Abby’s hair was in curls and danced freely around her face. When he leaned close to her, his nostrils were teased by the soft scent of her perfume. “I hope you don’t mind if we play tourist tonight,” he said.
“I don’t mind.” She smiled. “Gosh, I haven’t been here in years.”
Cade took her hand as they stepped up onto the wooden sidewalk and strolled by the restored century-old storefronts. “You know, even though I went to college in town, I never made it over here. Guess I thought it wouldn’t be very interesting.”
Her green eyes raised to his. “And now?”
“I’ll probably discover more about where I live. I mean, what if Brandon needs help on a school project about local history? Think we should take him on the Heritage Trail, Fort San Angelo and the riverwalk?”
“Not all in one day, but they could be fun outings.”
Cade nodded, finding himself suddenly awkward with Abby. Damn. He didn’t like it. He’d always prided himself on being able to handle himself in any situation. Now he was stumbling around like a teenager.
Silently they passed by tourists going in and out of the stores that lined the street, then finally reached Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum.
Abby laughed. “I don’t think Brandon needs to know about this.”
“I think we can hold off for a few years. Come on.” Cade tugged on her arm and walked her two doors down to Miss Hattie’s Café and Saloon.
“Oh, I’ve never been here,” Abby said excitedly.
“Neither have I. So this is another first for us.”
“Another?”
“This is our first date,” Cade reminded her. He raised their clasped hands to his lips and placed a kiss on her fingers. “I never got the chance to actually take you out before.”
Her eyes grew dark with desire. “Oh, I guess it is,” she said, her voice throaty.
Suddenly he wondered if he was doing this all wrong. “Maybe I should have taken you some place fancy, but I thought we could have a quiet dinner, then maybe take a walk along the river….”
She rested her hand on his arm. “Cade, it’s perfect.”
She was the one who was perfect. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face, her flawless ivory complexion and full inviting mouth. Her eyes simmered with passion, pulling him into their shimmering green depths. He lost all sense of time, couldn’t figure out how to take his next breath. Someone on the sidewalk bumped him, bringing him out of the trance. “I guess we should go inside,” he said.
They stepped through the double cut-glass doors and stood in awe of the shotgun-style building with its white rock walls and hardwood floors.
Cade took Abby into the dimly lit bar. Candle lamps flickered on small, intimate tables. Several antiques adorned the area, but what drew most people’s attention was the large portrait of the notorious Miss Hattie hanging on the tapestry-covered wall.
“Oh, Cade. This is nice.”
His hold on her hand tightened. “I’m glad you like it.”
Cade escorted her to a quiet table. A waitress appeared for their drink order.
“What would you like?” he asked Abby.
“Just a ginger ale.”
A light went on in Cade’s brain. “I’ll have the same,” he told the waitress. “We’ll order later.” He turned back to Abby. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think that bringing you to a bar… I mean, with Joel’s drinking problem.”
Abby smiled, touched by Cade’s concern. He’d been trying so hard to please her. “And that’s what it is, Joel’s problem,” she assured him. “I never drink much—just a little wine—but that’s only because I don’t like the taste.”
His dark eyes captured her as he reached out and took her hand. “You amaze me,” he said. “You’ve been through so much and you just handle it.”
Oh, no, she didn’t always handle it. He hadn’t seen her two years ago when she’d been at the lowest point in her life. Not when she had allowed a man to use her as a punching bag. She drew a deep breath and shook off the brutal memory. “Brandon is my anchor and inspiration. You can’t give up when you have a child depending on you.”
Cade’s gaze grew intense. “God, Abby, I wish I’d been there for you.”
How many times had she wished the same thing? How many times had she regretted not calling Cade back that day eight years ago and telling him she was pregnant?
“We can’t change the past, Cade,” she said. “We’ve both made mistakes.” Her eyes brimmed. “But if I could, I would—”
Just then the waitress arrived with their drinks. After she walked away, Cade scooted his chair closer to Abby. “No, Abby, don’t cry.” He leaned forward and took her hands. “You’re right. We can’t go back. But just so you know, I’m always going to be here for you and Brandon.”
Abby blinked. She didn’t want tears to spoil their night. Nothing could make her happier than seeing Brandon and Cade build a strong relationship. “Our son is at that age where he needs a father.”
“I’ll do my best.” Cade laced their fingers together. “And just so you know, I’m staying in San Angelo permanently.” He winked. “And I’m going to win you back. I’m going to make you trust again.”
Abby lost the ability to breathe.
“We can make a good life together,” he continued. “You, me and Brandon.”
Abby had to look away from the promise she saw in Cade’s eyes, so she studied the condensation on her glass. “Be careful what you commit to, Cade. You had a life in Chicago for a lot of years. You may want to go back.”
“No. I had an existence. I’ve already resigned from my job,” he said. “I will need to go back and pack up my things, and put my condo on the market.”
“It is that easy for you?” she asked. “You can just break all your ties and walk away?”
He frowned. “I don’t have many ties.” He shrugged. “A few friends from the office. Of course, I have a lot of business contacts, but I can stay in touch. If you’re worried about me financially, I assure you, I’ll do fine. I’ve made some good investments over the years that will help.”
