Page 39 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

“I am sorry. And I think you need to note that I did say it first.”

She shook her head. “Are you wanting us to keep points?”

“Only when I do something like apologize because that should earn me a few extra points in the boyfriend list.”

“Boyfriend? Who said anything about that?”

“I did. And that should be an extra advantage too.”

“Well, then I should get a lot of points on my side for being the first to do this.” She stepped up, arms going around his neck and bringing his head down to hers. And the kiss she laid on him was an explosion inside him. It kept them both silent for a few long moments. “Agreed?”

“Whatever you said is fine with me.”

She smiled and the light came back inside his heart. “Do you think he forgot about us?”

“If he did, we might be here a while.”

His arms went around her and he smiled. “I knew I liked that brother of yours.” It was his turn to hit a homerun with his kiss. He did not disappoint.

“We definitely need to talk about things. But I have to go to a cattlemen’s convention in Ft. Worth this evening. I won’t be back until late Thursday. How about we plan on Friday?”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll cook and we can have a quiet place to talk at my house?”

“You have the best plans.” He grinned and was going in for another kiss when the door rattled and a loud voice sounded.

“Okay you two…coming in. Remember I am an officer of the law, and you shouldn’t strike me or anything.” The door creaked open, and he had the good manners to try to look contrite…but it didn’t quite go with the grin on his face.

“It’s about time,” Cole spoke up. His face was set in a hard line. “Thanks for making things worse. We have decided to not speak to each other ever again.” He left the room but not before he threw a quick wink in her direction while Matthew wasn’t looking.

Cassie grabbed her bag and slid the straps over her shoulder. “Best decision ever to not speak. Thanks a bunch brother dear for saving me from a fate worse than death.” She stormed out the door. But couldn’t resist a peek behind her as she turned the corner. Matthew had a shocked expression on his face, and he lost the grin. She was the one grinning as she left the building.

*

Three days draggedby even though her calendar said she was busy, and she did have lots of work to keep her moving, but she had her mind elsewhere and the only day that mattered was the one circled…Friday was when Cole would return, and they would be able to have that talk. She was both excited and hesitant, not knowing what he had in mind for their discussion. But she felt it would be one of those life-changing ones. When five o’clock came, she was out the door. Cassie had already done her shopping for the meal the day before and did housecleaning. All that was needed was to choose the outfit. Her mind was already on the contents of her closet when she turned the key in the lock and hastily stepped inside. And then she came to a halt.

Rose petals, in every shape and color lay on the floor in the entryway, down the hall, into the living and dining areas and even into the kitchen. But that wasn’t enough. Vases holding flowers…her favorites…stood on tables, shelves, anything that was likely not to move. The fragrances were incredible throughout the rooms. She was speechless. How and who were the two big questions. She was thinking it was Cole’s idea but who had come in and actually spread the beauties? There were little bouquets even up the stairs and in her bedroom were even larger ones. She had never seen anything like it. Cassie sat on the side of the bed and felt totally excited and happy and grateful all mixed together. She wished she could thank the man at that moment. But the time would come soon enough. But first things first. She moved through the house taking photos so she would always have the beautiful surprise to remember. Then it was shower time and what to wear was the big decision.

She chose a new silky jumpsuit with fitted waist and sleeves gathered into the wide cuffs. The blue almost matched her eyes and that was the reason she had chosen the garment on a recent shopping trip with Tori. Light perfume on her pulse points. Makeup lightly applied. Hair brushed until it shown as it lay in thick folds around her shoulders. A thin gold chain with a petite butterfly and thin gold hoops were her jewelry. Nothing too fancy but not exactly boring either. Gold sandals showed off her freshly pedicured nails with their red polish. It was time to head to the kitchen and she was careful to protect her outfit with an apron. The lemon-peppered chicken breasts had cooked in the slow cooker and smelled wonderful. She prepared the rice that they would rest upon, along with the side dishes of fresh broccoli and yeast rolls. There would be mini cheesecakes from the bakery.

Peaches had watched silently from her perch on the bottom stair when she grew tired of running and sliding through the rose petals which she had made a game of for a few minutes until she grew bored. She meowed as Cassie passed her and was rewarded with being picked up and carried into the living room, deposited on a soft pillow on one of the chairs in the living room.

“It’s naptime little one,” Cassie said with a gentle rub down her furry back. “Later, we’ll sit out on the porch and watch the moon rise, but right now, you take a nap and Cole will come for dinner.” Cassie deposited the kitten on a soft pillow on one of the chairs and watched her curl up and settled into her favorite napping position.

Right on cue, the doorbell sounded and sent Cassie’s heart racing. But she managed to keep from running to throw open the door and hug the man on the other side.

When she opened the door with a wide smile on her face it soon fell.

“Well don’t look so glad to see me. I did come by to apologize though.” Matthew stood on the porch, hat in hand, and a look of sincere apology on his face.

She shook her head. “You know better than to pull your pranks on me. But we can hope you learned a lesson.”

“Well, who do you think delivered all those flower petals and vases today? Comes in handy having a key to the place. And now you can apologize for thinking bad things about me when I locked you two up together. Someone had to do it.”

“So, it was you. Guess that gives you a reprieve…this time.” She stepped forward and gave him a hug. “Thanks a lot, you did a great job.”

“Just glad it isn’t up to me to clean it up.” He looked at her and backed away. “Don’t get any ideas. I have a daughter to pick up. I am out of here.” And he was just clearing the driveway when a familiar red pickup pulled into it. She stood in the doorway and tried to not appear as nervous as she felt. Cole stepped out and he had taken some time to dress for the occasion also. Pressed jeans, a very nice white button-down western-cut shirt, shined boots, his Stetson and he was definitely swoon worthy.

His gaze met hers and the smile he sent went all the way from the tip of her head to her toes with its warmth. The man was drop-dead gorgeous and he was incredibly romantic also. She could wait no longer and she stepped up to him and gave him a tight hug. A slight pause of surprise and then he reciprocated. “Now this is something a guy could get used to every day.” She looked up at him and grinned. “It’s to thank you for the incredible display of flowers that are making my house look and smell like a florist. I absolutely can’t believe it and it is amazing.”

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