Cassie took the ball from the chute. “B 15. B 15.” She held the ball up for everyone to see but no one looked up from their bingo cards. She glanced at Reggie, who was writing down each call she made, just in case there was any confusion. Reggie gave her a thumbs-up and started spinning the ball cage again, over and over.
“Who’s close?” Cassie smiled at the number of hands that rose. They were only four games in and already her throat was dry. She watched as another ball rolled down the chute and reached for it. “O 3. O 3.”
“Bingo!” A voice called out from the back of the room. “I’ve got bingo. Someone come check my card.”
Cassie looked up, scanning the sizable crowd. High winds and plummeting temps hadn’t kept folk from coming out this evening. But, even with the heater in the community center working overtime, most of the bingo players were still wearing their coats and hats to stay warm.
Buzz, Cassie’s brother, finished inspecting the bingo card. “Looks good to me. Miss Penny Hodges is the winner.”
There was a smattering of applause and a whole lot of grumbling as everyone cleared off their bingo cards in preparation for another round.
“Before we get started on a new game, help yourself to some cookies. Courtesy of The Coffee Shop on Main Street.” Cassie pointed at the refreshment table that Jenna, Buzz’s fiancée, had set up while they’d been playing the last round. “Cookies and hot chocolate. Move around and warm up a bit.”
That announcement was followed by the squeak of folding chairs sliding across the laminate floor, the murmur of conversation and a rush of footsteps headed for the table.
“Can I just say this is a little scary? How serious these folk are taking their bingo, I mean.” Buzz stood in front of the raised dais where Cassie and Reggie were sitting. “Velma over there, the talky checker at the grocery store, she tried to convince me that the G 4 was an O 4 last time.” He shook his head. “She even offered me her reading glasses—like it was my eyes that were the problem.”
“I know. Velma is quite a shark when it comes to bingo.” Cassie shoved her hands into her pockets for warmth. “Watch out for Blanca, too. She’s been known to hide an extra card or two.”
Buzz shot her an incredulous look. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
She rolled her eyes. “We both know Jenna talked you into this, not me.” A fact she was incredibly thankful for.
“Yeah, right.” He waved her words aside. “Whatever.” But he spied Jenna, and his whole expression changed. Everything about her brother softened. “I guess I should go grab a cookie before they’re all gone?”
“There is an extra box in the kitchen,” Reggie whispered, “for the volunteers.”
“A whole box, huh?” Buzz rubbed his hands together.
“You’d better leave some for us.” Cassie wagged a finger at him. “And make it snappy. They’ll be ready to go here pretty quick.” Buzz kept nodding as he headed for Jenna.
Cassie had expected tonight to have a low turnout, but from the looks of it, all the regulars were here. On a good evening, most of the senior citizens of Granite Falls—and the surrounding small towns—came to bingo. Other than Celeste Zamora and Dean Hodges, that is. Celeste used to bring her father, but after he passed, she’d continued to come and play on her own.
“I brought you this.” Dean held out a water bottle. “I figure you must be getting pretty parched about now.”
Cassie took the bottle, ignoring his eager smile. “Thank you, Dean. My throat is a little dry.”
“You, too, Reggie.” Dean offered Reggie a water bottle.
Cassie glanced up right as the community center doors opened and... She swallowed. What is he doing here?
“What’s wrong?” Dean turned and stopped, the muscle going rigid in his jaw. “When did he get into town?”
“He came by the coffee shop this morning—nearly ate all of the sausage rolls, too. He asked what was happening around town, so I told him.” Reggie paused then. “Sterling something.”
“Sterling Ford,” Dean grumbled, glancing at Cassie. “You want me to make him leave?”
As sweet as Dean’s offer was, Cassie had a hard time picturing how that would work. Dean wasn’t a small man, but next to Sterling, he...was. Plus, Sterling never backed down from a fight, even when he should—at least the Sterling she’d known. As far as she knew, Dean had never been in a fight. “No, Dean, that’s fine.” She smiled. “He has every right to be here. It makes no difference to me.”
Dean nodded and returned to his table, his gaze bouncing to Sterling over and over—openly hostile.
After giving herself a good talking-to in the veterinary clinic bathroom, she’d managed to steady herself. He was nothing special—not anymore. Seeing him was a surprise, sure, but it wasn’t a big deal. It didn’t need to be, anyway. And that’s the way she was going to act. Now, everyone else needed to stop making his presence into a thing.
“What the hell?” Buzz’s near growl caught Cassie’s attention, but it was the way he stomped toward the door that set Cassie in motion.
She jumped down from the dais and hurried across the room to step in front of her brother. “Buzz, darling brother-o-mine, why don’t you go eat another cookie and not make a scene?” She smiled brightly but pressed her hand against his chest. “Everyone is looking,” she added with a whisper.
