Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) Page 6

  “My mama has a pretty huge one in the back yard. I help her map out sunlight and moon patterns around the house.” He shrugged.

  “Wow. Sounds like you really got into it.”

  He gave her a sexy sleepy eyed look. “I can get deeply involved, if the subject is fascinating enough.”

  “I remember the time we came across that Girl Scout troop who was having trouble selling their cookies. You gave those girls a rousing speech, and they sold out within an hour.” She laughed. Those girls were so entranced by him, they would have stolen cars if he’d asked them to.

  “They made me an honorary member of the troop.” He grinned.

  “It must be nice to have women of all ages fawning all over you. What’s your secret? Besides the obvious good looking package.”

  “There’s no secret. People simply respond well when you’re nice, courteous and have a genuine interest in what they have to say.”

  “Yeah, I try, but I’m afraid I can’t take all that mental exhaust. Some people like to unload on you and don’t even care if you’re really listening.”

  “I agree. But my daddy says that even a person with the worst verbal diarrhea will say one good, useful thing in their lives. And if you’re lucky, they’ll say it the day you’re listening.”

  Cassidy let out a giggly snort. “Your daddy sounds like a really funny guy.”

  “Funny is the last word anyone would use to describe John Jacob Blake.” Channing scratched at his beard. “My whole life he’s been super serious, but lately he’s been mellowing. I think it’s all the grandkids popping up. It’s been a joy to watch.”

  “I’ve got my second wind back. Let’s go see us some awesome horticulture.” She stood and held her hand out to him.

  When Channing stood, he kissed the back of her hand. The softness of his lips against her skin felt like he’d just kissed her from head to toe. She wondered if it was the memory of her attraction to him that made her feel the sparks, or if her body was on the mend. He was a live, walking billboard of sexiness, and she was hooked on whatever he was selling.

  They spent a considerable amount of time in the Botanical Garden, then walked around until they found a prime spot for a panoramic photo op of the Potomac. Channing was hungry, so they went to a trendy restaurant at Union Station, the intimate atmosphere in the booth on the top floor was just what she needed after a busy day of sightseeing.

  “I’m going to have their signature fajitas.” Channing stretched his legs out under the table.

  “I’ll have the shrimp Caesar salad.”

  The waiter came for their order, Channing ordered the house ale and a white wine for her, but she declined and asked for bottled water instead.

  “Not in the mood for wine tonight?” He passed the waiter the menus.

  “I’m taking a medication that I can’t mix with alcohol.”

  “Oh. I hope it isn’t anything serious?” He touched her hand.

  Cassidy’s eyes widened. It was as if time had stopped. Anything serious? She felt like she had a double-barrel shotgun aimed at her head. She could answer his question and turn the entire day into something it needn’t be, or she could play it cool and record this as the one of the best dates ever.

  “No, I cut my finger so the doctor gave me some antibiotics for it.” Her shoulders sank as the weight of the lie bore down on her. Suddenly the booth wasn’t intimate anymore. The whopper she just told had wedged itself between them.

  “Thank you for giving me another chance after that debacle at the engagement party. Even if you didn’t want to see me again, I wouldn’t want you thinking I was that kind of man. I wouldn’t do that to you or Emma.”

  “I can see why she wants to hang on to you. I don’t know the full story, but whatever the reason for the breakup, she seems remorseful about not being in your life anymore. But I also respect your choice to move on, and I’m sure you know if a woman isn’t good for you.”

  “So when I come back to town in a couple of weeks, can I take you on another date?”

  “I’d like that.” The words, coming from her heart, shot out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  * * *

  By Sunday afternoon Channing was in such a euphoric state he didn’t want to leave DC. It was exciting getting to know Cassidy all over again. Emma called him a few times, but he hadn’t called her back. He needed to tell her face to face that he didn’t want to try again. His feelings for her had changed when she left for New York and cut him out of her life. It was simply something he couldn’t get past. Besides that, she’d mentioned at least three times that he should look for his own place off the ranch, and that sent warning bells blaring in his head. Eden had wanted to live off the ranch, and she’d been mad at J.J. for months when he told her that was not an option. Being a Blake meant being a part of that land, and even though he’d been taking his time selecting a spot to build on, that was where he wanted to live.

  She was still tight-lipped about why she’d disappeared, but he figured she’d get around to telling him when she felt comfortable. In the meantime it was an excellent start to a new relationship.

  He picked her up for their brunch date and noticed her mood had shifted since last night. She was silent and seemed distracted. By the time they went back to her apartment, his optimism was beginning to fade. Had she changed her mind? The air was getting pretty thick. The other shoe finally dropped when she asked him to take a seat on the couch.

  She caressed his hand. “First of all, I want you to know I had a really good time this weekend. I’m glad you came to town.”

  “But?” He gulped.

  “I want to tell why I dropped out of sight last year.”

  “I know I’ve been kidding you about it, but you don’t have to tell me.”

  “No, I want to tell you. Correction—I have to tell you—before this goes any further.” She cleared her throat. “And I will totally understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.”

  “Why would I not want to see you?” Channing moved closer to her.

  They sat there silent for a few minutes until she finally spoke.

