Authors: Ginger Simpson
Cassie stood, hands on her hips, and glared at the doorway, waiting for Evan to enter.
He appeared puzzled the moment he saw her. "Lord, you look intense. What's up?"
"There are a number of reasons I look 'intense' as you say, and they all add up to five thousand. You wouldn't happen to know anything about a certain withdrawal from my checking account, would you? She furrowed her brow, a mixture of pain and agitation.
"Oh, that." He hung his cap on the hook next to the back door, then turned and faced her. "I had to pay for some subcontracting work."
Cass shook her head. "I can believe how casual you act about spending that much money, especially when it's in my own personal account, and you didn't even bother to discuss the matter with me."
His shoulders sagged and he rolled his eyes. "Remember, I told you we have to spend money to make money? If I sell jobs, then I have to make arrangements to get the work done. I planned to talk to you, but you didn't give me a chance." He opened the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water, and took a long drink.
"Well, I'm so sorry," she said, sarcastically, "but it's more than a little disconcerting to get a phone call from the bank about a huge withdrawal I know nothing about."
She waited for an apology.
Evan slammed the plastic container against the counter. "Listen, if you want me to make this business a success, you're gonna have to give me some wiggle room. I can't call you every time I have to make a decision. Either you trust me, or you don't. Which is it?"
His tone clearly held no remorse. Instead, Cassie felt as though she was the one who'd done something wrong. She released a pent up breath.
"I do trust you, Evan, but there are other expenses besides those associated with the business. You left me without cash enough to pay the electricity, the gas, and the gardener."
He hung his head. "I'm sorry about that." His gaze sought hers. "I guess we'll have to work out a better way to do things. Like you, I'm not used to answering to anyone about finances." He walked over and embraced her. "I promise I'll try to be more considerate."
His breath in her hair sent a chill down her side. She melted against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "We'll work things out. I've always hated surprises that involved money…unless of course I win the lottery, and that's never happened."
Evan leaned back and searched her eyes. "I'll do better, okay?"
"Deal! I don't want us to argue anymore. I'm a lover not a fighter."
He gave her a quick kiss. "Well, if I wasn't so hungry, I'd take you upstairs and make you prove it, but I'm starving. What's for dinner?"
Cassie eyed the empty stove. "I guess I forgot to make anything. I was just so angry—"
"No problem. I'll run and get us a burger. How does that sound?"
Extra pickles, no onions." She retrieved his ball cap and plopped it on his head.
"Oh, by the way," he said, pulling a folded paper from his back pocket. "Here's the next instalment towards your retirement." He ducked out the back door.
The sheet was crinkled and hard to unfold, but once opened, Cassie smiled. She perused a twelve-thousand dollar contract and a check. The terms showed the client had paid one-half for landscaping, sprinkler system, a patio, a built-in barbeque, and… Her eyes widened. A shuffleboard court? She re-read the last item and glanced at the back door. "Does he even know how to build one?"
* * *
Evan clasped his hands over her eyes. "Don't look until we're outside. I know it's taken a little longer than I thought, but the backyard is finally finished."
"I'm glad Mom extended her stay in Arizona for another two weeks so she didn't have to deal with the noise and mess." Cassie took small steps, letting Evan lead her blindly out the back door. He pivoted her around so she faced in the right direction. "Are you ready," he asked.
He removed his hands and Cassie gasped. Evan had been right all along in his vision. Water filled the pond, plants fringed the edges, and the waterfall cascading in the corner provided a soothing, melodic sound. What could be more relaxing than this?
Evan had added additional stonework, installed mood lighting, and more shrubbery along the driveway. A small fountain bubbled on the side patio, just outside Mom's sliding glass doors. The lawn Cassie had worried about looked perfect, and her backyard was truly a work of art. Evan and his small posse of workers had created a masterpiece.
He showed her the signs he'd had printed and would display in the front yard to alert passersby that C&E Outdoor Designs was fully operational. In fact, he and his men had already started a second project: enclosing the back patio to create a mutual office space.
As she moved to the bridge over the pond and stared down into the sky-blue water, she flashed back on her moments of panic. Since their discussion, trusting Evan was easier than stressing over every little issue. Even knowing how expensive Koi were, she imagined how happy they'd be in their new home.
"So, was it worth the wait?" Evan stood behind her, his arms around her waist.
"It's lovely. Mom's going to love it as much as I do."
A breeze fluttered through the few remaining leaves on the tree mid-yard. Cassie snuggled back against Evan, thankful for his warmth. Colder weather was creeping into California. After all, it was already nearing the end of September. She welcomed a respite from the summer and looked forward to dressing in layers, but thoughts of the upcoming holidays caused her to frown.
"Why so quiet, baby girl?" Evan's breath washed across her neck.
She relaxed the back of her head against his shoulder. "I was just thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I've never been at odds with half my family before and wonder how things are going to be this year. Frank and Alaine are the ones who blew everything out of proportion, so if there are apologies to be made, the ball is in their court."
The sound of a ringing phone caught her attention, and she stepped out of his embrace. "I have to get that. It might be Mom."
She hurried to the house.
"Were you running?" Gloria asked when Cassie answered,
"I was in the backyard, admiring my sweetie's handiwork." Cass wiped a frustrating stray hair from the corner of her mouth. "You should see my backyard, Glo. Evan designed the most beautiful fish pond and waterfall I've ever seen. I can't wait to show you."
"It sounds lovely. Cal and I hope to be down for the holidays. It's been far too long since our last visit, and I'd love to see you all."
A twinge of sadness marred the moment and caused an empty feeling in the pit of Cassie's stomach. "I can wait to see you, either, but if you plan on seeing Frank and Alaine, you'll have to go to their houses. They won't come around as long as Evan is here."
