Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) (26 page)

She imagined the same must apply to their emotional scars as well. They too, would require time to heal and fade.

“I’m hoping the exterminator can come tomorrow,” Cassie mused aloud, stepping back to observe her work.

“Me too.” Shane shook his head. “Here I’ve been worrying about the Lawson brothers this whole time, thinking that if  we can keep you safe from them we’re home free.” His eyes narrowed into an aimless glare. “Only to find out we had some sick, messed-up kid – one set on hurting you – living right below us. Was a good thing Randy found that journal,” he said. “It’ll pretty much tell the court whatever disturbing facts they need to know about Reynold Baxter – quiet drifter, puzzled loner, and threat to any woman out there.”

Cassie sighed, nodding wordlessly.

“Come to think of it,” Shane said, “I’m starting to wonder if something
is
wrong with you.”

She scowled at him. “What do you mean?”

A smile came to his lips, reaching that dimple in his cheek. “I mean, who in tarnation has people out to hurt them every darned place they go? It’s like you attract this kind of thing.” He chuckled, full and hearty, covering a sore spot over his gut as he did.

Cassie grabbed the washcloth from the counter and tossed it at him, giggling when it hit him square in the face.

“Think that’s funny, do you?” he asked, coming to a stand before her.

She smiled. “Yep.”

“Well, I’d get you back, but seeing that you’re wearing my favorite shirt and all, it’ll have to wait.”

Cassie’s face flushed warm. Even as Shane had helped dress her wounds, he hadn’t mentioned the shirt. Of course, she’d managed to pull on a pair of jeans before help arrived, but there was no way she’d go back into that room tonight. She eyed the tear in his shirt, the blood stain surrounding it. “Is this really your favorite shirt?”

Shane shrugged. “You pick out any of those shirts hanging in my closet, drape it over that body of yours, and it’ll be my new favorite.” He gave her a wink. “Just like that.”

Shane strode past her and into his bedroom, leaving the door open wide. Cassie gathered up smooth band aid tabs, wet cotton swabs, and hung the washcloth to dry. Before flipping off the light, she eyed the wadded towels beneath her door, praying it would keep the horrible spider away.

“I wonder if we should put towels under this door too,” Cassie said, stepping into Shane’s room.

He had his shirt off, wearing only a pair of loose-fitting boxers. She raised her brows as she eyed him questioningly.

“They’re shorts,” Shane said in response. “And no, I don’t think we need to barricade this door too.”

Cassie glanced over his closet. “Any preference before I choose?” she asked, looking for another familiar shirt.

“Just one that buttons down the front like that one does. Dang, that looks sexy on you.”

She hid a smile, tugging a light blue shirt off the hanger, and headed back to the bathroom to change. When she came back out, the hem of his shirt reaching the middle of her thighs, Shane was already planted firmly on the floor. His head rested on a pillow, while a blanket covered the lower half of his body. His bare chest, tanned, toned, and distracting, taunted her as she made her way to the lamp.

The sheets felt like cool silk as she slid into his bed. She imagined the spider once more, remembering what Reynold had said about it hating to climb. “You know,” she said. “If you wanted to sleep up here too, I’m sure we could behave. I’ve got nothing but sleep on my mind right now.” Okay, so maybe that was a lie, but she’d meant the other part; they could behave if it meant keeping him and his perfectly handsome face off the floor where the spider might get him.

Shane sat up, lifting his brows as their eyes met. “Nothing but sleep?”

She nodded. “Mmm, hmm.”

His eyes ran a slow gaze over her face before wandering slowly down the length of her, scanning the bed as if the covers were see-through. “Think I better keep here. You may have nothing but sleep on
your
mind, but if I slipped beneath those covers with you, that’d be the last thing on earth that would come  to mine.” And with that, he rested his head on the pillow once more. “Night, Cassie.”

Cassie reached over to flick off the light, a smile pasted on her lips. “Goodnight.”

~+~

Cassie pulled open the oven door and rejoiced with a triumphant cheer. Finally – a successful batch of home-baked bread! Her prior attempts had proven to be an utter disaster – the flat, hardened loaves more like bricks than bread. She shook her head, recalling Randy’s remark to Shane the other day after dinner. “Cassie sure is a fine woman,” he’d said, “but that girl don’t know crap from Crisco.” The comment earned Randy a well-deserved slug in the arm from Shane. Not to mention a scorching glare from Cassie. This batch was sure to shut him up.

