How Cassie Got Her Grind Back (30 page)

It’d been several weeks since he and Samson had spent that amazing night with Cassie. At first he could tell she’d been braced for bumps in the road in the days that followed, but their lives had settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Ivan didn’t see her quite as much as he wanted because of work and living in Morehead. It was the same for Samson, but they were making it work. Cassie welcomed them on any night they saw their way clear to spend with her, which had allowed for some time alone with her, as well as nights where the three of them fell asleep together, crammed onto her king-sized bed. She was a little cold natured, so snuggling between them suited her just fine.

He wasn’t surprised by how natural it was being with her, no matter what they were doing. Delicia had taken their presence in stride, and gradually the worry over how the rest of her family would react had faded. They were being discreet to avoid her having to deal with more histrionics from her father after what Samson had told him had happened at the hospital.

“Samson, would you like another roll?” Tamara bravely said as she held out the cloth-covered basket to his brother.

“Thanks,” Samson said with a grin as he lifted the cover and took one before she smiled at Ivan in turn and offered him the basket.

“Thanks, Tamara.”

“You’re welcome,” Tamara said, maintaining eye contact with him before glancing at his brother and then back at him. Ivan could practically hear the gears turning in her head, and when he maintained eye contact and smiled back, she chose her target. “So, are you a ménage like Lucy Owen has with Patrick Owen and Beck O’Malley, and Patrick’s sister, Maizy Welsh, has with the bears?”

Cassie choked and nearly spewed her tea through her nose before she started laughing and blotted herself with her napkin. Laughter filled the room, with even her mother joining in, and Cassie finally lifted a hand to Tamara and said, “Gentlemen, my daughter, the conversation starter and life of every party.” She giggled some more, and Ivan was relieved no embarrassment showed on her lovely face, so he turned to Tamara.

“I haven’t met everyone you mentioned yet, but your mom did introduce me to Lucy and Maizy at Violet’s wedding.” He glanced at Cassie to make sure as he spoke, and when she nodded, he continued. “And yes, in answer to your question, Tamara. I hope that’s not a problem for you or your brother.”

Tamara’s eyes danced with merriment as she shook her head. “Nope, although I don’t envy you when Grandpa finds out.” She covered her giggle with her fingertips. “Does Dad know?”

Cassie shrugged. “I haven’t talked to him. Rumors might’ve reached his ears, I suppose. I didn’t pay attention to his love life after we split, or have an opinion one way or another, so I’d expect he either doesn’t know or isn’t saying anything.”

Delicia arched an eyebrow. “Your ex-husband resisting the urge to butt in with his opinion? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Cassie hid her smile and scanned everyone’s plates. “How is the turkey?”

They all made yummy noises as they continued eating, and Cassie preened like a peacock over her perfectly cooked bird. Ivan was impressed as well.

“So, does this mean you’re moving in together?” Tamara asked, endeavoring to look innocent as Samson choked that time.

When he’d recovered, Samson replied, “We’re not interested in living together with your mom, Tamara. We think very highly of her.”

Undeterred by his mildly censorious tone, Tamara got big eyes and looked at her brother and then her mother before saying, “Well, all-righty then.”

Cassie chuckled but didn’t seem surprised and said, “I think Lucy rubbed off on you a little while you were working with her, Tam.”

Tamara nodded but then said, “Maybe a little but I think I get it from you as much as from anyone else. I’m cool with all the ménages in Divine.”

“In what sense?” Delicia asked, also seeming unperturbed by the direction the conversation had taken.

“Economically. Makes sense to have more adults contributing to the well-being of the family.”

Ivan had to agree with her.

Joseph got up from the table with his empty plate and took it to the sink as he said, “Mom, if you have time later, I’d like to talk with you about what we’d discussed. Remember?”

“Of course, honey.” Cassie made eye contact with Ivan and winked.

“Me, too, Mom,” Tamara said. “I know I’ve still got a few more semesters to go, but Joe and I have been talking and…”

“Tam, don’t feel obligated to come back just because you think I need help.”

