This was just the same as last time, right before everything went wrong. The entire idea of it made my stomach turn. And yet, no matter how much I told myself to ignore it, some burning part of me wanting to make the same mistakes all over again with Cash. Besides, he wasn’t going to be around for long, right? Easy come, easy go.
“How are you today, Pastor?” Dolly said, appearing at my table with a coffee pot in her hand. I pushed my cup to the edge of the table so she could refill it. “You look wound up like a nine-day clock, sugar.”
“Just got a lot on my mind,” I said, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. The coffee was hot and strong, exactly what I needed after the night I’d had. “The rebuilding efforts and all.”
Dolly gave me a knowing look, like she could see straight through my flimsy excuse. “Mmhmm. Wouldn’t have anything to do with that handsome houseguest of yours, would it?”
I nearly choked on my coffee. “What? No! Why would you?—”
“Relax, Pastor,” she chuckled, patting my shoulder. “I just meant he seems like a handful. Brooks mentioned Cash has been giving everyone a hard time since he got back. If he’s anything like he was as a kid, you’ve got your hands full.”
“Oh,” I breathed, willing my heart rate to slow down. “Right. Yes, he’s... complicated, I guess.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Dolly said, leaning against the booth. “That boy’s carrying more baggage than the airport lost and found. James did him wrong, kicking him out like that. That man had his head shoved so far up his butt sometimes…”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. So everyone in town knew about Cash’s past. Everyone except me, apparently, until Beau had filled me in.
“Anyway,” Dolly continued, “I came over to ask if you’d help me with somethin’.”
“Of course,” I said, grateful for the change of subject. “What do you need?”
“Well, I was thinking about doing a little fundraiser. For the folks who lost everything in the tornado. A karaoke night here at the diner. Charge ten bucks a head, all proceeds go to the relief fund. That sort of thing.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” I said sincerely. The thought of the community coming together, even for something as simple as karaoke, warmed my heart. “I’d be happy to help however I can.”
“Great!” Dolly beamed. “I figured we could do it next Saturday. That gives people enough time to prepare their songs and spread the word. And I’ve already got all the equipment here, so no need to go out and rent anythin’.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said, already mentally checking my calendar. “I’d be happy to help promote it at the church. Maybe we could put up some flyers around town too?”
“That would be wonderful,” Dolly smiled, refilling my cup again though I’d barely made a dent. “I was also hopin’ you might sing somethin’ yourself. Show the folks you’re not just all sermons and prayers.”
I felt my face flush. “Oh, I don’t know about that...”
“Come on now,” she pressed, her eyes twinkling. “Everyone loves a singin’ pastor. Besides, it’ll help people see you as one of them. That’s important in a small town like this.”
She had a point. I’d only been in Sagebrush a short time, and anything that helped me connect with the community was worth considering. Even if it meant making a fool of myself with a microphone.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised, which made Dolly beam.
“That’s all I ask,” she said, patting my shoulder before moving on to the next table.
I sipped my coffee, wincing as I shifted in the booth. The dull ache in my backside was a constant reminder of last night’s activities. Cash hadn’t been gentle, just as I’d asked. The memory of his hands gripping my hips, his voice rough in my ear as he claimed me completely... I felt heat rising to my face again, and not from embarrassment this time. My jeans were clearly not built for those kinds of thoughts.
The bell above the door jingled, and I glanced up out of habit. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Cash himself walk in, looking frustratingly good in worn jeans and a tight black t-shirt. His hair was tousled, like he’d just rolled out of bed, and there was a day’s worth of stubble darkening his jaw.
Our eyes met across the diner, and for a moment, neither of us moved. Then Cash’s lips curved into a knowing smirk that sent heat straight to my groin. He knew exactly what he’d done to me, and he was enjoying every minute of my discomfort. The man delighted in my torture.
I dropped my gaze to my coffee cup, praying he wouldn’t come over. Of course, because God has a wicked sense of humor sometimes, I heard boots approaching my table.
“Mornin’, Pastor,” Cash drawled, sliding into the booth across from me without waiting for an invitation. “Fancy seein’ you here.”
“Cash,” I managed, my voice remarkably steady considering the circumstances. “I didn’t expect to see you up so early.”
“Slept like a baby,” he replied, his smirk widening. “Must’ve worn myself out last night.”
I glanced around nervously, but no one was paying us any attention. “Could you keep your voice down?” I hissed.
“Why?” he asked innocently. “I was just talkin’ about how I helped move some furniture around. What did you think I meant?”
