Read Online Snowbound by MG Braden - Free Book Online

smiled shyly at Daniel, who had sat back down in his seat, across from her. “Thank you. You clean up nice, too.” When he’d stood up she noticed he’d worn a pair of black dress pants, a light blue collared shirt with no tie and a sports jacket over that. The blue shirt really made the colour of his eyes more noticeable, even in the dim lighting. “Well, you know, I don’t do it often so...” He tugged at his collar and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. “I never feel like I can breathe with these things on. I hate stuff around my neck; hence no tie.” He leaned forward across the table. “Shh, don’t tell. Sandra lets me get away with it, but we’re supposed to wear one here.”
    “I won’t tell.” She smiled. “Daniel, I wanted to...well, I wanted to say sorry, for the way I acted earlier. I know you were just trying to help me and I’d done the wrong thing which put us both at risk.”
    “No, Cassidy, I’m sorry. I went off on a tangent and overreacted. It just reminded me of stuff and...Anyway the point is you’re safe.”
    “I know, but you were right, I should have been paying attention. And—” Cassidy broke off as she noticed a waiter standing at the table.
    “Excuse me, may I get you something to drink?”
    “I think we’re waiting on others,” Daniel answered.
    “Yes, sir. Mrs. Johnson said to bring you anything you wanted.”
    “Oh, okay. Cassidy? What would you like?”
    “I’ll just have a glass of house red, please.”
    “And I’d like a pint of whatever you have on tap. Thanks.”
    “Very good.” The waiter stepped away, re-appeared briefly to pour some water into the goblets on the table and was gone again.
    Cassidy looked around the restaurant and then back at Daniel. “It’s very empty in here tonight. Where is everyone? Also, if Sandra was here earlier, why isn’t she here now?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know. I was told there was some kind of dinner gathering, but there’s no one else here. I have a feeling that Sandra just pulled one over on us.”
    “Really? Like what?” She tilted her head. “I can’t imagine that. She’s so sweet.”
    Daniel’s eyes twinkled in the candlelight and he smiled widely. “Yes, she’s sweet, but she also fancy’s herself as a bit of a cupid.”
    “Cupid?” She suddenly realized what he was implying and she felt the heat of a blush work its way across her face. Good thing it was hard to see in the restaurant. “Surely not. I mean...why?”
    “Well, I’m not sure whether to be insulted by that comment or not.”
    “No, no. I just meant that...” She suddenly didn’t have a clue what she meant and she saw that he was holding back laughter. “Sorry.”
    “Listen, no worries. Honestly, I think that Sandra is aware that we had an argument out there today and she’s trying to make amends. She knows you’ve had a hard week.”
    She nodded. “I think that’s why I got so upset earlier. When you were mad at me it just reminded me of Rick and all the times he yelled at me about stuff. I decided I wasn’t going to take it anymore. I know you meant well, but I don’t think men should push women around just because they are bigger or stronger.”
    “Is that what you think I was doing? Trying to push you around?” Daniel looked concerned.
    “I don’t know. Maybe not. You certainly seemed more annoyed than the situation called for. But I know it was my fault.” Cassidy quickly backtracked. She hated arguing. It was all she’d done with Rick—she wasn’t about to do it with Daniel too. He seemed like a good guy. And he is so cute . It would be awful to paint him with the same brush as Rick. Still, he’d gone off today without warning. She wondered if it was something she’d done. Rick had certainly ingrained it into her that most things were her fault. She often found herself apologizing for stuff she didn’t even do and second-guessing things she did do.
    When she saw Daniel lift his beer to take a