Seduced By Sapphires

By Dianne Fetterly

Living in a small community in rural Virginia, auburn-haired veterinarian, Cassandra Davidson thought she knew everyone in town. But who was the tall, dark firefighter she spotted at a tragic fire and why did his haunting, blue eyes invade her dreams.
Despite her obvious attraction to the stranger, Cassandra wasn’t interested in love right now. She was still reeling from a lost love and would rather be alone than risk having her heart broken again. But no matter how hard she tried, Cassandra couldn’t keep those eyes out of her thoughts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books for Pleasure
• Release date: Sep 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781553491170

Book preview

Seduced by Sapphires

by Dianne Fetterly

Copyright Dianne Fetterly 2000

All rights reserved

ISBN # 978-1-55349-117-0

Published by Books for Pleasure at Smashwords

Chapter 1

Rrrr-ing...

Was that a faint ringing off in the distance or was she dreaming? Rrrr-ing... There it was again, only closer.

Cassandra rubbed the fog from her eyes, rolled over and kicked the mass of tangled covers from her damp body. Despite the fresh spring air blowing through the open bedroom window, beads of perspiration trailed down the back of her neck. She pushed a stray lock of auburn hair from her oval face and fumbled for the phone. It was still dark. Who could be calling at this hour?

Hello, Cassie, it's me.

Cassandra hesitated.

Cassie, are you there? It's me Annette.

Yeah, I'm here. I'm just not awake yet. She squinted to try to read the numbers on the clock. I was having another disturbing dream.

Sorry to call at this hour, but the Brown's barn is on fire. James just got the call a few minutes ago and headed out there already. He said there may be some trapped animals and they will probably need your help.

Cassandra made another attempt to brush the disheveled mass of waves from her face. OK, Annette, I'm on my way.

The hardwood floor felt cool on Cassandra's bare feet as she perched on the edge of the old iron bed searching for something to put on. Where had she left those socks? She switched on the lamp and grabbed a pair of Levis, a T-shirt and a gray, hooded sweatshirt from an antique pine armoire across the room.

Unimpressed by the commotion, Cassandra's white, Persian cat, Fluffkins, stretched and hopped down from his cozy spot on the ivory satin comforter. Cassandra pulled on some boots and made a quick scan of the room for something to tie up her long hair. A blue ball cap, tossed carelessly on a Louis XV chair, served the purpose and, in a matter of minutes, she was rushing down the stairs and out the back door.

The wooden screen door made a loud bang on Cassandra's way out and she made a mental note to get that fixed. There were a few other things around the big, old house that needed her attention, but Cassandra had put them off, convincing herself she was just too busy since taking over her dad's veterinary practice. She used to love the charming, colonial-style home on Beech Street where she grew up, but lately paint, wallpaper and loose hinges weren't high on her list of priorities. In fact, Cassandra hadn't bothered with much of anything for the past year, deciding instead, to bury herself in her work.

The Brown farm was nearly a couple of miles away, but the pungent smell of smoke was already assaulting her nostrils as Cassandra hopped into her black sport utility vehicle parked in the brick driveway. By the time she wheeled the truck onto the main road heading out of town, she could already see red glow lighting up the dark, night sky. Cassandra could only imagine how heartbroken Robert and Linda Brown must be. The young couple took over his parents' farm eight years ago and worked very hard to make it profitable. They fixed up the buildings; purchased another fifty acres of land; and bought a few more cattle... now this happens.

Cassandra's heart was pounding as she pulled up in front of the Brown farm. About a dozen pickup trucks were parked along the side of the road and three fire trucks had pulled into the yard. Dark figures, silhouetted by the bright red and yellow flames, scurried in all directions and firefighters were pumping gallons of water onto the blaze. But despite their valiant efforts, the fire was already full-blown, aided by a light wind and fueled by hay and straw stored in the upstairs mow. One end of the timber frame barn was already engulfed in flames and efforts were turned toward saving the surrounding buildings. When the Browns discovered the fire, about an hour earlier, they had unlatched the stalls and thrown open the large doors at both ends of the barn in hopes that the animals would escape the blaze. In case the fire was to spread, the Browns also opened the gates to a new adjoining freestall barn where young stock was housed. Some of the cattle and a couple of horses fled the fire and neighbors were scrambling to secure the frightened animals in a field away from danger. Cassandra knew that any animals too frightened to flee the burning building, would probably perish in the flames. The thought of any animals trapped inside that inferno made her shiver, despite the intense heat.

