“Is there any possibility that you misunderstood? That what you thought happened…didn’t?”
His lips tightened and he shook his head. “Do you really think I’d leave my home and everything I knew if I had any doubt? She went to him and he fucked her. As far as I’m concerned, they both betrayed me.”
His use of the vulgar term surprised Addie, but she refused to comment on it, knowing his anger wasn’t directed at her.
“I never said they didn’t. I’m just trying to understand how two brothers who were so close could not talk or find a way to forgive.”
Cade chuckled dryly and brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek. “You are a way better person than I am, Addie Malory.”
Warmth filled her chest and streaked along the path his fingers had traveled, but she wouldn’t let herself be distracted. His happiness was too important.
“I’m not trying to be a good person. I’m saying that forgiveness is better than hate. You’ve been carrying this around for a long time…” She tilted her head. “How has that been working for you so far?”
His grin faded. “I can’t do what you’re asking.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
He looked away. “Both.”
Frustration and empathy clenched her heart in a hard fist. She hated seeing him like this, so full of anger and pain. He had never struck her as an angry person—he smiled too much for that, was too kind and considerate—but she could feel the negative emotions radiating off of him. His brother had hurt him, yes, but he was hurting himself more by carrying it around and not letting it go.
Addie turned his chin with her fingers until his impassioned eyes met hers.
“Just think about it, Cade. That’s all I’m asking. And if you can’t forgive your brother, try to at least let go of the anger. It’ll eat you up inside, if you don’t, make you into someone else, and I’d hate to lose the man I’ve come to know and…care for.” She knew those last words might send him running, but they were true. She did care about him and she thought he felt the same but was too afraid to do anything about it.
Maybe it’s time I tried again, she thought. But not tonight. He’d been right about that. Sometime soon, though, she might just have to kiss him again.
A little flame lit in his eyes at her words. Her mouth turned up slightly and she laid her head back on his chest. His heart was thumping faster than it had been and her smile grew.
“Just think about it,” she murmured, snuggling up to him and closing her eyes, warm and content and safe in his embrace. Right now, this was enough for her.
She didn’t expect him to reply, but when his quiet words rumbled through his chest, a burst of happiness and pride filled her chest.
“Okay, Addie. I’ll try…”
She didn’t know if he meant he’d try to forgive, to forget, or to just let go of the anger and hurt, but she didn’t care. For now, it was enough that he would take the first step to try to heal himself.
“Thank you,” she said, closing her eyes and listening to the regular steady beat of his heart. She felt his head nod in reply and smiled again. Whatever was going on between them had just changed. It had gotten…stronger.
Chapter 12
Flames leaped high into the air, lighting the darkening sky, the snap and crackle of old wood blended with the early evening birds’ song and the buzz of quiet conversation. Cade shifted in the camp chair he’d borrowed, watching the dancing bonfire and nursing the one beer he’d allowed himself—he was driving, after all—while the rest of the partygoers mingled.
Before Addie’s neighbors, Dan and Helga, had left after helping them with the hay harvest a few weeks ago, Helga had insisted that he and Addie both attend this bonfire and cookout at their place. Addie had been thrilled, and watching her now chatting with her friends, smiling and laughing, he couldn’t regret attending. Even if he’d had to endure Lana’s flirting for nearly twenty minutes before her sister took pity on him and led her away—clearly scolding Lana about leaving him alone once they were out of earshot. The two sisters now stood talking with Addie and some other ladies, but Lana still snuck a few glances his way. He could live with that; at least he didn’t have to carry on a conversation with her—not that he hadn’t spoken with anyone else at the party. Earlier, aside from evading Lana’s suggestive comments, Cade had conversed with Dan and a few of the other men, but he wasn’t much of a talker. Addie, on the other hand, was like a cute, little parakeet flitting here and there, jumping from one conversation to the next. She was so full of life, so cheerful, so sweet.
And so beautiful…
Lifting his beer, he finished off the last sip and his chair creaked as he shifted again.
It had been a week ago this morning that he’d awakened on the couch with Addie’s warm, soft body snuggled up against him. How they’d gotten horizontal he didn’t know, but they had and it had felt…wonderful. The way she fit against him, her lavender scent filling his nose, and her supple curves tantalizing every inch of his body through their clothes. It had been a revelation to have her there first thing, even though nothing but sleep had passed between them. He had always admired her strength and sweetness, but that morning he realized there was something more than mutual admiration, something too strong to ignore, between them. She excited him, challenged him, made him want to be a better man. And he wanted her. The need to protect her the night before had been too compelling to pretend anything different.
The temptation to
