"Then I gotta run. Old lady Bullock's getting the works this afternoon.
Talk about a pain in the ass, now she's one."
"You can handle her."
"Right, but can you handle Austin? That's my question."
Cassie hesitated.
"On a personal or business level?"
"Both."
"Businesswise, we've already locked horns. He wants to buy land and
build a new hotel."
"Oops, from the look on your face, you're against that."
"Absolutely. I want to renovate the one in Jasmine."
"And personally?"
Cassie kept her face blank.
"He's my daddy's friend."
"You're sure that's all? No sexual embers still smoldering?"
"Don't you think I've learned my lesson?" Cassie demanded tersely.
"I sure hope you have, but it seems to me by staying here, you've
lighted a match that's liable to set your butt on fire."
Cassie shoved back her chair, then snapped, "Go beat up on Mrs.
Bullock."
Jo Nell's chuckle followed her all the way outside.
"He's a fine young boy, don't you think?"
"No question about that."
Austin adjusted his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Cassie's done a bang-up job."
Austin tracked James's eyes as they followed Tyler who was playing with
a group of youngsters nearby. The day of the outing was magnificent, andAustin was glad that he had come. He'd been able to spend quality timewith both Tyler and James. More with James, of course, which had beenhis intent.
Yet, surprisingly, Tyler had intrigued him to the point that he wantedto get to know the boy better. Austin couldn't pinpoint the reason.Maybe it was because he would never have a child of his own. Or maybe itwas because Tyler was part of Cassie.
Hell, there he went again, playing those psycho mind games.
"How are things going with you and Cassie?" James asked in a seemingly casual tone.
Austin had been waiting for that question, but when it hadn't come
earlier, he hadn't forced it. He would rather not discuss Cassie with
James.
"Okay, I guess," he said with equal casualness. "Which, translated, means not good at all." Austin cut the reverend a look.
"How'd you know?"
"It's bound to happen with two headstrong people."
"She's against buying land and building a new hotel."
"You'll just have to convince her otherwise."
"Then you're behind me?"
James held up his hands.
"I don't have an opinion one way or the other. You'll have to duke that
out with her. I do know Wilma's in your corner, which says a lot."
"Cassie's got a mind to match her mouth." James chuckled again.
"I.
have faith that y'all will reach an understanding. I'm just praising the
Lord she's here and plans to stay."
Austin wished he felt that certain. His gut burned when he thought about seeing her and not touching her.
The past that separated them was as solid as a concrete wall.
"Another thing I'm praying for, and I hope you will, too, is Lester."
Austin stopped in his tracks and gave his friend an incredulous look.
"Excuse me?"
"All right, maybe I'm being too optimistic. I realize you would have
difficulty in praying for him."
"It's not going to happen."
"That's unfortunate. I want so much for the three of them to become a
family again."
"Surely you aren't serious?"
"They are still married in the eyes of the Lord."
"What about in Cassie's eyes?"
"She'll come around." The set of James's chin was obstinate.
"I know she will."
For the first time ever, Austin had to quell the urge to shake his
friend.
No way would Cassie ever live with that sorry piece of shit again. What had happened to James? When it came to marriage and family, he had
either gone around the bend or else he was turning into a religious fanatic.
"You know what your problem is, my friend?" Aus- tin said, trying to
temper his words.
"You see only good in everyone. Maybe you ought to consider whether Lester's really the man you think he is."
"I know in my heart that he is. I just have to convince Cassie. And I
will.
That's my mission."
"What if he doesn't ever get out of prison?"
"That won't change my mind."
Austin once again quelled the urge to manhandle his friend.
"Does Cassie know how you feel?"
"No, not completely, and I don't want you to say anything to her.
When the time's right, I'll do the talking."
Austin didn't know how to respond to such mind r boggling garbage.Anyway, what more could he say? He was on the outside looking in, hereminded himself bitterly. What went on in that family, especially whenit pertained to Cassie and Tyler was none of his business.
A sudden and irrational sense of anger made him sick to his stomach.
FR1;Seventeen Hey, Mom, look who's coming."