“What can I do? Tell me what to do.”
“Just get her to stay,” Shannon said. “She belongs here.”
Wade nodded. “I’ll try.”
Gaining his twin’s trust was going to take more than convincing Cassidy to stay at Red Dog Ranch. It would cost him being vulnerable. Since his actions were to blame for the deterioration of their relationship, he knew it was on him to take the first steps. To trust her. To let someone in.
To be honest about what he was going through—even if it was scary.
There was the risk that she would pull away even more once she knew what he was facing. Cancer was a daunting word in any situation. But it was a risk he would have to take if he wanted to repair the damage he had caused.
He would tell her tomorrow.
Wade cleared his throat. “It might be the worst time to ask this of you, but I need a favor.”
Her eyes met his and he saw tears swimming in them. It took all his self-control not to get up and hug her.
“I need to drive to Houston tomorrow afternoon for something. There’s something I’m going through that I could use some support with. I’ll explain in the car.” He touched his throat and just as quickly let his fingers fall into his lap. “Will you come with me? It would mean a lot if you did.”
She studied her nails. The floor. He thought she wasn’t going to answer him.
“I was supposed to go out with Cord,” she said. “But yes, if you need me, I’ll go with you. It’s a long drive to do alone.” More than six hours, round-trip.
Wade and Shannon rejoined everyone in the living room. Macy informed them that Cassidy had called Rhett’s phone after she remembered Shannon had misplaced hers and had asked if it was okay for Piper to be there a little longer. They had told Cassidy to stay out as long as she wanted. Shannon pulled a chair close to their mom and Wade joined Piper on the floor for his promised rounds of Candy Land. Cloudstorm had plunked himself in the center of Kodiak’s large dog bed and was out cold. Kodiak stared at the cat from a few feet away, clearly disgruntled.
Macy scratched behind Kodiak’s ears. “Poor girl. That mean old cat just won’t give you a break tonight.”
Piper crossed her arms, pouting. “Cloudstorm is not mean. He’s my friend.”
Rhett smiled. “She’s just kidding, sweetheart.” He extended his hand to Macy and when she took it, he pulled her snug against his chest and whispered something that caused Macy’s cheeks to flame. “My soon-to-be bride and I are going to head out for a walk.” He winked and called Kodiak to follow them outside.
Wade helped Piper pack the game away and then she asked if they could watch a show. He found a cartoon channel on the television and she curled up beside him on the couch. He wrapped his arm around her and she was snoring softly within minutes.
Just after seven o’clock, Cassidy knocked on the door. Wade made a move to slip away from Piper, but Shannon held out a hand, silently telling Wade to stay put so he wouldn’t wake her up. His sister went and opened the door.
Shannon pointed toward Wade and Piper on the couch for Cassidy’s benefit. “I still need to shower and get a few things done, so I’m going to head upstairs. We had a lot of fun tonight. We should do this again soon but with you here too.” She hugged Cassidy and then headed up to her room.
Cassidy clutched her purse to her stomach as she entered the living room. “I guess we can go ahead and wake her. Her bedtime is always between seven and seven thirty, so she’s right on schedule.”
Wade carefully scooped Piper into his arms. “No need,” he whispered. “Open doors and lead the way and I’ll carry her to your place.”
“It’s a long walk.”
Not more than three minutes.
Piper was all of forty pounds. “I’ll be fine.”
On the way to Cassidy’s, his boots crunched on the path that snaked from the family home to the row of staff houses. He wanted to ask Cassidy about her day. He wanted to bring up what Shannon had said and beg her not to move away. But he swallowed all his questions in favor of silence for Piper’s sake.
Cassidy eased open the door to the one-story home she and Piper shared. She led Wade through a family room full of mismatched furniture and into a hallway with three doorways. The first was a bathroom. Cassidy pushed open the second door to reveal Piper’s room, which was awash in purples and pinks. Her bedspread had dancing woodland animals all over it and a hoard of stuffed animals lined the wall. Wade moved to set Piper down but she stirred, her hands grabbing hold of his shirt collar.
