said, “Mommy, what’s wrong with these cowboys?”
I grinned at Mags “Honey, you’ll learn this soon enough. Cowboys are all a little silly.”
Cade and Clay looked up at me and laughed. We spent the rest of the lunch laughing. It was nice to not think about Jaxon for a bit. I wasn’t the only one who missed him. The kids had been asking about him ever since he left. That was what I had been afraid of when I opened my heart up to him. I couldn’t stand to see the kids hurt. This was the first time since he had left weeks ago that we were all laughing and having a good time.
When lunch was over the kids ran outside to play, and Clay went out to the truck to make a phone call. Cade and I were sitting in my living room.
“Well this isn’t weird at all, is it?” He ran his hands through his hair. Messing up that already messed up blonde head of hair.
“Why are you really here, Cade? There’s no future for us, you understand that, right?”
Cade was trying to look innocent. He had on his best “good little country boy” face. “I do, I’m just here for the cattle. I thought it was going to be here today. George said it was. I had no idea the shipment had been put off.”
“I am still not quite sure why you need to be here for the delivery.”
“George called and there have been some problems with the cattle. A whole bunch of ‘em came down with something pretty bad. He said we would need to decide which ones we each wanted to keep. He said he would work out the money stuff later. Said he’d give us a hell of a deal next year.”
“Okay, guess that makes sense. Well since the delivery isn’t going to be here until Monday, you and Clay are welcome to stay here at the ranch. We have an old log cabin down by the pond. It’s all set up. You can eat in the barn office with the farmhands.”
Cade gave me a little sheepish grin, “Well, that’s mighty thoughtful of ya, Loralei. I would hate to impose, but since you’re offering we’ll take ya up on it.”
I had Cade and Clay follow me to the cabin. I showed them around the cabin and helped them get settled in. I told them about the diner in town so they could grab some dinner. And I let them know that breakfast would be served in the barn office at 6:00 a.m. I headed home with the understanding that I would see them at breakfast.
Cade
I didn’t sleep an hour last night. I couldn’t believe I was finally here. Finally this close to her, and I couldn’t touch her. I couldn’t kiss her. I couldn’t be with her. I needed this woman. She had gotten under my skin like no other woman ever had. I didn’t just want her, which I did more than anything, I needed her.
I was up showered, shaved, and ready for breakfast before Clay even crawled his lazy ass out of bed. “If you wanna eat breakfast, you better get your ass in gear, boy.”
“I’m coming. Don’t get your panties in a wad, Cade.”
Little bastard. I should’ve left him at home and let that dude kick his ass. He needed to be taught a lesson. But of course I couldn’t do that to him. I happened to love the little bastard.
We got in the truck and headed to the barn office. When we got there I noticed about eight guys walking with Loralei toward the office. Damn that woman was spectacular. I could spend an entire lifetime just looking at her. Taking her all in. All day, every damn day. I was afraid if I wasn’t with her soon, “cowboy” would never work right again.
All the guys were hanging on every word she said. Not like in a sexual way, like in a respectful way. That woman had the power over those men. They definitely knew who the boss was. Damn, I couldn’t wait to find out everything about this woman that was takin’ over my every thought. Just from what little I knew, I didn’t think she could be any more perfect.
She caught a glimpse of us pulling in, and I could tell she wasn’t real happy to see me. That was killing me. I wanted her to feel somethin’ for me, but not hate. I wanted her to want me