“Josie, she’s nine years old,” her father would say, as if any nine-year-old could be left for hours at night alone. She remembered one night her parents had gone to a party. Someone had tried to break in the little ramshackle house while she was there by herself. She’d scared them off, then sat by the door holding her daddy’s shotgun on her lap until her mom and dad had come in laughing about four in the morning.
Shuddering again, Annalisa willed herself to remember the faint scent of laundry detergent on Cade’s shirt and the security of his strong arms around her as she drifted off to sleep.
***
Walking down the hall, Annalisa looked down at her khaki pants and white top. Normally, she didn’t give a thought to her clothes, but she wanted to make a good first impression on the boys. She was refreshed from her nap, but she knew that after the fiasco today, she couldn’t afford any more goof-ups.
“There she is. Are you feeling better, Honey?” Aunt Gertie beamed at her as she entered the living room.
“Yes, much. Thank you.” Annalisa decided she’d apologized enough to last a lifetime. Surely a change of subject would be better. She glanced at Cade. “I guess the boys aren’t here yet?”
“No, I was just telling Aunt Gert they should be here any minute.” Cade’s voice radiated excitement. In spite of the embarrassment lingering from their last meeting, Annalisa couldn’t keep from smiling at his enthusiasm for his pet project.
“I’m so nervous I can’t be still,” Aunt Gertie exclaimed. “I’m going to go and make some lemonade.”
Annalisa and Cade laughed as the older woman scurried off to the kitchen. “She’ll spoil them to death, I’m afraid,” Cade said.
Annalisa frowned. “A little spoiling will probably do them a world of good, considering their backgrounds.”
“Yes, and Aunt Gertie loves children, regardless of whether they’re hers by birth or not.”
“I can sympathize with that. I’ve never given birth, but children have a special place in my heart.”
“You’ve never had a child?” Cade seemed surprised at Annalisa’s admission.
“No. I’ve never been married.” Puzzled, she wondered why he seemed so taken aback.
His scrutinizing gaze so close to hers made the room seem small. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she couldn’t imagine what had caused the change in his expression.
When he spoke, it all became horrifyingly clear. “Then, who is Amy?”
Chapter Four
Several loud, short honks signaled the arrival of Circle-M’s newest residents, saving Annalisa from having to answer Cade’s blunt question. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as Cade brushed past her to the front door.
Swinging the wooden door wide open, he waved toward the white van coming up the drive. Annalisa joined him on the front porch, hoping he wouldn’t bring up the subject of Amy again. Her fears were alleviated when Aunt Gertie hurried out to meet the new arrivals with them.
Talk about a close call. Annalisa’s legs wobbled like spaghetti, and her heart beat so hard she could feel her pulse jumping in her throat. How had he found out about Amy? Silly, she scolded herself, he is a private investigator.
As she watched the big friendly cowboy greet the Wine-millers and meet each boy with a firm handshake, she shook her head. He seemed so far from a PI right now, but she would do well not to be fooled by the Roy Rogers act.
Aunt Gertie put her arm around Annalisa’s waist and propelled her forward. Cade looked up as the women approached and introduced them.
Trying to remember everything Cade had told her about the three boys, Annalisa concentrated her attention on them. Thirteen-year-old Juan scowled at their cheery hellos, but seven-year-old Tim jumped up and down, grabbing Cade’s shirt. “Can I ride a horse? Please. I want to ride a horse right now.”
The middle boy, who had to be the nine-year-old, stood a little to the side of the others, his gaze cast down. When Cade introduced Matthew, the red-headed boy looked up briefly. Annalisa almost gasped at the pain in his green eyes. He bowed his head again, scuffing the toe of his new boot in the dust with great concentration.
Marta Winemiller smiled at Annalisa and Gertie. “It’s good to have not just one woman to talk to, but two.” Her blond waist-length hair was straight and fine, with a few streaks of gray. Crow’s feet flanked her crystal blue eyes and laugh lines edged her mouth. She had a loveliness that came from a peaceful spirit. Annalisa liked her instantly.
