Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
C asey was having a weird dream.
He was sitting in a kid’s desk in his old fifth-grade classroom . . . naked as the day he was born. Standing at the front of the class wasn’t sweet old Mrs. Simons. It was Noelle. She was wearing one of those puffy white chef’s hats, a double-breasted chef’s jacket, and red cowboy boots. She looked sexy as hell. And extremely angry. Her green eyes were narrowed and her cherry-red lips tipped in a frown as she slapped the palm of her hand with a wire whisk. With each twang of the whisk, she spoke one word.
“You. Have. Been. A. Very. Naughty. Boy. Casey. Remington.”
Casey felt naughty. Extremely naughty. He was hiding a major hard-on under the top of the small desk.
“And it’s time to pay for all your bullying.” She moved down the aisle and stopped next to him. “Stand up and bend over your desk.” When he didn’t comply, she brought the whisk down on the desktop. “Now!”
He hesitantly got to his feet, trying to hide his erection with his hands.
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you have there? Are you hiding something from me?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Remove your hands and let me see.”
Casey slowly removed his hands. Those green eyes widened before they lifted to him. A seductive smile curved those red lips.
“So you like me after all.”
Casey shook his head. “No.”
She leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” Suddenly, he was bent over the desk and she was beating his bare butt with the whisk. It was painful and exciting all at the same time. “Say it! Say you like me!”
“I like you!” he yelled above the loud twangs. “I like you!”
The twangs turned to loud knocks and Casey startled awake. It took a moment to figure out he wasn’t in his old classroom with a stinging butt and a major hard on. He was sitting in his truck in front of Crawley’s General Store . . . with a major hard on. The knocking continued and he turned to Mrs. Stokes standing at his window.
He was thankful the woman was too short to see into his truck. He rolled down the window and pinned on a smile.
“Hey, Ms. Stokes.” He glanced at the Crawley General Store sign that had been decorated with green Christmas garland and red bows before looking back at her. “Corbin found out you had an illicit affair with Mr. Crawley and will tell everyone in town unless you quit smoking?”
She rolled her eyes. “Everyone in town already knows I had an illicit affair with Delbert.”
Casey stared at her. “Wait. You had a—”
She cut him off. “I’m not interested in talking about old news. I’m interested in why a man in his twenties is sleeping in his truck at nine . . .” she glanced at the ancient watch on her wrist, “. . . twelve in the morning? I thought you were dead.”
“No, ma’am. Just exhausted. Autumn Grace has been keeping us up nights.”
Autumn Grace was the tiniest little thing Casey had ever seen in his life. If Cloe and Rome hadn’t issued numerous reminders about supporting her wobbly head, Casey could have easily palmed her in one hand like a basketball. But while Autumn Grace’s body was tiny, her voice was big. Ever since she’d come home from the hospital, she’d kept everyone—but Sam who slept like the dead—up at night.
She hadn’t been the only one exercising their lungs.
Junie and Johnny howled as loudly as Autumn every time Casey tried to make them sleep in the barn. He’d finally given up and snuck the puppies into the house every night after his daddy went to bed. When Rome and Cloe finally got Autumn quiet, the puppies decided it was time to play.
After three consecutive days with no sleep and Rome’s added workload, Casey was a walking zombie.
“Ahh.” Mrs. Stokes smiled. “One look at that child and I knew she was going to be a pistol. Just like her uncle. I remember you keeping your mama up nights.”
Casey always grew uncomfortable when people brought up memories of his mama. Mostly because he didn’t have any. “I guess that’s just part of having a newborn.”
Mrs. Stokes studied him. “Looks like you’re getting a taste of what it will be like when you have your own children.”
“That’s not happening anytime soon. I’m not even dat—” He cut off when he realized what he’d been about to say.
He was dating. At least, he was fake dating on social media. According to Noelle’s posts, he had taken her to Austin for dinner and a concert, gotten into a flour fight with her while making sugar cookies, and enjoyed a romantic midnight picnic in the Holiday hayloft. He had to hand it to Noelle’s acting ability. As he’d watched her live posts and listened to her excitedly go on and on about their imaginary dates, there was a part of him that wished he’d actually done those things with her.
She had a way of making dating sound fun.
He pinned on a smile and tried to fix his blooper. “What I mean is Noelle and I aren’t dating seriously. We’re just . . .”
“Having a little holiday affair? Or what do the young folks call it? Hooking up?”
