Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Don’t ever let my mother or sisters hear you say that. They hate having their name in the gossip column.”
“I don’t blame them. Whoever it is who writes those articles seems to have a problem with the Wilde family.”
Caden let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, they do.”
“Jealousy, probably,” I stated.
“Maybe. You don’t think you’ll miss the city and want to go back?” he asked. That had to be another reason Caden was afraid to open his heart to someone, especially someone not from the small town he grew up in.
“No, I won’t miss it. The peacefulness here is such a gift. I love sitting on my front porch, listening to the wind blow through the trees. I like mingling with the kids playing ball in the middle of the street. It reminds me of all the times my parents spoke about what it was like when they were my age, growing up in a similar small town. How different the times were, and how much slower life was. That’s what I’ve always longed for. My father always used to tell me I was born in the city, but I had the heart and soul of a country girl.”
Caden smiled, then leaned back and placed his hands over his stomach. “That was the best chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever had.”
I playfully hit his thigh and stood. “I hardly believe that.”
He stood as well, reaching for both of our plates. “Believe it. You made lunch, I’ll clean up.”
“How about we both clean up, then maybe we can watch another movie.”
A sexy smirk appeared on his handsome face. “Is that really how you want to spend the afternoon, watching a movie?”
Before I could answer, his cell rang.
“It’s Bryce.”
I took the plates from him while he took the call. I could make out a few words here and there. From what I could gather, it sounded like most of the major roads were cleared.
After rinsing the plates, I put them in the dishwasher, then cleaned the plate the cat had eaten from and set it aside, so Caden could feed her later.
When I walked back into the living room, Caden was standing at the window, staring out over the ranch. It took everything I had not to walk up and wrap my arms around him. I wanted to punch Rachel in the face for hurting him. He had such a beautiful heart, and he hid it behind the grumpy persona he’d adopted after she left him broken-hearted.
Oh, how I wished we had met first, too, Caden.
“What’s the update on the roads?”
He turned. “They just finished clearing 165.”
I attempted a smile. “Guess that means it’s time to go back to reality.”
Caden nodded. “Guess so.”
“Caden…I don’t want you to regret the last couple of days. I knew going in where you stood, and I don’t want to lose the friendship we’ve started. I’ve truly loved spending this time with you.”
He slowly exhaled, and I knew he was about to explain all over again why things had to end. I couldn’t bear to listen.
Holding up my hands, I shook my head. “Don’t, Caden. Please, let’s just not say anything, except that we’ll be friends now, and not enemies.”
He walked toward me and stopped only inches away. My heart pounded in my chest when he reached up and cupped my face. The pull I felt toward Caden was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. My body leaned forward, and when his mouth captured mine, we both moaned.
The kiss was slow and lacked nothing in passion. It was also very much a goodbye kiss. A kiss that said so many things when words couldn’t be spoken.
When we finally broke apart, Caden leaned his forehead to mine. “Thank you for this, Lili. You have no idea how much a part of me feels…healed.”
I squeezed his arms and smiled when we stepped apart. “I should probably go take off your clothes.”
He glanced down and shook his head. “Keep them. I’ll drive you back to the barn and to your car.”
I quickly gathered up the few things I had. Said goodbye to the kitten, who I named Misty, and made Caden promise me he wouldn’t put her back out in the cold. We drove in silence to the horse barn, and I silently prayed we wouldn’t see anyone. I didn’t have it in me to have Ensley or Emeline take one look at me and realize what had happened between their brother and me.
“Looks like Gatlin, or one of the guys, cleaned off your car,” Caden said, as he pulled up and parked his truck.
My car was indeed cleared of snow from the windows and most of the body. “That was sweet.”
“Do you have a land line at your house?”
Confused, I asked, “A land line?”
He smiled. “Telephone. You lost your cell, so I wanted to make sure you let me know when you get home safely.”