Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) (12 page)

Shane’s jaw tightened. “Who said that?”

“Gavin,” she said. “And one of the ranch hands too.”

He shook his head in disgust, exhaling a loud breath. “I was stupid to be gone that long.” His eyes held hers, pleading and pained. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Cassie crossed her arms over her chest and favored one hip. “I was foolish to think you owed me anything. You don’t. I’m already in your way as it is. I’m practically ruining your life by causing you to act out this charade-”

In an instant Shane’s hand covered her mouth, his body just inches from hers. “We’re going to have to be careful with what we say,” he whispered. “The floors have ears. Fourteen to be exact, and you don’t want to go causing any suspicion.”

She backed away, annoyed at being hushed by him. Yet somewhere inside, Cassie thrilled at his closeness. His touch.

Shane held her gaze as she glared at him.

Cassie took a step back, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I don’t like being your problem, Shane. I’m not going to make demands. And I’m not going to worry about what you do. There are enough miserable marriages out there. I’m sure ours will look all the more real if we just continue the way we are.”

Shane didn’t say another word, simply let her stride down the hall and disappear into his room. Cassie fought back the tears as she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed, but the moment she hit the sheets a flood was unleashed. Upon coming to his home, the perfect setting with its wonderful family, she’d almost begun to imagine herself belonging in a place like this. And why not? It’d happened for Reese. Even Jade with all her sarcasm seemed to fit in just fine.

Perhaps Cassie only longed for solid ground – something constant. Due to her ties with Griffin, she’d been in limbo for the last three years, and it was time to do something about it.

As she tried restlessly to get some sleep, a resounding thought came to mind –  determination, was more like it. Before the week was through, she’d make a decision where Griffin was concerned: either hold on to the relationship or let it go. Once she had her mind made up, Cassie would open Griffin’s letter and see where he stood.

Her developing feelings for Shane were a good indication she’d already let go in some way. But she vowed to make it final, one way or another. With her mind made up, Cassie finally felt at peace.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Shane twisted the doorknob to exit his room, wondering if Cassie had woken up yet. Since he’d brought her home one week ago, the sweet thing had gone out of her way to get up when he did, all to make him some sort of breakfast. Cassie had warned him she couldn’t cook worth a darn. Sadly, she’d been telling the truth. On day one she’d served up eggs over easy. And though she’d given him a fork to eat them with, Shane could’ve used a spoon instead. The things were runnier than hot syrup – whites and all. The rest of the week consisted of burnt toast, paper-thin pancakes, and dry sandwiches for lunch. But Cassie seemed anxious to please, so Shane had done his best to bite down the food – and his comments about it as well.

Cassie appeared to be biting back comments of her own where his grammar was concerned. On one occasion she’d disguised her correction with a cough. He’d heard it alright, but let it pass. He did, however, repeat the offending word several times throughout the conversation; no need to encourage her.

He only hoped the ranch hands would keep their comments to themselves where her cooking was concerned. Tonight, she was set to cook for the whole group. ‘Course, if he knew his mother, she’d be there with a second spoon in the saucepan. Thank heavens for that.

A few steps down the hall and Shane heard the bathroom door creak open. Day seven and they already had a routine. He continued into the kitchen, wondering what she’d be wearing this morning. He’d seen her in a pink, thin-looking gown on the night he’d stayed out too late, but she’d changed out of it by morning. On Sunday Cassie had stumbled sleepily out of the room, wearing a silver little number that made those deep blue eyes shimmer in the low morning light. So far nothing she’d worn had been low-cut or revealing, but he’d be damned if she didn’t make them sexy all the same.

The stool creaked as Shane sunk onto it, casually eyeing the kitchen entry as she strode in. His eyes followed the slim lines of her curvy legs, pleased to see her in silky shorts and a button-up top. The pajamas, a deep red, made her skin nearly glow. He shifted in his seat. “Morning.”

The two cats, purring like pick-up engines, wove around her ankles until they reached their food dishes along the wall. “Good morning,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”

The question was common enough, but when Cassie asked it, she did so with such interest it seemed she really wanted to know.

“Yep. You?”

She pulled open the fridge. “Yeah. I think I was out before I even hit the sheets.”

