Is that you?”
“Yeah, Carreen. I’ve got Cassie with me.”
They entered the den. Carreen Gorman reclined in a La-Z-Boy rocker, a plaid throw over her lap. She had the same gray eyes as her brother. Her face was thin and her complexion pale. She wore a bandanna tied around her head. Cassie supposed by now Carreen had lost all her hair.
Rhett bent and kissed his sister’s cheek. “Brought you some company if you feel up to it. This is Cassie Carroll, my new assistant. The one I told you about.”
Carreen held out a hand. Cassie took it gently. “I’m so happy to meet you, Carreen. I want you to know I’m just a temp. When you’re strong enough, Rhett wants you back. I promise not to mess things up too much until then.”
Carreen smiled wanly. “Anyone who can put up with Rhett for more than two days in a row is good in my book.” She looked at her little brother. “Actually, he’s pretty easy-going and almost always does what you tell him to do. If he doesn’t cooperate, let me know. I have a few tricks that make him toe the line.”
“I think we’ve come to an understanding,” Rhett informed her. “Cassie will do most of the work and I’ll take all of the credit.”
They laughed and Cassie saw the strong bond reflected in the telling look between the two siblings.
“Rhett, could you do me a favor?”
“Anything, Sis. Other than get you a spread in next month’s Playboy. I don’t think Bob would approve of that.”
Carreen sighed. “You couldn’t have landed me one six months ago when I had hair, Rhett. I’ve always been too flat and too bony.”
“What do you need?”
“I haven’t been hungry in ages but I was thinking about orange sherbet right when you came. That sounds like it would taste so good. Or maybe rainbow.”
Rhett pulled out his keys. “I’m on it.” He looked at Cassie. “Would you like to keep Carreen company while I’m gone?”
Cassie looked at Carreen. “Do you mind?”
“I’d like that. It’ll be nice to talk about adult things other than my treatments. Or spelling words. I swear if I have to call out one more spelling list this week, I’ll go mad.”
“I’m a great speller so we can put those lists aside.” Cassie glanced at Rhett. “Go do the sherbet run, Corrigan, and don’t take all day.”
He shrugged. “See? She’s as bossy as you or Mom. Maybe worse.”
“Then you won’t be out of shape by the time I come back,” Carreen retorted.
Rhett asked Cassie, “Do you want anything?”
“Surprise me.”
He waved and left the women alone.
Cassie looked at the tray table filled with multiple pill bottles, magazines, and a glass. “I see your water’s almost empty. Can I get you more to drink?”
“No, I’m fine. I just wanted some alone time with you. I thought if I sent Rhett on an errand, it would make things easier.”
“I see,” she said, though Cassie had no idea why Carreen Gorman would want to talk to her alone.
“Rhett tells me you totaled his car.”
She grimaced. “I guess that’s the first thing he said about me?”
Carreen shook her head. “No, he actually told me he’d hired an assistant that was more organized than I am.”
“I doubt—”
“Take that as a compliment, Cassie. Rhett’s not easily impressed. For him to
tell me that speaks volumes.” Carreen grinned. “Then he told me about the car.” She laughed weakly. “I wish I could’ve been there.”
Cassie groaned. “It was probably the worst and best day of my life. To have creamed the car of the biggest star on the planet and have it burst into flames was not my finest moment. Especially when I was on the way to a job interview and I looked a hot mess. Fortunately, it turned out well. Rhett offered me work instead and then my roommate and I moved into his gatehouse, too. I can’t tell you what a difference that has made in my life. As if I’d died and gone to heaven.”
Cassie’s words hung in the air. She blushed. “I mean . . . I didn’t—”
“Don’t worry,” Carreen assured her. “Everyone walks on eggshells around me. I’m fine even if I don’t look it. The doctor says things are progressing well and they caught the cancer in time. I don’t think I’ll be calling at the pearly gates anytime soon.”
Carreen reached for her water and sipped through the straw. “I was eager to meet you. Rhett talks about you like you walk on water. He