Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

The next two weeks passed far too quickly as Cassie focused on wedding details, met with Lily, Clint, Mama Ivy, and Mama Millie in person and Miles and Eva Chevron and Eva’s mother on video chats.

She wasn’t sure what Easton had told Bennett or Clint, but she noticed far too many security guys around the ranch and sheriff’s guys around town keeping an eye on her. Grateful wasn’t enough to describe how that felt. She’d been terrified of Baxter hurting Presley for so many years. She felt safe and as if Easton had known exactly what she needed.

She saw Easton far too much for her susceptible heart. He stayed true to his word and checked on them regularly. Presley was completely gone over him, but Cassie tried to stay strong. He was as funny, charming, and determined as she remembered. He took every opportunity to give her smoldering looks, tease her, take her hand, brush her arm, and worst of all, sing a line or two to her .

He was completely overwhelming her resistance, but she had to stay strong.

The second Sunday they were home, Cassie sat with the Lillywhite family at church. She tried diligently to listen to Pastor Heath’s sermon, or notice the church’s Christmas decorations and what she’d change for the weddings, while Easton sat two rows in front of them. He kept glancing back with a yearning in his blue eyes that set her heart racing.

Presley had slid onto the floor and was playing with her Polly Pocket dolls, changing their clothes and their hair, whispering conversations.

Pastor Heath said something about forgiving and loving your neighbor. Easton looked back at her, pointed to himself, and mouthed, ‘That means me.’ Her jaw dropped. The gall that man possessed. Did he even know how deep his transgressions were? She could forgive him as a Christian, but that didn’t mean she would let her guard down, love him, and get her heart broken all over again—and Presley’s as well.

Looking down to check on a too-quiet Presley, she startled realizing her daughter was gone. She bent down low and could just see Presley’s pink dress and little gray boots disappearing two rows in front of them.

She straightened, her stomach tumbling as she saw Easton lift Presley onto his lap. Her daughter framed his face with her tiny hands and exclaimed, “I found you, my Easton.”

Many in the congregation chuckled and focused on the pair. Cassie didn’t blame them. Easton was devastatingly handsome in his button-down shirt and tie, and Presley was adorable and looked miniscule in his arms. No hat in church. The scars didn’t detract from his appeal. They added a depth she wanted him to have .

Far too many in the congregation glanced back at her. She sat there with her cheeks burning and her back ramrod straight. The rumor mill would be going insane now. She could just imagine what they’d be saying: The long-lost lovers reunite though the precocious daughter, or Easton Coleville charms his way into Cassie Johnston’s heart … again . That shouldn’t be newsworthy. He charmed every female.

Easton was whispering something in Presley’s ear. She grinned and cuddled into him.

Miraculously, Presley hardly moved the rest of the sermon. What was it about Easton’s arms that settled her busy daughter down? Cassie remembered settling down in those arms too. Easton would tease her and she’d get feisty. He’d pull her close and she couldn’t resist him. He’d call her his ‘sweet but sassy Cass’. Or she’d see a spot of blood and he’d hold her up and make every pain go away, heal her with his kiss.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the pair.

When the last song ended and the prayer was given, she sprang to her feet. Rose Lillywhite Mason stood at her side and leaned in. “That is adorable.” She pointed to where Easton stood, cradling Presley in his arms and focusing on her daughter as Presley chattered.

“It is,” she admitted.

Rose grabbed her hands. Her dark eyes lit up. “Bennett told me Easton is gone over you and tasked him to keep you safe when he can’t be there. Are you getting back together?”

Cassie focused on her friend, wishing she could say yes. There were too many reasons to say no. She let her gaze stray back to Easton and her daughter. It was a mistake, or maybe a blessing in disguise. Within the few seconds she’d focused on Rose, young ladies from the congregation had formed a knot around Easton and Presley, who were now in the aisle. Her eyes narrowed as Easton preened for his crowd of admirers and Presley soaked up the attention as well. How dare he use her daughter to get attention from a flock of women?

“No,” she bit at Rose, pulling her hands free. “We are absolutely not getting back together.”

“Oh.” Rose sounded disappointed. “I apologize.”

Cassie looked back at her friend. “It’s not on you. Pardon me.” She eased past Rose, her giant of a husband Bennett, and their two adopted sons Jack and Ty.

Finally in the aisle, she stormed to the circle of young women vying for Easton’s attention. Right next to Easton, cooing at him and Presley, was none other than the she-devil Trudy Everett. She’d disliked Trudy since high school when the girl had tried to steal Easton and made fun of Cassie.

“Excuse me,” she said loudly. “I need to retrieve my daughter.”

The circle somewhat parted. She shoved her way in and stopped in front of Easton. He gave her a look of longing that made her cells swirl with heat. She ignored her silly response and his blue eyes.

“Look at the bedraggled cat returning with loads of baggage,” Trudy said in a whisper to her friend. It carried.

Cassie’s spine stiffened. She wanted to cuss the woman. Her angelic Presley was not baggage . Ooh, she despised that woman.

“Trudy.” Easton’s voice was low, dangerous, and a warning.

The woman stiffened and looked away.

Trying to take the higher road since they were in church, Cassie said evenly, “Presley, we need to go.”

“No go, Mama. Me love my Easton.”