“You know,” Shane said, working to keep his gaze off her backside. “You don’t have to get up with me this early. I can fix myself a bowl of oatmeal easily enough.” He’d said as much the first few mornings, but wanted her to know good and well that he’d meant it.

“I know,” she said. “Is that what you’d like? Oatmeal?”

He nodded. “That’d be great. It’s in the cupboard there. Can you reach it?”

After closing the fridge door, Cassie stretched for the small knob.

“I got it,” Shane offered, coming up from behind. He was quick to move, and none too subtle as he nudged up against her, reaching high overhead to open the cupboard.

How a woman could smell so tempting at this time of day was beyond him. She’d barely stepped out of bed and already the allure oozed off her body from head to heel.

She spun in place, meeting his gaze. “What do you like in it?”

His eyes drifted to her lips. “Sugar.”

This was becoming routine too. The flirtation between them. Soft touches. Long glances. Playful conversation. Which pleased and frustrated him all at once.

“What’s your boyfriend like?” he blurted.

“Griffin?” She straightened awkwardly before heading over to the sink.

Shane sauntered back to his stool. “What did you say?”

“My boyfriend. That’s his name – Griffin.”

“Oooo-kay.” So what if he had to bite his tongue to stay quiet. The pain would go away soon enough. No need to go making fun of the guy for his wussy name.

Cassie read the label on the oats before measuring out a perfect scoop. She measured the water next. Shane smiled. He’d never measured the stuff before and it seemed to turn out just fine. If Cassie managed to mess this one up, he’d know she was a lost cause.

Once she stuck the glass bowl in the microwave, Cassie opened a different cupboard and pulled out the sugar. “He’s tall. Thin. Black hair.” She tilted her head, thoughtful for a moment. “He’s kind to animals. Doesn’t really like sports. Recently became a vegan.”

“A what?”

Cassie spun around and leaned against the counter. “It’s someone who doesn’t eat meat, or any other animal products either. Milk, eggs.”

What the crud did the guy eat then? He skipped that question and went to the next. “What does he do for a living?” Shane wasn’t sure what he was probing for, but he was pretty certain this woman wasn’t all that in love with the guy. After all, she’d kissed him on the first night they’d met. Granted, she’d been through a lot, but still.

“He does real estate.”

“Uh-huh?” He could tell she was holding something back.

She turned away from him. “Mostly in India. That’s where he lives.”

That last sentence echoed louder than the beeping of the microwave.

Cassie popped open the small door. She tested the edges of the bowl with her fingers before removing it. “Did you want milk in this?”

“Are you kidding?” he asked. “Your boyfriend lives in a different country?”

“It’s called a long distance relationship,” she snapped. “Did you want milk or not?”

Was it just him, or had her cheeks gone two more shades of red? He held her gaze for a blink. “Yeah.”

Cassie grabbed the milk from the fridge, rested it on the counter, and pulled the toaster away from the wall.  

Shane shook his head. “How did you meet him? How long have you two been dating?”

“Well, I met him just as he was preparing to leave, actually. A month before. That was about three years ago.” After dropping two slices of bread in the toaster, she slid the bowl across the counter. And then a spoon. As she turned her gaze toward the window, Cassie’s dark hair spilled over the deep red of her pajama top. And though she stood only a few feet from him, it felt as if she’d somehow drifted oceans away. It took him a minute to look down and take hold of his breakfast.

“Thank you,” he mumbled. But what he really wanted to do was yell. Wake this woman up. It wasn’t enough that she’d been abandoned by her own parents? She had to go find a guy who’d do the same dang thing? He poured sugar without really thinking of the action. He ate that way too, though his appetite was all but gone. The motto was: if you couldn’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. And for the life of him, Shane couldn’t think of one nice thing to say. Not with that jackass of a boyfriend on his brain.

Once he was nearly finished, a few safe words came to mind. “Is Betty going to help you with the dinner tonight?” Shane was prepared to make a crucial phone call if she answered no.

Cassie stood leaning over the sink, water running in a thin stream as she scrubbed at a large potato. “Yeah.”

Shane sighed.

“I’m kind of nervous,” Cassie admitted. “I’ve never cooked for so many people before, but the potato bar – your mother’s idea – was brilliant. They cook themselves.”

