by Danni Roan
“I suppose you’re going to tell me you grilled all year long in New York,” the tall blonde man teased.
“I didn’t have to,” Phil turned on her heel, flicking her auburn-tinged hair over her shoulder, “someone else would do it for me there. The city has new restaurant on each corner for every week.”
“Come on you two,” Chase said, waving a hand in the direction of the small dining room. “We’ll have to hurry if we want any of those ribs for ourselves.” He winked sideways at Kade, then followed his wife’s lead.
Pulling her chair out, Kade settled Michelle at the table and sat beside her, reaching for her hand and taking Chase’s in his other as Phil took Michelle’s hand and bowed her head.
“Father thank you for this fine evening, and good friends.” Chase’s voice was reverent. “We thank you for this bounty we are about to receive and ask you bless the hands that prepared it. Amen.”
Michelle squirmed in her seat, glancing at her oldest and dearest friend. “Help yourself.” Phil smiled around her, offering a big bowl of potato salad. Perhaps Phil had changed more than she had realized.
“You’d better get it quick,” Chase said, “Phil isn’t known for leaving leftovers.”
“I eat just enough,” Phil jumped in, “besides I’ve had a busy day, I need to keep my energy up.” She smiled, her eyes bright.
Michelle watched the banter between her hosts. It was fun to see someone match Phil quip for quip.
“I think you keep us all on our toes around here, cuz.” Kade’s comment made Chase chuckle.
“You hear her new idea yet?” Chase asked, raising one brow.
“No, what’s on the menu now?” Kade looked at his cousin, then back to his old friend.
“An old-fashioned Thanksgiving.”
“What would you do?” Michelle asked. “How can I help?” She could almost picture the scene.
“I’m still working out the details, but we’d offer a special package. We’ll talk about it more in a few days. Besides I thought we were here to talk about your idea,” Phil said, waiting for Michelle to begin.
“You remember this morning when I needed someplace to store my stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Well Kade showed me the old sawmill and I have an idea for it. I could turn it into a studio and shop.”
“Michi, the ranch is doing well, but I don’t think we’re set to do a major overhaul of the mill right now.”
“I know we’d need to consider the cost and all, but if it’s alright with everyone here, I should be able to swing it myself.”
“Really?” Phil seemed stunned and Kade realized he was missing something here.
“I’ve been putting something away for a while, something personal.” Michelle’s dark eyes were serious when she looked up at Phil. “Something all my own.”
“How? When?” Phil leaned forward, her nearly finished meal forgotten.
“I did some work on the side over the past few years.” Michelle shrugged.
Phil reached out and lay her hand on her friends. “This could be fun.”
***
“Are they alright?” Chase asked, wrapping an arm around Phil’s waist as they watched Kade and Michelle walk away with a wave.
“They will be,” Phil replied, laying her hand over his where it rested. “They just need time.”
“And prayer,” Chase added, his arms twining around her middle as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
“They’re different from us, aren’t they?”
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t meant to be. Kade’s been praying about this a long time.” Chase chuckled. “I always thought he was crazy. He said he’d been praying for his wife since he was ten.”
“She’s pretty impressed with him, you know.” Phil leaned into Chase’s lanky frame, enjoying his warmth.
“There’s something she isn’t telling him though isn’t there?”
“It’s not for me to tell, Chase.” Phil turned, reaching up to take his collar in her hands, pulling him down for a kiss. “We’ll just have to wait.”
Chapter 10
“That was nice,” Kade offered, walking toward home next to Michelle.
“It really was,” Michelle agreed, “I’m so excited.” She grabbed his hand. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No, I wouldn’t have gone along with it if I didn’t think it was a good idea.”
“So, you think it’s a good idea?” Michelle countered.
“You must be good at what you do.” Kade rolled his big shoulders in a shrug.
Stopping suddenly, Michelle gazed into the night, making Kade step close, protectively.
“What’s wrong?” he asked looking for any sign of danger.
“I didn’t mean to turn your life upside down,” Michelle confessed, looking up and up to study his face.
Placing his hands on either side of her waist, Kade lifted Michelle off her toes, leaning forward and touching his forehead to hers.
“Darlin’,” Kade said, “you’re my wife. I’m here to support you, care for you, pray for you. I’m with you all the way.”
Michelle wrapped her arms around his neck, tipping her chin until her lips met his. The kiss lingered, deepening while something grew in her heart.
When she finally broke the kiss, Kade withdrew, breathless. This little woman had started to get to him in a big way.
“Let’s go home,” he rumbled, turning toward the house.
***
Kade woke, a contented darkness caressing him. Grinning drowsily, he reached for Michelle, but his arm engulfed only empty bed. Did the woman ever sleep through the night?
Smiling, he slipped out of bed and crept toward the stairs. If Michelle couldn’t sleep, he’d give her a reason to come back to bed.
He was just about to speak when he noticed she was on the phone. “No, Charles.” Her voice drifting back to him sent a chill to his bones. What possible reason could she have for speaking to her old boyfriend?
A sharp pain bit into his heart as he turned away, slipping back beneath the covers.
