The Maverick Part 4

ON THE DRIVE BACK to her apartment, Griff had to clutch his thighs to keep from taking Ca.s.s in his arms and kissing her. He'd never wanted to kiss a woman so badly. He hesitated, not wanting to rush her, nor embarra.s.s her with the driver present. Griff wanted to do more than kiss her, but he blocked those thoughts as best he could. to her apartment, Griff had to clutch his thighs to keep from taking Ca.s.s in his arms and kissing her. He'd never wanted to kiss a woman so badly. He hesitated, not wanting to rush her, nor embarra.s.s her with the driver present. Griff wanted to do more than kiss her, but he blocked those thoughts as best he could.

Should he accept her invitation to the picnic Sunday? Yes, Yes, he decided. Ingratiating himself with her family couldn't hurt. he decided. Ingratiating himself with her family couldn't hurt.

"Were you serious about my going with you to the picnic on Sunday?" he asked as they walked upstairs to her apartment.

She hesitated for a millisecond, and his heart lost a beat. He prayed she wasn't having second thoughts about him.

"Of course. I can pick you up at your hotel about ten-thirty, and we'll drive to Wimberley."

"Wimberley?"

"My cousin Belle and her husband live there. It's a small village southwest of here, very picturesque. It's casual. Jeans or shorts."

When they reached her door, she turned and lifted her face. Kissing her was the most natural thing in the world.

And the most mind-blowing. He had the strangest urge to throw her over his shoulder, beat his chest and carry her into his cave. She would have hated it.

Ignoring the urges he felt, he smiled and said, "I'll see you on Sunday."

ABOUT MIDAFTERNOON ON Sat.u.r.day, a florist box arrived for Ca.s.s. She took it to her office to avoid the curiosity of her staff. Inside she found three perfect yellow roses and an adorable stuffed kitten with big round eyes and a st.i.tched smile. Sat.u.r.day, a florist box arrived for Ca.s.s. She took it to her office to avoid the curiosity of her staff. Inside she found three perfect yellow roses and an adorable stuffed kitten with big round eyes and a st.i.tched smile.

The card read: "Thank you for a wonderful evening. Maybe this kitty will do until you can have a real one. I'll be the one pacing eagerly in front of my hotel on Sunday morning. Griff."

She put the roses in a bud vase from the supply closet and hugged the kitten. How dear of him to remember her comments about a cat.

She smiled. Charm 101 again. She had his number for sure, but it was fun playing the game. And it was only a game, a flirtation. Despite his interest in moving to Austin, she suspected he'd be gone in a week or two.

Chapter Five.

Griff was true to his word. When Ca.s.s pulled up to the front of his hotel at ten-thirty on Sunday morning, he was waiting by the door. He wore khaki shorts, some high-end sport shoes and a pale blue polo shirt the exact color of his eyes. He looked good enough to eat with pecans and fudge sauce.

He broke into a grin when he saw her drive up in her little red convertible. "Good morning," he said, climbing in. "I love a woman who is punctual."

"That's me."

She'd worn khaki shorts as well, but her shirt was red and her shoes were a third the cost of his. But then, she told herself, she wasn't interested in engaging in a fashion price war. Today was for fun and comfort. When he was buckled up, she headed through town toward Mo-Pac, the freeway that ran along the railroad track and would take them southwest to join up with the more scenic route to Wimberley.

"I like your ponytail," he said. "It makes you look like a teenager."

"I wish," Ca.s.s said. "I love to ride with the top down on days like today, and a ponytail is the easiest way to cope with the blowing hair problem. Isn't the weather gorgeous? March and April are the very best times of the year in Texas. The wildflowers are blooming and the temperature is pleasant. By May many days will hit ninety degrees, and by August it's hotter than Hades. I guess it's a trade-off for not having to deal with snowplows."

"It doesn't snow in Austin?"

"Occasionally. I think we got about an inch in a brief snowfall four or five years ago. And sometimes we get ice, but it's usually gone in a day or so and everybody is running around in flip-flops again."

"Tell me about where we're going," Griff said.

"Well, first we're going to Wimberley to the Burrells' house. That's Gabe and my cousin Belle Starr Outlaw Burrell. We're meeting my sister and her fiance Ben as well as my cousin Sam Ba.s.s Outlaw and his wife, Skye."

