Chapter 2

Chapter

Two

Cassie’s hands trembled as she clung to the steering wheel and listened to Presley chatter from her car seat about the ‘beautisul cowboy’ Easton Coleville.

She ground her teeth. Her four-year-old was friendly, but not usually with unknown men because of her fear of her own father.

Why did Presley have to be instantly drawn to the immature, flashy, flirtatious love of Cassie’s life? No, of her youth. She could admit Easton was a beautiful man, breathtaking truly. She wondered about the puckered, red scars she’d glimpsed underneath his hat on his forehead. Could a bull-riding incident have done that? Was he in pain? She longed to touch his scars and kiss away any pain like he used to do for her.

No! He was an accomplished womanizer, no longer committed to Cassie, and the last man she should be drawn to. She and Presley needed stability, loyalty, a safe space, and a man who could take life seriously. Easton Coleville offered none of the above.

Though he did still get her pulse racing. She’d even caught a whiff of that mint, orange, and pine scent. Did he wear the same cologne? She pressed one hand to her heart. One simple look from those mesmerizing blue eyes, a kind word to her daughter, a few charming words from those insincere and tantalizing lips of his, and she was in hot water. Easton was even more enticing at twenty-eight than he’d been at eighteen. Dang him.

The new scars on his forehead only added to his dangerous appeal. She wondered what had happened to him. She wondered about his last six years.

Still riding bulls, risking his life, and living it up with his feminine admirers.

Maybe she really didn’t want to know about his last six years.

She drove to the Lillywhites’ ranch, relaxing a bit as she drove past the welcoming main house and to the small cabin she and Presley were staying in. The cabin was Lily Lillywhite’s, but Lily promised she spent all her time with her fiancé Sheriff Clint Coleville. The two of them were the stuff dreams were made of. If only Cassie could have a Coleville brother of her own.

No! The Coleville brother who’d captured her heart was not a steady, true, loyal cowboy like his brothers. Why did she have to fall for the player, the womanizer?

She and Easton were done, finished, cooked, destroyed—whatever she needed to tell herself to keep her heart safe. She would never have come home to Coleville and risked facing Easton, but her ex-husband Baxter had disregarded the restraining order, gotten inside her house, and had been almost to Presley’s bedroom before the police sirens scared him away.

He’d disappeared that night and then the notes had started coming, threats that he’d killed before and he’d do it again, that he’d murder Cassie and raise Presley up right. He’d gone from the accomplished, wealthy businessman she’d married to completely losing his mind.

The police couldn’t find him. They reopened his grandmother and wife’s tragic death cases, believing the way the once-classy and respected Baxter Churchill was acting showed he wasn’t who they all thought he was. Cassie was terrified that the evidence pointed to him being a murderer. Coleville was the only place she had to escape to.

When Easton had flipped out and punched Baxter six years ago, she’d yelled that she never wanted to see him again. She never had. Except for the one time she’d dared find him at a rodeo and had killed her own heart again. And of course on social media where his womanizing triumphs were displayed continually.

After Easton had stormed away, she’d gotten closer to Baxter. They had become best friends and he had been there for her. She’d thought her distinguished and wealthy boss was a thoughtful, generous, loving, and mourning widower who shared her passion for dream weddings and events. He claimed they were a dream team. When he proposed a year later, she went to find Easton at a rodeo, knowing she had to close the door on her lifelong love. She’d seen him after the rodeo with two women in his arms; one had kissed him while the other begged for her turn.

Heartbroken, Cassie had realized Easton wasn’t the man she’d thought he was. She had returned to Baxter and accepted his proposal. His kindness and patience lasted for about six months after their wedding. By the time the horror started, she was already expecting Presley. She’d tried to stick it out for their child’s sake, but the control and emotional abuse had increased.

The divorce had flipped him out. Thankfully, it wasn’t long after that she was able to catch the threats on camera and get the judge to take away Baxter’s custody rights. Things had escalated from there. She adored her daughter and would do anything to keep Presley safe from her insane father.

When Lily called, explaining their wedding planner was newly pregnant and so sick she had to be on IVs and bed rest, Cassie wondered if it was heavenly intervention. Lily asked her to come stay for the month of December and coordinate her and Clint’s wedding along with Lieutenant Miles Coleville and the famous actress Eva Chevron’s wedding. It was an answer to Cassie’s prayers.

