A Kiss for Cade

by Lori Copeland

Cade reached for his hat. “I’m taking the kids swimming today. Is that all right with you?”

  She shrugged. “Why ask? Addy made you king, not me.”

  He put his hat on and adjusted it low on his forehead. “See that they’re ready in an hour.”

  Zoe turned and flung a wooden spoon at him as the screen door slammed. The spoon ricocheted off the wire mesh and took a hard bounce onto Brody’s pallet.

  Brody picked it up and looked at her. Will lifted a tousled head and rose on an elbow, sleepy eyed and yawning.

  Staring at the screen door, Zoe slowly counted to ten. Clenching her hands into fists, she silently ranted and railed, calling Cade every name under the sun. Throwing a spoon at him had probably lessened her chance of keeping the children, but she didn’t care. It was hard to control the anger that simmered inside her, anger that he provoked.

  Brody and Will were still focused on her. For their sake, she would pretend their uncle wasn’t the most impossible man on earth. Turning from the door, she met the boys’ curious stares brightly.

  “Guess what? Uncle Cade is taking you swimming!”

  Chapter Nine

  Cade left the Bradshaw store and walked down the street to the jail. When he opened the door, he found Pop sprawled on the cell bunk, white faced and moaning.

  “Pop! What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

  The sheriff drew his knees up to his chest with a groan. “Gooseberry pie,” he rasped.

  Cade entered the cell and knelt beside him. The old man’s face was nearly as white as his mustache. “How much did you eat?”

  “Three, maybe four pieces. I lost count.”

  Cade shook his head. “Green apple quickstep. That’s rough.”

  “Dadburn that Lilith! She knows better than to let me make a hog out of myself on her pies!” Pop doubled over again.

  Cade glanced around the empty office. “What can I do to help?”

  “Just get out of my way, I’m coming through.” Pop hauled himself off the bunk and made a bee line for the back door.

  Sidestepping the sheriff’s hasty departure, Cade called, “Maybe next time you’ll stop at one piece!”

  Moving to the desk, Cade sat down and leafed through the wanted posters. He laid two aside, knowing he had already collected the rewards on them. Hot bile rose to his throat when Hart McGill’s picture came up. He stared at it long and hard. They had upped the reward another five hundred dollars. The worthless being was overvalued. When he thought of Owen Cantrell, shot in the back walking through his own front door, it turned his stomach. Owen had been gunned down for no reason other than because he was Cade’s friend. The image of Bess Cantrell, grief stricken as she was carried away from the graveside by her two sons, would stay with Cade for as long as he lived.

  Pushing bitterness aside, Cade moved to the window and thought of more pressing matters. If Hart got wind that Cade had loved ones in Winterborn, their lives would be worthless. He’d talk to Seth and Bonnie about getting the kids settled as quickly as possible.

  The back door opened and Pop returned, carefully easing onto the nearest chair and releasing a sigh. “That was close.”

  Cade grinned and sat down. “You going to live?” Pop’s face was white as a sheet, his strength obviously drained.

  “For a few minutes…never know when the next bout will strike. You here for any particular reason? Thought you’d be busy with the kids.”

  “Actually, I did have a reason for stopping by. The roof’s leaking like a sieve, and I’m not looking forward to sleeping in a wet bed again. I could move the bunk, but the roof’s dripping in so many places that it wouldn’t do any good. I can see daylight through the cracks.”

  “Yeah, I know about the leaks. Just haven’t had time, money, or manpower to fix ’em.”

  “You’re in no shape to fix anything right now.”

  Pop moaned. “That’s a fact. How are you and the redhead gettin’ along?”

  “We’re not. I need to finish my business quickly and move on.”

  “Too bad. Zoe needs a man like you—someone who won’t let her run roughshod over him. Jim was too patient. Zoe got the best of him at times—” Pop’s expression corkscrewed. “Hooboy. Nature calls.” He bolted toward the door calling over his shoulder, “Don’t leave! I got a favor to ask.”

  While Pop was tending business, Cade browsed through the gun cabinet. He took out a Henry lever action rifle and examined it. The guns hadn’t been used for some time. They needed a good cleaning.

