Chapter Fifteen
“I hope you had a good time,” Case said as he drove back home, the truck’s headlights cutting through the Montana darkness.
“I did. Your family is amazing and I just love Ava,” Sydney replied, as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, she’s good for Deke.” Case’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the leather steering wheel.
“I notice she calls him, Deacon.” Sydney turned slightly in her seat, the seatbelt pulling across her green sweater.
“Just like you call me Caysen.” His lips curved into a grin that made the corners of his eyes crinkle.
“Does that bother you?” she asked.
“Not at all.”
“Okay, that’s good because I wasn’t going to stop.”
Case chuckled. “No one calls us by our full names unless it’s Dad and he’s angry.”
“I bet that happened a lot when you were boys.”
“Hey, what are you saying?” He shot her a mock-offended glance; one eyebrow raised.
“You’re boys. Nothing but trouble.” She shrugged, shoulders brushing against the soft fabric of her seat.
“Like women aren’t.”
Sydney laughed. “We’re sugar and spice and everything nice.”
“Sure, you can be. Most men know not to piss a woman off.”
“But some do anyway.” Her voice held a hint of something deeper, more serious.
Case picked up her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles before he kissed her palm, as he glanced at her with eyes sincere in the shadowy interior.
“I promise I will do my best not to, even though I know I will.”
“Okay, but I know you will too.”
He chuckled again. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“I’m just being honest.” Sydney’s smile was soft in the moonlight streaming through the windshield.
“Sit tight, I’ll get the door,” Case said when he pulled up to his house.
He unbuckled his seatbelt with a metallic click, pushed open the door of his Silverado, and stepped out onto the driveway.
The cool evening breeze ruffled his dark hair along his nape as he walked around to the passenger side, his boots crunching on patches of snow.
He opened her door with a gentle tug, then leaned in to kiss her, catching the faint scent of her jasmine perfume.
“I wish I could come in for a while, but I hate driving in the dark,” she said, her eyes reflecting the silver moonlight.
“I wish you could too, baby, but I know how the roads can be at night. Be careful. Call or text me when you get home.” His hand enveloped her smaller one as he led her to her vehicle, waiting patiently while she pushed the fob.
The lock gave way with a satisfying click, while the lights flashed.
She turned to look up at him, her lips curved in a smile that made his heart skip.
He leaned down, pressed his lips to her soft, warm mouth, then pulled her slender frame close against his chest, deepening the kiss until he could feel her heartbeat quicken against him.
“I love you, Sydney,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
“I love you too. Now, let me go before I drag you in there and have my way with you,” she said, her voice husky with desire.
“Damn. Now I don’t want you to go.” He grinned.
She laughed. “Next time, Agent Anderson. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, baby.” He touched the brim of his hat and stepped back. Waiting as she climbed into her SUV and just before she closed the door, he said, “Sleep well.”
“I will. You too.”
He nodded, and watched as she started her vehicle, backed up, then drove away.
Case entered his house, locked the door, removed his hat and coat, then headed for the bathroom to get a quick shower.
It was too bad she had to leave, but they both had work to do tomorrow. But he couldn’t wait to see her again.
****
The following day, Sydney met Celine for lunch at the diner. She smiled when she saw her rushing in the door, and heading for the booth.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Celine said as she removed her jacket then slid onto the bench.
“It’s fine. I just got here myself.”
Celine stared at her. “You look happy.”
Sydney laughed. “I am. I’m in love and he loves me.”
Celine gasped. “Case?”
“No, Killian. Of course, Caysen.” Sydney shook her head.
“Don’t be a smartass. Our friendship would end this very second if it was Killian.”
Sydney snorted out a laugh. “Like that would ever happen. That man only has eyes for you. You lucky bitch.”
“Oh, so you’re not a lucky bitch too? Case is gorgeous. Those eyes,” Celine said with a sigh, making Sydney laugh.
“I am head over heels for that man.”
“And he loves you too? Fantastic.”
“Yes, he told me first. Of course, we’d just had fantastic sex.” Sydney grinned.
“Best kind,” Celine said with a laugh.
“I haven’t told my parents yet.”
“Why not?”
“I’m nervous that if I do, I’ll jinx it,” Sydney said.
“You won’t. It’s a healthy relationship, Sydney.”
“I’ve thought that so many times. It’s worse with Caysen though. I’ve never been in this deep.”
