Shane (Remington Ranch Book 2) by SJ McCoy

onto the deck above the river. She loved to come out here and listen to the sounds of the water and the night. She sat in one of the big rockers and leaned back to look up at the night sky. They weren’t joking when they called this Big Sky country. With no light pollution, a million stars twinkled brightly against the inky blackness. It was beautiful, peaceful. It felt like maybe she’d found the place where she could finally settle. She shook her head at the thought—it was home. She smiled as a shooting star blazed a brief trail across the sky. Weren’t they supposed to be a good omen?

 
    Chapter Six
    As Thursday afternoon drew on, Cassidy was starting to have a few niggling doubts. Should she really do it?
    Gina gave her a puzzled look. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine.”
    “I have to ask. Shane said you’re seeing him tonight, but I thought you were busy?”
    Cassidy had to bite back a laugh. She certainly was planning to see Shane tonight. “I can do both can’t I? I have the class, and I’ll be seeing Shane. I’m surprised he told you.”
    Gina laughed. “You shouldn’t be. He’s been like a kid waiting for Christmas ever since we all went out the other night.” She gave Cassidy an inquiring look. “ You , on the other hand, haven’t mentioned him at all.”
    She hadn’t mentioned it because she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. If he found out what she was planning, there was no way Shane would show up. She bit the inside of her lip. Was it also because she knew Gina might try to talk her out of it? Think it was a bad idea? Maybe it was? No, it would be fun. If he couldn’t take it, he couldn’t take it, that’d be his problem—not hers. She shrugged. “I just didn’t need to hear you talking him up all week.”
    “Okay. Well, I hope you have fun. I’m going to head on home now. I want to catch the golden hour down by the river.”
    That made Cassidy laugh. “Every time you say that it sounds like you’re hurrying home to catch a favorite TV show.”
    Gina laughed. “If I ever get to make a documentary, I think I should call it The Golden Hour. The light at dusk and at dawn is just so perfect.”
    “Well, you hurry on down there to catch it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Gina paused at the door. “I hope you and Shane have a good time.”
    “Thanks.” Cassidy was pretty sure she would; she wasn’t so sure how much Shane would enjoy it though.
    ~ ~ ~
    Shane locked up his office and walked up to the house. He wanted to check in with his dad before he headed up to town for his big night with Cassidy. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his head since he’d watched her drive away after their game of pool. He grinned. Tonight should take care of that! He was glad now that she hadn’t wanted to take her prize straight away. He’d never seen the appeal of anticipation before, but, forced to endure it, he was quite enjoying it—he was even gladder that it was almost over though!
    He let himself in through the back door and was surprised to not find his mom in the kitchen. His dad looked up from where he was sitting in one of the easy chairs working on his laptop. “You’re out of luck if you’re hoping to get fed. She’s gone up to town. There’s leftovers, but they’re all mine.”
    Shane laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’m heading up to town myself. I just wanted to check in with you first.”
    “Hmph! If I’d known you were going I’d have made her ride with you. She wouldn’t let me take her, and I hate her driving at this time in the evening. The deer are just lurking by the side of the road waiting to jump out in front of you.”
    “She’ll be fine, Dad. She’s never hit one yet. She’s careful. What’s she gone up for, anyway?”
    “Some class or other. You know what she’s like. Always wanting to learn something—beading class, art class, poetry class, salsa dancing class!” He shook his head with a rueful smile. “It’s mostly just to hang