Stryker looked at Cassidy as she began to stain the porch. He couldn’t help but think that, if he was normal, wasn’t a cripple, he could go over there and help her.
He ran his fingers through his hair and cursed under his breath. “What the fuck is wrong with me? I don’t even know the fucking woman. Fuck.” He opened the porch screen door then slammed it closed behind him. It had turned out to be a shittier fucki
ng day than usual.
* * * *
Cassidy was still fuming from the confrontation with Stryker. That had to be him. She’d met all the other members of Cash’s team and knew that Stryker was injured. Red had told her all about Stryker’s combat wounds and how he wouldn’t accept help or direction from numerous therapists. That aggravated her. He had such a deep, dark expression in his eyes. She knew that look. He was on the borderline of snapping, ready to hurt and cause pain. At least he wasn’t armed with anything but a tongue of fire.
She started staining the spindles on the back porch, glad that the front was complete already. Kneeling on the floor, she waded her way around the porch until she saw Cash approaching. She couldn’t help but get the feeling of butterflies in her belly. He was very attractive. Now that she’d met his brother, she could see the resemblance. Cash had less of a crew-cut style and was slimmer than Stryker. Stryker had scruff along his chin and cheeks, kept his head so short it was nearly bald, and his eyes were dark and menacing. Cash’s were light brown.
“Hey, Cassidy.”
She didn’t look up, still feeling a bit annoyed at Stryker’s comment.
“Hi, Cash.”
She continued to rub the stain and cloth along the spindles, making her way closer to the gate where Cash stood.
“Listen, I’m sorry about Stryker. He’s not exactly easy to get along with.”
“You don’t need to apologize for him. He’s a grown man and responsible for his words and actions.”
Cash chuckled.
“Damn you’re tough. That what they teach you providing therapy to injured soldiers?” he replied on the defensive.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. She used her forearm to wipe her brow and then exhaled.
“Your brother isn’t the only soldier on earth to sustain combat injuries. He has two choices, be a jerk and get stiffer and stiffer, letting his injuries dominate his life, or get tough, dig deep, and make himself a future with less and less pain. His choice. I just went over to help because I saw him fall. He didn’t need to make disgusting accusations.”
Cash moved closer and held her gaze.
“Maybe he just wanted to be sure you weren’t involved intimately with our dad.”
She raised her eyebrows up at him, wondering what he was getting at.
“Are you? Interested in our dad in that way?”
“No, Cash, I’m not. We’re friends, and that’s it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot to do and want to finish this up before suppertime.”
“I could help you.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?”
She exhaled then stood up and placed her hands on her hips.
“What do you want from me, Cash? Do you think you’re going to get some just because I’m a woman and renting a place on your ranch?”
This time he widened his eyes and smirked.
“So you feel it too? That attraction between us?”
She hadn’t expected him to laugh.
“Listen, I like you. I’d like to get to know you.”