Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Easton was grateful at least Presley was on his side. He was the one who should have a chip the size of Texas on his shoulder, but Cassie was acting like she did.

He was stunned that he’d sung to Presley. Cassie had stolen his songs six years ago when she dumped him. Were they back in his heart? Was she? He knew she’d never really left his heart even if she’d left him.

When they got inside and he took his hat off, Cassie’s eyes flicked to the scars and then away. Did she hate them like he did?

The dinner was loud, with some of his family and the Lillywhites gathered either around their large dining room table or a couple temporary tables set up in the kitchen. He was able to stay by Cassie’s side and of course impress her with his rizz but wasn’t able to get her alone to talk things out.

After she had shot him down outside the store, he’d told himself he wasn’t going to fall for her again, but all his resolve had gone out the window the moment those teal-blue eyes met his. She was the woman he was meant to be with; he’d known it since he was sixteen. Why didn’t she seem to agree? He turned on the charm, but only Presley appeared to be glazed by him.

His mama and Mama Ivy had both warmly welcomed Cassie and Presley and now the best moms on earth were sitting close together and watching him and Cassie like mother hens. He focused on Presley. She’d only left his arms to eat her dinner and dessert but now she was back, cuddled against his chest, her head in the crook of his neck.

He’d never thought much about being a father, but this little princess made him instantly long for the title. She was hilarious and smart and obviously smitten with him, which no cap only proved her superior intellect at such a young age. If only her mother would join their bussin’ party.

“I need to get Presley in bed,” Cassie announced, glancing over at Presley cuddled in his arms. Her cheeks turned pink and her teal-blue eyes warmed.

“Not tired,” Presley protested.

“You look tired,” Cassie told her, gesturing with her chin to Presley’s position in Easton’s arms. “And it’s bedtime.”

“No.” The little girl buried her face in Easton’s shirt. “Me stay with Easton.”

Easton grinned but wiped it away quickly when he saw Cassie’s eyes narrow. He stood and told her, “I’ll carry her over to Lily’s for you.”

Cassie’s mouth dropped open as if she’d protest, but Easton turned to Mama Ivy, ignoring his families’ interested gazes.

“Thank you for dinner, Mama Ivy. This little one is worn out.” He liked this feeling of … responsibility. He’d never really tried it much before. He’d only worried ab out himself, his immediate family, bull riding, firefighting, and protection details for the past six years, but taking care of Presley felt natural and rewarding.

“Not tired,” Presley insisted.

Cassie was at his elbow, brushing against him. Fire lit inside him at the simple touch. Would she slap him if he wrapped her up tight?

“Come on now, sweetie. Come to Mama.” She held out her arms.

“No.” Presley burrowed into Easton and looked up at him. Those teal-blue eyes touched his heart. “Me stay with you.”

“I’ll carry you home and sing you some songs,” he offered, knowing she couldn’t stay with him, even if Cassie approved, which she didn’t. His Papa and Mama exchanged a look.

The little girl sighed heavily. “Otay.”

“Appreciate you all,” Easton said to the group in general, nodding to his mama and Mama Ivy.

“Thank you,” Cassie said.

Everyone around the table was watching them with speculation in their eyes. He was going to catch flak from Walker and Clint later. They would be concerned about him getting hurt again. He didn’t care what they said. They had their perfect women on their arms. It was his turn. If he could get Cassie to stop acting like he’d scalped her kitten.

“Of course, my dears,” Mama Ivy said. “Goodnight.”

“Night,” Easton and Cassie said together. Like a couple. Like they should be. Everybody echoed the goodnights.

Easton kept Presley cuddled in one arm and rested his other hand on Cassie’s lower back, escorting her out of the living area and to the front entry. He could only imagine how this looked to his family and the Lillywhites. He savored the feeling of being a family … with Cassie and Presley. Unfortunately, it wasn’t true. He and Cassie had no relationship any longer. He was ready to forgive and forget, accept her apologies and her glazing of him, resurrect the love they’d shared, and savor a lot more with her. Was Cassie even interested in him any longer?