“Nuh-uh, Mom, it’s not like that. I miss Divine. I miss the people and the whole small-town vibe. I thought once I got to a bigger city that would be it. San Marcos is fantastic, and I’ve made some great friends there, but I’m ready to be back here. I think this is where I’m meant to be.” Tamara’s love for her hometown was palpable as she spoke.

Ivan glanced over and noticed Joseph at the sink smiling and nodding as he rinsed other dishes and poured soap in the sink. Ivan was impressed that he didn’t hesitate to help out with the cleanup.

“And, no, Mom, we’re not moving home. We’ll find work to make ends meet until we can agree on a plan and set it in motion. We won’t be a burden to you that way.”

Ivan sat back and listened with Samson and the others while the two young adults began clearing the table. Tamara said, “
Mami
…Joe and I were talking, and we think it would be fine if you want to sell the house.”

“Where’s all this coming from?” Cassie asked as she got up, but Joseph took her plate and utensils from her and bade her to sit back down.

“Dad called sis a few weeks ago.”

“Yeah,” Tamara said, biting her lip. “I’m like any kid whose parents have divorced. I have the fantasy about them getting back together and everything being perfect again. But I’m not dumb. He’s trying to employ us to get to you. He came right out and asked me to tell you today that he wanted to try for reconciliation.”

Cassie looked at her hands in her lap, and a spear of unease shot through Ivan. He didn’t want to overreact and nudged Samson to be quiet when he would’ve spoken up. After a few moments, she looked over at Ivan and Samson.

“Bill’s been calling me at the coffee shop as well. I didn’t tell you because you have nothing to worry about. My father has also called me a couple of times. He says I’m a big disappointment to him because I’m not doing my duty by my family.” Cassie glanced at her mom but said nothing else.

“And I’ll bet he said I was a bad example, didn’t he?” Delicia asked, shaking her head in consternation. “Macho asshole. It’s my fault for not setting him straight in our younger years. Not that it would’ve done much good. His father was even worse than he was. Talk about an iron fist.”

“Yeah, see?” Joseph said, his posture stiffening. “If I was at the shop with you,
that
would be one of the first things I’d nip in the bud. There’s no reason for him to be speaking to you like that.”

Ivan was liking Cassie’s son more and more all the time.

“I don’t need a babysitter, Joseph. You have a better use for your time than keeping the macho assholes in our family at bay.”

I plan to make it job number one as soon as I can.

“This topic of conversation is bad for my digestion,” Cassie said as Tamara gave her a kiss on the cheek. “But you two are the most wonderful children ever. All right. We’ll talk about all your ideas, plans, and dreams after the kitchen is clean.”

Tamara and Joseph stopped any of them when they offered to help and Tamara said, “Nope. It’s our turn to take care of you for a change, Mom,
Abuela
. Go sit and relax. Digest. The game should be on by now.”

“Fine,” Cassie said with a giggle as she reached out for him and Samson. “Then we’ll decorate the Christmas tree. It should be easy this year with such tall helpers!”

Remembering that special Christmas so long ago, Ivan gladly helped her with the tree as the storm tuned up and the delay between flashes of lightning and roars of thunder decreased.

“Hey, Mom?” Joseph called from the kitchen. “You know what I miss?”

“What?” she replied as she stretched up to place an ornament, tightening the fabric of her top until it was tugged taut around her full breasts and revealed an inch or so of the sweet curve of her waist. Ivan lost track of the conversation for a moment as he watched.

Joseph came to the doorway with a dishtowel, drying his hands. “Remember when we were little how you used to play your guitar and sing to us? Do you ever do that anymore?”

“Yeah!” Tamara said as she wiped down the dining room table. “I think that’s one of my favorite memories from my childhood. Do you still have your guitar?”

“Like you’re so old,” Cassie said with a giggle and then said, “I do still have it. Matter of fact, I accidentally knocked it over in the closet looking for my boots this morning. I haven’t played it since then, so I’m sure it’s out of tune and needs new strings. Why?”

