Falling For You At Christmas: Shellwater Key Tale Read online

  “What’s time when it comes to the heart?” Juliet flicked her fingers and made a rude sound. “I knew Rick was the one for me the day I met him. Sometimes it happens like that.”

  Cassie tried again. “I’m about to give birth to another man’s baby.”

  “I don’t think that circumstance is quite as off-putting as you believe, especially not when that man is someone like our Mr. Latham.”

  Juliet wandered off to help hang more ornaments before Cassie could come up with another reason why a romance with Jared would never work out. Before she could refute the evidence of her own heart and the impossible dreams the silly organ imagined.

  Chapter 4

  Cassie managed to successfully avoid Jared for the rest of the day. In fact, she didn’t encounter him again until after the sunset celebration. Her little group of Nativity players wandered back from the beach to find a bustle of activity in front of the inn. Two long tables had been set up on the sidewalk. Gabrielle, Inez, and Jared’s mother were bringing out trays brimming with delicious looking hand-held treats, including custard cups, mini key lime pies, raspberry tarts, bite-sized chocolate brownies, and cookies. Jared and Jesús were setting up two huge vats filled with hot cider, judging by the unmistakable scent.

  “What’s going on?” Cassie asked, eyeing the treats with a covetous gaze.

  “We’re getting ready for the annual Strip Stroll,” Jared answered.

  “That sounds kinky,” Cassie said, with an exaggerated drawl. “I’m not sure I want to know what actually happens. I’m picturing a nightmare scenario of everyone walking down the street stark naked.”

  He laughed. “Nothing X-Rated, I promise, although that might actually be fun.”

  Someone chortled on his other side, and then Mrs. Latham stuck her head around his shoulder. “Fun, huh? You wouldn’t mind seeing me and your father strut down the boulevard in our birthday suits?”

  Jared’s expression said he’d rather be dipped in hot honey and swarmed by a million fire ants.

  His mother laughed. “I didn’t think so.” She turned to Cassie. “The Strip Stroll is something the restaurants and businesses in this area do to raise money for our local organizations and charities. People stroll up and down the sidewalk, and we give out free goodies in exchange for voluntary donations. All the money goes to a charity designated by that business. Ours goes to Morgan’s House, where girls and adult women can go to escape an abusive situation at home. Some businesses donate to animal shelters, the community center for at-risk kids, the hospital guild, school clubs, or whatever they choose.”

  “Oh, how nice,” Cassie said.

  “And fun,” Amelia said. “When does it start?”

  “In about a half hour,” Jared said. “You are all more than welcome to take part in The Stroll. In fact, I recommend you don’t miss it. It’s a great way to find restaurants or shops you might want to visit later.

  Amelia nodded. “Well, I’m in, what about you all?”

  “I could use a long walk after all the food we’ve been eating the last couple days,” Henry Stuart said almost immediately.

  “So could we,” Rick Shepherd turned to his wife. “What do you say, honey? Take a stroll with me?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Juliet said.

  Cassie heaved a sigh. “I’d love to join you, but I’m afraid I have to bow out from a long walk. I might have overdone it with the tree decorating. My back is killing me, and everything feels tight and achy.”

  Amelia swung around. “Oh really?”

  Cassie shook her finger. “If you tell me this baby is coming early, I might not speak to you the rest of my trip.”

  The other woman opened her mouth, but then raised both hands in the air. “Okay, I won’t say it anymore,” Amelia said. “I hate to leave you alone, though. I could stay here with you.”

  “Yes, we can find some chairs and watch the action from the lawn,” Juliet Shepherd added.

  “Sure, sure,” Henry Stuart said, though his expression as he gazed at Amelia communicated his disappointment.

  “Oh no, I’d feel terrible if you missed out on the fun,” Cassie said. “I can find a chair and relax. You all go do The Stroll.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll look after Cassie,” Jared said, with a distinct proprietary tone.

  Cassie’s entourage turned as one to stare at him.

  Jared must have realized he’d become the center of attention, and he coughed into his hand. “What I meant is, I’ll make sure she puts her feet up and takes it easy.”