“Umm . . . well—”
She cut him off. “No need to explain. I figured that out all on my own after seeing you two rolling around on the floor at Nothin’ But Muffins.” She winked. “Sometimes all it takes is a little friction to start a fire. Now I need to get to the bank and make some heads roll. I left the Christmas decorations to my assistant manager and he thought it would be a good idea to do away with a tree in the front lobby entirely because of messy needles.” She snorted. “Young people today just don’t understand that all beautiful things come with a little mess.” She pointed a finger at him. “Before you head back to the ranch, you need to get yourself some caffeine. Sleeping behind the wheel when your truck is sitting is one thing. Sleeping while it’s moving is something else entirely.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
But Casey didn’t have any intentions of going into Nothin’ But Muffins. Especially after the weird dream and the even weirder thing that had happened outside the hospital the night Autumn Grace was born. Casey had never wanted to kiss a woman so badly in his life as when Noelle had touched the scar on his lip. And she had wanted to kiss him too. He had felt it in her heated touch and heard it in the huskiness of her voice. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had to deny himself the pleasure.
Kissing Noelle again was a bad idea. They didn’t need to blur the lines of their fake relationship.
He got out of his truck and headed into Crawley’s to get the dog crates, newborn diapers, and earplugs he’d come into town for. He ended up picking out bigger crates that Junie and Johnny could grow into so Mr. Crawley helped carry them out. As they were loading them into the bed of the truck, a cold breeze swept over Casey . . . bringing with it a titillating scent that had his heart beating faster and his saliva glands working overtime.
He wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“Smell that?” Mr. Crawley tipped his balding head back and took a big whiff. “That’s the scent of Christmas heaven.”
The emotions the scent evoked in Casey weren’t heavenly. It was hunger. Carnal hunger. It punched him so hard in the gut that he almost doubled over.
“Have you tried the new holiday muffin?” Mr. Crawley continued, completely unaware of Casey’s struggles. “It’s much better than that Fa-La-La Fruitcake. The plums are tart and sweet and the cake is warm and moist and that sugar topping just melts on your tongue like the most delectable—”
Casey didn’t hear what else Mr. Crawley said. His senses were too wrapped up in the scent filling his lungs. The pull was too strong to resist. With only a mumbled thank you, he turned and headed across the street like a sleepwalking zombie.
It wasn’t until he stepped through the door of Nothin’ But Muffins that his brain registered where he was. But it was too late. Noelle had already spotted him. All his life those green eyes had registered hate when they landed on him. Today, they twinkled as if she was actually happy to see him. Everything inside him went a little topsy-turvy and his stomach dipped like he’d just jumped off a rope swing at full arc. The feeling only increased when a smile spread over her face.
“Hey, Case.” When he just stood there too stunned to speak, her smile faded. “Are you okay?”
No, he wasn’t okay. He wasn’t okay at all. And things got even worse when Noelle finished with the customer she was waiting on and came out from behind the counter and took his arm. Her touch was both jarring and soothing all at the same time.
What was that all about?
“Come sit down,” she said as she led him to a table. “I’ll get you some coffee and a Sugarplum Fairy muffin. It looks like you need a little caffeine and sugar.”
A few moments later, he had a warm muffin and a cup of steaming coffee sitting in front of him. The aroma of baking muffins was even more powerful in the café. And yet, the only thing he could smell now was the enticing cookie scent of Noelle as she sat down across from him. All he could see was the concern in her shamrock-green eyes.
“Cloe told me about Autumn keeping y’all up. I guess Cloe and Rome probably look as exhausted as you do?” When he didn’t say anything, she lifted the muffin, peeled back the paper wrapper, and held it to his mouth. “Eat.”
He took a bite. It was as warm and wonderful as he remembered. Before he knew it, she’d fed him every single crumb and then handed him the cup of coffee. It had cream and plenty of sugar—just the way he liked it. Three sips in, he started to feel more like himself.
He took a deep breath and released it. “Thank you. I guess I was more tired and hungry than I thought.”
She smiled. “I guess so. You okay to drive or do you need me to drive you home?” She glanced around at the empty café. “It looks like I have a lull.”
“No, I’m fine. Like you said, I just needed a little caffeine and sugar.” There was an awkward silence. Which was confusing. He’d never experienced an awkward silence with a woman in his life. He cleared his throat. “So I saw that we’ve been thoroughly enjoying ourselves.”
