Cass hadn’t felt such panic since she’d been called into the vice principal’s office when she was in the eighth grade. No way could she ignore Belle, but she could try her best to head off any problems. Talk about secrets biting you in the butt.

Jumping to her feet, she pasted on a bright smile, waved to Belle and hurried to the front door. She fumbled with the lock and finally got it open. Throwing her arms wide, she ran outside and wrapped her cousin in a big hug.

“For gosh sakes, don’t mention the Outlaw family,” Cass whispered in her ear. “We haven’t told Mother yet. Follow my lead. I’ll explain later.” She grabbed her hand and dragged her inside.

“Why are you closed?” Belle asked.

“We had a flood,” Cass said. “Look, everybody, it’s Belle Burrell. Belle, this is our mother, Gloria O’Connor, and our aunt, Minerva O’Connor. We call her Min. Belle is Sunny’s and my dear friend from Wimberley. She owns the newspaper there. Mother and Aunt Min just got in from France a couple of days ago. They rented a house there and have been having a grand time.”

“Welcome home,” Belle said. “I’m delighted to meet you. Sunny and Cass speak of you often. I dropped by for a visit and a bowl of chili, only to see the closed sign. Am I interrupting something?”

“Not at all,” Sunny said. “We’re just finishing up a meeting and starting to wash dishes.” Sunny explained the vandalism and the flooding.

“How absolutely terrible,” Belle said. “How can I help? I’m not much of a cook, but I can wash dishes.”

“The kitchen staff is arriving shortly, and they’ll see to the rest of the dishes, but thanks, Belle,” Cass said. “We plan to reopen on Monday.”

Belle turned on the charm and chatted with Gloria and Min about their trip. When she heard that Gloria was a painter, she said, “My mother-in-law is a painter, quite an excellent one. She has a gallery in Wimberley, The Firefly. You must come down sometime and visit. Do you paint, too, Min?”

“Oh, heavens no. I do needlework.”

“Don’t be modest, Aunt Min,” Sunny said. “Her needlework is exquisite. I’m so envious. I can barely sew on a button.”

“It was so delightful meeting you,” Belle said to the older women, “but I must be running along. I’m sure you must have a world of things to do before the reopening.”

Min cocked her head at Belle. “Have we met before? You look very familiar somehow.”

“No, I’m sure we’ve never met.”

“Humph,” Gloria said. “I should imagine she looks familiar. Look at her and look at your nieces. They could be sisters.”

“That must be it,” Min said.

“We’ve heard that before,” Cass said. “Strange, isn’t it? Belle, I’ll walk you out. I want to ask you something.” She hooked her arm through her cousin’s and practically dragged her out the door.

Once they were outside, Belle said, “I’m sorry I came at an awkward time. I didn’t dream they were back yet.”

“Not a problem. I’m sorry the situation was uncomfortable for you. We have to tell them about meeting the whole Outlaw family sooner or later, and your visit has given us the perfect opening. I’m glad they got to meet you.”

“I hope it turns out well. Oh, before I forget, Frank and Carrie are coming down next weekend, and Carrie said she wants to meet privately with you and Sunny. We’d love to have you join us in Wimberley on Sunday or, if that’s not possible, Carrie can come to Austin. I think she wanted to combine everything in one trip if possible.”

Curious about the odd request, Cass frowned. Carrie Outlaw, who was married to Frank James Outlaw, judge of the Naconiche County Court of Law, was a former landman for an oil company. She’d come to town to lease drilling rights in the area, and stayed to marry Frank. These days she practiced law in town. “I wonder what she wants?”

“She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. Are you free?”

“I’ll have to check with Sunny. Shall I get back to you or to Carrie?”

“Me first. I can relay your message, and she can call you if she needs to.”

They said goodbye and Cass reentered the dining room. The business with Carrie was intriguing but totally overshadowed by having to deal with telling her mother about their new relationship with the Outlaw family.

Everybody appeared as if they’d been zapped into suspended animation while she was gone. Sunny was sitting stock-still, staring down at her hands; their mom was staring at Sunny; Aunt Min was staring at Gloria.

“Sorry about the interruption,” Cass said. “Anything else we need to go over, Sunny?”

“Uh, no. I think we’ve just about covered everything.”

Cass sat back down in the chair she’d vacated earlier and tried desperately to think of the right opening. Her scalp prickled and she began to reexperience the sausage biscuit she’d eaten earlier.

“She’s a lovely young woman,” Gloria said.

“Who?”

“Belle. What did you say her last name was?”

“Burrell. Her husband’s name is Gabe.”

“I see,” Gloria said, pinning Cass with a sharp gaze, the same gaze that never missed anything. “And what is her father’s name?”

“Wes.” Cass swallowed. “Wes Outlaw.”

One could have heard the proverbial pin drop.

“My stars and garters!” Aunt Min said.

Gloria took a deep breath. “I see. No wonder her resemblance to you is amazing.”

“Belle is Belle Starr Outlaw Burrell. We’ve met the whole family. We didn’t go looking for them. One of Belle’s brothers came in for lunch one day and, quite by accident we discovered we were cousins. And, Mom, all the Outlaws were delighted to learn about us.”

“They’ve welcomed us into the family with open arms,” Sunny said. “They’re such nice people, and they’re eager to meet you, Mom.”

“I see.”

“Gloria,” Min said quietly, “it was bound to happen sooner or later. Isn’t it wonderful things have turned out so well?”

