Read Online Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) by Rhonda Laurel - Free Book Online Page A

didn’t want to leave DC. It was exciting getting to know Cassidy all over again. Emma called him a few times, but he hadn’t called her back. He needed to tell her face to face that he didn’t want to try again. His feelings for her had changed when she left for New York and cut him out of her life. It was simply something he couldn’t get past. Besides that, she’d mentioned at least three times that he should look for his own place off the ranch, and that sent warning bells blaring in his head. Eden had wanted to live off the ranch, and she’d been mad at J.J. for months when he told her that was not an option. Being a Blake meant being a part of that land, and even though he’d been taking his time selecting a spot to build on, that was where he wanted to live.
    She was still tight-lipped about why she’d disappeared, but he figured she’d get around to telling him when she felt comfortable. In the meantime it was an excellent start to a new relationship.
    He picked her up for their brunch date and noticed her mood had shifted since last night. She was silent and seemed distracted. By the time they went back to her apartment, his optimism was beginning to fade. Had she changed her mind? The air was getting pretty thick. The other shoe finally dropped when she asked him to take a seat on the couch.
    She caressed his hand. “First of all, I want you to know I had a really good time this weekend. I’m glad you came to town.”
    “But?” He gulped.
    “I want to tell why I dropped out of sight last year.”
    “I know I’ve been kidding you about it, but you don’t have to tell me.”
    “No, I want to tell you. Correction—I have to tell you—before this goes any further.” She cleared her throat. “And I will totally understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.”
    “Why would I not want to see you?” Channing moved closer to her.
    They sat there silent for a few minutes until she finally spoke.
    “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year. I dropped out of sight because I started treatment immediately after I was diagnosed. They caught it in time, and I’m in remission. But there’s no guarantee it won’t come back.” She exhaled.
    “Oh, Cassie.” Channing took her into his arms.
    “I’m still healing. My immune system is still pretty low. My doctors are keeping an eye on things, but there’s still long road ahead for me.”
    “I want you to tell me everything about your diagnosis and treatment. What your doctor is doing to monitor you.”
    “Why?” She wiped a tear from her eye.
    “If we’re going to give this relationship a chance, I have to know how to take care of you.” He caressed her cheek.
    She pushed him away. “Goodness, you’re so damn noble. This is why I didn’t want to tell you. Compassion can turn to pity before you realize it happened. And before you know it, I’m the good friend with cancer. I don’t want you to look at me differently.”
    “You’re still the same beautiful, maddening Cassidy Shaw that cut in front of me in the registration line so she could get the last seat in Professor Drayton’s lecture.” He took her face into his hands.
    She laughed, and it came out on a half sob. “You’re never going to let that go.”
    “No. I’ll never forget the day we met.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “I promise we’ll have fun, but I need to know what steps to take to ensure that you stay healthy.”
    “OK. I’ll be honest with you about my health as long as you don’t baby me.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Channing gave her a big bear hug.
    She pulled back and pouted. “That felt like a babying hug.”
    “No. I was totally trying to feel you up.” He kissed her on the nose. “Thank you for trusting me.”
     
    * * *
     
    Cassidy’s heart was thudding in her chest when she kissed Channing good-bye and locked her door. It took all the courage she could muster, but she did it. She’d told him about the cancer. The admission had