Not What It Seems (Escape to Alaska Trilogy)

by Brenda Sinclair

  After his sudden appearance at Gold Diggers and their tumultuous faceoff, Cassidy had worried that enforcing her independence would prove an impossible task. And she’d dreaded the next grueling confrontation with him. Her stomach had knotted the minute she’d spotted him that night sitting in Sherry’s section at Gold Diggers. She’d mentally prepared herself to do battle: to exert her independence, to demand her freedom to choose the path on which her future would take her, and to convince her father she had no intention of returning to Chicago.

  Cassidy hung her work clothes in her locker and strode across the wood plank floor to pull her cowboy boots off with the assistance of the brass boot jack. “I need one of these at home,” she muttered aloud. As she set her cowboy boots on the floor of her locker, her mind returned to her musings.

  Instead of a knock-down, drag-out fight, her father had treated her to a late-night bite at Denny’s and encouraged her to stay in Anchorage. After their meal, he’d announced his planned departure for home the next morning.

  She pulled on a pair of black jeans and slipped a thin white cashmere sweater over her head. While she donned a pair of black flats, her thoughts again wandered.

  That one eighty still confused her. Why had her father changed his mind so quickly? She’d half expected to be dragged from her bed in the dead of night, whisked away in a black sedan, and wake up hours later in Chicago. Okay, maybe she’d been reading too many whodunits in her newly-acquired free time, but her father’s sudden change of attitude was confusing to say the least. Granny Du Pont would have said never look a gift horse in the mouth. So, just go with it, she encouraged herself.

  Cassidy smiled while she fluffed her hair, applied new lipstick, and observed herself in the mirror. “So this is what freedom looks like?” she whispered at her reflection.

  True, she’d won her freedom. Now, concealing her identity and whereabouts from anyone had become totally pointless. But she found herself in a tenuous situation. Clayton still believed Cassidy Du Pont was a student struggling to make ends meet and pay her college tuition. How would he react to the news that Cassidy Donahue, successful defense attorney, had recently chosen to start her new, independent life by waitressing in the bar he managed?

  “Well, Clayton Morrison’s opinion of me simply doesn’t matter.” Cassidy slipped her lipstick and brush into her purse.

  A few weeks ago, he’d fed her a home-cooked meal—well, technically, his housekeeper had—and shown her a totally different Clayton: relaxed, jovial, playful. And then he’d curled her toes and almost drove her to insanity making love with her into the wee hours of the morning in his king-sized bed.

  He hadn’t called her since.

  They’d conversed at work, shared a drink after her shift a couple of times. But not once had he suggested another dinner, or an evening together, or even a darn walk in the park. Could she have read him so wrongly? Was he just proving he could score with her, and then mission accomplished, forget he’d ever dated her? She couldn’t admit that he’d used her, at least not yet. She still hoped she’d misjudged the situation.

  Cassidy grabbed her jacket out of her locker and slammed the door, which promptly popped open again. She slammed it again, cursing the tinny piece of junk under her breath. And then she blushed, realizing she’d taken out her anger at Clayton on an inanimate object. As she headed out to the bar to meet Sherry, her thoughts returned to Clayton.

  Perhaps he’d been busy with other obligations besides work. Sherry mentioned Clayton belonged to the Big Brothers organization, and his fatherless little brother, Reggie, was an adorable little guy who Clayton doted on like a proud parent. According to Sherry, Clayton attended Reggie’s hockey games in winter, his baseball games in summer, and cross-country skied with him in the Junior Nordic League. Perhaps Clayton took the child on fishing or camping trips on weekends during the summer months. If nothing else, Cassidy realized Clayton would be an excellent father if anything resembling happily-ever-after became of their relationship.

  And then she frowned, her hand frozen on the swinging saloon door. What relationship? One night of knocking your socks off with out-of-this-world sex didn’t constitute a relationship. Cassidy had believed something would evolve from their date, at the very least a second date. Could she have misjudged Clayton so completely? Never would she have suspected him of being a womanizer.

