Chapter Fourteen
“H e kissed you and then he left. And you don’t plan to see him again. Are you crazy?”
Trust her sister to cut to the chase. Tori had been surprised to find her on her doorstep early that next morning. It wasn’t often her sister, Cassie, could get away from her assignment but when she could, it was a great surprise. Except her highly trained interrogator experience wasn’t fun to be on the receiving end of. Cassie had easily found out why there were telltale signs of a night spent tossing and turning and tears even being shed.
“No, I have my senses. That’s why I don’t intend to have this go any further. It’s better to end it before it begins. It has catastrophe written all over it. I’m not the type of woman who would fit into the life of a Lockwood. I don’t need that drama in my life.”
Cassie sat looking at her sister for a moment or two. “You don’t need drama. What type of BS is that? Last I looked, life is always full of drama of one kind or another. Our lives are perfect examples of that. From the time we were little kids up until and including today. You always taught us that we were never to count ourselves out against anyone else who might have more or be more or whatever. We needed to realize that it was what was inside a person that counted the most. And you have a multimillionaire gorgeous cowboy obviously interested in you if he drops thousands of dollars to have dinner with you when he could have just as easily written a check and dropped it in the mail if he wanted to contribute. He fixed the gutter issue on your home without expecting anything for it. Yet you have already counted yourself out where he is concerned.
“And to have him do the things he has done and say the things he has said…and you just want to tell him to take a hike because you are afraid of what might happen? Where is my tough big sister and what have you done to her?”
“I’m right here. Now let’s order some lunch. Our brother probably got held up and I do have to make a dent in putting together a new budget. What looks good to you on the menu?”
Cassie did not respond to the question. Tori looked up from her menu. “I thought you were on a limited schedule today also. We need to order. What interests you?” Cassie wasn’t looking at her.
Her attention was on something behind her. “I would say I want one of those, but I believe he’s taken.”
“He? What are you talking about?” About that time, Matt appeared beside the table. Tori looked up at him and then at her sister. “Are you talking about Matt?”
“It’s a good topic if you are.” Matt spoke up, drawing out a chair. “Let me make introductions.”
“No need,” Cassie said, the smile on her face almost gleeful as she raised her hand. That’s when another person stepped around from behind Tori and shook hands with her sister. “I believe you must be Cade Lockwood. I’m Cassandra Parker. Cassie to most.”
“I ran into this fellow over at the courthouse and invited him along. Hope you ladies don’t mind?” Matt was too cheerful as he settled into his chair. Tori wasn’t in the mood for whatever he was up to. Cassie was still smiling as she shook hands with the man still standing.
“I think this is great. I’ve heard so much about you from my siblings. Do sit and join us.”
“Good afternoon, Mayor.” Cade finally acknowledged her presence. “I hope I’m not interrupting a family get-together.”
“Good afternoon,” she responded, aware they were drawing attention from the other diners. “Do sit down.”
“We were just about to order, Matthew. I have to get back to the office soon.”
“Matthew,” the sheriff said with a grin. “That means I have done something wrong and my big sister is warning me to behave. But I am starving first and foremost. Let’s place our orders so the mayor can get back to work.”
Tori felt like she might as well not even be at the table. Between the three of them, they soon had a conversation going like old friends. Cassie was being especially friendly to Cade and Tori recognized what she was doing. She was quite skilled in getting people to open up and draw them out and before they knew it, she would have gotten the information she wanted. Tori wasn’t in the mood. Both her siblings needed to take a step back. The food came and she ate hers, making as few comments as necessary.
“Well, I must leave. Cassie, you have the key to my house, in case Minnie is out doing errands. So make yourself at home as usual and I will try to get back early. Matt, do remember to stop by Dorinda’s and pick up the flour tortillas she’s making for tonight.”
“Cade’s doing that on his way into town.”
“Yes, I pass right by Dorinda’s little bakery. It’s the only contribution Matt would let me make toward this little birthday celebration for Jillie.” Cade supplied the missing information for Tori.
“I didn’t realize that you knew Jillie,” was all she managed to respond with.
“Cade helped me corral the group of seven-year-olds last week that came over for a playdate in the backyard. He came in handy with the grill when the chef had a little mishap and burnt his thumb instead of a burger,” Matt added with a laugh. “He and Jillie became fast friends. She invited him to join us.”
“I see.” Tori needed some air. And she needed her family to realize that whatever they were up to, it wasn’t going to work. Most of all, Cade Lockwood needed to stay away. But she would deal with all of that later. She stood up. “Then I will leave you all to enjoy the rest of your lunch.”
She didn’t wait around for their responses. Tossing a wave at Tillie, she kept a smile on her face until she was outside and then she marched back to her office in record time. She went straight through to her office and then she stopped.