"She's the veterinarian."

"Right. And she's also Gabe's sister. I think one of the Naconiche cousins and his wife will be there, or maybe two of them."

"Two of who?"

"Two of the cousins. Three of the Outlaw brothers live in Naconiche, but they don't usually come all at one time. There's J.J., the sheriff, whose name is Jesse James Outlaw, Judge Frank James Outlaw and the homicide cop turned professor, Cole Younger Outlaw. And a.s.sorted wives and children will be there, depending on who shows up."

"I hope I can get them all sorted out."

Ca.s.s laughed as she hit the open road and floored it. The scarf that had been holding her ponytail went flying behind them, but she didn't stop for it. "Sometimes I I can't keep them all straight. Hold the wheel for a minute." can't keep them all straight. Hold the wheel for a minute."

"What the-" Griff grabbed the steering wheel while she caught her whipping hair in a rubber band.

"Thanks."

"Do you get many tickets?" he asked.

"For what?"

"Speeding, reckless driving, that sort of thing."

She laughed. "Never. Don't tell me you're one of those nervous nellies." No sooner were the words out her mouth than she saw red-and-blue flashing lights behind her.

Griff merely lifted his eyebrows.

Cursing her big mouth and her heavy foot, Ca.s.s pulled over. When she looked in her rearview mirror and got a glimpse of the state trooper exiting his car, she bit back a grin. When he walked up to her window, the grin broke loose. "Hey, Paul. Long time, no see."

His eyes widened, then his grin matched hers. "Ca.s.s? Sunny?"

"The former. How are you doing these days?"

"I'm doing fine, Ca.s.s. I see you're still driving like a bat out of h.e.l.l."

She shrugged. "I'm just so glad to be back in Texas, my old habits got the best of me. How are your mama and daddy?"

"They're doing fine. Daddy says he's going to retire next year." The trooper glanced over at Griff and touched the brim of his cowboy hat.

"Paul, this is Griff Mitch.e.l.l. Griff, Paul used to live down the street from us when we were growing up. Sunny and I used to babysit him."

Griff only nodded.

"We're on our way to Wimberley to celebrate my cousins' anniversary," Ca.s.s told Paul. "One of them is a Texas Ranger. You may know him. Sam Outlaw."

"h.e.l.l, yes, I know Sam. I didn't know he was married. And I didn't know he was your cousin."

She nodded. "He is. And Sunny's engaged to another Ranger. Ben McKee."

"You don't say. Don't believe I've met him. Tell her h.e.l.lo for me. Listen, Ca.s.s, I'm going to give you a pa.s.s this time, but I'm going to follow along on your tail for a bit to keep you honest."

She gave him her most dazzling smile. "Thanks, Paul. I appreciate it."

When she pulled away, Griff said, "Do you know everybody in this part of Texas?"

Ca.s.s laughed. "Seems that way sometimes. You have to remember the Austin I grew up in was more small town than big city. And folks I didn't know from school or the neighborhood I knew from Chili Witches. Everybody in town ate there or worked there at one time or another."

She watched her speed until she reached Dripping Springs and turned left toward Wimberley. Paul waved and continued straight on Highway 290. She honked and returned his wave.

"Are you going to start speeding again now?" Griff asked.

"I've always been a maverick," she said with a devilish smile.

GRIFF SAT BACK AND enjoyed the ride and the view-of both the countryside and the driver. Ca.s.s Outlaw was indeed a maverick. Not only was she extremely attractive, she also had a sharp mind, a charming wit and an unpretentious warmth. She was like no woman he'd ever met, and she intrigued the h.e.l.l out of him. enjoyed the ride and the view-of both the countryside and the driver. Ca.s.s Outlaw was indeed a maverick. Not only was she extremely attractive, she also had a sharp mind, a charming wit and an unpretentious warmth. She was like no woman he'd ever met, and she intrigued the h.e.l.l out of him.

He couldn't imagine any young lawyer tossing a fast track career with such a prestigious law firm in New York and returning to Texas to serve chili. It didn't compute. The firm had been very pleased with her work-he'd talked with one of the partners at Baylor Croft & Wiggins-and they had offered her incentives to stay. He wondered if there had been another reason for her leaving besides simply wanting to get back to Austin. What had caused her to now hotly disdain her chosen profession?

