“This is very pretty and not too small at all,” Cassidy told the men as she walked around the small cottage.
Memphis, a very tall, tan, sexy cowboy, was looking over the wiring in the kitchen. He switched on the light, and that wasn’t working, and when he tried turning on the stove, it took a few times.
“I’d like Memphis to look everything over for you, Cassidy, before you move in. If you want, you can stay with me at the house. I have five other bedrooms to choose from,” Red offered, and both Memphis and Cash stood there staring between the two of them.
Memphis was looking at her like Cash was. Like she was sexually involved with Cash’s dad. It was insane. Not that Red wasn’t an attractive older man, but he could have been her father, and she had a lot of respect for him. She looked up to Red. They had shared that fearful time in Iraq a few years ago, and that was what made them close.
“I told you, Red, I’m good at the hotel for another few days, plus if this doesn’t work out, there are the two houses farther north I could rent.”
Not that she wanted to do that. She had to admit she felt safer being closer to where Red lived. Which was silly. She was a retired Marine. She had guns, was well trained. This insecure feeling was because of Blaze and his buddies. They’d actually pushed for her to accept Blaze’s aggression and abusive manner. Thank God she’d gotten away from Blaze before worse happened.
“Don’t be silly. I want to be nearby in case you need something. Having my sons and their team right across the way is perfect too. They’ll keep an eye on things.”
“I don’t need looking after. I have my gun collection, and I can take care of myself. Don’t you remember?” she teased.
“Yes I do. I’m just saying it would be nice to have a woman around here and someone to talk to about other things besides sports and trucks.”
“You have these guys.” She waved her hand toward Memphis and Cash in a joking manner. She was trying to lighten up the intense moment. It was as though Red was lonely for company, or maybe he’d read into their discussion weeks ago at the retirement party and then again after their phone call, when she’d partially told him about the bad relationship and needing to get away from Houston. He wasn’t stupid. Red had to figure the relationship was dangerous if she was willing to leave her posh job so quickly. Could he think that? She felt a bit panicked. She didn’t want to appear weak. Not ever in front of Red. Not when she had come through for him and his team.
“Yeah, what else is there to talk about?” Memphis said and winked at her but then watched Red.
“You know what I mean,” he added.
“No, Dad, what do you mean?” Cash pushed with his muscular arms crossed in front of his chest.
He was very attractive too. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea living so close to these retired soldiers. Perhaps she was asking for trouble. She’d had enough of that back in Houston.
“Don’t be a wise-ass, son. Memphis, how quickly can you look the place over and fix it up?”
Memphis looked at Cassidy, letting his eyes slowly roam over her body. She felt it everywhere and turned away to avoid looking as if he got to her with only his bold blue eyes. She ran her fingers along the wood by the kitchen counter. It really was a nice setup. It just needed a little paint and some other small things.
“I can get it done quick enough. She could be in here in the next few days,” Memphis told Red.
“Great. And if you want to paint the place, we can help with that too,” Red said.
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“Oh, you don’t have to help. I can handle painting. I am between jobs right now so I have the time.” She also thought that all the work would give her something to do and keep her mind off of Blaze and whether he or his friends would find her.
“Okay then, let’s head toward the big house for lunch. Cash, are Orlando or Coast joining us?”
“Not today. They’re both working,” Cash said as Cassidy followed Red out of the cottage.
“We’ll be along in a minute. I want to go over a few things with Cash about the cottage and where to start,” Memphis told Red.
Cassidy glanced at him and Cash. Both men stared at her with interest in their eyes. She turned away, feeling more affected by two strangers than she’d ever felt with men she knew.
“You’re going to love it here, Cassidy. There’s a lot to do, and it’s relaxing. I know you don’t have any family. The guys and I are the same. It’s just us. When I lost my wife, Celia, years ago, I thought I wouldn’t even have a relationship with my sons. But we all suffered. I miss her every day, and especially now being retired. This was the time we were supposed to share together.”
“I’m sorry, Red. I’m sure it must be tough. I lost my parents when I was just a child. An aunt I hardly knew, and who didn’t have much herself, raised me. I think I survived because of the military. Like a lot of other young people in Alabama, entering the Marine Corps helped put food in my belly, educate my mind, and make me excel in becoming a nurse and gave me that education I thought someone like me couldn’t have.”
He squeezed her shoulder.
“You done real good, Cass. You’re a survivor, a fighter, and just like a lot of these soldiers living around Tranquility. You’re still trying to survive. I want you to know that I’m here for you. I’m not hitting on you either.” He chuckled as he opened the porch door for her to enter first.
“Despite what Cash and Memphis think. God, I haven’t brought a woman home ever.” He shook his head.
“Well, that explains why they’re looking at me, wondering what our relationship is.”