Page 15 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

She leaned heavily against the door. What was he doing to her? In what world had she believed she could come back to Coleville, interact with Easton, and not fall for him all over again?

She touched her lips. He hadn’t even kissed her, but she still felt weak and completely gone over him. She had to pray for strength. She needed help from her Savior. Heaven above would not want her broken like only Easton could do to her. Even more, she needed to protect her innocent daughter.

They were both in deep trouble.

Chapter

Six

The next twoweeks passed far too quickly as Cassie focused on wedding details, met with Lily, Clint, Mama Ivy, and Mama Millie in person and Miles and Eva Chevron and Eva’s mother on video chats.

She wasn’t sure what Easton had told Bennett or Clint, but she noticed far too many security guys around the ranch and sheriff’s guys around town keeping an eye on her. Grateful wasn’t enough to describe how that felt. She’d been terrified of Baxter hurting Presley for so many years. She felt safe and as if Easton had known exactly what she needed.

She saw Easton far too much for her susceptible heart. He stayed true to his word and checked on them regularly. Presley was completely gone over him, but Cassie tried to stay strong. He was as funny, charming, and determined as she remembered. He took every opportunity to give her smoldering looks, tease her, take her hand, brush her arm, and worst of all, sing a line or two to her.

He was completely overwhelming her resistance, but she had to stay strong.

The second Sunday they were home, Cassie sat with the Lillywhite family at church. She tried diligently to listen to Pastor Heath’s sermon, or notice the church’s Christmas decorations and what she’d change for the weddings, while Easton sat two rows in front of them. He kept glancing back with a yearning in his blue eyes that set her heart racing.

Presley had slid onto the floor and was playing with her Polly Pocket dolls, changing their clothes and their hair, whispering conversations.

Pastor Heath said something about forgiving and loving your neighbor. Easton looked back at her, pointed to himself, and mouthed, ‘That means me.’ Her jaw dropped. The gall that man possessed. Did he even know how deep his transgressions were? She could forgive him as a Christian, but that didn’t mean she would let her guard down, love him, and get her heart broken all over again—and Presley’s as well.

Looking down to check on a too-quiet Presley, she startled realizing her daughter was gone. She bent down low and could just see Presley’s pink dress and little gray boots disappearing two rows in front of them.

She straightened, her stomach tumbling as she saw Easton lift Presley onto his lap. Her daughter framed his face with her tiny hands and exclaimed, “I found you, my Easton.”

Many in the congregation chuckled and focused on the pair. Cassie didn’t blame them. Easton was devastatingly handsome in his button-down shirt and tie, and Presley was adorable and looked miniscule in his arms. No hat in church. The scars didn’t detract from his appeal. They added a depth she wanted him to have.

Far too many in the congregation glanced back at her. She sat there with her cheeks burning and her back ramrod straight. The rumor mill would be going insane now. She could just imagine what they’d be saying:The long-lost lovers reunite though the precocious daughter,orEaston Coleville charms his way into Cassie Johnston’s heart … again. That shouldn’t be newsworthy. He charmed every female.

Easton was whispering something in Presley’s ear. She grinned and cuddled into him.

Miraculously, Presley hardly moved the rest of the sermon. What was it about Easton’s arms that settled her busy daughter down? Cassie remembered settling down in those arms too. Easton would tease her and she’d get feisty. He’d pull her close and she couldn’t resist him. He’d call her his ‘sweet but sassy Cass’. Or she’d see a spot of blood and he’d hold her up and make every pain go away, heal her with his kiss.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the pair.

When the last song ended and the prayer was given, she sprang to her feet. Rose Lillywhite Mason stood at her side and leaned in. “That is adorable.” She pointed to where Easton stood, cradling Presley in his arms and focusing on her daughter as Presley chattered.

“It is,” she admitted.

Rose grabbed her hands. Her dark eyes lit up. “Bennett told me Easton is gone over you and tasked him to keep you safe when he can’t be there. Are you getting back together?”

Cassie focused on her friend, wishing she could say yes. There were too many reasons to say no. She let her gaze stray back to Easton and her daughter. It was a mistake, or maybe a blessing in disguise. Within the few seconds she’d focused on Rose, young ladies from the congregationhad formed a knot around Easton and Presley, who were now in the aisle. Her eyes narrowed as Easton preened for his crowd of admirers and Presley soaked up the attention as well. How dare he use her daughter to get attention from a flock of women?

“No,” she bit at Rose, pulling her hands free. “We are absolutely not getting back together.”

“Oh.” Rose sounded disappointed. “I apologize.”

Cassie looked back at her friend. “It’s not on you. Pardon me.” She eased past Rose, her giant of a husband Bennett, and their two adopted sons Jack and Ty.

Finally in the aisle, she stormed to the circle of young women vying for Easton’s attention. Right next to Easton, cooing at him and Presley, was none other than the she-devil Trudy Everett. She’d disliked Trudy since high school when the girl had tried to steal Easton and made fun of Cassie.

“Excuse me,” she said loudly. “I need to retrieve my daughter.”

The circle somewhat parted. She shoved her way in and stopped in front of Easton. He gave her a look of longing that made her cells swirl with heat. She ignored her silly response and his blue eyes.

“Look at the bedraggled cat returning with loads of baggage,” Trudy said in a whisper to her friend. It carried.

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