Except for having to face Easton again, and her mother. Luckily, she hadn’t seen her mom yet. She’d have to go visit soon. Maybe seeing Presley would spark some happiness in her mom’s life. Her nieces and nephews hadn’t had a warm reception. Her siblings had given up on forcing a relationship one by one. It was a sad scenario for sure, and instead of proving to the town of Coleville that she was a successful and accomplished wedding planner, Cassie had chosen poorly in her spouse just as her mom had. She had come home as an emotionally battered single mom.

Cassie lifted her chin. Nobody knew that she was broken and running and she would not let herself become bitter. Presley would have a happy and loving mother and childhood. She was still a top wedding planner. She’d knock this double wedding out of the park. Baxter would be caught and imprisoned, and then she and Presley would return to Syracuse, her business, and their home.

As long as Easton didn’t bulldoze his way back into her heart. Watching him play peek-a-boo with Presley had melted spots she’d thought were iced over. To keep her walls up, she’d Google photos of him every night. Seeing him with different women and reaffirming his player status in her mind should keep her strong. He’d morphed into a philandering woman magnet within a week of her telling him off at the wedding. He was an accomplished and experienced player now, nothing like the charming but committed man she’d once loved.

Cassie parked in front of the small cabin and wearily climbed out of the car. She’d barely unbuckled the still-babbling Presley when footsteps approached from the trees.

Whirling to face the threat, she shielded her daughter with her body and wished she knew how to use a weapon. Her heart raced out of control. Could she yell for help? Rose Lillywhite’s husband was a gentle giant, a former Green Beret major, and in charge of security for the ranch. How far away was he or the other guards?

“Cassie?” a lilting voice rang out. “I’m here!”

“Daisy?” She forced the fear away then ran with her daughter in arms to hug her old friend. Daisy was almost eight years younger, the ‘caboose’, but Cassie had been close to all the Lillywhite girls. Their home and the Colevilles’ had been her favorite places to escape to. “I thought you didn’t have a break until the middle of the month.”

“I have to fly back tonight. Thanksgiving break is over and finals are upon me,” she said dramatically. “But I couldn’t miss seeing you before I leave. I’m so happy you could come do the weddings!”

“Me too. I adore Lily, and Christmas weddings are a fun challenge. You can’t ignore Christmas, but you still want it be an ethereal and epic wedding, not a holiday party.”

“You’ll nail it.” Daisy grinned and looked at Presley. “And who is this gorgeous lady?”

“I am Presley Johnston,” Presley said, all adorable and mature. She was only four but had grown up in an adult world.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Presley,” Daisy said.

“Hey!” Presley shouted. “My beautisul cowboy calls me Princess Presley too.”

Daisy’s brows lifted and her unique green and gold eyes filled with a mischievous glint. “What beautiful cowboy?”

Cassie froze; no way was she giving Daisy any fodder. Her friend knew she’d longed for Easton but also knew what a player he was. Daisy had a huge crush on Houston Coleville and had it all planned out to make the man fall for her when Houston moved home after his medical residency and Daisy finished her schooling as a physician’s assistant in Texas.

“Easton Coleville,” Presley called out like a sports announcer. How many times had that name been called in rodeo arenas around the nation as Easton’s adoring fans, most of them female, cheered for him? Cassie’s stomach tightened with irrational jealousy. It made her stomach curdle thinking about the thousands of social media posts she’d seen of him with his strong arm around different women over the years.

“Oh. The plot thickens.” Daisy’s grin became wicked, and Cassie knew she was in trouble. Instead of laying into her for details, Daisy asked, “Will you two come over for dinner? Everyone wants to see you and meet Presley. Mama wants to do a big party before I fly out tonight.”

“Of course.” Cassie had driven in late last night and had only seen Lily so far. It would be great to catch up with all the Lillywhites and talk wedding details with Lily and Mama Ivy, see what the first wedding planner had in the works. They’d need to do video chats with the famous actress Eva Chevron and her mother as well. The times they’d interacted so far, she’d been impressed with how down-to-earth and funny Eva was. “What time?”

“Six.”

“Perfect. Presley can take a nap this afternoon and then we’ll be over.”

“I hate me naps,” Presley protested.

“I know, but we’ll be much happier if you have one.” Cassie retrieved her grocery bag and lifted a hand to Daisy. “I’ll see you in a few hours. I need to unpack and get organized.”

Daisy looked like she might protest, but luckily she just waved back.

Cassie settled Presley down with three stories, a prayer, and five Jesus songs. She unpacked and when Presley woke up, they got ready for dinner and went on a chilly walk to look at some of the ranch before they headed for the main house. All the paths and roads were lit, and she felt safe here knowing Bennett and others were patrolling the property on foot and with cameras. She’d had no indication that Baxter knew where she was, and the detective she’d worked with in Syracuse said they had some good leads and he’d keep in touch while she was in Montana. Thank heavens.

