and she asked me ‘Can you imagine if someone sent you away and we couldn’t see each other? Can you imagine not knowing about your daughter?’ and I could imagine it; I could imagine how much that would hurt. I thought for a moment yesterday that she was going to leave me when she found out about the letters.”
“How is Dad taking it?” Amanda asked.
“He’s being stubborn because his pride is hurt but he’s cracking; I can tell.”
“Come on in; see my place,” Cade invited as he slid an arm around Amanda’s waist.
“I’d like that,” Trent smiled. They made their way inside; Jenny greeted them with a big smile.
“Hello, good lookin’,” Jenny moved to hug Cade. “Excuse my bump; it’s Trent’s way of making sure I don’t go sidling up too close to sexy men,” Jenny teased.
“Hey, Jenny, I’ve missed you,” Cade hugged her back.
“Well, Mandy, you’ve tracked down the second sexiest man in Montana, what are you going to do with him, well besides what I’m sure you’ve already done,” Jenny’s grin was mischievous.
Amanda felt heat climb into her cheeks; she found herself grinning when even Cade blushed.
“She’s going to marry me; soon I hope,” Cade responded.
“Good, it’s past time,” Jenny nodded. Amanda slid her arms around Cade and laid her head against his chest she couldn’t help thinking how much she had missed them all being together.
____________________________________________________
Amanda finished straightening her hair and smoothed her jean skirt before stepping from the bathroom to grab her purse. Cade was waiting in the living room with Cadey-Lynn, Cassia, and Cassia’s husband and ranch foreman, Ben. Cade wanted to take Amanda to dinner and asked Cassia and Ben to watch Cadey-Lynn for a couple of hours. Amanda entered the living room and watched Cade’s eyes light with appreciation as his gaze slid over her.
“Thanks for watching Cadey-Lynn,” Amanda smiled at the couple on the couch.
“We should be back in time to put her to bed,” Cade added as he stood and claimed Amanda’s hand.
“You two go on and enjoy some time together,” Cassia smiled brightly.
“See you in a little while,” Amanda leaned to kiss her daughter’s cheek.
“Be good for Cassia and Ben,” Cade said before kissing his daughter’s head.
“I will, Daddy,” Cadey-Lynn promised.
Amanda waited while Cade opened her door before climbing into the truck.
“You look absolutely amazing,” Cade offered and leaned into kiss her lightly before closing the door and coming around the truck. Amanda was smiling when he climbed in to start the engine. Amanda found that she was actually nervous which was the most ridiculous thing ever. The feeling remained, however, as Cade turned into the parking lot of a local eatery.
“Place doesn’t look like much but they have great food,” Cade informed Amanda. The building before them was made of weathered wood, a large wrap around porch scattered with tables and chairs that at moment weren’t in use. Cade opened Amanda’s door and led her across the porch and into the establishment. The inside was finished roughly as well, wood plank walls, an odd assortment of booths and tables, what looked to be Christmas lights draped across the ceiling like netting, and various advertisements some old, some new tacked to the walls.
Cade placed his hand on her back and led her to a man behind a long bar.
“Hey, George,” Cade nodded. “I’d like you to meet somebody.”
The man behind the counter was tall and wide, his balding head reflecting the glow of the lights over head as he wiped out a glass and set it on the counter; his brown eyes were assessing Amanda.
“Who is this?” George smiled as they neared.
“George, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Amanda Jennings. This is my Manny,” Cade was grinning. “Amanda, this is George, he owns the place.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Amanda felt almost shy.
“Welcome! Congratulations, both of you,” the man grinned at them a moment before coming around the bar to hug Amanda and pat Cade on the back.
“I have been hearing about you for years,” George informed her.
“Here,” Cade reached for his wallet and pulled out a picture of Cadey-Lynn that Amanda had given him. “That’s my daughter, Cadey-Lynn. It turned out I was missing more than I bargained for while I tried winning her father’s approval,” Cade handed the man the picture.
“Wow,” George said softly; his gaze remained on Cade a moment before he looked down. “She’s beautiful; I know you must be proud,” George handed him the picture.
“I am; she’s wonderful, like her mom,” Cade slid