Cassie's euphoric balloon deflated the moment she pulled into park at the farm. Ben and Kali sat on the porch chatting but stopped as she left her vehicle. Ben approached and pulled her into a hug. The usual slutty reaction to his embrace didn't happen. Instead, a sinking feeling in her gut took hold, and she dreaded the conversation about to happen.He stepped away and looked her in the eye, obviously struggling with his thoughts. She didn't need to tell him it was over; he already knew it or felt the same. Whatever it was, the space between them was laden with a wall of awkwardness that seemed insurmountable.Before she could speak, Ben said, "We need to take a walk." Cassie looked over to Kali, who scowled at her, shooting invisible arrows of hatred in her direction. Great, one more enemy to add to the list. Cassie followed Ben, both remained silent for several minutes. "We can't see each other anymore," Ben said, breaking the silence.A twinge of something tugged on Cas
Cassie arrived at the Slippery Pole at five sharp. Prepared for her shift in her sexy black honeypot dress and a comfortable pair of gold flats, she sashayed into the club. The bruise on her thigh didn't need to be covered with makeup, because the dress was just long enough.As she sat counting her float, Jenna approached. "We need to talk.""Sure," Cassie said. "What's up?""You took off before I could tell you about Monday nights." "And?" A sinking feeling in her stomach told her that she didn't want to know about Monday nights.Jenna pursed her lips together, trying not to laugh. "Well, Mondays are special. The regular dancers have Sunday and Monday off. Anyway, to make up for the lack of dancers, Sundays became amateur night, and we started something awesome called Manic Mondays. All waitressing staff take a turn at the pole."Cassie's jaw dropped. "Oh, hell no! I am not flailing my ass around that pole like some floozy.""Kathy will be here, guaranteed. If you don't
Cassie went back to waitressing, and Redneck-Randy hung around to watch the show. She wanted so badly to approach him but didn't want to raise questions. Kathy and Ryan left at eleven, reminding Cassie that they expected her to stop by the party. As soon as they left, Cassie approached Randy's table.He turned to her, scanned her profile, and released a whistle. "I liked what was underneath so much more.""Seriously though, I would never have recognized you if you were wearing contacts. You really are amazing at the undercover thing. God! I've never been so turned on in my life."He grinned. "A good cover is half the fun, but I'm nowhere near as talented as you, my love."His words twirled in her stomach. Cassie wanted nothing more than to jump him where he stood."Damn. How the hell am I supposed to concentrate when you come around looking all hot and shit?" She pouted.He laughed. "Keep it up woman, and I'll tear that dress from your body and have my way with you, right h
As she approached the house, an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Before she had a moment to process it, the door swung open and Kathy welcomed her into an unusually quiet house and not the sound of a house in party-mode. A sick feeling crawled up her spine, but she sucked it up."Come on downstairs. I've been waiting for you," Kathy cooed, seemingly normal, but there was something underlying her casual tone. Cassie's skin tingled, trying to crawl away from her body. The reaction seemed silly, but something about Kathy's demeanor seemed off. Something definitely felt wrong, but for some stupid reason, she kept going. Needing to face this cow and Jason, she sucked back the fear as they entered the basement. "Where's Ryan?" "He's off with Lola," Kathy said, flippantly waving her hand towards the door behind the bar. Kathy's response startled Cassie, causing her to miss the last stair and stumble. She caught her balance, but the look on her face obviously said it all.
They spent the next several hours at the police station, laying the events of the case out for the investigators and giving statements. The paperwork drudgery dragged, and Cassie had gotten to the point where she could barely focus, she was so completely exhausted. Kathy and Ryan weren't charged, but Jason and Lola were locked up, looking at some hard time. Tricia had been called in and was apprised of what her husband had been up to. She left with Kathy hot on her heels. Cassie wished them well, hoping they could both move on from their rotten husbands. At some point, Karly joined them at the station. She sat with Cassie as they waited for Randy and Daniel to finish with the detectives. Relieved that the case was behind them without any major disasters, Cassie sat lost in thought. She should feel awesome. But a nagging feeling rested heavily on her shoulders, reminding her that she still had unfinished business to attend to. Somehow, they had to ensure that no one ever found
Randy and Karly sat at her computer chatting about whatever was up on Karly's screen. Swallowing back her sister's shocking revelation, Cassie approached them, trying to look all business. Randy looked up into her eyes, and she almost melted. The look he gave her oozed his usual casual sexiness, and it was all she could do to not pull him into his office to have her way with him. "What was that about?" Karly asked Daniel, who approached the small crowd ahead of Cassie."Nothing," Cassie explained. "I needed Daniel to fix a problem with my computer. Sorry about my sister. She tends to be a bit on the dramatic side."Randy chuckled. "It runs in the family, I think."Cassie shot him a death glare and then swung back to Karly. "Can we forget about my personal life and wrap up this case?""The money that went missing from the Slippery Pole has been located," Daniel said."I just don't get why Jason took it so far. Why carry out such a ridiculous plan?" Cassie said. "Greed ma