  Cassidy whipped through the swinging doors. Well, tonight would settle the matter once and for all. Either Clayton would show he cared for her or not. A little friendly competition always forced a man’s hand. Either she was important to him or she meant nothing.

  “Sorry I took so long.” Cassidy slid onto the barstool beside Sherry, set her purse and jacket on the vacant stool next to her. She’d arranged to share a coffee with Sherry after her shift to discuss her anticipated date tonight with Randy Rock.

  “So tonight’s the night?” Sherry’s eyebrows rose with her question.

  “Yes, but I’m terribly nervous.” Cassidy sighed. “I wouldn’t do this with just anyone.”

  Clayton set a fresh mug of coffee in front of her, and wandered away without exchanging a word. Cassidy watched him out of the corner of her eye, and suspected he was pretending that he wasn’t eavesdropping.

  *

  Clayton had almost dropped the mug of coffee. Suddenly, Cassidy had attracted his full attention. To hell with pretending he wasn’t eavesdropping.

  “You’ll be fine.” Sherry set her coffee cup on the bar counter.

  “I hope so.” Cassidy muttered, blowing on the hot brew and then taking a sip.

  “Everything will come back to you, just like waitressing did.” Sherry patted Cassidy’s hand.

  Oh, everything comes back to her all right, thought Clayton, even when it’s been awhile.

  “I’m guessing Randy’s pretty good.”

  Clayton growled. It hadn’t taken her long to immerse herself in the dating scene again. After her night with him, she’d developed a renewed yearning for romance by the sounds of it. “I’m pretty good,” he muttered the reminder aloud.

  Both ladies turned toward him, appearing annoyed by his unsolicited comment. Well, be annoyed, he decided. Sitting there, discussing private matters where anyone could overhear. He’d considered Cassidy and Sherry refined ladies, and he’d certainly expected better of the two of them.

  “I hope I don’t get cold feet.” Cassidy sipped her coffee. “I’d hate to disappoint Randy.”

  “Cold feet? That happens often?” blurted Clayton. He certainly hadn’t noticed any cold feet when they were wrapped around his waist.

  “Sometimes. Depends on what I’m doing.” Cassidy grasped her coffee mug with white knuckles.

  Clayton scowled. Knowing Cassidy had a date with Randy Rock tonight, he added, “Maybe you should wear a big pair of red wool socks.”

  Cassidy glared at Clayton. “Why would I wear wool socks in August?”

  “For your cold feet.” Clayton added a ‘duh’ expression to his face.

  “It’s a turn of phrase, Clayton.” Cassidy shook her head. “Perhaps you should join Randy and me. We could all try it together.”

  “Whoa!” Clayton glared at the two women. “This is getting a little too kinky for my taste.”

  “What is kinky about roller skating?” Cassidy glared back at Clayton. “Randy hasn’t been to the roller rink in years, and I haven’t skated since junior high. Sherry, you should come with us. You should come along, too, Clayton. Make it a foursome. We’ll all make total fools of ourselves together.”

  “You’re discussing roller skating?” Clayton frowned. Now he felt like a damn idiot.

  ****

  “I haven’t laughed so hard in ages while attempting to remain vertical.” Cassidy smiled over at Randy. He smiled back as he steered his SUV out of the roller rink parking lot. “Although we found ourselves horizontal on the floor several times, roller skating again was truly delightful. But I’ll be bruises from one end of me to the other b
y tomorrow.”

  “I had a great time.” Randy pulled into Gold Diggers. “Are you up for a nightcap?

  “You bet.” Cassidy had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and hated to think of it ending. She considered one nightcap safe; she wasn’t repeating her last date with Randy. She couldn’t guess how many drinks she ingested that night. And another hangover like that one would surely kill her.

  They crossed the parking lot, nodded to the bouncer at the front door, and wandered inside. Randy rubbed his backside with one hand. “I’m hurting all over and walking like a cowboy who spent a week in the saddle.”

  “More like a month,” teased Cassidy, hugging Randy’s arm. “Order me black coffee with Grand Marnier, please. I’m visiting the little girls’ room.”