He helped Presley into her coat and slung his own flannel and hat on. Cassie had her coat on. He held the door for her. She mumbled her thanks and they walked out into the stinging night air. He felt alive and on top of the world as he shut the door and then wrapped his left arm around Cassie as sweet Presley cuddled into the crook of his right arm.

Cassie stiffened instead of melting into him like he’d hoped.

“You don’t need to hold me too,” she snipped at him, hurrying down the porch steps.

Her words bit colder than the night air and were not refreshing at all. He followed her down the porch steps.

“Mama, why’s you mad?” Presley asked, lifting her head to stare at her mother.

“I’m not, sweetie,” Cassie hastened to say. “Just tired.”

“I not tired,” Presley said, laying her head on Easton’s shoulder again.

“You look very awake, Princess,” he teased, cradling her in both arms like an infant.

“I only resting cause you’re big and strong and can carry me.” She blinked her long-lashed eyes at him.

Easton was officially smitten. With a four-year-old. “That I can, Princess Presley, with all my brawny rizz.” He shifted her to his left arm, flexed his right, and sang to her, “‘Have you heard about the big strong man, he lived in a caravan?’”

Presley laughed and he even heard a chortle from Cassie. He grinned. He loved being with them and was stoked his songs were back. All of this coming together had to be a sign from his Father above.

They fell into step and walked along the snow-covered road and through the trees to Lily’s cabin. A small animal rustled through the trees to their right. Cassie jumped and bumped into him.

Easton quickly wrapped her up in his free arm. “You all right there, sweetheart?”

She cuddled into him and his heart took flight. Right here on this path he was the king of the world and had everything he needed in his arms.

“It scared me,” she admitted. Then she shrugged out of his arm and plowed ahead on the trail, fleeing from their perfect moment.

“Mama needs a bed, not me,” Presley said tartly.

Easton chuckled at that and got a dagger-sharp glare from Cassie. “Salty,” he murmured, arching his eyebrows at Presley. She grinned back at him.

They cleared the trees and walked to Lily and Daisy’s little cabin and up onto the front porch. Cassie punched in the numbers on the dead bolt and turned the lock. Clint had the keyless deadbolt installed when Lily insisted she needed to live at her own place after their fake engagement stint when Clint protected Lily from a murderer and they fell in love.

Easton caught and held the door. Cassie murmured her thanks. She walked in and turned on a light. He shut the door behind them and asked, “Where should I sing this princess her gucci songs?”

“Just a minute,” Presley called out. “I gots to pee and brush me teeth.” She squirmed and he set her on the ground. She darted toward the bathroom between the two bedrooms .

Cassie looked caught. She stared at him and then away. Easton couldn’t think of a time when they’d dated that things had been uncomfortable between them. They were definitely uncomfortable now. The air felt tight, stretched, and he didn’t know how to make it better. That was rare for him too.

Was true love supposed to hurt this deep? It sure had, for six awful years.

“I’ll … go help her.” Cassie rushed after her daughter, closing the bathroom door behind them.

Easton took his hat off, wondering what she thought of his puckered, ugly scars. He knocked the hat against his hand a few times before he set it on the table and ruffled his hair. What was he doing here? Cassie had destroyed him and was being prickly as a porcupine. He wasn’t just letting down his guard; he was trying to plow his way into their lives and their hearts. It was frustrating that she acted like he’d wronged her instead of the other way around.

He shifted his weight and prayed for insight, ignoring his phone buzzing in his pocket. Which of his brothers was wanting details or trying to save him from himself? Marci had been in full approval when he’d told her on the way over about Cassie and Presley. Walker had wanted to support him but was worried he’d get shattered again. Only Walker had been privy to Easton’s pain.

The bathroom door opened, and Cassie and Presley’s beautiful faces appeared. Cassie looked cautious and uncomfortable. Presley looked lit up and happy. The four-year-old ran to him, jumping with her skinny arms outstretched.

Easton easily caught her and lifted her up into his arms. All was right in the world. Or would be if Cassie would run at him and jump.

“That slaps, Princess Presley. Are you low-key ready for your songs?”

“Yes sir,” Presley called out.

He looked to Cassie. She sighed and pointed to the left. “We’re staying in Daisy’s room.”

