Free A Courtesy Call (Green Division Series Book #2) by Ashley Monahan

She was the last woman on God’s green earth he’d let himself be attracted to.
     
    Mike’s face blushed.
     
    “You have my number Cass, call if you want to come to another practice before you leave.”
     
    “I’m free tomorrow.” Cass didn’t need time to think about it.
     
    “Alright.”  She laughed.  “I’ll be here by eight, feel free to stop by anytime.”
     
    “I’ll be here at eight.”  Cass smiled.  Raleigh smiled back and then her smile turned into a smirk when she looked at Mike.  Mike had the same scowl he always wore when he looked at Raleigh.
     
    “We have plans tomorrow, Cass.”
     
    “We can see the Civil War battlefield any day.  It’s not going anywhere.”
     
    “Don’t cancel your plans for me.”  Raleigh wasn’t being sarcastic.
     
    “I can see a battlefield any day, right Dad.”  This was a statement, not a question.
     
    “Mmm.”
     
    “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”  She waved and walked out of the shop.  Cass changed back into her clothes and she left with Mike. 
     
    Raleigh enjoyed enraging Mike.  If he was going to treat her like a piece of shit, she’d return the favor.  She genuinely liked Cass.  Mike, despite of what she’d been through with him, she could do without seeing again.
     
    *****
     
    “She’s amazing Dad.  I mean, when you think of a celebrity, she’s nothing like that.  She’s approachable, fun, easy going.”
     
    “She’s wonderful,” Mike said dryly.
     
    “Why don’t you like her?”
     
    “I think she’s a bad influence, that’s all.”  Mike pulled out of the gated lot.  “I showed you the news articles this morning.  She’s a drunk with an anger management problem.”
     
    “No she’s not.”
     
    “You’ve known her for one day.  You don’t know her.”
     
    “I know enough.  She’s a good person.”  Cass pulled out of her cell phone and saved the number from the text Raleigh sent her.  “Maybe you should be more open-minded.”
     
    *****
     
    “Who were they?”  Aiden asked, climbing into the driver’s seat of his car.
     
    “A few people I know from Maine.”  Raleigh buckled herself in the passenger seat.
     
    “Ah hah.”  Aiden squinted his eyes.  “You couldn’t stand that man. I saw the contempt.  Yet, you invite him and his daughter for an arranged private tour?”
     
    “I felt obligated.”
     
    “Why?”
     
    “Because they are from my home state.”
     
    “How do you know them?”
     
    “It’s Maine, population twelve.  Everyone knows everyone.”
     
    “Why are you so evasive about everything?  Mystery girl.”
     
    “I prefer intriguing.”
     
    “You most certainly don’t lack intrigue.”
     
    “So, what are your plans tonight?”
     
    “I was thinking about Chinese and a Bond movie.”
     
    “That sounds like fun.”  Raleigh smiled.
     
    “I wanted to spend the evening at home, Miss.”
     
    Raleigh nodded her head slightly let down. 
     
    “You are welcome to come over to my flat and join me, if you don’t mind slumming.”
     
    “Sounds delightful,” she said with her best British accent.

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    “ I’ll see you later.”  Cass leaned over and kissed Mike on the cheek.  He sat on the patio enjoying his morning coffee.
     
    “When will you be back?”
     
    “When she kicks me out.”  That was a no brainer.  “What about you?  What are you going to do?  Call Jen, see if she’s feeling better.”
     
    “If Jen wanted to talk, she knows how to get in touch with me.” 
     
    Cass shrugged.
     
    “Do you want to come with me?”
     
    “The invitation was extended to you, not me.”
     
    “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”
     
    “That’s alright, you enjoy yourself.  BE SAFE.”
     
    “I will, I promise.  Bye.”  With that she was out the door.  Mike sat in utter silence. 
     
    “What a vacation,” he said aloud.  “Sitting around in a hotel by myself.  Talking to myself.” 
     
    Cass took off