  Amelia patted his shoulder. “Of course you did.” She grinned at Cassie. “Looks like you have another protector. I guess we’ll see you later then?”

  Cassie resisted the urge to touch her face to see if her palms burned from the intense heat. “I’ll be right here.”

  The rest of her group set off down the sidewalk, joining the mass of humanity that had materialized over the last few minutes. Cassie noticed that Henry Stuart placed himself beside Amelia in a very deliberate move. She gazed up at him, a timid but hopeful expression stealing across her features.

  Jared’s mother sidled up by Cassie’s elbow. “Am I right in sensing a romance afoot?”

  “What?” Cassie jerked around as panic cut off her air supply. “A romance? No…there’s nothing going on. Why would you say that? We barely know each other.”

  Nicole Latham almost moved in slow motion as she rotated her head. The stare she leveled in Cassie’s direction seemed to penetrate to her innermost being.

  “I meant between Ms. Lamb and Mr. Stuart,” the older woman said.

  “Oh…” Cassie tried for a carefree laugh, but it came out more like a maniacal cackle. “Of course, Amelia and Henry. Yes, I think you’re right. They seem well suited.”

  Mrs. Latham didn’t return the laugh. In fact, she didn’t even crack a smile. “My dear, a blind person could sense the chemistry between you and my son.”

  “Umm…” Cassie tried again to speak, but it was hard since she’d swallowed her own tongue.

  Mrs. Latham ignored the pathetic stutter. “I am not blind, of course, nor am I such a poor excuse for a mother that I could fail to notice that Jared’s interest has been engaged.”

  “Ma’am, I can assure you, I have no intention of pursuing anything with—” Cassie continued to stammer.

  “Honey, we won’t get anywhere if we lie to each other,” Mrs. Latham said. “Don’t be frightened. I’m not one of those interfering mothers who believe no woman is good enough for her son. If I were, I would have warned Jared away from that selfish creature he married. I could see her true nature from a mile away…but I quite like you.”

  Cassie blinked in astonishment. “Really?”

  Her expression softened. “I do. I can see you’re a very caring person, and you’ve chosen a difficult path by keeping your baby and deciding to raise it alone. That says a lot about you.”

  “I’m sensing a ‘but’ in there somewhere,” Cassie said, trying to sift through the tension and hear beyond her own thundering heart.

  The smile grew, though it never reached Mrs. Latham’s eyes. “But…I also sense you have baggage in the form of major trust issues. It’s no wonder since I suspect you’ve had your heart broken, and very recently.”

  Cassie waved at her stomach. “Well…”

  “Yes, the baby’s absent father.” Mrs. Latham nodded. “My son also had his heart broken, and he’s more vulnerable than he lets on. I just don’t want him hurt because you haven’t yet put your baggage in storage, so to speak. Not to mention, your focus will soon turn to someone who will need you more than anyone ever has before.”

  “I would never hurt Jared,” Cassie said, her tone surprisingly strong and even, despite her overwhelming fear. “I know he’s special, and I think his ex-wife is the most idiotic woman on the planet.”

  “I can’t argue with that.” Mrs. Latham chuckled. “I might be slightly biased, of course.”

  “Why wouldn’t yo
u be? Jared is pretty much perfect, not to mention beautiful to look at.” Cassie bit her lip. “Uh, I mean—”

  Mrs. Latham patted her hand. “I do know what you meant. I felt the same way about his father. Still do, actually. I think that’s the key. Find someone who makes all the bells and whistles go off. Someone who makes you laugh. Someone that you can see yourself with when your hair is grey and your eyesight begins to go.” Her tone became a little more urgent. “Imagine that man not being here anymore. Imagine him falling to the floor and writhing in pain. Imagine losing him and knowing that if that were to happen, you wouldn’t be able to go on. Then you will know he’s the one. Then the doubts will disappear, and the past will be put to bed.”

  Mrs. Latham touched Cassie’s cheek and then went to help Gabrielle and Inez serve the growing stream of people drifting by the inn.

  Cassie took a deep breath, feeling as though she’d just run a marathon laden with land mines.

  “Everything all right?” Jared asked from behind her.

  “Yes.” She swiveled around to find he’d brought over a beach chair with an attached footrest. “Oh, look at that.”

