Texas Heat by Gerry Bartlett

Author:Gerry Bartlett [Bartlett, Gerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

It was raining on moving day. Cass hadn’t had any luck getting hold of Mason. He’d left a voice mail that he was tied up in a series of business emergencies. But she’d talked to Janie at the house and she’d said Cass could move in whenever she was ready. Saturday was best for Rowdy and Manny. Of course, Ellie was dying to see the mansion too, but Saturday was her busy day at the beauty salon. She pouted about it, but understood as they loaded the back of the truck and threw a waterproof tarp over everything.

Cass gave Rowdy directions and he followed her in the truck. The closer they got to the big house, the more nervous she felt. She’d thought about telling him to forget it. That she’d hire movers to take her stuff. But she knew he wouldn’t have taken that well. His pride was really bruised and she hadn’t even told him about the big check she’d received for expenses. She didn’t dare offer to reimburse him for gas. Manny had no problem with her offer to buy them lunch afterwards. Of course, he’d been filled in by Ellie about her windfall, then sworn to secrecy.

There wasn’t much to move when all was said and done. Clothes, of course; her TV and DVD player that she’d used in her bedroom, and her personal stereo. A few mementos and photos. It was pitiful, actually, since she’d decided to leave her furniture in her old bedroom. Obviously she wouldn’t need it in that freakish master suite.

She pulled in under the overhang, then eased forward so Rowdy’s truck would be protected from the rain when they unloaded.

“You weren’t kidding. This place is a mansion.” Rowdy got out of the truck and pocketed his keys.

“Didn’t you land in the honey pot, chica.” Manny grabbed Cass and twirled her around. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Manny.” Cass laughed and ran up the steps to ring the bell. “I have a key but I want to alert the housekeeper we’re here.” The door flew open.

It wasn’t Janie in the doorway, unfortunately, but Shannon. “What the hell is this?” She stared in dismay at Rowdy’s four-door truck. “You moved in a pickup truck?” She sounded as if Cass had driven up in a hay wagon.

“Yes, Shannon.” Cass smiled. “This is Manny, my roommate’s boyfriend, and Rowdy, my, um, friend.”

Rowdy stopped in the middle of pulling off the wet tarp and gave Cass a wounded look. Well, what had he expected her to call him?

“Nice to meet you.” Manny shook Shannon’s hand and gave her a wide smile.

Rowdy just nodded. Fine, he was going to be sullen.

“Can you hurry up? I’m expecting more company.” Shannon glanced over her shoulder. “Ladies auxiliary from the Fine Arts Museum. We’re planning a fund-raising gala.”

“Oh, well, excuse us.” Cass rushed to the back of the truck. “There’s not that much to bring in. Then we’ll get the vehicles out of the way.” Fine Arts Museum. A gala. What would it be like to plan something like that? She’d read about those things in the newspaper.

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