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“Well, I think it’s something to be concerned about,” Dad huffed, shooting daggers at Blake. “We have been stolen from more times than I can count on one hand. Wade is being cautious, and let me tell you, there’s plenty of lessons I’ve learned about being cautious.”
Oh boy, here we go.
Dad and Blakeneversaw eye to eye—and Dadlovedto lecture on being careful when it came to trusting people. Itmighthave been a partial reason that I was so leery of people outside of my own family.
“What the hell does people stealing from you have to do with some woman that Wade saved from the storm? She doesn’t seem like the type to go stealing from anyone, either.” Blake’s face was reddening.
They’ve been stuck in the house way too long.
“You don’t ever really know somebody, son. Just because they’re pretty or small, don’t mean that they aren’t just as capable as a three hundred pound man.” The volume of Dad’s voice was increasing, and I shrunk backwards, already planning my exit strategy. “Someone who is struggling to get by could easily take something off us and pay for a whole year’s worth of rent.”
“And then good for them!” Hazel countered, her eyes narrowing. “If she stole something that could really help her out, then by all means, I would support it. It’s not like we would notice if it was gone. If someone came to me and tried to make a scene about it, I’d just say whatever it was, was a gift.”
“It’s the principle of the fact,” Dad growled.
I exchanged a glance with Mom, and she nodded, letting me know it was time to see our way out of the kitchen—and the argument that was fixing to ensue. Together, we silently exited, slipping out into the chat room, which wasneverused for anything. The pristine white leather furniture just oozed easy-to-stain vibes, and so I slinked by, leaning against the wall rather than sitting down.
Someday when I have my own place, it’s going to be the opposite of this.
Cozy and comfortable seemed much more appealing than luxurious and stiff. I wanted to feel at home—like the energy at the hunting cabin.
“For the record, Wade…” my mom began, letting out a sigh, “…I think Cheyenne is a lovely woman. Your dad is just such an untrustworthy skeptic. He didn’t use to be so uptight like that, but he’s just been burned so many times throughout the years.”
“I know,” I said with a shrug. “I wasn’t going to argue with him. I get where he’s coming from, and that’s why I think that it’s best she goes on once the storm clears, and we work out her vehicle situation.”
Mom’s face contorted, her disapproval apparent. “But your sister is right, you know. I can tell you like her—why push her out like that?”
“Why are you trying to play matchmaker with some woman you don’t even know, Mom?” I leveled with her. Suddenly I wasn’t so sure that bailing out of the argument was such a great idea.
“I can read people,” she countered. “And I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn about it. There’s nothing wrong with Cheyenne and you know that. You’re just being guarded.”
“Damn right, I am.” My voice came out much harsher than I had intended, and the reaction on my mom’s face was less than pleasant. “Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me. It’s not my life you’re gonna ruin—it’s your own. You’re twenty-seven years old, and I know that’s not old, but son, you’re not getting any younger. I don’t want you to end up an old, lonely man, because you never gave anyone a chance.”
“I’d rather end up old and alone than be taken for all I’m worth, stuck with some woman that only views me as a bank account.”
Mom went silent, only shaking her head. “I don’t know, and I guess I’d just have to pray that doesn’t happen to you. But if you’re going to send her on her way, and you have no interest in her at all, then I would suggest not leading her on, Wade.”
“Who the hell said that I was leading her on?” I exasperated, offended by the accusation. “I haven’t—”
“Oh, stop it, Wade.” Mom’s tone was reprimanding. “I saw the way she was relying on you—the way you look at her. I thought it was genuine feelings for her, and I was starting to think that maybe you were interested in someone with some actual depth for once. But if it’s not genuine, then you need to stop playing with her heart.”
“Hardly playing with anyone’s heart. She’s more shut off than I am.” I looked away from Mom, my eyes glancing out the back windows, rain still pouring from the sky. “Man, I don’t know when this is gonna end.”
“Me either.” Mom’s voice was quiet. “But it’s wreaking havoc on the pastures. It’s really flooding.”
I turned back to look at her, seeing the deep worry lines on her face. “Everything will work out. I know it’ll be fine.”
“Always is, isn’t it?” She smiled at me, the worry disappearing. “I better get back in there and make sure those two aren’t ganging up on your dad too much.”
I chuckled. “I think he could take them both.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t know. He’s getting older, but they seem to be the ones getting wiser.”
My eyes followed her as she headed back to the kitchen before I spun in the opposite direction, deciding to go and check on Cheyenne. The last I had seen her, she was still lying on the bathroom floor, throwing up occasionally. I’d given her Tylenol for the fever and she’d managed to drink some of the Gatorade, so I wasn’t too worried.
But there was still this little part of me that was concerned for her.
