Embezzled Love (28 page)

"So?" Alaine urged her on.

"I can't tell you how relieved I was to find out I'm not one of the employees being let go. He didn't even mention the fact I wasn't working when he came to my office. And, the best news of all…when we move, he's being transferred to the home office, and I'll never have to see him again." She glanced at the empty glass in her hand. "I'm so happy, if I had a drink, I'd propose a toast."

Kara popped to her feet. "Let me get one for you. I think a toast is in order for several reasons." She returned within a few minutes and handed Cassie her refill.

"Thanks, Kara. Frank, can you leave the burgers for a minute and pick up your beer?"

Frank joined as they all stood with raised drinks in hand. "To family, love, and supporting each other from here on out." Cassie's eyes misted.

"Here, here," came the chorus amidst the sound of clinking glass.

* * *

Cassie checked her watch for the umpteenth time. It was 8:00 p.m., and she'd expected Evan home late Saturday, not Sunday. He hadn't called either. What excuse could she find to comfort herself? Nothing came to mind. As hard as she tried to distract herself with the movie she watched, she pictured Evan dead in a ditch somewhere.

The concert had been on Friday, and although she knew he'd stay the night, she at least thought she'd hear from him or see him the next day. She glanced at her watch again, surprised at the time. She'd been staring at the TV for another hour. If anyone asked about the plot, she'd be hard pressed to tell them even who held the starring roles.

Bored, worried, tired, and a tad angry, she turned everything off and started upstairs. Lights reflected through the window, and motor sounds rumbled in the driveway. She flipped on the lights, hurried back to the sofa, sat and crossed her arms, waiting to hear Evan's excuse.

Bud and Evan roared with laughter as they wrestled a huge box through the back door. Evan was caught between the box and the doorjamb. "Jesus, Bud, shift this thing to the other side, you're about to smash me."

Cassie's curiosity piqued as the duo successfully maneuvered the large load inside. Both men panted from the exertion, and Evan removed his cowboy hat and mopped his brow. When he noticed her on the couch, he smiled. "Baby girl, you're still up?"

Not wanting to cause a scene in front of Bud, she restrained her irritation with a large breath. "Yes, I am. I've been concerned about you guys. I expected you much sooner."

"It's his fault." Bud pointed at Evan.

Anticipating Evan entering the room, carrying his prized guitar in its special case, she'd been shocked at the huge carton he brought with him instead. The suspense ate at her. "What's in the box?" Did she really want to know?

Evan gestured toward the cardboard goliath. "It's your souvenir."

She raised her hands to her cheeks. "Mine? What in the world is it?"

"Open her up and see," Evan insisted. He fished in his pocket and produced a knife.

"Are you sure I want to open it?" She eyed her gift with apprehension.

"You'll love it. I'm pretty sure what I got will fit right in with your…what's that fancy word…motif?"

She declined the knife. "You open it, I can't reach the top."

With Bud's help, Evan tipped the carton on its side and deftly slit the tape at both ends. Cassie rubbed her palms together, her heart pounding, waiting to behold her Vegas memento.

Evan struggled. "Bud, hold the darn box while I push this thing out the other end."

Slowly, something emerged, a little bit at a time. Whatever the carton held was black with gold etchings. Feet and legs emerged first.

"Oh, my God." Dumbfounded, Cassie couldn't think of anything else to say when she saw the entire thing.

Evan and Bud stood it upright. Evan beamed like a proud mother. "Well, whadda ya think?"

"I…." Cassie widened her eyes and closed her gaping mouth. "It's a…a…sarcophagus."

"Yessirree, it is. The man in the store said it's called a Fayrow."

Forgetting her irritation at Evan's late arrival, she couldn't help but giggle at his southern pronunciation." It's Pharaoh, spelled with a 'ph,' and an Egyptian ruler. There isn't anyone inside is there?" She held her breath when he unfastened the latch.

What in the world was she going to do with such a huge monstrosity?

The entire front opened and revealed the secret function. "Surprise, it's a CD holder." Evan gestured like one of Bob Barker's beauties on The Price Is Right.

Cassie covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Who had that many CDs? She'd have to live as long as the Pharaoh had been dead to buy enough to fill the thing.

"We can put it right there in the living room with all your other Egyptian knick knacks." Evan's suggestion ended her levity.

She had to say something to save her tasteful décor, but what? "I rarely go into the living room. How about if you put my gift here in the corner of the den so I can really appreciate it?" She nudged the sofa down, then moved the end table to make room. "Right here is perfect."

Evan shrugged, but with Bud's help, positioned the monstrosity into the empty space. Evan stood back and admired his newest acquisition. "It's a beauty, don't you think?"

"It's wonderful," she lied, being polite. "Thank you for such a thoughtful gift." She kissed his cheek.

"If you'll excuse me," Bud interjected, "It's been a long day, and I'm going up to bed. Goodnight, Cassie, Evan."

"Sleep well," Cassie called after him, picking up the strewn wrappings.

Evan took the cardboard outside. She waited, while wondering if this was really the time to start a discussion about courtesy calls and broken promises. Honestly, she wanted answers, and she'd waited long enough. She squared her shoulders and waited for Evan to come back inside. Her irritation bubbled out.

"So, are you going to tell me why you were so late coming home and why you didn't call?"

He rolled his eyes. "I was wonderin' how long before you started naggin'."

"Then you must have a good excuse prepared."

"Why do I need an excuse? I'm a grown man, and you ain't my momma."

She was taken aback by his snippiness, but not about to let his rudeness slide. "No, I'm certainly not your mother, but common sense should have told you if someone expects you home at a certain time and you don't show up, they worry. Haven't we had this conversation before?"

