Embezzled Love (26 page)

"I know how he is. You don't have to remind me how bullheaded and opinionated he is, or what a pain in the butt he can be. He's my brother and I love him. We'll just take things one day at a time."

"Sounds like a plan." The last noisy slurp from Alaine's straw added an exclamation point to her acquiescence.

Cassie started the car to drive back to Alaine's vehicle. One more thing niggled at Cassie. She had to know the answer. "What about Jay?"

Alaine's lips pulled down in a frown. "We're separated, so don't worry about him."

Cassie wanted to smile, but tightened her lips. Jay had always been a personal source of irritation, but for whatever reason, Alaine loved him—had loved him, or did she still? Judging from her demeanor, being apart wasn't what she wanted.

"I'm sorry, sis. I know what you're going through must be tough. I'm here for you." Cassie meant what she said.

Alaine sighed, but her smile returned. "I have you back, and that helps a whole lot. I just want to forget all the bad stuff and be happy."

It hearts could soar, Cassie's would float right through the moon roof and up to the stars. A lump thickened in her throat again, but this time for an entirely different reason. Feeling better than she had in ages, she backed out of the parking slot. "So, which way to your car, Lainie."

Chapter Thirty-Three

Cassie's glee was uncontainable. She shucked off her jacket and tossed her bag on the sofa. "Evan," she yelled. "I'm home. Where are you?"

Hearing no response, she ran to her mother's quarters and poked her head inside. "Mom, can you come out here for a minute?"

Evan's truck was in the driveway. He had to be home. Cassie stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Evan," she yelled louder. "Can you come down, please?"

He appeared in the doorway, wearing only a towel. His pushed his damp hair back to expose a furrowed brow. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She lifted her hands in the air and danced in a circle. "No, I'm better than fine, I'm wonderful. Put on your robe and come down. I want to tell you and Mom about the great evening I had with Alaine."

Her mother shuffled in and Cassie gestured at the living room sofa. "Come sit. As soon as Evan comes down, I'll tell you both what happened tonight."

She watched the stairs with anxious eyes, shifting from one foot to the other, her smile so broad her face ached. When Evan reached the last step, she leapt into his arms and hugged him. "I'm so happy I could scream."

Evan pulled back and flashed a questioning gaze. He wrestled free from her embrace and sat in the easy chair, adjusting his robe for adequate coverage. "I take it your evening' went well."

Cassie diverted her eyes to avoid giggling at the thin, fur-covered legs protruding from his bathrobe. Mom's clueless look drew her to sit down and clasp her hand. "You probably think I've gone mad. Well, I'm anything but. Alaine called yesterday and invited me to dinner. I met with her tonight and—"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wasn't sure why she wanted to see me, but I can happily announce that we've made up. Isn't that great?"

Her mother beamed. "My prayers have been answered. I'm so happy the silliness has ended."

Cassie left the sofa and perched on the arm of Evan's chair. "I told Alaine I want to put all the bad memories behind us and focus on the future. She wants that, too."

Evan glanced up, a skeptical look on his face. "What about your brother?"

"He'll come around. Lainie says they've discussed everything, and that's why she called. He's not much on apologies, but I know he missed me. We may not be as close as he and Alaine, but he missed me." She leaned over and planted a kiss on Evan's cheek, then straightened. "I feel like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I have you and my family back. I'm a happy camper."

Her mother stood and stifled a yawn. "This happy camper is going to bed. With the good news in mind, I'm going to thank someone special before I go to sleep, you might do the same." She blew a kiss at Cassie. "Good night, you two."

Cassie rose and grasped Evan's hand, pulling him to his feet. "C'mon, let's go upstairs. I have a special someone to thank, too, but I'm pretty sure with what I have in mind, he might be the one thanking me before the night is over.

Evan followed her upstairs, but remained unusually quiet. In the bedroom, he went straight to the closet, donned his pajama bottoms and reappeared. He stretched out on the bed, his arms crossed, cushioning his head. Clearly, he was distracted by something.

"Honey, is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure. You tell me?"

"What does that mean?" Cassie lost her playful mood.

"How is this 'truce' going to affect me?" He rose on an elbow. "Am I supposed to just forget they tried to hang me out to dry? I don't have the same affection for them you do, so it's going to be mighty hard to be in the same room with them and act like everything is hunky dory."

Cassie toyed with her earring. "I'm sorry, babe. I guess I didn't think how you'd feel. I was so excited about setting things right, I didn't for a moment give thought to the difficulty you'd have in accepting them back. I didn't mean to be so selfish."

Evan didn't respond, but flattened and stared at the ceiling.

Cassie turned and studied her reflection in the mirror. How could her emotions shift gear so quickly? Joy to sadness and confusion in warp speed. What did she say now?

She crossed to the bed and perched next to him. "You must have suspected Alaine wanted to mend fences. Why can't you be happy for me?"

"I am happy for you, but that doesn't prevent me from worryin' that something is bound to come between us."

"Nothing will." She gave his hand an assuring pat.

His gaze burned a hole though her. "You can't possibly know that. After spending only a few hours with your brother and sister, they stuck a big ol' knife in my back. Stupid me, I thought they liked me. How do you know they won't try destroyin' my character again? Even more important, if they do, are you gonna trust them after seeing what happens when you don't?"

"I didn't believe them the first time."

"Oh, didn't you?" His brow rose in a perfect arch. "From all the accusations that've been flying, I sort of got the feeling you did. I've had to prove myself against every allegation they made."