  “Whew, doggies!” Pop said, entering the room again. “If I ever look at another piece of gooseberry pie, shoot me.”

  Cade slipped the Henry back into the cabinet. “You need a favor?”

  “I’ve got a problem over in the next county, but I’m not in any shape to go. Thought you might take care of it for me.”

  “Sure. What do you need?”

  “Hague Pearson got all liquored up a couple of nights ago and got shot. Someone needs to go over and bring his body back.”

  Cade frowned. “Hague Pearson? The old hermit who lives near the county line?”

  Pop nodded. “That’s him. Me and Mooney Adams got a bet going. You remember old Mooney, sheriff of Suffox County?”

  “I remember Mooney. Mean, but honest.”

  “Whoever has the least crime on his record at the end of each year wins a prize. It ain’t much, more like a prestige thing. We ain’t got any crime here in Winterborn, so it’s a pretty sure bet I’ll win, but Hague could put a kink in the plan. I want you to take the buckboard over there, pick up the body, and decide exactly where Hague got shot. Mooney says Hague was shot on our side of the line and dropped dead on his side. I say Hague was shot in Suffox County, period. I don’t want that death on my record, and Mooney don’t want it on his.”

  “I’m guessing Hague didn’t want it on anybody’s record.”

  Pop chuckled. “Don’t mean no disrespect. Hague was an ornery sort, but he always let me hunt on his property. I’ll see he gets buried proper-like. I’d be much obliged if you’d drive over there and get it sorted out for me.”

  “Sounds like a good way to get shot.”

  “Nah, Mooney knows he’s in the wrong. He’s just trying to win that prize.”

  “I’m taking the kids swimming today. Can it wait until tomorrow?”

  Pop shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Old Hague ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

  “I need to talk to Seth and Bonnie, anyway. Someone said they live on the old Brighton place north of town?”

  Pop nodded. “Yep. Just down the road a piece from Frank and Helen’s place.”

  “I’ll pick up Hague then. Kill two birds with one stone. I’ll stop by and talk to the Brightons on the way back.”

  “Want to satisfy your conscience that they’ll make a good home for Addy’s kids? They will, you know. Seth’s a hard worker.”

  “So I hear.” Cade got up and stretched. “Cheer up. By tomorrow you might feel like taking care of the Suffox County trouble yourself.” Cade laughed when Pop’s stomach rumbled so loud they both heard it.

  “Son, there ain’t enough outhouses between here and Suffox County for me to chance it. The rate I’m going, you’d be bringing back my carcass alongside Hague’s.”

  Chapter Ten

  Leaning against a tree, Cade listened to giggly splashes. One by one, the three oldest kids dropped into the cool water from a rope knotted to the jutting branch of a walnut tree. Missy waded along the rocky bank.

  Glancing across the stream, Cade silently conceded he’d missed home more than he thought. It was peaceful here. He, Zoe, and Addy had spent hours at the swimming hole as kids.

  A hawk cried overhead, drawing his attention. Was it the money or the thrill of the chase that kept him away? He’d made a lot of money, but money was worthless when you’re six feet under. The incident near Laredo last month was as close as he’d ever come to dying. The outlaw had been a hair quicker than he had. His hand absently went to the n
agging pain in his right shoulder, a reminder that his luck would play out someday.

  Missy squealed and he straightened. Twigs snapped beneath his boots as he raced to the water’s edge. He found Addy’s youngest sobbing and holding a bleeding foot.

  “What happened, sweetheart?” He picked her up and examined her toe. A tiny nick oozed a thin trickle of blood.

  “Something bit me!”

  “Nothing bit you. You stepped on a sharp rock.”

  “Thwow it away!”

  “All right.” Still holding her in his arms, he waded into the water and pretended to single out the culprit. “Wait a minute—yes, there it is. Come here, you rascal!” He picked up a rock and hurled it to the opposite bank, laughing when his heroic theatrics induced a giggle from Missy.

  “You’re going to get in trouble, Uncle Cade.” Holly pointed at his wet trousers.

  “Yeah,” Brody added. “One time Will and I waded through a puddle of water and just about ruined our shoes. Zoe made us polish ’em for an hour.”

