AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I slowly let my hands fall back to my side, and I carefully slid the reins from her hand. “Didn’t want to be alone tonight. Too many demons up here.” I pointed to my head. “So, I thought I’d come out here and see if there was any work to be done. Good thing I did. I’ll take a trip out to the field on one of the other horses, check for the bear.”
“I see.” She let go of the reins and averted her eyes. “The bear took off while I was out there. I don’t think we need to worry about it.”
“I’ll feel better if I look. First, I’ll take care of Ember. Then I’ll head out to the field and look while you go in and…” It was on my mind to tell her to take a hot bath, soak, and relax, but I bit my tongue. Cadence never liked being told what to do. As our eyes met, I could see a light blush on her cheeks.
“Get dinner?” she asked, meeting my eyes.
Dinner sounded great and, as if on cue, my stomach let out a growl.
“His stomach has spoken. Dinner it is!” Cadence let out a giggle and turned and made her way toward the house. It had been a giggle I hadn’t heard in ages, but it was one I had heard and, at the moment, sounded like music to my ears. I watched her walk away, watching her hips sway back and forth. Ember stomped her foot and let out a huff. I chuckled. “All right, Ember, hint taken,” I said, leading her to her stall in the barn and filling her water and feed buckets.
* * *
“That was excellent,” I said, placing my fork down on the table and sitting back in the chair.
“Glad you enjoyed. Did you want any more?” she asked.
“Maybe just a little more.” I chuckled and slid another small piece of bacon-wrapped chicken onto my plate. “I’ve not really been making too many meals for myself. Didn’t realize how hungry I’ve been.”
“You need to eat, Connor.”
“I do, just not meals.”
“Why not? You ate a meal tonight, and one with Gabe and I before he left. Do you really not cook?”
I looked at Cadence and shook my head. “No, I cook. I guess it’s just difficult cooking for one all the time. Plus, most nights I’m exhausted.”
Cadence nodded. I could see she knew full well what I was saying. After all, she’d lived alone after both her grandparents were gone.
“I totally understand. It was harder for me after my grandparents were gone. If you’d like, since you are here in the afternoons, you are more than welcome to stay here for dinner. I’ll cook, and that way I’ll have some company too.”
Did I hear her invite me for dinner every night? What was that about? Cadence hadn’t exactly been friendly towards me in the past, especially once Ella and I had started dating. In fact, she had even pushed Ella away. The first time in years that she even acted a little like herself had been at the funeral. I blew out a breath and looked over to see she had rested her chin on her hand and looked at me awaiting my response. I wasn’t sure how to answer her, but I was also tired of being alone and living in this screwed-up reality of mine.
“That would be good. I can keep an eye out for that bear, too. Don’t want it getting up here too close to the cattle or horses.” It was the best answer I could come up with. Besides, I didn’t want her to think it was anything more than a pair of friends hanging out. I also didn’t want her brother to kill me when he returned.
“So, then I guess you didn’t find the bear?”
I shook my head. “No, but I saw signs. Other than that, the field was empty. So, for now if you take Ember out, stay out of that field.”
“I can do that." She smirked.
“I mean it, Cadence, I’m not asking. Let me know if you see it again or see signs. A bear like that will kill those cattle out there.” I wasn’t kidding. A bear was a serious matter, not only for the cattle and horses, but being near to the house was dangerous as well.
“I will do as you ask,” she said. “Now enough of all this serious talk. Please tell me, what would you like for dinner tomorrow night?”
Cadence
October
I walked down the main street in Willow Valley, taking in all the colours of the leaves that had changed. Red, yellow, and orange trees now lined the street, making for a beautiful display that mixed with the cooler morning air made it feel more fall-like than ever.
I’d stopped coming into town daily since that night in September when Connor had shown up unexpectedly. Since then, he’d spent every single evening with me. I’d spend my mornings doing farm chores, and then I’d spend my afternoons getting meals ready, then after dinner some nights, we’d play cards or watch a little TV together. Today I had no choice but to come into town. I needed groceries, and since I was here, I decided I’d go in and pick up dinner from The Crispy Biscuit.
I walked up the street, taking my time checking out all the fall window displays each store had set up. The entire town was celebrating fall, the biggest celebration being held across the street at the fall fair. Kids yelled and screamed as bells rang out, signifying they’d won the game they were playing.
When I finally reached The Crispy Biscuit, I opened the door and stepped inside. The place was full, people from all over town, plus some outsiders who were seated inside sipping pumpkin spiced coffees while eating other pumpkin inspired goodies.
“Can I help you?”