Brilliant was right. Over the week, Betty had no doubt discovered just how challenged Cassie was in the kitchen. A smile crept over Shane’s mouth as he eyed Cassie, hovered over the sink, eyes pasted on her work. He heard the guys clomping up the steps and stretched out his arms with a yawn. Best he get going as well.

Just as Shane stood to take his bowl to the sink, Cassie released a small gasp. “Oh my gosh, look at this one.” Her blue eyes were wide with excitement as she held a bent potato in one small hand. “Have you ever seen a potato do that? Grow all … distorted?”

He set his bowl down and took it from her hand. “Used to scrub these things for my mom. I remember the first time I found one like this,” he said, holding it up to the light. “I was so fascinated by the odd shape, I didn’t want anyone to eat it. When I showed it to Betty, she explained what had caused it to grow like that.”

Cassie tilted her head to get a better look. “What was it?”

The large sack of potatoes rested in the sink. Shane reached in and pulled out another. With one in each hand, he pieced the two together, resting the top of the oval-shaped potato inside the nook of the misshapen one. It was like linking pieces from a puzzle – a perfect fit.

Cassie’s hand gripped onto his bicep. “Of course. It grew next to another one.” She sighed dreamily, taking the potatoes from his hands and placing them together as he had. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”

“My mother always thought so. Said if she was a potato growin’ in a barrel with Grant, she’d shape herself right around him too, if it meant staying close.”

“I love that,” Cassie said. Her weight shifted from one foot to the next as she cradled them. The action brought her closer to him. So close he could feel the warmth of her arm against his.

He ran a slow gaze over her heart-shaped face. Dang, she looked good in red. He cleared his throat. “Guess I better get going,” he said. “You need anything before I leave?”

She bit on that plump, bottom lip while considering.

“Something off the high shelf?” he suggested. “A piggy back ride back to bed?”

“That might be nice,” she said, laughing out loud.

“A kiss goodbye?”

The laughing stopped, and he could swear Cassie’s gaze had landed solidly on his mouth. Shane moistened his lips, suddenly hungry for a taste of hers.
How about both,
he thought, but didn’t dare speak it. He had to get out of there. And fast.

Her lids seemed to grow heavy as she gazed at him through thoughtful eyes. If Shane didn’t know better, he’d say Cassie was fighting the same desire burning inside him at that moment.

“You’ve uh, got my cell number, right?” Shane asked, backing out of the kitchen.

A flash of confusion crossed over her face before she nodded. “Yes,” she said. “It’s right there on the phone.”

“Okay. I’ll be sure to keep it with me.” He lifted his hat from the hook along the mudroom door, placing it on his head.

“Have a good day,” Cassie said.

He turned to get one more look, imagining what it would be like to come home to such a woman at the end of each day. “You too, sugar,” he said, and headed out the door.

~+~

Cassie released a dreamy sigh as she read the final page of Ann’s novel. She couldn’t have picked a better spot to finish. Lying on a thick blanket in the backyard beneath an endless sky of blue. Back home, she’d never been so drawn to spending time outdoors, but here, it was different. She could lift her chin to the sun, inhale deep breaths of fresh air, and feel the sunlight soaking into her very soul.

The weather wasn’t exactly warm yet, but with Levis and a sweatshirt, it was just right. While closing the book, Cassie eyed the cover, appreciating the bare chest more than she had before. No wonder it had been Ann’s favorite. Cowboy Conner was everything her friend had said he’d be. Though in Cassie’s mind – it was Shane. Handsome, rugged, all-too-alluring Shane Emerson. He exuded every masculine quality listed in those pages, along with plenty of others to keep her craving that highly coveted, ever-elusive cowboy’s kiss. Still, the guy knew how to keep her guessing. One day he’d be cordial, flirtatious even. The next he’d become ornery and brooding. Even from morning to afternoon his mood would change. Or seem to sour suddenly in mere minutes, for reasons she could hardly guess.

As she eyed the grazing horses in the nearby pasture, thoughts of her morning with Shane filled her mind. When he’d offered to carry her to bed, Cassie had enjoyed his teasing manner. When he’d mentioned the goodbye kiss, she’d nearly melted in a puddle at his boots. How desperately she wanted to tell him yes – she wanted the kiss. Needed it.