“Don’t go, Daddy,” she muttered.
He wanted to tell her he would never leave her. He would always be around. Forever a part of her life. That even though they just met, she had quickly become one of the most important people in his life. A wave of sadness threatened to pull him under as he thought of all the missed days and moments. Everything running away, being a coward had cost him.
Wade forced words past the lump of emotion lodged in his throat. “I’m here, baby girl.”
Piper blinked a few times, trying to focus on him. “Will you stay and pray before bed?”
Cassidy laid a hand on Piper’s arm. “Since you’re up, how about we brush our teeth and get some pj’s on?” Cassidy eased Piper away from Wade and steered her toward the hall.
Piper stumbled sleepily across the floor. She grabbed the doorjamb before Cassidy could usher her away completely. “You’ll be here when I come back from the bathroom, won’t you? You’ll pray for bedtime?”
Cassidy set her hand on top of Piper’s head. “Sweetheart, your daddy isn’t a very religious person so we shouldn’t—”
Wade got to his feet. “Actually, most people consider me pretty religious these days. If that’s the term we’re going with.” He looked at Piper, wanting both her and Cassidy to know exactly where his heart was when it came to God and eternity. “I’m a Christian and I love Jesus so much, but your mom is right. That wasn’t always the case. I’d be honored to pray with you tonight if that’s okay with your mom.” He moved his gaze to include Cassidy.
“We’ll—we’ll be right back, then.” Cassidy’s voice shook.
In the few minutes they were gone, Wade spotted three old photographs of himself in different places in Piper’s room. He picked one up. It was an image of him and Cassidy in the stands at their high school’s homecoming game his senior year. His arm was slung around her shoulders. She was smiling at the camera but all of his attention was trained on her. He was grinning at Cassidy as if she was the greatest treasure in the world. And she had been.
She still was.
Cassidy cared deeply about others. She was hardworking and loyal and believed the best of everyone to the point where people who knew her were inspired to be and do better. Wade had fallen for her initially because she had seen potential in him and had cheered him on when all anyone else had seen was a disappointment. And more recently, he had hurt her and yet she had been the first to reach out. She had bandaged his hands when he hadn’t deserved her consideration. She had let him into Piper’s life when she had had every right to blockade him.
Despite all the travels and adventures Wade had experienced, Cassidy was still the best person he had ever met. He set the picture back in its spot on the dresser.
Piper charged back into the room in pajamas featuring cats reading books and drinking coffee. They’d forgotten Cloudstorm back at the big house, but he could run the cat home later. Piper hopped into her bed and thrust one of her hands into his face. He took it and then got down on his knees beside her bed.
“How do you usually do this?” he asked Piper. “Do we pray together or do you want me to pray?”
Still holding tightly to his hand, she flopped back against her pillows. “You pray but I help with the Amen part.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Wade smiled.
Cassidy ap
peared beside him and took Piper’s other hand. She sat on the edge of the bed, so close her knee brushed his shoulder. A feeling of belonging, of being home rushed through Wade, and it was so strong and unexpected he struggled to keep his breathing even.
“Dear Lord, thank You for today and for time together. Thank You for our family and our home here. You take such good care of us. We pray for good dreams and a great night of rest, so we can wake up healthy and ready to do what You need us to do tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, we ask all these things.” He paused to let Piper say Amen.
Piper squeezed his hand. “And thank You for bringing Daddy home. I like him even more than Cloudstorm and that’s a lot. Amen!”
“Sleep well, Piper.” Wade bent close and kissed her cheek. “I love you,” he whispered. Cassidy followed, kissing Piper’s other cheek.
“Love you guys too.” Piper closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow as Cassidy drew her blankets to her shoulders.