He held his palm in the air. "Let's not get into a fight. The truth is I was on a winning streak and didn't want to leave, and that included getting up to find a phone. You know they don't allow cell phones in the casinos. I thought I made it clear when we were in Vegas, if I'm on a streak, I stick with it."

The composure she promised she'd maintain began to weaken. "I guess, once again, I see where I rank among your priorities."

"Oh, c'mon, Cass, not that again. Don't be such a pain." He dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. "If I'd broken the streak, I wouldn't have been able to buy you your sarcracof…that thing in the corner."

The big chunk of bills in his hand did look impressive, but she wasn't about to waiver. "That isn't the point. While I appreciate the thought that went into my gift, and I'm glad you won, I would be much more impressed if you thought of my feelings once in a while. I've told you I have a worrying nature, but that must not mean anything to you. I'm beginning to see that everything is all about you and what you need and want."

"Are you saying I never think of you, and your feelings and needs?"

"Oh, heaven's no, that's not what I'm saying at all. You think of my feelings when they show, like when I was in tears the other night, but as far as asking me how I feel and what I need, that never happens. Your trips, your business appointments and your friends all come first."

"That's bull and you know it." His jaw visibly tightened.

"I don't think so. Billy moved in on your say so, not mine. I wasn't consulted before you decided to hire Bud, and if I dare mention something that bothers me, I suddenly become a nag. If I question money you're spending, I'm treating you like a child. Everything is fine as long as it goes your way. So, you see, it is all about you, Evan."

He met her eye-to-eye. "What's this really about? Are you mad 'cause I didn't check in, or are you just lookin' for a reason to bust my chops? I was in a good mood until you started all this crap. I don't have to stand here and listen to you rant, and I'm not about to."

He pushed past her and stomped up the stairs.

Cassie's mouth gaped. That hadn't gone as she'd planned. Obviously, Evan didn't understand the reason for her upset, and when he angered her further, she drifted to topics she hadn't planned to mention. Because of the stupid argument, she didn't even have a chance to tell him she wasn't losing her job with Orion.

She turned off the lights, preparing to go upstairs, and slowly shook her head. Arguing had become the norm, and she didn't like always being at odds. In the darkness, she held fast to the banister and groped her way, but once her eyes adjusted, she easily navigated in muted light to the bedroom door.

She tiptoed inside and switched on a nightlight, shocked to see the bed undisturbed. Evan wasn't in the closet or bathroom, either. Puzzled, she wandered back into the hallway and noticed the door to the guestroom closed. She pressed her ear against the wood, but heard nothing. If he wanted to sleep there, she wasn't about to beg him to change his mind. Now, besides being angry and confused, hurt crept into the mix. She slunk back to her bedroom, her pride strong, but her feelings jumbled.

* * *

How long were they going to play this stupid game? Cassie hunched over her home computer and pondered her situation. A whole week had passed since Evan slept in the spare bedroom, and he remained aloof. Although he'd shared her bed the next night, neither mentioned what had happened. He'd left early for work and returned late, and even thought their conversations were courteous, something was definitely wrong.

With Evan holding evening appointments…or at least that's what he claimed…Cassie spent her time working on the books. Although she tried, she failed miserably at keeping up with the paper flow. The problem wasn't only bills, but filing, balancing the budget, and returning copies of contracts to customers.

She gazed at her outdated C&E spreadsheet. The whole reason for its creation was to see at a glance the most current information for any given account. Another failure on her part, and one more reason she hated being involved.

A glance at her watch showed she'd been home for over three hours and Evan had yet to make an appearance. "You will not worry about him, you will not worry about him, you will not worry about him," she chanted.

Her new mantra wasn't working. A lifetime of being a worry-wart didn't cease because of a few positive words.

Still trying to update her records, she noted the time at nine p.m. when Evan finally came home. He kissed her on the cheek, then removed his jacket and hung it on its hook. "Sorry I'm late, but I've been with one of our old customers. He called today, so pleased with what we've done, he wants some additional cement work and planters. Can you find the Steven's account for me?"

Harried, Cassie shuffled through files. Her fingers flipped through the alphabetic tabs three times before she glanced up and frowned. "I'm sorry. I can't seem to locate the folder."

"Look again."

Cassie closed the top drawer and opened the bottom, searching for a stray she might have misfiled, but the Steven's folder wasn't there either. She screwed her mouth to the side and looked at Evan. "How long ago did he sign his contract?"

"About a month ago. His job was pretty small."

"Oh, then I think I know where it is." Cassie pulled the brown bag from beneath her desk and dug inside. "Maybe he's in here. I haven't had time to get to this stuff yet."

Evan's eyes widened. "What the hell? You keep records in a grocery sack? Great filing system you've got there."

His sarcastic tone struck a nerve. "I'm sorry you don't approve! You try working full time and spending your evening hours and all weekend trying to keep up here. It's not as easy as you might think. If you don't like my methods, feel free to take over. In fact, please do." She pushed back from the desk and left the room before he had a chance to respond.

Upstairs, Cassie sat on the bed, taking deep breaths and choking back tears. Only ten minutes passed before Evan appeared. She jerked her head around and stared at the wall. How dare he be so critical?

The mattress sagged beneath his weight. "Cass baby, I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy for you. It hasn't been a picnic for me, either. I'm busting my butt to make enough to cover all the expenses, but the work is hard and I can only do so much. If I had more laborers and equipment, I could take on more jobs. There's plenty to be had, but not enough of me to go around."

More paperwork is all she saw. Her anger eased and she allowed herself to look at him. "You have to realize I do the best I can. There isn't enough of me to go around either." His comment about bigger and more niggled at her. "You aren't thinking about expanding, are you? Please tell me you aren't."