From Ashes

“Gage Michael Car—” Mama had begun again.

“You do not,” I said, and turned my body so I was facing him and staring down at him, “do not kiss another man’s girl repeatedly, especially if you already know she’s taken. You do not beg her to leave her man and stay with you. You do not keep her pi

Co

Looking over my shoulder, I asked Cassidy, “He’s been calling?”

Her head shook and she shrugged. “My phone died my first day here. I lost my charger.”

God, I felt stupid. I’d already known that, seeing how her phone was currently in our house being charged with my charger. Which would be why she hadn’t answered her phone when I called on my way back.

Co

“Nah, man, it’s kinda seared into my brain. I know what she told you. And I know at the end she told you not to wait for her because she was coming back to me. That should have been the last thing she needed to say to you. All this other bullshit is completely u

Mama’s voice got a little higher. “Gage Michael Carson.”

“When you stop talking for Cassidy and treating her like a damn child, and when she asks me to go, then I’ll go.”

I opened my mouth but slammed it shut as Cassidy stepped around me and started walking up to him. Co

“What is wrong with you?” she hissed at him as he continued to walk backward, toward his rental.

His face fell. “Cassidy, I had to know. I had to make sure you were okay.”

“Of course I’m okay! I’m with Gage!”

“Cass, he can’t just make you stop talking to me.”

“You’re right, Co

“Cassidy—”

“Go home, Co

He stepped right up to her and cupped her cheek with his hand; my body froze before it started shaking. My free hand was already balled into a fist, but I forced myself to remain silent and still to see what she would do.

“Cass, I need you.”

“And I need Gage,” she said softly, and removed his hand while trying to force herself even closer to me, so I grabbed her and took a step away from him. “It will always be Gage for me. Please, Co

I watched as his completely broken face studied her, then turned to me and hardened up into an impressive glare. He wasn’t lying; he really cared for Cassidy. Co

Cassidy relaxed as soon as he was off the ranch and her forehead hit my chest. “Gage, I had no idea. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry for California, I’m sorry for kissing him, I’m sorry for leaving you.” Her chest was heaving up and down quickly and I ran my hands over her back to calm her.

“Darlin’, it’s fine. He’s gone and from the look on his face I don’t think he’s coming back. Are you all right? You looked terrified, Cassidy, did he say something to you?”

“No, but all I could think about was how mad you were going to be. I was afraid you’d think I’d wanted him here or that I’d be happy to see him.”

“And were you?” I asked tightly.

“No! Seeing him here . . . realizing how bad I messed things up and how he could ruin them, God, Gage, I was terrified I was going to lose you.” Her body started shaking and she made a choking sound. “I’m so sorry.” She burst into tears and her knees buckled.

I easily lifted her into my arms and held her tight, letting her cry as long as she needed. Ever since the letter from her mom she’d been more emotional, but I didn’t mind. I loved that she was now open enough that she would easily share this with me too. “C’mon, sweetheart, let’s get you inside.”

She quickly shook her head and wiped at her cheeks and under her eyes. “No, you and Ty were going into town, and now I have to tell your mom and Amanda about Co

“Darlin’, I’m not leaving you when you’re upset like this.”

“I’m fine, Gage, really. I just hate that I put you through that. Go run your errand. I’ll tell them and we’ll have di

“Cass—”

Her lips pressed to mine for long seconds, and without removing them she whispered, “Go, babe. I’m not ru

My entire body relaxed at her words. “Be back soon, all right?”

“Be safe.”

Chapter Eighteen