by Danni Roan
Counting Kadence
Whispers in Wyoming
Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
I’d like to take a moment and give a huge shout out to Kirsten Osbourne for allowing me to borrow her amazing modern-day matchmaker. For more on Kirsten and her brilliant brainchild Dr. Lachele, check her link at the back of this book.
Additionally, I’d like to give a shout out to Amelia Adams her Moonlight and Magnolia character who shares a name with my own hero.
Another huge thank you to my fellow authors in this series. Whispers in Wyoming is a work of the heart and everyone has been fantastic at supporting each other.
And last, but definitely not least, thank you to all the readers who have followed me or joined me in this new adventure. It’s scary trying something new but your warm wishes and kind words get us through.
Prologue
Kade Ballard tugged at his tight collar for the umpteenth time, the purple neck tie choking him as his nerves made his muscles twitch.
The big man wondered again if he had made the right decision. “I read too many of those old letters,” he mumbled under his breath and tugged at his collar again.
Monkey suits never did fit him right. At six foot five and two hundred-fifty pounds, a man his size should never be all buttoned up, but here he stood, tucked in, laced together, and wrapped tight.
“Lord, give me a sign.” His breathy whisper was directed at the stained-glass window of the small church. “I know I shouldn’t need one, but give me a sign.” He took a careful breath; waiting. Years earlier he’d come to understand that if you trust, God will see you through, but today he needed more.
In the distance the soft strains of music filtered into the chapel, the simple words of an old hymn barely audible, and the big man listened.
“…what a fellowship, what a joy divine, leans on the everlasting arms.
What blessedness, what a peace of mind, leaning on the everlasting arms.”
A slow smile spread across Kade’s handsome face as a sense of peace settled into his chest. He had prayed endlessly over this decision and he wasn’t going to let doubt turn him now.
***
“Don’t say it, not one word.” Michelle Brighton said, looking at the expression of disbelief on her best friend’s face.
“But…” Philomena Haven stared at her former college roommate in total shock, “you said…” she couldn’t finish.
“I said an occasion.” Michelle sounded defensive.
“Occasion, occasion!” Phil’s temper started to rise, “You weren’t going to tell me about your own wedding.”
“I did insist you be here,” the petite woman said, looking embarrassed.
“You don’t think that not telling me what occasion was sneaky?” Phil placed her hands on her hips, preparing to really get started.
“We’ll have to talk about it later,” Michelle spoke again, this time lifting her chin and hefting the weight of her silken skirt. “I knew you’d wear the purple dress, by the way,” the petite woman said, leaning toward a tiny mirror and applying lipstick in an attempt to change the subject “You can’t seriously think you’ll distract me, or keep me from trying to talk you out of this, especially when everyone knows that purple is my favorite color.”
Finishing her makeup, Michelle simply lifted her skirts and opened the door. “You have to go first.”
“I won’t, I hate that jerk and you know it.” Phil’s violet eyes flashed.
“Phil, I know you think I’m crazy. I know you think you know best, but please, please, just be here for me today.” Her dark eyes were pleading as she stood by the door. “I have to do this. Trust me.”
“Alright, but you know I’m not above saying I told you so.” Phil sniped, marching out the door with an unladylike stride. “I’m only doing this because I love you,” she added, lifting her chin.
As Phil’s feet hit the flower-strewn aisle, she laughed, slowing her steps and keeping an even time with the music, then turning at the front of the church to watch her friend start her procession. This was going to be good.
***
Kade blinked, bewildered at his cousin’s presence, but turned to watch the woman in white at the back of the church start down the aisle toward him.
She looked tiny and all alone as she took her first tentative step, and something warm and protective rose in his chest. The pretty woman looked as nervous as he felt, yet somehow; she placed one foot in front of the other.
Of course, who wouldn’t be nervous? How many people were willing to meet their life mate at the altar after nothing more than a very long Skype interview with a purple-haired match maker obsessed with babies? It had gotten even more bizarre when he was asked to move up his possible wedding date.
Kade smiled, thinking about those painful conversations, and was pleased to see the young woman approaching him smile as well. Even though each step along the petal-strewn floor brought the dark-haired woman closer, she didn’t seem to grow any bigger than when he’d first laid eyes on her. How was it possible the perfect match for him was minuscule?
He’d spent hours talking to the match maker. He’d never been very good at talking, especially about himself, but the woman’s cheerful disposition and experience had pulled more information out of him than he would have believed possible.
The spritely figure in the long, white gown placed a toe on the bottom stair of the plinth and raised deep brown eyes to his, offering a hand, which he took, gently guiding her until she stood before him.
***
It took every ounce of willpower she had, but Michelle Brighton placed her hand in the one offered. Why did he have to be so big, so obviously powerful? She tried to breathe when tremors ran down her spine as his hand closed around hers.