“How did you get this number?” Michelle ground her teeth, trying not to scream. The last thing she wanted was to wake Kade.
“I told you, Charles, we’re over.” Her voice was quiet and she felt that old trickle of insecurity and dread filling her at the sound of the voice on the other end of the line.
For long moments, she sat listening to the tirade, wanting to hang up but habit, guilt, fear kept her from clicking the button.
“Charles, I’m married. I’ve moved on. Let it go.” The silence that greeted her words was deafening.
She gnawed her bottom lip, tears threatening at the eventual words that accosted her before the phone went dead, with a crashing rattle.
Leaning her dark head against the wall of her new home, Michelle Brighton-Ballard tried to catch her breath. How had he found her? How had he gotten her number?
She felt weary, breathless, weak.
In slow, steady breaths, Michelle got her panic under control and forced herself to her feet, trudging up the stairs one slow tread at a time.
In the darkness, Michelle could see the bulk of Kade’s shadow. She rubbed her arms, trying to brush away the chill that embraced her.
She was starting to care for Kade, starting to feel something real for him. Eventually she would have to tell him everything, but for now exhaustion was closing in and she climbed back into bed.
Kade felt the mattress move as Michelle climbed into the big bed they shared. She was such a tiny thing; he’d pushed a step up to the bed for her.
Her skin was cold as she pressed her body into his and he thought he felt her shiver.
Tonight, instead of icy feet playfully placed on his legs, a slender arm fell over his shoulders and his heart sagged.
He needed to think it all through, give her a chance to explain. He felt her shiver again as she rolled away from him and he weakened.
Michelle rolled to her
side. She wished Kade were awake, perhaps it was time to talk to him, but everything had been so lovely, she hadn’t wanted to ruin it.
Kade was sweet, and decent, and good. She suspected she was falling in love with him.
Kade rolled over dropping an arm across Michelle. Her skin was cold and he felt her wriggle until her back was pressed to his front.
Feigning sleep, Kade lent his warmth to his wife. He wasn’t ready to talk yet, he needed time, but for now he would keep her close, warm, safe.
***
Michelle dragged herself out of bed as the golden glow of morning reached the rooftops of the ranch. It was early for her, but apparently not for Kade, who was already gone.
She knew she needed to talk to him, explain how she left things in New York, but she had desperately hoped that the past would have stayed in the past, leaving the future for her and her new husband.
All she wanted was a home, some peace and quiet and later, maybe, a few kids. She loved her work. It was a passion, but she’d never craved the professional life or felt the need for a career. She wanted to do something she loved, and have someone to love who would accept her for who she was.
Rubbing her eyes, she headed down the stairs. There was coffee in the pot and a selection of pastries on the table.
Every day, Kade had brought something back from the ranch house after he’d had his breakfast. He was starting to know what she liked and she was almost overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.
“It isn’t fair,” she said, turning a cheese Danish in her hand and placing it back on the plate. “A man like Kade should have someone better than me.”
“You talking to yourself now?”
Michelle jumped as Phil entered the kitchen.
“You breaking and entering?” Michelle quipped.
“I brought coffee,” Phil countered, lifting two large paper cups and a bag. “Ah, I see Kade beat me to it.” She smiled, slipping into a chair at the table. “I figured it was safe to drop by since Kade was in the barn.”
“I could have still been in bed.”
“After our talk last night? Not likely.” Phil spoke with a smile.
“You know me too well.” Michelle joined her friend at the table.
“I brought some things for you to see.” Phil turned her shoulder, letting a heavy bag slip toward Michelle, who caught it and dug in. “I did my share of renovations this last year.”
Michelle reached into the bag, pulling out files and fliers. “I’ll have to go over these with Kade,” she offered, finally reaching for Danish and taking a bite.
“I hope so. He’s been keeping that old place up for ages. I’m sure he’ll have plenty of ideas.” Phil’s smile was soft. “I still can’t believe you two are together, but I’m happy you are. It’s providence.”
Michelle sipped her coffee, took another bite of Danish, and thought.
“Charles called last night.” Her words were flat.
“What? Why?” Phil blustered, “How could you let him have your number?”
“I didn’t.” Michelle bristled. “I don’t know how he got my number.”
“I hope you told him to take a long walk off a short pier.”
“I explained everything to him, but you know how he is.” The little woman shrank into herself, tucking her hands between her knees.
“What did he say?” Phil reached out to her friend.
“The usual stuff. First, he ranted, then he wheedled, then he said he loved me and that everything would be different if I just came back.”
“Jerk,” Phil said, lifting her cup.
Michelle scowled. Everything with Charles had been complicated.
“Have you told Kade?” Phil asked, picking through the pastries.
“No,” Michelle admitted.
“Michi, you have to tell him.”
“I explained everything to Charles. He knows I’m married now.” Michelle’s dark eyes were doubtful.
“I guess you know him better than I do,” Phil agreed, “just let Kade in.” She smiled, “I see the way he looks at you.”
“What?” Michelle lifted her head “How does he look at me?”
“He has feelings for you, silly.” Phil smiled.
