Breathless (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Pelican Bay Book 1)

by Belle Calhoune

  “You can’t get enough of him, can you?” Cadence asked. He turned toward her, drawn in by her warm, genuine smile. “It makes me happy to see the two of you bonding.”

  “It’s the most incredible feeling in the world. Like falling in love.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Exactly. It’s a love affair.”

  “I wish I’d seen him come into the world,” he blurted out.

  Once he saw Cadence’s crestfallen expression, Parker wished he could take back the words. She bowed her head. “I’m so sorry, Parker. You can never experience that moment. It breaks my heart. I don’t know how I’ll ever explain all of this to Logan when he’s older.”

  Parker reached out and cupped in her chin in his palm. He gently turned her head toward him. He could see agony radiating from her eyes.

  “I didn’t mean that as a criticism. It’s a moment I wish I’d been there for, Cadence. I can’t lie about it. But I understand what you went through and why you did the things you did. And I know I haven’t said it, but thank you.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “Thank you for doing so much to keep me safe. Who knows what Mason might have done?”

  She smiled at him through her tears. “Thank you for saying so. I did what I thought was right at the time.”

  “I know you did,” Parker said in a crooning tone, his palm caressing her cheek. Their gazes locked. Something intense flared between them. The past and the present merged. Parker leaned across and placed a tender kiss on Cadence’s lips. Her lips were warm and inviting. They tasted like vanilla. She kissed him back. He cupped her face between his hands. The scent of flowers rose to his nostrils. It was a light, heady scent. It was pure Cadence.

  How had he forgotten how it felt to kiss this woman? His soul was soaring to the stratosphere. He felt like he’d finally come home after a long, heartbreaking absence. Nothing in his life had felt half as good in the past three years as this one moment in time.

  “Mama.” A little voice from the back seat called out, interrupting their tender interlude.

  They broke apart. Cadence let out a sigh that sounded a lot like regret. He brushed a final kiss across her temple as she turned around to reassure Logan. Within minutes they were inside his house with Cadence quickly heading upstairs to put Logan to bed. He would have liked to talk to her a little bit to see how she felt. Did she regret kissing him? Perhaps there was too much water under the bridge for the two of them to ever get back to where they’d been three years ago. He hoped not. But was it a pipe dream to believe it was possible? Cadence didn’t even know that three years ago he’d wanted to make her his wife. He wondered what her reaction would be if he decided to tell her?

  If he really intended to try to rebuild his relationship with Cadence, he needed to come clean with her about the night she’d broken up with him and shattered his heart into a million pieces. It would be painful to revisit the past, but he knew it was the only way of building a future.

  “Trust in God. Especially during the times when you feel as you’re flying blind.”

  Caleb Donahue

  Chapter Nine

  The following morning, Parker rose bright and early. He headed to the kitchen to make breakfast for Cadence and Logan, only to be greeted by the sight of them already sitting at the kitchen table. Cadence was feeding Logan some toast and Cheerios. Logan was shoving the cereal into his mouth at a rapid speed.

  “Good morning,” Parker said, smiling at the way Logan mumbled a hello as he chomped on his breakfast.

  “Morning, Parker,” Cadence said. “I was about to make some eggs and sausage as soon as I got Logan fed.”

  “I can do it,” Parker said. “Just finish up with him. You want some tea?” he asked, knowing she drank more tea than coffee.

  “That would be great. I love the orange tea.”

  “Coming right up,” Parker said, busying himself with preparing the food and getting her tea ready. It felt nice, he realized, to have company during breakfast. Matter of fact, his house now felt more like a home than it ever had in the past. Logan’s laughter filled the silences. And Cadence gave the residence balance with her femininity. He let out a sigh. Getting too used to them living here could be dangerous. Other than being co-parents, there was nothing tying him to Cadence. One kiss didn’t amount to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things.

