While she had lived in one place after another, the memories of her childhood home with its lovely trees and gardens had been her lifeline.
At times she had even found herself longing for the beach house, envisioning herself strolling along the shoreline, listening to the pounding surf and nestling her toes in the hot sand.
But now that she had returned to Jasmine, she hadn't wanted to go back there.
She knew why. She had seen Austin, and he had brought back the reality
of what had taken place on that deserted stretch of sand.
Suddenly Cassie shook her head, determined not to think about him, nottoday, anyway. Her agenda was clear. She would delve into the contentsof the folder that had been on her mind since she had first seen it.
Ignoring the sound of birds chirping outside the window, she opened thefile and began reading. By the time she finished, the fury coursingthrough her made her temples pound.
"In your dreams," she muttered, slamming the file shut, then standing.
"Whoa, take it easy, okay?"
Austin tried to keep his voice as low and calm as he could. However,that was difficult, especially when a hysterical woman was on the otherend of the receiver.
He had stopped by his cubbyhole at the hotel before heading out of townto check on the other two facilities. He had remained in Jasmine longerthan he intended. He hated leaving his farm, but since his new colts hadfinally been delivered in good health, he had no excuse for staying.
Even at that, he only planned to be gone overnight. He still hadn'thired a chef for this hotel, but now that David had returned, they wouldput their heads together and make the decision.
At the moment, however, he had to deal with Mary Jane Lunsbury, who hadjust told him what had taken place between her and Randall.
"You wouldn't tell me to take it easy if you'd been on the receiving endof that fit he had." Much of the hysteria remained in her voice.
"I'm lucky that glass hit the mirror instead of me."
"Sounds like more than luck was with you."
Austin sat down. The phone had rung the second he'd walked in the door,briefcase still in hand. His entire body tensed. He didn't need thisshit, not now, not with Cassie's presence already taking chunks out ofhis gut.
On the other hand, he had no choice but to listen. Not only was this hisfriend's wife who had just told him some extremely disturbing news, butRandall was handling the land deal.
"I've ... never seen him like that, Austin."
"From what you've told me, I haven't, either."
"Something is wrong. I feel it in my bones, but I don't know what it isor what to do about it."
"I'll talk to him. He might have had a bad day at the office, but don'tget me wrong, that's no excuse for his behavior." Austin hoped to hellthat was all it was. When Mary Jane had -told him that it had been themention of money that had set Randall off, Austin had flinched.
"If that's the case, then it must've been a dilly of a bad day."
"Are you going to be all right?"
"I guess so," she responded with a shudder.
"Oh, did I tell you he never came back home, that he stayed out allnight?"
Hysteria was rebuilding in her voice. Austin cursed silently. Itwouldn't do for him to get his hands on his friend about now. He wouldshake the living daylights out of him.
"That's not good, either," Austin said.
"Do ... do you think he's involved with another woman?"
"I hope not, Mary Jane. But I can't say for sure."
"Oh, Austin," she wailed, "what on earth am I going to do?"
"Get through this, that's what. Go talk to your pastor. Why not talk toJames? He's a wonderful counselor."
"I might later, but right now, I'm too upset and con r fused to tellanyone else. I only told you because I think if anyone can do anythingwith him, it's you."
"I hope you're right. I'll be back in touch."
"Thanks, Austin."
He wanted to tell her not to thank him yet. He didn't have any idea whathad set Randall off like a rocket. If it was personal with him and MaryJane, then Austin didn't feel he had the right to interfere.
However, if it was financial, then maybe he did have a right.
Then again, maybe he didn't. Randall's financial problems could bepurely personal, nothing to do with their deal. And he knew for a factthat Mary Jane could spend more money faster than anyone he knew.
So much for marital bliss.
That thought made him grimace; it brought to mind the stunt Sherry hadpulled the other evening. Seeing her standing in his bedroom in thatflimsy negligee that showed off her large, rosy nipples and the darkhair at the apex of her thighs had sent his piss factor off the charts.
He shouldn't have been surprised or taken aback by her actions, but he was.
He had known she was attracted to him, had wanted him from the get-go.The attraction had been reciprocated. Having sex with her had definitelybeen on his short list. So why the hell hadn't he taken what had been sogenerously and sincerely offered?
He hadn't known then, and he didn't know now. All he'd been able tothink of was getting her dressed and out of his house. Though he hadmasked his coldness and used as much diplomacy as he could muster, thesituation had been awkward at best.
"This wasn't a good idea, was it?" she'd asked, pulling her lower lip
between her teeth to keep it from trembling, he suspected.
He had made his way deeper into the room, though not close enough to touch her.
"No, it wasn't." He had kept his tone as gentle as possible.
"Do you mind telling me why?"
Her voice shook, which made him feel lower than something stuck on his
boots that came from the barnyard.
"I don't know."
"I see."
"I wish the hell I did," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Sherry turned toward the bathroom, where she had apparently left her
clothes.
"Uh, wait," he said.
She halted, then faced him once again, hope gleaming from her eyes and
her lips parted, neither of which had a bearing on him physically.
His dick remained passive.
"Look, this is not your fault."
Her shoulders sagged.
"Really? Somehow, I don't find that comforting."
"I'm sorry," he said lamely.
"What's going on, Austin?"
"I told you, I don't know."
"I thought we were getting along fine."
"We were.
"We are."
Sherry's eyes were troubled.
"Then what's the problem, unless you just don't want me?"
"It's not that simple, Sherry." Austin shoved a hand through his already
disheveled hair.
"Is it Alicia?"
He knew exactly what she was getting at. To pretend otherwise would be
insulting.
"I'm not still in love with my wife, if that's what you're asking."
She shrugged.
"I guess I was. Is there anyone else? I mean ..."
Suddenly and without warning, Cassie's face filled his vision. Bile
filled the back of his throat, and his knees almost buckled.
"There is someone else," Sherry said in a dull tone.
"No, dammit, there's not. I'm only seeing you. All I can say is that the
timing's just not right."
"Well, suppose you let me know when it is." Sherry's tone was a mixture of pain and sarcasm.
"Please, I don't want this to end our relationship."