Chapter 17

"Always room for one more," AJ offered with a chuckle at Grace's protest.

"We should get going before we wake the others," Cassie suggested.

The four of them left through the kitchen door and started down the driveway. AJ asked if there was a path they prefered and Brandon suggested the one that would lead them over the Wishing Bridge. AJ motioned for Brandon to take the lead.

AJ and Brandon took the lead as they settled into a brisk pace while mother and daughter followed close behind them. They found that they needed to adjust their pace a bit so the ladies did not fall too far behind. Midway through the run they switched places and AJ ran along side Cassie and Brandon and Grace kept pace with each other.

They got back to Grayhouse just as the coffee finished brewing. They all had a cup and then Grace had to run upstairs to take a shower before school. Brandon also excused himself to do the same since he had to go to work.

When the two of them were alone Cassie suggested that they do the same because she would need to make breakfast for the guests and then to town to open the shop for the day. They went up the stairs together and at the doors to their rooms AJ paused wondering if she had meant for them to shower together in her personal bathroom.

Cassie smiled at him opening her door and asking him if he would join her.

"Let me get some clean clothes and I will be back in just a few minutes," he told her.

"Good, I'll get the water warm!"

As promised he only took a few minutes to grab a clean set of clothes and then crossed the hall to her room where he put the clothes on her bed and walked into her bathroom. Cassie was already in the shower and he could see her lovely naked form through the frosted glass. He didn't wait for a further invatation to remove his running clothes and then join her in the shower.

They really didn't have time to make love that morning but they took time to enjoy being in there together. Their lingering glances and caressing touches promised that they would take the time to do this again when they did have the time.

Wishing they could dry the other off they also knew that would lead to things they didn't have time for that morning. So they restrained themselves and just watched the other dressing as they did the same.

This time however as they left her bedroom together they were seen by one of her children. Brandon was standing at the top of the stairs just about to go down when the two of them came out arm and arm. Brandon saw them and after a couple seconds pause he nodded at them and went on his way down the stairs.

"I guess our secret is out," Cassie looked up at AJ and said.

"Do you think he'll spill the beans?"

She smiled, "I doubt it, he's pretty good about keeping things that need to be close to his vest."

"Alright then, we should get breakfast started. What are you planning for today?"

"Our normal weekday buffet."

"What do you want me to get started with?" he asked as they entered the kitchen.

"If you could get the meats going I'll work on the muffins and eggs," Cassie suggested.

"Hey mom, AJ, I can get the fruit and granolas out if that would help."

"It would, thank you sweetie," Cassie told her daughter.

The three of them had been working together for about ten minutes when George and Brandon came in to tell them the dining room was all set up and they were ready for any new task Cassie had for them. With a grin she told them the could start taking the food to the buffet table. Both willingly agreed.

Soon all the food was out and the guests were busy filling their plates. As Cassie and AJ were waiting for their turn she said softly to him, "You know as much help as you have been the last few days cooking and helping out in the store yesterday afternoon I shouldn't be charging you for that room you haven't even used for the last two nights."

To Be Continued…