Nathan
Chapter 10
Nathan rolled over in the bed to find Cassie had already gotten up. The door to the bathroom stood open, the light off. He rolled out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed straight for the shower. Cassie’s shampoo and conditioner were sitting on the tub. The scent of strawberries hung in the air. A used towel draped the curtain rod.
He grinned. She’d made herself at home. How had he slept through it?
He showered and dressed and headed downstairs to find Mildred in the kitchen, doing dishes and staring out the window.
“Have you seen Cassie?” Nathan asked.
“You could say that,” she said and gestured to the window.
Cassie was in the field with Nathan’s dad. She was wearing a cowboy hat and was walking around with a can of spray paint, marking different areas in the yard. “What in the world is she doing?”
“Not sure, but I’m surprised William is letting her do it with spray paint.”
A truck pulled up, and a man got out. A smile pulled at Nathan’s lips. “Is that…”
“Your Uncle Dan,” Mildred answered.
Dan and his son, Marty, got out of the truck. Marty headed straight for the barn and horse arena where Amanda was practicing. The two of them had been inseparable growing up. Marty was a good kid. A straight-A kid fresh out of high school. Uncle Dan wasn’t really Nathan’s uncle, but he might as well have been. He and Nathan’s dad were best friends. Uncle Dan ran the town bank. The same bank Nathan’s dad used for his oil business. The same bank Nathan’s mother visited on the day she died.
“Do Marty and Amanda still practice together?”
“If that’s what the kids are calling it these days,” Mildred answered and gestured toward the kitchen table. “I saved you and Clayton some breakfast. The rest of us already ate. Just heat it up.”
“Did someone say breakfast?” Clayton asked, walking into the kitchen. He stepped up to the window and peered outside. “What is she doing?”
“There’s no telling,” Nathan answered.
He and Clayton made plates and took them into the dining room.
“Did you stay up late?” Nathan asked.
“I’ve been researching those flights and rentals.”
“Find anything yet?” Nathan asked.
“Nothing of interest, but I’m only half way though.” Clayton answered.
They were just finishing up when Nathan’s dad, Uncle Dan, and Cassie walked in. She was pulling the hat off her head and using it to fan her red face.
Nathan recognized the hat, and he should. He’d bought it for his mom years ago. It had been her favorite. A hint of pride made him smile. It looked good on her. She looked like she fit right in.
“Well, there you are,” Uncle Dan said, holding out his hand.
Nathan rose and shook it. “Uncle Dan, it’s been a long time.”
“Too long, son, but I’m glad you’re back and that you brought your girlfriend and her friend. The more, the merrier.”
“They came to see Amanda ride, and they’re staying for the Benefit,” Nathan’s dad said.
“I wouldn’t miss either of those for the world. I know how important they are to Nathan, right, baby?” Cassie said as she closed the distance and pressed a tender kiss on Nathan’s lips while proceeding to steal his bacon.
Nathan snagged her around the waist and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her again and smiled into her face. “You look good in my mother’s hat.”
Cassie blushed a pretty pink. She was laying it on thick, and he could play his part. Hell, he wanted to play this part.
