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“Okay,” I repeated, still feeling giddy at what had just transpired between us. Perhaps Gabe was right. Perhaps I was what Connor needed. Perhaps he was what I needed as well.
I heard the engine of his truck roar to life, and I watched as he took off down the driveway, leaving me alone with thoughts and memories of that kiss.
Connor
As I drove through town, that kiss was all I could think about. It had sparked something inside of me and, for the first time in months, I felt alive. I hoped she felt it too, because she was oblivious to the fact that I liked her. She never picked up on the brief glances I gave, or the long, lingering ones, but that was Cadence. I didn’t know why I’d think she’d change now. She always had been that way, even when we were younger.
After I’d shoved that line of crap at her that even I didn’t believe, it was her words that had woken me up. She’d been right, and I’d had to prove to myself the words I’d shoved at her about her situation were true for me as well. No one had ever taken the time to say those types of things to me, except for her at that moment. Her words had woken something inside of me, and I was thankful for that. She’d called me on my shit, in a roundabout way. Gabe used to do that, but regarding this situation, he hadn’t. All he’d said to me was to take the time I’d need and eventually things would get back to normal. Whatever normal would look like for me, I didn’t know.
Thinking about that kiss, how her soft lips felt against mine. When I’d asked her to the fair, I’d fully expected a no, but when I saw the colour of her heated cheeks and the look in her eyes, I somehow knew my ask would be accepted. I’d fallen into a restful sleep and, for the first night in a long time, I didn’t seem to fight the same demons I’d fought every night since Ella had died.
That kiss also helped me realize that somewhere along the line, I’d gotten over Ella. I was ready for someone else, someone new. It was everyone else around me who hadn’t, which was holding me back. Since they hadn’t gotten over the fact Ella was gone, it was them who were keeping me where I was. That was what was making it hard for me to move on.
It was a little after four when I left the barbershop in Willow Valley. I wanted to clean myself up a little before heading out to Cadence’s place to pick her up for the fair. It had been months since I’d had a proper haircut and a shave. I felt like a new man as I drove down the driveway toward her house.
Making my way over to the door, I gave a knock before walking in. I stopped in my tracks when she appeared in the doorway to the kitchen wearing a beautiful floral-print dress, white sweater, and cowboy boots.
“Wow…” I said under my breath as she stood before me, staring back. “You look…different.” I did not mean it to be insulting. She looked stunning, but different from what I was used to seeing her in daily.
“Different? I should say the same thing about you. I barely recognize the man standing in front of me. In fact, it’s been years since I’ve seen him.”
I smiled. “I didn’t mean it like it came out. You look beautiful. I’m just not used to seeing you in anything other than jeans and work clothes. Which doesn’t look bad, it’s just…”
“Same here.” She softly smiled as our eyes met. At that moment, we exchanged unsaid words between us.
“You just about ready?”
“Just making us a couple of coffees to-go for the drive.” She winked. “Figured you could use one.”
I smiled. “A woman who knows the way to my heart,” I muttered.
* * *
We stood off to the side, watching as residents of Willow Valley, young and old, danced around the floor. It seemed the entire town was out tonight. Bessy and Harry sat over in the corner, Harry in his wheelchair. Then there was Vi and Jed. They’d come all the way out from the retirement home. Some other residents sat with them watching the dancing.
“Hey, Connor, good to see you out,” Trinity said, stepping up beside us. She waved over to Vi and Jed as I, too, lifted my hand, waving hello.
“Hey, Trinity. How’s Thomas? Nice to see Vi and Jed came out.” I stepped back and introduced Cadence. “Trinity, this is Cadence Bentley.”
Cadence smiled. “Hello, nice to meet you.”
“You as well. You must be Gabe’s sister. I know you grew up around here. Vi over there used to run Bluebird Books. Now I run it.”
“Yes. I used to come in there all the time before I moved.” She nodded. “I used to love that store. I’ll have to come by and pick up something to read soon.”
“Would love to have you! Well, welcome back to Willow Valley. We had heard you were returning. Oh, and to answer your question, Connor, Thomas is here somewhere. He was wondering how you were doing with the ranch?”
“Things are coming along nicely.” I nodded.
“Hey, Connor,” a man said from behind us, and we both turned to see Thomas approach and hand Trinity a drink. “Nice to see you’re out and about this year.”
Thomas held his hand out for Cadence while introducing himself. “Miss, nice to meet you. I’m Thomas Jenkins. I own Jenkins Woodworks, and I’m attached to this here beauty,” he said, pulling Trinity to his side.
“Ah, yes, I saw the sign beside Bluebird Books when I was in town the last time. Nice to meet you both.”
“You as well. If you’ll excuse us, we are going to dance. Trinity dragged me here.”
Cadence and I both let out a laugh as Trinity rolled her eyes while pulling Thomas to the dance floor.
