Chapter 11
“Wow, this is really nice!” Tessa looked around the ballroom. “It looks just like something out of an old Hollywood movie.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Ren was impressed with the level of detail, from the costumes to the drinks and the music the band played.
“If their past parties are anything like this, I can see why they’re so popular.”
Tessa and her friends were talking with a few of the other attendees when Oren Jones, the personal assistant to the ranch’s owner, stepped onto the band dais.
“Good evening, everyone. I hope you’ve been enjoying your time here at the Double C.
” His greeting was met with applause and shouts of appreciation.
“Sounds like you have, which is good to hear. Before we move onto the rest of tonight’s activities, I’d like to introduce G.
Cade Cumberland, owner of the Double C, and your host for the weekend. ”
The crowd applauded as he joined Oren on the dais.
G. Cade Cumberland was tall. If Tessa had to hazard a guess, she would have put him at six feet five inches at least. He had black hair with silver at the temples, and wore a formal black western suit with a blue vest and a black eye mask.
From what she could see of his face, he appeared to be very handsome.
“Okay, he does look like he sounds,” Shondra said. She was standing with Tessa and Elise at the back of the room. Ren and Steve had gone to the bar for another round of drinks.
“He does. I wonder what color his eyes are. It’s hard to tell from here.” Tessa was curious.
“I don’t care what color his eyes are. From what I see and hear right now, I could climb that man like a tree,” Elise observed.
Tessa nodded in agreement. There was definitely something about the owner of the Double C.
As she listened to him talk about the history of the ranch and how the tradition of the Halloween event started, she experienced a sense of déjà vu.
She didn’t remember ever seeing him before, but there was something familiar about the sound of his voice and the way he moved.
Try as she might, she couldn’t recall where their paths might have crossed.
Tessa did some people watching as she snacked on appetizers.
Shondra and Ren had left to check out the rest of the building.
Elise was in the garden with Steve enjoying cigars.
The band played a mix of music—a mash-up of modern music and that of the Old West era.
Earlier in the evening, an instructor taught them some of the dances from the time period.
It had been fun trying them. Oren partnered with Tessa for some of the couples’ dances.
As the evening went on, the band started playing music from the 90s to the present.
Around eleven o’clock, Jonathan joined Tessa, much to her irritation.
After telling her Fallon was chatting it up with some friends she’d run into, Jonathan tried to get Tessa to dance with him, despite her having refused him earlier in the evening.
She was beginning to think she was going to have to cuss him out to get him to leave her alone, when they were interrupted.
“I believe you promised this dance to me.” A rich baritone voice delivered those words.
Tessa turned at the sound of the voice and was surprised to see it was the G.
Cade Cumberland, the owner of the Double C ranch.
As she looked up at him, she saw amusement in the blue eyes staring back at her.
Once again, she was struck with a sense of familiarity.
She gladly accepted the arm he offered and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
“Thanks for the rescue,” Tessa told him as they began to dance.
“No thanks needed. However, I’m glad to have been of service, Miss, ah…”
He smiled down at her as he guided her expertly through a turn. He’d seen her earlier in the evening and had intended to approach her then, but had gotten stopped along the way by other partygoers. Eventually, he made it over to her and from what he could see, she was glad he did.
“Tessa.” She returned his smile.
“Nice to meet you, Tessa. I’m Cade.” As the dance came to an end, he noticed the man she’d been standing with was still in the same place. Probably waiting for her to return. “Would you care to see the art gallery? It’s located in the east wing of this building.”
“Thanks. I’d like that,” Tessa responded, unable to look away from him or say no to his invitation. She felt a thrill go through her body when he placed his hand at the small of her back as he guided her off the dance floor and signaled to Oren, who sent a waiter over with drinks.
“A little refreshment for the tour.” He handed her a glass. “It’s bourbon. I can get you something different if you’d prefer.”
“This is fine.” Tessa accepted the glass from him. She looked up at him as she felt a tingle in her fingers where hers touched his. She could have sworn she saw a sparkle in his eyes as he raised his glass to her.
“Shall we?” He turned toward the hallway leading to the gallery.
If someone had told Tessa she would be given a private tour by G.
Cade Cumberland, owner of one of the largest ranches in the state, she would have called them crazy.
Given the chaos she’d experienced the last few months, spending time with her tall, handsome host was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise.
The art gallery housed paintings that had been in the Cumberland family for years. As they came upon the family portraits, Tessa stopped in her tracks when she came upon the first of two portraits.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“Uh… no.” she replied. “Which family members are these?” she asked.
The first portrait was of a man, a woman, and a young boy.
The second was of the man alone. The Cumberland genes were strong.
The boy and the men in both portraits bore a striking resemblance to Cade Cumberland, the man she’d met when she’d gotten lost in the maze.
