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“Of course I do. I don’t think you can solve your problems by running away from them.” Especially when you carried around in your heart everything you’d left behind.
Tate flinched, his features hardening at her words. Something shifted between them in that moment, leaving the air between them highly charged. She had no idea what she’d done to cause a change in his demeanor, but she could sense he’d put up a wall between them.
“Are you here with your family?” he asked in a brisk voice.
“Yes, my parents are over by the wishing tree.”
She felt a burst of pride at the thought of the wishing tree. At the age of seven she had come up with the idea of creating a wish list of needed items for her father’s church that the congregation could individually select and donate. The items were then displayed on a wishing tree for everyone to see during the bazaar.
* * *
“Why don’t I walk you over there in case there’s any trouble.”
This was the Tate she remembered. Ever the gentleman. Always ready to step in and help out those in need.
“You don’t have to be my bodyguard, Tate. I’ll be fine,” she protested, struggling to hide her deflated spirits.
She didn’t want Tate to feel obligated to escort her through the fairgrounds. After all they’d meant to each other, the last thing she wanted him to feel toward her was duty. He’d made it crystal clear yesterday that he wanted nothing to do with her. She knew he was probably feeling torn between his duty as sheriff and his disdain for her.
“It’s my job to make sure every citizen in town is safe. That includes you,” he said gruffly.
“Whatever you say, Sheriff,” she said, placing emphasis on his title. She knew better than to argue with a stubborn Tate. Now that he was sheriff, she would wager he was even more strong-willed than ever.
As they walked side by side she couldn’t help but notice the curious stares and doubletakes. She wasn’t sure whether it was solely due to her presence or the fact that they were walking together. Everyone in town knew their dating history as well as their stormy breakup. Tate didn’t seem to notice. Either that, she realized, or he was playing it cool. Occasionally he would tip his hat to someone or shout out a friendly greeting. At all times he carried himself with dignity and authority. He had a rugged kind of swagger that commanded attention.
Cassidy had so many wonderful memories of the bazaar—eating cotton candy, entering the greased pig contest, winning the whipped-cream-eating competition. She had always enjoyed the camaraderie of the congregation and the opportunity to spend the day with her friends. And Tate. Memories of the two of them riding the Ferris wheel, walking hand in hand and playing skeet ball rose unbidden to her mind.
“Oh my! Is that you, Cassidy Blake?”
A tall, regal-looking woman stood in her path, her hands planted firmly on her hips. Before she could say a word Cassidy found herself enveloped in a bear hug. The heavy scent of lilacs rose to her nostrils, bringing with it strong memories of childhood. Mona Jackson was one of her mother’s oldest and most faithful friends. With her larger-than-life personality, Mona had always been one of Cassidy’s favorite residents of West Falls. Now more than ever she was thrilled to see a friendly face.
“Mrs. Jackson. It’s great to see you,” Cassidy said, granting Mona her most genuine smile of the day.
Mona wagged a finger at her. “Don’t you dare call me Mrs. Jackson. You’re grown enough now to call me Mona.”
Cassidy nodded. “Okay. Mona it is.”
“I just talked to your Mama last night. I’ve never heard her so chipper and upbeat. That’s because of you, Cassidy.” Mona gave her a knowing look. “You’re the best medicine there is. And before you leave town again I want you to autograph one of your paintings for me.”
“Why don’t you come by the house,” she suggested, “and I’ll personalize it for you.”
“I’ll make sure to do that. Good afternoon, Sheriff,” Mona said with a nod at Tate.
Tate tipped his cowboy hat in Mona’s direction. “Nice to see you, Mona.”
Mona turned toward Tate, her eyes dancing with mischief as she said, “Have you ever seen a more beautiful woman in your life than this one?”
He tucked his hands into his front pockets and shifted from one foot to the other. “Er... No, I haven’t. Cassidy has always been drop dead gorgeous.” He turned his head to look at her. “And she still is.”
Mona nodded her head in agreement. “Good to see you still have some sense. I’ll catch y’all later. I’m off to buy some raffle tickets.”
As soon as Mona walked off, Cassidy began talking a mile a minute. “I’m sorry she put you on the spot. That was so awkward. I mean...she practically forced you to agree with her—”
Tate rolled his eyes. “You act as if she twisted my arm. You are, and always will be, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
Cassidy felt heat rising to her cheeks. She was awestruck by Tate’s words. “You’re sweet,” she murmured, too overwhelmed to say anything more meaningful.
“Not sweet. Just truthful.”