They all made the trek out to the bunkhouse for the newcomers to stash their duffel bags. The boys each staked a claim on a bunk in the great room. George and Marta had a private room in the front corner of the building. A tiny kitchen had been installed, but since Annalisa was doing the cooking for everyone, meals would be served in the main house.
Leaving Gertie and Cade to get them settled in, Annalisa excused herself to begin preparing supper. Safe in the kitchen, she faced the inevitable. The excitement of the boys arriving might buy her a day... two at the most. Ready or not, she was going to have to tell Cade about Amy. Would Cade send her packing, or would he be the hero she so desperately needed?
***
George Winemiller scratched his balding head then ran his hand over the wisps of hair as if trying to stretch them to cover the shiny surface. “I don’t know. You handpicked ’em, but they’re tough. Winning them over is not going to be easy.”
“I never thought this project would be easy, but I think it’ll be worth the effort.” Cade pushed away the negative words. Getting the boys here had been a huge hurdle, and he’d jumped it. Today he could face anything.
As he and George watched in silence, Tim tentatively reached toward Bubba, one of the more gentle horses. When Tim turned around, the delight on the boy’s face won Cade’s heart. “His nose is as soft as a pile of mud,” Tim yelled.
“He’s the one I don’t understand, Cade. Why’s he here?”
Cade shuddered as he remembered what the social worker had told him when she begged him to add Tim to his bunch of troubled boys. “Nobody wanted him. He has asthma... pretty bad, I guess. Even though the doctors say he might outgrow the illness, his folks didn’t want to wait. ‘Too much trouble,’ they said. Then they signed away all claim to him and turned him over to the state.”
George cleared his throat. Cade noticed a suspicious moisture in his eyes, and he knew the man was going to do just fine with these boys. He’d been happy to find the Winemillers and was thrilled when they were willing to relocate. Still, a niggling doubt had remained until now.
If only his confidence in his newly hired employees could extend to his kitchen staff. Annalisa intrigued him, but he had serious doubts about her being in it for the long haul. The distressed expression on her face when he’d asked about Amy still lingered in his mind. If she’d be honest with him, he could explain to her why he couldn’t ever go back to investigating. Of course, he realized, then she’d probably leave. Maybe it was better not to push her.
He glanced at Juan leaning with his back against the fence, trying to look cool. The sun glinted off his spiked jet-black hair, and a scowl was permanently etched on his handsome face.
Cade nudged George. Old Sweetie, a fifteen-year-old mare, had noticed the boy. The horse ambled up but either the teenager didn’t hear her or thought he was too cool to turn around. The horse, apparently dissatisfied with the young man’s lack of attention, nuzzled the back of his neck. Juan jumped and yelled in rapid Spanish, wiping frantically at his neck with his hands.
“You speak Spanish?” Cade asked George.
“Not a bit,” George said with a grin.
“Me either. Probably a good thing.”
“Yep.”
The two men stayed where they were when Juan shot past them and into the bunkhouse. Cade glanced over at Matthew and Tim, who were standing nearby. “You boys ever ridden a horse?”
Tim’s head jerked up. “No...”
“How about you, Matthew?”
Cade prodded the other boy, hoping to at least get a view of his face.
After a few seconds of silence, Tim said, “Matthew don’t talk.”
Cade nodded. That’s what the social worker had said. Not that he couldn’t... He just didn’t. “I don’t reckon you have to talk to ride a horse. They don’t understand much of what you say anyway.”
Tim giggled, then wiped the smile away with his grungy hand. “Can I ride the horse? He likes me. Can I, please?”
Cade squatted down to Tim’s level and tousled his blond hair. “Tomorrow we’ll get you all on horses. But today we’re just going to relax and get used to the ranch and each other. Annalisa’s fixing us a good supper. What do you say to that, Buddy?”
“All right!” he said, throwing his arms around Cade’s neck.
