The Renegade (The Moorehouse Legacy #3)(43)

“I think Spike is a liar.”

Alex’s head shot up. “Cassandra.”

She lifted her hand and then thought, why was she waving at him? “I’m, er, I’m supposed to be your ride tonight. Wherever you’re going. Spike asked me to fill in for him.”

Alex muttered something under his breath. “Look, let me call Libby. You don’t have to do this.”

“It’s all right.”

“You’ve worked hard all day—”

“If you don’t want to go with me, just say so, okay?” Her words cracked through the room like a whip.

Alex stood up and reached for his cane. “I was trying to be polite.”

“Sorry,” she muttered. As her eyes flipped to the bed, she had to turn away from it.

Fine my fat fanny, she thought. Her head was a total mess.

The thing was, she’d assumed he’d seek her out even though he’d said their night together was a one-time-only kind of thing. It was just…he’d wanted to be with her so badly. And the way he’d made love to her in the morning light…

But she should have known better. Alex Moorehouse was all about discipline. What he said, he meant. Clearly his feelings for his Miracle were more important than his body’s needs.

Alex limped over to her. “Actually, I’d much rather have you behind the wheel. Spike swears at the other cars, he never uses his directional signal and he can’t parallel park worth a damn. I’m not even sure he has a license.”

Cass glanced up at his face and wished she felt as relaxed as he looked. “Where are we going?”

“To see my grandmother. She’s in a nursing home now. Joy used to take care of her, but the dementia has gotten to the point that professional supervision is required. And it’s important for Joy to have a life.” He went over to a leather jacket that was hanging on the wall. “I make sure I go see her a couple times a week. I’m the only one she recognizes, although that’s because she thinks I’m her father. So I guess that doesn’t count, does it?”

He pulled the coat on and held the door open.

“Would you mind if I used your ladies’ room first?” Cass asked.

“Sure.” He closed out the cold. “Take your time.”

When she came back, he was putting his cell phone up to his ear.

“Moorehouse.” There was a pause and then, “Mad Dog! What the hell? How did you—He did? Figures. Nah, I’m glad it’s you.” There was a long silence. Then his face darkened. “I don’t know. I’m working on it. Good. Better. You’re what? Mad Dog—No…For God’s sake, I don’t—Damn it.” His lips thinned. “Yes, I’ll be here. Now, tell me the truth. In an earlier life, you were Genghis Khan, right?” He laughed, and his voice dropped, warmth coming through it. “I’ll see you soon, Mad. I’ve missed you.”

When he ended the call, he glanced over. “You ready?”

Cass nodded.

As they went out to the Rover, he said, “That was a member of my crew.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Mad Dog is…extraordinary. One of a kind.”

“You sound as if you really respect him.” She opened the driver’s side door.

“Her. Madeline is a her.”

Cass looked over the SUV’s hood. As Alex got into the car, he was wearing a little half smile the likes of which she had never seen before.

*

After Cassandra parked the car, Alex eased himself out of the Range Rover and made sure his balance was steady before he started walking. The snow was packed solid, which meant there was a gloss on the top that was slicker than baby oil.

“Need help?” Cassandra asked brusquely, as if she knew he’d only turn her down.

He looked over at her. In the waning sunlight, her hair gleamed like copper flashing and the cold wind had coaxed a blush out of her cheeks. She looked tired, though, the shadows under her eyes suggesting she hadn’t slept well lately.

He knew all about insomnia, too.

The last three days had been hell. He’d wanted to see her again the instant she’d left the shop that morning. But a vow was a vow and he’d already technically broken the once-only rule by being with her after she’d woken up.

Unable to trust himself around her, he’d skipped the rest of the parties that weekend. Besides, God only knew what O’Banyon had had to say when she’d disappeared all night long. There was no reason to get brawling with the guy.

Besides, only once was all he would allow himself. He owed Reese’s memory, for one thing. But more significant, he was very sure that if Cassandra knew he’d killed her husband she wouldn’t want him anymore. Since he wasn’t about to tell her the truth, because that would just add another layer to her tragedy, then he had no right to be with her again.

“Alex?” She tilted her head, green eyes widening.

Shoot, he’d been staring at her.

“Sorry.” He smiled. “After you.”

Evergreen Assisted Living was housed in a single-story brick building that, unfortunately, looked a lot like a prison from the outside. The facility was all dull gray concrete, uniform windows, and doors with alarms on them. As he and Cassandra walked inside, however, the place’s true nature came alive. There were bright murals and real plants. A cage full of pink and blue and yellow parakeets. From the rec room, big band-era music drifted out.