Page 85 of Risky Move

Would he enjoy experiencing the island paradise with Cassie?No question. Even if we have little time to ourselves, any amount of time together trumps not seeing her for at least a week.When Tom approached Caryn, she said she’d already spoken with Drew. He had “no reservations” and asked Caryn to think about going out on a boat for twenty-four hours or visiting St. Thomas and St. Croix on day-trips.

Caryn laughed softly when she relayed that message to Tom. “I think his new goal is to convince me that Danny and Jenna will happily survive twenty-four hours without me.”

“You know they’ll be in good hands. Cassie’s a second mother to your ‘munchkins.’”

“Yes, and they adore their Uncle Tommy…not to mention our personal physician. If I ever leave them, I’d put you and Cassie at the top of the list.” Tom saw her cut her eyes toward him, a teasing glint in her expression. “So, about you and Cassie…”

“Yes?” Tom forced himself to keep a neutral expression.

“You complement each other perfectly. Do you think you’re…” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes asked the question.

“An exclusive couple? Definitely.”

“Have you thought about the future?”

Tom shrugged. “Somewhat, but I want her to chase her dreams. I’ve been there, done that—but Cassie hasn’t. She needs the opportunity to chart her own course for the future. When the time comes, I plan to step back and watch her soar.”

“Keep in mind that Drew and I had a similar situation. His moving to St. Louis for two seasons tested our commitment to each other. In the end, we both sailed the same course.”

“We could follow in your and Andrew’s footsteps, or discover our goals take us separate ways.”

“Does Cassie know how you feel?”

“Yes, and we’re both thinking about the future.” Tom reached for his water bottle and took a long drink. “Nothing permanent yet, but the thought’s planted.”

“You may discover Cassie’s dreams include staying in Tampa.” Caryn smiled as she snacked on a cracker.

“You know something I don’t?” Tom challenged, his tone light.

“Just an observation. You know—woman’s intuition.”

* * *

Caryn’s questions about his relationship with Cassie stuck in Tom’s mind.Nothing new, but I need to get a sense of Cassie’s dreams for the future. I’ve already followed my dream; I’ve taken the route I chose to become a doctor. Cassie’s just beginning her journey.

He posed the question one evening when they took a walk after dinner. “You’ve never shared your dreams for your life, Cassie. You have so much talent, I can see you succeed in any career you chose. When you were younger, did you dream about what you wanted in your future?”

“Besides a prince on a white horse?” Cassie responded with a grin. “I knew I didn’t want to follow either of my parent’s footsteps. My mother’s an accountant, and my dad’s the IT director for his corporation. I knew early on that neither of those would play a part in any thoughts about my future. As you know, I’m allergic to math.”

“Good point. But all joking aside, you came to Tampa for a year to decide your plans for the future. I know you’re taking classes, but where do you see yourself next year? Five years? Do you have a dream for your life?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I left Vancouver with the main goal of getting away from my mother’s overprotective smothering so I could function as an adult.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life…maybe teach preschool or go the communications route. I never thought about working in either area, but the more I help with the twins and watch Caryn and Lauren manage their business, the more I think about including one or the other in my future.” She looked up and Tom saw her thoughtful expression. “Did you always want to enter medicine?”

“When I realized that playing hockey wasn’t a viable career, I thought about medicine. Watching my mom and dad deal with Dad’s health issues opened that possibility to me. If you’d asked me when I was twelve, I would have insisted that I’d play pro hockey.” Tom gazed at one of the community lakes. “No, I didn’t grow up dreaming about the med school route.”

“Did you ever second-guess your decision?”

“At least once a month through med school and interning.”

“That’s reassuring,” Cassie said with a soft laugh. “I dreamed of having a ‘normal’ family—no constant bickering between parents, no tug of war using me as the rope, and not a mother who wants to run my life. Something like Caryn and Andrew have with the munchkins and you. That gives me hope that my dream is attainable.”

“It is, babe. You know, you’re part of the family now.”

“Eh…does that make us siblings?” Tom saw the teasing glint in her hazel eyes.

“Hardly. Let’s amend that to an honorary member of our family.”

Cassie turned so she could face him. “Why the interest in what I want to do when I grow up?” She cocked her head as she waited for Tom’s answer.

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