DumbAtHeart.epub by Amarinda Jones

until she saw a shadow, followed by another, on
    the downward spiral of the stairs. Someone was creeping up the stairs. Who was it
    and were they here to save her? She glanced away casually. “I’m not moving.”
    Please be Evan.
    “Pick her up, Phil.”
    “I’m pretty heavy.”
    Phil looked worried. “She does look heavy.”
    “That’s rude to say that,” Cass remarked.
    “You said it first,” Phil whined.
    “Yeah, but you’re not supposed to agree with me. I’m a lady and should be
    treated with respect.”
    Phil blushed and apologized. “Sorry.”
    Adele swore. “Get the fuck up now!”
    “No!”
    Adele grabbed her arm. Cass swung at her and a brawl started. Phil danced
    around trying to separate them.
    Sounds of feet racing up the stairs could be heard. “Let her go!” Evan yelled.
    Cass smacked Adele in the mouth. Adele pulled her hair. Cass stomped on her
    foot. Adele pinched her hard. It took both Evan and Deputy Bob to separate the
    women.
    Evan pulled Cass into his arms. “Way to go, slugger.” He tweaked her nose. “Are
    you okay?”
    “Yeah.” She could see Adele was restrained by Deputy Bob. “Where’s Phil?”
    There was the sound of barking and of someone falling down hard.
    “That would be Nellie containing the suspect,” Evan said.
    “Suspect, my ass. That little rodent admitted it.” She pulled from Evan’s hold.
    “Did you know he and Adele were having sex?” Cass shook at head just thinking
    about it again. “Mundabucka is a hell of a town.”
    Evan smiled and linked hands with Cass. “We like to extend a warm welcome to
    you city chicks with our own special brand of intrigue to entertain you.”
    “Where’s Murdo?”
    “In jail.”
    “I’m sorry.” Cass really was. Murdo was his family.
    He shrugged. “My cousin made his bed—”
    “—with Adele who was bonking Phil. Did you ever think—”
    Evan interrupted her. “To have sex with Adele?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Nah, I’m not that desperate. Besides I like redheads.”
    Cass smiled up at Evan. “And redheads like you.”
    “Are you going to stick around in Mundabucka, city chick?”
    “Yeah.”
    Evan pulled her close against his body “Yeah?”
    “Yeah.”

Chapter Twelve
Six weeks later
    “You’re pregnant?” Flo responded to Cass’s statement.
    “Yeah.” She wasn’t sure how to tell Evan just yet. Trying it out on two other
    people to get their thoughts on it was to give her the courage to tell him. It wasn’t that
    she feared his response. It was more that she knew it would be a big surprise to him.
    After all they hadn’t discussed marriage or long term goals let alone having a baby.
    Having a child was huge. Cass herself was still stunned at the result of the pregnancy
    test. The doctor’s confirmation had really brought it home to her. In reality she
    shouldn’t have been. Unprotected sex created babies. That was sex 101. Duh.
    Jo clapped her hands with glee. “Wonderful! We haven’t seen a good wedding in
    Mundabucka for a long time.”
    Cass eyes widened at that. “I’m not getting married.” That thought hadn’t even
    crossed her mind. The fact she was pregnant was only just sinking in.
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t have to get married.” For a moment she pictured herself and Evan standing at an altar exchanging vows. Nah, I wouldn’t want anything fancy. Maybe
    just a few friends and…forehead slap! What am I thinking? There were no guarantees
    that Evan even wanted a long term commitment.
    Flo nodded. “Yeah you do.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s what people do.”
    Cass shook her head and smiled at Flo’s words. Her two employers, and now
    friends, were not following convention. Why should she? “I had sex without marriage
    and didn’t go to hell.” It was actually quite heavenly.
    “Yeah, but—”
    “What?”
    Jo pouted. “We want a wedding!”
    “Well, you two should get married,” Cass pointed out. The gender was irrelevant.
    Love was the theme for weddings and