Cassandra pulled the sweatshirt closer to her body and searched the harried faces for James. She and James had been close since childhood and Cassandra was responsible for introducing him to his new bride, Annette. The women first met when Cassandra was attending college in Boston. At the time, Cassandra was renting an apartment above the trendy cafe where Annette worked. Although, the two women had come from quite different backgrounds, they became good friends. And when Cassandra brought her new pal home to rural Virginia for the summer, the cute, bubbly blonde fell hopeless in love with Cassandra's tall, sandy-haired, older brother. Unable to stand being separated from her handsome firefighter for too long, Annette soon migrated to the country and settled happily into small-town life. The couple was married two years ago and recently, purchased a rundown, old house on Old Hickory Lane and was renovating it into a charming bed and breakfast. And just last month, James was named deputy chief of the town's small fire department.

Cassandra spotted James a short distance away, talking to two of his fellow firefighters. Not wanting to interrupt, she held back and scanned the crowd for familiar faces. A lump rose in her throat as she noticed the Brown family huddled together under an old apple tree. Four-year-old Matthew was clinging to his mother's hand and Robert was holding their six-year-old daughter, Sarah, in his arms. Pale, pink apple blossoms floated serenely around the young family -- a sharp contrast to the anguished look on their faces as they watched their dreams go up in smoke. Cassandra turned her attention back toward her brother and once the men left, she approached.

Oh, Cassie, I'm glad you're here. James attempted a weak smile and wiped some dirt from his forehead. We can sure use your help.

Looks like a real mess around here. She surveyed the area. What happened?

Robert and Linda discovered the fire about an hour ago and called us. They managed to get some of the animals out, but there are still more trapped inside. We're trying to rescue as many as possible, but we also want to ensure the fire doesn't spread to any of the other buildings.

Their conversation was interrupted momentarily as James motioned to a half-dozen onlookers to move back from the inferno. He placed a hand on his sister's shoulder and a sad look entered his warm, brown eyes. We certainly don't want this family homeless as well.

Cassandra fought back the tears that threatened to spill onto her delicate face and flashed him a half-hearted smile. And where do you want me to start?

Most of the cattle have been moved to the paddock over there, James pointed to a field behind the house. Some of them may have been injured so maybe you can gather up a couple of these guys to help you check them out. Cassandra grabbed the medical bag from the back of her truck; enlisted the help of a couple of men standing nearby; and headed toward the field. One of the men, who introduced himself as Jake, told Cassandra he was a local farmer and had been acquainted with her father. Doc Davidson was a good man... the best veterinarian around. He sure will be missed around here.

Thank you, Jake. It's always nice talking to people who knew my dad. Cassandra's faint smile was touched with sadness. She wished her dad were here now. He was always so good with the larger animals and the local farmers liked him. William Davidson was not only a respected veterinarian but a devoted father as well. After his beloved wife, Maggie, died of cancer 20 years ago, he raised their precious seven-year-old daughter and ten-year-old son by himself. Cassandra idolized her father and for as long as she could remember, wanted to follow in his footsteps. When she was a teenager, her father converted the garage into a clinic and Cassandra worked there after school and on weekends, answering the telephone and tending to the sick or injured cats and dogs. After college, Cassandra worked alongside her father for three happy years and was determined to carry on the practice following his death six months ago. She hired an assistant to help out around the clinic and vowed to concentrate all her efforts on running the business as well as her father had.

Cassandra wiped a stray tear from her cheek and turned her attention back to the task at hand. The sky was black and void of stars, but the raging blaze created enough light for her to give the cattle a quick inspection. Some of the animals suffered cuts and bruises or burns. The more serious injuries would have to be treated immediately, while the others could wait until daylight.

