Shane (Remington Ranch Book 2) (9 page)

She smiled back. “Wow!” was all she could say.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” He took her hand and led her on down a path she hadn’t seen before that followed the bank of the river.

She followed, unable to wipe the big smile from her face. She might be about to make one hell of a man-mess, but she was determined now that she was going to enjoy the hell out of him before disaster struck.

Chapter Nine

It was a beautiful walk along the river to Beau’s rental property. Cassidy was really hoping that the house would be suitable for Summer. It would be awesome to have her friend living this close, awesome to be able to make this walk to visit each other. She shuddered once she had a handle on what she might have to expect along the way in terms of creatures that might want to eat her! She hadn’t given that a thought as she walked with Shane. She felt totally safe. That realization was quite something in itself. Normally being around a guy made her feel less safe in her environment. Normally a guy presented some kind of threat she needed to defend herself against. Why? And why didn’t Shane?

He turned to smile at her. “We’re almost there. When we come out of the cottonwoods on the bend there you’ll see the house. It’s a great place. What’s the story with you friend?”

Hmm, she really didn’t want Shane taking a liking to Summer, and she was prepared to admit to herself now that it wasn’t out of protectiveness toward her friend! “She’s a singer. She needs to get away for a while and rest her voice.”

“Anyone I might have heard of?”

“Depends if you like country music.”

“I love it.”

“Well then yes, I’m sure you’ve heard of Summer Breese.”

“Really?”

She had to laugh at the expression on his face. “Good grief, Shane, your tongue’s hanging out! Put it away and calm down, would you?”

He laughed. “She’s awesome. I love her voice.”

Cassidy was surprised at the little pang of jealousy she felt. It wasn’t a familiar feeling to her. Jealousy was something other people did—insecure people. That wasn’t her. “I’m sure you’ll love
her
when you meet her. She’s a real sweetheart.”

“She’s not one of those people who’s a bitch in real life, but acts all sweet for the cameras?”

“No!” Cassidy hated it when people thought that about her friend. “She is genuinely one of the nicest, kindest, most beautiful people you will ever meet!”

Shane grinned. “And beware, she has the ferocious Cassidy to defend her.”

Cassidy smiled. “She does.” They rounded the bend and her smile grew when she saw the cabin. She turned to Shane. “Is this the place?”

He nodded. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s perfect! I’ll have to look around inside, but I think Summer will love it.”

“Can I tell Carter that it’s her?”

Cassidy raised an eyebrow at him. “Of course, but please don’t go telling everyone else. She wants to come here for some peace and quiet, to rest.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean like that. I wouldn’t say a word, it’s none of my business and none of anyone else’s, it’s just Carter.” He grinned. “He has a crush on her. He doesn’t date or anything, but he goes all goofy whenever she’s on the radio. If he sees her on TV he just sits and stares with a big daffy smile on his face.”

“Aww! He’s such a sweetheart.”

“He is.” Shane’s smile faded. “Does she have a boyfriend?”

“No. She never has time for one.” Cassidy grinned. “Wouldn’t it be something if we could get the two of the together?”

Shane gave her a worried look. “Maybe.”

“But?”

“But Carter’s been hurt before. I don’t want him finally opening up to someone who will walk all over him and then leave him behind and never look back.”

Wow! That was a side of Shane she hadn’t seen before. She loved that he was protective toward his brother. “I’d hate to see him get hurt, although Summer isn’t like that. It’s probably best that we stay out of it, huh? Tell him she’s coming and leave it at that.”

“Yeah, but also take them both for a night out here and there?”

“If she’ll go out. It might be easier for her not to.” Cassidy knew what he meant though. “Don’t worry we can make sure he gets the chance to meet her properly. I’ll have everyone over for dinner.” She caught his eye. “And a game of pool.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You have a pool table?”

She laughed. “I do.”

“You’re a little hustler!”

“Why, thank you.”

