Shane (Remington Ranch Book 2) Page 5

  “Okay, thanks for a great night, guys.” Carter tipped his hat and was gone.

  Gina hugged Cassidy and then Shane. “See you tomorrow. We need to do this again soon. This was fun.”

  Shane hugged her and Mason punched his arm. “G’night, bro.”

  And then they were gone. He smiled at Cassidy. “Are you sure you don’t want to collect your winnings tonight? We could go to the gallery now, if that’s what you want?”

  She shook her head. “No, I want to enjoy the anticipation.”

  Wow! She really was up for it.

  “At least stay and have a quiet drink with me?”

  He held his breath—she was considering it!

  “Shane!”

  He cursed under his breath and pretended not to hear or to see Katie Bell frantically waving at him from the bar.

  “Shay-ane!”

  Cassidy laughed and shook her head. “It doesn’t look like it would be too quiet. Good night, Shane.” She walked toward the door.

  He started after her, but Katie stepped in front of him before he could catch up. “Where do you think you’re going? Come buy me a drink.”

  “Not tonight.”

  “You keep saying that! I’m getting tired of waiting, Shane.”

  He looked her over. He used to think she was pretty and fun. Now he noticed the meanness around her eyes and the stubborn set of her jaw. “Then don’t wait, Katie. Go find someone else.” He shook her hand off his arm and hurried to the door. He opened it just in time to see Cassidy’s little Beetle pull away. Dammit!

  He walked down the block back to his truck, running the events of the evening through his head. He couldn’t quite believe the way Cassidy had changed tack. She’d given him the brush-off in no uncertain terms since the very first time he’d met her. He had to wonder what had changed her mind. He reached his truck and climbed in with a grin. Had he finally worn down her resistance? He had to believe that was it. No woman had ever resisted him for this long, not when he set his mind to it. He was relieved that he’d had it all wrong about her and Carter, and thrilled to think that she’d made damned sure she won that game of pool—so she could get him naked no less! He was still grinning to himself as he left town and turned south, heading back down the valley. He couldn’t wait for Thursday night.

  ~ ~ ~

  Cassidy parked the Beetle in the garage and climbed the stairs into the house. She stopped in front of the mirror in the hallway and smiled. “You’re not really going to, are you?” she asked herself. She laughed. Like hell she wasn’t! He deserved it! He was a big boy. He could handle it. And if he couldn’t, well that would just prove her point—that men’s egos grew more brittle in proportion to their size!

  She wandered into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Taking it through to the den she curled up on the sofa with her laptop. She had a reply from Summer.

  Hey Chica!

  Can’t wait to see you either. It’s been waaay too long. I need to hole up and hunker down. Your Paradise Valley sounds like, well… Paradise! Don’t worry, I won’t be a nuisance, I’ll just be glad to see you now and then, when you have an hour to spare.

  Love n hugs back atcha.

  Xxx

  Cassidy smiled. Summer was so sweet. She wouldn’t impose on anyone—ever—but they’d be seeing each other for more than an hour here and there! Cassidy had thought she’d looked tired and drawn the last couple of times she’d seen her on TV. It would do her good to spend some time here. Take a break from her crazy schedule and just be for a while. She’d have all the peace she needed. Cassidy smiled. She hoped the place that Carter was working on was nice. It’d be great to have Summer just up the road.

  She was pretty sure that she’d get along really well with Gina. She had a feeling Shane might take a shine to her, too! Well, if he did, she’d have to steer him away. She was surprised at the way her heart pounded at the thought. She hadn’t realized she felt that protective toward Summer. That had to be the reason why she didn’t want Shane showing an interest in her, right?

  She picked up her wine and let herself out onto the deck above the river. She loved to come out here and listen to the sounds of the water and the night. She sat in one of the big rockers and leaned back to look up at the night sky. They weren’t joking when they called this Big Sky country. With no light pollution, a million stars twinkled brightly against the inky blackness. It was beautiful, peaceful. It felt like maybe she’d found the place where she could finally settle. She shook her head at the thought—it was home. She smiled as a shooting star blazed a brief trail across the sky. Weren’t they supposed to be a good omen?