“Of course. I just need a little time to get used to the idea. Now, girls, if you’ll excuse us for a while, Min and I have some shopping to do.” She rose and walked toward the back exit.

Aunt Min shrugged and whispered, “Don’t fret. She’ll come around. Just give her a bit of time to chew on it.” She patted her nieces’ hands, rose and followed her sister.

“That went well,” Sunny said, rolling her eyes.

“Actually, it went better than I expected. At least Mom didn’t go into hysterics.”

“And when,” Sunny asked, “did you ever see Mom go into hysterics?”

“Never, now that I think about it. I suppose the closest was when I got a C in conduct in the second grade. Or when you fell off your bike and were all bloody.”

“I just hope she isn’t too hurt by this,” Sunny said.

The kitchen crew arrived just then and the two of them went to get things organized.

They got busy, and Cass didn’t remember until later to tell Sunny about Carrie Outlaw wanting to meet with them. Both were curious about the request, but they decided there was no need to speculate until they talked with her. In consideration of their mother, they also decided not to go to Wimberley and spend the day with part of the Outlaw clan just yet.

Cass talked with Carrie that evening, and they agreed to meet for a late Sunday breakfast in Drippings Springs, the small town about halfway between Austin and Wimberley. Even through she tried her best to get more information, Carrie was evasive.

“It’s business, and better if we talk in person,” Carrie said. “See you in a week.”

“Okay.” Frustrated and totally baffled, Cass ended the call.

Her cell rang again almost immediately. She recognized the number. Griff.

“Hi,” he said. “I’ve been missing you. Tired?”

“Absolutely pooped. If I had a tub, I’d sit here and soak my feet.”

“I have a tub,” he said. “And a big swimming pool.”

“You know, a swim right now would be fantastic.”

“Come on over.”

“I can’t stay long.”

She could practically hear that sexy smile of his over the phone. “I’ll take what I can get. Your bathing suit is ready and waiting for you.”

THE NIGHT WAS COOL, the water was warm and Griff’s kiss was hot.

“Don’t get that started,” Cass said, pulling away. “I need to get home early.”

“I can come home with you.”

“I don’t think so. My mother’s had enough shocks for one day.”

“And what was so shocking to her today?” he asked as he lazily sidestroked beside her.

“Belle dropped by.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Exactly. Sunny and I had to spill the whole thing about meeting the Outlaws.”

“Did she explode?”

“No. Strangely enough, after she had time to digest the idea, she took it rather well. I think she was relieved her worst fears hadn’t come to pass, that our father’s family wasn’t horrified to learn of our existence. Still, she’s been subdued today.”

“At least you don’t have the worry hanging over your head.” He captured her in his arms again, kissed her again and they sank beneath the water.

She came up sputtering and laughing and splashing him. “Are you trying to drown me? It won’t work, you know. At least half the people on this side of the hotel are watching your moves.”

“Then come upstairs with me. We’ll order a bottle of wine, and I’ll massage your feet.”

She flipped on her back and floated. “You’d really massage my feet?”

“Of course. You have lovely feet.” He stroked her arch and flexed her foot. “I’ll even nibble your toes—and anywhere else you name.”

His suggestive tone sent shivers over her, and she felt her resolve to leave early quickly fading away. She wasn’t nearly as tired as she’d been earlier.

BEFORE THEY GOT TO THE foot massage, Cass and Griff showered, and the shower took much longer and was more intimate than she’d intended. After they’d changed into shorts, Griff took a towel and led her to the sofa.

“Lie down,” he said.

She cocked an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”

“I promised you a foot massage.”

“Yes you did. I thought it had slipped your mind. What are you going to use?”

“My hands. I’m very good with my hands.”

Cass chuckled. “I’ll grant you that, but I meant do you have lotion or oil?”

Griff looked pained. “I’ll run down to the gift shop and get something.”

“No need,” Cass said. “There should be some lotion in one of those little bottles in the bathroom.”

“Right. Be right back.”

He was back with a handful of bottles before she got settled. He spread the towel over his thighs, then patted it. “Put your feet up here.” After he unscrewed a bottle cap, he sniffed the contents. “This ought to do it.”

He picked up her left foot, kissed her big toe, then poured about half the contents on the top of her foot and began to massage.

Griff had been right. He did have wonderful hands. Still, something didn’t seem quite right. Cass lifted her head and looked at her foot. Despite his enthusiastic rubbing, the lotion hadn’t dispersed at all. True, he’d used quite a bit, but none of it was being absorbed into her skin.

“What did you put on my foot?”

He grinned. “Good-smelling stuff. Like it?”

“Griff, my foot is beginning to lather.”

He frowned, then picked up the small bottle he’d used and squinted at the writing on it. Handing it to her, he said, “What does that say?”

She read it and started laughing. “Didn’t you read it?”

“I don’t have my contacts in.”

“I didn’t know you wore contacts.”

“I do. Otherwise I’m blind as one of those bats you’ve been talking about. What does it say?”

“Shampoo.” She howled with laughter.

Griff wasn’t amused. She could tell by the air he turned blue. “I’m sorry. Now I feel like a damned fool.”

“I think it’s a hoot. It’s reassuring to know you’re not perfect.”

“Honey, trust me, I’m a long way from perfect.”

She put her arms around his neck and drew him close. “Couldn’t prove it by me.”