Cade was sure he’d detected interest in the brief glimpse he’d gotten of Matthew’s green eyes, but it was gone so quickly, it might have been his imagination. One day at a time, he reminded himself. They didn’t get like this overnight, and they’re not going to change overnight, he repeated the social worker’s words in his mind.
“George, why don’t you go get Juan, and let’s take a little walk? I’d like to show y’all the layout of the land, so you can get to know your way around here a little bit.” Then Cade turned to the boys. “Wait here and keep Bubba and Old Sweetie company while I run up to the house and tell the women what we’re going to do.”
He could have sent one of the boys, but to his chagrin, his heartbeat quickened at the thought of another run-in with the cook.
***
Annalisa watched out the window as Cade came up the back walk to the kitchen door. He gave a cursory knock and then stuck his head in.
“Where’s Aunt Gert?” he asked. “And Marta?”
“Your aunt is showing Marta around the house.”
“George and I are going to take the boys for a walk. What time will supper be ready?”
“In about half an hour. Is that too soon?”
“No, that’ll be fine. See you then.”
“Okay, bye.” She turned back to the sink as he left, then looked up again, startled, when he poked his head back in.
“Annalisa?”
“Yeah?”
“We have to talk... tonight.”
Annalisa’s heart thudded in her chest, but she knew he was right, so she nodded. “Okay.”
What would he say when she told him the truth? Surely he would help her. He had helped so many others. Admittedly, her situation was a little different. Still, she had been wronged, and Amy definitely belonged with her.
Casting her thoughts aside, she finished cutting up the potatoes and carefully lowered them into the hot grease. She’d have to hurry to meet her self-imposed deadline of thirty minutes.
Half an hour later, when the resident males had returned from their walk and washed up, supper was on the table. Cade insisted Annalisa eat at the long table with everyone else. Not wanting to appear ungracious, she sat down with the group.
Cade said grace and then passed each dish around, helping the boys to know what to do. Annalisa noticed how careful he was to set them at ease. His every little action exemplified his concern for them. Surely he would understand about Amy.
“Annalisa, you did a great job on supper. This venison steak is delicious.” Cade gave her a warm smile.
“Thanks.” She decided his compliment was sincere when the table conversation lulled while everyone enjoyed the food. The ultimate tribute to a good cook, Julie’s mom always said—guests who were too busy consuming delicious cooking to talk.
When she stood to clean up, George and Marta exchanged a look.
“Cade, Marta and I thought the boys could take a turn with K.P. What do you think?”
Cade smiled. “That sounds like a fine idea to me, George. Reminds me of summer camp when I was growing up.”
Juan rolled his eyes, and Cade motioned to him. “Juan, you and Tim can help tonight. We’ll get a chart made out by tomorrow.” The boys stood, the younger exuberant and the older reluctant. “Annalisa, would you show Juan how to load the dishwasher?” When she nodded, he added, “Tim, you start carrying the dishes in the kitchen.”
Annalisa began to instruct the thirteen-year-old in the fine art of dishwasher loading.
Leaning on the counter, he wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “What’s a pretty chick like you doing in a dump like this?”
Taken aback, but determined to keep her cool, she met his leer with a level gaze. “Cooking for a boys’ ranch, last time I checked. Why do you ask?”
Juan blushed, obviously flustered by her calm manner. “Oh... no reason.” The rest of the lesson was uneventful and there were even a couple of yes, ma’ams.
Feeling pretty pleased with herself after everything was cleaned up, Annalisa collapsed on a chair in the den. She rested the back of her head against the soft pillow of the recliner and closed her eyes.
“Tired?”
Annalisa jumped, and her eyes popped open. “Cade! I didn’t hear the door open. Are the boys settled in for the night?” Even after a long day, he still managed to look like he’d stepped out of a western magazine ad.
She cast a disgusted glance at her clothes, damp from Juan’s first dishwasher lesson, and sat up straighter. Just because she looked like a wrung out mop, didn’t mean she had to sit like one.
