A Kiss for Cade

by Lori Copeland

  When the boy was out of earshot, Cade said, “I want to get the children settled as soon as possible.” The man’s children appeared happy and well cared for. Pop was right. The Brightons would provide a good home for the kids. In time they would love it here. Seth and Bonnie could give them what he couldn’t. A ma and a pa.

  Seth shifted in his chair. “Could be a few weeks before we’re able to take them. Bonnie needs to get back on her feet.”

  Cade frowned. “Is your wife ill?”

  “Come down with a fever during the night.”

  When the young man’s face sobered, Cade wondered how high of a fever.

  “We’re expectin’ it’ll pass real quick.”

  “You want me to send Doc out to look at her?”

  “Sent for him first thing. Sawyer said he had to be over the county line for two, three days.” Swallowing hard, he blinked. “I’m taking the kids to my folks this evening. They’re going to keep them, just in case…”

  “Probably wise of you.”

  Seth rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger. “Bonnie will feel bad about this, knowing she could have them right away. She has her heart set on taking Addy’s kids—and we still mean to take them. We’re just gonna have to put it off for a few days…until we see how Bonnie comes along.”

  “Of course.” Cade got up to leave. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “No. I’d appreciate your prayers, though.” Seth reached out to shake his hand. “We’ll send word the minute Bonnie’s up and about again. It shouldn’t be too long…” Seth pointed to the south end of the house. “I’m building on. We’ll have plenty of room for the young’uns.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was late in the afternoon before Cade approached the outskirts of Winterborn. Pausing, he stared at the cemetery entrance. He’d put off visiting his family’s graves for as long as he could. He’d avoided cemeteries most of his life due to putting many a man there himself.

  He climbed from the wagon and leaned down to pick some blossoms from a clump of wild daisies. In the midst of prairie grass and scattered wildflowers, a lone cottonwood shaded the family plots. Addy would have been at peace knowing she and John would be buried here.

  His gaze traveled to nearby headstones, reading the familiar names of those he had known from childhood, swallowing against the tightness in his throat. When he came to the inscription “Mac and Senda Kolby—Together in life, Eternal in death,” his vision blurred. Ma’s and Pa’s graves.

  Kneeling, he observed a moment of silence. He hadn’t talked to the Lord much in the past few years. It seemed that if he didn’t talk to the Lord, he might not have kept up on Cade’s whereabouts. He moved to Addy’s and John’s fresh graves, where he laid the handful of daisies among the wilted bouquets left by other mourners. Rising, he removed his hat and tried to remember a prayer. Any prayer. It was hard. He hadn’t prayed in a long time.

  God, you’re a whole lot better than I am, and I suppose you know what you’re doing, but there’s four little kids left with broken hearts.

  Shame washed over him. When he was a boy, there hadn’t been a Sunday when he wasn’t seated next to his ma at the Good Shepherd Church, listening to Pa preach the Word. Senda Kolby had raised her children with an iron hand and a forgiving heart. She lived and died by the Ten Commandments, and expected others to do the same. Had she been disappointed in him? Was it her prayers that had kept him alive all these years?

  The peacefulness was broken by the call of a meadowlark overhead. He glanced up as the bird flew away, and he envied its freedom. Addy’s image swam before his eyes. The vivid picture of his little sister falling out of a toy wagon, tears running down her dirt-streaked face. He’d led her to the front porch and set her in the swing, wiping away her tears with his shirttail.

  An emotional half chuckle escaped him. He had given her his prized slingshot, hoping it would make her feel better.

  “Sorry, I’m all out of slingshots, sis.” In his estimation, no one had been good enough for his sister. To Addy’s dismay, he had run off more promising suitors than you could shake a stick at.

  His gaze shifted to the grave beside Addy’s. He wished he’d known John Wiseman. In Addy’s letters, she’d praised the man she’d married. Through her words, he had felt her happiness, a happiness that was short lived.

  The crunch of dry buffalo grass caught his attention, and his hand slid to his gun. Then he heard Zoe’s voice call out, “It’s me, Cade.”