  “A hunnert hours,” Will corrected.

  “Maybe she won’t notice.” Cade waded out of the stream, carrying Missy, and settled her in a grassy spot on the embankment.

  “It huwts, Uncle Cade.”

  He wrapped his kerchief around the tender spot. She hadn’t spoken directly to him until today. Her voice was tiny and sweet as spring hyacinths. “I know, honey. It’ll stop in a minute.”

  Holly ran up the grassy knoll, breathless. “Should I go get Zoe?”

  “Missy will be fine.” He smiled at the eight-year-old as he held out his hand. “Come here. Don’t be afraid of me.”

  Holly hesitated, and then she walked slowly toward him. After a moment, she sat down beside him, staring. “You look kind of like Ma.”

  “Think so?”

  “Uh-huh. Did you pull Ma’s hair like Brody and Will do mine and Missy’s?”

  He chuckled. “I’m sure I did. Isn’t that what brothers are for?”

  Will shot out of the water with Brody chasing after him. The boys ran up the hill, intentionally shaking water on the girls.

  Missy yelled, “Quit it! You’ll get my sowe toe wet! Uncle Cade bandaged it fow me.” Cornflower blue eyes turned in his direction, and Cade heard the voice of an angel say, “Thank you, Uncle Cade. You’we a good boy.”

  Will shook water on her again. “He ain’t a boy. He’s a growed man.”

  “Yeah,” Brody said, eyeing Cade. “He shoots a pistol. I’m gonna shoot a pistol when I learn how.” He looked at Cade straight on. “Will you teach me?”

  Cade knew Addy wouldn’t mind if he taught her boy to shoot, but he thought Zoe would have his hide. “Have you ever shot a gun, son?”

  “My pa let me shoot his shotgun one time when he took me squirrel hunting.” He rubbed his shoulder. “It hurt.”

  Cade turned him in the direction of the water. “You can learn to shoot when you’re older. Right now, you’re wasting swim time.”

  “Can I get in the watew again?” Missy held her foot high in the air, waving it.

  “Don’t know why not.” He carefully unwrapped the handkerchief and saw that the bleeding had stopped. “Just don’t step on any more sharp rocks.”

  Holly took hold of her little sister’s hand. “I’ll watch her, Uncle Cade.”

  “Thank you, Holly. I’d appreciate it.”

  As they walked away, Missy turned around and grinned. For the first time, he noticed she was missing a front tooth.

  “Awe you glad I’m talkin’ to you, Uncle Cade?”

  He winked. “Real glad.”

  Noisy chatter erupted as he leaned back against the tree again. Addy and John must have been proud of their children. Settling his hat lower on his forehead, he thought of Zoe, stirred by her love for his sister’s kids. If he hadn’t ridden off all those years ago, he and Red would be married, and those would be his kids playing on the swing. The thought didn’t sour his stomach. If he let himself, he could think on that a while.

  An hour passed. Pushing his brim up, he realized it was getting late. The sun was setting, and the children had missed dinner. Zoe would wonder what happened to them. Before he could call them in, the sound of snapping twigs brought his hand to his holster. Quick as a flash, the Colt centered on the intruder.

  Zoe froze at the edge of the clearing, her gaze riveted on the weapon. He heard her suck in a deep breath as her face turned tense with cold disapproval.

  “Don’t ever sneak up on me like that,” he said, slipping the gun back into his holster.

  “It’s getting late. I was worried.” Her voice was chilly with condemnation.

  “Sorry. The time got away from me.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “Hey. We’ve had a peaceful afternoon and I’m feeling generous.” He pointed to the ground beside him. “Might as well sit down.”

  After a bit, she seated herself a safe distance away. “Are you getting along with them?”

  “No. We’ve been bickering like thieves.”

  “Very amusing.”

  “We’re doing fine. Stop worrying.”

  “Better call them in. Supper’s ready.”

  Cupping his hands to his mouth, he shouted, “The redheaded boss lady says you’ve had enough for one day!”

  A bevy of groans and complaints went up as the children sloshed out of the water and trudged up the embankment.

