One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 23
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One Summer Evening Part 23

He smiled absently, as if his mind had shifted to bigger and better things.

"Are you off to work?"

"Well, I'm headed in that direction," Cassie responded ruefully.

"Ah, you'll do just fine. You have your mother's talent." James paused,

then added,

"By the way, having you here seems to have made a marked difference in her.

She's feeling much better."

"I just hope it works out. Daddy."

"It will. It's already working out."

"Are you sure you and Joy can handle Tyler while I'm at the hotel?" I He

seemed taken aback.

"Of course. Why, we' real ready a team."

"He can be a handful."

"That's what energetic boys are supposed to be. Another session of day

camp will be starting soon. He'll enjoy that."

"That he will." Cassie broke into a smile "But meanwhile, don't say I

didn't warn you." "Speaking of warning," James said in a sobering tone, "I'm trying to see Lester."

Her face and lips went colorless.

"No."

"Now, Cassie, don't be like that. He's still Tyler's father."

"Don't, Daddy. I don't want to hear that again. And I don't want you

anywhere near that prison."

"I'm a minister, a man of God, in case you've forgotten." His tone was firm but gentle.

"I'm concerned about Lester's soul."

Cassie wanted to scream, to stomp her feet. She wanted to curse, but most of all, she wanted to laugh. Soul? If Lester had ever had a soul, he had long since sold it to the devil. It wouldn't do any good to point that out to James, though. He was oblivious to what went on in the real world.

And if it made him feel better to live in his make- believe one, then so be it. However, there were limits to her patience.

"Do what you have to do, but I won't allow you to involve Tyler."

He looked as if he wanted to argue but didn't, obviously having picked up on the steel edge in her voice.

"I can live with that," James said after a moment.

Cassie released her pent-up sigh.

"Just so we understand one another.

Now, I'm out of here. I'll see you later."

"I'm not far behind you." James paused.

"Oh, I want to thank you, too, for staying here with us."

Cassie had dickered over her living conditions once she'd conceded to

remain and work in the hotel. She had considered renting an apartment or

a house.

But when she'd talked it over with Tyler he had wanted to stay here, on the estate. In fact, he'd begged. She had given in, though only because the entire upstairs would be theirs.

"I don't plan to stay indefinitely, but for now, Tyler has my arm twisted behind me."

James chuckled.

"Smart boy."

The heavyset but impeccably dressed manager held out his hand and smiled.

"Welcome to the Jasmine Hillcrest, Mrs. Sullivan."

Cassie returned David Smithhart's smile and handshake.

"It's Cassie."

"All right, Cassie."

"And thank you for the tour. It was an eye-opener."

And it was. She had reacquainted herself with every nook and cranny of

this grand place, and it had been a real treat.

"You're right about it needing a face-lift." David angled his head, and, for a moment, his gray eyes were piercing.

"Any chance of that happening?"

"If I have my way, you betcha."

David pushed his hands through his light hair.

"I'm not sure how Austin feels."

"You leave him to me."

David smiled, then winked.

"That'll be a pleasure."

"By the way, I'm glad you're back and feeling better," Cassie said,

switching the subject.

"Lordy, me too," David drawled.

"I don't know what kind of virus I had, but it knocked me to my knees."

"Well, it's good to see you upright."

He nodded, just as his pager went off.

"Go ahead, take care of business," Cassie said. "That's where I'm

headed."

A few minutes later she was sitting behind her desk, trying to concentrate on business. But for some reason her mind kept wandering.

She felt restless, suspecting the earlier conversation with her daddy

was partly to blame.

Dammit, she didn't want to think about her sicko ex- husband. More to the point, she didn't ever want to see him again. Lester was where he deserved to be. That alone gave her the confidence to get out of bed

each morning and do what she had to do. Whatever James did was on his conscience, just as long as he didn't involve her or her son.

Her gaze drifted to the window. Instead of spring fever, she had summer

fever. The gorgeous day, heat and humidity aside, demanded one be

outdoors, literally inhaling the scent of jasmine.