CHAPTER6
Cassie barely slept that night,her body burning with a need she’d never experienced before. A cold shower did nothing to cool the fire, and a walk outside in the night, under the stars, only served as a reminder of what had almost happened in the back of Drake’s truck.
Up before dawn, she fed the animals, mucked two stalls and led the horses out to pasture for the day. She didn’t feel like eating and wasn’t in the mood to talk with her brother. What would she say when he asked what was wrong?
I’m horny as hell, and the man I’m lusting after turned me down.
She shook her head, grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
Before she could turn the door handle, Richard appeared at the entrance, scrubbing a hand through his hair and yawning. “Leaving so early? I thought this was your day off?”
She forced herself to turn and look as normal as possible. “It is. But I want to spend some time on the computers today.”
“Looking for the identity of the woman in the hidden room?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’ve already fed the animals and cleaned Misty and Thunder’s stalls. I won’t be home for dinner and will likely be late, so don’t worry about me.”
Richard frowned. “You were out late last night. Is there something you’d like to tell me?”
She shook her head, giving him an innocent, wide-eyed look. “No.”
“Would I trust him?” he asked.
She refused to answer.
Her brother’s lips twisted. “I get it. Mind your own damned business.” He pulled his wallet from his back pocket, dug inside and pulled out a foil packet. “If you aren’t going to give me all the details, how will I know where to look for the body?” He took her hand and pressed the condom into her palm. “At least use some protection.”
“Richard!” Cassie’s cheeks burned.
“I’m a guy. I know what other guys are after. Not all of them are considerate enough to protect themselves, much less the woman.” He tipped his head toward the door. “If you need me to come pick you up, day or night, I’m a phone call away.”
Her cheeks still burning, Cassie’s eyes filled. “Thanks.” Then she dove for the door and spun up gravel and dust racing out of the yard in her SUV.
She and Richard had been close as kids and teens, only drifting apart when she’d gone on to college in Missoula.
Since their parents’ deaths, he’d stepped up to what he must have considered his familial responsibility of looking out for his sister.
Her heart swelled with the love she felt for her only living blood relative. If anything happened to him, she’d be alone.
Well, not quite alone. She had her sister posse and the support of her hometown. As long as she lived in Eagle Rock, someone would always be looking out for her well-being.
Awake but unfocused, she made a beeline for Al’s Diner, pulling into the parking lot full of trucks and SUVs. She found a spot, parked and entered through the swinging glass door.
“Morning, Cassie,” Daisy Chadwick called out from across the room. “Find a table. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“I’m just here for coffee,” Cassie said. “No hurry. It’s my day off.”
“I’ll meet you at the bar. Give me a minute.” The perky blond waitress finished taking an order and hurried to deliver it to the kitchen.
Cassie slipped onto a stool at the bar next to Frank Matson. His daughter Abby leaned forward and waved. “Good morning, Cassie.”
Cassie smiled. “Good morning, Abby, Mr. Matson.”
Frank nodded. “Morning.”
Daisy appeared in front of her with a pot full of coffee and a ceramic mug. She plunked the mug in front of Cassie and filled it to the brim. “No cream or sugar, right?”
Cassie nodded and wrapped her hands around the steaming cup. “Just coffee.” She leaned over the brew and inhaled, content to wait for it to cool a bit before taking her first sip.