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Outside, Cassie went from person to person, introducing herself with a warm smile while offering Gran’s helpers the homemade refreshments. Kyle went straight to work alongside Ben and the others erecting the haybale maze. Someone turned on a car radio, and within moments, everyone was having fun and getting in a great work rhythm.
Cassie set aside the empty tray and spun when someone tapped her shoulder.
“Cassie?” a tall, beautiful blonde woman asked with a tentative smile. “I’m Kat, Kyle’s oldest sister.”
“Hey, Kat, nice to meet you. Kyle told me congratulations are in order. Let me see,” she said, holding out her hands in anticipation of seeing the shiny new engagement ring.
“Oh...wow...” Kat blushed. “It’s still so new. I kinda want to pinch myself.”
“It’s beautiful. I wish you oodles happiness,” Cassie told her.
“Thank you. And I want to hear everything about you and Kyle. We haven’t spoken much lately. When we do it’s always about family. Or this event. He surprised us last night by saying he was bringing you here this weekend. A very pleasant surprise,” she added.
Cassie silently acknowledged the uncomfortable crossroads she was poised at. She could call out Kyle right then and there. Drag him to the carpet for lying to her and his family. But his big sister looked so happy. Loving and hopeful about his surprise new relationship that she just couldn’t do. But how far am I willing to go with this charade?
“It was a last-minute decision,” was all she said, theoretically telling the truth.
“Well, I’m glad you came,” Kat said, giving her a sisterly squeeze. “I’m getting ready to set up tables for a charity bake sale in the antique shop. It’s cooler in there. You want to help me?”
“I’d love to,” Cassie agreed. She met Kyle’s panicked stare as she walked, arm in arm with his sister, past him and the others, heading toward the entrance to the big red barn.
“Where are you going,” he mouthed.
She looked away quickly as punishment, thinking...Let him stew for a bit.
Inside the shop, it was cool and quiet, as the world outside became muffled and disappeared altogether. The soft tinkling of bells sounded as she closed the door behind, sealing them in. Stacked boxes stood in front of her. To her side...a giant stuffed grizzly bear guarded the entrance.
“That’s Teddy,” Kat said with a quirky grin. “We three grandkids named him back when he first arrived. I’d never seen such a big crate. I’m not completely certain, but I think my Grandpa Mike won him in a card game. A game he wasn’t supposed to be playing. I remember Gran wasn’t too fond of Teddy back then. But he kind of grows on you. Like mold, Gran often teased. Now she pets Teddy’s paw every time she enters.”
“Your gran is wonderful,” Cassie told her. “You’re lucky to have her.”
Kyle’s sister agreed and then went around flipping switches, turning on a series of lights and freestanding lamps throughout the cluttered shop.”
“This is seriously amazing,” Cassie said in awe, as her gaze traveled the vast amount of stuff packed into the space. She took a deep breath, savoring the smell of old things and of history. “It’s been years since I’ve been in an antique store. I used to go antiquing with my mom when I was a kid,” she admitted, surprising herself. She rarely, if ever, talked about her family. And they went to thrift stores, not antique stores, but she wasn’t about to admit that detail to Kyle’s sister.
“Feel free to look around. I’m just going to move some things around to make room for the tables. I’ll call you when I’m ready to move the bigger stuff,” Kat said.
Cassie gladly wove her way through the labyrinth of old things toward the back side of the building. Antique china and glassware, old-fashioned toys, books, and furniture. Things from everywhere and many different eras. A collection of vintage holiday vinyls sparked memories of when her parents had been together. That one Christmas when everything was supposed to be alright. They’d both sworn to her. But then her father started drinking again. The fighting always came next.
The mental image of her mom, sporting a black eye, raced into her head. How was it something that happened so long ago could come rushing back to you when you least expected it? If only she could just as easily remember to praise herself for pulling the frayed edges of their lives back together once her father finally left them alone. Pat herself on the back for finishing high school and heading off to college. For graduating top of her class and going on to learn more. If only she could see her mother’s face when she gifted her that money to move across the country to make a fresh start. If only...
Kyle’s family was the absolute opposite of her own. He’d grown up with loving grandparents and parents, who were still together. Two sisters, whereas she was an only child of a single mother. He’d obviously was born with a silver spoon. Frat boys and sportscars? Yup, we come from two very different worlds. No way am I sharing my story with these people.
She shook her head, muttering, “How the hell did I end up here, pretending to be romantically involved with Kyle Worthington? Of all people.”
Footsteps sounded above her head, and her gaze shot to the rough pine ceiling. She took a few hesitant steps to peer up a wooden staircase, leading to a dark second floor. “Hello?” she said softly. “Is anyone up there?”
The sounds came again, and a plethora of goosebumps spread across her arms and raced down her spine.
“Cassie, you good?” Kat hollered, causing her to gasp. “I’m ready for your help with these tables.”
“Coming,” she yelled, hightailing it to the front of the store.
Together they shuffled things around to make way for two long tables designated for the bake sale to benefit a local children’s charity. Brightly colored Halloween tablecloths, fun signage, paper napkins and plates with smiling jack-o-lanterns were all laid out. Cassie even moved chairs around to make a small bistro-type setting for visitors to mingle and enjoy their sweet treats.
“This is perfect.” Kat stood back alongside her, surveying their work when they were done. She handed Cassie a small, bottled water from the B&B’s giant donation barrel. “We make a good team. This all looks great. Thank you so much for helping.”
“Anytime,” Cassie offered, realizing her offer was honest. She’d had fun. “I’d be happy to work the tables here tomorrow. Or do anything else that’s needed. Kyle and I drove separately, but I’m here for the weekend. I don’t have any other plans.” That part was true too.