"A dollar for your thoughts," Ca.s.s said.

"I was wondering how you could have avoided a speeding ticket all these years."

She laughed but didn't ease off the accelerator. "I fibbed a tiny bit. But I haven't had many. In Texas we can take a defensive driving course, and any moving traffic violation won't go on your record."

"How many times have you taken the course?"

"A few." She slowed a bit. "Wimberley is just ahead. It's a charming little town with lots of artistic types. In fact Gabe and Skye's mother is a painter and owns a gallery downtown. Skye's father was a well-known potter."

"Gabe and Skye had different fathers?"

"Yes. Gabe's father was originally from Wimberley, and he inherited property from his grandparents. As I recall, his father died in an accident when he was very young and his mother, Flora, married Skye's father, the potter, and they moved to Wimberley. It took me a while to get it all sorted out as well."

"What does Gabe do?" Griff asked.

"I believe he's in real estate and insurance," she said. She turned off the highway and, after a bit, turned in to a gated area with a guard.

"Hi, Pete. We're expected."

"Yes, ma'am." The big man smiled and touched the brim of his ball cap. "Your sister and her party came through a little while ago. Just drive on up to the helicopter pad, and Gabe will be back to pick you up in a little bit."

"Thanks, Pete." Ca.s.s roared off along a winding road.

"We're going by helicopter?" Griff asked.

"Looks like it."

They drove past a pasture with horses, a large house and various outbuildings, until they reached an area where several cars were parked. Obviously, Gabe Burrell was quite successful. Ca.s.s's sister, Sunny, sat on the fender of an SUV. A man nearby was giving a small boy a boost up a tree. All three waved as they pulled up and parked.

"We're going to ride in a helicopter!" the boy shouted, pointing to the pad.

"I know," Ca.s.s said. "Won't that be fun?" She introduced Griff to Sam McKee, Sunny's fiance, and Jay, his son.

"Jimmy and Janey are already here," Jay said. "And another one of their cousins. The little kids didn't come."

"Who did come?" Ca.s.s asked Sunny.

"As I understand," she said, "Frank and Carrie stayed in Naconiche to babysit the younger children so that everybody else could make it."

"Look," Jay shouted, pointing at the sky.

A sleek blue chopper hovered over their area, then set down on the pad. The boy jumped up and down with excitement, and his father could hardly restrain him until the door opened.

The pilot, a smiling blond man about Griff's age, motioned them aboard. Everybody ducked under the blades and loaded onto the craft. Griff brought up the rear, admiring Ca.s.s's lovely long legs and shapely b.u.t.t as she climbed in ahead of him.

"Gabe Burrell," the pilot shouted, offering Griff his hand. "Welcome to the celebration."

"Thanks. Griff Mitch.e.l.l. Sweet machine you have."

"Just traded up for it. She's a honey. Fasten your seat belts, and let's go see the bluebonnets."

When everyone was secure, Gabe lifted off and swung south over rolling hills dotted here and there with color. Nice view, Nice view, Griff thought, Griff thought, but hardly spectacular. but hardly spectacular. A few minutes later, he had to retract that when they topped a rise and a valley of blue seemed to stretch for miles. A few minutes later, he had to retract that when they topped a rise and a valley of blue seemed to stretch for miles.

"Wow!" he said.

"Indeed," Ca.s.s said, speaking loudly over the roar of the engine. "Gabe helped Mother Nature along. He scattered thousands of seeds here to make sure we had a good showing this year."

They made two circles, then set down in a field of blue flowers a short distance away from a canopy set up by a winding stream. Several people were standing outside waving.

"Talk about a photo op," Griff said. "And I didn't bring my camera."

"I did," Ca.s.s told him. "I'll share pictures." She pulled a camera from her bag and began snapping the moment she stepped off the helicopter. Then she grabbed his hand, "Come on, and I'll introduce you to everybody. Uncle Wes! Aunt Nonie!" she yelled, waving. "Hi, everybody!"

Trotting along behind her, Griff met the gray-haired couple who were the former sheriff of Naconiche and his wife, a retired schoolteacher who now ran an ice cream parlor on the town square.

"Griff, this is J.J. and Mary Beth. J.J. is the sheriff of Naconiche and Mary Beth owns the Twilight Inn and Tearoom."