“I’ll stay here. I want to talk to Cassie.”
“Okay.” Before she left, Nora tugged Noah’s hand.
He smiled and knelt on the floor. “Yes?”
“Remember to catch a fish while you’re here,” she whispered.
Cassie’s cheeks burned red hot.
“I’ll remember,” he whispered back. “Enjoy your cookie.”
“I will.” And with a quick wave, Nora skipped out of the room.
Noah stood and cleared his throat. “Do you think a fish will help us?”
Tears stung Cassie’s eyes. “It can’t hurt. How have you been?”
“Terrible. How about you?”
“About the same.” Taking a step closer, she searched his face, looking for anything that would tell her what he was thinking. “Are we still friends?”
Noah gently pushed a strand of hair off her face. “I hope so. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the whole truth about Emanuel when I had the chance.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t listen when you explained everything.”
“Do you think there’s a chance we can be more than friends?”
Cassie wiped the tears off her face. “It’s a definite possibility, but you’ll have to catch an amazing fish.”
“Better than Granddad’s?”
“How did you know—?”
“He sent me a photo. I’m confident my fish will impress you.”
The teasing note in Noah’s voice made her smile. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Anything is possible, Cassie Harper. You just have to believe it will happen.”
Cassie sighed. “I’m open to other suggestions.”
Noah held her hands. “My barbecue ribs are pretty good. How does dinner with Granddad and me at six-thirty sound?”
“Like a great compromise. I’ll bring dessert.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
Cassie leaned forward and gently kissed Noah’s lips. “So am I.”
Chapter 18
Noah added a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the sauce he was making. So far, so good. The ribs he’d bought from the local butcher had been marinating for nearly an hour. In a few minutes, he’d wrap them in foil and grill them for the next ninety minutes. By the time Cassie arrived, they’d be tender, juicy and, hopefully, finger-lickin’ good.
“You could go on one of those TV shows you like watching.” Patrick stood on the other side of the kitchen counter sniffing the peppery scent of the sauce.
Noah sent him a sheepish grin. His brother and granddad were the only two people in the world who knew he was a closetBBQ Pitmasterfan. “It takes a lot more than a good sauce to get through the elimination rounds.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t try. What time is Cassie arriving?”