A pretty blush colored her cheeks as she glanced directly at Ivan, and he grinned and held up his hands. He hadn’t said anything to Joseph, but he was glad he and Samson weren’t the only ones who wanted to hear her sing and play her guitar. He wished he had a piano for her to play and filed the thought for later.

Samson said, “Why don’t you dust it off and play for us tonight. I bet even with strings that need replacing, you’d sound fantastic.”

Ivan grinned like a big idiot and said, “And you have to sing for us, too.” Hesitancy was in her body language so he added, “
Pleeeease
?”

“Oh, all right, after we’re done with the Christmas tree.”

With a big smile on his face, Ivan handed her the angel tree topper, and Samson squatted down and grasped her around her thighs, chuckling when she squealed before placing the angel on the tree.

“You know, it’s kind of cool you asked about that. Uncle Rudy caught me one day at the bank and told me he’s building a shady, garden-type seating and serving area, complete with a bar, onto the back of the restaurant. He wants to offer live music out there, and he asked if I’d be interested in playing and singing for his guests.”

“Oh man, Mom!” Joseph said, his face practically glowing as he hugged her. “That’s perfect for you. With us helping you out at the shop, you could afford to stretch your wings a little, and people will love listening to you.”

“I know, right?” Tamara said, all atwitter as she hugged her, too. “I’m so proud of you! You said yes, right?”

“Well…”

Joseph put his arm around his mother. “Do this for
you
, Mom. Not because we want you to.”

Ivan took her hand. “Baby, your eyes tell me your heart is already committed to the idea. You just got your confirmation.”

“Okay, I’ll do it! I’ll call him and tell him yes. He said it would all be finished by late spring.”

“That’s perfect,” Joseph replied. “I’ll be well into the swing of things at the shop by then, and with Tamara coming in another year, you could retire if you wanted to.”

Cassie looked around all of them and began to sniffle. “Well, now, don’t put me out to pasture just yet, guys. I can do both.”

“Yeah, but you won’t need to, not with us around,” Tamara replied. She slid a glance at Samson and Ivan. “And who knows? You may have even more on your plate.” Then the little minx winked. Samson softly snorted but gave her a slight nod. Ivan’s heart felt as if it would bust out of his chest as Cassie hugged her kids and then turned watery eyes on him and Samson.

With her arms spread wide to encompass both of their shoulders, she kissed them both and whispered, “Happy Thanksgiving, my loves. I have so much to be thankful for. My cup surely runneth over.”

Ivan’s cheeks grew warm when he heard Tamara from the doorway to the kitchen. “
Awwwww
.”

When Samson was done smooching Cassie, Delicia approached him, a little teary-eyed, and whispered quiet words to him while Cassie hugged and kissed Ivan again.

The storm swelled outside, the rain pounding on the roof and the lightning and thunder rumbling all around, but inside the house, the warmth of the fireplace was overshadowed by the love and affection shared by all within.

While the ladies put away the ornament boxes and Cassie retrieved her guitar from its case in the bedroom, Samson nudged Ivan and said, “Delicia told me any man, or men, who would encourage Cassie’s gift deserved her blessing.”

“She did? Wow.” All Ivan could do was grin from ear to ear, enjoying the sappy feelings. A parent’s blessing on a marriage proposal was an antiquated notion but one that meant a lot. Delicia’s blessing on their relationship and their future would also mean a lot to Cassie. He didn’t have any illusions about obtaining the same from Cassie’s dad.

“One day at a time,” Samson said, as if reading his mind. The next big step would be that weekend when Cassie visited Hazelle House for the first time.

Cassie and Delicia came back into the room, and Cassie said, “Okay, flip the switch and let’s see how those Christmas lights look.”

Tamara did the honors, and Cassie gasped with happiness as the lights illuminated the darkened living room—just in time for the power to go out and leave them in darkness. Tamara squeaked and then giggled.