but myself,” she murmured. “From now on, though, I'll have the final say about where I appear.”
The best that she could hope for was that Hoyt was in Coyote Bend or one of his other tenant towns. Cassie slipped out of the warm van for a breath of fresh air and found a secluded spot under a fragrant crepe myrtle tree. The mouth-watering aromas wafting from the chuck-wagon-style buffet couldn't entice her to abandon her position of safety. The rodeo started in less than an hour and she had a standing policy never to feed the butterflies in her stomach before she went onstage.
She would keep a low profile until show time, she decided, then duck out at the first opportunity.
Cassie's gaze wandered idly over the swelling crowd that was gathering near the bronc and bull chutes. When she spotted the broad shoulders and wavy brown hair, a bolt of recognition rippled through her like a knife through hot butter. At that same instant Hoyt turned away from a smug-looking female companion and met Cassie's frozen stare. She jumped to her feet and Hoyt covered the distance between them in quick, spur-jangling strides.
“So, you're the singing waitress who's setting Dallas on its musical ear. Welcome to the Diamond T.” The disquieting glitter in his dark blue eyes told Cassie that he'd known her identity when he'd hired her. The sleeves of Hoyt's open-throated shirt were rolled back off his forearms, and a pair of leather chaps that had seen better days hugged his narrow hips.
“It's a lovely ranch. I can see why it means so much to you.” The months of separation hadn't stilled her longing. Cassie knew that if she could skate over the thin ice of polite conversation with him, anything was possible... even getting through these awkward moments... maybe even forgetting that he owned a piece of her heart.
“I've read the reviews about your act in the newspaper, and I caught you once on local television.” His smile and words were courteous, but his blue eyes raked her over the coals of yesterday's desire. “Sounds like you're making a steady climb to the top, just like you said you wanted to do.”
“We're doing our best.” Cassie kept her tone bantering as she fought the compulsion to step into his arms. “Our manager has booked us into every club and function he can. He thinks it's just a matter of time now until he can get us a contract with a recording company.”
“I always knew that there was a beautiful woman under that prairie dirt.” Hoyt reached over and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. When his fingers traced the delicate curve of her cheek, liquid fire ran through her veins.
Cassie tried to pretend that it was just another compliment, that Hoyt's rugged virility had nothing whatsoever to do with the crazy way her pulse was racing. But she knew that he knew exactly where she was most vulnerable.
“You look good, Cassie. The entertainment business must agree with you.” Even in the wide-open outdoors, Hoyt took up more than his fair share of space. Cobalt eyes competed with the blue awning of sky as he studied her face in the sun-dappled shade.
“I thought you promised to show me the bronc you're going to ride, honey.” The voluptuous blonde that Hoyt had deserted earlier sauntered over and linked her arm through his. Her possessive gesture announced that she was woman enough for this cowboy. The blonde's glued-on jumpsuit scarcely contained her affection, and her honeyed skin and spindrift hair bespoke a gilded indifference to everything but her man.
“Dee Dee Hamilton, I want you to meet Cassie Creighton.” A hint of mischief sparkled in Hoyt's handsome face. “Cassie and I are old friends. As a matter of fact, she used to work for me in Coyote Bend. We hired her back to perform today during the rodeo.”
“Well, well, it's like old home week, then, isn't it? I just love reunions. Don't you?” Dee Dee's voice was an F-flat whine that grated like chalk on a blackboard. “I swear,
The best that she could hope for was that Hoyt was in Coyote Bend or one of his other tenant towns. Cassie slipped out of the warm van for a breath of fresh air and found a secluded spot under a fragrant crepe myrtle tree. The mouth-watering aromas wafting from the chuck-wagon-style buffet couldn't entice her to abandon her position of safety. The rodeo started in less than an hour and she had a standing policy never to feed the butterflies in her stomach before she went onstage.
She would keep a low profile until show time, she decided, then duck out at the first opportunity.
Cassie's gaze wandered idly over the swelling crowd that was gathering near the bronc and bull chutes. When she spotted the broad shoulders and wavy brown hair, a bolt of recognition rippled through her like a knife through hot butter. At that same instant Hoyt turned away from a smug-looking female companion and met Cassie's frozen stare. She jumped to her feet and Hoyt covered the distance between them in quick, spur-jangling strides.
“So, you're the singing waitress who's setting Dallas on its musical ear. Welcome to the Diamond T.” The disquieting glitter in his dark blue eyes told Cassie that he'd known her identity when he'd hired her. The sleeves of Hoyt's open-throated shirt were rolled back off his forearms, and a pair of leather chaps that had seen better days hugged his narrow hips.
“It's a lovely ranch. I can see why it means so much to you.” The months of separation hadn't stilled her longing. Cassie knew that if she could skate over the thin ice of polite conversation with him, anything was possible... even getting through these awkward moments... maybe even forgetting that he owned a piece of her heart.
“I've read the reviews about your act in the newspaper, and I caught you once on local television.” His smile and words were courteous, but his blue eyes raked her over the coals of yesterday's desire. “Sounds like you're making a steady climb to the top, just like you said you wanted to do.”
“We're doing our best.” Cassie kept her tone bantering as she fought the compulsion to step into his arms. “Our manager has booked us into every club and function he can. He thinks it's just a matter of time now until he can get us a contract with a recording company.”
“I always knew that there was a beautiful woman under that prairie dirt.” Hoyt reached over and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. When his fingers traced the delicate curve of her cheek, liquid fire ran through her veins.
Cassie tried to pretend that it was just another compliment, that Hoyt's rugged virility had nothing whatsoever to do with the crazy way her pulse was racing. But she knew that he knew exactly where she was most vulnerable.
“You look good, Cassie. The entertainment business must agree with you.” Even in the wide-open outdoors, Hoyt took up more than his fair share of space. Cobalt eyes competed with the blue awning of sky as he studied her face in the sun-dappled shade.
“I thought you promised to show me the bronc you're going to ride, honey.” The voluptuous blonde that Hoyt had deserted earlier sauntered over and linked her arm through his. Her possessive gesture announced that she was woman enough for this cowboy. The blonde's glued-on jumpsuit scarcely contained her affection, and her honeyed skin and spindrift hair bespoke a gilded indifference to everything but her man.
“Dee Dee Hamilton, I want you to meet Cassie Creighton.” A hint of mischief sparkled in Hoyt's handsome face. “Cassie and I are old friends. As a matter of fact, she used to work for me in Coyote Bend. We hired her back to perform today during the rodeo.”
“Well, well, it's like old home week, then, isn't it? I just love reunions. Don't you?” Dee Dee's voice was an F-flat whine that grated like chalk on a blackboard. “I swear,
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