The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,11
his grin matched hers. “Cass? Sunny?”
“The former. How are you doing these days?”
“I’m doing fine, Cass. I see you’re still driving like a bat out of hell.”
She shrugged. “I’m just so glad to be back in Texas, my old habits got the best of me. How are your mama and daddy?”
“They’re doing fine. Daddy says he’s going to retire next year.” The trooper glanced over at Griff and touched the brim of his cowboy hat.
“Paul, this is Griff Mitchell. Griff, Paul used to live down the street from us when we were growing up. Sunny and I used to babysit him.”
Griff only nodded.
“We’re on our way to Wimberley to celebrate my cousins’ anniversary,” Cass told Paul. “One of them is a Texas Ranger. You may know him. Sam Outlaw.”
“Hell, yes, I know Sam. I didn’t know he was married. And I didn’t know he was your cousin.”
She nodded. “He is. And Sunny’s engaged to another Ranger. Ben McKee.”
“You don’t say. Don’t believe I’ve met him. Tell her hello for me. Listen, Cass, I’m going to give you a pass this time, but I’m going to follow along on your tail for a bit to keep you honest.”
She gave him her most dazzling smile. “Thanks, Paul. I appreciate it.”
When she pulled away, Griff said, “Do you know everybody in this part of Texas?”
Cass laughed. “Seems that way sometimes. You have to remember the Austin I grew up in was more small town than big city. And folks I didn’t know from school or the neighborhood I knew from Chili Witches. Everybody in town ate there or worked there at one time or another.”
She watched her speed until she reached Dripping Springs and turned left toward Wimberley. Paul waved and continued straight on Highway 290. She honked and returned his wave.
“Are you going to start speeding again now?” Griff asked.
“I’ve always been a maverick,” she said with a devilish smile.
GRIFF SAT BACK AND enjoyed the ride and the view—of both the countryside and the driver. Cass Outlaw was indeed a maverick. Not only was she extremely attractive, she also had a sharp mind, a charming wit and an unpretentious warmth. She was like no woman he’d ever met, and she intrigued the hell out of him.
He couldn’t imagine any young lawyer tossing a fast track career with such a prestigious law firm in New York and returning to Texas to serve chili. It didn’t compute. The firm had been very pleased with her work—he’d talked with one of the partners at Baylor Croft & Wiggins—and they had offered her incentives to stay. He wondered if there had been another reason for her leaving besides simply wanting to get back to Austin. What had caused her to now hotly disdain her chosen profession?
“A dollar for your thoughts,” Cass said.
“I was wondering how you could have avoided a speeding ticket all these years.”
She laughed but didn’t ease off the accelerator. “I fibbed a tiny bit. But I haven’t had many. In Texas we can take a defensive driving course, and any moving traffic violation won’t go on your record.”
“How many times have you taken the course?”
“A few.” She slowed a bit. “Wimberley is just ahead. It’s a charming little town with lots of artistic types. In fact Gabe and Skye’s mother is a painter and owns a gallery downtown. Skye’s father was a well-known potter.”
“Gabe and Skye had different fathers?”
“Yes. Gabe’s father was originally from Wimberley, and he inherited property from his grandparents. As I recall, his father died in an accident when he was very young and his mother, Flora, married Skye’s father, the potter, and they moved to Wimberley. It took me a while to get it all sorted out as well.”
“What does Gabe do?” Griff asked.
“I believe he’s in real estate and insurance,” she said. She turned off the highway and, after a bit, turned in to a gated area with a guard.
“Hi, Pete. We’re expected.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The big man smiled and touched the brim of his ball cap. “Your sister and her party came through a little while ago. Just drive on up to the helicopter pad, and Gabe will be back to pick you up in a little bit.”
“Thanks, Pete.” Cass roared off along a winding road.
“We’re going by helicopter?” Griff asked.
“Looks like it.”
They drove past a pasture with horses, a large house and various outbuildings, until they reached an area where several cars were parked. Obviously, Gabe Burrell was quite successful. Cass’s sister, Sunny, sat on the fender