Cloud Riders(34)

Ruby had heard them pull up. Cassie chuckled to find her still in her dressing gown, already organising coffee. Jim was at the table reading the paper with his tracksuit on.

‘Hi guys,’ Cassie smiled. ‘I want you to meet the man I intend to spend the rest of my life with.’

Ruby thought she looked absolutely radiant as she made the introductions.

‘Kayden Hunter, this is Ruby and Jim, my friends and companions who have been my dates to every event I’ve had the opportunity to go to.’ Kayden looked at her, stunned. ‘Yes, you were also my very first boyfriend date,’ Cassie giggled and stretched up to kiss his cheek.

Kayden’s grin said it all. Cassie could tell by the sparkle that washed over his eyes how happy she had just made him. Up until that point, Kayden had no idea his lover had kept herself just for him and Cassie could see his fragile heart soar.

Ruby hugged him and made him feel welcome. ‘Our Cassie has brightened up our world but we knew it wouldn’t last forever.’

Jim stood politely. ‘So you’re the man she ran from. I’m so glad you’ve finally found her. We worried that she would end up an old maid because she wouldn’t go anywhere without us oldies,’ Jim confessed, shaking Kayden’s hand.

Cassie glared at Jim, shocked. ‘How did you know? I never said a word!’

Jim laughed again. ‘Walls here are thin and you talk in your sleep. You called out to Kayden most nights. Sorry, darl, you never fooled us for a minute.’

They sat and drank coffee while Ruby cooked them a big breakfast. After they ate, she helped Cassie pack. Even though they were sad to see her go they were happy that she had found her soul mate. It was then back to the casino so Kayden could check out of his room and Cassie could say goodbye. When she found Alex, Cassie swallowed hard as she choked out her gratitude for his friendship. She sobbed in his arms as they held each other for the last time.

‘It’s okay, Cassie love. I knew when I kissed you that there was another man somewhere who had your heart but I did love that you tried to kiss me back.’ He grinned, brushing her hair from her drenched cheeks.

‘I’m sorry it wasn’t you, Alex. You know I adore you don’t you?’ she hugged him again.

Taking her by the chin, he forced her to look up at him. ‘As I adore you, my friend, but if he stops making you happy for even a second, you come home to me, you hear?’

Cassie nodded.

‘Now come and let me meet the man who is stealing you from me.’

Cassie cheered up. ‘You’ll like him, Alex. He’s so much like you at times. When I first met you it was hard not to hate you for it.’ She giggled, making him smile at her.

‘You know I should be mad at you for leaving me in the lurch like this but your happiness means more to me, pumpkin,’ he said, touching her nose and hugging her under his arm as they walked back towards Kayden.

Alex took it really well and she knew she would miss him most of all. When he shook hands with Kayden he asked him to look after her and bring her back for a visit from time to time. He sounded more like a big brother than her sort-of ex. She thought how sweet a man he really was.

Kayden drove in silence, worried for Cassie as she sobbed silently into her hanky. Coming back into her life had been one emotional roller coaster and he swore to the heavens that he would make it up to her. An hour later Cassie dried her face, squared her shoulders and turned, watching Kayden as he drove.

He turned and squeezed her hand with a nervous tremble. ‘Any regrets?’

‘Only one.’ She touched his face tenderly and wished she hadn’t been so hasty in dragging him out of his room at the casino. She had been a little anxious at the time but now all the goodbyes were over all she wanted was to be in her man’s arms.

Kayden saw in her sweet, loving face what she was thinking. He thought if he didn’t change the subject he wouldn’t be able to stop from pulling up, kissing those luscious lips and doing anything he could to ease her sadness.

He grinned. ‘I know exactly what that regret would be and I’ve been wondering the same thing. Why would you buy a Mazda?’ His comment was out of left field and Cassie started to giggle. Her infectious change of mood thrilled Kayden and he laughed with her. He felt pleased he had taken her mind off the sadness she had been feeling and he listened intently as she explained that her car had all the newest mod cons including sunroof and what she felt was one of the best surround-sound systems. She turned on the CD player and a Fleetwood Mac song blared out from the speakers, making him laugh.

‘So you like the older-style music?’

Cassie grinned. ‘I know. Who would have guessed? I’ve found out a lot more about myself too. I love eggs but not the bacon. I like baths with many bubbles and the smell of scented candle shops draws me in like a moth to a flame. And best of all I like to just sit and watch a really fast action movie but the bad guy always has to lose or I don’t like it so much.’