  “Hi, Zoe!” Holly said.

  “We swimmded all day!” Will grinned from ear to ear.

  “Hello, children.”

  Brody’s lips quivered as Zoe wrapped a large towel around him. “Ow! That hurts!” he cried.

  Zoe lifted the towel and examined Brody’s reddened shoulders. When Will, Holly, and Missy crowded around to see, Cade realized they all looked like cooked lobsters.

  “Cade, how long have they been in the sun?”

  “I don’t know. All afternoon, I guess.” He frowned. “A little sun’s good for them.”

  “A little sun? They’re blistered!”

  He pressed a finger to Brody’s sunburned skin, leaving a white indentation. “What do you do for this?”

  She picked up the kids’ strewn clothing and helped Will put on his shirt. “Never mind, I’ll take care of it. Come along, children. I’ll give you a vinegar bath to take out the heat.”

  “A vinegar bath! Pee-eew!” the children chorused.

  Cade stepped back as she gathered the quivering children and herded them up the embankment. “Hey,” he called. “I’m taking them to GloriLee’s for supper.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I have chicken in the warming oven.”

  He caught up with her in two long strides. “Look, Red, this is my day to have them.”

  She slowed and let him pass. “Nothing was mentioned about meals.”

  “Having them for the day includes feeding them.”

  “Oh? What did you feed them for dinner?”

  He stopped in the middle of the path. “They weren’t hungry.”

  Brody turned to look over his shoulder. “I’m hungry. I’m starvin’!”

  “Me too!” the other kids chimed in. “Starvin’.”

  “Oh, my. Uncle Cade forgot to feed you.” She picked up speed and passed him.

  He easily caught up with her. “I intend to feed them. I was about to call them in when you showed up. How long are you going to hold this grudge?”

  Her steps quickened. “How long are you going to be here?”

  Latching onto her arm, he stopped her and turned her to face him. “It’s my day, and I’m feeding them.”

  “You can just hold a gun to their heads and order them to like you.”

  “A gun? Is that what the cold shoulder’s about?”

  “I don’t hold with killing. You know that. You knew that when you rode out of here.” She jerked away from him, rubbing her arm. “How could you do that to your poor father?”

  She was spoiling for a fight, but he
wasn’t going to oblige her. His profession didn’t concern her. “You sent for me.”

  “Addy sent for you. Not me.”

  He grabbed her arm again, grasping it tightly. “Only because of Addy?” Their gazes locked in a heated duel, and he shook his head. “You were never good at lying, Red.”

  She didn’t back down. “When the children are recovered from being burnt alive, you can take them to wherever you’re staying and spend time with them.”

  “That’s big of you. I’m sleeping over the jail. I have a leaky roof, a bed, and a washstand. All five of us can’t get in the room, let alone socialize.”

  “That isn’t my problem.”

  “Look. I need your help and you’re shutting me out. You have a right to be mad at me, but that’s between us. Right now, let’s worry about Addy’s kids.” He glanced at the children, who had wandered ahead, chasing a frog down the path.

  Zoe stopped and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “I wish it would rain and cool things off.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d stop wishing for more rain. I’m not sleeping in a wet bed another night.”

  “Stay with Pop.”

  “Pop doesn’t feel like company.”

  She turned accusing eyes in his direction. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Gooseberry pie.”

  Her cheeks bloated as if the thought sickened her. A smile started at the corner of her mouth and then quickly faded. They stood for a moment in awkward silence.

  Children’s laughter filled the clearing, and Cade considered the situation. He used to have fun with her; it should be a happy time now. Instead, it was war.

  Sighing, she said, “I wish you had been here for the funerals. The children needed a man to lean on.”

  “I tried. Sorry I didn’t make it.” He’d ridden for twenty-four hours straight hoping to arrive in time. If he’d ridden any harder, it would have killed his horse.

  “When are you going to talk to the Brightons?”

  “Tomorrow. I’m doing Pop a favor in Suffox County. I’ll stop at the Brightons’ on my way back.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “We’ve already had this argument. If it would make you feel better, you’re welcome to come with me. We can talk to Bonnie and Seth together.”