“Why is he here?” Buzz glowered down at her.
“Why are you asking me?” She kept her smile in place. “Presumably to play bingo?”
Buzz snorted.
“That’s lovely.” Cassie sighed. “Now, how about you go assure your fiancée that all is well, eat a cookie, and we can get back to bingo?”
Buzz snorted again but turned, stalking back to the refreshment table where a very bewildered-looking Jenna was still serving punch and cookies.
Old Mrs. Baker, who normally checked everyone in, collected entrance fees and handed out bingo cards, was still shuffling toward the refreshment table. It would take a while—possibly even a whole game—before the woman would return to get Sterling taken care of and ready to play. Assuming he was here to play? Cassie took a deep breath, kept her smile in place and headed toward the front table. Buzz couldn’t do it, Jenna had her hands full and asking Reggie to do it felt like asking too much at this point.
At least he seemed surprised to see her. That was something. Much better than his blank-faced expression from this morning’s meeting.
“Hello. You’re here for bingo?” She managed to keep smiling. I’m cool as a cucumber.
He tapped his fingers on the stack of cards, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Bingo? I thought this was a hula class.”
Cassie blinked, beyond confused. Was he—
“Kidding.” He grinned, his brown eyes dancing. “Bingo, it is.”
Cassie blinked again, her chest heavy and tight. “How many cards?” Her smile might have slipped a little. Because, really, she wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
He eyed the stack of cards. “How many can I play?”
“Three?” She had no idea. “Four?” Mrs. Baker was stacking her plate with cookies, her every movement in slow motion.
“Two.” Sterling handed over the cash, took his card and dauber pen.
That was that. She took a deep breath.
“Anywhere?” he asked.
“Anywhere what?” She’d managed to not make direct eye contact until that moment. But now that it had happened, she didn’t know how to undo it. It wasn’t that she was overcome with a swell of memories, she’d become quite skilled at blocking all that out. It was because Sterling Ford was devilishly handsome. Possibly more handsome than ever before. This morning she’d become alarmingly aware of how much bigger he seemed to be. Muscles and all that. Now she was forced to look at the man who used to flood her with happiness. Being face-to-face with him had her exploring the familiar razor-sharp jaw, heavy-lidded eyes and the not-so-familiar crooked nose—yep, even his crooked nose was sexy.
Whoa, whoa. Sexy was no longer part of her vocabulary when it came to Sterling. Period. Things like calm, cool and collected were all fine. Frustration, irritation, even anger made sense. But her smile was gone and she was feeling anything but cool as a cucumber.
And now he was standing there, his brown eyes sweeping over her leisurely—as if they were alone.
Which we’re not. They were in a room full of people milling about them and, likely, listening to everything that was being said. Not that much was being said.
“Sterling?” she murmured, annoyed with herself for getting so frazzled. The sight of Mrs. Baker shuffling back, holding a plate piled high with cookies, only added to her anxiety. “Go sit down.”
He nodded but made no move to do as she said. “Anywhere?”
“Yes,” she practically hissed. “Anywhere.” As long as it is far, far away from me. It wasn’t her imagination, people were noticing. Beyond Mrs. Baker, Jenna had hooked arms with Buzz and was saying something to him. Whatever it was, he was nodding—but he didn’t necessarily seem happy.
“All right.” Sterling carried his bingo supplies up to the front of the room. Right in front of the dais. Right in front of her and directly in her line of sight.
Really?
The cookie frenzy had died down and most everyone had returned to their seats, and there was no help for it. She’d promised Bobbie Doherty she’d cover for him and that’s just what she was going to do. It was bingo, easy-peasy. She’d managed to ignore just about every memory she had of Sterling Ford. How much harder could it be to ignore the man himself?
The woman that ran the coffee shop had told him he’d had two options to occupy himself with that evening: bingo at the community center or karaoke down at the Watering Hole. Slim pickings. Since the only singing he did was in the shower, he’d wandered down Main Street, turned on Huckleberry and walked down the sidewalk to the well-kept community center. The parking lot was packed, a sign that he wasn’t the only one in Granite Falls who preferred bingo to karaoke—even with the threat of a winter storm coming. He’d no idea Cassie would be here.
Walking in the door, he’d been struck with a sense of homecoming. He’d moved in with his cousin his freshman year of high school. For him, Granite Falls had been a fresh start. When he went to bed, he wasn’t worried about waking up to yelling or fighting or the feel of his father’s belt cutting into him at the slightest—or no—provocation. No one here had known a thing about him, his father or their mess of a life. Here, none of that existed. He’d joined the rodeo club, made friends and never looked back.
Cassie Lafferty had played a big part in that.
Until he’d screwed everything up.