Wade got to his feet. It wasn’t that late, but it was darker in Piper’s room than he had realized. Cassidy must have hung blackout curtains in here. He placed a hand on the small of Cassidy’s back and guided her into the hallway. He eased Piper’s door shut behind them.
Cassidy headed straight to the front door and walked outside, so he followed her. When she turned to face him, there were tears rolling down her cheeks. Wade’s heart clenched. It tore him up to see her upset. He pulled her into a hug and her head went to the place it always had where her breath warmed his throat. He leaned his cheek against the top of her head and rubbed a slow circle on her back. She didn’t wrap her arms around him, but her fingers fisted into his shirt. They stood there for a minute, breathing together.
Just as quickly, she stiffened. Releasing his shirt, she put her palms against his chest and lightly shoved. He let her go right away. She tripped in her rush backward, so Wade grabbed hold of her shoulders, steadying her.
“Hey,” he whispered. “What’s wrong?”
Tears still fell as Cassidy lifted her chin. “I’m fine.”
His thumbs traced back and forth on her shoulders. She felt so small. “Talk to me, Cass. Why’d you look at places in town today?”
She shook her head.
“Please tell me why you’re crying.”
He wanted to wrap her in his arms again and protect her from whatever had upset her, but if he was the cause of her distress, proximity wouldn’t be welcomed. With that thought in mind, he slipped his hands away.
“Like I said.” Her voice trembled. “I’m fine.”
“My friend Preach has a theory that those two words make up the most often told lie in the world.”
She reached her hand back and fumbled for the doorknob. “Well, you’ll have to accept them because you don’t deserve my truth.” Then she turned and went inside, closing the door behind her.
Wade stared at the door, clenching and unclenching his hand. It felt wrong to leave things how they were between them. Seeing Cassidy cry and not being able to fix it felt like a knife to the chest.
She’s afraid to be around you.
Remembering Shannon’s words finally got Wade to turn and leave. The last thing he wanted was to scare Cassidy off, even though he couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong. Praying with Piper, tucking her in with Cassidy had been one of the best moments, the best feelings he had ever had.
Early tomorrow morning, he was supposed to meet Cassidy and Piper to get Piper’s cast removed. He prayed Cassidy would be willing to talk then.
Chapter Six
Cassidy buckled Piper into her car seat, then rounded the car to get in on the driver’s side. Jamming the keys in the ignition, she decided she wouldn’t wait for Wade if he was even a minute late.
Half of her hoped he would be late. The other half desperately didn’t.
Cassidy pressed her forehead against the steering wheel.
Wade had changed. He said he was a Christian now and he was hardworking and dedicated to his family. Since being back, Wade had devoted himself to helping rebuild the ranch and she hadn’t heard him complain or get discouraged once. The old Wade would have gotten sick of pitching in after day two without fanfare and praise from his family. But the Wade that had returned seemed quietly content to pour his heart into things without recognition.
Rhett said they were now a week ahead of the rebuild schedule and while they wouldn’t have all the cabins back up and running in time, with some shuffling, they would have enough ready to move forward with the upcoming first week of camp.
She had never been more attracted to a man than last night when Wade helped tuck Piper in. After he left, she wondered what would have happened if she had hugged him back, if she had clung to him like she had wanted to instead of pushing him away.
What was wrong with her?
Cassidy groaned.
Wade—even this new version—would only hurt her in the end. She wasn’t the carefree teen Wade had known and been attracted to. The years had toughened her and made her cautious. She would never be the girl who could jump in a car and go on an unplanned trip like he had said he wanted. Besides, even back then he had chosen to fake his death instead of facing her. She couldn’t forget that.
Piper kicked the back of the passenger’s seat. “You tired, Mom?”
Cassidy lifted her head and rolled her shoulders. “I didn’t sleep well last night. But I’m okay.”
Not only had Wade been on her mind but she had been weighing the pros and cons of moving from the Jarrett property. Sticker shock over housing prices had hit her hard. It wasn’t wise to dump so much money into their living expenses when it was all included with her position at the ranch. That money was better saved for Piper’s future, for college one day or whatever her dream would be. By morning, Cassidy had decided against moving away from Red Dog Ranch.
