Tears escaped as she drove home because she was so angry. She was furious at herself, then at Cash.
By the time she pulled up in front of her home, she had gotten herself back under control.
Surely in a few weeks it would quit hurting so badly. It had to become easier, didn’t it? She had only had sex with him the one time. How long was it going to take to forget the feel of his body against hers, to stop wanting him? It was something he had no problem forgetting or moving on from. Rachel was sure he had been with more than Cheryl with a whole clubhouse to choose from.
Cash was totally wrong for her, but the moment he had touched her, it had seemed so right.
*
Rachel discovered a therapy for getting Cash off her mind—work. She started her days even earlier, going out into the woods in order to search for new herbs and locations for Ginseng roots. She booked patients every day, further draining herself to the point her eyes became bruised-looking, and she had to wear concealer to hide her tiredness from everyone.
After she worked in the church store for the afternoons, she would come home and change. Once there, she’d head to her greenhouse where she managed to find peace until she went to bed, only to stare at her ceiling, and toss and turn throughout the night until she got up early and started the whole thing again.
On Thursday, she went grocery shopping for Mrs. Langley’s birthday party, going up each row to avoid forgetting anything and having to return. She had dropped Holly off at Mrs. Langley’s house to begin decorating so all they would have to do the next day was prepare the food.
Rachel went down the frozen food aisle and was reaching in for pastries when Bliss and Jewell came around the corner, pushing a buggy. Train and Cash were following along behind them as they shopped. She couldn’t catch a freaking break.
As they passed, she was determined to act normally this time.
“Hi, everyone.” Rachel smiled at each of them, including Cash.
“Hi, Rachel,” Bliss greeted. “Shopping for the party tomorrow night?”
“Yes. I promised Logan I would make his favorite fruit tarts. I told Lily and Evie everyone is invited.”
“We wouldn’t miss it. We’re always up for a party. It gives us a night off from cooking,” Jewell joked.
“Good, I’m glad you’re coming. See you tomorrow.” Rachel waved casually as she pushed her buggy away. She saw Cash look at her, and she didn’t try to avoid his gaze.
“Bye, Cash, Train.”
She let out a small whoosh of breath as she checked out; relieved she had come through with flying colors. She heard them playing around as she paid but didn’t look again.
She was rushing through putting her groceries in the trunk when she heard, “Need any help?”
Rachel jumped; she hadn’t even heard him come up behind her.
“Nope, I’m finished. Thanks anyway.” Rachel turned to him, giving him a smile before closing her trunk. Train and the girls were all loading their groceries into the back of his truck.
“You seem to be in a better mood since I saw you last,” Cash said casually.
“Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood? It’s a gorgeous day.” Rachel sidestepped him, going to her car door and unlocking it.
Before she could open the door, Cash reached out and opened it for her. As he reached forward, his arm brushed against her breasts. She sucked in her breath sharply, bringing his eyes back to hers.
“Yes, it is. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”
Rachel had lost her train of thought but quickly regained her equilibrium. “Bye.”
She got into her car, starting the motor. She then gave them a brief wave as she pulled out.
“Shit.”
She had never expected Cash to come to Mrs. Langley’s party, knowing her three brothers would be there. Surely the four of them could behave long enough for the celebration, though, right?
Butterflies swarmed her already-tense stomach at having them together. She would just have to make sure to keep her brothers under control and Cash separated from them. Her nerves settled down once she had a plan of action.
It would be fine. She had everything under control. She had just proven to Cash and herself she could put that night behind them. What could go wrong?
Chapter 8
“Want to grab us some lunch?” As Lily lay down the paperwork she was working on, Rachel bounced up from the stool.
“I thought you would never ask. I’m starving. What do you want me to bring you back?”
“A hamburger and fries.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open. Health conscious since she had become pregnant, Lily was obviously needing a junk food fix.
“Sure thing.” Rachel grabbed her purse.
“Stay and have lunch at the diner. It’s slow now; take your time and enjoy.”
“I might take you up on that.” Rachel left the church store, crossing the street to the diner.
Opening the door, she found the restaurant busy. Searching for an empty table, she noticed Willa dropping off some pies to sell. Rachel perked up, going to stand beside her at the counter.
“Hi, Willa.”