“He’s fine, Cass. Just get in the truck. I’m hungry.”
Her mouth gaped a little wider as she read his expression—and his double entendre. The tips of her ears burned as she flushed, and she ducked into the back before Boots got a good look at her. Buddy occupied the seat behind him, barking and looking pleased.
Once they got to the diner, he’d have to keep a low profile and hope no one recognized him. Clay, as a US Senator, was always in the limelight and Chase made the tabloids on a weekly basis. He supposed Chase’s position as CEO of the entertainment and real estate arm of the family empire invited that sort of attention. Chance, along with Cord and Cash, did his best to stay out of the public eye. Maybe he could pull this off. Even though he was senior partner of his own law firm, he made sure his associates were the ones on the news.
* * *
Cass hadn’t been back to Four Corners since the day of her dad’s funeral. The warm pressure of Chance’s palm against the small of her back propelled her through the door. A bell jangled merrily, and heads turned. Jovial greetings rang out, and Boots stopped to visit with folks on the way to a booth by the front window. Nadine appeared with clunky ceramic mugs in one hand and a steaming coffeepot in the other.
Chance settled beside Cassidy and as soon as his thigh brushed against her, it stayed. Moments later, a waitress appeared with glasses of ice water, cutlery setups rolled tightly in paper napkins and a metal pitcher of cream. Cass doctored her coffee from the jug, watching the thick swirls turn the rich sepia liquid in the mug to gentle café au lait. They ordered. They ate. And she leaned into the corner listening to Boots and Chance. As the old man quizzed the younger, she watched their expressions. Chance remained relaxed, deflecting or answering the questions with good-natured ease. Boots, cynical at first, relaxed, as well. She could almost see the moment he made up his mind about Chance.
Nadine returned frequently, perching beside Boots to chat, her laughter filling the awkward moments. Cass smiled but hid it behind her napkin. Nadine had a thing for Uncle Boots, and if she knew him at all, he was rather sweet on the woman, as well. To her knowledge, Boots had never married and she wondered why now. Her smile morphed into a yawn, despite the copious amounts of coffee she’d consumed.
“I think we need to get our girl home for a nap, Mr. Thomas.”
“Call me Boots, son.”
Cass stared from one to the other, feeling as if an iceberg had just dislodged from a glacier. She would no longer have to justify Chance’s presence or dating him. The idea left her feeling dizzy. Were they dating? Or had last night just been a one-night stand? He’d stayed to help in the barn today, and he certainly didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. She wondered again what he did for a living. It paid well, whatever it was, based on his truck and his condo.
Both men made a grab for the check, but Chance snatched it first. He left cash to cover both bill and tip on the table and slid out, offering a hand to her. A bit shy, she placed her hand in his. Strong fingers closed around hers and with a gentle tug, he pulled her to her feet. He refused to relinquish her hand, and weaving through the diner to the door proved awkward. But she didn’t care. Not one for public displays of affection, this particular PDA made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Outside, Buddy appeared from around the corner. He barked and jumped up on her, making her laugh.
“Bacon breath? You are so busted, dog!”
Boots climbed into the backseat with the dog, and she rode shotgun. Chance didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed to hold her hand on the trip home, nor to kiss her in front of Boots once they arrived.
“I’ll see you soon, darlin’.” His words whispered in her ear after the kiss.