Besides, Shannon was right. Cassidy wasn’t about to let a guy chase her away from her home. Even one as dangerous as Wade. She would be smarter, would protect her heart better than she ever had in the past. She could live by him and not fall for him.
Never again.
Right on time, Wade’s car came up the driveway and parked next to hers. She had expected him to come from the house and couldn’t help wondering where he had gone so early in the morning. He hopped out of his vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat all while juggling a large white paper bag and a drink carrier.
“Morning. How are my two favorite ladies?” He twisted in his seat to grin at their daughter. “Your cat slept with me last night. He snores.”
“It’s cute.” Piper shrugged.
“If you say so.” He tipped his chin. “Ready to get that cast off?”
Piper groaned dramatically. “Like ten hundred days ago.”
Wade tugged the smallest cup from the carrier. “Well, maybe this will make it better.” He handed it to Piper. “It’s hazelnut chocolate milk. Tell me that doesn’t sound amazing? I was tempted to get one myself.”
Piper squealed a thank-you right before taking a long sip from the straw.
Wade turned his devastating smile on Cassidy and lowered his voice. “I figured not something hot for her. I didn’t know if kids her age drink hot things or if that would be bad in the car so—”
“It was a perfect choice. Thank you.” Wade must have woken up at least an hour and a half before them to get ready, run to town, buy goodies and be back in time to leave. Touched by how thoughtful he had been, Cassidy blinked back a sudden prick of tears. “We rushed out of the house and didn’t get a chance to grab something.”
Wade passed a cup her way. “White mocha. You used to love those so...” He shrugged and tucked his own cup into one of the holders situated between their seats.
“Still my favorite,” she admitted. It felt like forever since she had been able to enjoy one. She was usually too tied up with her responsibili
ties in the mess hall to have time to go out for a fancy coffee drink. Thankfully she’d talked to Rhett about taking some time off before the camp sessions began. With everything going on in her personal life, Cassidy felt like she needed more dedicated time with Piper and more time to process.
“And—” Wade lofted the bag “—big days call for donuts. At least, that’s my motto. I’m thinking of embroidering it on a pillow or a wall hanging or something, I feel that strongly about it.” He fished a heart-shaped donut from the bag for Piper. It had been dipped in pink frosting and was covered in sprinkles. “This one was called a pink party donut and, let’s be serious, I was hardly going to pass up something like that.” He reached into the bag again and handed Cassidy a large glazed donut with something shiny and yellow in the middle instead of a hole. “It’s a peach pie donut,” he whispered conspiratorially. “Satisfies that whole baked fruit obsession you have.”
Cassidy immediately closed her eyes when she sank her teeth into the donut. It tasted almost exactly like the homemade peach pies she baked in the dining hall—but even sweeter. “This. Wow. This is amazing.”
“Mine’s the best.” Piper polished off her last bite. “I could eat these forever. Or like a hundred of them.”
Wade offered them both napkins before digging back in the bag for a cake donut drizzled with chocolate glaze. Cassidy opened her mouth to tease him about his choice but closed it just as quickly, moving the car into Drive at the same time.
“What? I saw that look.” Wade took a sip from his cup. “No fancy stuff here. I’m a simple man.”
“Hardly.” Cassidy steered her car down the driveway and out onto the country road. She hit the Play button on her radio and it linked to the streaming app on her phone. A song from a Disney movie flooded through the speakers and Piper joined in instantly, singing with loud abandon. Wade glanced back at her and then caught Cassidy’s eye and grinned.
“A good pair of lungs on that one.” He fiddled with her speaker settings, sending the sound toward the back so it wasn’t nearly as loud up front. “Are we okay?” he asked. “You and me? Last night. I was worried, Cass.”
His Unexpected Return--A Fresh-Start Family Romance Page 8
