Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Austin
It’s been a couple of days since Cassie walked in on me playing in the office at Bowman’s, and we’ve not run into each other since.
She’s only part-time and our paths aren’t due to cross again until the weekend.
Yes, I checked the rota even though I already had her schedule memorised.
I try not to think too hard about why that is.
It’s not that weird—I am the one who made the rota.
Unfortunately that justification crumbles when my inner voice helpfully points out that, aside from my own, I don’t know anyone else’s shift schedule by heart.
Needing to get out of my head, I decide to walk over to Wordplay to pick up a gift for my nephew. He’s an avid reader, and I enjoy having someone to spoil a little. It’s a nice day and I enjoy the feel of the sun warming my skin as I stride up the high street.
Phoebe gave the bookshop a makeover when she bought the place from Mrs Zeng, transforming the once dark, cramped space into something light and airy.
Don’t get me wrong, the old look had its charm, but the updated layout is more customer friendly.
I bet the shop gets more tourist traffic too now that it looks more inviting and less like a malevolent spirit might be haunting the tightly grouped bookshelves.
I’m scanning the children’s section when I hear Cassie’s voice.
“Austin?” So much for getting outside and not thinking about her.
“Cassie, hi. What are you doing here?” I aim for a casual smile, cringing inside at my stupid question.
Doing me the mercy of not pointing out the obvious reason for her presence in the bookshop—shopping—she replies, “I promised Phoebe I’d stop by and figured I may as well browse while I’m here.
” Noticing I’m in the kid’s section, she cocks her head.
“Who are you shopping for? Sorry, that was nosy. You don’t have to answer. ”
The pretty blush on her cheeks makes a rumble of laughter resonate in my chest. “It’s fine. I’m getting a present for my nephew.” Just because Aria isn’t Toby’s biological mum doesn’t make him any less a part of our family now that she and Toby’s dad, Eric, are together.
Cassie perks up at that. “Toby, right?” Noting my surprise, she explains, “Your mum’s told me about him.”
Ah, that makes sense. She’s thrilled to have her first grandchild, and it’s no secret that she’d love to have another little one around to spoil. “Did she show you a hundred pictures?”
“No, she was very restrained.” At my raised brow, she folds, “OK, not really, but it was only around thirtyish.”
“Now that I believe. Her camera roll is overflowing with the photos she makes my sister send her.”
“I think it’s sweet.” She rocks back on her heels. “So, is it his birthday soon, or is this a ‘just because’ present?”
Shrugging, I reply, “I wanted to get him something for when I see him in the school holidays.”
“Will they be coming here to visit?”
“Yeah, they’ll spend a week here, and Mum and I are going to stay with them in Riverbend for a weekend as well.” I hesitate, then decide to test the waters. “What about you? Will you stay here all summer?”
“That’s what we agreed on.” Doubt creeps into her expression. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
“No, I just… Since we called it even after your performance, I wasn’t sure if you were still planning to stick around.”
“I am.”
“Good. That’s good.” I clear my throat. “The customers really like you.”
“Just the customers?”
Under different circumstances, the question might seem flirty, but there’s a vulnerability hidden in the depths of Cassie’s eyes that reveals more than I think she means to. A better man would take her attempt at teasing at face value, joke back, and move on. I’m not that man.
I can’t pinpoint when it happened, but Cassie means something to me now.
It’s more than physical attraction, although that’s there too.
I know frustratingly little about her, but what I do know is the sort of person she is.
She’s kind, hardworking, ridiculously talented and not remotely big-headed about it, and she owns her mistakes.
Despite my best efforts, I’m drawn to her. How could I not be?
“Cassie, I—”
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Phoebe’s cheery voice makes Cassie jump, and a muscle in my jaw ticks with my irritation over the interruption. “If I don’t have what you need, I might be able to order it in.”
“Not yet,” I reply. My gaze slides back to Cassie. “I got distracted.”
Cassie’s expression shutters. “Sorry, I’ll let you get back to it.”
“That’s not—”
“Phoebe, can I pay for this?” For the first time, I notice the paperback in her hands.
I can’t see the title, but the pastel cover makes me think it might be a romance.
Maybe it’ll provide some inspiration for another one of her love songs.
Maybe I could if I untangle my tongue long enough to tell her I’m interested.
“Sure,” Phoebe chirps. “Ooh good choice. This author is one of my favourites. There’s a next-gen series too, if you like this one.”
The two women walk off, chatting away before I can find a reasonable way to ask Cassie to stay. Great. Instead of telling her I’m interested, I made her feel completely unwanted.
