expression.
Jo Nell seemed momentarily disconcerted; then she flapped her hand dramatically.
"I'm going to give it anyway."
"Surprise, surprise." A smile played over Cassie's lips before
disappearing.
"But I want you to, actually, because I don't know what to do."
"Simple. Don't let Tyler go off with Austin."
"Are you forgetting about Daddy? He'll be there."
"In body only. I love James, you know that. But let's face it, he lives
on another planet."
Cassie chuckled.
"I couldn't agree more, but Tyler will be with the other kids. I'm not
sure he'll even give Austin the time of day."
"Still, it's risky."
"I know," Cassie wailed.
"That's why my nerves are shot. But if I protest too much, that will
raise a red flag in front of my parents and Austin, which might raise questions." Cassie paused.
"So you see, I don't have any choice but to let Tyler go."
"What if Tyler has a birthmark?" Jo Nell asked abruptly.
"He doesn't."
"What if he has an expression or some special gesture like Austin's
mother had? Something, sweet pea, that you wouldn't know about. Only Austin."
For a second fassie's confidence bottomed out.
"Jo, don't do this to me."
Jo Nell lifted her shoulders in a careless shrug. "Maybe you want Austin to find out."
Cassie's mouth fell open.
"Have you lost your ever- lovin' mind?"
"Just making sure."
"Sometimes, Jo, I'd like to box your ears."
Jo grinned.
"Goes with the territory. What can I say?"
"How 'bout nothing?"
"Then who'd keep you on the straight and narrow?"
Cassie had to smile.
"Okay, you've made your point."
"Do you think Austin has an inkling?"
"No, and I don't think he will." Cassie paused again. "Although, I have
to say, when I saw them side by side on the sofa, heads together,
playing that computer game, I almost dropped dead."
"I bet you did."
"But then I got control of myself and scrutinized Austin closely for some kind of sign that he might be suspicious. There was nothing." She was the one with something to hide. The thought of a boy and his father, who would never get to know one another, filled her with a deep sadness.
"Then it looks like you might be home free."
"I wish I could be that sure."
Jo Nell rolled her eyes.
"Then we're back to square one. Girl, I'd rather untangle a barbed wire
fence than your thoughts."
Cassie leaned forward with a frown.
"I'm just scared and confused down to the bone."
"Ah, I get it now. You're worried about yourself."
"That's not true." Cassie heard the defensive tone in her voice and knew that Jo had, too.
"Tut-tut. You're telling a big white lie, as sure as I'm sitting here."
Cassie's mouth tightened, then relaxed as she sipped her coffee.
"Okay," she said after a moment.
"I'll admit this whole thing makes me crazy."
"Then just say he can't go." Jo Nell's tone clearly showed her
exasperation.
"Oh, Jo, he's a little boy who's already had more upheaval and heartache
than most kids will have in a lifetime. He really wants to go. And Daddy wants him to go just as badly."
"Then let him go and stop worrying."
"I'm a royal pain in the ass, aren't I?"
"Yep."
"Don't be so smug. Your time's coming. When you're in the middle of one
of your flings, you'll expect my undivided attention and advice."
"You got it."
Cassie giggled, and it felt damn good.
"One more quick question," Jo Nell said.