chances, do we?”
“Boy, I sure wouldn’t mind a second chance or two,” she admitted.
He waved her off. “You? You’re a young, intelligent woman, Cassie. You haven’t begun to live yet. But me, I’ve made a lifetime of mistakes. And I’m afraid I’m paying the price.” With a shrug, his rigid demeanor melted away and Cassie saw regret enter his eyes. “Maybe it’s what I deserve.”
Cassie sipped her wine. “You’re a success, John T. You have a wonderful house and the ranch is…well, Jake took me on a tour today. I’m impressed with all you’ve done here.”
“Jake, huh? Tell me. Is he treating you all right?”
More than all right, Cassie wouldn’t announce. They’d been together for two hours this afternoon, riding his stallion, viewing the land. Every time they’d dismounted to stretch their legs or to catch a better view of the grazing animals, they fought their attraction to each other. Like a magnet, Cassie felt drawn to Jake and her instincts told her he’d felt the strong pull, too. They’d almost kissed, Jake coming up from behind as they stood in a tall meadow amid a blue sky, the surroundings quietly serenaded by rustling leaves and the flap of their clothes against the breeze. Cassie had come to her senses and stepped away, out of his reach, hoping to break the mood, to keep Jake from taking more of her heart.
“Jake is treating me just fine.”
“That’s good. As you might have guessed, he and I don’t see eye-to-eye on much of anything.”
Cassie remained quiet. She’d been curious about their relationship, or rather what seemed more like their estrangement, but she’d never pry. She’d let John T. do all the talking and listen to as much as he was willing to share.
“It goes way back. I’ve made my share of mistakes with that boy, I’ll admit. I’ll even say, I didn’t treat him fairly, but I was in a hard place. I’d been a rodeo rider myself. Not a calf roper, like Jake, but I wrestled steers. Never did make it to the championship, but, I had the ladies lining up, anyway. I met Jake’s mother at the rodeo one day. Man, oh, man, she was a beauty and I was a young randy cowboy, pretty full of myself. Only problem was, I was also a married man by then. You’re gonna find this out sooner or later, anyway, so it might as well come from me. Nine months later, give or take a few weeks, both Jake’s mother and my wife had babies. Both were boys and both were mine.” Eyes the color of dark coal gauged her reaction, perhaps looking for signs of shock or maybe even disdain.
Cassie gulped down the wine in her mouth. She couldn’t judge John T., but yes, he had shocked her. And yes, the pieces of Jake’s torn-up life were beginning to take shape in her mind. “I knew Jake when he lived in a foster home. We were just kids.”
“He told me he’d known you back then, but that’s all I know.”
Cassie didn’t offer more. There would be time for explanations someday…maybe. This conversation wasn’t about her, but about John T.’s relationship with his son.
He explained, “I had a wife and a new baby of my own. I offered to pay for Jake’s care and to send money to Isabella, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She didn’t want my money. I couldn’t give her what she wanted.”
Cassie lifted a finger in his direction. “You.”
He nodded. “There’s more, but the bottom line is, Jake has never forgiven me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said with all sincerity. “But what happened to your wife and son?”
All the life drained from John T.’s face. “John Junior died in a boating accident when he was sixteen. His mother never got over it. She blamed me for everything and left three months later.”
Cassie’s heart ached for the tragic loss, for the boy and the pain John T. must have suffered losing both his son and his wife. In the span of a few short months John T.’s life had changed drastically. She couldn’t find the words to express her sorrow, but John T.’s sharp eyes softened on her as if he could read her thoughts.
“I’m just telling you this so you understand. From time to time, Jake and I butt heads. It’s not a pretty sight but I don’t want you to worry about it. Lottie was good at putting us both in our place. Without her, Lord only knows what’ll happen around here.”
“Hmm. From what I know of her, she’s a special woman.”
John T. grunted and the conversation died the minute Jake stepped into the room with a tall, leggy blonde on his arm.
“Look who I picked up just outside of town.” Jake’s smile was wide, warm and welcoming.
Cassie’s heart hammered with dread and immediate pain slashed straight through her at seeing the young woman, obviously enamored with Jake, draped across his arm. And Cassie had never seen Jake with such an open, unguarded expression on his face before. He appeared completely taken by the young woman.
Was this the same man who just hours ago had tried to make a move on her?
John T. stood up immediately and grinned wide, also, completely and pleasantly delighted. What was with the Anderson men tonight and who was this woman?