  He handed Cadence her tea, making sure to place it far away from Logan’s high chair. He was quickly learning about a lot of the hazards of life with a toddler. Baby proofing his house had been a huge endeavor, but keeping his son safe was of the utmost importance.

  Once the food was prepared, Parker set it down on the table and parked himself in a chair opposite Cadence. Eggs. Sausage. Grits. Toast.

  “Thanks for cooking. This is a feast,” Cadence said, not hesitating to dig in.

  “You’re welcome. I’ve always enjoyed cooking. No doubt it comes from having restaurant owners as parents. They’ve always had such joy in feeding people.”

  “Caleb told me last night he opened a place. A bistro?” Cadence asked.

  “Yes, he finally got up the courage to follow his heart. He’s one talented restauranteur. His place—the Blue Bayou—is fairly amazing.”

  “I’m so thrilled for him. He’s such a warm-hearted soul.”

  “Always has been from the day he came to be a part of the Donahue clan.”

  “I remember what you told me about his past.” Cadence made a tutting sound. “To come through all of that and become such a fine person is incredible.”

  Parker grinned. “That’s my brother. An incredible human being.” They continued to eat in companionable silence.

  “So, do you think Logan would want to go to the zoo?” Parker asked. He wanted to go on an outing with Logan and his mother. As a kid the zoo had always been a big draw for the Donahue brood.

  Cadence flashed him a pearly smile. “He’d love that. He’s never been before.”

  Parker feigned a shocked look. “Seriously?” He ruffled his son’s hair. “We’re going to have to remedy that sad fact. I have to run in to the office for a few hours, but when I get back we can grab some lunch and take him.”

  Cadence nodded. “Parker, I need to figure out where Logan and I are going to be living. My lease on my condo back home is about to expire. I know you want to see Logan as much as possible.” She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t want to talk custody or anything so official yet. I really want us to do this as friends. I want to keep things civil. No fighting. No animosity.”

  Friends. That single word cut Parker to the core. Was that how Cadence viewed him? As a friend? His brain felt fuzzy. Friends didn’t kiss each other the way he and Cadence had kissed last night.

  Cadence continued. “I don’t want to impose on your hospitality. I need to make plans for Logan and myself. We can’t hang out here forever.”

  Why not? Parker wanted to ask. He loved waking up every morning to his son’s smiling face. And, if he was being totally honest with himself, he enjoyed having Cadence under his roof. They had already fallen into familiar rhythms with one another. They bantered back and forth and laughed over the same corny jokes. It felt easy and comfortable to Parker. But hearing Cadence stress their friendship made him wonder if what he was feeling was one-sided. He would never describe Cadence as a friend. She was so much more than that. His feelings went way beyond friendship.

  “Cadence, please don’t worry about housing right now. We’ll make arrangements to get you and Logan’s belongings from your condo in Palm Beach. If it’s okay with you, I’d like for the two of you to settle here in Pelican Bay. I want to be near Logan. And wouldn’t it be much better to have a second parent for him? I’ll be helping out and doing my fair share to help raise him. My parents would love to bond with him and spoil their first grandchild. Not to mention all of his uncles and Auntie Shayla.”

  “I have to admit, I’ve missed living here. I’d like to think about it though,” she said, biting her lip.

 
Parker felt a stab of disappointment. What was holding Cadence back? Was life in Palm Beach really so great that she had to question relocating? Didn’t she realize what it would mean to his life to have Logan right here in Pelican Bay?

  For so long now Parker had been going through the motions. His life had been a happy one, even though it had been incomplete. He’d thrown himself into his private investigations agency in the hopes of diverting his attention away from the loss he felt over Cadence. It had never truly worked. He knew it now in the clear light of day. Now that she was back in his life he wasn’t sure he could settle for friendship. If that’s what Cadence really and truly wanted, Parker knew his heart was about to break all over again.