The heat grazed her skin as she bent down to retrieve the loaves. Using a set of worn, crocheted hot pads, Cassie removed each pan, a wide smile on her face. Golden bread – rounded, light, and lovely – lay perfectly in each one. The aroma was amazing. She couldn’t wait to spread butter on a warm, thick slice and eat it while reading the rest of her novel.

Cassie had earned a bit of downtime after such a productive day. She’d weeded her thriving garden, scrubbed the kitchen floor, and even managed to make Betty’s famous crock-pot stew (hopefully Cassie’s wouldn’t take on an infamous title of its own). She planned to share it with the ranch hands, but only if it turned out as it should.  There’d be no more jokes at her expense.

While the loaves cooled, Cassie wiped down the counter, glancing out at the horses in the pasture. Shane had taken the truck today and left Drake home to roam with Shay. The two ran circles within the gated area, seeming to enjoy one another’s company. Perhaps they were in love.

A sigh slipped from her lips as she considered something she hadn’t before. Here at Emerson Ranch, Cassie was surrounded by lovers. Betty and Grant, Blake and Reese, Gavin and Jade. She laughed as she walked toward the sliding glass, eyeing the horses once more. Now she could add Drake and Shay to the list.

Cassie’s attention remained on the magnificent creatures beyond the yard until something caught her eye. The hot tub. At once the images of her and Shane’s blessed moments beyond the glass door filled her mind. Almost two weeks had passed since then. And though that very day had been marred by the terrifying events of the night, Cassie’s memory of those moments remained pure and untainted. She held them safe in a cherished place in her heart, often musing on them when recollections of Reynold invaded her thoughts.

With modest success, Cassie had managed to apply her approach of ‘letting go’ to the horrific evening; to not let the incident cripple her with fear, or the sheer panic that erupted from all the ‘what ifs’. What if Shane hadn’t come home in time? What if he’d have shot the kid and ended up in prison over simply trying to protect her? Or at very least become haunted by the knowledge that he’d ended the life of one so young.

Those very ideas had tormented Cassie for two days straight – until she made a conscious effort to leave it behind. Still, Shane hadn’t kissed her since their moment against the very pane of glass she stood before. Throughout her stay, Shane Emerson had maintained the perfect combination of gentleman and rogue; she hoped the rogue wasn’t gone for good.

She squinted her eyes, looking for any signs of Shane’s prints on the glass, but stopped when she remembered his hands were on her and nowhere else. Firm on her hips while he kissed her with more passion than she could fathom. It was enough to have Cassie wondering – even at the memory – if perhaps Shane really did love her.

On more than one occasion, Cassie had thought it might be helpful to talk things out with Reese or Jade. Other times she considered speaking with Betty. Confiding in the woman about her feelings for Shane. And if nothing else, having a good cry over the fact that he did not love her in return. The idea lingered in her mind – maybe Betty knew her son better than anyone. Maybe his mother would tell her something she longed to hear. That Shane had, indeed, fallen in love with her after all.

Before she had a chance to get a hold of them, Cassie’s hopes soared toward the blue Montana sky, taking her spirits along with them. Shane’s impassioned kiss, his gentle touch. His thoughtful actions and protective way. They could add up to love, couldn’t they? What if she was missing the truth of it all along?

In less than a minute, Cassie had a loaf of bread within her grip. She would take a pan to Betty and Grant, thank Shane’s mother for her patience in teaching her how to get it right, and then stay for a while. Perhaps strike up a conversation about that amazingly wonderful, everything-Cassie-could-want-in-a-man son of hers. See where it went from there.

The sun shone bright as she stepped onto the porch. The moment felt like something straight from a fairytale. The slightest hint of wind blew; scents of honey and pollen, thick on the fragrant breeze. Green leaves were taking shape on the nearby oak tree, offering new life to the yellowed land Cassie had come to love. Birds chirped from within its branches, the small sounds making her picture a delicate nest filled with scrawny birds and yellow beaks.

