Needs A Little TLC (Spinning Hills Romance 2) (18 page)

Cassie giggled before shaking her head and turning serious. “But we’re adults now and we have to play by the rules. I’m not trying to shove anything down your throat or up your nose. The town charter protects local businesses from having to compete with national chains. If anything were ever approved, it would be something that wouldn’t compete with a business that’s already here. You’re smart, Sam, and you conduct business with feeling. It works for you. But you’re not the only one who conducts business here, and you’re not the only one with feelings.”

Sam remained rigid, staring at the ground. Cassie reached out and touched his arm, knowing what she was about to say was risky. “You once told me there was no use in talking because no one listened.” It had been after Marianne had gotten it into her head that the puppy she’d gotten for the boys was limping because Dan had been careless and stepped on its foot, even though she had no evidence at all. Cassie was sure Sam remembered. “You’re the one not listening now.”

Sam looked up then, his eyes dark and lonely. “That’s where you’re wrong. I do listen. Carefully. I just don’t agree with them. And you’re the last person who should lecture me on listening. Call me stubborn, sure, but don’t accuse me of not paying attention to what people say.”

“Fine. I’ll call you stubborn, then.” Cassie tried to smile and move them back to lighter ground, but she couldn’t meet his gaze now. “Do you regret hiring me?” she asked.

Sam lifted her chin with his thumb and made her meet his steady gaze. “We’re not six years old anymore. We can disagree without ripping money into pieces and tossing houses into the air and shoving them up each other’s noses. I can think about a few things you need to be sorry for and a few regrets I own, but this partnership isn’t one of them.”

It took a moment for her to recover from the haze his gentle touch had caused. “What do I have to be sorry for?”

“Why don’t you have a life outside work?”

He let go of her chin and she tried to cross her arms in front of her, but he was standing too close for that move, so she let them drop to her sides. “I exaggerated. I do have a life. I belong to two different trade organizations, plus the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and I host get-togethers for new and former clients all the time.”

“That’s still work,” he said, picking up one of her hands.

Cassie knew she should yank her hand out of his, but the warmth traveling up her arm and spreading throughout her body made her feel too flushed to move. “I wasn’t finished. I also date. A lot.” It was the truth. It was equally true they were nearly all disasters. She was easily bored and rarely went on a date with the same person more than once.

“A lot?” He lifted her hand between them and intertwined their fingers.

Oh, he was smooth. Her brain could only concentrate on the area where the flesh between their fingers was touching. “Uh-huh,” she said, her voice strangled.

“You’d think you’d have found the right guy and settled down by now, then.”

She tried to swallow, but there was no saliva in her mouth. “I seem to kiss all the frogs. It started with you.” There. A comeback.

“I’m no frog,” he said. “Maybe I should remind you.” Before she could make sense of what she was feeling or what he was doing, he’d tugged her to him, one hand snaking around the small of her back to press her to his hard body while the other cupped her cheek. His lips came down onto hers in tender, clinging kisses so soft and full of feeling, she was torn between crying and devouring him with her own telling kiss.

His mouth hovered over hers a moment and the air between them buzzed with thick, seductive energy. Both hands cupped her face and he pressed his lips to hers again, applying gentle pressure, until she opened and he slowly invaded her mouth.

But Cassie felt too much, too deeply, and the need to cry took over. She pushed him away. “I can’t.” It hurt too much, and she didn’t even know why anymore.

Sam nodded once and stepped away. Cassie turned and left.

“Open Town will be a success. I won’t let you down,” she called over her shoulder, even though a few tears had fallen and the pain in her insides was spreading. How could one small kiss be so wonderful and devastating all at once?

 

Sam watched Cassie run away, his heart sinking and memories returning. Those were the same last words she’d said to him when he’d called her cell phone to tell her his baseball gear and uniform were in the car she’d just borrowed from him and that he needed both that afternoon.

She hadn’t arrived on time, and she’d stopped answering his calls after that.

“We’ll see,” he muttered before heading to his office, wondering what had come over him.

 

Sam wasn’t surprised to see Johnny in the office because he lived upstairs, but he was surprised to see Dan.

“Holly thought you could use some company. She knows how you hate change, and Cassie made you swallow some tonight.”

“I don’t hate change.”

Johnny gave him a look. “Dude. Dad’s old office looks exactly the same. You use the same kind of ledgers he used and refuse to upgrade to accounting software, and you rant and rave about every little change that takes place in town.”

“I don’t rant and rave about anything, and I’m fine with change. And I do use the computer. I have everything on a spreadsheet. I just don’t need an accounting program to tell me whether I’m screwed or doing well.” Sam sat down and leaned back in his dad’s old chair. “It was my idea to paint the bridges in town red, I always modernize kitchens and baths, and I’d love it if Johnny finally evolved from chimp to man. I’m good with change.”