Looking up into soft blue eyes, Michelle could barely hear over the pounding of her heart. Taking several shallow breaths, she tried to calm her nerves and focus on the words the preacher was speaking, but it wasn’t sinking in.
“Michi, Michi.” Phil’s voice interrupted her thoughts, making her turn and look at her friend, bewildered. “You have to answer.”
“Oh, yes,” she spluttered, turning back to the man who still held her hand, “I do, or I will, which ever,” she said, looking into the man’s face, her head starting to spin.
She was surprised that instead of horror on the man’s face, his lips twitched into a smile. Something about that smile eased her nerves and she suddenly realized who the big man was.
“I didn’t think you’d ever smile,” Kade said, leaning close as the preacher finished his words.
Michelle dropped her eyes, but he lifted her chin with one thick finger, leaning forward and kissing her softly on the lips.
Good grief, she’d even missed the part where the preacher told the man to kiss his bride. She needed to stop acting like a ninny. This was a new start and she refused to fall back on old habits.
As Kade pulled away from the kiss feeling more bewildered than ever, the preacher’s voice rang out into the empty sanctuary. “I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Kade Ballard.”
Takin
g Michelle’s small hand, Kade wrapped it around his forearm and moved toward the door, hesitating a moment as she seemed to realize they were moving. He could hear Philomena giggle behind them and tossed a glance over his shoulder, still unsure how she’d gotten wind of the wedding.
Falling in step with her new husband, Michelle walked slowly up the aisle, coming to a stop before the double doors.
“I can’t believe you two,” Phil gushed. “When did this happen? Why didn’t I know? Did you two meet at my wedding? Tell me everything.”
“Phil,” Kade’s deep voice rumbled, “I’ll explain it all later. For now, just be happy for me and don’t spread it around.” His blue eyes pleaded and Phil nodded.
“Well, congratulations you two,” Phil finally managed, grabbing Michelle and hugging her tight. “I’ll see you at home,” she added, punching her oversized cousin in the arm. “I love you both.”
Still smiling, Phil exited the church and drove away.
“Are you ready to go?” Kade asked, gently dropping his head to look at his wife. He grinned, thinking about the word and wondered what this new beginning would bring.
“Where are we going?” The petite woman turned dark eyes toward him questioningly. She was shapely for a small woman, curves in all the right places, and a face that drew the eye.
“I didn’t really know what to do exactly, I mean not knowing …” his voice trailed off with embarrassment.
“It’s alright; we’re in the same boat here.” Michelle replied, still holding to his rock hard, arm.
Kade smiled with relief. “I organized dinner in the restaurant down the road.”
“Lead on then,” Michelle offered feeling slightly more confident. Dr. Lachele was good at her job. Michelle had done her homework on the woman. She would have to have a little faith in the process and see what happened, even if things hadn’t gone exactly to plan.
Originally Michelle had hoped that the matchmaking could go slowly, giving her time to adjust and plan, but then everything in New York had changed and she had wanted out, fast. This seemed to be the best option, even if the good doctor had needed to scramble to make it so.
Thinking about it, the woman was remarkable, with all the things she had going on.
Stepping into the afternoon sun, they started across the nearly empty parking lot, Michelle lifting the lace trim of her dress high to scurry along next to the big man, coming to a skidding halt in front of huge white truck that stood more than three feet off the ground.
Michelle blinked at the contraption, feeling an almost uncontrollable urge to laugh. She turned to look at the man she had just married as he pulled the door open.
“Get in and I’ll go grab your bags,” he offered.
“Get in?” She questioned, still holding her intricate hem off the ground. Was the man for real? Did he really expect her to climb all the way up into the monster truck in her pristine white dress?
“Oh, yeah, um sorry about that,” Kade offered, reaching down and scooping her up like a child, depositing her into the truck, and tucking her skirts around her. .
Michelle screamed, clutching at the man’s neck as he plunked her neatly on the seat of his absurd truck.
“Don’t do that!” she yelled, her heart pounding wildly.
“Sorry,” the big man said, dropping his gaze. “I didn’t think.”
Something about the man’s posture tugged at Michelle’s heart and she strained to remember the name the preacher had used, something with a K, Kyle, Ken, Kadence. She wished she’d asked Phil again.
“I’m sorry Kadence,” she finally responded offering him a smile, “you startled me, that’s all.” She looked at him trying to get herself under control in her dazed confusion.
Kade Ballard blinked at the girl he’d married mere minutes ago, had she just called him Kadence?
“It’s alright,” he offered, letting the slip go. A day like today would rattle anyone. “I’ll grab your bags and we’ll be off.” An understanding smile slid across his chiseled face as he turned to go.
Chapter 1
Michelle ground her teeth with frustration. Who did the man think he was scooping her up like a bundle of laundry and shoving her in his truck? He’d nearly given her a heart attack. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves, which were frayed to the point of breaking.