“Hi, Uncle John.” She reached up to kiss John T.’s cheek.
“Hey, Suzette, darlin’.” He squeezed her tight with a big bear hug. “What’re you doing in town? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“I’m on spring break.” She glanced at Jake with total adoration in her eyes. “I tagged after Jake, so I could come say hello.”
Jake caught Cassie’s stare, the evidence of her reaction probably written all over her face. He winked and shot her a knowing smile. Darn it all, Cassie was terrible at hiding her emotions.
“Where are my manners? Suzette, this is Cassandra Munroe. She’s taking over your mother’s job. Cassie, meet Suzette Fairchild, Lottie’s youngest and my godchild.”
Cassie blinked her surprise and stood to greet Lottie’s daughter, making sure to avoid Jake’s gaze. “Nice to meet you. I’ve only just met your mother and I already adore her.”
Suzette flashed a big smile. “Mama has that effect on people.”
Suzette probably did, too. Not only was she stunning with long blond hair, healthy tanned skin and bright blue eyes, but she had a sweet-natured personality.
Jake kept grinning at her.
Cassie found it quite annoying.
“Just wanted to say hey to y’all. I can’t stay. Mama would have my hide. I’m already late and we’re going out for supper.”
“You come back now and see us again real soon, all right?” John T. said. “I want to hear all about those college boys you’re dating. I bet you’re breaking hearts, darlin’.”
The sound of her beautiful laughter echoed against the kitchen walls. She answered John T. but her focus was entirely on Jake. “Oh, Uncle John, I don’t have any boyfriends right now.”
Suzette said her farewells and Jake walked her out to her car. Cassie sat down, before she fell down. She didn’t like the emotions rolling around in her gut any more than she liked seeing Jake so taken with Lottie’s youngest daughter.
“That girl’s a ray of sunshine,” John T. said after taking his seat again.
Cassie couldn’t argue with that. She was genuine, the real article, and probably attracted men to her without batting an eyelash. “She seems close to Jake.”
“Jake thinks of her as a little sister, Cassie. She sort of latched on to him when he came to live here.”
“Still latching, I see.” She’d never been one to hold her tongue, either. Darn, she was going to have to work on that.
John T. held back a smile. “It’s nothing to worry about, Cassie.”
“Who said I was worried?”
Heck, she didn’t want to complicate her life with Jake Griffin any more than he wanted to strike up a relationship with her. She shouldn’t have let her emotions rip into her that way. She had no claim on Jake. He could see anyone he pleased.
John T. glanced at his plate. “Food’s getting cold. We’d better eat up.”<
br />
“Sure.” She peered down at sliced brisket, creamed corn and mashed potatoes, wondering how she was going to make a dent in the enormous meal. She’d just lost her appetite. “This looks great.”
The next morning Cassie had assumed her position in the office, seated next to Lottie, facing the computer and a mass of paperwork on the desk that no longer appeared threatening. Thanks to Lottie, Cassie had a much better understanding of what it took to run a contract stock ranch with twenty-plus employees.
“This is your last day of training, Cassie. You’ve caught on so fast I’m truly impressed by you. Come to think of it, I’m pretty darn impressed with myself for hiring you.” Lottie chuckled. “Of course, if you ever need anything, you just have to give me a call.”
“I’m going to miss seeing you every day. Of course, now you’ll have more time to spend with your daughter. I met her last night. She’s very sweet.”
Lottie had done wonders in cheering Cassie up each morning, bringing in home-baked goods along with her home-baked friendly attitude. She’d been welcome company even on the days when Cassie’s stomach was on the blink, or when she’d felt so honest-to-gosh tired she didn’t know how she’d make it through the morning.
“Thank you. I’m glad you two had a chance to meet. Too bad she’s heading back to school in less than a week. I do miss her when she’s gone. She’s my baby. You’ll have to meet the rest of my crew one of these days. But just because I’m through training you, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, Cassie. Fact is, I’d love for us to be friends.”
“I’d like that, too.”
Lottie took hold of her hand. “Good. Now, I brought you something I think you might need.” She dug into her white shoulder bag.
“Oh, Lottie, you shouldn’t have brought me anything.”
“It might be a gift,” Lottie said, sliding a long rectangular box in front of her. “Then again, it might not.”
Stunned, Cassie peered down at a home pregnancy test.
“I’ve had five children, Cassie. I’d recognize the signs anywhere and, honey, you’ve got them all.”
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