  Turning, he watched her approach the graves, carrying a small basket of flowers. She was flushed from the walk. A few straggling tendrils of hair stuck to her face, glistening with tiny beads of sweat. She had a natural beauty that didn’t require kohl or rouge to turn a man’s head.

  “This is the last place I thought I’d find you today.” Setting her basket on the ground, she wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. “The children are looking for you.”

  “What do they want?”

  “Nothing in particular. They’re with Pop now. Why are your cheeks wet?”

  He turned away. “It’s hot here.”

  She picked up a handful of flowers. “I don’t know why men are so embarrassed to cry. It’s a natural thing to do under the circumstances.”

  “I’m sweating.”

  “You’re crying.”

  His gaze met and held hers. “Do you always have to have the last word?”

  “Only when I’m right.”

  Stepping around him, she laid flowers on Addy’s and John’s graves, and then proceeded to Jim’s. Cade felt a pang of envy when he saw her somber expression. Had she loved her husband deeply? He hoped Jim had made her happy. It seemed that all he, Cade, had brought her was misery.

  Standing before Jim’s marker, she bowed her head. He wanted to comfort her, but it wasn’t his place. She had enough pain to handle.

  She laid flowers on Jim’s grave and her parents’ graves and then moved to his parents’ resting place. She pulled long strands of grass away from their headstone, and then placed marigolds against the simple crosses.

  “You come here often?” he asked, ignoring the guilt that swept him. Until today, he’d never put a flower on Ma’s or Pa’s graves.

  “As often as I can.”

  “Do you always put flowers on my folks’ graves?”

  “I guess it’s habit. Addy and I used to come here together.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “It’s no bother.” Straightening, she dusted her hands, glancing at the sun. “It’s a scorcher today.”

  “Real hot.”

  She smiled. “I know. You’ve been sweating. “

  He turned to walk away, and she latched onto his arm. “We need to talk.”

  “Here?”

  She shook her head, and he wondered if she guessed his reluctance to linger in a cemetery.

  “There’s some shade over there,” she pointed to a tree outside the gate.

  Their shoes kicked up puffs of dust. Grasshoppers jumped beside them as they trod the rutted path. The scent of dry hay hung thick in the stifling summer air.

  Zoe’s gaze went to Cade’s horse and the sheriff’s wagon behind. “I see you picked up Hague.”

  “Yes. I need to get him to the undertaker.” Already the foul scent seeping from the pine box turned one’s stomach.

  Moving toward the tree, she motioned for him to follow. “Let’s rest a moment.”

  Sitting on the grass, she leaned back against the tree trunk, fanning herself with her handkerchief.

  He took a seat beside her, removed his hat, and hooked it over his knee. “What’s on your mind?”

  “You have to leave.”

  “Leave. What’ll it be, Red? Leave or stay? You seem to reach a different conclusion every day.”

  “Leave. The kids are getting attached to you too quickly.”

  “Isn’t that the point of me staying?”

  “Regardless, I know you’re not going to stay, so you have to leav
e.”

  He stared at her. “You confuse me.”

  “What’s confusing about your leaving? You are going, aren’t you?”

  “Eventually.”

  “Then leave now before you do anymore damage.”

  He took a deep breath and released it slowly, choosing his words carefully. “I don’t want to hurt the kids.” When he looked into her eyes, he saw her misgivings. She didn’t trust him. The thought stung, but he conceded that he had neglected his family. Her disapproval of him was his own fault. “I’ll stay as long as it takes to find the kids a home.”

  “Not good enough.”

  Could he tell her about Hart McGill and not upset her? He couldn’t. Women didn’t understand his profession. “It’s the way it’s going to be.”

  “Why do you have to go? If you’re so adamant about me not having the kids, why not stay and raise them? Is Winterborn such a burden to you?”

  “Do you know what’s going to happen to this town when word spreads that I’m here?”

  She sighed. “Trouble.”

