A Chance At Love

Chapter 3

Cole could not believe it, here he was arguing at Granny and now the object of their argument was behind him. Taking a deep calming breath, he turned around, smiling slightly at Janice, "Hi there Janice, back again? Where's the old man, he is usually not far away from you." Avoiding looking at the woman beside Janice...

Giggling, Janice spoke, "That's true...James is at our table." Bringing Cassie closer, "This is my sister Cassie."

Cassie could feel the cold look of contempt coming from Cole, her sister was clueless as to his feelings towards meeting her, keeping a calm blank look, she attempted a smile, "Pleased to meet you." She said through gritted teeth, avoiding a handshake.

Cole was correct, as he looked at the woman he was introduced too. She might be pretty to look at, but her eyes only held coldness in them. There was nothing warm about this woman. He sure wasn't going to go out of his way to make her feel at home. The less he saw of her, the better, even though James and Janice had become good friends to him, Janice's sister didn't give out that good vibe. Nodding his head at the introduction, he stood up, tossing a few notes onto the counter, tipping his hat, "Ladies...I've got work to do." Walking away from them all, grateful to get away from the tension surrounding him.

"Well...that's weird. Cole isn't usually that grumpy." Janice exclaimed, "He must be having a rough day."

Cassie didn't bother to comment and neither did Granny, both knew the reason for Cole's abrupt departure and neither of them was going to inform Janice of that fact.

As Cassie lay in her bed that evening, she thought about that evening's interaction with Cole, he was a larger than life man, but it was the words she had overheard that overtook her mind, he wasn't exactly welcoming to meet her, not giving her a chance. But...as she came to the conclusion, that Cole could take a flying leap, she wasn't going to cater to his moods. She was here to relax and he wasn't going to bring her down, she was going to avoid him as much as possible and if not...try to be at least polite.

As the days passed, Cassie was grateful in not having many interactions with Cole and thankfully Janice had backed off, seeming to understand that both parties were not interested or perhaps Granny had informed her, either way Cassie was just happy to be left alone.

Soon Janice and her husband would be leaving to go home, but Cassie would stay behind for a few weeks more. And even though she loved having her sister around, she was looking forward to being alone.

"Are you sure you are going to be alright?" Janice asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes...It's not like I haven't been on my own before." Cassie responded frustratingly. It was the morning that her sister would leave and it seemed like forever for them to go on their way or so Cassie thought...

"Come on..." James spoke, gently coaxing his wife towards the car, "Your sister is going to be okay and she does have her mobile and people to watch over her."

"Yes, I know...but." Janice whined.

Taking her sister firmly by the shoulder, "Janice please don't worry. I promise to stay in touch. But, I need this..." Cassie implored, looking at her sister determinedly.

Janice finally gave up, it was two against one, and she couldn't win, "Pinky promise..."

Cassie smiled, "Pinky promise." Hooking her finger with her sister, making the old time promise since they were little girls.

Cassie stood on the porch, watching the car drive off, a cloud of dust left in their wake, sighing in relief, they were finally gone. It had taken a few more hugs and promises, before Janice had finally gotten into the car. Cassie loved her sister, but she could be such a mother hen at times.

Since it was early, Cassie decided to take a walk towards town, it had become her routine over the course of the week. Luckily the cabin wasn't far from town and it was a good exercise for her and a time for reflecting. She had also met a few people along her journey and as her sister had said, they were all welcoming and protective of the people in their community.

It had also become a daily routine for Cassie to meet up with Granny for a cup of tea, they would sit at one of the windowed tables and Cassie would listen to the history of the town and the people living there. The only downside to her state of mind, was Cole and Mindy...

Mindy was around Cassie's age, a local farmer's daughter and downright snobbish. On the day Cassie had met her, Mindy went in for the kill, warning Cassie away from Cole. As if Cassie was even bothered, but Mindy, would not step down, if it wasn't for Granny stepping in, Cassie would probably have slugged her to shut her up.

So...not only had she have to try and avoid Cole and their awkward interactions. But she also had to avoid Mindy's claws, which was in the circumstances rather unreasonable, since Cassie and Cole could barely stay within the same room for a couple of minutes.

There was just something that triggered their feelings towards each other and it usually wasn't polite, each bringing the worst out of each other.

Granny only sat back and observed the interactions around her, a secret smile gracing her lips, she hadn't had so much fun observing a love match happening and the parties involved hadn't even realized they were on a betting pool on who was going to cave first...