Chapter Fifteen
“I s your mistress at home?” Cole was losing it.
Standing on the front porch of Primrose House, hat in hand, he was a full five minutes early.
What if she was a woman that didn’t like her dates to be even a few minutes early?
The kitten sat next to the door and meowed.
Then he meowed again. So what was he supposed to do?
He reached down and picked up the cat and held it against his chest just as the door opened. Way to go, cowboy.
She reached out her hands for the kitten and he handed it over. “He or she was sitting here crying so I didn’t know what else to do.”
Cassie grinned. “That was just the thing. Now Peaches will be your friend for life. Come in while I put her in her bed and get my jacket.” She disappeared down the hall and he remained in the foyer, taking in the living room to the right and the dining room to the left.
It was very inviting and fitted the home.
He took a quick glance in the mirror just inside the living room to make sure he didn’t make a mess of his hair by removing his hat.
Cole had never been nervous before in the presence of any girl he took out but then, this wasn’t any girl.
Cassie came back in just a couple of minutes. “Thank you again for rescuing her. I don’t like leaving her too long on the porch. She’s still a baby.”
“No problem. Just don’t let Emmie see her. She’s been begging for a kitten. But she has enough animals to care for as it is.” He opened the door for her to precede him, double-checking it locked.
He placed his hand under her elbow to help navigate the steps as she was wearing very nice high heels and they didn’t need her tripping.
Cole had to admit that Cassie was even more beautiful than he remembered, if that was possible.
Her hair was fuller and hung below her shoulders.
The color was a rich chestnut color. Her dress was a soft muted color of red and suited her figure. She was a knockout as Cassie Parker.
Once they were on their way, he felt himself relax just a bit. But he still couldn’t get past the feeling that at any moment he would do or say something wrong. He was a grown man for Heaven’s sake.
“Don’t you just hate that awkward feeling of first dates? But after all, we were technically engaged once so we should just skip the awkward stage, don’t you think?” She looked at him so earnestly and then he saw the grin coming and they both ended up laughing.
“And you are good at putting people at ease,” he said. “I had forgotten we were indeed engaged.” He cast a look at her hand as it lay in her lap. “Whatever happened to that huge bauble? Did it go back to rent-a-ring?”
“Yes, you might say that. We have a few rings that were confiscated and not claimed in raids. So, we can recycle some of those if needed. But I was glad to get rid of it. It was too big and gaudy for my taste.”
“I see.” That seemed like information he should file away in his brain. He needed to keep his eyes on the road but it was definitely hard to do with Cassie sitting just a foot or so away.
“How is everyone?”
“Well Uncle Joe sends his best to you and any day now I expect him to try to get down on one knee. The problem is his getting back up, but I think Katie will handle that.”
“That’s wonderful! I am so pleased for them. That gives us all hope,” she said. “And Emmie? How did she take all of the business with her mother being on trial?”
“Well, she is tough, and that referral of a good counselor you sent us came in handy. I know it came from you even though Randy phoned with it.”
“I’m glad it helps her. She is a wonderful little girl.”
“And so, what is new with you? Do you regret ‘retiring’?”
“No, at first I might have, but my job is interesting and I love the people and Primrose House and my family being there. It’s better than I hoped.”
“Good, so you will stay a while.”
“I plan to do just that. If I pass the bar as planned, then I will be off and running.”
She looked at him. “Why are you grinning so much?”
“Just thinking about what a wise man named Uncle Joe gave me by way of advice.”
“Dare I ask?”
“I think it’s best left for another day, but I’ll share it then.”
As they were seated at their table, she shook her head. “This is amazing. I had no idea such a lovely place existed out here at the lake. The view of the lake in the moonlight is stunning.”
“And the food I hear is as good as the view. It’s our lucky night.”
It was a lucky night. The food was excellent, and the conversation was even better as far as Cole was concerned.
The woman who sat across from him seemed happier and free to laugh and see the lighter side of things.
And he marveled at the beauty he saw when she had opened the door earlier that evening.
Her hair was a strawberry blonde in color.
