A Kiss for Cade (4 page)

“Come on, Red. You thought I wouldn’t come?”

“You didn’t come for John and Addy’s wedding. Or your mother’s or father’s funerals.”

He looked away. She’d hit home. When he looked back his steady, midnight blue gaze impaled her, and the invisible hand around her throat tightened. “You missed your sister’s burying too. We’ve already laid her and your brother-in-law to rest.”

If she hadn’t loved Addy so much, she would have felt a measure of satisfaction as pain flashed across his features.

“I came as soon as I got your message.”

She lifted her chin. “I wasn’t sure you’d get it. You’re the only person I know who uses a saloon as an address.”

How like him to miss the important things. Always chasing the almighty dollar and leaving responsibility to others. He might be hurting for Addy, but so was she.

When she glanced back, he was still focused on her. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “What happened to your freckles?”

“I outgrew them.” Just as he’d outgrown his boyish imperfections, she noted with dismay. She tried not to look at him, but it was impossible.

Hours in the sun had colored his skin to a rich, dark hue. A growth of heavy beard with a hint of crimson covered once-youthful skin. His shoulders were broader than she remembered. He filled every inch of his mustard-colored duster. Sinewy thighs flexed as he shifted his weight in the saddle, drawing her attention to the tools of his trade. A Colt Peacemaker was strapped to his thigh. The dying sun glinted off the butt of a Winchester rifle resting in the scabbard attached to the saddle.

Her gaze traveled to his blue denim shirt, open at the collar to reveal a curly thatch of dark chest hair. Beneath a sweat-stained black Stetson, wavy, chestnut-colored hair hung past his shoulders. She reminded herself to inhale when she realized she was holding her breath. She was going to drop at his feet in a dead faint if she didn’t get control of herself.

The reins rested lightly in his gloved hands as he forced her eyes to meet his.

“You always were the prettiest girl in Kansas.”

Now she refused to look at him. As God was her witness, she would never let him affect her again. But the children—she had to be civil for the children. “You need a bath.”

The youngsters gathered in a silent huddle, tongue-tied and fidgety, somewhat in awe of this dark stranger and yet itching to meet him. Cade so favored their mother in looks.

Cade’s eyes moved from one waif to the other, and she realized too late that she should have checked their appearances before coming outside. Brody had biscuit crumbs on his upper lip, and one of Holly’s stockings was bunched around her ankle. The front of Missy’s dress was water spattered, and her braids were escaping their ribbons. Will’s nose, in constant need of wiping, ran a stream. Before Zoe could hand him her handkerchief, he swiped the sleeve of his shirt across his face and took care of the problem.

“They’re all Addy’s?”

She nodded. “If you had come home more often, you’d know.”

The jingling of Cade’s fancy silver spurs caught the children’s attention as he swung out of the saddle. Pulling off his gloves, he smiled at the youngest, who cowered behind Zoe’s skirt. “What’s your name?”

Urging the girls to the forefront, Zoe introduced them. “This is Missy. She’s five.” She gestured toward her sister. “And Holly. She’s eight.”

His gaze centered on Holly. “She looks like Addy.”

“This is Brody. He’s ten and the oldest. And Will is six.”

Gathering the youngsters protectively to her, Zoe took a deep breath and then said, “Children, this is your Uncle Cade.”

The four pressed deeper into her skirt, clearly overwhelmed by the rugged stranger.

She met Cade’s eyes, pleading for help. “Addy thought Will favors you.”

“Is that good or bad?”

Ignoring his humorous attempt, she shrugged. “She never said.”

“How come you’re not keeping the kids at Addy’s house?”

“The furniture and contents have been burned.” When he frowned, she explained. “Because of the fever, the doctor thought it best to destroy all of John’s and Addy’s belongings.”

“Was it the pox?”

“Doc Whitney’s not certain, but he didn’t want to chance spreading whatever it was. The Wilson family all perished from a similar illness a few months back. Other than John and Addy, there’ve been no new cases, but Doc’s still holding his breath.”

Cade took off his hat and tapped it against his leg. Dust filtered to the ground. “Losing both parents must be rough on the kids.”

“They’re doing well, considering.”