  Chapter Six

  As Thursday afternoon drew on, Cassidy was starting to have a few niggling doubts. Should she really do it?

  Gina gave her a puzzled look. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “I have to ask. Shane said you’re seeing him tonight, but I thought you were busy?”

  Cassidy had to bite back a laugh. She certainly was planning to see Shane tonight. “I can do both can’t I? I have the class, and I’ll be seeing Shane. I’m surprised he told you.”

  Gina laughed. “You shouldn’t be. He’s been like a kid waiting for Christmas ever since we all went out the other night.” She gave Cassidy an inquiring look. “You, on the other hand, haven’t mentioned him at all.”

  She hadn’t mentioned it because she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. If he found out what she was planning, there was no way Shane would show up. She bit the inside of her lip. Was it also because she knew Gina might try to talk her out of it? Think it was a bad idea? Maybe it was? No, it would be fun. If he couldn’t take it, he couldn’t take it, that’d be his problem—not hers. She shrugged. “I just didn’t need to hear you talking him up all week.”

  “Okay. Well, I hope you have fun. I’m going to head on home now. I want to catch the golden hour down by the river.”

  That made Cassidy laugh. “Every time you say that it sounds like you’re hurrying home to catch a favorite TV show.”

  Gina laughed. “If I ever get to make a documentary, I think I should call it The Golden Hour. The light at dusk and at dawn is just so perfect.”

  “Well, you hurry on down there to catch it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Gina paused at the door. “I hope you and Shane have a good time.”

  “Thanks.” Cassidy was pretty sure she would; she wasn’t so sure how much Shane would enjoy it though.

  ~ ~ ~

  Shane locked up his office and walked up to the house. He wanted to check in with his dad before he headed up to town for his big night with Cassidy. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his head since he’d watched her drive away after their game of pool. He grinned. Tonight should take care of that! He was glad now that she hadn’t wanted to take her prize straight away. He’d never seen the appeal of anticipation before, but, forced to endure it, he was quite enjoying it—he was even gladder that it was almost over though!

  He let himself in through the back door and was surprised to not find his mom in the kitchen. His dad looked up from where he was sitting in one of the easy chairs working on his laptop. “You’re out of luck if you’re hoping to get fed. She’s gone up to town. There’s leftovers, but they’re all mine.”

  Shane laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’m heading up to town myself. I just wanted to check in with you first.”

  “Hmph! If I’d known you were going I’d have made her ride with you. She wouldn’t let me take her, and I hate her driving at this time in the evening. The deer are just lurking by the side of the road waiting to jump out in front of you.”

  “She’ll be fine, Dad. She’s never hit one yet. She’s careful. What’s she gone up for, anyway?”

  “Some class or other. You know what she’s like. Always wanting to learn something—beading class, art class, poetry class, salsa dancing class!” He shook his head with a rueful smile. “It’s mostly just to hang out
with her friends.”

  Shane nodded. As much as his mom loved the ranch, she liked to get away when she could, whether it was to catch up with the women in town or to head off to the warm sunshine whenever it was possible. “Is she doing okay?”

  His Dad nodded. “She is, but she’s getting itchy feet. I’m thinking this winter will be the one. I’m going to take her down to Arizona.”

  “You know you can. We’ve got everything covered here between us.”

  “I know. Mason’s got the horses covered, you’ve got the dude ranch, Chance has got the cattle.” He shrugged. “It’s not that I doubt you boys. I just don’t know what the hell I’m going to with myself. I owe it to your mom. She’s endured this life for me all these years, but…” he shrugged again. “This is all I know. All I’ve ever wanted to know.”

  Shane patted his shoulder. “You’ll find fun stuff to do. Maybe Mom will teach you to dance salsa?”