  “‘Trouble’ is putting it mildly.” There were men waiting to jump at the chance to gun him down in public. He wasn’t going to subject Winterborn to hardened criminals, let alone Zoe and the kids. Coming home made him realize how much he missed the town. Pop, the old-timers at the barbershop, the smell of cookies baking at Edna Mews’s house, young boys playing marbles in the street. He had been one of those kids once. Now his life was an endless succession of dirty cow towns, empty bedrolls, cold beans, and warmed-over coffee. Not much to brag about for thirty-three years.

  He focused on the meadow opposite the road and watched sunflowers bob their heads in the breeze. He couldn’t travel far enough to escape the enemies he’d made, but he wasn’t going to endanger Addy’s kids because of them.

  The grizzly image of Hart McGill crossed his mind. He wouldn’t rest until he, Cade, was six feet under.

  “I’m just saying that if you don’t plan to keep the kids, then the kindest thing to do is to leave. Right now.” Zoe wiped her palms on her skirt. “The longer you stay, the harder it will be for them to give you up.”

  “They won’t be giving me up. I’ll be back on occasion.”

  She stood and brushed off the back of her skirt, jaw clenched, frustration written on her face. “Where have I heard that before?”

  Trying to lighten the mood, he playfully tugged at the hem of her skirt. “Don’t get yourself in a snit.” He winced when he saw the stubborn tilt of her chin that always meant trouble.

  “I made a promise to an old friend’s wife. All right?”

  “And she believed you?”

  “You know what? I’m getting a little tired of your sass.” He grinned when impatience flared in her eyes.

  “Is that right? Well, let me tell you what I’m tired of—”

  He reached up, took her hand, and pulled her down beside him, mocking her wide-eyed countenance.

  “Cade Kolby, stop manhandling me.”

  Leaning close, he whispered against her ear, “You big enough to stop me?”

  She stiffened and pulled away, but his arm slid around her waist and held her immobile.

  “Don’t think you’re going to kiss me,” she declared.

  “How else am I going to shut you up?” He grinned at the surprise in her eyes and then lowered his head. He had forgotten how intoxicating she smelled. Too many years had passed since he had kissed her.

  Just before their lips met, her fingers clamped around his ear like a bear trap. Words escaped through her clenched teeth. “I said, don’t think you’re going to kiss me!” She pushed him aside. “Answer my question.”

  She appeared unfazed, but her shaking hand and the blush on her cheek told him he still had an effect on her. “I forgot the question.”

  “When exactly are you leaving?”

  Getting to his feet, he rubbed feeling back into his ear. “When I’m good and ready.”

  She stood and faced him. “Those children should be mine, Cade.”

  “Do you remember how lonely you were as a girl with no mother? Your pa was gone most the time. Is that the kind of life you want for Addy’s kids?”

  “Of course not, but I wouldn’t be gone. I would be here.”

  “I remember how good life was for Addy and me, growing up with both a mother and father. I want that for her kids. I know that’s what she would want.”

  Zoe’s eyes misted as she fumbled for her handkerchief. He reached for her hand and gently rubbed the back of it with his thumb. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to do what I think is best for all concerned.”

  Seth and Bonnie were fine people and would do right by the children. As soon as Bonnie was well, the kids would go there to live. No use telling Zoe about Bonnie right now. He’d only further upset her and that wasn’t his purpose. She was a fine woman, but the kids needed a pa.

  She took her hand out of his and reached for her basket. “You’re impossible.”

  Cade watched her walk briskly down the road, her backside flouncing with every determined step. He shook his head. A lot of sass. His grin widened. That’s what he liked about her.

  “I don’t think so,” he called, slipping his hat back on. “I’ve met worse.”

  He’d been worse. She just didn’t know it.

  Whirling, she flung her basket at him. Without missing a step, she marched on.

  He thumbed his hat to the back of his head and took a deep breath. This felt good. Sparring with her made him feel like a kid again.

  He sobered. It wasn’t the kid in him that reacted to her. There had been other women over the years, but none caused the excitement in him like that female did.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cade delivered Hague’s body to Pop and then headed to the Bradshaw place. Shadows lengthened. The moon had a ring around it. Rain by morning.

