One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 72
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One Summer Evening Part 72

"But not kissing friends, right?"

"Right."

Even though she was baiting him in a teasing tone, he wasn't amused.

He had intended to tell Sherry long before now, even before he'd kissed

Cassie, but he'd been wrestling with what to say and how to say it. He

hadn't wanted to hurt her.

Too, he'd been buried in his own business problems and what to do about them.

He was determined to repay the money to the hotel ASAP. No way did he intend to have that debt on his conscience, even though Wilma had been more than understanding and had supported him all the way.

Of course, his determination hadn't won him any points with Cassie, but that didn't matter, either. For his own peace of mind, he had to do what was right.

The-same went for Sherry. He couldn't see her when he loved Cassie,

regardless of how Cassie felt about him.

"Does this sudden decision have anything to do with your attorney's arrest?"

"Yes and no. Needless to say, it's cost me big time."

"Knowing you, you intend to pay all that money back."

"Or die trying," he said in an offhand manner, but he was serious.

"How are you going to do that? I'm just curious."

"My horses. If I can find the right buyer, they'll bring in the needed

cash."

"I hate to see you have to give up everything you've worked so hard for."

"Thanks, but that's the way it goes sometimes."

"I hope you find what you're looking for, Austin." Sherry paused and

gave him a lackluster smile.

"Maybe I should make that 'who."

" I have found the who, but so far it's not working out. However, I'm

not giving up."

This time Sherry's smile was sad.

"Well, if you ever need a shoulder " Austin raised his hand and halted

her words.

"You deserve better.

Sherry. It's not ever going to happen with us."

"Well, at least you're honest, and I appreciate that."

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Be happy."

With that, he was gone. By the time he reached the truck and had the

engine cranked, he could hardly contain himself.

Do you mind if I come with you? For a second after Cassie had blurted

out that question, he couldn't answer. Her words had knocked the wind out of him.

But he'd recovered when she'd added, "Look, forget I said that.

You . you didn't ask me. You asked Tyler."

"You know better than that," he said brusquely. "You don't need an

invitation. I'm aching to see you."

And he was, had been ever since she'd turned him inside out about the kidnapping and the botched land deal. But dammit, he didn't know how to

take her. One minute she was cold, keeping him at arm's length, then the next minute she was lava hot in his arms.

Just the thought of seeing her again made him hard. Whoa! he cautioned.

She was joining him and Tyler. That didn't mean she had changed her mind

about him. About them.

But he'd been thrown a crumb. At this point he was grateful for that.

He pushed down on the accelerator and watched the speedometer climb.

What if he got a ticket? Ah, hell, he didn't give a damn.

Getting to Cassie as soon as possible was worth the cost.

"Daddy, I'm home." James came striding out of his study and smiled.

"Hello, sweetheart. You're early."

"I know, but after I personally took the garden club through the hotel

grounds, I figured I'd earned an afternoon off."

"Maybe you and your mother can do something together."

"I was thinking more along the lines of spending it with Tyler" she said

in an evasive tone. For some reason, she was hesitant to tell them thatAustin was involved. Maybe it was because she felt so foolish. All theway home, she had kicked her backside for her spontaneous request tojoin them.

James's face was drawn, and he shifted from one foot to the other.

Cassie's heart upped its beat. Had something happened to her mother?

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it isn't," he countered strongly.

"For once everything is just right."

"Whatever you say. Where's Tyler?"

"Tyler's the right I'm referring to."

"Daddy, you're not making sense."

"I will, if you'll give me a chance to explain," James said in a stern

voice.

"Then by all means go ahead," Cassie. said, barely holding on to her

patience.

"I let Lester take Tyler to visit his parents."

"What!"