  **

  Cadence watched from a distance as Parker and Logan fed the goats. She had deliberately stepped back to afford Parker some bonding time with Logan. It had been a great decision, she realized, as she watched them laughing themselves silly over the antics of the goats. Her chest tightened with emotion. This was way overdue. Slowly but surely she had been telling Logan that Parker was his father. She wasn’t sure Logan understood. In the meantime, they were getting along like a house on fire.

  Cadence felt slightly ashamed of herself. She wasn’t the type of person who played games. Life was too short. But she had inadvertently tested Parker a bit this morning by mentioning leaving his house and finding other housing. His reaction had been calm. Measured. Maybe too much so. He hadn’t acted like a man who was crazy about a woman.

  Humph. What did she expect? Three years ago Parker had been crazy in love with her. Then everything had been destroyed in one fell swoop. She pressed her eyes closed as sweet memories washed over her. What she wouldn’t give to go back in time and see love reflected in Parker’s eyes. She wanted Parker to love her back more than anything in this world. And it killed her to realize it might never happen again. Just because he’d loved her once didn’t mean he still loved her…or ever would again.

  How was she going to bear it if Parker met someone and fell in love? Got married? Had other children? She would die a thousand deaths if she had to stand by and smile as the man she loved moved on with his romantic life. She knew it might be selfish, but it was how she felt. Could she really stick around Pelican Bay and watch it all unfold?

  She wouldn’t have a choice. Cadence couldn’t hurt Parker by moving Logan away from him. He’d already missed so much of Logan’s early years. Come what may, she was going to live right here in Pelican Bay. It was where she and Logan belonged.

  Cadence couldn’t miss the admiring glances being sent in Parker’s direction. Instead of feeling jealous, her heart swelled with pride as he came walking toward her holding Logan’s hand. Her son’s father. A wonderful, loyal man who loved the Lord, his family and their son.

  And maybe, if she was very lucky, he might still love her as well.

  So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

  For so long now, Cadence had been held hostage by fear. No more! Tonight she was going to find out if Parker’s feelings for her were romantic or platonic. In order to move forward with her life—and Logan’s—she needed answers.

  **

  By the time they left the zoo, Logan was knocked out in his stroller. Parker couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a good time. Seeing it through his son’s eyes was the main reason Parker had enjoyed himself so thoroughly. Spending time with Cadence in a casual setting had been important to Parker. He needed to know deep down in his soul if he could picture the two of them ending up together. Was he infatuated with an old love? Or were his feelings for her the read deal?

  He knew his love for her was real. It hadn’t gone anywhere in all of these years. It had just been hiding out of sight.

  Going home was a difference experience these days with Logan and Cadence as his companions. There was nothing like a child to turn a house into a home. Logan’s laughter was now engrained in his walls. Parker wasn’t quite sure what he would do if they moved out. How could he just go back to being on his own?

  After Cadence fixed Logan his favorite meal—chicken nuggets and peas—Parker took him upstairs for a bath.

  “Are you sure?” Cadence asked. “He can be a slippery seal,” she teased.

  “I think I’m up for the challenge,” he said. “I used to give my younger siblings baths when I was a kid.” He winked at her. “Perks of being the oldest.”

  The sound of Cadence’s laughter followed him up the stairs. Bath time with Logan was way more fun than Cadence had ever told him. Logan loved playing with bath toys and he didn’t bat an eye when Parker washed his hair with a gentle baby shampoo. As Parker instructed him to do, Logan shut his eyes tightly and didn’t open them until Parker told him he could. When the bath was over, Parker wrapped his son up in a large, fluffy towel. After drying him off, Parker put him in his Superman pajamas and read him a bedtime story. As Logan drifted off, he heard his son call him daddy. Not just once, but a few times. Although he and Cadence had subtly introduced the word to Logan, this was the first time he’d used it with Parker. He wasn’t sure if he would ever experience a more joyful and proud moment as this one.

