Page 31 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

Cassie was certain hers was as well.

Chapter

Eleven

Easton cursedhis brother’s interruption. Especially when he took the suitcase back up to Cassie and she obviously was not in the same frame of mind as when he’d left her. She thanked him, tugged the suitcase from his grip, and walked into the bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind her.

They’d been so close to a kiss and possibly reconciliation, but he couldn’t recreate the moment. He had no choice but to go to bed. He prayed in gratitude that Cassie and Presley were here with him and for the broken road that had brought them here. He had hope, and that was a powerful thing.

Friday morning, he woke bright and early. The other ranch hands would have to take care of the feedings and the patrolling. Luckily, it was winter time and not as much work around the ranch needed to be done. He would go a bit insane not being able to work out until her ex was caught, but he’d pay a bigger price than that to have Cassie and Presley close.

He showered and got ready, then hurried out onto the loft. Not being alone in his house was very different from his norm. He liked it and looked forward to his next interaction with Cassie.

Their door was still closed, so he headed downstairs to the kitchen. He started frying bacon and eggs and cutting up some fruit. He pulled out yogurt, juice, and milk.

Finally he heard footsteps above him, but it was another twenty minutes before they came down.

“Easton!” Presley screamed, pumping down the stairs and into his arms.

He hugged her tightly. Easton got hugs from his mama all the time, and beautiful women every weekend, but Presley’s hugs were unique and heartwarming. He’d give a lot to have Cassie hugging him as well.

Her cautious look as she came down the stairs told him he wouldn’t get a hug anytime soon. They had regressed from last night. Why? It still rankled at him that she’d cheated on him and here he was being the bigger man and trying to forgive and forget. He was wholly committed to her. He’d never forget that shift in Clint’s office. It was terrifying to wonder how he’d cope if she never felt the same.

They ate breakfast and cleaned up. Then he wasn’t certain what they’d do with themselves. “I need to deal with some things for the wedding,” Cassie said.

“Presley and I can hang out,” he offered.

“Yeah, man,” Presley cheered.

“Thank you.”

Cassie got Presley dressed in her snow clothes and the two of them went out into the stinging cold winter day and piles of fresh snow they’d been blessed with overnight.They built a snow fort and had a snowball fight. He felt like he was young again and loved each time Presley giggled.

Cassie came out onto the porch, and he was happy to see she was dressed to be in the snow as well.

“Hit your mama with snowballs,” he said in an undertone to Presley.

“Yay!” Presley started forming snowballs and tossing them at the porch. They fell short. Easton helped, forming soft balls so they wouldn’t hurt but making sure he hit his target.

“Hey!” Cassie cried out, hiding behind the porch timbers. Then she dashed down the stairs and ran right at them, scooping snow and throwing it as she came.

“Fall back, fall back,” Easton cried, swooping up Presley and running for their fort. They dodged behind the wall.

Presley giggled. “She won’t find us here.”

Footsteps approached, and Easton put his finger to his lips, setting Presley behind him. “I’ll protect you, my princess,” he vowed.

Cassie appeared around the side of their fort. Easton dove at her, tackling her back into the snow but rolling mid-air like the ultra athlete he was. He landed on his back, absorbing the impact of her weight. The snow was soft and didn’t hurt at all.

She cried out in surprise, splayed on top of him. Her grin was wide, and it felt amazing to play around with her.

“Sneak attack,” she cried.

He held her tight and grinned up at her. “The sneak attack is still coming.” He arched up toward her.

Her eyes widened, but instead of telling him off, she leaned down toward him.

Easton’s heart raced out of control. This might finally be their moment.

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