One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 5
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One Summer Evening Part 5

she wasn't about to let anyone else see that. But Cassie knew; she couldsee the cold displeasure in Wilma's eyes. She wondered if Austin hadbeen late, as well. No matter. She couldn't have looked at him or Lesterif her life had depended on it.

However, she did force herself to speak to and smile at the othercouples who had joined them--her parents' attorney and his wife, and theassociate pastor and his wife.

James suddenly gave her an indulgent smile, which made Cassie feel worse.

"Have a seat, sweetheart, here, on my right. After all, you're the guest of honor."

Once she was seated, James remained standing, a glass in his hand.

"Now that the birthday girl is here, I'm ready to make my toast."

Somehow Cassie managed to lift the glass of champagne without it

sloshing all over her and the table.

"We have two things to celebrate this evening, actually. First, my daughter's eighteenth birthday, which of course is no surprise.

Stand, my dear, and take your bow."

Somehow Cassie managed to get to her feet, then sit right back down,

without mishap.

Everyone laughed, then clapped.

"However, my next announcement is a surprise, but a delightful one, I

have to say. Austin, you and Alicia stand please."

Cassie kept her eyes glued on her daddy, while her stomach bottomed out.

It was all she could do not to grab it.

James's smile encompassed the entire table.

"My old and dear friend Austin, and Alicia, my favorite and only

sister-in-law, are engaged to be married as of now." His smile spread ashe gestured for them to rise. "Please join me in toasting that union."

Cassie froze.

Austin engaged? To her aunt? Impossible, especially after what had just happened between them. But it was true, she told herself, horrified.

And there was not one thing she could do about it except keep quiet and

plaster a smile on her face.

Had it been five years since she'd been home? Even if nothing else in this Louisiana town of thirty thousand had been familiar, the smell would have identified it. The sight and scent of cape jasmine was

forever present and forever strong.

The bushes, filled with the white velvet-petaled flowers, were allaround.

Cassie cracked the window and inhaled deeply. The intoxicating fragrancenever failed to buoy her spirits.

But there were other familiar landmarks that she drank in as she steered the car through the quaint, charming town, one of the South's unspoiledtreasures, or so she had always thought.

Above her was the bluest of heavens, and around her were gardens offlowers.

But there was more. She couldn't forget the oaks that dripped with moss,creating umbrellas over the streets, or roads that were lined withfashionable boutiques and galleries.

And hidden away from visitors' eyes were murky and mysterious bayousthat wound their way sluggishly through the meadows.

"Mom, do you think this looks good?"

Cassie took her eyes off the road and glanced over at her son, Tyler whowas busy coloring a picture of a horse and barn.

"It's a masterpiece."

He giggled.

Even though this precious eight-year-old sat beside her in the flesh,his dark blond hair shinning like gold in the sunlight, she couldn'tbelieve he was hers. But he was. She could attest to that fact, havinggone through hell to bring him into this world, then to keep him.

Cassie swallowed an anguished sigh, not wanting to let on that herinsides were in turmoil. Tyler's life had already been torn apart toomany times to count. Because of that, he was much more in tune to hermoods than he should have been at his age.

Thank God their tumultuous past was behind them and they were about tostart afresh. However, she wasn't celebrating yet. She had one morelarge hurdle to jump--confronting her parents.

Still, whatever happened with them, her life had suddenly taken anunexpected twist, and she was so grateful and filled with relief thatshe wanted to shout her glee. Out of hearing range of her son, she haddone just that.

But if her plans didn't work out, she and Tyler would simply move on andmake other plans. Still, Cassie couldn't seem to control her poundingheart or her sweaty palms now gripping the steering wheel.

How could she have forgotten how hot it was in Louisiana in the summer?The heat, combined with the humidity, made for a sticky mix. Even withthe air conditioner's blasting, she felt as if she were in a sauna,which was another clear indication that she was home.

Home.

What if her parents weren't glad to see her? What if they slammed thedoor in her face? No, the latter wouldn't happen; of that she wasconfident.

However, embracing her with open arms might be another thing altogether.

Tyler on the other hand, was in the clear. They would be jubilant to seehim.

"Mom."

"Huh?"

"When are we gonna get there?"

"Soon."

Out of the corner of her eye, she sneaked another look at him. Her heartmelted. Jeez, he was beautiful, with his green eyes, duplicates of hers,which reflected his curiosity and his energy. But it was his mischievoussmile that was the grabber, that made one want to hold him and squeezehim.

He wasn't perfect, though, not by a long shot. He was stubborn andtenacious, traits she was sure he'd inherited from his father. At thatthought, Cassie's heart lurched, and another deep-felt sigh threatenedto escape.

"How soon?" Tyler pressed.

Cassie shook her head as if to clear it.

"Soon as in now." She forced a smile as she maneuvered the car between the gates of her parents' estate.

"We're here."

She would have loved to drive by the church and the hotel to see howthey had fared through the years. But that would have been indulgingherself and prolonging the inevitable. Too, Tyler wouldn't haveappreciated the auld Feeling his eyes on her, she glanced back at him.

A slight frown lined Tyler's forehead.

"Aren't you glad?"

"Of course I am," she assured him, forgetting for a moment his uncannyability to read her moods. She reached over and took his hand and liftedit to her lips. "It's been far too long since you've seen yourgrandparents."

He didn't respond right off, and Cassie was certain he could hear herpounding heart. He sensed something was wrong, but he couldn't figure itout, nor was she willing to explain. Her own emotions were so highlycharged and mixed that even she couldn't sort through them.

"Do you think they'll still like me?"

Sudden tears burned her eyes; she blinked them back. "Of course they'll

still like you, honey. Why, they love you."

Tyler closed his coloring book and placed it on the seat between them, then looked back at her, his small face full of trust.

Once she had mastered the long driveway, Cassie braked the car in front of the Tara-like mansion, with its tall, graceful columns that shielded balconies, verandas and courtyards, the ultimate in Southern charm and sophistication.

Surrounding the house were more beautifully manicured gardens filled with full trees and lush flowers. It was truly a breathtaking sight, even lovelier than she remembered.

She gave Tyler's hand another squeeze, then winked at him.

"Come on, let's make their day."

He giggled again, then scrambled out of the car.

Moments later, after she rang the doorbell, Cassie wasn't sure her legs

were going to hold her up. Under her long skirt, her knees were literally knocking together.

"Ouch, Mom. You're hurting my hand."

"Oops, sorry." She dropped his hand, unaware that she'd even grabbed it.

The door opened suddenly, and Joy, her parents' housekeeper, filled the space. She blinked as if her eyes were playing tricks on her, then a grin covered her face.

"Lord amercy, child, is that you?"

"Hello, Joy," Cassie answered with a wide grin at the same time that she walked straight into Joy's outstretched arms.

Once they broke apart, Joy stared down at Tyler. "Hello, young man."

"Hi," he said, edging closer to Cassie.

Cassie placed an arm on his shoulder and introduced them.

"Joy took care of me when I was a child." "Lord amercy," Joy said again,