Dream Wedding(96)

Her rosebud-shaped mouth fell open as her eyes widened. “Money,” she said with all the reverence of clergy addressing God. She held it out to Cassie.

“Wow. Look at what you’ve got.”

Sasha clutched it to her chest as she ran out of the room.

“You’ve made a friend now,” Cassie told Ryan.

“I wasn’t sure she would know what it was.”

“I doubt she knows the value of a penny over a quarter, but she has a slight grasp of the concept. I don’t think she would be as thrilled with bills as she is with coins, though.”

“So she’s a cheap date.”

A rattling sound warned them of Sasha’s approach. This time she carried her Mickey Mouse bank in her arms. When she stopped in front of Ryan, she set the bank on the floor, sat beside it and carefully placed the penny inside.

Cassie applauded. After a half-second delay, Ryan did the same. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out another coin. Sasha took it and again slowly slid it inside. When it clinked against the other coins, she laughed.

They continued the game until Ryan held up his hands in mock dismay. “I don’t have any more change, kid. Sorry.”

“’Kay,” Sasha said in an attempt to reassure him.

Cassie checked on the dinner, then glanced at the picture uncle and niece made. Handsome, businesslike Ryan sat on a kitchen chair with a red-haired doll and a worn stuffed rabbit tucked into the crook of his arm. Sasha sat at his feet, leaning against him, currently mesmerized by the laces on his athletic shoes.

His hair was lighter than Sasha’s curls; their eyes were different colors. But Cassie saw some family resemblance between them. She caught it in a glance, the curve of a smile. She suspected they would look more alike as Sasha grew from a toddler to a little girl and her features became more defined.

The oven timer buzzed. Sasha straightened. “Food,” she said.

“That’s right. The meat loaf is done and the potatoes will be ready in about five minutes. It’s time to wash up so we can eat.” She pointed at the toys in Ryan’s arms. “Will you please take those back to your room for me?”

“I’ll do it,” Ryan told her as he stood. “I’m heading back to my office anyway.”

Cassie tried to ignore the flash of disappointment that raced through her. He wasn’t going to eat dinner with them? She wanted to pout like Sasha, thrusting out her lower lip and threatening tears if she didn’t get her way. Instead she asked, “Aren’t you hungry?”

He looked down at his niece, then at the set table. “Not right now. I’ll grab something later.”

Then he was gone. Cassie stared after him and wondered what had happened to chase him away. Her gaze moved to Sasha who was looking down the hall with the most forlorn expression on her face.

“I know just how you feel,” Cassie told her. “I wanted him to stay, too. And not just for me, but also because you two need each other. Unfortunately I don’t think your uncle has figured that out yet.”

* * *

“SO TELL me what to do,” Cassie said as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on the kitchen table.

Aunt Charity poured coffee into her mug. “I’m sure it’s frustrating.”

“Exactly,” Cassie said, relieved to finally have a chance to come home and talk with her sister and her aunt about Ryan Lawford. The old Victorian house was similar in size to Ryan’s, but had a completely different floor plan. Here Cassie knew every room, every picture. She was familiar with the sounds and smells. Who would have thought that just a week away would have left her homesick? She’d even been pleased to see Old Man Withers sitting on his power mower as he trimmed the lawn. Even though the old goat did little more than insult any woman who made the mistake of offering him a friendly greeting.

“Sasha and I see Ryan less now than we did when I first arrived.”

Her aunt looked at her sister. They were, Cassie realized, a study in contrasts—these three women who had, for a time, lived in the same house. Her aunt was slender with dark hair pulled back in a neat chignon. Her tailored clothing emphasized the youthful shape of her body, despite the fact that she was well into her fifties. Chloe was beautiful, as always, but especially radiant at nearly six months pregnant. Her curly red hair tumbled down her back in loose disarray. If Cassie hadn’t loved her sister so much, she could have easily hated her for being so darned attractive. As it was, she depended on her. Chloe was her best friend and had been so all of her life.

“I don’t know what to do,” Cassie continued as she settled her hands around her mug. She glanced at the clock over the stove. She only had a short time until she had to pick up Sasha at the preschool. “It’s not that he’s hostile. I don’t think he dislikes her as much as he’s uncomfortable being around her. A few days ago he came in the kitchen while I was fixing dinner. Sasha was bringing him toys. He seemed fine with that. He even gave her a penny, which sent her racing for her Mickey Mouse bank. They seemed to be having fun together, but then he just left.”