Cassie splayed her fingers through her hair before pushing its length back behind her ears. "Okay, you're right. I did have my doubts, but I didn't know you as well as I do now. Our relationship was brand new, and they played on my vulnerability. Things have changed, and I'm sure they've learned their lesson.

"And what lesson is that?"

She blew out a breath. "Like you always say, you're going to have to trust me. Right now, I'm exhausted. When we came upstairs, I intended to molest you, but I guess you'll have to wait for another time. Just promise me you'll try to get along with Frank and Alaine. I know you feel they ganged up on you, but please, give them another chance to prove what great people they really are."

He rose on his elbows, gave her a quick kiss, then wriggled beneath the covers, nudging her off the bed. "I can play nice, but just for you. I'll do my part, but they best not mess with me again." He turned over and snuggled down. "Goodnight, purdy lady."

Recollections of the first time he called her that flooded back. It warmed her heart now and did then, too. She changed into her nightgown, and instead of walking around to her side, she crawled over Evan, stopping to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight, cowboy, I love you."

* * *

"Saturday would be wonderful. Great, I'll talk to you later." Cassie hung up the phone as Evan walked in on the end of her conversation.

"Who were you talkin' to?"

"Alaine. We're having a barbeque here on Saturday, doesn't that sound fun?"

"Oh, yeah." Evan's mouth screwed into a sneer.

"You don't sound enthused. When I agreed, I didn't think you'd mind."

""Mind? Why should I mind? I only have a handful of meetings planned with potential customers. Looks like I'm not the only one who doesn't communicate." Agitation edged his voice like ice on a winter morning."

"You're right, guilty as charged. I should have asked you first. The phone was ringing when I walked in, and Alaine sounded so eager to plan something, I went along with her suggestion. Do you want me to call back and cancel? I will."

"Sure you will, and blame me. I don't think so. You guys have your little family get together, and I'll do what I need to do."

Cassie studied his face. "What's wrong, Evan? Last night, you seemed fine with the idea of being around them, but now you're upset."

"This whole thing has been grating on me all day. I was the true victim here, and I didn't get an apology."

"You're right. I never thought of things that way. They crucified you so apologizing to me didn't erase your upset." She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. "If you can be forgiving enough to allow them time to really get to know you, I'm sure they'll make amends. Please baby, for me?"

The business line rang before Evan responded. Being closer, he snatched up the phone. "C&E Designs."

Cassie turned to her desk, hoping the call was someone requesting a huge landscaping job. Behind on her paperwork as usual, she eyed the frightening mail stacked on her desk. How could the paperwork turn into an active volcano in just a few days? She toyed with an envelope while eavesdropping on Evan.

"Great, I'm excited.”

She raised a brow. Excitement was good.

He crossed to his desk and plopped in his chair. "You're kidding."

She craned her ear in his direction. Who was kidding? Given her past surprises, curiosity set her nerves on edge.

"Sure, I'll meet you there." He jotted something on a slip of paper.

Perhaps an appointment? She crossed her fingers.

"Thanks for calling." He replaced the receiver. The earlier pout on his face transformed into a smile.

"That was Bud, and we got a special invite to a backstage party in Vegas for Brooks and Dunn. I can't believe we're gonna meet one of country music's hottest duos. Wow!"

The news wasn't close to what she expected. She feigned pleasure she didn't feel. "Sounds exciting. When?" She restrained from inquiring as to whether the "we" included her this time.

"This Saturday."

Her mouth gaped. "Evan," she whined. "What about the barbeque?"

He shrugged. "This is business, baby girl. I'm sure you're family won't mind. My being gone might actually make things easier for ya'll."

He was right, especially with Frank. Still, the fact Evan never mentioned taking her hurt. Rather than ask her to reschedule the cookout, which she would have gladly done, he assumed she'd rather stay home. For the sake of peacekeeping, good sense told her to shut up about her feelings.

"I guess I'm not invited again." She couldn't heed the warning. The words shot out of her mouth before she had a chance to stifle them.

"Bud said he got a pair of passes. Since he's the one who got them, I didn't feel it's fair to suggest he hand them over so you and I can go. Besides, Bud's a business associate, and he's already made reservations to fly in on Friday so he and I can drive up together. You understand, don't you, baby girl?"

Once, in anger, she told him she hated being called that, then relented. Now, she hated it even more. The sweet nickname always came at the end of any plea that required her to deal with his upsetting news. So far, anything to do with Las Vegas summoned bad vibes, so better she stay home. She threw up her arms in surrender. "Doesn't matter. You and Bud go ahead and have a wonderful time."

Evan gathered her into his arms. "You're the best. I'll bring you a souvenir."

Cassie half-heartedly patted his back, while eying the stacks on her desk. Sure, he'd bring her a memento, but it'd probably be wrapped in Bud's trip receipts and those from what they'd spent in Vegas.

Her mind flashed to those all-important appointments scheduled during the barbeque. She pushed him way, folded her arms over her chest and tilted her head. "What about those potential customers you're supposed to meet on Saturday?"

"Oh, no problem. I can reschedule." He smiled.

Her shoulders tensed. "Let's see if I understand. You can reschedule for Bud and the amazing duo, but not for me and my family. I think I see where your priorities lie."

His eyes narrowed, and a ridge ran along his angular jaw. "My priorities?" he spat. "You'd better take a long look at your own. I didn't feel like I topped your list when you ran out to meet Alaine the other night, and I certainly didn't feel like one when apologies were passed out. What I'm doing only seems to matter when you make plans around here, so don't bitch at me about not giving a damn about your stupid barbeque. I'll be glad to miss out. I'm not feelin' all that social, anyhow." He turned and stomped into the kitchen.