“I’m going to need a rematch you know. I need to beat you and claim my prize.”

His look sent shivers racing down her spine. She couldn’t wait!

“Hey guys!” called Carter. He was building a rockery in the little side yard. Cassidy couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles rippled as he hefted a huge rock into place. He was a little too bulky for her taste. She smiled to herself as she thought about it. Even when they were kids, Summer had always gone gaga over big, built guys. Cassidy had a feeling she would swoon at the sight of Carter. That would be awesome. They were two of the sweetest people on earth. But she was a little concerned too; she’d hate for either of them to get hurt.

“Yo bro!” called Shane. “It would appear that Cassidy has been rendered speechless by the sight of your physique.”

Cassidy slapped his arm, and Carter looked uncomfortable. She hated that Shane would embarrass him like that. “He’s just jealous, Carter. I was actually thinking about how much my friend is going to like you.”

Shane pouted at her. “I thought you were going to let me tell him?”

“I was, but I didn’t think you were going to embarrass us both!”

He hung his head. “Sorry, you’re right. I am jealous of my big brother. I mean what guy wouldn’t be? He’s big and buff and…” Cassidy had to laugh as Shane flexed his own muscles. “And my girl isn’t noticing me because she’s ogling him!”

The corners of Carter’s mouth turned up in the hint of a smile. He raised an eyebrow at Cassidy.

She looked at Shane. “
Your
girl?”

He shrugged and gave her his cocky grin, which was much more appealing now. “I’m working on it.”

“Will one of you tell me?” asked Carter.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Shane looked at Cassidy. “Can I?”

She laughed and nodded. “Go ahead.”

Shane went over and put an arm around Carter’s shoulders. “Cassidy’s friend, the one who is going to be staying right here in this house…”

“If she likes it,” said Cassidy. “I haven’t even seen inside yet.”

Shane waved a hand at her. “She’ll love it. She’s going to be staying right here.”

“
Who
is?” asked Carter with a laugh.

“None other than the beautiful, the angel voiced, the sweetest of the sweet…”

“
Who?
”

“Shane just tell him, or I will!”

“The one and only, Summer Breese!”

The corners of Carter’s mouth turned up at the same time his head went down. He looked so embarrassed, Cassidy felt for him. Though she couldn’t help smiling at the touch of color on his cheeks.

“The singer?” he asked without looking up.

“Yes, the singer, dumbass!” Shane punched his arm. “The very same Summer Breese who you moon over whenever she’s on TV. The one you sing along with in your truck.”

Carter’s cheeks turned even redder as he shot a look at Cassidy.

She smiled. She didn’t want him to feel bad. “I sing along with her, too. I love her voice and all her songs. Did you know she writes them all herself?”

Carter nodded.

Shane laughed. “Of course he does! He knows everything there is to know about her; well, everything that’s in the public realm. And now he’ll get to know what she’s really like, too!”

Carter shook his head. “Oh no. I wouldn’t want to intrude on her privacy. She doesn’t like the spotlight.” He met Cassidy’s gaze and shook his head again. “Don’t worry. I do think she’s awesome, but I’ll stay away. She must want some peace if she’s coming all the way out here.”

“She does, but she wants to spend time with me, too. I’d like her to meet my friends. She’s not coming to be a hermit or anything.”

Carter gave her a shy smile. “I would like to meet her, and I won’t embarrass you.”

She laughed. “I know that!” She looked at Shane. “I’m not so sure about
him
, but I’m not worried about you at all.”

Shane laughed. “No worries here. I’ve already got my hands full with you.”

Carter looked from her to Shane and back again, seemingly surprised at that. It wasn’t enough to distract him though. “How do you know her?”

“We grew up together. I went to school with her and her sister.”

“Autumn? Is she coming, too?”

“I’m not sure. She may come to help Summer get settled in, but I can’t see her staying for long. This place will suit Summer, but Autumn’s a big city girl.”

