Her best explanation was that she had gotten caught up in the moment.
It wasn't every day that she walked into someone's flying fist, she reminded herself with dark humor.
Still, that didn't right a wrong. She had dropped her guard, something she had sworn she wouldn't do. Tyler's happy and contented face flashed to mind, and her stomach knotted. Because of her stupidity, they might have to leave town after all.
"Are you with me?" Her mother snapped her fingers.
Cassie jerked, then smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, my mind was wandering."
"So back to my question."
"On a day-to-day basis, things are going pretty smoothly."
Wilma chuckled.
"Smoothly? In the light of what happened to your lovely face, that's a
strange choice of words."
Cassie's lips twitched.
"What can I say? I should've known better than to jump between two women
in a cat fight "I can't believe that actually happened in our hotel."
"These days. Mamma, it could happen anywhere. People have no respect for
anything or anyone."
"You're right, and that's too bad."
"But there is some good news. Austin hired a new chef, who's working out
great. In fact, the food's absolutely delicious."
"Speaking of Austin, I sense all is not well there." "What do you mean?"
Cassie asked, careful to keep her voice neutral.
Wilma frowned, making the lines in her face more pronounced.
"Oh, I don't know, or maybe I just can't put my finger on it. But it
seems that you stiffen when he's mentioned. I'd hate for the hotel to
come between you two. You were always so close."
Close. Cassie almost laughed hysterically. If her mother only knew the half of it. But she didn't.
"Well, I'm still against buying land and building on it. I'd much rather see us renovate the Jasmine Hillcrest, but then, you already know how I feel about that."
Her mother turned toward the open French doors. For a moment they were both quiet, listening to the birds chirp outside.
"I'll agree, it's in a sad state," Wilma said.
"But can't we manage to do both?"
"No way, not with the amount of money Austin's already plunked down on that land."
"Surely we could make some of the repairs," Wilma pressed in a weakening
voice.
"I'm sure Austin would go along. Besides, you have as much say-so as he does. Remember that."
Now there was distress in her mother's voice, and Cassie knew she'd
overstayed.
"Look, we'll talk about this later. You need to rest, and I need to get to work." .
Wilma's hand on her arm stalled her.
"I think you and Austin should take a trip to New Orleans."
Cassie shook her head.
"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Wilma asked bluntly, giving her a strange look.
Cassie did some fast dancing.
"Maybe the word I should've used is unnecessary."
"I disagree. You don't approve of the venture, and I respect that.
But before you two come to blows over it, you should at least see the
land.
Who knows, maybe you'll change your mind. It might be a gold mine of opportunity."
"I doubt that. I think our gold mine's right here in Jasmine."
"Go, Cassie, for me. After all, I gave Austin permission to spend
company money."
Suddenly Cassie felt trapped, with nowhere to go. Under the circumstances, how on earth could she make that trip? But if she didn't,
her mother might really become suspicious, and then where would she be?
In deeper trouble.
"All right, Mamma, you win. I'll go, but only for you."
And for herself, too, Cassie admitted later, after calling Austin and
leaving a message on his voice mail. She had to know that she could be
around him and control her emotions.
Also, she had to prove that that kiss had been a fluke--a knee-jerk reaction, nothing more, nothing less, despite her heart telling her differently. While his lips on hers had been heady stuff, it was his obvious arousal that had shot her emotions into the danger zone.
Nonetheless, there would be no repeat performance.
Judging from Austin's reaction, he hadn't been that overjoyed about the
encounter, either, which would make ignoring it easier. A good thing for both of them.
Bottom line, life went on.
"You didn't know, did you?"
Austin threw Cassie a glance before turning away. "I damn sure didn't.
But you can bet I'm going to have Randall's narrow ass for this."
When Austin had gotten Cassie's message, he hadn't believed she was serious.
He believed it now, after having driven all the way to New Orleans with
her sitting beside him stiff as a board and quiet as a church mouse.
Sexual tension.
He had felt it the instant she'd gotten into the car. Now, as they stood