“For the record, I’d support that last change, too,” Dan said as he sat down on the weathered black leather sofa.

Johnny ignored their jabs. “There’s now a nineteen-fifties stove in the kitchen where my stainless-steel workhorse used to be, and you wanted the bridges red because they were red in the forties. You’re not good with change, bro.”

“And you don’t play well with the new people in town,” Dan added.

A prickle of irritation traveled up Sam’s spine. “Mike Deeds restored that stove for me. It’s a 1959 O’Keefe and Merritt, and it’s been completely disassembled, re-chromed, and re-porcelained, so it’s practically new. It kicks your stainless-steel stove’s ass. And Holly and Emily were both new, and we became fast friends.”

Dan shook his head. “Because they both had ties to town. Cassie was right, you know. I hadn’t given it any thought, but Holly was talking about it on the way home. We always stick to the top right side of the bleachers during high school and Little League games, we have a table claimed at Huffy’s where we all sit together. We don’t mean to shut anyone out, Holly always goes out of her way to say hello and be friendly, but we never ask anyone outside our little group to join us, either.”

Sam stifled a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. “Everyone has their own group of friends. Nothing wrong with that.”

Johnny sat down on the desk. “No. But if we’re trying to sell a ton of houses and bring a town back, we’re not very welcoming to new people and new ideas.”

Sam finally looked at him. “What the hell do you expect me to do? I’m not outgoing like you, or good at making an argument like Dan.”

“Start by trying to be open to the next idea that comes from someone new, and find a reason to say yes instead of a reason to say no,” Dan said.

Sam frowned. He hated when his brothers were reasonable. “There you go. Making an argument,” he said to Dan.

“A
good
argument,” Dan amended.

“Yeah, well, I heard you trying to make a good argument with Tess Carpenter while she was going on and on about her kid’s birthday party and a lot of good that did.”

Johnny look at the ceiling. “Fine. Then be open to the next idea that comes from anyone but her.”

Sam felt the corner of his mouth go up. Usually, he was the one exasperated with Johnny. Things did change. “Fine,” he agreed. “I can do that.”

“I
am
not
dressing up like Kenny Rogers again.” Sam rested one hand on a table while the other sliced the air in a definitive manner. The Open Town planning committee was holding their last meeting, and everyone was looking at him expectantly.

“What does he mean by
again
?” an amused Holly asked Dan.

“He and Cassie dressed up as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers and sang ‘Islands in the Stream’ for Johnny’s sweet sixteenth,” Dan explained. He looked over at Emily. “Leo and I did ‘The Time of My Life’ from
Dirty Dancing
. He jumped from the stage and into my arms and everything.”

“Trust me. I know. He has it on VHS and watches it whenever he gets nostalgic for the good ol’ times. But I thought you guys hammed it up for a talent show or something. I, uh, didn’t know Johnny had a sweet sixteenth.”

Sam grinned. “Dan and I planned it as a surprise. Pink and yellow decorations, a full court, rhinestone tiara, and everything. The theme was duets.”

“They went all out. Best night of my life. Seriously,” Johnny called from behind the counter, where he was getting some coffee.

“We’re getting off track again,” Cassie said, glancing down at her watch and then back up at Sam. “Look, they were happy and grateful we asked them to include information about the PTA and the Little League, but that was still an idea that came from us. Dr. Cornerstone came up to me yesterday asking if we would consider including some country music and I happen to think it’s a good idea. It’ll be more inclusive of everyone’s tastes. Flo will be ecstatic. You guys always only play rock stuff. I also think it was a big step in the right direction for all of us that he came to ask me about it instead of just deciding to avoid Huffy’s that night.”

Johnny handed Sam a cup of coffee. “And you promised you’d find a reason to say yes.”

“I am saying yes. I like country, we can do country—we just need to rehearse a few new songs. I don’t need to dress up like Kenny.” Sam crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“That’s exactly it. We don’t have time to rehearse. ‘Islands in the Stream’ is the one song both you and I know, and you and Cassie going all out will make up for the fact that we’re only doing one country song,” Dan argued.

Sam looked at Dan as if he’d lost it. “That was thirteen years ago. And I agreed to do Toto for you, so you don’t get to ask me for anything ever again. Johnny and I still get called Toto-bros.”

“Toto-bros?” Jessica repeated, looking between both of the brothers.

Holly got up on her tippy toes and gave Dan a big smooch. “Long story,” she said, smiling. “I’ll fill you in later.”

Cassie turned back to Sam. “Come on, Sam, please? It was so much fun. It’ll all come back, and we’ll only need to rehearse once or twice. I still have our costumes. We were a hit!”

“We were seventeen. We’re adults now. We can do the song without dressing up. Besides,” he said, flexing an arm and raising his eyebrows, “I’ve bulked up. It won’t fit.”

