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Tate reached out and placed his arms around her. He was happy she was here. He felt blessed that they were able to share this miracle together. For a moment Cassidy clung to him, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt. She relaxed against him, placing her face in the crook of his arm. He reached for her chin, turning her face toward him so he could see her. Expressive green eyes looked back at him, filled with a challenge he wasn’t sure he could resist. Just as he was about to brush a kiss across her forehead she took a step back away from him.
He looked at her, his gaze searching for an explanation. She met his eyes for a brief moment then broke eye contact, focusing instead on the stall behind him. For an instant he’d seen fear in her eyes. The thought that he’d done something to make her feel that way needled him, made him feel selfish for pushing too hard for something more than the easy friendship they’d settled into.
“Maybe we should head to the house before the storm gets any worse,” she suggested, her voice sounding quiet.
He nodded in agreement, his mouth feeling as dry as sawdust. He’d wanted to kiss her. He’d wanted to throw all his regrets out the window and kiss Cassidy on her sweet lips with as much tenderness as he could muster. He wanted to take a chance and forget everything that had come before this moment. It would be a leap of faith, he knew, but every instinct was urging him to take a chance.
But Cassidy hadn’t been sure. Perhaps his earlier warning about getting carried away with themselves had worked against him. Maybe his own fears had come back to bite him.
He went into the tack room and rustled up two oversize rain slickers. Although the rain slicker was a few sizes too big for her, at least it would give her protection. As he opened the stable’s door, using his body to shield Cassidy from the brunt of the wind and rain, he had to use every ounce of his strength not to get pushed back by the elements. After a few tense moments he staggered to the truck, guiding Cassidy into the passenger seat before fighting his way to the driver’s side.
If he hadn’t known the stretch of road like the back of his hand, the drive to the house would’ve been far more treacherous than it already was. Cassidy bit her nails during the entire ride. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she stared out the window without uttering a single word. It was as if she was waiting for something terrible to happen at any moment. Fear. He knew it when he saw it. As a sheriff it was an emotion he was used to dealing with, whether it was a seven-year-old boy caught throwing a rock through a window or a thief nabbed for stealing from a cash register.
Lord, please let me help Cassidy ease her fears. Let me show her that she’s safe with me. I’ll never allow harm to come to her, not as long as I can help it.
As they approached the main house, Tate quickly noticed it lay in complete darkness, with the exception of a few lights glimmering from the interior. Hurricane lamps in a front window lit the porch steps, providing a beacon through the darkness. He said a silent prayer of thanks for his mother. She’d lit the way for them, making it easier to find their way home through the storm.
Once they were settled inside the house his mother came rushing out of the kitchen, a hurricane lamp clutched in her hand. Tate noticed she didn’t seem at all surprised to see Cassidy. He liked to think she knew him well enough to know he would never send her home in the midst of a storm.
“Why don’t you two wash up,” she suggested. “I’ve got some chili on the stove.”
Although his mother was being cordial to Cassidy, her disapproval radiated in waves. The firm set of her mouth, the taut lines around her eyes and her stiff body language were very telling. He prayed that it wasn’t making Cassidy too uncomfortable.
The spicy aroma of the chili hovered in the air, causing his stomach to grumble. He patted it in anticipation. He walked up behind his mother and wrapped his arms around her, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“That’s a real treat, Mama. Thank you.” His mother was such a loving, nurturing soul. She’d cooked up more meals in their family kitchen over the years than he could count. While his father had been busy establishing himself as a horse breeder, his mother had chosen to be the stable force holding up their family. Whether it was baking cookies for the class party or helping him earn his Boy Scout badge, she’d always been there.
“That sounds delicious,” Cassidy added. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until right now.”
“Well, I made plenty. There’s cornbread too, and salad.” Maggie clapped her hands together.
“So go on and wash your hands so we can sit down at the table.”
Within minutes they were washed up and seated comfortably at the kitchen table, a long butcher-block style adorned with a host of candles. The pot of chili sat in the middle of the table, along with a bowl of salad and generous chunks of cornbread. Considering the ranch had no power, this was quite a spread, Tate thought.
“Let’s say grace,” his mother suggested. She held out her hands to both Tate and Cassidy.
“May I?” Cassidy asked, joining hands with both of them.
His mother nodded her head. “Of course you may.” Tate could see that his mother was still frosty toward Cassidy. Her tone was abrupt and the lines of her face were still tightly drawn. Perhaps her feelings would change if she could just remember who Cassidy was before her fall from grace tarnished her image. It was hard to hate someone you’d once loved.
He closed his eyes, bowed his head and let Cassidy’s soothing voice wash over him. “Lord, please watch over the people of this community. Please show your loving mercy to all those who are seeking shelter from this storm. And please bless Maggie for lovingly preparing this meal.?
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“Amen,” Tate said before digging into the chili. The warm savory dish immediately warmed up his insides. The rich flavor of the food was the perfect meal for a stormy night.
Never in a million years had he ever imagined that Cassidy would be sitting down to dinner with him and his mother at the family ranch. He’d thought those days were behind him. Although the situation was a far cry from perfect, considering his mother’s cold demeanor, it was still progress. He looked over at Cassidy and their eyes locked. She smiled at him—a beautiful, pure smile that went straight to his most tender spot. He knew she was thinking the same thing that he’d been thinking. She looked happy to be sitting with them at the family table. As he sat there looking over at her, full of admiration for her radiant beauty, he could only hope that a small portion of her happiness was due to him.
* * *
Morning came after a night of punishing rain and high winds, bringing with it sunshine and clear skies. Cassidy had arisen at the crack of dawn, awoken by the sharp cries of the Lynches’ rooster. She’d remained in bed for an hour or so, thinking about Tate and the time they’d spent at the stables. Sharing the experience with him had been wonderful. She finally felt as if she knew where he was coming from. He’d laid himself bare for her, stripping away the strong mask he wore so well. He was trying to find forgiveness for her, but struggling at it.
She knew all about struggle. It was the main reason she’d repaired her relationship with God after so many years of grappling with her faith. After years of wrestling alone with her feelings of guilt and pain, she’d finally acknowledged that she needed help. Sometimes a person couldn’t find their way out of the darkness alone. She was living proof of that.
When she peered out the bedroom window she was relieved to see that Horseshoe Bend Ranch was still in one piece. Other than a few downed tree limbs and wooden slats strewn about the lawn, the storm had been kind to them. No major damage had been done.
As she made her way downstairs, she almost ran headlong into Tate, who was striding toward the staircase. He was dressed in his official sheriff’s uniform, complete with the shiny gold badge. She couldn’t remember him looking more handsome. He greeted her with a wide smile that reminded her way too much of lazy summer nights and afternoons at the swimming hole.
