Free Welcome To My World (Hell Yeah!) by Sable Hunter Page A

though doctors considered her blessed, sometimes she questioned their judgment. They didn’t have to live with her pain.
      The drive didn’t take long but it gave her some time to think. This friendship business was for the birds, she decided. Even though it was going to hurt, this would be their only ‘date’ together. She’d already decided that much. It wasn’t because she didn’t enjoy his company—she did. Too well. It was because she just couldn’t risk getting her heart broken. “I love your place,” she confessed. Truthfully, since meeting Bowie, she’d driven past it a few times. The dramatic stone entry gate beckoned her. She’d pulled over and gazed at the beautiful rolling pastures, the still creek, the pecan orchards and at least two ponds she could see behind the several outbuildings.
      “Thank you, I’ll have you back and repay that great meal you cooked for me.”
      She said neither no nor yes. Instead, she asked with humor in her voice. “You can cook?” Cassie was grateful to be able to force a change of tone to the evening.
      Bowie pretended offense. “Damn sure can. I can BBQ with the best. Just name the day and I‘ll smoke a ham and make you some Jalapeno Jack Daniels Apricot glaze to go with it that will make you dance a jig.”
      He had spoken from the heart, so of course, Cassie took no offense. But she did pick at him. “Miracle cure. I’ll take a gallon.”
      Hell. Bowie sighed. “I didn’t mean,” he stammered. “I think you’re just right, Cassie.”
      He pulled up to a big log and stone house which immediately drew Cassie’s eye. “Gorgeous,” she observed. “So my surprise is here? At your house?”
      Yea, he wanted to say, there’s a big king size bed in there I can introduce you to, where you’ll have the time of your life. But he didn’t, like he’d concluded before. He needed time and so did she. “Yea, hold on, you’re gonna love this.”
      He exited to get her chair and she wrung her hands, wishing she didn’t have to be picked up again. Being near him was so horrible, wonderful, terrible and addictive. The least she could do was undo the seatbelt, open the door and get ready. Anything to make this easier and quicker for him.
      “You’re gonna fool around and fall out, Miss Cassie,” Bowie said when he opened the door and found her teetering on the edge. “You need a keeper, young lady.”
      Any other time, she would’ve flirted by asking him if he were applying for the job. But not now. Her self-confidence was shot to hell from being rejected after she’d thrown herself at him.
      “Hold me.” He demanded and she did, hooking her arm around his neck. Still, she tried to keep herself held away from him, which was impossible—but she tried.
      Bowie didn’t act like he noticed. He sat her down in the chair and they started off over the uneven ground of his yard. It hit Bowie how difficult, nearly impossible, it would’ve been for Cassie to have traversed the path alone. Something to think about. “Cover your eyes,” he instructed her with a chuckle.
      She was trying to be congenial, but Cassie really wasn’t in the mood. Right now wasn’t a good time to analyze why she was feeling the way she did. It didn’t escape her reasoning to know she ought to try and enjoy this time with Bowie, after all her social calendar wasn’t exactly brimming with opportunities. “Okay, but don’t push me into a trough or something.”
      “Never.”
      “If there’s mud, this might be more trouble than it’s worth.” Cassie hated to be a burden.
      “Don’t worry, I got it, cranky.”
      Despite everything, Cassie smiled. With her eyes still closed, she could tell when they moved to higher ground. The path smoothed out and she heard a door opening. “Are we going in a barn?”
      “Yes.”
      Nuurrrrrr.
      “What was that?” Cassie asked with excitement.
      “Jasmine, my Dromedary Camel. Open your eyes.” When