  Jared sketched a proper bow. “Your throne, Madam. I promised your friends I’d look after you, and that starts with a proper seat.”

  “Thank you. It looks very comfortable.”

  “Give it a try.”

  Cassie needed help maneuvering into the chair, but once settled she sighed, relieved to take some of the pressure off of her aching lower back. “I’m in heaven.”

  He grinned. “I live to serve.”

  “Well, this is great service.” Cassie rested her head against the chair. “Wake me up if I fall asleep.”

  Jared knelt down in front of her. He was close enough that she could reach out and run a hand through his thick blond hair. “You sure you’re all right? That conversation with my mother looked a little intense.”

  “I love your mother,” Cassie said. “She’s just looking out for her son. I hope to be like her one day.”

  “I’m a grown man. I can look after myself.”

  “Can you? Can we?” Cassie asked. “I’m certainly not sure I can trust what I’m feeling.”

  “What are you feeling?” he asked, his eyes flaring wide.

  “Nothing I should name right now,” Cassie said with resolve tinged with regret. “You should go take care of that crowd. I’ll be good here.”

  Jared looked like he wanted to press for more, but in the end he clamped his lips together and walked off toward the dessert tables.

  Cassie meant to watch the parade of people go by, but she ended up watching Jared. His every move made her insides quiver with longing. Bending over to give a little girl a cup of cider, presenting Cassie with a marvelous view of his backside. Reaching out to shake someone’s hand so that his shirt rode up exposing darn near perfect abs. His beautiful face breaking into a smile…

  Actually, that heart-stopping smile had Cassie zeroing in on its target. A small group had approached the table. A handsome, dark-haired man, a pocket-sized woman with caramel-colored curls, and two girls, a dark-haired teenager and a blonde who looked to be Tara’s age. An older woman and a man in his forties brought up the rear.

  Cassie’s gaze went to the woman with the fabulous curls, because Jared’s blazing smile was directed toward her.

  “Emma, I see you brought the whole family with you,” Jared said, coming around the table to kiss her cheek.

  Emma laughed. “How could I miss my first Strip Stroll since I’ve been back?”

  She went up on her toes to hug him and Cassie almost levitated out of her seat in order to tear every caramel-colored curl from the woman’s head. She resisted, mostly because it would have taken the Jaws of Life to extract her from the beach chair, but also because she was appalled at experiencing such a violent urge toward a complete stranger.

  Cassie didn’t even understand why she felt such a strong need to do violence. She just knew in her heart that Jared’s “interest” had been engaged in that direction at some point. It was clear to anyone with eyes that the pixie – who probably weighed about a hundred pounds soaking wet darn her skinny hide – was involved with the intensely gorgeous man beside her, but still Cassie’s hackles were on full alert.

  Perhaps her baby hormones had made her more sensitive to another female’s pheromones. Maybe all the juices flowing through her body allowed her to sense that the man she wanted had, however briefly, wanted this Emma.

  Unaware of the dangerous voltage flowing through Cassie’s veins, Jared turned, his arms still around the tiny woman.

  “Cassie, this is Emma Bertram. Her sister is good friends with Tara,” Jared said. “She’s also the Head Chef at the Paradise Dinner Theatre. It’s set to reopen in a few weeks.”

  Despite the impossibility of Cassie rising from her seat, she attempted the feat.

  Emma was quick to wave her hands. “Please don’t get up on my account. You look so comfortable there.”

  Cassie gave up trying to heave her body to an upright position. “Thanks, it’s a bit difficult to maneuver right now. I’m Cassie Stevens, a guest at the inn.”

  “Nice to meet you, Cassie.” Emma drew the dark-haired man forward. “This is my fiancé, Reece Casings.”

  Fiancé. The lovely Emma Bertram had a fiancé, a fact that made Cassie smile. “Hello Reece.”

  “Hi, I know it’s not polite to ask, but when is your baby due?” he asked.

  Cassie schooled her features. “What baby? I’m not pregnant.”

  Reece turned white as a ghost, and Emma punched him in the arm. “That’s why you don’t ask.”