  “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year. I dropped out of sight because I started treatment immediately after I was diagnosed. They caught it in time, and I’m in remission. But there’s no guarantee it won’t come back.” She exhaled.

  “Oh, Cassie.” Channing took her into his arms.

  “I’m still healing. My immune system is still pretty low. My doctors are keeping an eye on things, but there’s still long road ahead for me.”

  “I want you to tell me everything about your diagnosis and treatment. What your doctor is doing to monitor you.”

  “Why?” She wiped a tear from her eye.

  “If we’re going to give this relationship a chance, I have to know how to take care of you.” He caressed her cheek.

  She pushed him away. “Goodness, you’re so damn noble. This is why I didn’t want to tell you. Compassion can turn to pity before you realize it happened. And before you know it, I’m the good friend with cancer. I don’t want you to look at me differently.”

  “You’re still the same beautiful, maddening Cassidy Shaw that cut in front of me in the registration line so she could get the last seat in Professor Drayton’s lecture.” He took her face into his hands.

  She laughed, and it came out on a half sob. “You’re never going to let that go.”

  “No. I’ll never forget the day we met.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “I promise we’ll have fun, but I need to know what steps to take to ensure that you stay healthy.”

  “OK. I’ll be honest with you about my health as long as you don’t baby me.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Channing gave her a big bear hug.

  She pulled back and pouted. “That felt like a babying hug.”

  “No. I was totally trying to feel you up.” He kissed her on the nose. “Thank you for trusting me.”

  * * *

&nb
sp; Cassidy’s heart was thudding in her chest when she kissed Channing good-bye and locked her door. It took all the courage she could muster, but she did it. She’d told him about the cancer. The admission had relief and fear battling for control of her body. She wanted him to know, yet she hated that he knew. It wasn’t fair not to tell him. When she looked in his eyes for a moment she could see…the future. For the first time in a long while, she wanted to go out on romantic dates with a handsome man that made her pulse quicken when he entered the room. She wanted to be what she saw when she looked into his eyes.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Channing went straight to the bookstore when his plane landed and bought as many books as he could find. His mind was reeling. The idea of Cassidy shouldering her illness alone made him angry. For hours he read and absorbed it all, determined to be there for her as she continued her recovery. When he got home, he went straight to the guesthouse without stopping at his parents’ to let them know he’d returned. He planted himself on the couch and didn’t come up for air until he heard a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” he said.

  “C.J., I saw your light on—I hope I’m not intruding. You missed dinner so I thought I’d bring you a plate.” Teri-Lyn put the serving tray on the table. “How was the trip to DC?”

  “I had a great time.” He ran a hand over his face.

  Teri-Lyn picked up the book on the top of the stack at the edge of the table. Her eyes widened. “Surviving Cancer? What’s this?”

  “I just found out my friend was treated for it. She went through the diagnosis and treatment alone.” He put the book down and closed his eyes.

  When his mother wrapped her comforting arms around him, he felt safe, like a little kid again. He needed that hug. He needed her strength and wisdom to help him figure out a way to help Cassidy. Every instinct in him said to go back to DC, but he’d foolishly agreed not to baby her. But damn it, he wasn’t coddling, he was concerned about her.

  “Is it your friend Cassidy?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “I saw her picture on your cell phone. She’s very pretty.”

  “And smart. She may be smarter than me.” He grinned.

  “My sons do have healthy egos.” She laughed. “She’s the reason you went back to DC?”

  There was no harm in telling his mother how he felt. “I care for her. No, that’s not true. It’s more than that.”

  “But?”

  “Emma showed up at that engagement party I attended last month and Cassidy got the wrong impression.”

  “Did she?” Teri-Lyn frowned.

  “That night at the hospital was the first time I’d seen Emma in months. She wanted to start up again, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that. She came to DC on her own volition to surprise me.”

  “Well, you can see why Cassidy would be skeptical if you have women hopping states to hunt you down. There’s mixed signals everywhere.”

  “Now Emma’s convinced we should be together, but it’s only because I stopped chasing her.”

  “I don’t know what it is about you boys that allows you to get sucked in by that Winterbourne charm. If only you’d start thinking with the right head.”

  “Mama!” Heat rose to his cheeks, and he knew he was blushing.

  “Now, you need to eat something if you’re going to be up all night reading.” Teri-Lyn removed the cover from the plate. “I made chicken pot pie. I’m going to pop it in the oven for a few minutes.”

  “Thanks, Mama.” He kissed her on top of her head.

  “Anything for my baby.” She picked up one of the books. “Do you mind if I borrow this one?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll get some silverware. I’m not leaving until I watch you eat every bite.”

  * * *

  Channing happily volunteered to take Morgan’s visiting niece Avery on a campus tour of a prospective college. The whole family hoped that if she didn’t attend school in Pennsylvania, she would find one that suited her in Texas. The ranch was certainly livelier with a teenager around. He’d always wanted a little sister, and he found Avery’s teenage chatter refreshing. After a big breakfast with Teri-Lyn and John Jacob, the pair hopped in his car and headed for Texas University.

  “Uncle Channing, what made you want to become a lawyer?”