Sighing, I go back to looking for the books on the list Aria sent me.
Maybe it’s for the best. Just because my resolve has crumbled doesn’t make starting something with Cassie any better an idea now than it was a couple of weeks ago.
Phoebe’s interruption was a blessing in disguise.
Cassie might stay for the summer, but she won’t stay for good.
I know starting something with her will only end one way—with me being left behind.
* * *
Cassie
After my visit to Wordplay, I stopped by the craft store further along the high street.
A helpful sales assistant with an eyebrow piercing and lipstick the colour of a stormy sky helped me find some new cross-stitch kits, and I’m excited to start working on them.
I’d planned to find somewhere to sit outside to do just that but, after spending longer than I’d like to admit in the shop, I crave the solitude of my room more than the sun on my face.
When I arrive back at the B&B, Esther curiously eyes the large paper bag containing my purchases as I pass the front desk, and my cheeks heat.
I only meant to pick up one or two kits, but somehow I ended up leaving the craft store with a whole bundle.
It’s not my fault the craft shop had such a great selection.
They had one of a coffee shop storefront I think will make a cute gift for Daphne and Erin as a thank you for hosting coffee every Monday morning.
That gave me the idea to do one for everyone in the group, which is how I ended up getting so many.
I may have bought ones that made me think of Austin and Abby as well.
I’ll probably only actually gift two of them—the one for Daphne and Erin, and the rose garden one I got for Abby.
The former as thanks for hosting and the latter because Abby is the reason Austin gave me a job at Bowman’s and I’d like to thank her properly.
Taking a seat on the bed, I open the rose garden kit and carefully set everything out in front of my crossed legs.
I don’t know anyone else here well enough to give them a present out of the blue yet.
Maybe once I finish the rest of the kits, I’ll give them out when it’s time for me to leave Pine Grove.
The idea of leaving something tangible behind when I go is comforting.
I’m used to Melody being the one everyone wants and Cassie being someone easily forgotten.
My gut twists whenever I think about becoming nothing more than a distant, foggy memory to the people I’m getting to know here.
It may not be time yet, but I know my last day will arrive quicker than I want.
My gaze drifts around the room as I do my best to commit every detail to memory, snagging on Austin’s flannel shirt draped over the arm of the small chair in the corner.
I know I should return it. I even took it with me to Bowman’s the night of the reopening, intending to do just that—but I can’t bring myself to let it go.
Maybe I want to bring a piece of Pine Grove with me when I return to Nashville.
That way, when I’m back to feeling trapped, I can hold on to the precious reminder of my taste of freedom.
It will help me find the courage to make the changes I need to be happy, or at least happier than I was before.
If I’m being brutally honest, I can admit I want a reminder of Austin too.
We may not be anything, but this is the first time in years I’ve felt a spark with someone.
It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t feel the same.
I want to keep the shirt as a reminder of how I can feel about someone and that I shouldn’t settle for anything less than butterflies and fireworks when I return to my real life.
Gathering my freshly opened project, I place it on the bedside table, then get up and rub my fingers over the cuff of the shirt, enjoying the feel of the soft flannel. A smile plays on my lips. I still can’t believe I inspired Austin to play his guitar again. Me. Just Cassie.
I let the sleeve drop, turning to look at my guitar looming beside the wardrobe where—aside from my unplanned performance at Bowman’s—it’s sat untouched since I arrived.
If someone had told me when I got on the plane in Nashville that I’d end up longing to play my less than a month after arriving in Pine Grove, I’d have laughed.
Now my fingers twitch with the urge to pick it up.
Fiddling with the hem of my t-shirt, I glance between my guitar and the present for Abby I’ve barely begun working on.
I suppose the gift can wait a little longer… No. This is a bad idea.
I turn and pace up and down the space beside my bed.
The floorboards creak beneath my feet. Performing at Bowman’s was meant to be a one-off.
I’m supposed to be taking a break to figure out what I want.
Then again, isn’t the way I felt stepping back on stage as myself answer enough?
I fell in love with music all over again.
Maybe instead of taking a break from music, I can use this time away to figure out what kind of music I really want to make.
There’s nobody around to force me to confine myself within the bounds of my precious image.
I’m free to experiment. To find a sound that feels authentic to who I am, not the country music princess I’ve been forced to play.
It’s time I allow myself to become who I was always meant to be.
Releasing a slow breath, I roll back my shoulders, cross the room, and pick up my guitar.