Cassie put a hand on her hip and looked unimpressed. “Use another jacket then. The bow tie, sideburns, and beard should still fit. I’m not sure about the white wig ’cause your head’s gotten so very big, but the bell-bottoms should fit, too, unless you’re hiding a beer belly.”

Sam shot her a look before saying, “Sorry, Cassie, but I’m not that guy anymore.” Except when he looked into her twinkling eyes, part of him still felt like the guy who’d do anything just to see her sparkle. The only other person he felt that way about was Jake. He looked away. “Johnny can do it. All he has to do is sing. And he’s leaner than I am, he’ll fit into the costume.”

“Cassie said Mrs. Carpenter hated the idea, you know.” Holly shrugged in an innocent way.

“Oh yeah. She
totally
hated it,” Cassie agreed, all smiles.

“And my vocal range is limited,” Johnny reminded him.

Sam met Johnny’s eyes. For a moment, he considered saying something about Melinda, just to shut his brother up, but he couldn’t. He’d never seen Johnny as sullen as he’d been last Saturday. “Fine.” Sam clenched his teeth. “I’ll do it. The new people are right. You guys are bullies,” he said, only half joking.

People started talking about the next detail and Sam sulked. He wasn’t looking forward to it. Dressing up to make friends and family laugh when he’d been seventeen was one thing, but hamming it up in front of a bunch of people he didn’t know held no appeal.

Cassie came up to him. “Come on. It’ll be fun. Wouldn’t you want to buy a house from a fun guy?”

“Not if he dressed up like Kenny Rogers and his Realtor was dressed up as Dolly. I’d wonder about them.”

“You’ll see. I won’t let you down.”

Sam hesitated then. “That’s the second time you’ve said that to me in the last three days.”

“Right. Because if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s commitment. I don’t let people down.” Cassie smiled up at him.

Sam looked away. There were times lately when it felt as if they’d never stopped being friends, but she’d kept part of herself hidden from him before and he’d never figured out what it was. The kiss she witnessed wasn’t the only thing that had come between them. And now that they were down to the wire and he needed to count on her again, that hidden part of the past was nagging at him.

Maybe Heather was right and he needed to tell her what she’d cost him and finally ask her why.

But Jessica joined them before he could formulate the words.

 

“How’d the date go?” Cassie asked as she and Jessica walked back to their cars sharing an umbrella as rain pattered on the pavement around them.

“It was exactly what I needed,” Jessica answered, eyes shining. “He’s totally wrong for me, but so darn hot. When he looks at me, he reminds me I’m a flesh-and-blood woman, you know? It makes me realize I’ve been stuck in one gear, only thinking of myself as a widow and a single mom. When I got home, I was in a giddy mood and the kids and I had more fun than usual playing a few board games. It was great because he makes me feel good, but I don’t like him enough to be preoccupied by him. My mind was really with the kids.”

“Interesting,” Cassie said after turning it all around in her head. “And what makes you think he’s not right for you? Is it because you’re not ready for anything serious, or is there something about his personality you don’t particularly like?” she asked, curious.

“I don’t think I could hold on to a physical attraction to someone if I didn’t like them, too, and he’s perfectly nice,” Jessica replied, thoughtfully. They walked in silence for a while, until Jessica stopped in her tracks. “You know what it is? I can imagine lots of amazing stuff with this guy, but I can’t imagine cuddling. There’s a zing there, but no tenderness. Doesn’t everyone feel a little heartsore when they’re in love? He doesn’t inspire that, and I’m glad. I don’t need the
T
or the
L
right now. I just need the
C
.” She smiled.

Cassie furrowed her brow, not understanding.

“TLC. A little tender, loving care?” Jessica clarified. “You use it in your listings often enough.” Jessica bumped her shoulder with Cassie’s. “And I think
you
need all three. How long has it been since you slowed down enough to let someone love you and take care of you?”

“I
L
myself and I take
C
of myself.” Cassie grinned. “You yourself said you don’t need the
T
or the
L
. I don’t need the
T
.”

“Everyone needs all three. I said I don’t need it from him, and that’s because even though he’s gone, I still get it from Peter. Through our kids and my memories. Tenderness is what makes us open and vulnerable, and that’s a good thing, Cass.”

“Not if it gets you hurt and lost.” Cassie stopped at her car and handed Jessica the umbrella. “Take it so you don’t get wet.”

Jessica pushed the umbrella back toward Cassie. “I don’t need the umbrella. You do. I’m going home while you still have tons of things to do. You wouldn’t get hurt, or in this case, wet, if you allowed yourself to receive as much TLC as you dish out.”

 

Cassie sprinted from the copy shop to the car, cradling the box of fliers to her body with one hand while holding the umbrella with the other, silently sending Jessica a thank-you for making her take it the day before. She only had the one.