  “Well, I always had a curiosity about the rules that govern us all. When I was younger I liked to break a lot of them.”

  “Come on, you can tell me. Aunt Morgan showed me the articles you wrote on constitutional law. You take quite a passionate stance on the public’s right to have a fair trial.” She beamed.

  “Are you seventeen or thirty seven?” he quipped.

  “Aunt Morgan says there’s nothing wrong with being aware of the world around you.”

  “Well, she’s right. That’s one of the reasons I love talking to her; she has an extensive knowledge of many things. I guess that’s what happens when you live in a world made of books.”

  “I hope to be that well-rounded someday.”

  “I think you already are. So what other fields are you interested in?”

  “I’m also thinking of being an engineer, a publicist, or a doctor.”

  “Wow. You have lofty ambitions. I thought about being a doctor for about five minutes. I have to say it would be nice to have a doctor in the family.”

  She winced. “It takes a lot of schooling and dedication.”

  “Everything worthwhile requires effort and patience. If you want to talk to a woman attorney, I have a friend whose brain you can pick.” He smiled.

  “Is she your girlfriend?”

  That was an excellent question. “We’re very good friends.”

  She gave him one of those teenage looks he couldn’t decipher. One thing was for sure: she was a bright girl with a hell of a future in front of her.

  “Do you mind if I channel hop?”

  “Go right ahead.” Channing listened for the next fifteen minutes as Avery scanned for a channel she liked and finally settled on a pop station. A young pop singer was crooning about a breakup with a boyfriend via text. The music was catchy, but the lyrics were kind of laughable, as if breaking up with someone via text would be as easy as the song alluded. But that didn’t stop Avery from rockin’ out. She became animated and started singing along as if she felt the lyrics from the heart. He couldn’t imagine some idiot boy breaking her heart, but he could see a line of Blakes forming to do him bodily harm if he did. When the song finally ended she looked over at him, embarrassed, and turned down the volume.

  “Sorry, I get carried away.” She gave him a shy smile.

  “No, by all means, I bought the car for the karaoke feel it had.”

  “The stations down here play a lot of country music, eh?”

  “My channels are pre-programmed. But country is my favorite type of music, and they’ll play one of Uncle Tate’s songs every now and again.”

  “Uncle Tate is a great singer. He gives an awesome concert. I downloaded all of his songs. I especially like the one he wrote for cousin Isabelle.”

  He grinned. “That was a really nice song.”

  “Uncle Channing, have you ever been in love?” She looked at him.

  Channing’s eyes darted from the road to her. “Why do you ask?”

  “You’re very handsome, but you don’t have a steady girlfriend. Aunt Morgan says you have to beat the girls off with a stick.”

  He laughed at that one. “Despite how easy it sounds in those songs, the road to love is a bit more complicated for us older folks.”

  “Huh,” she said.

  “Have you ever been in love?” Now was a good time to do some snooping for her father.

  “Nah. There was this boy I liked, but Daddy drove by his house a few times in his undercover car. I think it scared him off.”

  Channing drove through the gates of the school and stopped at the security shack for directions to visitor parking. “Good morning. My name is Channing Blake. We�
�re here for a campus tour.”

  “You can just park right over there sir.” The guard point to the right. “Someone from the Dean’s office will be here to get you in a few moments.”

  “Thanks.” Channing waved and parked his car.

  He and Avery were barely out of the car when a tall, muscular young man approached them wearing a pair of khakis and a polo shirt that said VIP Tour Guide. He seemed harmless enough until he got closer, and his smile got wider as he gave Avery a long once over.

  “Mr. Blake.” The young man attempted to give Channing a firm handshake—too firm. “My name is Xander. Dean Drake sent me over to personally escort you to his office.”

  “Thanks, Xander.” Channing’s jaw ticked. He shook the boy’s hand like he was cracking a walnut. The kid flinched but obviously didn’t want to yelp in front of Avery.

  “And you must be Avery. It’s so nice of you to consider Texas University as one of your potential schools. I heard you have a 4.0 average and big interest in English literature. You’d be a perfect fit with the brainy crowd on campus.” Xander’s eyes sparkled as he caressed Avery’s hand.

  “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you.” Avery blushed.

  “Xander.” Channing reached out and pulled their hands apart. “Isn’t the dean waiting for us?”

  Avery shot him a look. Channing ignored it. He knew that horny smile Xander was sporting. He was young once, after all.

  Xander got into the golf cart and patted the seat next to him for Avery, but Channing gave the young man look that would have sent chills down the devil’s spine and herded her to the backseat with him. They hadn’t been on campus ten minutes, and someone was already giving her leering looks. Having a young lady in the family was new for him, but he’d make the time to fend off some college gigolo who thought flexing a few muscles was going to score him some points.

  Xander pointed out some of the buildings as they rode and gave them some information on the history of the school. Avery was all too happy to engage and fired a ton of questions at him. Like Channing had figured, Xander was a running back on the football team, and his major was physical education. Avery was impressed, but Channing felt like he was going to throw up from the kid’s blatant attempts to sound cool. Finally they parked in front of the dean’s office building and went inside.