  He’d missed supper at GloriLee’s by an hour, and he assumed he’d go to bed hungry.

  He had days, at most, to wrap up his business here. Hart McGill wasn’t a fool. It wouldn’t take long for news to spread that Cade Kolby wasn’t anywhere near St. Louis.

  Butch barked as Cade rounded the back of the store. He spoke the dog’s name, and the mutt bounded over.

  The door opened and Missy peeked out, breaking into a grin. “I’m glad you’we home, Uncle Cade. We kept suppew wawm for you.”

  Supper warm for him? It had been years since anyone had kept supper warm for him.

  He smiled at the angel with the cornflower blue eyes. “You did?”

  Missy nodded and then jumped up and down. “He’s home, Zoe! He’s home!”

  Brody, Will, and Holly joined Missy in the kitchen. Zoe came in, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes. The children dragged Cade to the table as she reached into the warming oven and took out a plate. Holly ran to pour a glass of milk while Missy buttered a thick wedge of corn bread and laid it on his plate. Brody hung over his shoulder, talking about the frogs he’d caught.

  Overwhelmed by the attention, Cade sat down. When Zoe set the food in front of him, he said, “I expected to go to bed hungry tonight.”

  “It’s not much,” she warned. “Plain old beans and cornbread.”

  Beans and cornbread. At eight o’clock at night, with him not having eaten since early morning. The fare looked like turkey and dressing. He dug in, aware of the eyes suddenly focused on him.

  His spoon slowed as he glanced up and met Missy’s disapproving gaze. Crossing her arms, she shook her head.

  He lifted his brows.

  Leaning over, the child whispered, “You haven’t pwayed.”

  “Prayed?” He glanced at Zoe.

  “Blessed the food,” she offered.

  Stunned, he asked, “Me?”

  “You’re the one eating, aren’t you?”

  He bowed his head and clasped his hands together. He hadn’t thanked God for anything in years. He looked at Missy out of the corner of his eye. “What do I say?
”

  “Just say, thank you fow the food, God, and thank you fow my family.”

  He glanced up and met Zoe’s amused eyes. Bowing his head again, he prayed, “Thank you for the food, God, and thank you for…my family.” The words felt strange on his tongue.

  Kitchen warmth surrounded him as he ate. Brody wanted to know all about his day, so Cade explained about the trip to Suffox County. Will, Missy, and Holly huddled close to the table, listening.

  Will straightened. “Did you shoot a bad guy today?”

  Cade patted the boy’s head. “I didn’t shoot anyone.”

  Zoe brought her sewing to the table and darned socks, smiling at the children’s occasional bursts of laughter. Cade regaled his rapt audience by telling them how he and Eddie Lee Brighton had chased a pig down the road, trying to capture it.

  “Maddy had to stand guard over Hague’s body while I chased that porker on foot for better than twenty minutes,” Cade said, laughing. “Must have run off four pork chops and a side of bacon before she gave in.”

  Zoe glanced up at the mention of Maddy.

  “Did some lady go with you?” Brody asked.

  “No.” He winked at the children. “Maddy’s my horse. Short for Madeleine. Named her after a woman I knew in Wichita. Feisty little filly…” His gaze caught Zoe’s and she looked away, sharply biting off a piece of thread

  When the clock struck nine, she laid her mending aside. “It’s bedtime.”

  In a flurry of commotion, the boys ran to make up their pallets. The girls disappeared into the bedroom, returning to Cade a few moments later for good night kisses.

  Sending the children on their way, Zoe bustled around the kitchen, putting away dishes. Leaning back in his chair, Cade watched the way the lamplight shone on her hair. Her lithe figure hadn’t changed much. Her waist was still so tiny he could span it with two hands.

  “What did Seth and Bonnie have to say when you stopped by?” Her voice was soft, hesitant.

  He’d deliberately avoided the subject, but it was open now and she had to know.

  “How well do you know Bonnie?”

  Zoe trimmed the lamp. “Not well. I see her occasionally at social functions and church. She stays to herself most of the time.”