The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,44
all. My men can work without me for a while, and I’d like to talk to you about a fireplace.”
“A fireplace?”
“Yes. I’m thinking about adding a gas fireplace to the house I’m buying from Oscar, and I was wondering if you’re interested in one in your house as well.”
“I hadn’t even thought about it, but that’s a wonderful idea. How much would it cost?”
“I’m going to get some figures together later this afternoon,” he said, “and I can let you know tomorrow.”
The waiter appeared with Greg’s hamburger and fries. Aunt Min was right behind him with another tray. Cass again made introductions.
Aunt Min gushed a bit over him, then said, “I’m trying out new recipes for sweet potato empanadas, Cass, and I wish you would try out these two kinds and the different sauces and see what you think.” She laid out two plates, one holding baked empanadas, the other fried, along with three sauces, side plates and silverware. “I just finished them.”
“Could I do that later? I need to get back to work. We have customers coming in.”
“Oh, pish,” her aunt said. “Gloria and I can handle everything. Greg, I’d like your opinion as well. After you finish your hamburger, of course.” She smiled brightly.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I’ll give them a try.”
After Min wiggled her fingers and left, he asked, “Are your mother and aunt twins, too?”
“No,” Cass said. “But they do look a lot alike. And they conspire in tandem.”
Greg looked puzzled.
“Never mind.” She was glad he hadn’t snapped to their obvious efforts to get something going between Greg and her. Cass sighed and took a baked empanada onto a plate, cut it in half and topped one bite with one sauce, the other bite with a different one. “These are really good.”
“So’s this hamburger.”
“Thanks. Our hamburgers are the best in Texas, second only to our chili.”
“I love the chili here. I’ll get that next time.”
She tried a fried empanada and the other sauce, then left him to his meal. “See you in the morning about ten?”
He nodded.
Cass made a beeline for her mother and pulled her around a corner and out of sight. “What’s the big idea?”
Gloria raised her eyebrows and feigned puzzlement. “I don’t understand.”
“Greg is my contractor. Nothing more.”
“He’s very handsome and seems quite nice.”
“I prefer Griff.”
Gloria heaved a theatrical sigh and walked away.
This wasn’t good, Cass thought.
DURING THE AFTERNOON LULL, Cass retreated to her office to study the figures Greg had given her. She was impressed with his presentation and his estimate of the costs. Both were very complete and much more reasonable than the other contractor had offered for the same work. She compared the two carefully. Greg had also provided a list of stores and suppliers where he got builder discounts. Cass called him and told him the job was his.
Another call buzzed in as she was saying goodbye to Greg. It was Griff.
“Hi,” she said. “How’s Miami?”
“Nice, but I’d rather be in Austin.”
“I’d rather you were here, too. I was just talking to my new contractor when you called. We’re starting renovations on my houses on Monday.”
“That was quick.”
“Things happened to work out well. Are you coming back soon? You can help me move the POAC office. One of our members is donating office space in her building.”
“When are you moving?”
“Either tomorrow or Sunday afternoon. I’ll be working Saturday.”
“Babe, I wish I could be there, but it looks like I’ll be in Miami until Saturday, and I have some things to take care of in New York before I can leave. It will be at least Tuesday or Wednesday before I can wrap up my business and come home.”
“Home? Are you thinking of Austin as home?”
“More and more,” Griff said. “I told you I love the town. And Austin is where you are.”
A big lump formed in her throat. “I miss you.”
“I miss you more. Believe me, I’m doing everything I can to get there, sweetheart. You can’t imagine. Cass, I love you so much.”
She totally melted. There was no mistaking his words this time. She tried to say something, but her mouth wouldn’t work.
“Cass?”
“Yes. I’m here. I—I…” The words just wouldn’t come.
“Cass, I’m not rushing you, simply telling you how I feel.”
“I understand,” she said. And the tears came. She sniffed. Why was she crying? “I, uh, I can’t talk right now.”
“Sorry. I know you’re working. I’ll call you tomorrow night. Goodbye, sweetheart.”
When the call ended, Cass put her head down and wept.
“Cass, honey, why are you upset?”
She looked