And, from the look on Buzz Lafferty’s face, his screwup hadn’t been forgiven or forgotten. Would Buzz have a warmer welcome for him this time? Sterling ran his finger along the break in his nose. Maybe, maybe not.
Sterling was tired. Bone-tired. He didn’t want to deal with Buzz or Dean or anyone else looking for a fight. The wiser course of action might be returning the bingo cards and dauber and heading to the Watering Hole. But he wasn’t about to break his two-plus year streak. He’d worked too hard to get here. Nothing and no one would change his mind. Even if things were getting damn uncomfortable two games in.
He’d been looking forward to an evening to relax before he tracked down Cassie tomorrow. Instead, he was seated right up front—staring up at Cassie as she called out the bingo numbers. Cassie’d had this thing about her—an energy. She’d been a talker, using her hands and making faces and laughing at her own jokes. Sterling had always liked watching her. Hell, he’d enjoyed being with her. It didn’t matter where she was or who she was with, she made things better. But tonight felt different. If anything, she seemed uncomfortable in her own skin. Which was nothing like the Cassie he knew.
He’d been gone so long, he wasn’t even a blip on her radar anymore—but he seemed as in tune to her as ever. Something was bothering her.
Over and over, his attention wandered from his bingo card to the woman calling out numbers. She hadn’t changed a bit. Not on the outside, anyway. On the inside? He had no way of knowing and no right to find out. The more he looked at her, the more the “what if’s” and bone-deep longing fought to resurface.
He’d come to Granite Falls with two goals: decide on the McCarrick Cutting Horses deal and make peace with Cassie. He was not going to let himself start feeling things, things best left forgotten.
Since Buzz Lafferty kept shooting death glares his way and he was more interested in Cassie than either of his bingo cards, he figured clearing out was the best option. Not that he was going to tuck tail and run, no way. He waited, went through the motions and managed not to jump out of his chair and run for the door when someone finally called “bingo.” Instead, he wiped off his cards, gathered up his things and carried them back to the table.
“Sterling Ford.” Mrs. Baker sat there, munching on Christmas cookies—a sprinkling of red-and-green sugar crystals and cookie crumbs covering a good portion of the table. “I thought it was you. My, son, you’ve grown into quite a man now, haven’t you?” She grinned, her light-up Christmas necklace twinkling red and green and white.
“I eat my vegetables.” He winked, patting his stomach.
She cackled. “Well, it’s working for you. Last I heard, you were riding bulls all over. What brings you back after all this time?”
Was it possible that no one but Buzz and the McCarrick brothers knew about his short visit three years ago? “Work.”
“Oh-ho?” Her brows rose, creasing her forehead like an accordion. “Nothing else?” She peered over the rim of her oversize glasses at him, then Cassie.
“No, ma’am.” He grinned. “Nothing else.”
Sterling felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. “Glad to hear it.” For the most part, Buzz Lafferty sounded cordial enough.
Sterling turned, shaking the man’s hand off. “Buzz.”
“Sterling.” Buzz’s eyes narrowed, but his tight smile remained. “Mighty surprised to see you here tonight.”
Sterling glanced over at Cassie. “Oh? I heard bingo was the place to be, so here I am.” Not that I expected to find Cassie here or have her giving me the stink eye all evening.
Buzz glanced at the stage, then at Mrs. Baker and the cards Sterling had just turned in. “No luck?”
“Nope.” Sterling wasn’t sure what, exactly, Buzz was referring to. Bingo or Cassie? Either way, the answer was the same.
He hadn’t expected Cassie to welcome him back with open arms—he wasn’t that big a fool. He’d had his share of head injuries, but he still had his wits about him. Thinking Cassie would ever give him another chance? No. No way. It hurt like hell, but the fault was all his and he had to live with that. Apologizing to her was all he dared hope for. But even that might be asking too much.
“Evening, Mrs. Baker. Buzz.” He touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll let you get back to it.” He headed for the doors, hoping like hell Buzz would leave it be. As soon as he stepped outside, he zipped up his coat and shoved his hands into his pockets. His breath turned to vapor in the cold. The temperature’s dropping all right.
Sterling was halfway down the block when Buzz caught up to him.
“Hold up.” Buzz’s tone was warning enough. Buzz Lafferty was spoiling for a fight.
If Sterling explained why he was here, that would be the end of it. Buzz would have no cause to be upset, and the whole damn thing would be over and done with. But Sterling had every right to be here and just as much a right to be pissed at Buzz. If Buzz wanted a fight, he was in for a shock. This time, Sterling would fight back. For now, he waited with his hands in his pockets.
Buzz shook his head. “Listen... I know things were bad last time you were here—”
“It was quite a welcome,” Sterling agreed.
