AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She didn’t call him on his use of the word “home.” Instead, she checked her watch. “I should be. If not, I’ll phone.”
With that, she trotted over to her car, spent a good three minutes wrestling the door open, climbed in, banged her head on the frame and spent another three minutes tugging it closed. The car started with a sputtering grumble and she disappeared down his driveway in a plume of dust and exhaust. Well, at least he’d filled her gas tank. Filled it nice and full so she could drive long andfar.
He shook his head in disgust. How damned charitable ofhim.
It was latewhen Cassidy returned to the ranch and she was starving. Her appointment had taken nearly eight hours and her mind—what little remained of it—was numb. She’d called to warn she’d miss dinner and Ty had promised to save her some. She stood just inside the front door and absorbed the ageless silence of the hallway, comforted by the sheer solidness of her surroundings, welcomed by the whispers of the past that filledevery nook and cranny of the homestead. And she relaxed for the first time in weeks.
She’d come home.
“Ty?” she called.
“In here.”
His voice came from the direction of his office and she crossed the hallway to hesitate outside the half-closed door. Pushing it open, she stared in disbelief. Everywhere she looked were baskets and vases overflowing with yellow roses. In the middle of the room, he’d set a table for two. Silver glistened in the subdued lighting, while crystal and wafer-thin porcelain gleamed. Best of all, the wineglasses were brimming with a rich red Cabernet Sauvignon. Next to the table stood a cart with the most delectable aromas she’d ever inhaled wafting from beneath covered dishes.
It took a moment to find her voice. “What’s all this?” she asked, although it seemed obvious enough.
Ty offered a lopsided grin, one as irresistible as it was endearing. “It’s for you. Edith and I figured you’d be wiped by the time you got in. And since moving to the ranch has forced an extra couple hours’ drive on you whenever you have to go into San Antonio...” He trailed off with a shrug. “Besides, it gets us started on those dates.”
Tears pricked her eyes. They had to be from exhaustion since she wasn’t one to cry when someone acted this incredibly sweet. Although, if she were honest, she’d admit that she couldn’t remember the last time someone had taken care of her like this. Cosseted her. Made her feel special.
He crossed to her side, standing so close his woodsy scent became a part of her. “Are you crying?” he asked.
She shook her head in instant denial. “I can’t be. Inever cry.”
His laugh slipped around her, as warm as an embrace, and he reached out to catch a tear with his knuckle. “Well then, you’ve sprung a leak. You’ve got all this wet stuff spurting out of your eyes.”
Reluctant amusement fought with the tears she’d denied. “This is the end of March. I’m sure it’s just a spring shower.”
“No doubt,” he said gently. “Hungry?”
“Famished.”
“Sit down and we’ll eat.”
“You waited for me?”
“I didn’t want you to eat alone.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, unbearably moved. She hesitated by the table and her hand crept out to finger the white damask tablecloth. “I could get used to this.”
“I’m counting on it.”
The urge to flee overwhelmed her, just as it infuriated her. Where did these feelings come from? She wasn’t Lonnie, to run at the first hint of commitment, was she? And though she valued her independence, Ty hadn’t tried to steal that from her. Anyhow, not so far. He might propose once a day, but he took her refusals in stride and with good humor. In fact, he teased her unmercifully, promising to get even when she finally broke down and accepted his marriage proposal.
“Give me a second to wash up,” she requested. And to get herself under control.
“Take your time. I’ll have the salad and appetizer ready to go as soon as you get back.”
“An appetizer? I’m impressed.” Her tears slowed and she even managed to achieve a light tone. Not that she fooled him. But at least he didn’t say anything her pride could take exception to. “I’ll be right back.”
She used the powder room at the end of the hall. Standing in front of the mirror that hung over the washbasin, she scolded herself for a good five minutes. What the heck was she so afraid of? Why couldn’t she accept the small kindnesses Ty offered with a modicum of the grace Aunt Esther had drummed into her? It didn’t mean she owed him or had to pay him back for his generosity. Her mouth twisted. Nor did she have to marry him, no matter how much she might—
Oh, no. Her eyes widened in disbelief. That wasn’t possible. She couldn’t have fallen for Ty. Not so soon, and not after all she’d been through with Lonnie. Hadn’t she learned her lesson the hard way? Hadn’t she learned that men loved women until it became inconvenient or until the responsibilities became too much? Or until someone better came along?
But Ty isn’t Lonnie, the voices inside her head insisted. Damn those nasty, illogical wrong-thinking voices. Sure, Ty seemed a different type than her ex-husband. But she had Hutch to worry about. She couldn’t risk the heartache that would follow if her relationship with Ty didn’t work out. Because if it didn’t, she wouldn’t just lose a husband thistime.
Tears burned her eyes again. This was Merrick land. Any roots she put down would have to be yanked up and replanted elsewhere. Considering how fragile those roots had become—as fragile as her poor rosebushes—she doubted she could survive another transplant.