She laughed. Since when did her laugh get so sexy? “I didn’t realize what a romantic you are, Casey Remington.”
He pulled his gaze away from her shining, smiling eyes. “Yeah, well, I guess it just took the right woman to pull all the romance out of me. Where am I taking you this week?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’m thinking to look at Christmas lights. Although it’s probably too soon for that.”
“If you want to see a light display, you should come out to the ranch. My brother has outdone himself.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wanted them back. What the hell was he doing? He needed her showing up at the ranch like he needed to continue sitting there. He didn’t know what kind of spell she’d cast over him, but he wanted no part of it.
But it was too late. The invitation had already been issued.
“I might have to do that,” she said. “I want to see Autumn anyway. Since the new muffin came out, I’ve been so busy here that I haven’t had a chance to visit until after I close up and finish my post. By that time, it’s too late to come calling. Although Sheryl Ann gets back in two days so I’ll have a lot more free time.”
He couldn’t help noticing how the sparkle went out of her eyes. “I guess you’re going to miss working here.”
She nodded. “I can’t wait to have my own bakery. But until then, I’ll have to work for someone else . . . unless I can get some sponsors on social media. I’ve been doing a lot of brand name-dropping and hashtagging lately.”
“I saw your number of followers is still going up.”
She sent him a sassy look. “All thanks to my cowboy hero.” She leaned over the table. “You have a few crumbs.” Her finger swept over his bottom lip.
Before, Casey had felt like he was sleepwalking. Now, he felt like he’d stuck his finger in an electrical socket. His body surged awake like he’d downed an entire gallon of coffee. Noelle must have felt the same surge because she jerked her hand back as if burned.
His gaze locked with her wide green eyes, eyes that reflected the same emotions coursing through him. Confusion . . . and whole lot of heat. Before he knew what he was doing, he was leaning over the table. His lips were a mere puff of exhaled air away from her plump cherry lips when the bell over the door jingled. They jumped apart and he turned to find another set of green eyes staring back at him.
Except these eyes were filled with anger.
“What the hell are you doing with my sister, Casey Remington?” Hallie Holiday growled.
Since Hallie looked like she was about to start swinging, Casey jumped up from his chair and held out his hands. “Calm down, Hal. I’m not doing anything.”
“Really? So you weren’t just about to kiss her. Because it sure looked that way to me.”
“We were not getting ready to kiss!” Noelle positioned herself between Casey and her sister. Which was cute but useless since she barely reached his chin. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you can’t just barge in here and start yelling, Hal.”
Hallie stared at her sister. “What’s going on is that I just found out you and Casey have been seeing each other. Something you failed to mention last time we talked. What happened to never keeping secrets from your sisters, Elle? I believe that was a rule you came up with.”
“I planned to call a meeting and tell everyone, but then Cloe had the baby and things got busy here. Besides, it’s not serious. We’re just dating. I don’t need to tell y’all every time I date someone.”
Hallie rolled her eyes. “Really? I have heard about every Tom, Dick, and Kenny you have dated until I could puke, Elle. And now suddenly, you’ve become secretive? That seems awfully fishy to me.” She glared at Casey. “And I have a few things to say to you too, mister. I don’t care if you are Rome’s little brother. After being dumped by her boyfriend, my little sister is vulnerable. The last thing she needs is some cowboy gigolo playing on her weakness and luring her into his bed.”
“He’s not luring me into his bed,” Noelle snapped. “And even if he was, that is none of your business, Hal.”
“It is when you’re getting involved with one of the biggest flirts in Wilder.”
Casey couldn’t blame Hallie for thinking the worst. After all, he did have a reputation of being a flirt. But after Rome married Cloe, he’d thought the Holiday sisters would know him a little bit better—if not personally, then through Cloe. Now he had to wonder if Cloe saw him as just a carefree flirt waiting to defile the next unsuspecting woman too. Somehow the thought got mixed up with what Melissa had said about him being a useless part of the Remington Ranch. He suddenly felt like the worst human being to walk the face of the earth. He didn’t like the feeling. He didn’t like it at all.
“Maybe we need to tell your sisters—” He didn’t get to finish before Noelle cut him off.
“No! We don’t need to tell my sisters anything.”
“And yet you can tell everyone about yours and Casey’s relationship on your social media,” Hallie said.