  His dad laughed at that. “Yeah, and maybe pigs will fly! They’d no doubt be more graceful. We’ll work it out. Like I say, I owe it to your mom to get her out of the cold for the winter and take her somewhere she can enjoy herself.”

  “You owe it to yourself, too, Dad. So make sure you find somewhere that’s going to be good for you as well.”

  “Thanks, Shane.”

  As his dad briefly squeezed his arm, it hit Shane for the first time how old he looked. He had to swallow hard and squeeze his eyes shut for a moment at the realization that he wouldn’t always be around.

  “Thank you, Dad. You’ve done so much for all of us. Worked your ass off your whole life. I just want to make sure that you have some fun.” He swallowed even harder at his dad’s reply.

  “It’s all been fun, son. Every backbreaking hour of it has been fun, because I was doing it all for you boys. I’ve been building on what my daddy left me, so that I can pass on something even better to all of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” He didn’t trust himself to say anything else.

  His dad nodded, indicating that part of the conversation was closed. “So what did you want to check in with me about?

  “I wanted to run an idea by you. I’d like to build some more cabins. We’re fully booked with guests now through the end of the summer. We could take more—a lot more—if we had the accommodations. We have the horses, we can get the staff. We have all the extra capacity we need—except for a place for them to sleep.”

  “It’s your business, Shane. Your decision.”

  “I know that, but I wouldn’t do it without asking you first. It’s still your land.”

  “I don’t have a problem with it. You expand as much as you need to. And besides it’s not going to be my land for too much longer. At some point soon I want to sit down with the five of you and figure out how best we divide it up.”

  Shane nodded. He knew that day was coming, but he really wasn’t looking forward to it. He didn’t want to see it happen. He’d rather nothing changed. He knew his parents would take even more of a backseat, and that was fine, but he wanted the ranch to stay whole.

  “It’ll be okay, son.” His dad seemed to understand. “It has to be done that way. You don’t see it yet, but someday you’ll all have families of your own, and you’ll need land that’s just yours. No matter how well you all get along, you’re all individuals. As the years go by, you’ll all have different wants and needs.”

  “I know, Dad. I know it’s necessary; it just makes me sad.”

  His dad held his gaze for a moment. “It does me, too. But there’s no point clinging to the past when the future is calling. All we can do with the past is cherish it. We have to prepare for the future, adjust to the changes, and live life well.” He smiled. “How are you planning on living well tonight? Where are you headed?”

  Shane grinned. “I’m going to see Cassidy Lane.”

  His dad frowned. “The artist? The Moonstone Gallery girl?”

  “That’d be her.”

  His dad gave him a puzzled look. “Oh. Okay.”

  “You don’t like the idea?”

  “No, it’s not that at all. I just thought your mom…” He shook his head. “Never mind. You get on. Have a great evening. My memory’s getting even worse than I thought. Say hi to Cassidy for me. She’s a real firecracker that one. I like her. But I wouldn’t go thinking you can get away with your usual tricks with her.”

  Shane laughed. “I don’t think I can get away with a thing with Cassidy. I’ve been asking her out for ages, and I’m lucky she agreed to see me tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “You’ll need to be, if you want a second date. And I have a feeling you will.”

  Shane took a deep breath. “So do I.”

  “Get going then. You don’t want to blow it by being late.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Cassidy kept popping her head into the back room. She’d told Shane to park in the alley behind the gallery and come to back the door, but it was taking her longer than she’d expected to get everything set up out in the gallery. Once she had everything just as she wanted, she stood in the doorway between the two spaces so she could keep an eye on the front and an ear out for Shane in the back.

  She heard him knock and pulled the gallery door closed behind her before going to let him in the back door.

  She caught her breath at the sight of him. Damn, he was a good-looking guy. A denim shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, his muscular thighs were encased in work worn Wranglers, which she just knew would showcase his great ass perfectly.

  “Evening, pretty lady.”

