Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
She’s coyly looking away from me, still red with enthusiastic embarrassment. I stroke her cheek, which commands her to look at me face to face.
And I go for it again. My lips on hers. Another powerful kiss. Her tongue meeting mine, dancing with one another, before we finally part and I leave her breathless.
She swallows audibly.
“Can I see you again sometime, miss?” I ask, trying to remember to be a gentleman despite being so forward already.
She nods. “Absolutely. I’ll be in touch. I don’t know when. The kids keep me busy, but I want to see a whole lot more of you, Cash.”
I nod. “Just call for me, babe, and I’ll be there.”
With that, I climb back up on Monterrey, and tip my non-existent hat her way. “Take care of yourself, Cassie. You’re the finest addition to this town I’ve ever seen.”
I urge Monterrey to turn and ride off.
It’s pretty obvious I can’t wait for my next encounter with sweet Cassie.
4
CASSIDY
“Oh no you don’t, Zoe!” I chase the four-year-old down as she runs around with the water gun she’s using to torment her little brother.
“Zack shot me first! I just want to get him back!” she protests.
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Or in this case leads to two very wet siblings and a mess I have to clean up.”
She doesn’t seem to understand my philosophical assessment and just keeps running away from me. I hoof it behind her, surprised by how fast she is on such small, stubby legs.
It's been raining hard the past few days and the kids have become a bit stir-crazy. They’re energetic little bundles of joy, and sitting in front of the TV would never do it for them.
It’d been a few days since I saw Cash. I’ve been a bit swamped since my aunt and uncle are celebrating their anniversary and I said I’d take care of the kids entirely for a few days. That didn’t really open me up to a whole lot of opportunity to keep up with Cash. We’ve shot a few texts back and forth, but it’s hardly been the excitement that I got on that first night.
“Zack, that’s a shampoo bottle, you can’t go and shoot that in your sister’s eyes,” I protest, snatching it away. The clever little devil had taken an almost empty bottle and turned it into a low-powered revenge weapon.
Today is a whole lot nicer than it has been. The sun is shining and it’s beautiful. I need to wear these tykes out before they wear me out.
It’s a matter of how, though. I’m still so new to the town that I don’t exactly know where to take kids to play with other kids. After all, if Burly had a good daycare, my aunt and uncle wouldn’t have called me in to help out.
As I wrap Zoe in a towel, I’m hit with some inspiration. When I get a lull in the madness, I pick up my phone and dial up Cash.
“What’s happening, Cassie?”
I smile, not realizing how much I missed his voice. “Hey, Cash. You got a moment?”
“Just taking the cattle out for a graze. But even if I was doing something more stressful, I’d make a moment for you, girl.”
“Lovely to hear that. So, uh... you say you’re a rancher.”
“Yep. Old school about it, get premium payment for our product, treat the cattle like royalty.”
“And you have horses.”
“We raise about a dozen or so of them for work and recreation purposes. Or to take us to the saloon, as you’ve clearly seen.” His charm radiates through the phone.
“So, do you have any ponies?”
He laughs. “We might have something that’s close enough to that description. Got bit by the riding bug and want another hit?”
“I wouldn’t say no, but it’s not for me. Are they suitable for young children?”
“Kids, eh?”
“Got the twins who are full of energy, and I want to get them out of the house. Figured some riding might be a learning experience for all of us.”
“You mentioned they were four? I’ve got just the ponies that are the right size and temperament. Bring them over and I’ll set them up.”
I’m hit with some hesitation. “Do you have your own work to do? I don’t want to intrude too much.”
“I can make time for this, don’t you worry about it. Bring ‘em over as soon as you can and I’ll have everything ready for you.”
We hang up, and I feel those flutterings deep inside again. He’s so sweet and generous, but I can’t help wonder if it’s all just an excuse to see me again.
And I can’t help but think my trying to get the kids pony rides was an excuse to see him again.
Whatever it is, this is soon to be something for everyone. “Zack, put the water gun down. Both of you get dressed, it’s time to go on a little trip and have fun.”