Cassandra and her make-shift medical team were working diligently when a disturbance over at the barn caught her eye. She glanced up as two men tried to coax, Belle, one of the Browns' mares from the burning stable. Cassandra had been summoned to the Brown farm only two days earlier because the Palomino mare had been having trouble foaling. After hours of difficult labor, the fatigued mare gave birth to a wobbly-legged daughter. The elated Brown children named the new foal Cassie because its hair was almost the same golden-reddish-brown as Cassandra's.

The men continued their efforts -- one pulled on the horse's halter while the other pushed from behind. Their perseverance eventually paid off as the terrified animal bolted through the door. She ran blindly in circles and only calmed down when Robert caught hold of her halter and steered her further away from the fire. Realizing she had been holding her breath, Cassandra slowly exhaled and rushed toward the terrified animal. Everything's going to be fine. She patted the mare's neck. That's a good girl, she whispered in the animal's ear. After a quick check-up, Cassandra reported that Belle appeared to have come through the ordeal relatively unscathed, only suffering some minor scrapes and burns. She helped Robert apply some ointment and a bandage to one of the mare's hind legs and prepared to tend to a couple of Holstein calves just rescued from the burning barn.

Daddy, Daddy. Sarah was running toward the pair, tears streaming down her cheeks.

What is it honey, what's wrong? asked her father, an alarmed tone in his voice as he handed the horse's halter strap to Cassandra.

It's... it's the foal, Daddy. The little girl hiccupped. She's still in the barn.

Robert knelt beside his daughter, an anguished look on his tired face. He hugged the child and searched for something to say, anything that would erase the pain from her tear-stained little face.

It's OK, honey. Everything's going to be just fine. He stroked Sarah's dark curls. Belle will have another foal next year.

No Daddy, I don't want another foal. I want Cassie, she screamed, hysterically. Before Robert could react, Sarah broke free from his hold and darted straight toward the burning building.

Sarah, no. Robert clambered to his feet and rushed off after her.

Startled by the scream, Belle reared on her hind feet, sending Cassandra sprawling on the cold, hard ground. Tending to an injured cow nearby, Jake grabbed the frightened horse as it bolted from Cassandra's grasp. Slightly shaken, Cassandra called her thanks to Jake, but didn't offer to get up. She was only able to watch as Robert tried frantically to catch his daughter before she disappeared into the suffocating smoke. But as he attempted to pursue the child into the inferno, Robert was driven back by a sudden burst of flames.

Once more Cassandra blinked back tears as she peered across the yard where a couple of neighbor women were trying to comfort Sarah's weeping mother. Wishing there was something she could do to ease the grieving woman's pain, Cassandra rose slowly and limped in Linda's direction. But she had only hobbled a few feet when, out of the corner of her eye, Cassandra observed a dark figure hurry across the yard and exchange a few words with James. She knew many of the town's firefighters by name, but from where she was positioned, Cassandra couldn't make out the man's identity. Her jaw dropped as James and the unidentified firefighter grabbed their air tanks and vanished into the burning abyss.

Cassandra drew closer. Minutes dragged by like hours but there was no sign of any movement from the dark hole. Panic began to grip her as a tight knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't bear it if something were to happen to James. She had already lost so much in her life -- her beautiful, loving mother; her caring, devoted father; and... Sean. Oh, how she missed Sean.

Cassandra shook her head. She had to put those thoughts out of her mind and pull herself together. Please God, let them be OK, she whispered softly as pain stabbed at her heart. She glanced around, but a quick survey of the other firefighters' faces did nothing to calm her growing fears. She took a few more faltering steps, but the unbearable heat held her back.

After what seemed like an eternity, a figure appeared in the black opening. Cassandra squinted to see through the thick smoke. Her full, pink lips formed a quivering smile and a sigh of relief moved through the motionless crowd as James emerged from the darkness with the little girl cradled in his arms. As Sarah's weeping parents rushed forward, she began to cough and gasp for air.

Thank God, she's breathing, said a teary-eyed Linda.

You should get her to a doctor right away, said James, placing the child in her father's arms.

We will, thanks James, Linda said gripping his hand.

A relieved Cassandra slowly made her way through the crowd toward her brother. Noticing the troubled expression on his face, she placed a delicate hand on his forearm.

I thought he was right behind me, Sis. James grabbed a new air tank and was strapping it on his back. He should be out by now.

Cassandra's face no longer portrayed the