Gawkers gathered in the street, eyes and ears glued to the home-coming. Zoe knew these busybodies were more curious about her and Cade than they were about the children’s welfare. Cade fell into step as she herded the children back into the store. There was no need for a public spectacle.

As they entered the building, Cade tossed his hat onto the counter. The pungent smell of a round of cheese on the ledge next to the till blended with the aromas of spices, coffee, and dye from the yard goods. Pickles, apples, and soda crackers filled barrels beneath the counter. “Show me where to stash my gear, and I’ll wash up for supper. Is that cabbage I smell?”

Zoe never broke stride as she walked toward the living quarters, past tall shelves of canned goods and cooking utensils, and a table of linens and fancy ribbons. She sidestepped two bushels of fresh vegetables and a bucket of blackberries. “Supper’s over. You’ll need to find a place to sleep.”

Her tone was snappish and she meant it to be. He had no right to march in and assume nothing had changed. Everything had changed, especially where he was concerned.

Brody suddenly grabbed Will around the neck and wrestled him to the floor. “Give me back my slingshot. I know you took it!”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

Will set up a howl as Zoe waded in and broke up the scuffle. “Will did not take your slingshot, mister. I put it away. You’ve broken two windows and a slop jar this week.”

Brody hung his head. Will punched him in the arm. “See. I told you I didn’t take it.”

“For heaven’s sake, boys! Isn’t there enough commotion going on without this? All four of you children go out back and play. Nicely.”

Holly glanced at Cade, who was watching the fracas. “But what if he leaves again?”

“He’s not going anyplace,” Zoe said. “Go out and make sure the boys don’t get their clothes dirty. They’ve changed twice today already.”

“I don’t wanna go outside,” Missy said, twirling a long blond braid. “Bwody tied my haiw to the pump handle yestewday.”

Zoe gave Brody a withering look that made his head dip even lower. “Go on, Missy. I want to talk to your Uncle Cade alone. I can assure you, Brody will not tie your hair to anything.” She looked at Brody. “Isn’t that right?”

He jammed his hands into his pockets. “Yes, ma’am.”

The children left in a noisy flurry as Zoe returned to the front of the store. Cade followed close behind her and helped himself to a handful of crackers and a chunk of cheese.

Grinning, he lifted a brow at her playfully. “Make sure they don’t get dirty? Isn’t that asking a lot of boys?”

“You don’t have to do the wash.”

“Looks like John and Addy did a good job with the kids.”

“They’re bright and intelligent children.” She watched his face sober.

“Why did Addy leave their welfare up to me?”

She shrugged. “You’re the only family left.”

“Did Laticia die?”

“No, but she’s seventy-five years old. She and Abraham are hardly in a position to raise children.”

“Abraham? Is that old black driver still around?”

She nodded. “Still answering Laticia’s beck and call.”

A glint of humor twinkled in his eyes as he bit into a cracker. “You’re a little tense, Red. Boys can’t get dirty? No supper, no room? What kind of hospitality is this?”

Grabbing a cloth, she furiously wiped the counter, her patience at an end. “What did you expect, Cade? That you could waltz back in here and things would be exactly as they were when you left?”

He slipped a piece of cheese into his mouth. “Still as prickly as a porcupine.”

She snapped open a linen table napkin and refolded it. “Would it have hurt you to clean up a little before riding into town?”

He grinned, slipping another piece of cheese off the blade of the knife. “You want to draw me a bath?”

Her posture stiffened. “Frank Brighton has a hog trough you’re welcome to use.” She ignored his laugh and went on wiping the counter.

Swallowing the cheese, he reached for an apple, studying her. “Addy wrote that you married Jim Bradshaw. How come?”

The cleaning cloth hit the counter with a
whack.
“I waited nine years, Cade! Did you think I’d wait for you forever?”

He took a bite of apple. “You said you’d wait for me, Red. Forever. Those were your exact words. What happened?”

She turned to glare at him. “‘I’ll be back.’ Those were
your
words. What happened?”

He shrugged. “Just because I haven’t come back doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to. When you jumped the gun and married another man I figured why waste the ride.”

He was blaming her? Anger inflamed her—directed not so much at him but at her for being so vulnerable. No matter how often she told herself that seeing him again would make no difference, it did, and she hated it.