Before taking the stairs, Cassie paused to inhale the delicious smelling bread once more, reveling in the joy of her success. She made it down two creaking steps before she saw someone coming down the dirt road. A red, sporty convertible she didn’t recognize. And though she hadn’t thought of the Lawson case in days, Cassie pictured the face of the man who’d been on trial – the one she helped put away for his savage crimes. Her heart slowed a bit as she saw the person behind the wheel was a woman. A woman she recognized – Natasha!

What was
she
doing there? Cassie breathed a small sigh of relief that Shane wasn’t home. She was even more glad of the fact as she watched the woman exit the vehicle. Tight denim covered her stick-straight legs while a small, plaid shirt – tied just beneath her breasts – revealed parts of her tanned, tiny torso. Of course she hadn’t forgotten the cowboy boots. Hers were pointed like a witch’s shoe at the toe, and the heal looked a bit like the stilettos she wore the other week in church. In her hands, Shane’s ex-girlfriend held a pie. Cassie could swear she saw steam wafting from the golden brown creation.

“Hi, Cassandra,” Natasha said as she approached.

Cassandra?
Cassie gave her a sideways glance. “Hi.”

“I’m guessing Shane hasn’t come back for lunch yet. You expecting him anytime soon?”

“Oh, I’m afraid not,” Cassie returned, putting a little pout into her own voice. “I packed him and the ranch hands a nice lunch. They’re doing vaccinations today, and they don’t have a minute to spare.”

The beauty tilted her head, reaching for one of the braids dangling at either side. She twisted the dark strands around her finger. “Hmm. He had all sorts of time to spare for me,” she murmured.

Cassie nearly gasped aloud. “Well, sorry you missed him. I’m just heading over to Betty and Grant’s now. You’re welcome to leave that here, if that’s why you came.” She eyed the pie in her hands pointedly.

The woman looked at her for a blink, thoughtful. “Well, I just came from Betty’s. My pies are famous around here. Grant’s favorite is raspberry, so I took one of those to him, and brought an apple pie for Shane Bear, since that’s
his
favorite.”

“Shane Bear?’” Cassie was livid.

Natasha craned her neck forward, far over the pie. Her skinny form mimicking one of the baby birds Cassie had imagined only moments ago. “I know this game, Cassandra,” she said in a sneering whisper, “so you don’t have to put on an act for me. I know exactly how Reese snagged Blake, and I saw the way Jade snatched up Gavin. Others might believe you’re married and in love, but I, for one, know why you’re really here.”

Natasha straightened up proudly, her eyes spitting venomous flames. “So, how about this. Why don’t I take whatever that is you’re holding to Betty and Grant’s, and you can take this apple pie on into the house and leave it just like this until Shane gets home.” She took two steps closer and smiled. “He always said my pies put him under a spell, and I’m looking forward to the affects of it already.”

Cassie gulped down the lump forming in her throat. She couldn’t remember disliking a person so much in all her life. “I don’t need you to take this bread over to Betty for me,” she said. “I can do that myself.” Cassie set the loaf onto the thick frame of the banister and walked toward Natasha. “But I’d be happy to give Shane your infamous apple pie.”

“Famous,” Natasha corrected, extending her arms.

Cassie scowled down at the pie. One-inch strips of crisped-to-perfection crust weaved a seamless pattern over the top. “I’ll make sure he gets it.” She spun on one heel and headed for the steps. “And Natasha,” Cassie added. “You don’t have to worry about me cutting into this while he’s gone. I hate apple pie.” She made it to the steps before Natasha replied.

“You know, I bet you are a breath of fresh air.”

Cassie paused, one foot resting on the bottom step. “How so?”

“Oh, it’s just that I used to drive Shane crazy with all my diets and restrictions. Things I would eat, stuff I wouldn’t.” She laughed wickedly. “You probably eat everything he does, matching his appetite and all.”

Cassie knew she wasn’t overweight like the beast implied, but she couldn’t help but feel the sting of her comment. “You’re right,” Cassie said. “Shane says that, compared to you, I am a breath of the freshest air he’s ever had.”

“We’ll see about that,” Natasha hissed.

Cassie could not help it. Couldn’t in all the world stop herself from doing exactly what came to mind. The pie in her hands went from face up to face down as fast as Cassie’s hands could flip it. And from there, the thing splattered onto the wood-slatted porch with a sound Cassie would have paid to hear over and over again. 

She found it in herself to gasp out loud, though it was marred with the laughter bubbling inside her.