Page 36 of One Night Gamble
She took a sip of her juice. “That’s one reason why I’m so excited about the kids’ programs here at the casino. I realize that most people won’t bring their families with them to Vegas, but some won’t be able to help it. The children deserve something better to remember than just sitting in the lobby.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, realizing that Talia’s childhood was still very much with her. And that she was trying to ensure that no child had the experiences that they both had.
…
Over the next few weeks Talia learned that Casey was so much more than just a poker player. She started spending more time at his place and he’d invited her to work with his interior designer to make the penthouse more homey. He admitted he only need a bed, a well-stocked bar and a poker table to be happy. While a part of her thought they were moving too fast, it also sort of felt right.
They were figuring out their life together and each day, her feelings for him grew a little stronger. Like this morning when he’d come with her to Silver Sneakers to see Gran and her friends.
“It’s not going to be…an intense workout,” she warned him.
“That’s okay. You go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I want to see what it’s all about. This is part of your life,” he said.
She got out of the car in front of the community center at the Glen View Senior Living Community just as Gran wheeled to a stop in her golf cart accompanied by three of her friends—Mona, Lee, and Tonya. The license plate on the front of Gran’s golf cart had been a gag gift that read ‘If you don’t like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk.’
“Hi Gran,” Talia said as she got out of the car. “This is Casey.”
“Hello, Casey,” Gran said. “What do you do for a living?”
“I co-own the Jokers Wild Casino,” he said.
“Do you gamble?”
“I am a poker player by trade, but think of myself as a businessman now,” he said.
“Well, you’re good-looking enough to make a killing, no matter what you do,” she said, looking him up and down coldly. “These are my friends.” Gran introduced Casey to them and as the group moved into the community center, Talia caught her grandmother’s arm.
“Gran, don’t do that. Casey is a nice a guy.”
“Sorry, lovey, but you’re not the only one who protects the ones she loves,” Gran said. “Good thing he’s here today. It’s kickboxing so he’ll know I’ve got your back.”
Talia hugged her grandmother. “You’re not kicking anyone. Doctor Franklin would kill us both and your bones can’t handle it.”
“If it comes down to it, I’ll double up on my calcium drink for a few days,” Gran quipped.
She shook her head. “It’s going well. In fact, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight and check it out for yourself.”
“I will,” Gran said. “Now enough lollygagging. I want to be in the front to make sure that he can see my skills.”
Talia just nodded as they entered the room. Aiden, the instructor, was in his late twenties and had been coming to Glen View for the last five years. He did a good job of teaching the class to the level of the participants. His grandparents lived in the community. He’d been worried about their mobility, which had motivated him to start teaching the classes.
Casey came over to stand next to her and she switched positions, so he was behind Gran. “She wants you to see her moves so you know she’s got my back.”
He nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m definitely not taking any chances with her.”
“Sorry she’s so—”
“Don’t. You have nothing to be sorry for. From the moment I met you, I saw you taking care of everyone. It’s good to know you’ve got someone in your corner,” Casey said.
Then he pulled her close and kissed her with that odd fierceness she’d noticed lately in his embraces. His lovemaking had even become more intense. “I hope that your grandmother will notice she’s not the only one looking out for you.”
Her heart warmed and she knew the truth was that she loved him. She’d been hiding it, keeping it carefully buried because she was so afraid to trust her own judgment. But today, when she saw him move up next to Gran, working out with the other seniors instead of poking fun at them, as one of her boyfriends had done when he’d learned about the classes, she knew there was no sense in denying it.
Casey Waltham was a good man. He might be a gambler but he had shown her that he wasn’t a man to throw everything and everyone aside just for the thrill of winning. At the end of the class, Casey invited all of the ladies to join them for lunch at a nearby chain restaurant that Lee had a coupon for.
Lee took couponing very seriously—she wouldn’t buy anything for full price. Casey thanked her for saving them some money, even though she knew he didn’t need to. She just saw the goodness in him—something she seldom encountered in gamblers.
Her father would have tried to get Lee to give him the money the coupon was worth or sold it to another diner for half the value so he could get cash to use at the casinos. And granted, Casey didn’t need the money, but he was just so much the man she’d always secretly hoped to find.