“Dr. Lachele told me it wouldn’t be easy,” she said, counting to ten in her head. “He didn’t mean to be rude,” she continued, rolling through the slow count again. “He’s just…”
The man had lifted her up as if she were an old bag. Glancing out the window, she grabbed her phone and punched in the numbers of the woman she had put her trust in, but the rattle of suitcases being dropped into the bed of the truck had her tucking her phone back in her bustier.
“I got everything.” The big man climbed into the truck, an awkward grin on his face.
“Thank you.” Michelle knew her voice was cold, but her heart was pounding again. Her new husband made her feel like some sort of elf or fairy, and far too vulnerable for her liking.
Slowly she turned to look at him, no not him, Kadence. “I’m sorry,” she offered, examining his face. He had a strong face; handsome. “I’m afraid I’m a bit nervous,” she finally offered, her eyes tracing the line of his dark blonde hair, his broad shoulders, a square jaw.
“Me too,” he said quietly, turning the key and bringing the truck’s engine to life with a roar.
“Where are we going?” she asked. She’d barely eaten a thing all day and was now ravenous.
“There’s a restaurant about a mile down the road.”
Michelle listened to the whir of the tires on pavement. “Uh, do you think it would be possible to change first?” she asked, wondering what the man was thinking. There was no way she was walking into a restaurant in her wedding dress, no matter how private it was.
“We could head straight to the hotel and eat there.” Kade’s voice was hesitant.
“That sounds like a good idea. It’s been a long day.”
Slowing, the man pulled into a gas station, looped around the pumps and onto the road, heading back the way they had come.
“How long will it take?” Michelle asked, wondering when the big guy. No, her husband, would start offering information instead of waiting for her to ask.
“About two hours.”
Michelle sagged in her seat. She would starve by then. Her beautiful day was beginning to unravel.
“If you’re really hungry, there’s jerky in the glove box.”
Leaning forward with a rustle of crinolines, she popped the box and pulled out the red packet, lifting a piece of jerky and biting off a chunk.
Kade snuck a peek at the beautiful woman sitting on the far side of his truck, her elegant white dress spilling around her like a pool as she chewed on a piece of dry meat. He grinned. She was tiny, but scrappy and he liked it.
“Kadence, do you have any water?” Michelle asked.
“Call me Kade,” he replied, handing her a bottle of water from the console and wondering why she kept calling him Kadence. “Everyone does.”
“Thank you, Kade,” She tried to smile. “Where are we going again?” she asked, looking out the window at the empty land.
“Yellowstone.”
“Yellowstone!” her head whipped around, making the intricate up do of dark curls wobble on her head, her dark eyes wide.
“It’s a nice place.” Kade was feeling awkward, defensive, and he’d only been married half an hour.
Michelle counted to ten one more time, huffed out a breath, puffing her dark curls away from her face.
“Hello,” she said turning to look at Kade. “I’m Michelle Brighton.” She reached out a hand, forcing a smile, and was rewarded by one from the large, attractive man at the wheel.
“Hello,” he reached across the wheel taking her hand, “I’m Kade Ballard and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“I’m afraid we didn’t get off on
the right foot.” Michelle said, “It’s rather nerve racking marrying someone you’ve never met before.”
Kade’s warm laugh rumbled from his chest, rolling over her like bright sunshine. He had a nice laugh.
“Where are you from?” Michelle continued. “All Doctor Lachele told me was that you live in Wyoming.”
“I live on a ranch outside of Tipton.” Kade offered softly.
“Really, my best friend Phil lives near Tipton.” Michelle gushed. “She was the woman at our wedding, call her my moral support.”
“Your friend?” Kade gaped.
“Yes, she was at the wedding.” Michelle answered. “We’ve been friends since college.
“Philomena Allen? I mean Haven?” Kade asked.
“Yes.” Michelle looked at the man as if he were slow.
“Phil’s my cousin,” he stated blankly, “I thought she’d gotten word of the wedding and rushed out here…”
“Oh my goodness, you’re that Kade! I saw you at Phil’s wedding. I should have recognized you.” She smiled awkwardly. “Now I understand what Phil was going on about.”
“I should have spotted you right away, but with your hair all wound up like that, you look different.” Kade twirled his hand above his head making her smile.
Michelle leaned back in the seat, relaxing with a hearty laugh. “I think we’ve both been a little dense,” she giggled, “but what are the chances of the two of us being matched this way?”
“Perhaps it’s fate,” Kade said, his blue eyes soft.
Something seemed to ease in Michelle’s chest and she reached across the seat to take his hand. Perhaps this thing did have a chance after all, even with all of the confusion.
Kade’s warm, calloused hand still twined in hers, Michelle turned back to the window, a million thoughts going through her head all at once. She was finally out of New York, and starting the new life she’d always wanted. Living right next door to her best friend was icing on the cake.
Michelle wasn’t sure what she had gotten herself into, but she was sure what she’d gotten herself out of. An icy shiver ran down her spine thinking about it and she closed her eyes.