“I do kind of like him, too,” Michelle admitted. “He’s easy to get along with unless, he’s picking me up like a piece of baggage.”
“Kade?”
“Yes, every time I turn around he’s picking me up. First on our wedding day, he picked me up and shoved me in his truck, then yesterday he plunked me on top of one of his mules.”
“He didn’t? What did you do?”
“Honestly?” Michelle blushed. “I freaked out.”
“Didn’t he know you’re afraid of horses?”
Michelle shrugged, “I hadn’t told him.”
Phil sighed, “Michi.”
“I suppose you tell Chase everything,” Michelle shot back.
“Actually, I do, and we pray about things together.”
“Every couple has their secrets,” Michelle tried again, ignoring the uncomfortable comment.
“Not couples that work,” Phil said.
Michelle studied her friend; she’d changed so much. The old Phil would have thought the whole thing was funny, a game.
“Phil, I don’t want to talk about it.” Michelle turned back to the papers. “I can’t wait to get started on this,” she said, changing the subject and ending the conversation.
Chapter 11
Kade paced off the distance of the sawmill. He’d gone over Michelle’s drawings and could see exactly what she was looking for. He could reset the doors on the far side, filling them with windows to capture the light.
The heavy beams would need to be sanded and finished. The gears and pulleys, complete with thick leather belts, were a separate problem.
Thinking of problems brought Michelle to mind. He couldn’t help but wonder how long she’d been talking to her former boyfriend. From what he could remember of the man at Phil and Chase’s wedding, he’d been critical, snide and demanding.
Running a calloused hand over an old table, Kade lifted a block and rasped it over a beam, peeling back a layer of age-darkened wood.
It was a slow day on the ranch. He’d moved some of the cows down from the high lands earlier and had a hay ride for a school field trip in the afternoon, but with the full-time help Chase had brought in with his retired rodeo buddies, Kade had time to take on a few projects of his own again and concentrate on building the cattle trade.
Winter would be a slow season and having a diversified income made sense, though Phil and Mrs. Wade were coming up with all sorts of ideas to keep the ranch busy during the colder months.
The sound of a horse outside drew Kade’s attention and he stepped through the wide doors to find Chase sitting on his big roan.
“Remi called in sick for the evening ride,” the former bronc buster said, pushing his hat back. “You able to help out?”
“Sure,” Kade replied. “You don’t need the wagon?”
“No, just a short evening ride. A bunch of women from town booked for dinner and a ride. Something about a class get-together, I think. Phil organized it to fill in the slower days.”
Kade chuckled. “She’s never short of ideas, is she?”
“You’re one to talk, married three weeks and your wife’s converting a whole building.” Chase scanned the old mill.
Kade shuffled a foot, “To be honest I thought she’d be updating the house, or wanting new wallpaper or something like that.” He stopped, shrugging as if that explained it all.
“You like her, don’t you?” Chase asked, drawing his friend out.
“She’s confusing.”
Chase chuckled, “Complicated?”
“That too.”
“But you like her?”
“Yeah.”
Chase swung down from Romeo’s back. The big roan horse huffed patiently and cocked a hip, waiting.
“What’s wrong, Kade?” Cha
se asked, laying his hand on his friend’s shoulder. The two men, though similar in color, differed drastically in build.
Chase was tall, lean and agile, while Kade was a mass of heavily roped muscle, sinew and bone.
“She has no sense of time,” Kade offered.
“You’ve been raised to the rhythm of the ranch. You rise and set with the sun.”
“She’s impulsive, passionate, flighty.”
“You’re steady, methodic, quiet.”
“She called her ex.”
Chase raised a brow, running the reins through his fingers, in the sudden silence.
“Did you ask her about it?” Chase’s words seemed reasonable.
“No.”
“Maybe you should talk to her.” Chase slapped Kade on the shoulder. “She married you, Kade. She could have run from that church the minute she laid eyes on you.”
“I just don’t know what to do. It’s not like reading a horse, figuring out what makes them tick.” He raised his hands. “I know what to look for in a horse, but a woman?”
“It took me and Phil time to figure each other out. We’re still learning, we still make mistakes. Love doesn’t mean things are perfect from the get go.”
Kade studied his old friend but said nothing.
“Kade, you’ve prayed about this until I thought the heavens would fall. You’re going to have to ride it out and hold to your faith.”
Kade nodded. “I want her to be happy.”
“I know, and we want you to be happy. There must be a lot of love in that girl’s heart if she’s Phil’s friend,” Chase added with a chuckle.
Pulling his hat from his head, Kade looked expectantly at his friend, who mirrored his gesture and bowed his head.
“Lord,” Chase’s voice was resonant, “you promised that if we trusted you with all our heart, all our mind, and all our spirit, that we’d be one in you. Today we ask you to bless Kade and Michelle, bring them together in your love. Amen.”
Kade lifted blue eyes to meet the midnight gaze of his oldest friend. “Sure am glad you married my cousin.” He grinned, slapping Chase on the back, staggering him.
“See you at supper,” Chase added, placing a foot in a stirrup and swinging up. “Faith,” he said, laying reins against his mount’s neck and galloping away.