“I... I’m sorry for that.” Buzz mumbled. “It was bad timing. Cassie had been through hell and back and... But he was gone and you show up... That beating was meant for him. Not that you were innocent, mind you.” He shook his head. “And not that any of that is your business,” he murmured the last. “Dammit.”
Sterling’s chest grew tight. He didn’t like what Buzz was implying. What had Cassie been through? Who was he? And why the hell had Buzz let the bastard that hurt her go? Technically, Buzz was right and it was none of his business. But that didn’t stop the questions from rolling in or the surge of anger that gripped him by the throat. “What about Angus? Dougal?” Standing there, watching. Dougal only stepped in when Sterling was exhausted, his nose was broken and he was seeing stars. Then the two brothers had followed him all the way out of town—to make sure he left.
“It was wrong. I won’t make any excuses.” Buzz frowned. “You know they’re just as protective of Cassie as I am. They were there when, well, it doesn’t matter. They were just as wound up as I was.” He shook out his arms, his hands clenching—and his voice going low and gruff. “I can’t explain it. I’ve never felt that way, and damn it all, I hope I never feel that way again.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not excusing it.” His gaze was long and hard. “I was wrong.”
Sterling swallowed hard. Whatever anger or resentment he’d felt turned to ash in his mouth, leaving a bitter taste on his tongue and his stomach churning. What had happened? And who was the bastard responsible? Why the hell hadn’t Buzz, Angus, and Dougal stopped whatever was happening? They should have known. If they’d been doing their damn job protecting her, then. how had this happened? A new anger heated his blood. Not for what Buzz had done to him but for what Buzz hadn’t prevented from happening to Cassie.
“But...” Buzz cleared his throat. “I’m Cassie’s brother. It’s my job to protect her.”
Sterling managed not to point out Buzz needed to do a better job, but it was hard.
“I told myself if you ever came through town again, I’d apologize.” Buzz took a deep breath. “For throwing punches—not for what I said.”
Sterling couldn’t stop the chuckle from slipping out. “I guess I shouldn’t admit I don’t recall much of what was said.”
Hands on hips, Buzz straightened. “Oh? I guess I’ll give you a quick refresher. Cassie is off-limits. You two don’t fit—you want different things—”
“All I ever wanted was her.” Sterling didn’t know why he said it.
Buzz stepped forward, his voice low. “If that was true, she wouldn’t have second-guessed herself nine times out of ten or cried herself to sleep for damn near a year after you left.”
With a whoosh, the air was knocked from Sterling’s lungs, followed by a one-two kick to the throat. How many of those nights had he been passed-out drunk, who knows where—aching—for her? It gutted him to think he’d hurt her like that. He’d hurt so many people. He’d hurt Cassie worst of all. He’d been so messed up in the head, so angry at the world, he’d acted like a damn fool and lost her. And left her for some son of a bitch who did who knows what to wound her all over again.
“I don’t think you’ve come back here for her. It’s been six years since you’ve seen her—you’ve both moved on.” Buzz wasn’t asking.
Only because you stopped me from seeing her three years ago.
“Buzz?” Cassie’s voice reached them, carried on a gust of icy wind. “Is everything okay?”
“Fine,” Buzz called back. “Just fine.” He blew into his hands and rubbed them together.
But Sterling wasn’t looking at the man in front of him, not anymore. His attention was drawn, as always, to the woman standing outside the community center. Her strawberry blond hair was aglow beneath the fluorescent light over the doors. Her denim skirt was fitted, skimming curves that damn near tore a groan of appreciation from him. She wore a plain white shirt and brown cowboy boots, and all of it—all of her—had him struggling for breath all over again. It was too cold. She shouldn’t be out here without a jacket.
“Sterling?” Cassie’s voice wavered just enough to send a shiver down his spine.
“Just catching up is all.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Been a while.”
“Yes.” Cassie hugged herself. “It has.”
Go inside before you freeze. Sterling pressed his lips tight to keep the words inside.
“I’m coming.” Buzz turned and headed back to his sister. “Knowing that crew, they’ll start rioting if you don’t get the next game started.”
“Reggie broke out more cookies.” Cassie laughed.
Buzz held the door to the community center open, but Cassie hesitated, staring into the growing dark—at him. “Cassie?” Buzz urged.
“Right.” Cassie murmured something else, but Sterling was too far away to hear her. With a swish of long hair, she was gone and the doors closed.
He stood there, staring at the doors, with pressure building up inside his chest. For a split second, it felt like he’d gone back in time. If he’d been smarter, he never would have let his father get into his head—and he sure as hell wouldn’t have left. He’d have listened to her when she asked him to stay. But I didn’t. Apologizing to Cassie wouldn’t erase what he’d done or said that nightmare of a day so long ago, but he hoped it would make the regret he’d shouldered ever since a little easier to carry.