AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You run a training center? I bet that’s wonderful, being able to spend your time doing what you love.”
I take my eyes off the pasta and glance up at her, wondering how she knows I love working with the horses.
“I could hear it in your voice.” She answers my unspoken question.
I add, “Beth and Anna run the equestrian center, on the other side of the property. We train various breeds, and I get involved with that part of the business when they have a large group booking or if they generally need help. We also employ a few staff at both sites. Everything runs smoothly, most of the time.”
“That sounds really interesting. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about horses, though. Perhaps you can take me out on one of yours while I’m here? You’ll have to be gentle with me.”
“Always,” I reply, trying to keep the longing I feel for her at bay.
Rona
As we sit down for dinner, Jake joins us. His dark hair wet and a small nick on his cheek, he’s obviously showered and shaved before coming down for dinner.
“Was everything okay?” Cade asks as Jake takes his seat at the table.
“The stables are fine and no problems while you were away. The horses look good.” Jake smiles. “I found a few invoices that need paying so I’ve left them in your office.”
“I’ll sort them out tomorrow. Let’s eat.”
Cade’s pasta and Italian sauce has my taste buds exploding. Wow! It’s the best sauce I’ve ever had, a melody of rich tomatoes, herbs and flavors that make me dream of Italy. I close my eyes and enjoy the flavor bursting on my tongue before I take another bite. It’s almost impossible to bite back a moan—I haven’t eaten such an amazing meal in years, if ever. Finishing my meal rather quickly, I look up to see Cade watching me. I hope I haven’t acted like a savage by shoveling the food into my mouth.
“Did you like it?” Cade asks with a soft smile on his face.
I blush. “I certainly did. That was the most enjoyable meal I can ever remember having and the sauce was amazing.”
“An old family recipe,” Cade offers. “Would you like some tiramisu with a cappuccino, maybe?”
“Oh, wow. You carry on feeding me like this, and I may never want to leave.”
Cade’s eyes shoot to mine, but he quickly looks away.
“That’s the plan.” Jake grins.
Standing, I help them both clear the table and load the dishes into the dishwasher, despite their protests that I’m their guest.
Once the kitchen has been put back to rights, we take our coffee and dessert into the lounge. This area is made for comfort and has two large sofas and four oversized chairs.
Taking one of the chairs with a side table, I unload my hands while making myself comfortable in the chair. Leaning back, I take a small sip of coffee and return the cup to the table so I can eat my dessert—delicious.
“I promised I would help some friends move house tomorrow,” Jake says, breaking the comfortable silence in the room. “But if you want, the day after, I can take you around Teton Village or into Jackson Hole for some shopping or sightseeing. We can get lunch.”
“Once I get some calls over with first thing, I can take Rona to Teton Village for some fresh air and to show her around. You could take her to Jackson Hole the day after.” As Cade says this, I can’t help but think his suggestion sounds a bit forced. Listening to them discussing my activities without asking me would normally have gotten my back up, but, for some reason, it fills me with warmth. It’s been a long time since I had anyone wanting to see to my needs, which I feel both
of them are trying to do.
Jake, obviously not hearing anything weird in his dad’s voice, agrees. “Yeah, that would be better, that way Rona will have something to do tomorrow.” Jake looks at me. “Okay with you?”
“I’d love to go out tomorrow so that would be great.”
Having finished my coffee and dessert, my eyes feel heavy and I feel myself drifting off to sleep. Opening my eyes, I see Cade looking at me so I offer him a sleepy smile. “I think I need to go to bed. I hope you don’t mind me leaving you so early in the evening.”
With my words, Cade’s eyes darken.
I wish he were mine to cuddle up to in bed.
“That’s fine . . . sweet dreams,” Cade replies.