Same thick black hair, same blue eyes, same build.
“This is Grayson Cumberland, an uh, relative of mine,” he told her.
Tessa watched him closely as he spoke.
“You have his eyes,” she observed.
“I’ve been told that.”
He moved further along the gallery and Tessa followed, wondering if he’d think her odd if she asked him questions about his relative.
She was about to ask him about that possibility, when they heard Oren announce that midnight was fifteen minutes away and they wanted everyone to make their way to the ballroom.
Tessa made a mental note to ask him later.
Back in the ballroom, the band was playing a slow number, and couples filled the dance floor. Her ex smirked at her as he walked past her with his girlfriend. Tessa rolled her eyes.
“Dance?” Cade asked.
“Yes, but it’s kinda crowded in here.” Tessa smiled as he took her hand.
“Not a problem.” He grinned as he guided her toward the open doors leading to the garden.
Tessa looked around the garden, which was bathed in the light of the full moon and experienced another feeling of déjà vu, stronger than before. As they slowly moved in time with the music, the feeling became so strong, she stopped dancing. She closed her eyes to center herself.
“Are you okay?” He looked down at her, concern in his eyes.
“I am. Just not paying attention to what I’m doing.”
“It’s dancing. You’re not supposed to pay attention; you’re just supposed to enjoy.” He gave her waist a gentle squeeze as he pulled her a little closer. She felt the warmth and the solid build of his body as she relaxed and did just as he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re one minute from midnight.” Oren’s voice could be heard in the background. “We treat Halloween just like New Year’s Eve around here, complete with a countdown and fireworks.”
“Do we get to kiss like we do when we bring in the New Year?!” Someone jokingly called out.
“Of course.” Oren continued, “And for those of you who aren’t with the one you want to kiss, kiss the one you’re with.”
Everyone laughed as the countdown began.
When the witching hour arrived and people began removing their masks, Cade pulled Tessa closer, lowered his head, and kissed her.
Tessa should have been surprised at Cade’s kiss.
Instead, she felt passion, desire, and a sense of familiarity.
She knew his kiss, his hands, and the way her body fit with his.
She didn’t know how that was possible, since she’d only met Cade earlier that evening.
When the kiss ended, they both watched each other as they removed their masks.
Tessa stopped breathing, and her hand touched the necklace at her throat.
G. Cade Cumberland, the man standing before her looked exactly like the Cade she’d met when she’d gotten lost coming out of the corn maze.
The same Cade she’d been dreaming about.
Taking her hand, he led her to a quiet corner of the yard.
“Oh, my goodness, you look exactly like Grayson Cumberland! I mean …” Tessa raised a noticeably shaking hand to her mouth.
“I am Grayson. Grayson Cade Cumberland.”
“How is that possible?” She shook her head in an effort to rein in her thoughts that had scattered when he removed his mask.
“Tessa.” He said her name softly as he gently touched her shoulder, causing her to look up at him. “It’s me.” Smiling, he touched the heart-shaped stone of her necklace. “I gave you this last night.”
“I don’t understand.” Tessa suddenly felt light-headed and unsteady on her feet. She vividly remembered the dream she’d had when Cade gave it to her.
“I don’t know why or how our paths crossed, but I’ve been searching for you forever.”
Cade looked down at Tessa watching her as she took in his words.
Her heart knew he was speaking the truth.
She didn’t understand all of what had happened, and might not ever.
What she did know was she was with Cade and that was enough.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she stood on tiptoe, intent on kissing him.
He met her kiss, and as her lips parted, he went all in, never intending to let her go ever again.
Tessa wanted nothing more than to remain in Cade’s arms and disappear into whatever magic surrounded them. As he deepened the kiss, the haze of passion was shattered when she heard her name being called.
Jonathan had followed Tessa and Cade into the garden.
Tessa sighed, before turning around to face her ex-boyfriend.
What is wrong with this fool?! What the fuck is his problem?
! We’re done, yet he insists on bothering me.
The fact that actions had consequences was apparently lost on Jonathan.
And that he had the nerve to look as if she’d hurt him was crazy.
Feeling Cade’s arms tighten around her gave her a sense of calm.
Looking past him, she saw they had an audience.
Elise, Shondra, and a couple were watching them. Tessa didn’t know the couple, but the man looked familiar.
Cade had been silent, but he was not about to let the man continue being a nuisance.
Oren had joined the group who’d been standing near the door.
Cade signaled for him to remove Jonathan, and watched as his PA carried out his request. He smiled at the two women, his best friend Joel, and his wife, who was with him.
They all raised their glasses to him and Tessa in a toast before returning to the ballroom. He turned Tessa to face him.
“Now where were we?” Cade gave her a sexy grin before kissing the breath out of her once more.