While It Lasts(44)

My stomach rumbled. I put a hand over it and Cage chuckled, “Come on girl, I’ll feed you.”

Cage took the bags from Low and began opening them and getting down plates from the cabinet. I turned my attention to Low. “I’m really sorry about how rude I was when we met. I don’t know why I acted so ridiculous over sheets and a towel…” I trailed off hoping she accepted my moment of stupidity.

Low smiled and cut her eyes over at Cage. “Don’t worry about it. I completely understand. I shouldn’t have just intruded.”

Trying to explain myself would only prove to be embarrassing so I just decided to let it go. Maybe she’d just forget about it eventually.

“Your breakfast is served,” Cage said, bringing me a plate of food. “Go sit down and I’ll pour you coffee.”

“Thank you,” I replied. He’d put some of everything on my plate. I wasn’t about to complain. I was starving.

“Coffee with two creams and a sugar right?” he said as he walked toward the coffee pot.

I started to reply and stopped. How did he know that? We’d never had coffee together.

When I didn’t reply he glanced back at me. He saw the question in my eyes and his cocky smirk tugged at his lips.

“You told Jeremy once what you wanted in your coffee while you were sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch. He was inside so you called it out. I was unloading the truck and I heard you,” he explained.

Wow.

“Oh,” I replied, feeling Low’s eyes on me. She was watching us closely.

“So, you met everyone last night? Are you terrified now?” Low asked in a chipper tone as I sat down at the table across from her.

“They were nice. Very entertaining.”

Cage laughed, “That’s her way of saying my friends are all a bunch of freaks.”

“That is not true. I really did like them.”

Cage walked over and set a cup of coffee down beside my plate then placed a kiss on my head before going back to fix himself something to eat. The curiosity in Low’s face almost made me laugh. Did she not know this man better than anyone else? Surely she wasn’t shocked by anything he said or did.

“When do y’all have to go back today?” Low asked

I had just taken a bite of my eggs and couldn’t answer her.

“I figure we’ll head out about five or so. I want to get her back before her dad gets home. And I need to check the cows before I get in bed.”

Low turned her curious gaze off me and she shifted it to Cage. I didn’t need to look up to know they were having a silent conversation. I used to have those with Josh. I understood them. My chest ached a little at the thought of never having that again. But it didn’t hurt nearly as bad as it used to. I was getting better. Maybe someday I would actually be able to move on.

Cage cleared his throat and I knew that he was letting Low know that their silent conversation was over. Another signal I’d used with Josh.

“Well, what are y’all planning on doing today?” Low asked

I glanced up from my plate and looked to Cage. I had no idea what all he wanted to do today.

“I thought we’d spend a few hours on the beach and that’s about as far as I’ve gotten with plans,” Cage replied.

“That sounds like fun.” Low started to say more but her phone began ringing. She glanced down at it and frowned.

“Who is it?” Cage asked watching her carefully.

Low sighed and stood up. “It’s my sister,”

Cage scowled. “Want me to get rid of her?”

Low shook her head and headed into the other room before I heard her say. “Hello?”