  “Sure, Cassidy.” Randy leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

  *

  “What can I get you, Chief?” Clayton sauntered over to Randy’s end of the bar. He’d observed him and Cassidy waltzing in, laughing and teasing each other.

  “Two black coffees with a shot of Grand Marnier, please.” Randy rattled off the order, all the while watching Cassidy walk to the ladies’ room.

  “Been roller skating tonight?” Clayton poured two coffees into Gold Digger mugs and added two shots of liquor. He gritted his teeth when he noticed Randy watching Cassidy’s backside. For a brief moment, he considered adding something a little more lethal to Randy’s coffee. Fortunately for his pal, the supply room was fresh out of cyanide.

  “News travels fast around here.” Randy crossed his arms.

  “Yeah, well. I keep tabs on my female staff,” growled Clayton, setting the drinks on the counter.

  “You pissed off that I’m dating Cassidy?” Randy raised one eyebrow.

  “Hell, no. We dated once, dinner at my house. I think she just wanted to date a bartender as a lark.” Clayton grasped his Coke can in a death grip while his mind replaced the soda can with Randy’s neck.

  “Well, then, if it’s a lark she’s looking for, I should fit the bill. A guy who styles his hair in braids and wears moccasins with his designer jeans should qualify.” Randy grabbed both coffee mugs and wandered over to the table in the farthest corner of the room.

  Clayton silently fumed behind the bar. “It doesn’t take a genius, Cassidy, to figure out you only accepted Randy’s date to get under my skin,” he muttered to himself.

  Damn her, it had worked, again.

  Clayton shook his head and renewed his resolve. Until he’d heard back from his brother-in-law, he intended to steer clear of Cassidy Du Pont or Cassidy Donahue or whatever in hell her name was. Once and for all, he’d solve the mystery surrounding his prize waitress.

  But considering the fact he’d probably fallen in love with her already, he hoped Richard’s report contained only good news.

  Chapter 16

  Clayton finally heard back from Richard this morning.

  His brother-in-law’s report shocked him, and he reeled with fury. Talk about deception, dishonesty, deceit. Had he actually considered the possibility he’d fallen in love with the woman? He hadn’t felt so betrayed since his ex-fiancée’s duplicity.

  He’d called Cassidy into his office to confront her with every one of Richard’s findings.

  “Sit down!” Clayton slammed his office door shut and pointed to the upholstered chair opposite his desk.

  “I’ll stand if it’s all the…”

  “Sit!” Clayton glared at Cassidy.

  “I’m not a damn spaniel.” Cassidy strode across the floor and flopped onto the chair. “What has your skivvies in a twist?”

  “I called my brother-in-law a few days ago. Richard is a Seattle police officer, and I asked him to check out one of my employees.” Clayton glared at her, making it clearly evident which employee he meant. “I haven’t been that shocked since Terry took me for a couple grand over the 2007 Super Bowl.”

  “So, you learned what?”

  Cassidy met his eyes, but he detected a slight tremor in her voice. Was she holding on to the last thread of hope that he hadn’t discovered all of her secrets? He intended to snap that little thread of hers like a cobweb in a tornado. He slammed his hands into his pockets to keep himself from wrapping them around her neck.

  “Oh, I learned plenty. Where you lived, where you worked. You’re a damn lawyer!” Clayton watched her expression, waiting for her to deny his accusations.

  Cassidy blanched. “Yes, I’m a…was a defense attorney in my father’s law firm. And probably everything else you learned is true also. But I can explain.”

  “What? The spoiled little rich girl got bored raking in the big bucks? Thought you’d play cocktail waitress for kicks, work for minimum wage and tips?” The air in the room crackled with his anger.

  “Spoiled rich girl! I’ve worked damn hard for everything I’ve achieved.” Cassidy leapt out of the chair. The sparks flying from her eyes were aimed directly at Clayton.

  “So why did you lie to everyone?”

  “I did not lie to everyone. Sherry knew the truth. All employment papers submitted to the accounting people included my legal name and information. Every word in my personnel record is true. But you weren’t privy to that information, and for good reason.” Cassidy slumped back into the chair as if her legs wouldn’t hold her under the strain of his inquisition.