“Speaking of forever, didn’t we take a blood oath we’d never marry anyone else?” He winked as he reached into the pickle barrel. “Looks like I’m the only one who took the vow to heart.”

“You have a heart, Cade?”

He sat down and propped his dusty boots on a barrel. “Sarcasm? Not like you, Red.”

Years of frustration begged to be released, but she forced the urge aside. The children needed him. Their needs were foremost now. She walked past him and shoved his feet to the floor with a noisy jingle of spurs.

“It’s late. You need to find someplace to light other than on my pickle barrel.”

He got to his feet, shaving off another piece of cheese. “I thought I might bunk here for a few days.”

“You thought wrong.”

He helped himself to more crackers. “It’s not like we’re strangers—”

Whirling, she hurled the rag at him. “I’m not seventeen anymore, Cade Kolby! And stop eating my food!”

He ducked, and the cloth sailed to the floor.

“And don’t act as though you left yesterday!” How dare he come in and assume that he owned the place!

When he looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, she grabbed the cleaning rag and began polishing the counter harder. “And don’t think you’ll be hanging around here, with me doing
your
wash and cooking
your
meals. Just because I loved Addy doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me. Is that clear?” Turning around, she met his stare. A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Don’t stand there eating my cheese and looking at me like that.”

“You’ve changed.”

“You’re right. I have.”

It surprised her when his eyes softened. “Let’s try to keep this civil, Red.” His tone turned cajoling, soft. Dangerous.

“Don’t call me Red.”

“That’s your name, isn’t it?”

“Not to you, it isn’t.”

“All right. Mrs. Bradshaw, is it?”

“Zoe.”

He nodded. “Zoe.” He sliced off another hunk of cheese. “So, what do you want me to do, Zoe? Jump off a cliff? If you’re mad because I didn’t come back right away, I always intended to come back for you.”

“When? When exactly did you plan to come back for me?” She wasn’t amused by the twinkle in his eye. If he found the situation funny, then he had a misplaced sense of humor.

“I’m back now, aren’t I?”

Oh, he was exasperating. A woman would be a fool to fall for his ways, but she felt herself warming.
Stop—now!
common sense screamed.

She stored the rag under the counter. “You made a long, useless ride if you’ve come back for me. You’d best be thinking about the kids.”

“That’s why I’m here. Tell me what you want me to do.” He reached into a jar for a stick of horehound candy.

When she frowned, he took the stick out of his mouth. “How much?”

“Ten cents.”

Digging into his pocket, he fished out a coin and flipped it to her. “Highway robbery. I buy them in Wichita for a penny a stick.”

She smiled. “I charge a penny to anyone but you. How long do you plan to stay?”

“As long as it takes.”

He walked around the counter, and she backed away, realizing what he was about to do. “Cade, I forbid you to try anything foolish—”

He caught her around the waist and pulled her up close. The warmth of his breath on her cheek unnerved her.

“Calm down, wildcat.” She squirmed, and he pulled her tighter against him. “You have a right to be angry. I’m sorry. I apologize.”

No matter how many times she’d told herself he would have no effect on her, he could still make her weak in the knees. She clamped her jaw shut and turned her face away. He was so near that she felt the scratch of his beard against her cheek. “It’s too late, Cade. You’re fifteen years too late.”

He smiled. “Come on. Let’s not fight. You’ve always been the one woman in my heart. How about a kiss for Cade? For old time’s sake.”

Goose bumps rose on her arms as his hands slipped to the small of her back. He was more persuasive than she remembered, more appealing.

“I’d rather eat rocks.”

She freed herself, picked up his hat, and jammed it on his head. Planting both hands in the middle of his chest, she backed him toward the doorway. “Get yourself cleaned up, and then come back to visit your nieces and nephews. And don’t wait fifteen years to do it. And don’t expect me to be here when you get back. I will have Gracie oversee your visits. Make your decision about the kids and leave, Cade. The sooner the better.”

He stumbled backward, surprised when she slammed the door in his face.

She slid the bolt home. Then, on second thought, she jerked the door back open and snatched the cheese out of his hand.

She banged the door shut and jerked down the
Closed for Business
shade, hoping he’d get the message.