“It’s very nice that Joel is being understanding,” Aunt Charity said, and shot Chloe a warning look.
Chloe ignored it. “Joel doesn’t have the sense God gave a turnip. I can’t believe he’s just sitting back and letting you do this without protesting.”
“That’s not fair,” Cassie told her sister. “If Joel had gotten all macho on me and insisted I not live there, or if he’d been otherwise concerned, you would have called him a bully. You’re not going to let him win either way.”
Chloe had the good grace to look a little uncomfortable with her sister’s words. “I would not,” she said, but without much conviction.
Aunt Charity patted Cassie’s hand. “You’re going to be fine. I’m sure Joel feels a little jealousy. What man wouldn’t? But he doesn’t want to show it. As for Ryan and Sasha, it seems to me that you’re on the right track. Be patient. It will all work out.”
“I hope you’re right,” Cassie said.
The three women chatted for a little longer, then Cassie got up to leave. Chloe walked her to her car.
“You’re glowing,” Cassie said as they paused in the driveway. She had to speak up to be heard over the lawn mower. Old Man Withers was still out doing his weekly round over the grounds.
Chloe pressed her hand against her bulging tummy. “I don’t know about glowing but I do know that I’m very happy.” Her smile was tender. “Being in love will do that to a woman.”
Cassie searched her face. “No regrets? It happened so fast. One minute he was a stranger, the next you were involved.”
“I know. When I think about how quickly we found each other, I have trouble believing any of it is real.” She smiled. “But the more we’re together, the more I’m sure this is exactly right. Arizona isn’t the perfect man, but he’s perfect for me. We understand each other so well, it’s almost scary. It must be the magic nightgown.”
“Must be,” Cassie agreed, trying not to be envious of her sister’s happiness. Despite being a nonbeliever, Chloe had worn the Bradley nightgown when she’d turned twenty-five and she’d dreamed about Arizona Smith. They’d met the next morning and sparks had started to fly instantly. They’d had passion…they still did.
“You’ll get your chance in a few weeks,” Chloe reminded her. “Are you excited?”
Usually, she was, Cassie thought with surprise. But not today. “I’m not a real Bradley,” she said. “Even if I was, there’s Joel.”
Chloe gave her a quick hug. “You’re a Bradley in your heart and I’m sure that’s all that matters. As for Joel…” Her voice trailed off. “I swear, Cassie, you make me insane with your devotion to that man. What do you see in him?”
For once Cassie couldn’t answer the question. “We’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one.”
“I know. I’m sorry. You have enough going on in your life without me making trouble with this old argument. I’ll be good.”
“Thanks.”
They said their goodbyes. Cassie got into her car and started driving toward the preschool to pick up Sasha. She had to wrestle with an unfamiliar emotion—guilt. She didn’t want to envy her sister’s happiness, but she did. She didn’t want to feel unsettled about Joel, but she did.
It wasn’t fair to him, she reminded herself. He hadn’t changed. He was exactly the same man she’d fallen in love with nine years ago. He was kind and gentle and caring. Okay, maybe he wasn’t flashy and he didn’t have a high-powered career or a lot of ambition, but he was good and decent. Wasn’t that more important?
“What about passion?” a little voice whispered.
Cassie tried to push it away. There was more to life than sex. She should know. She’d gone her whole life without once experiencing what it would be like to be with a man. She knew that in time, if things continued on their present course, she and Joel would marry. They would become lovers. She was sure that their physical intimacy would be as pleasant as the rest of their relationship.
“I don’t want pleasant,” she muttered rebelliously. “I want fire. I want to be swept away by needing someone. I want to feel alive.”
She was being foolish, she told herself. Her priorities were messed up and the quicker she got them back in order, the happier she would be. But the traitorous thoughts wouldn’t go away, and deep in her heart, she wasn’t sure she wanted them to.
CHAPTER FOUR
“I’M GONNA get you!”