  “I’m the manager!”

  “I know. But I couldn’t risk trusting you. I only fabricated a few white lies to prevent my father from locating me,” pleaded Cassidy.

  “He located you! The world didn’t end!” growled Clayton.

  “I believed it would end at the time. My father controlled my entire life, and he refused to promote me to partner in his law firm, even though I’d earned it. I’ve no one to blame but myself. I allowed him to make all my decisions and to control my life in every way. But in my mind, if he found me he’d force me to return to more of the same.”

  “It never occurred to you to step up, take responsibility for yourself? You’re almost thirty years old. I find it difficult to believe your father controlled your life that completely.” Clayton couldn’t muster up one iota of sympathy for her, now that her secret was out.

  “Of course he did! Because I let him! I capably argued cases endlessly with the prosecution, pacified irate social workers and disgruntled police officers, and plotted strategies with fellow defense attorneys. But when faced with my father, I became a mindless little girl without a single opinion of her own.” Cassidy stood again and paced the floor as she spoke. “Finally, I’d had enough. Losing that partnership was the last straw. When I first arrived in Anchorage, my anger prevented me from thinking rationally. Eventually, I calmed down and realized that I do control my own destiny.”

  “But you didn’t come clean about the lies.”

  “It never crossed my mind that you’d make such a big deal out of this. I’ve learned a lot about myself these past few weeks. I’ve never been as unhappy my entire life as I was during the time I worked eighty hours a week at the law office. Now, slinging beer and bantering with the customers keeps a smile on my face for hours after my shift ends. I’ve never been this happy since my college days.”

  “So you’re quite okay with giving up the six figure income?”

  “Someone said, ‘The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything’, and I believe that. All those hours seem wasted now, time when I could have been spending weekends with my friends and enjoying Saturday shopping trips and sharing lunch with my mother. I’ll never allow work to consume my life again, especially when there’s no point to it.”

  “Hard work is commendable. I’m sorry your tireless efforts didn’t pan out for you. But there’s nothing I tolerate less than dishonesty.” Clayton pointed his finger at her, accusingly.

  “I was never dishonest. Not a single penny’s been missing after any of my shifts. I’m a law-abiding citizen, I pay my taxes, and I love my mother. What more can b
e expected of anyone?” Cassidy swiped at the lone tear that slid down her cheek. “My father controlled every aspect of my life to the point of dictating whom I married. He’d even chosen the groom.”

  “Your father attempted an arranged marriage?” blurted Clayton. Richard’s report lacked that tidbit of information.

  Cassidy’s last statement curbed his anger, momentarily. No wonder she’d lied to him. Weren’t arranged marriages a practice of people from Middle East countries? Clayton would never have believed an American girl could be subjected to something similar. Or was she stringing him another line?

  Cassidy’s expression switched from tearful to dangerous. “Not arranged in the sense you mean. But Jonathan’s sole purpose behind his plan to marry the boss’s daughter lay in furthering his career. He didn’t fool me, however. He was an arrogant ass, a womanizer, and a world-class liar. And my dad informed me he’s a thief now serving time in prison, as well.”

  This Jonathan character sounded like a real piece of work, thought Clayton. A male gold digger. He didn’t doubt for a second that if Jonathan was standing here, Cassidy would do the guy bodily harm.

  “Well, I can sympathize to a degree. The fact remains, you and Sherry lied about your true identity.” Clayton stood, hands on hips.

  “Sherry explained the rules, and…” A horrified expression crossed Cassidy’s face and she slid forward on the chair. “Oh my God, don’t discipline Sherry because we went behind your back. Fire me or sue me or whatever, but don’t take Sherry’s livelihood from her because of me. Sherry needs this job, and she was only doing me a favor.”

  “Do you believe my fragile ego couldn’t possibly survive being duped by a couple of female employees? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m going to review the rules around here with her, but I wouldn’t think of firing Sherry.” Clayton glared at her.