Karly emerged a moment later, and they got into Karly's sharp red Charger and drove away."You need a different car for this job," Cassie said."What? Hell no. I love my car!""Yeah, but it sticks out like a sore thumb." Cassie giggled. "I guess you could always rent or use Mona while on surveillance. I did before I bought my minivan.Karly ignored her, and they drove in silence for most of the trip. Just before they pulled up to the farm, Karly broke the silence."You know, Cassie, I think you're all right. I mean, at first, I thought you had a thing for Daniel, and I may have given you some attitude, but now I know you two are just good friends. I'm happy you hooked up with Randy. I thought he put way too much love into your office remodel." They both giggled."Thanks Karly. I'm happy you and Daniel are back together. He loves you deeply."Karly beamed. "I have to tell you something. It's just killing me. I have to let it out! I'm pregnant!" Karly smiled ear-to-ear, anx
"I need to see Randy," Cassie said as she climbed into Karly's car. Daniel sat at the wheel. "Where's Karly?""I dropped her at the office. Someone needs to man the fort. Randy is meeting us at the station."They pulled into the parking lot of the police station and parked. Randy stood, leaning up against the police station, arms crossed, looking sexy as hell and totally badass. Cassie raced up to him and jumped into his arms, crashing her lips to his.She pulled away and gazed deep and appreciatingly into his eyes. "Thank God, you weren't arrested. I was so worried." Tears of relief streamed down her cheeks."It's okay," Randy whispered. "They didn't find shit. I've got this.""I know," Cassie sniffed. "I know it was me." She swallowed hard and looked down in shame. "I figured." He sighed, but then shrugged it off. "It doesn't change anything. They have no evidence. Trust me.""And what if they do find something? No. I can't do this, I can't live life constantly lookin
Margot Woods whipped open the door and beamed before yanking Cassie into a mama-bear hug to beat all hugs. Cassie went limp in her arms as Randy chuckled at the exchange."My sweet girl," Margot cooed as she pulled from her embrace. "I've missed the dickens out of you.""I've missed you too, Mom." Cassie giggled, reached for Randy's hand, and followed Mom inside. They entered the living room where her father was seated, and Mom disappeared into the kitchen. Cassie scanned towards the kitchen and then the dining room, looking for Sara and Greg. She had been dreading this encounter, but Randy forced her to put on her big girl panties and face them. So here she was. Baby steps.Sara's laughter could be heard from outside. Cassie moved to the sliding doors to the backyard and stared out through the glass as Randy moved in behind and kissed the back of her head. The scene before them was like something out of a mushy Hallmark Christmas movie. A young couple laughing and throwing
Focused on work, the hours passed. Again, voices from out front caught Cassie's attention although she hadn't heard the door chime. She stepped out into the hall and almost fell over with shock. Sara stood in a small circle with Daniel and Karly. She spoke quietly while holding Karly's hand and resting another on Daniel's arm.They appeared engrossed in whatever she was saying. Nothing about the conversation seemed hostile, so Cassie quietly backed into her office while briefly catching her sister's eye. It looked as though Sara had it handled. Cassie knew it wasn't her business and hoped it would stay that way.A few minutes later, Sara knocked and then entered the office. Cassie noted a sense of peace on Sara's face that could be attributed to the 'cleaning of house'."I've put everything to right, except for Greg," she sniffed as if trying not to cry. "I've tried, but I just can't find the words. And how do I explain my gift or your gift or dad's or all of it?"Cassie shrugg
By noon, they arrived at the office, ready to roll. Feeling safe, Cassie and Randy strolled hand in hand through the front door in broad daylight. Gone was the sense of doom. Gone was the man who wanted her dead. Karly rose from her place at the front desk and greeted them with a smile. Her brown bob framed her face which held a lovely glow. "Welcome back. You must be relieved that Bolton's under house arrest," she said, her eyes conveying concern for Cassie. Karly didn't know that Bolton took his life the night before, and neither did Daniel, unless his precognition revealed the truth. They had no way of telling Karly without giving up Randy's initial intent or Daniel and Cassie's abilities, so Randy and Cassie agreed to just let it all play out.Cassie grinned with relief. "It's definitely good to know he'll have a difficult time taking another shot at us."Daniel appeared next, moving down the hall towards them. He smiled and nodded a hello as if all was well in the world. He