  As Logan’s little eyes crept closed, Parker heard a sound behind him. He swung his gaze up. Cadence was standing by the doorway, tears streaming down her face. Parker placed Logan in his crib and made his way to Cadence’s side.

  “You heard?” he asked her, feeling almost breathless. It was a wonder he’d gotten the words out.

  She nodded. “Yes. I heard.” Her voice came out raspy and full of emotion.

  Without saying another word, they embraced. Cadence looked up at him with tears shimmering in her eyes. Parker leaned his head down and kissed her—a tender, emotional kiss that celebrated this joyous moment. For a few moments it seemed as if they were suspended in time. Nothing existed at this moment but the two of them.

  “Come downstairs,” Cadence said, a smile playing around her lips. “I have a surprise for you.”

  A surprise? What had Cadence done? He followed her down the stairs. A wonderful smell wafted toward his nostrils. Had Cadence heated something up in the microwave? It smelled delicious. She led him into the dining room where a dinner had been set for two.

  “What’s all this?” he asked, smiling at the beautifully set table and the set of candles softly flickering. Food sat in the middle of the table.

  “I ordered from Caleb’s bistro. The Blue Bayou. Since Logan is down for the night, I wanted us to have a quiet dinner together. I figured we could talk. I miss talking to you, Parker.” Cadence’s voice had gone soft, with a tenderness Parker couldn’t ignore. This dinner was beginning to feel romantic, but he didn’t want to get his hopes up only to have them dashed.

  “This is really nice,” Parker said, sitting down at the table. He surveyed the food laid out—salmon, potatoes, salad and bread. “What’s the occasion?”

  “You always made dinner for me back in the day,” she said, flashing him a perfect smile. “I figured it was high time I returned the favor.” She giggled. “Although I didn’t cook. My fingers just did the dialing.”

  Parker laughed, feeling relaxed and content.

  After praying over the food, they dug in to the sumptuous meal. Parker thoroughly enjoyed the meal, which was comprised of his favorites. For dessert, Cadence had ordered an apple pie. She sliced the pie up, then placed dollops of vanilla ice cream on top.

  All of a sudden he flashed back to the night when he’d been prepared to propose to Cadence—the very same night she’d broken up with him. They’d been sitting at this very table and the ring had been burning a hole in his pocket. It was strange that she still had no idea that he’d been about to propose to her. Should he tell her? What good would it do? The past was dead and buried.

  “Is something wrong? Don’t you like the pie?” Cadence asked with a frown marring her perfect features.r />
  “It’s fantastic,” he said, placing another forkful in his mouth.

  “Isn’t it?” she asked. “You had a strange look on your face just now.”

  Parker met her gaze. He was ready to be completely honest. “That night you broke up with me keeps playing in my head.”

  Cadence let out a groan and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry, Parker. It haunts me too. I said those things…pretended I didn’t want to be with you, when in reality I wanted to be with you so very much.”

  “It broke me for a very long time,” he admitted. “To be honest, for a long time I didn’t even like to think about it.”

  “I was broken too, although finding out I was pregnant with Logan gave me a reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other. He gave me the strength to want to live past the pain.”

  “There’s something you don’t know about that night.”

  “Tell me, Parker. What is it? Did something happen after I left?” Cadence asked.

  He pushed his pie plate to the side. “That night I had a diamond engagement ring in my pocket. I’d set up the whole evening so I could propose to you.”

  Cadence let out a shocked gasp and raised her hands to cover her mouth. “No! Parker. No way. You were going to propose to me?”

  Parker nodded. “Yep. I had it all planned out. All of my siblings came over to help me set up. They were all excited for us.” He quirked his mouth. “Of course things didn’t exactly go as planned. Instead of an engagement, there was a break-up.”

  “I had no idea,” Cadence cried out. “How could I? All I could think about that night was trying to end things with you so I could keep you safe. I had a one-track mind. It’s sad to say, but I didn’t even sense it with you. I had no idea you were going to ask me to marry you.”