It was impressive what the Lillywhites had accomplished, welcoming refugees and families down on their luck to their ranch. The people were expected to work, but she could imagine this beautiful spot was a great escape for most. It was a great escape for her. Her work would be wedding planning, but she wanted to ask Lily if she and Presley could do chores as well. It would be good for Presley and keep them both busy.

As she approached the main house with Presley’s hand in hers, her daughter chattering away, she saw a couple of trucks parked out front. Lights penetrated the thick trees, and a motor roared their direction. She drew Presley back into the grass. A moment later, a massive silver Ram truck pulled into the circle drive and parked behind the others. Presley cowered into her leg at the loud noise, large truck, and the lights beaming off the pine trees.

It appeared it wouldn’t just be the Lillywhites at dinner. She hoped it wasn’t any of the people from Coleville, like Trudy Everett, who’d gossiped nonstop about her family’s plight when she was in high school. Easton always promised her that everyone saw only the good in her and nobody talked disparagingly about her, but she’d felt those looks and heard the whispers.

The truck’s motor shut off and the front driver side door and rear passenger side door popped open. Two men jumped down, both plopping cowboy hats on their heads. The man coming out of the rear door was closer to where Cassie and Presley stood. She couldn’t see much more than the driver’s shadow for the big truck and bright lights. The cowboy closer to her looked familiar, and her heart started racing. He hurried to shut his door and open the front door, then playfully lifted a smaller, dark-haired lady out of the truck like they were starring in a romantic movie.

“Thank you, mi vaquero guapo ,” the lady said in a lovely accented voice.

Cassie was going to be sick. Easton had brought a woman to this dinner? She needed to disappear.

The man turned with his arm around the lady and Cassie glimpsed none other than Easton’s twin. “Walker,” she breathed out, relieved it wasn’t Easton with the gorgeous lady and delighted to see Walker. He, Rhett, and Houston had been her favorite guys throughout high school, besides Easton.

Walker and the lady’s eyes darted to her and Presley standing in the shadows. “Cassie,” Walker said warmly, ushering his lady friend toward them.

“Cassie?” the woman cried out, her gaze darting from Cassie to Walker and back again. “ The Cassie?”

Oh, no. How did Walker’s girlfriend know her name?

Walker nodded.

“ Oy !” the lady exclaimed. “ Es muy perfecto . I’m Marci, dear friend, and I’m so thrilled you’re here,” she said, clapping her hands together and then turning to Walker and kissing him.

Cassie looked away from their moment as Presley giggled. “They’re kissing.”

The driver came around the front of the truck, his gaze zeroing in on Cassie.

“Easton Coleville!” Presley cried out, darting at him.

Oh, no. This had the making of a disaster. Presley’s nightmare of a father had made her cautious around men, but not Easton apparently. He’d won her heart with a few kind words, his devastating smile, and peek-a-boo. No woman but her could resist him. Not even her daughter.

“Princess Presley. This is lit!” Easton scooped Presley off the ground, tossed her easily into the air, and then caught her in his arms as she laughed.

“The plot thickens,” Marci said dramatically.

Easton gave Marci a warning look of sorts. She pretended to button her lips, but then she turned to Cassie and immediately started talking. “Cassie Johnston. I’ve wanted to meet you for the longest time. Tu eres muy bella .”

Easton’s gaze was warm yet wary as her daughter clung to his neck, oblivious to the undertone.

“How do you know who I am?” Cassie asked, her pulse quickening. Had Easton been talking about her with Walker’s girlfriend or wife? She really should’ve kept up on some of the Coleville Montana gossip, but she’d asked Daisy, Rose, and Lily shortly after Easton had stormed away at the wedding and blocked her number to please not tell her anything about home and to not tell anyone but their mama about her.

“You’re the new wedding planner. Here to save the day, no?” Marci beamed at her even as Cassie’s hopes plummeted. That was silly. She had no hopes regarding Easton Coleville. He wasn’t even paying her any attention. He was dancing with Presley, singing her a country song, spinning circles and dipping her down low.

Singing her a country song. Cassie’s heart raced. Did Easton sing for every girl now? It had been their special thing. Or so she had thought. Now she feared nothing had been special about her and Easton. Still, watching him sing and dance with Presley was the most endearing thing Cassie had ever seen.

How was she going to stay strong and resist him?