“You kids have fun!” Harvey calls, and it strikes me how blatantly obvious it must be that something is going on with us. “I drove past the other day and noticed your lawn. It could really use a good—”
“Dad, just don’t,” Cade grumbles and marches over to his truck with me slung over his shoulder like a bag of feed. Or a baby cow.
“Let’s go, Red. You’re with me today.” He claps my ass loudly to the delighted squeals of Luke and a bark of delighted surprise from his dad.
Blood rushes to my cheeks and I cover my face with my hands. I tell myself it’s because I’m embarrassed, but deep down, I know it’s because this side of Cade is doing something to me.
And that something is going to make leaving when this gig is up damn near impossible.
“Why are we trail riding together on my day off?” I ask Cade from where I’m seated on a pretty dun ranch horse. It makes me miss Tux, but I know he’s fat and happy in a field right now, recuperating just fine. He’ll probably never want to jump another day in his life. He probably thinks he’s retired now.
“Because I wanted to show you the land.”
I eye Cade skeptically. Blueberry’s bobbing head is slung low, totally relaxed as we walk between the sparse bales of hay rolled up behind Cade’s house.
“I’ve seen the land, Cade. I’m feeling pretty familiar with these hay bales too.”
“It’s been a good year for hay,” is his stupid response. He’s all serious, shoulders held taut, hands propped on the horn of his saddle. Stupid hat still backward. “Plus, I feel relaxed out here on the land.”
“You’re acting weird.” I give my gelding, Rocket, a little squeeze, urging him forward so I’m even with Cade. “Why are you acting weird?”
“Can’t I just take you out on a romantic trail ride?”
My lips roll together as I regard him. “You can. But you haven’t spoken a word to me since we got out of your truck. You look like you’re trying to disintegrate the leather in your hands, and your mouth keeps popping open like you’re about to say something, but then you shake your head and slam it back shut so hard your teeth clank. And I can hear you grinding said teeth until your mouth pops back open again.”
He turns and gives me his annoyed scowl. “What are you? A shrink?”
I hit him back with my best cheesy grin. “Nah. Just the daughter of one.”
He huffs out a soft laugh and shakes his head, staring out over the flat expanse of land that looks like it shoots straight up into the Rockies. It’s beautiful—gold-green grass, gray rock, up to a blue-bird sky.
“It’s Luke’s birthday next week. The little party we’re hosting is the following weekend. It’s casual. Just family.”
I say nothing because I know where he’s going. He mentioned it once, and I never asked more questions because it wasn’t my business.
“His mom always shows up for it.”
“As she should,” I reply because it’s true. “Cade, this is really none of my business. If Luke is happy, I’m happy.”
He sort of wobbles his head. “I’m not so sure that she makes Luke happy, to be honest. Nine out of ten times, it’s awkward. He doesn’t know how to act around her, and she sure as shit doesn’t know how to act around him. It’s not getting any better with age.”
“Okay.” It’s all I can think to say. I don’t really know why he’s telling me all this.
“I have a sinking suspicion it’s going to be more awkward with you there.”
Stiffness permeates my neck as I shift to sit taller. “Are you saying you don’t want me there?”
“No.” His response is quick and firm. I let out the breath I’d been holding back, ready to keep it together if he’d said yes. “Not at all. If you want to talk about something that would upset Luke—that would be it.”
I nod, dropping my eyes to my fingers wrapped around the reins in my hands.
“I want you there too,” Cade adds, and I can feel the weight of his gaze on my skin. “She might not like it, though, so I just want to prepare you for that.”
My face scrunches as I turn to look at the man beside me. “Why would she not like me there? I’ll be there as his nanny.”
His jaw works, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob when he swallows. “She’s . . . I don’t know.” He chuckles now, scrubbing a hand over his beard. “You know, I try so hard not to say bad things about her, because she’s half Luke and I love everything about that kid. But Willa, his mom is a fucking nightmare. I don’t know how my biggest mistake brought about my most cherished gift. But here I am.”