Free Love and Chaos: A Growing Pains Novel by K.F. Breene Page B

for a stroll. I need to wake up.”
    “It’s the wine,” Rachel yelled back at the table again without turning around. She win ked at Cassie. “We’re all in the same boat. At least you got to sleep in a while. The kids woke me up at six.”
    Cassie moaned on Rachel’s behalf. Rachel nodded. “Exactly.”
    “Go out the side.” Jenn pointed toward the dining room. “Through there, keep going, and you’ll hit a door. There’s a nice path out there. Or, if you go out back, the boys are setting up the…something court. Volleyball, I think.”
    “Or badminton.” Rachel shrugged, unconcerned.
    “You guys don’t play?” Cassie tried.
    Rachel shook her head adamantly. “I’ve never been good at that sort of thing. No way. It’s better for everyone if I sit out.”
    “I play badminton, generally, but don’t much care for whiffle ball or volleyball.” Jenn studied Cassie for a moment. “Jace said you might want to play.”
    Cassie nodded . “I really like all those sports. Besides, I need a break from drinking.”
    “Not in this house.” Nick smiled down at Emma as he tried to get her to eat some carrot puree. “My parents maintain that this is vacation, and drinking is a hobby.”
    “ We’re not forcing it on anyone.” Roger gave Cassie a small smile.
    Cassie couldn’t help the answering smile. Lies. She refilled her coffee and started toward the side of the house. “I’m going to try and walk off the haze.”
    “Good luck!” Rachel shouted. “We’ll join you out back in a little bit.”
    Cassie couldn’t help the continuing smile. Everyone was exactly as nice as Jace had said, open and eager to share space and chatter. So accommodating. It seemed like Peter’s fears were mostly unfounded. Even Roger, as controlling and used to getting his way as he was, was totally cool and down to earth most of the time. He held and played with the kids, he laughed and joked, and he wanted everyone to have a good time. She couldn’t believe he would cast his son out for being different.
    Cassie found the side door and pushed through, the crisp morning air greeting her, awakening her senses. She heard playful arguing off to the right, which must’ve been the back of the house, so she kept walking straight, following a small path through a pretty, natural garden. Wildflowers bloomed, their last hurrah before the chill would overcome them for the winter. Large oaks shadowed the path, leaves and acorns adorning the dirt and carelessly placed garden stones. At the other end she found herself at a downward slope, a bench positioned to look out over the valley below. She sipped her coffee as she sat, closing her eyes and bending her head back so the sun could warm her face.
    “Enjoying yourself?”
    Cassie flinched, startled, and quickly held her coffee away from her body. Thankfully she’d already drunk half of it—no spills. She squinted up at Jace, who stood to the side facing her and staring, as usual.
    “Why the staring, Jace? Seriously, it’s getting old.”
    His gaze swiveled out over the valley.
    “Sorry.” Cassie hung her head with a steadying breath. “Sorry to be such an ass. And sorry about last night. I wasn’t really thinking clearly. Want to sit?”
    Jace glanced at the proffered seat. “Is it safe?”
    She huffed a smile. “Pro bably not, but you’re a big guy-- you can probably handle it.”
    Jace stood for a moment, his eyes squinting into the morning sun. The light illuminated his face and lightened his eyes, displaying that perfection just right. “I love sitting here. It’s peaceful,” he said in a tranquil voice.
    Still looking at him, half wanting to get up and touch him to make sure he was real, Cassie said, “Then sit, by all means. You’re too heavy for me to throw you down the hill.”
    H is eyes sparkled as he looked down at her, his lips tweaked into a half-smile. “For just a minute. I have to help the guys set up.”
    He took three graceful steps to the open seat and