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Ty fought a grin. “I might.”
“Well, okay.” Hutch scuffed his feet in the dirt. “But just a quick one. And you better pound me on the back in case anybody’s lookin’. That way, it’s a guy thing and not like I’m a little kid and need a hug or anything.”
Ty swept him up and held him as tightly as he dared. He didn’t pound. Hospitalizing the kid probably wouldn’t be wise. But he did tap a bit. Gently.
Very gently.
Tears filledCassidy’s eyes and she slipped silently off the porch, praying they didn’t notice her. He’d heard them. All thoseyears ago, Hutch had heard Lonnie’s horrible, unforgivable words.
For five years he’d sealed them up inside, allowing them to fester. And fester they had until Ty lanced the wound. Until he’d taken her son in his arms and given him the one thing she’d never been able to—afather’s love and acceptance.
All this time, she’d been resisting any sort of involvement, despite wanting that involvement every bit as much as Hutch. And why? It didn’t take a lot of thought. She’d resisted because she feared being hurt. Because she was afraid to trust, afraid of the lies and half-truths that went along with the death of love. Afraid of being deserted and forced to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives again. Afraid of living day to day on the edge of survival with no hope or relief in sight.
But Ty wasn’t Lonnie. Cassidy covered her face with her hands. Ty offered love and acceptance from the first moment she’d catapulted into his arms. He’d taken her in along with her son and done everything in his power to make them happy. And he’d keep doing it, too. Because love wasn’t a one-night stand for him. It wasn’t a few meaningless words of passion followed by a quick tumble in the parking lot outside of a high school gym. For Ty deeds backed up words in a consistent pattern—the same pattern that would be repeated again tomorrow and the day after and the day afterthat.
So, what the heck did she donow?
She began by wiping away her tears. Next, she’d start pointing her face toward the future instead of constantly looking over her shoulder at the past. No wonder she tripped so often! Then she’d trot on upstairs and pack for her trip to San Antonio. And if Ty asked her to marry him again, this time she’d say yes. This time, she’d allow love to govern her actions instead of fear.This time, she’d open her mouth and confess what hid in her heart, tell him that she loved him with every fiber of her being and had from the moment she’d accidently backhandedhim.
Her days of running were over. This time, she’d grab her happiness and hold on tight.
“What doyou mean you’ve never been to the San Antonio Fiesta?” Ty forged a path through the crowd lining the River Walk. To Cassidy’s amusement, people gave way with nary a murmur. “Not even to see the River Parade?”
“I’ve never had the chance.” Or the money.
He captured her hand and pulled her close. “Work, Iassume?”
“It’s a good opportunity to earn some spare cash,” she admitted. In fact, she should be staffing one of the booths or waitressing in one of the restaurants right now. People tended to tip well during Fiestadays.
Up ahead at La Villita, amariachi band blocked the walkway and Ty slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close so they could stand with a crowd of locals and tourists and enjoy the entertainment. Nearby, someone broke acascarone. The colorfully decorated egg shattered, its confetti-filled contents catching on a fragrant breeze and scattering. The bright bits of paper caught in Cassidy’s hair, mingling with the flowercrown Ty had purchased for her, and she laughed. She couldn’t remember when she’d last been so happy.
Ty leaned close so he could be heard above the music. “Hungry?”
“Starving.”
He gestured toward a man striding through the crowd gnawing on a huge turkey leg. “Want one?”
She chuckled. “I’ll pass, thanks. But I wouldn’t say no to one of those fat tortillas.”
“Ah. Agordita. You’re on.”
“So, how long until the floats go by?” She couldn’t wait to see the parade of boats that drifted along the San Antonio River. She especially wanted to check out the beauty queens dressed in their magnificent Fiesta gowns—hand-sewn, beaded wonders, some with trains as long as twelve feet. “Do you think we’ll be able to see? It’s awfully crowded.”
“I bought seats. We’ll head over in a little while.”
“And then what?”
An odd expression crept into his gaze. “We can party until dawn with the rest of San Antonio. Do some dancing. Drink margaritas. Or...”
“Or?” she prompted.
“We can go back to our rooms.”
In the middle of the crowd, they were suddenly alone. The music and laughter and raucous chatter faded into silence and Cassidy filled her eyes with the man she loved. He stood tall and solid, arock in the middle of a surging river. She slipped closer, and for the first time, took the initiative. She wrapped her armsaround him, lifted her face to his and sealed his mouth with the most determined kiss she’d ever pasted on a man. Around her, people cheered.
“You sure as hell pick your times, sweetheart,” he growled. “I don’t suppose you want to head back to the hotel now?”
“And miss the river parade?” she teased.