Cassie gritted her teeth as Easton grinned and his feminine admirers cooed and giggled. She didn’t want to go for stern demands at the moment. Bribery it was. “I’m making pancakes with butter syrup for brunch, but only if we leave right now.”

Presley thankfully leaped into her arms. “I love me butter syrup and my mama,” she exclaimed, hugging Cassie around the neck.

“Bribery,” Easton complained. “You’re low-key snatching my Presley.”

Cassie gave him a sassy look that she hadn’t used on anyone since him. “Don’t mess with the mama.”

He chuckled low and deep. “Oh, I plan on ‘messing with the Mama’.”

Cassie sucked in a breath, as did most of his flock of girls. What did he mean by that? He planned on giving her a hard time, breaking her heart, singing to her, or following through with his enticing words of ‘hold that thought’ when he’d almost kissed her that first night?

“Easton Coleville.” Pastor Heath placed a hand on Easton’s shoulder. “Do you have a moment?”

“Of course, Pastor Heath. Anything for my favorite almost-exalted brother.” Easton gave Pastor Heath his winning smile and his admirers sighed.

Easton turned with the pastor but gave Cassie a look over his shoulder. “Don’t leave without me, beautiful.”

“Watch me.”

He smirked at her, winked, and strutted away with the pastor.

She watched him go. Along with all his groupies.

The women all turned to her as a group.

Cassie managed a smile, not looking at Trudy. “Excuse us.”

“You keep your paws off of Easton,” Trudy flung at her. The rest of the girls, besides Trudy’s friend Sally, all edged away from her, looking embarrassed.

“You don’t have to worry about me going after Easton, Trudy Everett. He and I are past history. Maybe you should worry about the fact that you’ve been pining over him since we were teenagers and he’s never looked twice at you.”

“Oh, he’s looked twice at me. We get a weekly make out session in.” Trudy looked smug.

Cassie wanted to hurl. She was sixty percent certain the woman was lying, but the forty percent worried her.

“You’re gross,” Presley said to Trudy. “You stay away from my Easton.”

Trudy blinked at her daughter, clearly not sure if she dared fling insults at a four-year-old.

Cassie took that as an opportunity to go. She spun and hurried down the aisle. The faster she got out of here, the better. Trudy Everett made her blood boil. Would Easton really make out with such a catty brat? Most likely. He probably kissed every woman who looked his direction. Ugh.

Thank heavens for the pastor’s interruption. She hoped he gave Easton the what-for. Maybe he’d overheard Easton’s last line and thought it was too suggestive. Maybe he was going to assign Easton to deep-clean the church’s restrooms and humble the handsome charmer a bit. Sadly for her, she was drawn to his cocky confidence, just like every other woman in the world.

Cassie walked into the frigid December late morning. She greeted some old friends and introduced Presley, anxious to get her daughter in the car and get out of here before Easton could emerge from his meeting. Why was he so intent on bothering her when he had a gaggle of interested females just waiting for him ?

Finally, Presley had reminded her of the butter syrup enough times that she could make their excuses and head for Lily’s cabin. They’d have it to themselves. She could make pancakes and syrup. They could eat, read stories, and maybe take a Sunday nap. It would be blissful to relax with her daughter, and not think about Easton for one blasted moment.

She buckled Presley into her car seat, straightened out of the car, and ran into the chest of one Easton Coleville.

“There’s my sweet but sassy Cass,” he said smoothly. Then he grinned and sang, “‘Slow down, you’re moving too fast.’”

Cassie’s resistance almost crumbled. He was everything she’d ever wanted.

“Did someone say something about pancakes and butter syrup?” he asked.

“I … you … No!” She placed her hands on his chest and tried to shove him away, but he was like a brick wall.

“Easton!” Presley called from the car.

He smirked at Cassie and then bent past her. “Can I come for pancakes?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Presley clapped her hands together.

“Oh, my, goodness,” Cassie hissed.

“I’ll see you soon, Princess.” Easton straightened out of the car, wrapped his large, warm, tingly palms around Cassie’s hips, gently eased her away from the door, and then shut it. He directed her back against the car, his hands still framing her hips and waistline. “Is it all right if I come for pancakes?” he asked softly, his gaze dropping to her lips and then raising to meet hers again.

Cassie’s body filled with heat despite the cold winter air. “Like I could say no now and break my daughter’s heart.”

“Great point. You are an incredible mom, Cassie.”

“And you use that against me,” she shot at him, angry at her body’s longing for him and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

“I find I have to use every tool in my arsenal to get close to you.”

“Unlike all the other women who melt in your arms.”

He smirked at that. “Don’t worry. You’re worth the extra work.”

Cassie pushed at him to try and open her own door. He smoothly pulled it open, but she couldn’t squeeze past him. He had her pinned against the door, and he bent until their breath intermingled. His blue gaze held her captive. “Have you been holding that thought for me?” he asked in a husky voice that shot quivers of yearning through her.

She had no response but to pant for air and wish he would just kiss her already.

“Maybe you can share it with me soon.” His eyes twinkled as he stepped back and held the door for her.

Cassie slid into the seat, panting for air, and wondered how she’d get through the now not-so-relaxing Sunday afternoon—thrilling, mind-blowing, joy-filled—definitely not relaxing.