Cloud Riders(17)

Kayden shook his head, amused, and cupped her face in his hands. ‘Cassie, concentrate and think of someone or something that makes you angry.’ He urged her on, removing his hands and pushing her hair back from her face so he could watch.

Cassie thought about home and how her parents made her angry. She could suddenly feel her insides power up. This time when she threw her hands at the tree it was with emotions deep within her and the tree shattered into sawdust that floated through the air and settled around them. She sat up straight, shocked that she could direct it so well.

Kayden kissed her hands. His eyes and voice filled with emotion. ‘You’re so valuable. I can’t believe you just walked into my life and that you’ve been happy to stay.’

Cassie smiled at him as his eyes sparkled. His gaze, behind those long lashes, captivated her with secret thoughts. In some kind of trance she felt a magnetic pull towards him as if he was linking them together somehow. She could feel, just for an instant, every emotion he was feeling and by the look on his face she felt sure that he was also feeling her.

Did I really feel his strong feelings for me or did I just imagine it? Cassie felt bewildered as Kayden stood and started packing up the remains of the picnic lunch, closing off from her and acting as if the exchange had never happened. I guess if he did, we would be still here in each other’s arms. Feeling a bit young and stupid for wishing they would be together, she sucked it up. If he was only ever going to look upon her as a friend, Cassie intended to be the best one he ever had.

A funny thought struck her. Maybe he was worried that she might zap him like she did to Jason.My thinking is probably way off. As if a strong male like him would be scared of a pint-size girl like me. Followed by an even worse thought. What if I am just that to him? A girl, a princess, too young and not womanly enough for him?

When they arrived home after their ride they saw that Jason had come for a visit and had been waiting at the house for their return. ‘I’ve come to ask the princess if she’ll accompany me to town on a dinner date,’ he said, smiling sweetly.

‘Whatever saves me from looking after her.’ Kayden’s mood changed. He became aggravated and impatient with them both and dismissed them as if he had put up with enough. He practically pushed them out the door together.

Cassie was so surprised at Kayden’s reaction. The final hope that there would be more to their friendship crashed around her. The fact that there had been no protest and he hadn’t cared about her being in the company of another man at all got her dander up so she swallowed her hurt pride and went with Jason. He was charming as always and chatted all the way into town. He had become a good friend and it wasn’t long before he’d eased her anguish about Kayden and they started to enjoy themselves.

As much as Cassie adored Jason, he was not Kayden and many times during the night a little part of her strayed, wishing it was Kayden she was on a date with. How mean and insensitive is that? she thought pushing it to the back of her mind and concentrating on Jason again, becoming attentive for as long as her brain would allow before diverting again.

They had a banquet of different flavoured foods that Jason made her try. She loved the way he constantly made the effort to educate her in Aussie culture to help her fit in. He told her silly jokes that made her laugh through most of the courses so she ate heartily without complaining about everything she put to her lips.

After dinner he held her hand and walked with her through the streets, showing her the different styles of double-brick housing in those parts and how they were fully air-conditioned to handle the rugged and harsh West Australian heat waves which were common up north and explaining how the strong-framed houses are constructed to hopefully withstand the cyclonic months where rain, floods and terrible winds ravage the landscape.

When they arrived home, Jason said that he had enjoyed himself and kissed her cheek, thanking her for the lovely night. He was a prince among princes but he was not Kayden and Cassie felt bad that she hadn’t felt anything more than friendship as he held her hand and kissed her goodnight.

Kayden was in bed. Not wanting to wake him, Cassie tried to undress in the darkness of her room and jumped straight into bed. Kayden heard her and stomped to her room, pushing the door open. Cassie sat up and saw his heated look.

‘If you’re going to go out until all hours the least you can do is be courteous and keep it down. Next time do your damned kissing and canoodling in the car, not on my front porch,’ he said, gnashing his teeth and stomping back into his room.

Kayden had riled her up, provoking her to stomp irritably into his room. ‘He kissed my cheek, mister! Don’t think I’m one of your horses you can farm out to your friends for entertainment just to give you a break. Next time you don’t want me around, say so! I will gladly prefer to sleep in the barn for the night.’ She scampered back to her room in a huff and threw the blankets over her head, feeling just as moody as he was.