Carter nodded. “That was the impression I got.”

“Well, once her sister’s gone, I’m sure you can help Summer settle right in. It’ll be your pleasure, right?” asked Shane.

Carter looked at Cassidy again. “I’ll be on hand for anything she needs, but I wouldn’t want to impose.”

Cassidy touched his arm; he was so sweet. She was starting to wonder if anything might happen between him and Summer. They would make an adorable couple—but she mustn’t get carried away. “Thanks, Carter. I think we’d better take a look inside the house first, don’t you? I’d love to call her tonight and tell her we’ve found somewhere for her.”

He nodded. “Come on in then. It’s a great place.”

~ ~ ~

Shane smiled at Cassidy across the table. They’d spent a good hour with Carter while they went over his landscaping plans for her house. Shane was glad to finally have her to himself. “What made you want to come here?”

She laughed. “The Valley Lodge is the only place I’ve eaten outside of town. Everyone says this place has the best burgers. I haven’t had a burger in ages.”

Shane nodded. He was a little disappointed. He’d wanted to take her to the Valley Lodge as it was one of the best restaurants in the Mountain West. It made sense that she would be familiar with it though. To her that was the norm and somewhere like this, the Riverside, just a regular burger joint to him, was somewhere new and different. It didn’t really matter where they ate though. What mattered was that he was on a real date with her—hopefully the first.

She raised an eyebrow at him. “You weren’t hoping to impress me were you?”

He met her gaze. She was blunt, no doubt about it, but that was one of the things he liked about her. She didn’t give him any room to put on a façade to impress her. He liked that because it gave him no choice but to be completely honest and, therefore, transparent. He was used to maintaining a certain distance from women—mentally if not physically. He gave them the front, and they loved it. They gave him the sex, and he loved that! He couldn’t wait to get Cassidy into bed. “Of course I was hoping to impress you, Princess.” He gave her a wink and caught hold of her hand across the table. “How else am I supposed to schmooze you into the sack?”

She threw back her head and laughed. “You’re such an asshole, Shane!”

He gave her a hurt look, but couldn’t hide his smile. “I try to be. I know it’s what you like best about me.”

She shook her head. “No, I think it works pretty well for you with most women. But you have to remember that I’m not like most women.”

“How could I forget?”

“What does that mean?”

He smiled. He wanted to play with her, not piss her off. “I mean I’m here, aren’t I? With most women, I would have given up weeks ago. You’ve not exactly been nice to me, have you?”

“You’ve not exactly deserved it, have you?”

He laughed. “With most women, I don’t need to be. My charm and dashing good looks are all it takes.”

She laughed. “It’ll take more than your normal with me.”

“Exactly.” He squeezed her hand and looked into her laughing, honey-colored eyes for a long moment. “I want more than my normal
from
you.”

The laughter faded from her face as she looked back at him. They stared into each other’s eyes until she broke the moment. “Ha! Nice one, Shane. I almost fell for that!”

His heart sank. Her words felt like a slap in the face. He’d meant it! He didn’t want to
just
screw her, he wanted to spend time with her, get to know her. He recovered quickly.

“I can see you’re going to keep me on my toes,” she said.

He laughed as the server approached the table. “I’d rather get you on your back.” He smirked at her as the server looked from him to her.

She gave him the evil eye before turning to the girl to place her order.

Once the server had gone she gave him a cool look. “So what are we doing here? Are you just taking a roundabout route to the inevitable?”

He raised an eyebrow. He thought he knew what she meant, but he wanted her to spell it out.

“The inevitable screwing each other’s brains out,” she clarified.

“I hope not. I mean yeah, I hope that part is inevitable, but I hope it’s not all we’re going to do together.” Her face relaxed a little. He hoped it was because she wanted to get to know him too. He rushed on while it seemed her defenses were down. “Since you have to keep other women away from me for the next three weeks, I was thinking we should spend some time together actually getting to know each other.”