Noelle lifted her chin. “Maybe because the people on my social media are actually interested in my life and y’all aren’t.”
“Oh, great!” Hallie threw up her hands. “Here comes the drama!”
Noelle’s cheeks flamed and her eyes flared with anger . . . and hurt. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell y’all. Because you’d laugh and tell me how stupid I am or how dramatic I am. I have never been anything but the silly little sister who keeps y’all entertained. You have never, ever, taken me seriously. You think I’m just this frivolous kid who should be happy with a smile and a pat on the head.”
“That’s not true.”
“Really? So you’re saying you didn’t think me quitting college to become a pastry chef was frivolous? You don’t think my dream to be a social media influencer is frivolous? You don’t think me falling in love with every Tom, Dick, and Kenny is frivolous?”
Casey could tell by the look on Hallie’s face that she thought all those things were frivolous. Hell, Casey had too. But as he witnessed the hurt in Noelle’s eyes he realized she didn’t. She loved to bake. She loved talking with her followers on social media. And she loved to be in love. He probably had no business butting into Holiday sister business, but he couldn’t stop himself.
“I don’t think doing what you love to do is frivolous.”
Hallie snorted. “Says the man who loves drinking and carousing at the Hellhole. Talk about frivolous.”
“Leave Casey out of this, Hal,” Noelle said. “He’s done nothing wrong.”
Casey didn’t know who was more surprised by Noelle’s defending him—him or her sister.
“Now I’m really worried,” Hallie said. “You’ve never defended Casey in your life. Now suddenly y’all are dating? I just don’t get it.”
“Well, maybe you don’t need to get it. Yes, I should have told you and our sisters that I was seeing Casey because sisters shouldn’t keep secrets from sisters. But sisters should support sisters regardless of whether they think it’s stupid or silly or frivolous.” Tears glistened in her eyes, reflecting the lights of the Christmas tree. “Now you need to leave. This is my workplace. If you want to talk more about this, then call a Secret Sisterhood meeting. I’m done here.”
Hallie started to argue, but then snapped her mouth closed. “Fine.” Regardless of the argument they’d just had, she walked over and gave Noelle a hug before heading for the door. As she passed Casey, she shot him a warning look that pretty much said Don’t Mess With My Sister . Casey gave her a brief nod, but it didn’t remove the scowl from her face.
When she was gone, Noelle turned and headed back to the kitchen. He figured that was her way of saying she wanted to be alone. He turned to the door, but froze when a sniff came from the kitchen.
Hell.
He found her sitting on a stool at the island with her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with each sob. He pulled out the stool next to hers and took a seat. He had never been good with women’s tears. Usually when they started crying, he made a hasty retreat. But as much as he wanted to leave, he couldn’t leave her like this. Especially when she had taken care of him only moments before.
“I—wish—you’d—go.” The muffled words came through her fingers.
He grabbed a nearby dishtowel and slipped it between her elbows resting on the stainless-steel counter. “Now what kind of fake boyfriend would I be if I didn’t try to console my girlfriend when she was upset?” He hesitated. “If it’s any consolation, I know how it feels to be looked at as the frivolous younger sibling. Of course, in my case, I am pretty frivolous. You, on the other hand, are not.”
She lowered her hands. She looked a mess with her smudged makeup, blotchy face, and bloodshot eyes. So why did the sight of her tear-streaked face make him feel like pulling her into his arms and never letting go?
“Don’t you lie to me, Casey Remington. You’ve always thought I was silly.”
“Maybe when you were little. I mean those rainbow tutus and huge hair bows you liked to wear were pretty silly.” And cute. Very cute. “But I wouldn’t call you frivolous now. Now you’re just willing to go after what you want . . . even if what you want isn’t what people think you should want. That’s called guts.”
She blinked at him. “You think I have guts?”
He nodded. “A lot more than I do. I’ve never had the guts to take a chance. To change my career, to put myself out there to be judged by a bunch of strangers . . . to make a commitment to one person. But you’ve done all those things. And yeah, maybe it seems frivolous to your sisters. But I think it’s pretty brave.”
She studied him for a long moment before she picked up the dishtowel and blotted her eyes. When she lowered it, she was scowling. “I’m really mad at you, Casey Remington.”
He laughed. “Is that something new? What did I do this time?”
The scowl disappeared and her eyes softened. “You’ve been hiding a really nice guy under a teasing jerk.”