"Is that silliness still going on? Good grief, I thought it would be settled by now. Alaine called me a while back and shared her fears about Evan, but I told her we just need to trust your judgment. Still, she was so convincing about Evan's past, I paid for an on-line background check, but nothing popped up."
Cassie grimaced. "Not you, too, Gloria. I thought you liked Evan."
"I do, but you know how forceful Alaine can be. Don't be mad. I'm on your side."
There shouldn't have to be sides. I'm not a child, for heaven's sake."
"I know, I know. Just be patient. They'll come around."
Cassie sighed. "I don't think so. Alaine is really upset about me accusing Jay of stealing Carson's watch, and Frank supports her."
"Honestly, Cass, just give them time."
"That's about all I can give them, but I am excited you'll be coming for a visit. Keep me posted on your flight dates and times."
Cassie hung up. Her shoulders slumped and tears rimmed her eyes. Christmas wasn't far away, and the family discord would prevent the traditional gathering and celebration. How would Mom handle the disappointment? Maybe Gloria was right. If Cassie gave her other two siblings time, maybe they would come around.
The doorbell rang, pulling Cassie from her glum. "This is not a relaxing Saturday," she mumbled on her way to front foyer.
She opened the door and found the mailman clasping s huge bunch of envelopes against his chest. "Ms. Fremont?"
"Yes, I'm Cassie Fremont."
"I couldn't fit all your mail in the box."
Cassie extended her arms and accepted the load. "Wow, if this is all for me, then I must be pretty popular."
"Looks that way." He chuckled. "Oh, and let me say, your yard looks fantastic. It's always been attractive, but someone's been busy making it even better."
"Thanks. Like the sign out front says, C&E Designs is open for business." She glanced at the top envelope and noticed the address. "And, our new venture seems to be the cause for the huge increase in your workload."
"It's all part of the job." He smiled. "Have a nice day."
"You, too," she called as he returned to his jeep. "Don't forget to mention us if you run across someone who needs some landscaping done."
Cassie bumped the door closed her with hip, went into her office, and dumped the mail onto her desk. She eyed the stack. "This is not the way I wanted to spend my weekend."
Her thoughts strayed to Evan, working across town on the new contracts, and she felt guilty. If he worked on Saturday, it only seemed fair that she work, too. Groaning, she pulled out the chair and prepared to do battle with the U.S. mail service.
Separating the junk mail from the rest was the first chore. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to pitch their products to a new business. She scowled at the fifth flyer for address labels before she tossed it into the trashcan, and once finished sorting, the stack had greatly decreased.
Armed with her opener, she sliced through each envelope and perused the contents. "Bills, bills, bills," she grumbled. An all-too-familiar stress headache lurked behind her eyes.
Her jaw tightened. The balance due on a particular invoice had grown substantially since last month. She opened the desk drawer and pulled the previous month's statement. The balance was three thousand dollars more than before, and the debtor wasn't a business account. The charges were made on her own personal MasterCard. It had to be a mistake.
After scanning the charges more carefully, she recalled purchasing a few things, but not at the Thunderhead Casino, Quail Creek Casino, or several bars and restaurants she'd never stepped foot inside. As she suspected, someone had charged her account instead of the correct one. She'd call and take care of the error first thing Monday. She left the remaining mail and went to tidy up the house before Evan came home. She'd lost the urge to deal with paperwork.
Chapter Eighteen
Cassie busied herself with her usual weekend regime: dusting, vacuuming, and doing laundry. Anything other than dwelling on finances provided a welcome distraction. Still, the mistake on her credit card statement niggled her. Seemed customer service had declined over the years, and no one took pride in a job well done anymore.
At least she found joy in seeing her tasks done to the best of her ability. Snapping the clean top sheet in midair, she watched it settle over the mattress. The floral pattern matched the colorful bedroom décor. Anal retentive came to mind. From clothes to shoes to bedding, each had to compliment the other. She giggled at her silly idiosyncrasy as she walked around the mattress, tucking in the blankets and putting on the lacy comforter. Standing back, she admired the newly refreshed bed and the now clean room. The stack of dirty clothes, previously in the corner, now filled the washing machine, her stray shoes were on their appropriate shelves, and the bathroom vanity sparkled. If only she took time to put things where they belonged in the first place, cleaning wouldn't be such a chore. She nodded in the mirror. Tomorrow, she'd start being more organized.
She patted her growling stomach. She'd skipped breakfast and it was well past noon. Her thoughts drifted to the thawed roast in the refrigerator, and she could almost taste beef gravy over steaming mashed potatoes. She hadn't cooked in five days. Evan deserved a good meal after a hard day's labor, and she'd see he got it.
A glance at her wristwatch revealed he'd still work for another few hours. She had plenty of time to prepare dinner, get cleaned up, and set the ambiance for a romantic evening. The past few nights, she'd lacked energy for sex, and Evan seemed content with kisses and cuddles. Today, her hormones raged. She wanted more, and if Evan were home, she'd ravage him now. Vivid images of sweaty bodies and climatic excitement spun through her mind. Her breasts tingled with anticipation, and jazzed by thoughts of an orgasmic night, she virtually flew down the stairs.
Cassie rolled the roast in flour, spiced it, and put the meat in the oven in short order. The vegetables would go in an hour before serving. She crunched into a carrot, hoping to quell her hunger until dinnertime. Unfortunately, she had nothing handy to suppress her thirst for Evan's lovemaking. He'd have to take care of that personally. Staring out the window over the kitchen sink, she pondered her urgent need for sex. What brought about the sudden mood change from cool to piping hot? "Menopause magic," she mumbled, then munching on her carrot, traipsed upstairs to make herself desirable.