  He caught her off guard by presenting her with a bunch of flowers from behind his back. Roses! A dozen of them! She hadn’t expected that. She felt a moment’s hesitation. She didn’t have to do this to him. She looked up at him. His sandy hair was perfectly tousled, making him look more like a surfer than a rancher. His strong jawline twitched as the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. As she met his gaze his hazel eyes glimmered with amusement. He was gorgeous!

  “Are you ready for this?”

  Was she? Was she really going to do it to him?

  His smile turned into that infuriatingly cocky grin of his as he stepped closer, crowding her, drowning her senses. His words sealed his fate. “Do you think you can handle this?”

  She pulled herself together and stepped neatly aside as he tried to put his hands on her waist and draw her closer. Arrogant prick! She sure as hell could handle it. “Oh, I can Shane. We’re going to find out if you can handle it. But, as per our bet, I need you naked first.”

  He seemed oblivious to any tension as he grinned and started to unbutton his shirt. “Anything you say, sweet Cassidy. Anything you say.”

  She nodded grimly. “That was the deal, and you are a man of your word, right, Shane?”

  He shrugged out of his shirt and stepped toward her again. She took a step back. She couldn’t afford to let him get too close. She was already covered in goosebumps. Her heart was pounding, and she could easily forget all her plans for this evening and go along with his instead. Before she realized it, she’d backed herself all the way up against the counter. He’d matched her step for step and now stood before her, his broad chest at her eye level taunting her to touch. Her fingers twitched to be allowed to do just that.

  He placed a hand on the counter on either side of her hips and lowered his head to hers. Oh, God! If he tried to kiss her now, it would be game over, and she would not be the winner.

  “So, what do you want me to do next?”

  His cocky grin saved her again, giving her the strength to put a hand to his shoulder and push him back. “Get your pants off.” She picked up a towel and thrust it at him making him grasp it in surprise. “Then wrap that around your waist and come on through. “I’ll be in the front.”

  She fled for the door while she still could.

  She managed to take her place in the middle just before he opened the door and came through. He was holding the towel around hi
s waist with two fingers, about to whip it away with a flourish by the looks of him

  “How long do you want me to keep this on for? I…?”

  Oh, how she wished she had a camera! The look on his face was priceless as he stared around at the semicircle of ladies facing him, all of them smiling around their easels at him.

  “You take it off whenever you’re ready,” said his mom. “I’ve seen it all before anyway.”

  Cassidy couldn’t hold back a chuckle at the way both his hands now gripped the towel desperately, clinging to it—and his dignity.

  She met his gaze. “Keep it for as long as you need it, Shane. We want you to feel totally comfortable before we begin.” His eyes were narrow as he stared back at her. She was grateful for the presence of her seniors’ art class. He looked as though he’d throttle her if he could. She pointed toward the chair she had set up on a platform. “Get yourself settled, and when you’re ready, you can lose the towel.”

  He stared at her for a long moment. She was convinced he was about to turn around and storm out. She raised an eyebrow in challenge. It was only what she’d expect. To her surprise, a big grin spread across his face and he saluted her. “Whatever you say, Cassidy. That was the deal, right?” He turned and climbed up onto the chair. He shook his head at her with a rueful smile. “I’m at your mercy.” Wow! She smiled at him. He was a much better sport than she’d given him credit for.

  “Lose the towel already!” called one of the ladies.

  Cassidy laughed out loud at the sight of Mrs. Dearborn, one of the most venerable townswomen, literally licking her lips. She picked up a brush and tapped rhythmically on her easel as she called, “Lose. The. Towel.”

  The other ladies laughed and joined her, the chant rising to a crescendo when Shane stood and smiled at them all. “This towel?” he asked.

  The ladies cheered and wolf whistled. “Lose. The. Towel!”

  Cassidy caught Monique Remington’s eye. She’d talked to her yesterday about this, and Monique had happily gone along with it. She didn’t have a problem and had assured Cassidy that Shane would survive. She winked at Cassidy now with a smile and a nod. Apparently she knew her son well. He’d turned around and was wiggling his butt behind the towel, working the crowd like a professional. Cassidy had to laugh when he turned back around and caught her eye.