Abby couldn’t care less about his financial position. “There isn’t anyone special?” she finally asked, needing to know.
“Special? As in a woman?” He smiled again. “Oh, my, the lady is jealous.”
“I am not,” she denied just as he leaned close and planted a lingering kiss on her lips. Sparks shot through her, ending low in her stomach. When he pulled back, she nearly moaned in frustration.
“You were saying?” he asked with a wicked gleam in his eye.
“I’m not jealous.” Her voice was breathy.
His eyes held hers. “And there’s no reason you should be.”
“But you’ve been gone a long time.”
He grew serious. “A while back there was someone. But we never got to the marriage stage. I was too busy with my career. She got tired of me breaking dates because of work.” His fingers caressed the sensitive skin on her arm, and Abby felt warm tingles spread through her. “It’s taken me a long time to realize what’s important to me.” His look was dark and penetrating. “It’s you and Brandon.”
Abby wanted to believe him. She’d loved Cade Randell for so long.
He leaned close again. “Do you have any idea how badly I want you?”
Her gaze shot to his, and she soon discovered the smoldering fire in his eyes. Her heart began to drum.
Before Abby could find her voice, the waitress appeared with menus, and their concentration turned to the meal.
When once again they were alone, Cade took her hand again. “I can’t seem to stop touching you,” he said. “I don’t want to let go.”
“I don’t want you to,” she admitted, enjoying the gentleness of his touch.
Cade linked his fingers through hers. “Be careful, Abby, I may just kidnap you and have my way with you.”
Abby couldn’t answer as their heated gazes locked. Soon both were unaware of anything but each
other. Not the noise or people mingling around them. It had always been this way between them.
When the food arrived, they tried to keep the conversation light, discussing where they’d go on their second date, but things were simmering underneath.
Soon Cade’s food grew tasteless. He put down his fork and noticed Abby had done the same. The heated desire in her eyes mirrored his feelings. Cade wanted nothing more than to take Abby in his arms.
But he knew he had to go slowly. They both needed to cool off. “How about a walk by the river?” he suggested, knowing he didn’t want to go home yet.
“I’d like that,” she said.
“Good.” He glanced around for the waitress. Getting her attention, he already had his money out of his wallet when she arrived at the table. He gave her a big tip, then helped Abby from her chair. With his hand on her waist, he guided her toward the exit, promising himself that the second he was outside, she was going to be in his arms
Feeling like a giddy teenager, Abby asked for directions to the ladies’ room. “I’ll meet you at the front door,” she said as she broke away, hoping that Cade hadn’t noticed her nervousness. She hadn’t been on a date since…forever. It was crazy, but she wanted to relive those lost years with Cade.
After checking her makeup, she’d just left the rest room and was headed for the door when she heard a familiar voice. Immediately she stiffened, then felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the little wife,” Joel said.
Abby tried to get out of the narrow hallway and away from her ex-husband. She knew from past experience that Joel loved to make trouble. She searched the area with her gaze in hopes that Cade wasn’t too far away, but there was no sign of him.
Abby realized she’d have to do this on her own. She turned to face the man who’d made her and her son’s life a living hell. He looked terrible. No suit coat, and his white shirt was wrinkled and dirty. But his bloodshot eyes were what gave away that he’d been drinking. Abby started to shake with fear, and clenched her fists to fight it. “I’m not your wife anymore, Joel, so leave me alone.”
Anger flashed across his ruddy face, and he pushed her against the wall. “You bitch,” he spit out, the rancid smell of whiskey on his breath. “Who in hell do you think you’re talking to?”
Abby’s heart pounded so hard she thought she might pass out. But she held her ground. “You. Now, I don’t think you want to have me scream for help and have everyone know exactly what you really are. So I suggest you let me go.”
That did it. Hatred flared in Joel’s eyes, but he released her. Abby straightened her dress and turned to leave. She didn’t want to give Joel the satisfaction of seeing that he still had power over her. As she made her way down the hall toward the door, Joel’s words followed her.
“I wouldn’t act so high and mighty, Abby. That rich boyfriend of yours may have bailed you out, but he’s just hanging around to rub it in your face.”
His accusations goaded her, and she swung around. “Cade’s helping me with the ranch.”
Joel laughed. “He’s helping himself to the ranch. Did you know he paid off the note with his own check?”
Abby felt the blood drain from her face. She swayed. No. She wouldn’t believe it. Joel was lying. Cade wouldn’t do that to her and Brandon. He wouldn’t take everything away.
Ten minutes had passed, and Cade was getting worried. He started down the hall to find Abby, then spotted the reason she’d been detained—Joel Garson. Dammit, couldn’t the man leave her alone? When Cade reached him, he grabbed Garson by the collar.
“Don’t, Cade,” Abby said, and grabbed his arm. “It’s okay, I can fight my own battles.”
Cade glared at Garson. “I told you to stay away from Abby.”
“It’s a public place,” Joel said. “Besides, like I’d want her. She’s all yours, buddy.” With a smirk he straightened his shirt. “You think you have it all now, don’t you, Randell? Think you’re hot stuff, but you’re still the son of a cattle rustler. No amount of money or the Moreau land is going to change that.”
