Chapter 5: Getting There

Even though Eryn was unimpressed with the events of the evening, Cassie knew her bestie would be over it by morning. Eryn Miller's greatest fear was losing another loved one, so Cassie accepted and understood her protective ways.

It seemed like only yesterday, but it was more like ten years ago, when Eryn's parents were killed in a car accident. Eryn was in her second year of university at the time, but she dropped out to devote herself to the Standardbred farm that she and her older brother Ben inherited.

A half-hour away from the city, the massive farm, which was more like a small country, provided Eryn and Ben with a comfortable income. The Standardbred horses used for racing were in Alberta during racing season, and the breeders and babies enjoyed life on the farm. Like Eryn, Ben was a racehorse trainer, but he spent most of his time with their horses, travelling the racing circuit through Alberta.

Eryn gave Cassie a decent amount of shit for becoming a private investigator, but Cassie knew her friend would support her. Cassie loved her new career and fed off the adrenaline rush she got when working a case - it was a good substitute for horseracing which she gave up, two years ago, when the local track shut down. Travelling from track to track was brutal and not what she wanted at the time.

More than anything, Cassie wanted a stable family life. She and Sara were raised by their single mom, Margo Woods. Their father, John, split shortly after Sara was born, and he never contacted his family again. Cassie was two at the time, so she had only a vague memory of him. His absence pained them all, and Cassie longed for her father.

It still hurt like hell when she thought about how he abandoned them, and there were many times when she considered trying to find him. She was in the perfect line of work to do so, and it probably wouldn't take much, but the fear of rejection held her back. Afraid of the outcome, she couldn't bring herself to search him out. Plus, bringing up painful memories of abandonment would hurt her mom and sister, and she would never put them through that. Besides, if he really wanted to be with his family, he would be. They shouldn't have to chase after him.

It was Eryn's family dynamic that fed Cassie's desire for normalcy. The Millers were a close family and they welcomed Cassie into it, from day one, treating her like one of their own. The Millers taught her everything she knew about racing, and she eventually became a trainer.

For her high school graduation, Eryn's parents gifted her with a feisty two-year-old stud, Gun with the Wynd, but Cassie called him Gunner. She purchased more horses with his race winnings and worked hard to grow her stable and make something of her life.

Sara, on the other hand, made a point of being the opposite of Cassie in every conceivable way: Sara partied all the time, still lived at home, had little ambition, and had been with more men than Cassie cared to count, and the implications were of considerable concern to Cassie and their mom. They hoped that Sara would settle down one day and truly fall in love, but neither were holding their breath waiting for it to happen.

Cassie met her true love, Greg Montgomery, at a BBQ about a year before the track closed. Greg had just moved to the city and worked full-time as an emergency room nurse. She fell, fast and hard, the minute they met, and six months later, they married in Vegas. Marrying Greg was the best decision she ever made, but sometimes their jobs meant that finding time together could be tricky. They did their best, they were happy, in love.

Cassie pulled up in front of Tyler Investigations and parked. "Thanks for sticking it out with me tonight." She yawned, stretching her arms over her head.

"Yeah. Let's not do this again," Eryn said, her tone serious.

"I promise." Cassie raised her hand to swear but then pulled it to stifle another yawn.

"If he isn't expecting you until tomorrow night, then come out to the farm," Eryn said.

"Thanks anyway, but I need to get home to my own bed. Plus, I feel bad for ditching him."

"But he gets it, right? His shift work is every bit as inconvenient."

"Of course, he gets it. He's super supportive of everything I do. God, just talking about him revs me up. I need to get laid," Cassie cooed, excited to shag her husband.

"Must be nice. I can't remember the last time I got off, with a man, that is, and not my vibrator." Eryn laughed. "A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Do you know what's really great about my vibrator? I can toss it in the drawer when I'm done and don't have to deal with any crap." Eryn turned and flashed Cassie a confident smile that wavered just enough. "Yes, I am my own woman."

"You're a lonely woman, and we're going to rectify that real soon," Cassie stated matter-of-factly. "We have to get you a man. Your relationship with your vibrator is starting to freak me out." They both giggled.

Cassie admired her friend, but she worried Eryn would end up alone, which is why she lied to lure Eryn away from the farm. Eryn devoted every second of her life to the farm and the horses, and she did most of the work herself. It wasn't right for her to be alone. She was fantastic, but her fierce independence, like a cloak, cleverly disguised her fear of relationships, a fear brought on by a cheating bastard.

"When you decide you're ready for another relationship, you will have it," Cassie stated with a gentle smile. "That is, if you can love a man more than a horse, but if you want kids, your clock is ticking."

Eryn laughed and shook her head. "I think I'm good for now. I honestly don't think I'm the domestic type, unless the Greek god wants to have a go. Otherwise, life is good. I love my life. My horses are my world. There's nothing like a nice ride after a long day."

"Tell me about it." Cassie snickered with a hint of perversion.

"You're sick."

"Great minds think alike. Now get out. I need to shag my husband. Love you, Chickie," Cassie said as they hugged.

Anxious to get home, she sped through the city, pressing the speed limit the whole way. After midnight, the streets of Regina, Saskatchewan buzzed with Friday night partiers, threatening to slow her down.

The slight chill in the air signaled the rapidly approaching winter. She shivered at the thought. Winters in Saskatchewan were guaranteed to be lengthy and blistery cold.

A decent shag would warm her up, and tonight, she planned on shagging Greg to the point of insanity. She couldn't wait to be lost in his embrace.