Wallace was right behind her. “You didn’t give me time to tell you that you had a special delivery while you were out. I sat them in here so people would stop making excuses to come by and look in to see what had arrived for you from the florist. I must say that LaVernia outdid herself on this display.”
“Display is right. What in the world?” She moved over to where her desk was almost hidden by the massive arrangement of all her favorite flowers…roses in different shades of pink, tall glads in a bright fuchsia, baby’s breath and greenery and even some little white button mums appearing amongst the larger flowers. A white card was almost hidden by the huge pink bow. She opened the envelope and drew out the card. One word… Cade . No other sentiment was added, but the flowers spoke it for him. What was he thinking to have this delivered to her office? It would be the talk of the town within the hour if it wasn’t already.
First, he shows up at lunch in the crowded café and now he sends a massive number of roses to the courthouse. The man clearly doesn’t care about appearances. How easily people can and would get the wrong idea.
“Should I move them over to the table?” Wallace stepped around her and stood waiting beside her desk.
“Please do. I need to be able to see my desk so I can work at it.” She made sure that the card went inside her bag. But the sender had already been ferreted out from the florist, she was sure. Nothing was kept a secret for long in Destiny’s River.
“Someone has an admirer,” gushed Maggie as she sailed into the office. Wallace left them to it after moving the arrangement, closing the door behind him. “Pink roses and they smell heavenly.”
“I suppose it is already going to be front page in the newspaper?” Tori made the remark as she sat down behind her desk.
“If it isn’t today, it will be tomorrow.” Maggie grinned. “I have to be in court in five minutes, but I just had to come see what everyone downstairs was whispering about. I’d say the man just sent you a message. That trip you both took was my idea. Just remember that when you send out the wedding invites.” She made for the door before Tori had a chance to aim something in her direction.
What was the man up to? Was this the usual way he treated his women? Fancy dinner, an earth-shaking kiss, and then flowers the next day? Well, he’d wasted his money and time. If he gave the townspeople something to talk about that morning, then she could help in the afternoon.
“Wallace,” she spoke into the intercom. “Please step in.”
He wasted little time. “Yes, Mayor?”
“I would like you to deliver these flowers someplace for me.”
“Your home? I’d be happy to do so.”
“No, not my home. I think the lovely people at the nursing home deserve to enjoy them. It will brighten the day. Please take them over there with my best wishes for a wonderful day.”
“You are sending them away…to the nursing home? That is such a touching gesture, Mayor. I will do it right now.” The flowers were on the move and out of her office.
Tori smiled to herself. Let that bit of news get around town and right to Cade Lockwood. It would be one bright topic in the evening ahead.
*
Jillie’s birthday would be celebrated with her family at the dinner that Tori always prepared for her. She would do it up ‘fancy-style’ as the child liked to call it. Then they would have a kids’ party on Saturday afternoon. The only problem was that rain had been forecast for part of the day and Tori was worried about what the backyard would look like after a group of children tried playing in wet grass and mud. But she would come up with plan B before then.
Tori hurried home, realizing she was already running behind schedule. Darn building inspectors wouldn’t stop talking about budget items they just had to have. She left them sorting it out and literally ran to her car. The smell of food cooking met her as she ran through the kitchen door.
“Is the casserole ready for the oven? Beans on?”
Cassie was in the center of the kitchen, apron on, and nodding. “Casserole, check. Beans check. Dining room table is set. I’m working on the salad now. Matt dropped off the extra bag of ice in the freezer and has gone home to help the birthday girl get ready.”
“Good, I’ll run up and change and get back down here to finish up the cake.” She breezed through the kitchen, gave a swift hug of thanks to her sister, ran through the dining room checking its bright decor out and then up the stairs to her bedroom for a quick shower and change.
Applying the last of her makeup, she had scanned her closet, dismissing what her original outfit was to be and coming up with another one. She wasn’t making the change because of a change in the guest list, she told herself. But just because she felt a need to be an even more festive hostess. Jillie had decreed that she wanted her favorite Mexican food for her birthday, so they had decorated the dining room in festive colors from the tablecloth to the napkins, stoneware in bright colors, papier-maché flowers suspended on gaily colored ribbons from the ceiling, and music to match the event playing. Jillie would have her fiesta dinner.
Tori had bought a bright blue peasant blouse with an off-the-shoulder ruffle flounce at the neckline. The skirt was cut with a generous flare of panels of multi-colors. Her hair she let hang down and tucked a bright pink flower behind her ear. That was the best the hostess could do with a cake still waiting for a final touch-up. She ran down the stairs and stopped in the doorway of the kitchen. Cassie was laughing at something the tall man with his back to Tori had just said. Talk about a party downer. Tori’s smile dimmed. The pair turned as they realized someone else had come into the room.