Cassie rose early and with Mooch in tow, headed straight to the barn. Overnight a blanket of fresh fluffy snow covered the slush by at least two feet, but the still air defied the evidence of last night's blizzard. The silence was amazing. She paused, closed her eyes, and inhaled a long slow calming breath. The cool morning air flushed her cheeks, but she welcomed the feeling, she welcomed the prairie chill that ripped through the fabric of her jacket. She was alive. Bolton was gone and she could really live again. As she continued towards the barn, she noticed a spring in her step, and her body didn't feel rigid with worry. She fed the horses and then took Mooch for a walk around the property.She imagined a check list of things to deal with and crossed off Bolton's name. Immediately below his was Melody. Crazy, bonkers, completely unbalanced, Melody. The only person left wandering around that hated Cassie with a passion fueled by serious imbalance.What would Bolton's de
Cassie took Mooch to bed. They snuggled in and she took comfort stroking his ears. He was asleep in seconds, but she lay awake wondering.Sleep was a touchy subject for her, but tonight she intended to utilize her abilities, to gain some insight into Bolton's death. She needed to know if he did indeed kill himself, and if so, why? It just didn't make any sense. She could see it, if he had finally exacted his revenge and killed her, as a way of escaping prison, but before he got to do the deed? No. She just couldn't accept it.Closing her eyes, she focused, relaxed, drifted: Mist surrounded her, the blinding kind, so she knew she was close. Within seconds it began to clear, and she could take in her surroundings. Bolton entered his home through the front door and walked straight passed her as she stood in his living room unnoticed. He dropped a backpack on the dining table, left the room for a minute and returned with a pen and paper in one hand and a handgun in the other. Focused o
Eryn fired up the truck, laid her foot on the gas, and they sped from the yard. "You're up," she said. "Where to? I'm not sure if I want to know but what did you see?""It was Randy, he's going to shoot Bolton and kill him." The words tore from her mouth like a dagger to the heart. "I can't believe he'd do this.""Jesus," Eryn hissed. "Do you know when? Where?""I saw this while awake and the last time that happened it was an immediate thing. We need to go to the city, to Bolton's house, to try to stop it, but I think it's too late." "Why would he do that?" Eryn said. "I mean, Bolton was busted lighting fire to his house and yours, he was going to jail." Cassie remained silent, but she could feel Eryn's suspicions grow in the awkward air that surrounded them. "Spill, lady."Sighing, Cassie shook her head. She literally couldn't keep anything from Eryn, so she said, "I had a dream that Bolton planned on shooting me, and Daniel confirmed, saying he had the same dream.""Oh,
Twenty-four hours of cyber stalking, mini-naps, and watching the tag on Bolton's car go to his place of work, Thomas Tire and Auto, and then home, felt like a lifetime. With an ankle monitor on, Bolton lead a boring existence, but so far, he'd adhered to the court mandated restrictions. They caught a break in surveillance thanks to a buddy of Randy's at the station who provided them with Bolton's work schedule that he submitted for monitoring. Randy thought he'd have the poison figured out by tomorrow and would plant it while Bolton was at work.The plan was falling into place. It was a shaky plan that Cassie wasn't comfortable with and poison seemed ridiculous and obvious. A gun to the head, that made sense, but Randy though it was too loud, messy, and hard to wash their hands from it. Like a caged animal, Cassie was sure as she paced the floor of their room that if she didn't get out of the hotel soon, she'd lose what was left of her mind."So," Cassie drawled. "We gotta kick
Cassie drifted back in the sofa and dropped against the cushions, tipping her head back to stare at the ceiling. Stunned wasn't enough of a word to describe watching your sister make a man forget he impregnated her. It was beyond bonkers. But it happened. It was epic, and as far as Cassie was concerned, terrifying. The implications of Sara's new gift were off the charts."We need to undo what she just did," Cassie blurted out."What's that now?" Daniel asked, clearly confused by her statement.She swung her head on the cushion to address him. "Seriously? You don't remember? It's the reason you're even here." Cassie eyed him as if he might say otherwise, but everyone in the room except Daniel knew the truth.Daniel laughed and then gaped at Cassie as if she were insane. "What are you on about, Cassie?" Daniel's genuine look of confusion was all they needed to know. With very little effort, Sara had wiped him clean. The sinking feeling in Cassie's chest returned, and she fough
The door to the room opened and everyone filed in. Dad rushed to greet Cassie with a hug, and Cassie looked towards her sister who stood off to the side, arms crossed, eyebrow arched, looking as if she anticipated an apology.Randy offered Sara a chair and she took it, looking uneasy. Cassie eyed her perfect bombshell sister. Sara looked amazing, rocking her almost pregnancy figure with a cute grey maternity sweater and jeans. She glowed, radiantly, and Cassie was sure she had never seen her sister look so beautiful. "So, what's so important that you just had to see us?" Sara asked not even trying to disguise the fact that she felt put out.Dad pulled away, noting Cassie's worn appearance, and turned to address Sara. "There is much to discuss, Sara. I need you to promise to listen carefully to all that is said. Do you trust me?""I mean, you've only been my dad for like five minutes." she said, eyeing Cassie for confirmation so Cassie nodded. "I guess," Sara said. The fact