She said it was her natural color and it suited her.
The eyes were even more blue if that were possible.
And he knew he was in trouble. For the first time in a very long time…
in fact if ever in his life…he was struck by a feeling that it was hard to even know how to describe.
Every thought since she left the ranch had been of her.
And since they met again in the florist shop, it had even become worse if possible.
He was never given to daydreaming in his daily work but there she would appear.
But what if they were in two different places? She had just begun a life that clearly suited her in Destiny’s River. Granted she seemed to take to life on his ranch but that was part of the job. What if it held memories for her that she wanted no part of any longer?
“Why the glum face all of a sudden? Did the food not agree with you?” She looked so concerned.
“The food is great. I just remembered something I need to get the hands to do tomorrow. And by the way, both Uncle Joe and Emmie would love to see you and your dinner invite met with great excitement.”
“Then that is a plan. In fact, I’m sort of having my family over next Sunday afternoon for hamburgers…
nothing fancy…but it is lovely in the gardens, and I think Emmie would get along great with my nieces.
You already know my brother. And my sister won’t grill you too much,” she laughed.
“Think about it and let me know when you check with them.”
All too soon the evening came to an end. Cole walked Cassie to her door. She turned and smiled up at him. “It was nice getting to know you again as the real people we are. Thank you for a very nice evening.”
“I agree. No pretense, just reality. Think we can do this again?”
She grinned to match his. “I think your odds are pretty good on that. You have my number.
And you do have an invite for next Sunday, so think about it and let me know.”
He stood for a moment wanting to think of something memorable to say.
But he didn’t have to do so. She reached up and placed a kiss on his lips before he could register a response.
For a moment he could have sworn he saw a hint of DeeDee lurking in that mischievous grin.
Then she was inside, and he was still standing on the porch.
All he could do once he made it back to his vehicle was smile all the way home. There was hope. She had kissed him. And there were plans for more dates. He suddenly felt more alive than he could ever remember. All because a girl named Cassie had kissed him.
*
Of course, Uncle Joe and Emmie were onboard with the plans to go to Cassie’s home the following weekend.
Any chance of a meeting between Cole and her had to wait as Cassie was sent to a training in Dallas, until Friday of that week.
Sunday dawned and she was excited. She had gotten home to find that flowers had been delivered and her brother had placed them in her kitchen.
They were a wonderful way to be greeted back home. The name on the card…simply said Cole .
Her sister, Tori, arrived first along with her husband Cade, carrying in their new bundle, Cade Ethan Junior.
His proud sister beamed over him. Matthew arrived with Jilliebean and a dessert she had worked on to surprise them all with.
The doorbell rang and Cassie almost ran to answer it from the kitchen, something duly noted by her brother and sister who shared a knowing smile.
Cassie saw it but she chose to ignore. Nothing would dim her pleasure at seeing people she had missed so much.
“Welcome! Come in all of you,” she greeted with a wide smile and was immediately enfolded in Emmie’s arms, and she hugged back as good as she received.
Next came Uncle Joe and he gave her a warm hug.
Cole brought up the rear. He had called earlier, and Marcella wanted to send along some of her homemade chili for those who might like that on their burgers.
He had the container in his hands. She stepped aside so he could enter and Matthew was right there to show him into the kitchen.
Cade made sure everyone was comfortable either around one of the tables or in the rockers along the back porch and patio.
Matthew went to his duties at the grill after taking everyone’s meat request…
he offered raw, burnt, or somewhere in between.
They generally opted for somewhere in between. He made no promises.
Cade and Uncle Joe were catching up on the latest fishing reports. Cole kept Matthew company. Tori and Cassie stayed busy in the kitchen getting trays ready with condiments and the potato salad and baked beans that would soon join the buffet set up outside.
“Well, he is quite good-looking,” Tori began.
“I won. Matthew and I had a bet on how long it would be before you brought up Cole and I won. He is buying me breakfast next week. Thanks, sis.” Cassie continued to slice tomatoes.
“Very amusing, now tell me what is going on with you two.”