Chapter 50
Cassie stood at Connor's kitchen sink and stared out the window. She turned when she heard Connor's footsteps behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist. She leaned into him as he kissed the top of her head. They stood together, looking out the window.
Connor knew she was still numb from the earlier reading of the will. He was even having trouble with the results. He knew she was overwhelmed. He gave her a quick hug, and moved over to the stove. He filled a pan of water and carried it back to the burner, and turned it on.
"Come, sit down," he invited.
She walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. Connor fixed a mug and set it in front of her. She sipped the tea.
"Mmmm, gunpowder green tea. David's favorite," she said as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"He always said it was the best relaxant in the world."
"He was never on a surfboard."
"No, but he loved the beach."
She stared down at her tea.
"You realize that he left you a very wealthy lady."
She nodded. Connor noticed her shoulders shaking. He walked over to her and squatted down next to her.
"What is it, Cass?"
"I don't give a damn about the money. Or the Hawaii house. I just want David back."
"We all do," he admitted.
He wiped her tears with his thumb. "I didn't know you two were so close."
"He'd stop in for tea and conversation. We had wonderful talks about Hawaii."
"That's probably why he left you the house. He knew you'd take care of it."
She let the tears fall and before long, she was sobbing uncontrollably. Connor stood up and helped her out of the chair. He wrapped one arm around her and rubbed her back with the other.
Eventually her tears stopped. She lifted her head from Connor's shoulder. He looked at her. She reached down for his hand, slipping hers into it. She turned around and silently led him to his bedroom.
She started to undress, but he stopped her.
"Not yet, Cass," he said quietly.
She looked at him, confused.
"You're upset. Making love right now would be wrong for both of us."
She sat down on the bed. He was right, but she needed him. She needed comfort sex. She knew that if she let him know, it would sound like she was desperate. He joined her on the bed.
"But that doesn't mean we can't cuddle."
"Just no sex?"
He nodded. "Not tonight. Maybe in the morning."
She sighed. Morning was too long to wait, but it was what he wanted, so she had to agree. He laid back on the bed, bringing her with him. He stroked her hair.
"We're going to have to go to Hawaii soon."
She nodded. She knew what he wasn't saying. He wasn't saying that the trip was to scatter Dr. Downey's ashes.
"So while we are there, let's do what David wanted and get married."
