The Texan's Tennessee Romance / The Rancher & the Reluctant Princess

He shrugged, but he had to acknowledge she was probably right, as she so often was. Like her mother, Molly had a talent for cutting through the b.s. and getting straight to the heart of a discussion.

“You can’t really blame the family, though,” she continued. “It was unexpected of you to just drop everything and take off the way you did. They can’t help worrying that the setbacks you’ve had during the past few months have shaken your confidence in yourself. You know how strongly the Walkers believe in getting right back on the horse that threw you.”

How many times had he heard that adage growing up? He shook his head in bemusement. “So what do you think?”

“I don’t think you’ve lost your confidence,” she replied after a moment. “Losing that big case—well, that’s part of the job, and you know that. No matter how well you prepare, how passionately you believe in your client, how hard you work to get the win, sometimes you’re just going to lose. I think you were bummed about it, especially since it was such a high-profile case, but I don’t believe it destroyed your confidence or anything like that.

“As for the breakup with Tamara,” she continued matter-offactly, “I don’t think that was particularly devastating to you, either. Truth is, I’ve thought for a while that you were with her more out of habit and everyone else’s expectations than because you were really in love with her. When you told me she’d broken it off with you, you sounded more relieved than upset, though you’re too nice a guy to admit, even to yourself, that you were glad it was over after such a long time together.”

He shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Maybe Molly was a bit too perceptive. He’d only admitted to himself recently that the breakup with Tamara had been a relief, in a way. He’d tried so hard during the past year to keep her happy and keep their relationship together that he hadn’t spent enough time asking himself if that was what he really wanted. But it still stung that after all he’d done, she hadn’t even had the decency to leave him before she’d started seeing someone else behind his back.

Molly wasn’t quite finished. “I think everyone else is so busy focusing on those big things, naturally enough, that they missed the real incident that left you questioning yourself and the path you’ve been on.”

He studied her with narrowed eyes. “What do you mean?” he asked, though he was afraid he already knew.

Her face soft with sympathy, Molly laid a hand on his knee. “It wasn’t your fault, Casey. You didn’t put Ian Duvall in that car that night.”

His throat tightened, making him speak in a growl. “I might as well have.”

Her fingers tightened. “No. You did your job. You got him acquitted on those earlier charges.”

Casey swallowed. “I knew he was guilty.”

“You did your job,” she repeated firmly. “It wasn’t your place to decide guilt or innocence. It was the jury’s. And they decided to acquit him.”

“Because I did my job so damned well.”

“Exactly. The fact that he chose—he chose, Casey—to drive drunk less than a year later had nothing to do with you.”

Giving his knee one last pat, she sat back. “You needed this vacation. Needed a chance to think, away from the craziness back home. I don’t think that’s so strange. And heaven knows we needed your help right now. So don’t let everyone else make you question yourself, okay? Do what you have to do.”

Molly knew all about following her own path. To the consternation of almost the entire Walker clan, she’d left her family ranch, the teaching position she’d held there and everything she’d known back in Dallas to move to Gatlinburg with Kyle. Though she would always be close to her family, Casey didn’t think she’d had one day of regret about leaving behind the life she’d always expected to have among them in Texas.

Maybe that was part of what had drawn him to Molly when he’d made his great escape. She had made a huge change that had left everyone else bewildered and worried, and it had worked out for her. He wasn’t saying that he wanted to make a huge change, really—he wasn’t sure yet just what he wanted—but it was nice to see that it could be done, and successfully, by someone from the same family boat in which he’d been floating so safely for the past twenty-six years.

Do what you have to do. Sounded simple enough. Now all he had to do was figure out what that was.

Natalie was on the phone with Amber when she heard Casey’s truck in the drive the next morning. Her pulse rate jumped involuntarily, but she made an effort to concentrate on the call.

“So Cathy’s sporting some new clothes,” she said as a way of reminding herself what they’d been talking about.

“A whole new wardrobe,” Amber emphasized. “Not just a few new sweaters or anything. And from what I can tell, she’s scored some expensive designer stuff.”

“And she hasn’t said where all this money is coming from?”

“No. She just giggles whenever anyone asks and sort of coyly says she’s found a new source of income. She won’t say anything more about it. Which makes me wonder if her new source of income is selling client information to the tabloids.”

“What bothers me is that she’s so open about the spending,” Natalie fretted. “Is she really foolish enough to brag in the firm if she’s making the money by exploiting her job?”

“Have you met Cathy?” Amber asked drily. “She’s stupid enough to think no one would even notice.”

“Has anyone noticed? Anyone in the upper tiers of the firm, I mean, not the other clerical staff.”

“I don’t know. If they have, nothing’s been done. I mean, she’s still here.”

Natalie sighed in frustration. “And I suppose there have been no more information leaks since I left.”

“None,” Amber said, sounding almost apologetic. “The leaks stopped the day you left.”

“Which only makes me look more guilty.”

“I, um…”

“Never mind.” There really was nothing Amber could say to make this situation any better. “I know you need to get to work. Thanks for calling.”

“I just wanted to check on you. You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” She was already hearing noises from outside that indicated Casey had started working. “Really.”

“I hope you took my advice the last time we talked. Have you done something fun while you’re there?”

“I went hiking yesterday, actually. I had a very nice time.”

“Hey, that’s great. Got any big plans for today?”

Another thump sounded from outside. “There are a few things I could do,” she replied vaguely.

“Good. Take advantage of the time off. I’d love to be in a cabin in the Smokies right now instead of just about to start a day of boring filing.”

“Yes, well…”

“Have you heard from any other firms yet? I mean, you are sending out résumés, aren’t you?”

“I haven’t heard anything yet,” Natalie said evasively. She saw no need to mention that she hadn’t quite gotten up the nerve to send out any inquiries yet. How could she, before she’d found some way of clearing her name? Who would hire her now?

“Well, hang in there, okay? You’ll find something. You’re too good at what you do not to. Not everyone’s going to believe the accusations against you, especially after they meet you and realize you’re not like that.”

Natalie wasn’t so sure of that.

They disconnected only moments later. Natalie tried immediately to call Beecham, but was routed to his voice mail again, to her annoyance. Tossing the cell phone aside, she rubbed her temples where a dull ache threatened. A tapping sound made her look up, and her eyes met Casey’s through the sliding glass door that led out to the deck. Seeing his look of concern, she pasted on a smile and moved to open the door.

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