“Our guest came to help.”
“Please.” He smiled at her sister. “I’m here to work and help, not as a guest. Just tell me what to do.” Then he just had to add, “And not necessarily where to go.” That was clearly aimed at her. The smile came back to her face. Fun evening ahead.
She headed to the far cabinet and began to assemble the decorations she would add to the cake, which had already been baked and iced and was ready to be completed. Tori blocked out the other two in the kitchen and began her work. Bright-colored trim and lots of roses per Jillie’s request, and then the writing: ‘Happy 8th Birthday, Jellybean.’
“That is some cake,” came the praise from the man who had been standing a few feet away so as not to distract her. “But Jilliebean?”
“That has been the nickname for Jillie since she was born,” Cassie responded. “Her aunt Tori gave it to her and the family followed suit.”
“I see,” Cade said with a smile. “It suits her.”
“Well, I’m going to get ready upstairs. Matt will let us know when they’re getting close.”
Tori added the last rose and stepped back. She was pleased.
“Those bright roses are a nice touch.”
He was alluding to other roses and they both knew it. She might as well get it over with while they had the kitchen to themselves. She turned to face him.
“Nice touch? Let’s talk about the roses that arrived in my office and have become the talk of this town. Why would you do something so outrageous?”
“Was that wrong of me? I thought most women liked flowers and you did mention that roses where your favorite. Did I get that wrong?”
“Roses are my favorite. But when you send such an outrageous number that leads to all sorts of speculation from others, and you know it. Why did you do it?”
“Well, I saw the flower shop and I thought of you, so I wanted to let you know that you were being thought about. I would have stopped by and delivered them myself but I didn’t think that would be a good idea since you never seemed to like me just dropping in to your office. I was trying to not upset you.”
“Well, you managed to do it. Because now we are the talk of the town. And I don’t like being part of the daily gossip.”
“I’m not sure what the problem is exactly now since you made it clear you didn’t want them around and I understand they did brighten the day for a lot of people at the nursing home. Nice gesture on your part. But then that only stoked the gossips more who think we might be having a lover’s tiff or something.”
“Lover’s tiff? Are you crazy? We are not lovers, and I dare anyone to say that around me.”
He had the audacity to smile. And he moved closer, one hand reaching out and carefully removing the icing knife from her hand and placing it in the sink. “I think it is better our conversations do not have sharp objects around them. This also isn’t the place for this discussion. But I am sorry that I upset you by what I did to try and make you smile by sending your favorite flowers. I’m not versed in flowers as I don’t usually send a lot of them. But I was thinking about you, so I did it on the spur of the moment. I have learned a lesson. Now can we agree to try to make a truce for Jillie’s party?”
Tori hated it when he was right. And something tried to tug at her heartstrings, which she wasn’t used to dealing with. But it was Jillie’s evening, and they could behave like adults for a few hours, right?
“Agreed.”
“Now I have a couple of calls to make so I’ll step into the living room and leave the master chef to her kitchen.”
Cassie came down the back stairs into the kitchen. She looked around and then gave a deep sigh in her sister’s direction. “You didn’t run him off while I was gone did you?”
“No, I did not. We agreed to try and behave like adults this evening for the sake of the party. He’s gone to make a couple of calls.” She began pulling out other platters and pans from beneath the cabinet.
“I didn’t check but he did remember the tortillas, right?”
“Yes, Tori. He arrived with them, and they are in the warmer. And just in case you want to know…I happen to like him. You do too. So get off your stubborn high horse and do something about it.”
“This is not a discussion we are having now. Let it alone.”
“It’s not that. It’s the fact that you sabotage every relationship that might look promising. You have for years. For some reason, you won’t let go and be like the rest of us. We fall in love…we lose out. It hurts but someone, remarkably like you, always told us not to quit. Fight for what we want. We deserved it. Well, here is a newsflash for you. You deserve it now. This is your time. We three are grown up and have our own lives to deal with. So take your own advice and deal with it. And that will be the last I will say on the subject. I’ll make the cake table ready for your creation.” She left Tori alone.
Why couldn’t people just understand? But then she answered her own question with another. How could they understand when she didn’t herself? Cade Lockwood had been a major surprise from the beginning. They had been oil and water. Then something had happened on their trip to view the springs, and now they looked at each other like two people who might or might not like each other. But he had to go and kiss her, not once but twice. And she didn’t like the feeling of being out of control. That had been her strength all her life, it had seemed. She was the problem-solver. But her heart was betraying her over her brain. She needed to hang on to her mind for protection.
Again, she heard the shared laughter coming from the dining room. Why couldn’t she trust what Cassie was saying? And why didn’t she trust him?
Because you are afraid. For the first time ever, you are afraid of losing something very vital…your heart.