Cade tensed, seeing the look on Abby’s face. So the man couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He’d told her about the loan. “You’re a drunk, Garson. If I find out you’re bothering Abby, I’ll come after you.”
“You stay out of my way.” Joel pushed past him.
Cade went to Abby. “Are you all right?” He reached for her, but she pulled away.
“I’m fine,” she said, then walked out of the restaurant. Once they arrived at the truck, Cade opened the door and helped her inside. He hurried around to the other side, knowing he had to explain, and fast. Then, one look at Abby, and he thought it would be best to wait. She needed some time to calm down. Maybe by the time they arrived home, she’d be willing to listen to him.
They arrived twenty minutes later and that didn’t happen. As soon as he stopped in the driveway, Abby jumped out of the truck and hurried up the steps into the house.
Cade went after her and followed her into the study. “About what Joel said…” he began.
She swung around and glared at him. “Is it true?”
“It’s true, but I only speeded things up. The property couldn’t sell fast enough, and Joel was going to foreclose on the ranch.”
Abby hadn’t been able to stop shaking since she learned the truth. How could Cade do this to her? He’d lied. “You paid off the bank note?”
He nodded and her heart sank lower. She took a breath.
“You own part of the ranch.”
“No—yes, technically I do, but that’s only until the lakefront property sells. Then I’m not involved at all. It’s done all the time in business. There’s nothing unethical about the transaction.”
She felt the knife go through her. The pain was nearly unbearable. “Except you didn’t tell me. And you used your power of attorney to make the deal. Why didn’t you include me? Why, Cade? Had you planned this all along? Is this why you came back home? To find a way to take over? Is this payback?”
“No. I only used my money because there wasn’t enough time to sell before the deadline on the note. Since Joel wouldn’t give you an extension, I had to do something.”
“Show it to me,” she demanded. So trusting, she had left all the business matters to him. He’d let her see only what he wanted her to see. When would she learn? She should have handled it herself.
Cade walked to the desk and opened the bottom drawer. He went through several file folders, then pulled out one. He handed it to her. “I was wrong, Abby,” he admitted. “I should have told you. But I thought the property would be sold by now.”
She opened the file, and the ache in her chest intensified when she saw his name on the second deed. “Did it feel good to see a Moreau so vulnerable, to watch me lose it all?”
Something that looked like pain flashed in his eyes, but she ignored it.
“You haven’t lost anything, I made sure of that,” he told her. “I never planned to take anything from you, not my son, either.”
Abby was beyond listening. “Had you planned this all along—to take over the ranch?”
“No!” he shouted.
She paced. “You know, the ironic thing about this is, you didn’t hurt me, Cade. I don’t care about this ranch. It was my dad’s empire. Funny thing, Brandon loves it, too. So all you’ve done is hurt your son.”
“Dammit, Abby, I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. I was trying to help.”
Suddenly another realization hit her. “Oh, God! That was the reason for your marriage proposal. You wanted to make sure you had it all.”
“No! You’re wrong.” He started to move toward her, and she held up her hand.
“I’m through listening to you. And Brandon, he’s not going to be hurt because you have a grudge against me. Somehow, some way, I’m going to pay you back.” Abby closed her eyes and drew a breath. She couldn’t do this anymore. “Now, allow me some dignity and leave.”
“How
can I? When you think I tried to take the ranch. If you would just let me explain…”
“I know all I need to know.”
His eyes turned hard. “This isn’t over, Abby. When you calm down, you’re going to listen and know that I was only trying to help. I never intended to hurt you.”
All her life men had said they knew what was best for her. She soon discovered they only wanted to control her, from her father to Joel. Her husband had gone as far as to use his fists. Well, no more. It had taken her a long time to break away, but she had, and she and Brandon were making a life together.
She should have known better, but when Cade came into her life again, her resolve weakened. She had only thought about love. And all she got was pain. So win or lose the ranch, by God, she was going to do it on her own.
“Goodbye, Cade,” she said, then turned away, praying he’d leave before she started crying. As soon as she heard the door close, she broke down. This was the second time she had to send Cade away. The immense pain in her heart told her it wasn’t any easier.
Chapter Ten
Cade gripped the steering wheel tighter as he got closer to the Moreau ranch. Nearly two full days had passed since his fight with Abby—since she’d thrown him out. She could be angry with him all she wanted, but she wasn’t going to keep him from her.
And Brandon. The boy had to know something was going on. That was probably the reason he’d called and practically begged Cade to come to the house. Well, he wasn’t going to be denied his father just because Abby was upset.
Cade pulled into the driveway with the hope that she’d had time to cool off and realize he’d only meant to help. No matter what, Brandon wasn’t going to suffer because his parents were having a disagreement.
Cade climbed out of the truck, and Brandon ran out to meet him. He caught the boy as he leaped into his arms. Cade swung him around, listening to the seven-year-old’s laughter. Then he set Brandon down.
“Cade, I missed you,” the boy said as he reset his cowboy hat on his head.
“I missed you, too.”
A Child for Cade Page 12