“Yeah, I went out and made sure they had everything they needed. Aunt Gertie must have been tired too. She turned in early.”
“Today’s been really exciting,” Annalisa offered. Unfortunately, I’m afraid the excitement is just beginning. He already knows I’m here about Amy, so why am I terrified? If he was going to blow up, he probably would have already.
“Yes. Now, Annalisa, do you want to tell me why you came here?” Cade’s voice was firm, but tinged with understanding.
Annalisa looked down at her hands and tried to find the right words. Unexpected tears filled her eyes. This was the moment she’d been waiting for.
Please, she prayed, don’t let me blow it.
Cade’s soft voice interrupted her silent plea. “Why don’t you start by telling me who Amy is?”
Annalisa raised her head and met Cade’s gaze. She searched his eyes for a sign of what his reaction would be. As if reading her mind, his expression grew tender and for a moment, she saw her own pain reflected there.
“Amy is my sister.” Her voice cracked. “She was stolen from me.”
“Stolen from you?” He abandoned his relaxed posture and straightened. “What about your parents?”
“My mother is dead. My father deserted us when Mama found out she was pregnant with Amy.” Annalisa spoke the painful words flatly, reigning in her emotions so she could give Cade only the facts.
Cade pulled a tiny notebook and a pen from his shirt pocket. Flipping the pad open, he made a notation. “How old is Amy?”
“Eight.”
“When your mother died she left custody of Amy to you, right?”
“She told me to take care of her.” Tears filled her eyes again, as she remembered her mother’s last words. “I promised her I would.”
Cade reached out and took her hand. “I understand. You’re not responsible. When a kidnapping occurs...”
The touch of his hand on hers turned her insides to honey. Knowing she needed to be strong, she pulled her hand away and wiped her eyes. “It wasn’t exactly a kidnapping.”
“What do you mean?” Cade’s voice rose. “What exactly was it?”
“Social Services took her from me.”
A flicker of shock showed in his eyes, but he quickly resumed his questioning with a poker face. “Why? Do you have a problem? An addiction? Did they find you unfit?”
“They said I was too young.”
“Annalisa, that’s not logical. Your application to work here said you are twenty-four.” Cade discarded the notebook and took her hands in his. “If you have a problem, don’t be ashamed to tell me. With
God’s help, you can overcome your addiction and then maybe we can get Amy back.”
Annalisa felt a hysterical laugh bubble up in her throat as she shook her head. “No, Cade. There is no problem. I was only seventeen when they took Amy and put her up for adoption and placed me in foster care.”
Cade dropped hold of her hands and stared at her, mouth open. Jumping to his feet, he turned his back on her and strode across the room to the empty fireplace. He stood at the mantle for what seemed an eternity. The loud tick-tock of the grandfather clock echoed through the silent room.
She sat and waited while he picked up pictures and examined them as if he’d forgotten her presence. Suddenly, he spun around.
“This ranch is very important to me. More than you will ever know.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “By taking the cook’s position, your deception has struck at the heart of my project here.” Cade paced up and down in front of the fireplace. “I do feel sorry for you, but there’s no way I would ever help you find a little girl who has probably been with another family for seven years. So all you’ve done is put us both in an impossible situation for nothing.”
With each angry word, Annalisa shrank farther into the recliner. The warm honey feeling she’d had earlier rolled into a ball of pain in her chest. He was just like her father. Suave charm and uncontrollable anger all rolled into one.
She had thanked God when her dad left and then cried all night that he was gone. Since then she’d avoided men with any temper. Truthfully, she’d always been so centered on finding Amy, she hadn’t had much time for men.
Cade walked over to where she sat. “Please stop looking at me like I’m going to hit you. I would never lay a hand on a woman in anger.”
Annalisa found the courage to rise, partly from his reassurance that he wasn’t going to strike her. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mc-Fadden, I’ll pack tonight and leave first thing in the morning.”
“You will not. You’re not going anywhere.”
In Search of Love Page 4
