Cassidy Harte and the Comeback Kid by RaeAnne Thayne Page B

curving driveway into the ranch and she recognized Wade’s truck kicking up dirt as he roared toward the house.
    â€œWho could that be?” Ellie wondered.
    Color climbed up her cheekbones. “Um, that would be my date.”
    â€œWho?” Jesse asked suspiciously, and she fought the urge to dump the rest of her melting ice cream in his lap.
    â€œWade Lowry. We’re going to a show in Jackson. You have a problem with that?”
    Jesse made a face but didn’t say anything. She knew he and Wade didn’t get along, something to do with the days when Wade worked for the police department.
    â€œThat’s great!” Ellie interjected, with just enough enthusiasm to make Cassie wonder if her family thought she had zero social life. Which was basically the truth. “You should have invited him to dinner.”
    She made a noncommittal sound, heartily glad she hadn’t. “I’m sorry I can’t stay to help clean up.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Ellie said. “Just go have a great time.”
    She rose from the picnic table and plopped her bowl of what was now plain vanilla cream without the ice in front of Jesse. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
    And that’s just what she would do, she thought as she walked out front to meet Wade. She would do her best to enjoy their date and try to summon more than just friendly feelings for him.
    She wanted to grab for happiness where she could find it, not spend the rest of her life pining for something she could never have again.

Chapter 6
    T his was getting to be a bad habit.
    Zack sat on the little front porch of his cabin, uncomfortably aware he was lurking in the corner like some kind of peeping Tom. He had pushed the comfy rocking chair as close to the wall as he could without the rockers hitting it. Nobody could see him, he assured himself as he watched the small driveway for any sign of Lowry’s pickup truck.
    He wasn’t spying on her.
    He wasn’t.
    He was simply savoring the quiet of the night, enjoying a beautiful cool summer evening in the mountains, with the fresh, intoxicating smell of sage mixed with pine, and the stars twinkling overhead in a vast glittering blanket. He was only enjoying the soothing sounds of the crickets and the creek and the soft wind tinkling the wind chimes Cassie had hung on her porch.
    Right. Who was he kidding? He had been sitting outhere all evening trying to convince himself his motives were pure, even while one part of him kept watch like a nervous father for Cassie to return from her night out.
    He had maintained his solitary vigil while the ranch guests returned in pairs or small family groups to their own cabins after a hard day of recreating. Now, just past midnight, the ranch was mostly quiet. Peaceful.
    Even with this edginess that forced his gaze toward the driveway a dozen times a minute, he still found himself enjoying it.
    A barn owl hooted somewhere in the night, a low, mournful call, and a few seconds later it was answered from one of the big cottonwood trees near the creek.
    At least somebody wouldn’t be alone tonight.
    He found himself smiling at the whimsical thought but sobered quickly. He, on the other hand, was still alone. Always alone, just as he’d been from the age of fifteen, except for that brief, magical time when his life had merged with Cassie’s.
    Before he could dwell on that grim reminder he saw headlights flash into the driveway and shifted a little deeper into the shadows.
    Lowry drove a late-model pickup truck with a fresh wax job that gleamed in the pale moonlight.
    Zack watched him climb out and hurry toward the passenger side to open the door for Cassie, ever the gentleman, and Zack had to clench his hands into fists to keep from marching down the steps and slugging the bastard.
    Cassie hopped out of the truck with what he thought might be just a little too much eagerness, as if all she wanted was to be home.
    Or maybe that