Page 50 of A Chance to Believe

‘It’s not all about the sex, Shayne Smith.’

‘I’m looking forward to an opportunity to prove that it’s a substantial part of what we have. Compatibility is important. We have it in spades, both in and out of bed.’

Heat washed up her throat. ‘I should get back to Tess. She needs to leave and I can’t imagine she’s still talking to your mother after all this time.’

Shayne didn’t argue. Which was fine. She didn’t need to rehash their relationship, whatever it was, all over again. This craving for spending time with him was something she could handle.

He took her arm to steady her down the stairs, for which she was grateful. Going up wasn’t a problem, but going down, her off centre balance felt a little iffy. His warm grip was firm and secure, the heat tingling over her skin and sparking inside. Inconvenient, but reassuring.

Dawn and Tess were nowhere to be seen, but Shayne led the way to the formal dining room where the two women were discussing a painting on the wall over the sideboard. Tess was quite absorbed, leaving Dawn to notice their arrival.

‘What do you think, Cassie? Will it work as a nursery?’

‘It’s a beautiful room. I’m sure it will work well.’

‘It has plumbing already, so it will be simple to add a bathing corner to the room so everything will be handy.’

Tess watched with narrowed eyes that had a knowing gleam in them. She was seeing the whole family unity thing as a foregone conclusion. Maybe she was right. Everything fitted so well, including Shayne. Though he didn’t know the whole. Soon she would tell him when they had time for themselves. She couldn’t make a final decision until she was sure. Until she’d dealt with the past.

A thump under her ribs from one of the babies was like a nudge. It was their future in the balance. Letting her fears impact on them was becoming less justifiable by the day. In those early months, she’d postponed thoughts of the future, because there was some doubt if there would be one. Now the doctors were giving off positive vibes, suggesting the birth was going to be a breeze. Short of a disaster, she would be a parent soon. And so would Shayne. A family of a sort, if she could gather her courage.

She shook her head, realising that Tess was saying goodbye. ‘Next time I see you, I expect you’ll have given birth. I’ll be a second cousin or whatever the term is.’

Cassie followed her out via the annex, avoiding the steps, and waved her away in her little car.

Back in the house, she was conscious of Dawn leading Shayne back up the stairs. The woman was a genius with her decorating and there was no doubt she’d do a wonderful job with the nursery. A sudden tightness in Cassie’s throat stifled her breathing. She wanted to be a part of this. Wanted to spend time with Dawn planning out the space for her children. Wanted to be a part of this family. Wanted to be with Shayne. A partner, a wife. She wanted more than a friendly co-parenting arrangement.

She wanted everything, and that was where the danger lay. A whole family to care for. Children, a man in her life. Joining Dawn and Shayne upstairs wasn’t a commitment. She could do that without laying her heart on the line. Their voices carried over the balcony. It would only take a minute to join them. Talk about her children’s future or about their living space. It was a start.

Cassie headed for the stairs, taking them steadily. Shayne appeared at the top, as if he’d heard her coming.

‘Twice in one day. You’ll have done your full exercise regime for the week.’

He took her hand as she arrived at the top. ‘I thought I should come. Save Dawn having to do everything twice.’

‘Excellent idea.’

He dropped a light kiss on her cheek. ‘Thank you.’

* * *

Shayne tossed his Akubra onto the hook inside the back door and cursed when it missed and landed on the floor among the discarded boots and wellies. Scooping it up, he hung it carefully. It was a good hat.

He’d been right about how busy he’d be in the run up to the rodeo. Kimberley was all nerves, even though she’d competed before. It was good to catch up with some guys he’d met in previous years. One of them, a former local, had declared his intention of retiring later in the year and Shayne had wrested a tentative commitment from him to come to work at Maidens Hill in one of the new management positions being created.

Things were falling into place for when he had the added responsibility of parenting infants. He mounted the stairs and headed for his bedroom for a quick shower. Kimberley and Samson had gone with him to the rodeo arena attached to the Showgrounds earlier in the day. He’d watched a few events and then headed home for Cassie, who’d promised to spend the afternoon resting. Ben was there if Kim needed a hand with the horse, but she’d been surrounded by her rodeo mad friends when he’d left. His promise to come straight back after picking up Cassie to check on things had been waved away by Kim.

When he came down the stairs again, Cassie was perched on the old, padded bench just inside the door. Her smile lit up the room and he held himself back from taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless. Not appropriate. And highly risky considering his desire to take her to bed and forget everything else.

She was wearing a pair of leggings with a denim print that showed off her long, elegant legs and a full, thigh length button-up shirt in an orange and pink check, the long sleeves folded back to her elbow. Low-heeled boots finished the ensemble, along with a broad-brimmed straw cowboy style hat with a bright pink hatband that matched the shirt.

‘Do you have a handbag?’

She patted her hip. ‘I have a phone and some cash in a wallet, which should cover anything I need.’

With no delay, they climbed into his four-wheel-drive. It was a tantalising pleasure to help her into the high seat, his hand deliberately not lingering on her butt as he gave her a last little boost. ‘Sorry about this. I’ll need it to tow the horse-float home.’

‘Not a problem.’

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