The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,7
were standing in front of the old theater on Congress, the wide street that led from the front of the capitol building to the river, then many miles to the south beyond that. The Paramount was, according to Cass, over a hundred years old and looked rather ordinary from the outside. Inside was another story.
“I can’t believe this place,” Griff said. “It looks like a European opera house.”
“Beautiful, isn’t it? Sunny and I used to beg to come here all the time when we were little. It seemed very grand to us.”
“It is very grand. And only a little frayed around the edges.”
“There was a move to have the place razed a few years ago. Wouldn’t that have been a shame?” Cass said.
“I’ll have to admit that it would have.”
They stopped to have a glass of wine before the show, and after they were served, Griff said, “You’ve mentioned that your sister’s name is Sunny. Is that a nickname?”
“Yes. Her real name is Sundance, but no one has ever called her that.”
“What an odd name. Sundance…and Cassidy? Don’t tell me—”
Cass chuckled. “I’m afraid so. Our father was named Butch Cassidy Outlaw. His father seemed to think naming his sons after infamous outlaws was a tremendous PR ploy for business or politics or professions in the law. He was Judge John Wesley Hardin Outlaw. Our uncle was a junior, called Wes, and our father was half of the infamous pair played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the movie. My uncle Wes became a sheriff, and my father became a state senator, so I suppose my grandfather’s idea worked.
“I have several cousins also named after outlaws, and most of them went into law enforcement of one sort or another, and so a tradition was born.”
“And you became a lawyer,” Griff said.
“I did. And my sister became a cop.”
“Were you influenced by family tradition?”
“Hmm. I don’t think so. It just seemed to work out that way. Why did you become a lawyer?” Cass asked.
“Tradition again, I suppose. My father and grandfather were lawyers.”
“Interesting, isn’t it? That we are—were—both third-generation lawyers.”
He raised his glass. “To tradition.”
“To tradition,” she echoed, touching her glass to his.
Suddenly, both glasses shattered. Crystal shards and wine flew everywhere.
Chapter Four
“What the—” Griff spun around to see what had happened. A pair of rowdy boys had smashed into them, knocking their glasses together and breaking them.
The taller of the two looked sheepish and mumbled an apology.
Griff turned back to Cass. “Are you all right?”
“Just a little wet, I think. I feel a little like a ship being launched.” She dabbed at her jacket with a napkin.
“My God! You have blood on your cheek.”
She reached toward her face.
“Wait. Don’t touch it. You may have glass in the cut.”
“It can’t be too bad. It doesn’t hurt.”
“I think it should be looked at by a doctor,” Griff said.
“Maybe I can help,” a woman standing near them offered. “I’m a dermatologist. Come over to where the light’s better.”
They moved out of the crowd and the doctor looked at Cass’s cheek carefully.
“What do you think?” Griff asked.
“I think she’s very lucky that she didn’t get that nick in her eye. No major harm done. A dab of antiseptic ointment ought to do. Now the dress, I don’t know. Isn’t that silk?”
Cass chuckled. “It is.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t let the stain set,” the doctor said. She rummaged in her purse. “Ah, here’s a sample that will do the trick.” She handed Cass a small tube of ointment.
“Thanks,” Cass said, handing her a Chili Witches card. “Drop by for a complimentary bowl of chili. Tell your waiter Cass sent you.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that. I’ve been there before, and I love your chili. Are you the manager?”
“My sister and I run it for the family.”
“Great to meet you. I’m Bev Strong, by the way.”
The dermatologist returned to her party, and Griff said, “I think I should call the car and get you home.”
“No way. I’m dying to see this show. My cheek will be fine.” Cass held up the tube. “And the dress is only a dress. I’ll run to the ladies’ room and tend to the damage. Be right back.”
Griff watched her walk away, marveling at not only the sexy swing of her hips but also the fact that she hadn’t let the accident ruin the evening. Again he thought how different she was from most of the women he dated.
Every time he was around Cass, he found her more and more intriguing. And