Page 124 of Risky Move

“Hi, Tom, I hate that the snowstorm ruined your weekend.” Caryn greeted him, then noticed Cassie behind him. “Oh my God, Cassie! Come here…I need to hug you.”

“Hi, Caryn.” Even though she was petite like Lauren, Caryn’s fierce hug nearly knocked the breath out of Cassie. “Please thank your parents for making the trip so luxurious. And your townhome—Now I know why you call it your summer retreat.”

“I’m sorry you had to cut your visit short—come in, let’s get something to drink and tell me all about your visit.”

She grabbed Cassie’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen.

“It’s too quiet,” Tom commented. “Where are my brother, niece, and nephew?”

“On a short walk up the street.” Caryn laughed as she pulled glasses from the cupboards. “Beer? Wine? Iced tea? Water?”

Tom glanced at Cassie as she scooted up on a counter chair. “I’d love a beer,” he said. “Cass, you’ve had a busy day. Ready to relax with a beer or wine?”

“Whatever is easiest, Caryn. Whatever you’re drinking.”

* * *

Cassie felt odd sitting at the island with Caryn serving her. She should be on the other side helping, not sitting like a guest. She sipped the beer Tom handed her and glanced around the rooms she thought of as home. Cassie felt the pull of the pool and chanced a brief look. Her heart pounded, even as she saw the black fencing enclosing the pool. She quickly shifted her eyes to the play area.

“Where are the toys?”

Caryn laughed. “I’ll show you their playroom. I tripped over one too many blocks and cars. Everything’s contained in the bedroom across from your room. I don’t know why we didn’t think of that sooner.”

“Your room.” Does Caryn still think of it as my bedroom? I wish I could turn the clock back. Make everything like it was before I made the worst mistake of my life.She picked at the label on her bottle as Tom relayed his parents’ greetings to the family.

“They may have this ‘thought’ about you and Andrew leaving the twins with them this summer—maybe for a week or so.”

Cassie swallowed a laugh when she caught the distressed look that crossed Caryn’s face. Andrew and the twins burst through the front door, capturing everyone’s full attention. Each gripped one of Andrew’s hands, calling excitedly to “Momma.”

“Show Momma what you found.”

As the twins hurried toward the kitchen, Andrew greeted Cassie and Tom with hugs and an empathetic smile. “Weather ruins another trip. Forties yesterday, snow warning tonight? Another extreme winter.”

“How did you all manage?” Cassie asked.

“We didn’t know any better,” Tom said. “We thought it was the same everywhere. Who knew?” He nodded to his brother. “Then, when Andrew and Caryn moved to Tampa…”

“Caryn said, ‘You mean people actuallylivehere?’” Andrew finished the thought. “Hope we never need to move elsewhere.” Andrew turned his attention to Tom. “You had a good visit with Mom and Dad?”

“Yes. We need to talk, though.”

Before Andrew could respond, excited voices echoed with little footsteps leaving the kitchen. “Ca! Ca! CaCa!”

Cassie slipped from the chair, her throat constricting. “My munchkins,” she said, kneeling and holding her arms out as they walked and crawled toward her.

Andrew motioned to the sunroom. “You have time to talk now, Tom?”

He nodded, then squeezed Cassie’s shoulders as she gathered the children into a wobbly hug. When their eyes met, she nodded when he indicated the sunroom.

The twins had Cassie flat on the floor within a few short minutes. She laughed with them, pretending to understand their twin-speak and looked at Caryn when Daniel began to pull on her hand. “CaCa, now.”

“I think he wants to show you the new toys.”

“I can’t believe all the new words. Do you mind if they show me the playroom?”

“A few moments peace and quiet? Please, please, Cassie! If you and Tom don’t have plans, I thought I could invite Lauren and Dave for dinner.”

Cassie read the hope in Caryn’s expression. “That’s a wonderful plan—all my favorite people and munchkins together.” She laughed as Daniel insistently continued to pull on her hand.

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