CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cassie
The gravel crunching under Wade’s heavy truck tires as we drive under the arches of Silver Pines is both soothing and peaceful. It feels as though I can hide here behind these gates and the outside world won’t be able to touch me.
I play with the hem on my big cream sweater because it’s damn cold here, and sitting still isn’t helpful. Not to mention I’m nervous and can’t put my finger on why.
“… and we stocked it up with fresh towels and food. You should be all set.” Ivy’s voice cuts into my trance as I watch the horses in the pasture. Some of them are wearing blankets and there is a scatter of hoofprints in the fine layer of snow.
“Sorry. What cabin am I staying in?” I ask, trying desperately to remember where they all are. It’s only been a few months, but a lot has happened since then.
“Stardust,” Wade pipes up from the front seat. An image of the signs on the road in front of the cabins flashes through my mind. Legend, then Stardust … shit.
“Right beside Haden. He knows the property like the back of his hand, so if you need anything I’m sure he’ll be happy to help,” Ivy adds. “Just don’t go riding any unruly horses and you two should get along just fine.”
I slide my sweaty palms over my jeans and blow out a shaky breath.
I watch Billi’s brow furrow as she sleeps in her car seat next to me.
The drive from the airport allowed me to watch her sweet face as I held her hand and sang her to sleep with the radio.
She’s perfection. So peaceful. So untouched by life.
“Sound good?” Ivy asks, looking back at me, cutting into my thoughts. I smile and nod. I can’t be fussy about where I stay, not after they accepted me so eagerly and picked me up from the airport this morning on a day’s notice.
The truth is, I have no idea what I’ll be walking into. I’m both dreading and anticipating seeing Haden again after all these months. I wonder if he even remembers me. I wonder how many women there have been since that night.
Wade pulls up to Stardust. It’s so cute, and perfect for some R&R.
Cedar trees line the side of the property and one large oak sits on the front lawn.
Its barren branches blow in the breeze, and the wide front porch houses two wicker outdoor chairs.
The stain is wearing thin on the old steps that head up to the porch, and the little wooden sign by the road has a thin veil of snow covering the engraved letters.
I look next door at Legend, Haden’s cabin.
There’s no vehicle there, no sign of life.
Wade hops out of the truck and opens the back door to unbuckle a waking Billi.
She sees her dad and, even though she isn’t even fully awake yet, smiles up at him with rosy cheeks.
I smooth out my ponytail and tuck the loose wisps of hair behind my ears as I see my mama waving frantically from her front porch.
I barely make it out of the vehicle before she’s down the steps and hugging me. I let her wrap herself around me, squeezing her tight and willing myself to feel safe.
“So glad you’re here, honey,” she whispers into my hair.
“Me too, Mama,” I tell her truthfully. She pulls back.
“I have your coffee pods for the Keurig at my cabin. I’ll run and grab them and we can make some coffee.” She takes my face between her weathered hands before turning and starting down the short gravel drive to her place. “Won’t be a minute.”
Coffee sounds like heaven after an overnight flight. I give my head a shake as I grab my bag from the backseat. Everything is going to be fine. I’m going to rest and heal here. I can feel it.
I breathe in the fresh mountain air on my way up the steps.
I need this, I need my family, I need peace and quiet, and I need help.
I remind myself Haden’s just a man as Wade unlocks the door to my cabin and the smell of clean, fresh linen hits me.
We take the first of my suitcases inside and find a place for the winter coat I’ve barely used in five years.
I’m just getting it hung when I look up to watch Haden’s truck, the truck, moving toward us slowly on the gravel road between our cabins.
He’s just any other man, I remind myself.
But the moment he parks in his driveway and gets out, I’m a goner.
He’s so gorgeous: tall and strong, wearing those damn perfect jeans, a thick flannel jacket, and his trademark cowboy hat.
I can’t for the life of me remember now what I was telling myself.