“I know. When I first fell for Killian, I was so scared to say I was in love. I hadn’t had much luck in love either, but now I know he loves me and I’ve never been happier.”
“Yes, I can tell. You look so happy all the time.”
“What are you saying? That I didn’t look happy before that man came into my life?”
“Yes,” Sydney said with a laugh. “Now it’s so easy to see. Especially when he’s around.”
“I can’t hide it, can I?”
“Were you nervous to introduce him to your parents?”
“A little. You know how my father is.” Celine shook her head. “You should ask him to meet yours.”
“I will. I’ll talk to him about it tonight.”
That evening, she sent Caysen a text.
When can you stop by? I want to talk about something.
Those aren’t words anyone wants to hear.
It’s not like that. I want to ask you something.
I can probably stop by tomorrow evening around six.
Okay. Can you pick up some hamburgers at the diner?
Yes, ma’am. I’ll see you then. Love you.
Love you too.
Sydney headed to the bathroom to get a shower. It had been a long day, and she wanted to sleep tonight. She had trouble sleeping without him by her side now.
“He won’t stay tomorrow night, Sydney. No, but I can still get him in bed.
Unless he gets mad that I didn’t tell him about that horrible relationship.
” She shook her head. “You sure do talk to yourself a lot lately,” she muttered then laughed because she’d just done it again.
After a nice hot bath, she pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of lounge pants, then got into her bed to watch TV until she was tired enough to sleep.
As she entered the barn the next morning, she huffed out a breath and shook her head when it formed a cloud in front of her. Recently, it had started to warm up, but March said, ‘sorry, just kidding’ and cold air circled around her.
“Morning, Sydney,” Billy said as he strode toward her.
“It’s a good thing you didn’t say ‘ good morning’. I can’t believe it’s cold again.”
“Sydney, you were born and raised in Montana. You were only gone six years. Surely, you haven’t forgotten Montana weather.”
“No, I haven’t, but one can hope.”
“I thought you loved cold weather? ”
“I do, but even I get ready for spring.”
“True. I’ve got the men out in the north pasture putting up new fence. Anything else you want done?”
“Not that I know of. Just regular chores. I’ll start on the stalls.”
“Ezra and I already let the horses out, so you can start whenever you like.”
“Thanks, Billy.”
“Hey, I wanted to talk to you about that girl. Rachel?”
“Yes, what about her?”
“She loves that horse, doesn’t she?”
Sydney smiled. “Yes, she does. I’m glad I could give it back to her.”
Billy grinned. “I bet we’ll see her a lot this spring.”
“I’m sure of it.” Sydney stepped aside as he made for the barn doors. The chain rattled, the boards groaned, and a rumble outside told her another visitor had arrived. She frowned. “Are we expecting anyone?”
“Not that I know of. I’ll see who it is.” Billy made his way to the door, peered out, then walked back toward her. “It’s Agent Anderson with a young man.”
“Okay, I’ll talk with him.”
“Alright, I’m heading out to the east pasture. I’ll take the radio.”
She nodded, then walked toward the doors.
Caysen’s truck idled on the gravel drive with another truck behind him, then she watched as he opened his door and climbed out, his protective vest embossed with the words LIVESTOCK AGENT.
From the other truck, a younger man emerged, shoulders slumped, his face immediately familiar to Sydney.
Brent Tillman.
“Caysen,” Sydney greeted, forcing calm into her voice as he strode toward her, Brent trailing behind.
She stared at the young man. “Hello, Brent. Are you ready to get to work?”
Brent removed his hat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“No need to call me ma’am. Sydney is fine.”
“Thank you for this, Sydney,” Brent said.
“You’re very welcome, but don’t thank me yet. Once I introduce you to Ezra and Billy, you’re on your own.” She smiled.
Caysen grinned. “I’ll see you later, Sydney. Brent, good luck.”
He nodded to Brent, then climbed back into the truck. Sydney watched him go, then motioned for Brent to follow her. She’d introduce him around, then get to work herself.
****
Case glanced into the rearview mirror as he recalled the conversation he’d had with Brent when he went to the Gibbs ranch to have him follow him to Sydney’s ranch.
“Do her men know I’m doing community service?”
Case glanced at him then back to the road. “No, but I’m sure she’ll tell them you are. I’m trusting you to not to anything stupid, but with her men knowing, they’ll keep an eye on you.”
“I’d rather they didn’t know,” Brent murmured.
Case pulled off the road, put the truck in gear, and looked at him.