  Cassie couldn’t hold the serious face for long. “Of course I’m having a baby. She’s due in a few weeks. I’m just here for a little rest and relaxation before Baby Stevens makes an appearance.”

  Emma laughed and glanced at Jared. “Hey, I like her. You’re obviously attracting marvelous guests.”

  Jared’s blue eyes warmed. “I am at that. I like her, too.”

  Emma’s smile grew even more. “I can tell.” She turned to the rest of her group. “These are my sisters Imogene and Paige, my mother Mary, and that’s her boy toy, Brent.”

  “Emma, really!” Mary Bertram cried, while the younger man laughed.

  Cassie could give a rip about the age difference as she only heard the woman’s name. “Oh Holy Night!” she exclaimed. “It wanted only that.”

  “What?” Emma asked in bemusement, ignoring her mother’s obvious embarrassment in favor of Cassie’s shout.

  “It’s a long story,” she said.

  “Cassie thinks we’re reenacting the Nativity here this Christmas,” Jared explained for her. “We’ve got the pregnant mother staying at an inn, and guests with fitting names like Lamb and Shepherds, and even a Gabrielle and Jesús on staff.”

  Emma laughed. “And here we are with Mary in the flesh. No wonder you freaked out.”

  Cassie grinned and couldn’t help but think she might have liked Emma Bertram if not for the fact that Jared had once liked her.

  “Is Tara here?” the younger girl asked.

  Jared smiled at her. “As a matter of fact…” He looked around as Tara came down the steps carrying another plate of treats.

  Tara lit up when she saw her friend. “Hi Paige. Did you get something to eat? Gabrielle makes the best desserts ever!”

  “Best ever, huh?” Emma echoed, both brows rising nearly to her hairline. She filled a plate with one of everything and popped one of the mini key lime pies into her mouth. She gave a little moan. “Oh, kill me now. That’s amazing.”

  “Thank you, Chef Bertram,” Gabrielle said, beaming with obvious pride. “Coming from you, that means a lot. I was privileged to attend a preview dinner at The Paradise and your food blew me away.”

  “Then I thank you,” Emma said. “If you ever get tired of this old inn, come see me.”

  Jared hooked an arm around Gabrielle. “You’re not stealing my chef,
Emma.”

  The impossibly gorgeous fiancé of Emma Bertram drew her to his side. “Yes, leave the man’s staff alone,” Reece added. “We should keep walking. We’ve already taken up enough of Jared’s time. I’m sure it’s a busy night for him.”

  “I always have time for Emma,” Jared said, with a flirtatious wink.

  “You’d be better served making time somewhere else,” Reece returned, his tone quiet, but tinged with an unmistakable edge of warning.

  The tone confirmed Cassie’s instinctive knowledge that Jared and Emma had a history of some sort. It also made it clear Emma Bertram was “Taken” with a capital ‘T’. Reece Casings might as well have stamped the word “mine” on her forehead.

  Emma didn’t miss the possessive bent, either. “Seriously?” she said, glaring up at Reece.

  “Completely.” Reece bent and kissed her like Rhett Butler just before he’d carried Scarlett up the stairs.

  Cassie fanned herself. “Maybe you two should continue somewhere else.”

  Emma laughed and pushed away from her fiancé, but she didn’t completely move out of his arms. “Don’t encourage him.” She waved at her troop. “But Reece is right. We should let Jared get back to work. Will we see you at the pageant tomorrow night?”

  “We’ll be there,” Jared said.

  “Mr. Latham, can Tara come with us?” Paige asked.

  “Oh…Daddy…can I go?” Tara added her plea. “I’d like to see the lights, and the pet store is supposed to have puppies!”

  Jared nodded. “Sure, honey, you can go, but stay away from those puppies.” He gave her a stern look. “We’re not getting one right now.”

  Tara rolled her eyes. “Okay Daddy.” She gave him a hug and skipped off with her friend.

  “We’ll make sure Tara gets home,” Emma said.

  “Thanks,” Jared said.

  They hugged once more, and then Emma took her family and left. Jared watched them go until they were out of sight. Cassie might have been fooled into thinking he was keeping an eye on his daughter, but somehow knew Tara wasn’t the only reason for his melancholy stare.