“You’re a keeper, Cassie Corwin,” Kat said with a grin. “I’m going to tell my little brother he’d better take good care of you, or he’ll have to answer to me.”
Cassie choked on her water.
“You okay?” Kat asked, looking concerned. “Look up. That’s what Gran always says.”
She did, however, nailed up on the wall above her were a couple of rusty old road sign reading Lover’s Lane and Slow Down – Sharp Turn Ahead.
Cassie coughed even harder.
“Oh my God.” Kat rubbed her back.
“Fine. I’m fine,” she managed to eke out between hacks. Though her head was spinning at the serendipitous messages.
“Okay, then let’s go see how our boys are doing with the maze.”
Kyle’s head snapped up the moment they exited the shop. He dropped the bale he was holding and sprinted over to Cassie. “Your face is all red. Why are you red? Are you okay?”
“Jeez, Kyle,” Kat said with a smirk. “Chill out, little brother. A sip of water went down the wrong way, that’s all.”
“Are you sure?” he demanded, brushing past his sister.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Cassie held up her water bottle. “Like she said. Wrong way.”
He released a long, ragged breath, sinking to sit on a short stack of bales.
“Honestly, Kyle,” Kat chided in obvious surprise, “I’m beginning to think you’re turning into a worry wort. Last night in the kitchen you looked like you were about to pass out when I said I was engaged. Maybe it’s you we need to worry about.”
His wide-eyed gaze bounced from Cassie to Kat and back again until Ben strolled up with Boomer.
“Hey, are you going to stand around talking to all the pretty girls?” Ben joshed with a chuckle. “I could use your help. A bunch of folks need to leave to get ready for tonight.”
Kyle rose slowly to his feet. “Yeah...I just...” He pointed to the ladies, opened his mouth, but snapped it shut again. Then he walked away, muttering to himself.
Kat stared after him. “He is so strange this visit. I don’t know what you’ve done to him Cassie, but my brother is completely off his game.”
***
CASSIE STARED INTO the antique mirror, hanging on the back of her bedroom door. “Too much?” she asked her reflection with a pouty grin. She raised her chin a few notches and turned her face from side to side. The greenish-grey mix of face paint along with the overlayed silver sheen made her skin shimmer in the soft light. Stepping back, she smoothed her tight green mini dress over her hips. Matching green stockings with silver platform boots... She’d braided her hair into a long rope, dangling down her partially bare back. The collar of the dress draped—front and back—like that of a Greek goddess. Some shiny red lipstick, and she puckered her lips. Perfection! All that was missing was her crown of Medusa snakes, waiting on the bed.
The maddening little voice inside Cassie’s head knew she’d dressed purposefully to entice Kyle. It didn’t make sense. In one breath, she told herself she wanted to remain alone, independent, free of any sticky, romantic attachments. Especially to a player like Kyle. Next breath, she’d chosen this costume to bring him to his masculine knees. Make him drool with longing for her. Power and pleasure, baby. Yet if that were truly the case, why do I care so much what he thinks of me?
It’d been a sobering afternoon, sitting in lawn chairs in the shade with Kyle’s sister Kat and Gran, after all the other volunteers left. Except for Ben, who was apparently a regular fixture, there to help his “two favorite ladies.” The women relaxed alongside the two dogs. Boomer and Odin now instant BFFs, as if they were puppy siblings. Sipping sweet, iced tea, chatting in the warm, late-afternoon breeze.
I could get used to this. Cassie thought as she gazed out at the beautiful landscape. Fluffy clouds with abundant sunshine. Beyond the dunes shimmered aqua-colored waves. Tomorrow or Sunday I’ll have to hit the beach.
The two men continued to work hard in the heat until the maze was finished. It looked great. But Kyle looks better. Sandy-blond hair, falling across his suntanned brow. His sweaty t-shirt plastered to his body showing every bulging muscle. Dang, if that man doesn’t look fine!
She tried to focus on their conversation, but her mind and gaze kept drifting back to Kyle. At one point, he caught her gawking. Looked straight at me and smiled. His tight expression easing into a tilted grin. Making her pulse do that little zippy thing it always did when he was near. Now, here she was dressing to impress him. Was there something to the island magic Gran so often spoke of? An aphrodisiac in the water supply, or something?
Cassie brushed off her musing, equating her odd feelings and behavior to vacation vibrations. She was out to have a good time. If that meant some sexy fun time with the ultimate hottie playboy, then so be it. Come Monday morning, she’d be leaving. Driving back to the mainland with Odin. Home to her peaceful, boring life as a medical researcher. Living with her dog in a bug-free, one bedroom apartment with her houseplants and books.
For some reason, none of that sounded very appealing, despite her constant craving for peace and quiet. She didn’t always like “people places.” Unless it was Halloween in Salem. She glanced around her pretty B&B room and heaved a sigh. This is the next best thing. Besides, so far, nothing and no one was too imposing when it came to the charade Kyle was attempting to pull off. Hopefully, it stayed that way.
Positioning the crown of snakes upon her head, she gave herself one last perusal in the mirror. “One weekend. Done. Buy a postcard for the fridge and move on,” she schooled her reflection. “What’s the worst that can happen? It’s not like he’s going to fall in love with you. Or you him.”
She chewed her ruby lip, worrying.
Yet she startled when something moved behind her in the old, mottled glass. She spun to scan the room. Nothing. Only Odin, sprawled out on his twin bed.
That must have been it. A shadow of Odie, rolling over.
Cassie snatched up her small purse and roused her big lug. “Come on, Odie, it’s showtime.”