Page 8 of Finding English

Chapter 4

Henry grinned to himself as he stepped out of the shower after a day helping his dad on the Ranch. His body was killing him in places he’d forgotten he had. He was far from unfit, having run the London Marathon last year but working the Ranch was a different thing again. It used different muscles, and it was tough back-breaking work, but it gave him a sense of accomplishment, which seemed to have released energy into his blood.

Good thing too, he thought as he slid his long, muscular legs into dark jeans and throwing a dark green polo over his head after spraying on some deodorant and aftershave. He ran his hands through his wet hair before slipping on dark tan work-style boots.

Walking down the stairs, he went up behind his mum, towering over her as she kneaded the dough for a fruit loaf she knew he and his father loved for breakfast, and leaned over her shoulder. Her floury hand moved to cup his cheek as a soft look of motherly love moved over her still attractive features.

“Fruit loaf, my favorite.”

“I know.”

“Any chance you can make a spare?”

Her razor-sharp green eyes flew to his as her hands stopped kneading. “Why?”

Henry didn’t want to say, knowing she would jump all over this in her quest for grandchildren. “A friend at the lab has a little girl. Said she loves bread but hates fruit. I thought she might like to try her with some of this.”

“A female friend?”

Henry rolled his eyes so hard he almost saw brain tissue. “Yes, mum, a female friend, hence the she part of that sentence.”

“Don’t sass me, young man,” she admonished and he sighed.

“Sorry, but I don’t want you to get your needles out and start knitting baby blankets when I haven’t even persuaded her to go on a date with me yet.”

“Why, what did you do?”

Henry laughed as he rested his hands on his mother’s shoulders. “Nothing, but I think Cassie’s been badly burned in the past. I scare her.”

“This is wonderful, it means she likes you. I’ll have the loaf ready and still warm for when you leave in the morning. Will she be at the party tonight?”

Henry certainly hoped so. He and Cassie had developed a friendly, easy banter in the lab this past week. He could feel the undertone of sexual tension between them, but he knew in his heart this was too important to rush. So, he’d been patiently taking his time getting to know her, and by extension her daughter, who sounded adorable, and he was looking forward to meeting her.

“I think so. It depends on Michaela, her daughter.”

His mother turned to look at him thoroughly, a watchful tenderness in her eyes. “She’s important to you?”

“She could be,” he answered honestly.

“Then it will all work out.”

Henry loved his mother’s optimism and hoped she was right. Kissing her cheek, he said goodnight and told her not to wait up.

Hopping into the cab of the pick-up, he drove toward Milena and TJ’s house. He’d been pleased when TJ called and said Milena had planned to have a little BBQ at the house Saturday night and would love him to come. Dax, Mackenzie, Calder, Hope, Conor and Erin, Hayden and Boone, as well as some of the kids would be there too. TJ had pointedly told him that Cassie would be coming with Michaela, and Milena really wanted him to come as well.

Henry had heard the chuckle in his friend’s voice as he said it, knowing very well what the woman he loved was up to. Henry assured him he’d be there and had stopped to pick up dessert on the way. A large chocolate cake, a lemon meringue pie with blueberry meringue, and a banana pudding lasagna. Cassie had mentioned it was her favorite, so he’d made the effort to get the local bakery to make one for the party. He wasn’t above using every advantage he could to get her to like him.

Pulling up at Milena and TJ’s, Henry noticed her car on the road and couldn’t help the grin as he piled the desserts up and carried them to the door. He pushed the doorbell with his chin and looked up as the door opened at the same time. Caught looking like an idiot, he straightened his stance, and smiled when he saw Cassie, seeing a gentle curve on her full lips.

“Need some help with those?”

She didn’t wait for his answer but took the top tray with the chocolate cake in it and turned. It was then he caught sight of the cutest child he’d ever seen watching him from the hallway.

“Hey.”

Henry stepped inside, pushing the door closed with his boot, trying to decide if he wanted to watch the gentle sway of Cassie’s hips or greet her child. He had no doubt he was facing Michaela; she was the spitting image of her mother.

Cassie stopped in the door to the kitchen and glanced back at him and Michaela. “Micky, say hi to Henry.”