Easton nodded and carried Presley into the bedroom. Cassie hurried around him and skirted the queen-size bed. She pulled down the covers.

“I get to sleep with Mama,” Presley cheered.

“Lucky,” he muttered.

Cassie shot him an incredulous look.

“Am I cappin’?” he asked, knowing he was wrong to tease about sleeping with her. He would never sleep with a woman unless he was married to her.

“Easton, please.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know what capping means.”

He smiled. “Lying. It’s not a lie that if we were married …” He pumped his eyebrows.

Cassie’s eyes widened.

Presley looked at him. “You marry my mama?”

“You two stop,” Cassie commanded before he could respond that he’d happily marry her mama.

Then it hit him like Walker’s fists when they sparred. He’d never slept with a woman, never been married, but she’d slept with a man. Her husband. Presley’s father. His stomach turned over and he was suddenly afraid he’d spew.

He strode around the bed to cover his reaction and laid Presley down. She looked so teeny in the big bed. He smiled at her and pulled the sheet and soft quilt over her small frame.

“Prayers and songs, please,” she requested, beaming up at him .

He looked to Cassie. She nodded, her face much softer now. She kneeled next to the bed and glanced up at him. His heart missed a beat. Could this happen? Him and Cassie? Adjusting to the fact she had a daughter was no stress for him. He was falling for Presley, in a different way than he’d fallen for her mother but just as hard.

Could he forgive Cassie for cheating on him and completely moving on? He thought he could. He kneeled next to her on the hard floor. Presley pushed out of the covers, kneeled on the bed, and extended a hand to each of them. Easton wrapped his hand around her tiny fingers, marveling at how small they felt in his.

“Mama. Easton. You have to hold.” Presley looked to where they weren’t completing the circle.

Easton lifted his hand and offered it to Cassie. She looked at his hand and then at his face and then at his hand.

“It doesn’t hurt, Mama,” Presley said.

Cassie forced a smile and then settled her palm against his. Easton should’ve exercised some restraint—she hadn’t wanted to even hold his hand—but he wrapped his fingers around her smaller hand, marveling at how perfect it felt within his.

“I pray.” Presley launched into a prayer blessing some people he didn’t know and some he did. It was heart-warming when she blessed him. She blessed they could sleep without ‘mean dad’ finding them. Easton’s heart thudded uncomfortably in his chest as Cassie stiffened beside him. Was her ex-husband grumpy, or even abusive? Was that why she’d finally come home? Were the weddings just an excuse?

The little girl said amen and they echoed it. Cassie quickly pulled her hand free.

Presley reached out and touched the scars on Easton’s forehead. “What happened to your face? I thought cowboy princes were perfect.”

Easton felt the sting. He used to be perfect. Did Cassie think he was less than ideal because of the scars? He hated them but always covered the humiliation with cockiness.

“Presley,” Cassie scolded.

“It’s all right, Princess Presley. I was burned protecting a famous person.” He pushed out his chest. “I’m no cap brilliant like that.”

“You are still my perfect prince,” Presley declared.

“Don’t I know it.” He winked, feeling warm all over at Presley’s words.

Sadly, only Presley laughed at his posturing.

Cassie stood and he followed suit. She tucked Presley back into bed and turned off the light. The room was only lit by the light out in the main area. Questions surged through him, but it was peaceful and intimate in this bedroom with Cassie and her adorable daughter.

“Sing,” Presley demanded.

“Please,” Cassie reminded her.

“Sing, please.”

Easton smiled. Straightening away from the bed, he leaned against the wall and started singing in a low voice, “‘Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates …’”

Presley giggled as he sang all the verses he could remember of the song from junior Sunday school years ago.

Cassie watched him with a soft smile but didn’t move or say anything. He sang through a couple more funny gospel songs and then segued into “I’m Trying to be Like Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art”. Presley fell asleep on the third verse of the latter .

He let his voice trail off and tilted his head to Cassie. She nodded and he felt his anticipation ramp up. Finally alone with Cassie after years of longing for her. He wanted some answers, wanted to hold her close, and an apology wouldn’t be out of order.

The way she’d acted, none of the above might happen for him, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying. She was finally back. That had to mean they had a chance. It had to.