Open Town was fourteen hours away, and everything was ready. The stagers had done an amazing job and the pictures looked great; the glossy fliers advertising the town and its different charms and attractions, including paragraphs on the PTA and the Little League, were impressive, and the Dolly and Kenny costumes were in the trunk. She revved up the engine, blasted the heater, and waited while both she and the car warmed up.

Adrenaline and anticipation pumped through her veins as rain pattered on the windows, but when she checked her phone and saw she had twelve missed calls and twenty-three texts from her mom in the last ten minutes, she turned cold again.

She called her mother back immediately. “Mom?” she said when the phone clicked.

“Where have you been?” Her mother’s voice rang so loud and suddenly in her ear, Cassie had to pull the phone away.

“What’s wrong? Why are you yelling?”

Her mom’s voice wobbled. “We’ve been given a heads-up. It’s coming out tomorrow.”

Cassie frowned. “What’s coming out tomorrow?”

“Brittany. She talked. A reporter with the
DC Daily News
listened. It hits stores at midnight.”

For a moment, the world went black, and Cassie had to grip the steering wheel. Her heart thudded in her ears.

Her mom’s voice sounded as if it was coming from the end of a long, dark tunnel. “I’m taking the last flight out tonight. Please book a room at the Hilton on Grant under whatever name you can think of that won’t give me away.” A pause. “I’ll meet you there at around midnight.”

“I’ll be there,” Cassie said automatically. She was the only one her mother could talk to and trust. She was her mother’s best friend. Tomorrow, the world would come down on their heads.

Cassie’s thoughts became a whirl. How was her father holding up? Should she even care, considering what his past actions would put them all through? Would the news affect the Open Town event tomorrow? Could she juggle both a political scandal and a tour of homes? She had no answers.

 

Her mother swept into the lobby wearing dark jeans, a black blouse, and a blond wig. She looked so absolutely normal no one even looked at her twice. How her mother could think of—and come by—a wig during a crisis was something Cassie would never understand.

Her mother ignored her and got into the elevator. Cassie instinctively followed. As soon as the doors shut, her mother hissed, “Couldn’t you have worn a hat or something?”

Cassie closed her eyes. “You guys kept me off the campaign trail after I dropped out of college. That was ten years ago. No one remembers I exist, Mom.”

“They will tomorrow,” she said, her voice cracking. But she kept it together until Cassie opened the door to the room she’d booked. Sandy went straight to the bathroom to throw up. Cassie’s stomach clenched with anxiety.

For a long time, neither talked. It seemed there was nothing to say. They were staying in the type of luxurious, richly appointed suite her mother preferred, yet neither had noticed a single detail. In a few hours, they would wake up to their family’s biggest nightmare.

As Cassie looked out the window onto the world below and thought of political scandals past, she realized her mom was right. Tomorrow everyone would remember everything about their family. Her parents’ much publicized fairy-tale marriage, their only daughter, and their promises to the public.

A flash of anger stole through her. Her parents had done this to themselves, after all. Their addiction to the perfect image, to attention, and to the limelight had made them all vulnerable. The moment skeletons had hitched a tent in their closet, they should’ve quit.

In this age of twenty-four-hour news coverage, the story would go away soon enough, but the damage to her parents would remain.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” her mother said from the bed, where she had been leaning against the headboard and staring straight ahead for the past hour. “My parents, my friends, the constituents. . . everyone will be shocked. I don’t know how to face them. I don’t know how to spin it. I don’t know what to do.”

Cassie closed the curtain and bowed her head a moment, battling between empathy, anger, betrayal, and concern. She wanted to scream. Instead, she went to sit on the corner of the bed, doing her best to drown out the accusations in her head. “Tell them the truth,” she said.

Her mother’s face contorted into an angry mask. “What truth? That your father is a horny bastard who couldn’t keep it in his pants? That your old babysitter was a sneaky, backstabbing bitch? Can you believe it’s her new husband who’s now telling her to come clean, that she needs closure? As if she’s the victim.”

The flood of questions and accusations Cassie had managed to wall off throughout the years grew worse. The dam was buckling. But if there had ever been a wrong time to say everything she’d been holding back, this was it.

“I can’t face it now. We’ll need to go away for a while,” her mother said, a wild edge to her voice.

“You and Dad?” Cassie asked, incredulously.

“No!” Her mother looked at her as if she had rocks for brains. “You and me.”

“I think it’s a good idea for you to get away from it all, but I can’t go away with you now, Mom. I have a business to run.”

“You’re a
Realtor
, Cassidy. It’s not like you run a think tank.”

Cassie stared at her mom. Sandy had never come right out and said it like that, but deep inside, Cassie had known the way her parents felt.