One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 62
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One Summer Evening Part 62

that's not any of your business. After all" -- "She's my daughter,"

James interrupted.

"And I only have her best interest at heart."

"Are you sure it's not your best interests?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" James demanded in a tight voice.

"You're a brilliant man. You figure it out."

"Sarcasm doesn't become you."

Wilma pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear with an unsteady hand.

"Look, I'll admit I'm crushed at the mess Cassie's made of her life thus

far.

And I take responsibility for part of that." Wilma paused. "We weren't the most attentive, loving parents, you know."

"Nonsense. We were perfect parents and still are."

"I'm not going to argue with you," Wilma said in a tired voice.

"Good," James responded, hearing the snap in his tone and not liking it,

but deeming it necessary. He couldn't allow Wilma to side against him.

On family matters, they had to band together.

"What I am going to do, however," Wilma was saying, "is pray that whoever took our grandchild is caught."

James slipped into his suit coat.

"Me too."

"You're not convinced he was even kidnapped, are you?"

James stopped mid action and gave her a startled look.

"What makes you ask that?"

"I don't know." Wilma lifted her bony shoulders in a shrug.

"Just a feeling I have."

"Well, it's almost too bizarre to believe, but considering some of the

circumstances, such as the phone call, I have to give Tyler the benefit of the doubt."

"But ... ?" Wilma's smile lacked intensity.

"But I am having trouble digesting it."

"Poor Cassie. I'm almost sorry now that I pushed her into staying here."

"I won't have you talking like that." Again James heard the harsh note in his voice. But a man in his position had to take charge and look after his own. He was merely doing the Lord's will.

"You're right. Besides, I'm selfish enough to want her to carry on the business in my place. I think she's doing a wonderful job, don't you?"

"Of course. What did you expect? She's our daughter."

Wilma rolled her eyes.

"How are things between her and Austin?"

"Fine, as far as I can tell." James shrugged.

"But then, you know those two. They're like brother and sister, which means they tend to disagree."

Wilma smiled.

"They'll work it out, even if a few sparks do fly."

James walked over to the bed and placed a kiss on Wilma's cheek.

"You have a good day, you hear?"

"You too."

"I will, but only if our family situation straightens out. You know the

elders don't like their minister to have problems that everyone's

talking about."

"Oh, James, stop being so stodgy."

"Stodgy? How can you say that, when you feel the same way? You've alwaysabhorred anyone knowing our business and discussing it."

"I still feel that way, except I'm worried about Cas- she and Tyler.

Right now, I'm more concerned about them."

"They're going to be fine. You just concentrate on yourself and feelingbetter. You know, the church body is really talking seriously aboutstarting our new sanctuary. I need you by my side when that comesabout."

"Go to work, James. We'll talk later."

He walked out and shut the door behind him, thinking how wonderful itwould be if he could remarry Cassie and Lester in that new house of theLord. The thought buoyed his spirits.

Cassie couldn't believe she had let Tyler talk her into this excursion.But she had no excuse for this indulgent behavior, and she offered none.

They were at Austin's farm, and it was a lovely Saturday afternoon, ifone liked heat and humidity. And bugs. She liked none of them.

However, those nuisances were hazards of summers in the South andweren't likely to change to suit her fancy.

After what Tyler had been through, she had rewarded him with this tripto Austin's farm, a trip the two of them had instigated behind her back.

When they arrived, Austin had given them the tour of the house, then aportion of the land, having been met by his trainer and friend, Robb.

Cassie had to admit that Austin had a nice setup, with the potential formaking money from his stock. She wondered if he had ever brought hisgirlfriend here. More to the point, she wondered if he was stillsleeping with her.

Wincing again at the sharp jab that thought brought on, she pulled herT-shirt away from her damp body, wishing she didn't have on a bra. Infact, she wished she were naked. Color suddenly invaded her face,especially as her gaze fell on Austin, who was with her son in a distantcorral.

Before taking Tyler and mounting him on a horse, then leading him by thereins, Austin had made sure she was out of the sun's direct line offire, having spread a quilt under a huge oak whose limbs were drippingwith leaves and moss.

Nearby was a-bayou that wound through this part of the property, whichmade the stickiness worse. In addition to her thin T-shirt, she had onshorts and was barefooted, so she would survive. She hoped Tyler faredas well, although she had lathered him in sun- block, and Austin had puta hat on his head.

Watching them together now was almost more than she could bear. Yet she couldn't take her eyes off them. Austin had halted the horse and was talking to Tyler apparently giving him instructions. Cassie's pulse upped its beat as she once again thought how rough, howmature, but oh, how appealing Austin looked, and how much she wanted himagain. Her gaze concentrated on the long legs and strong thighs that hadclasped her lower body while he'd pounded inside her.

Heat of a different kind pooled between her legs, and she crossed them.

Damn, she had to stop thinking such thoughts. She hated herself for herweakness, but when she was alone, her mind betrayed her. Even Jo Nell had picked up on her obsession with Austin and hadn't minced words about it.

"You're miserable, and I'm willing to bet he's the reason."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Cassie heard that prim edge in

her voice and didn't blame Jo for snorting.

"Okay, so I'm attracted to him. I won't deny that, but that's as far as it can go."

"I'm not sure I agree."

"It's not up for discussion."

"It damn well should be." Jo Nell stared at her over the rim of her

tangy orange drink, her eyebrows raised. "Get my drift?"

Cassie had invited her friend to have lunch with her in the hotel's

atrium dining area. They had both taken their lunch hours for this quick visit.

"I get your drift, all right, but you know better than anyone that

Austin and I have no future. To keep talking about it is tantamount to

beating that same old dead horse."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but that old dead horse smells to high heaven with love."

Cassie flushed.

"You should've been a stand-up comedienne."