Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Caden
I raked the dirt with more force than needed.
It was too rough, but I didn’t care.
I was stupid and fucked shit up.
Just like Jolene warned me not to do.
But here I was, fucking it up.
Thankfully, I didn’t let it interfere with the party planning.
After the storm cleared and the rest of the week passed by, I kept to myself in the orchard, avoiding Cash and Leighton’s cabin backyard at all costs.
Veda and my sister worked back there.
The party was coming to life more and more every day, but I couldn’t bring myself to face either of them.
I treated Veda like a jackass, like she meant nothing to me.
When, in reality, she meant everything.
I might have invited her into my bed, but I never expected her to claim my heart.
I raked the dirt hard again, pissed off that I cared.
Pissed off that I let a girl get to me.
I didn’t open my heart to love.
Not after how I saw a marriage crumble and destroy lives, break up a family, and cause permanent damage.
I couldn’t do it.
“What the hell did that dirt do to you?” Jolene appeared, hands on her hips, one knee popped out.
Uh-oh.
That’s her mad stance.
I stood tall and wiped my brow with the back of my gloved hand.
“What’s it to you?”
“Okay, what the hell is going on with you? And what did you do to Veda? Her sparkle is dimmer.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
Jolene rolled her eyes.
“Dude, what’s going on? You’ve been moping ever since the storm, and you won’t even look at Veda. She insists nothing happened, but something definitely did. I can tell.”
“Nothing, Sis. Now, can I please get back to work?”
“You’re being dumb. She’s not the type of woman you fuck once and write off. She’s a beautiful person inside and out. We’re talking about combining our businesses, so get your damn head out of your ass, Caden! Not every relationship will end up like our shitty parents did. Believing that will only end up in you being lonely for the rest of your life. And I’m not going to stand by and watch that happen. You’ve worked way too hard at a good life for both me and you.” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.
“Now, do the right thing.”
“I don’t even know what the right thing is.”
“Do you like her?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Like really like her?”
“I think I love her.”
“Then tell her, you idiot. And you better make it good.”
The following day was Saturday, the day of Sammy’s party, and I ran into town and picked up a big Tonka truck for his gift.
Cash asked me to pick up the cake at Ruby’s bakery in Appleridge, a town over from Apple Falls.
We needed our own bakery in town, but Ruby’s baking was top tier, and I didn’t mind the ride.
Any excuse to pick up a dozen of her apple cinnamon muffins.
Last, I went by the garden center and picked up a dozen red roses for Veda.
I had Jolene do a little detective work and report back with her favorite flowers.
Confessing my feelings wasn’t something I had experience with, and I couldn’t shake the nerves building inside me.
My plan involved pulling her away from the party at some point and putting it all out there.
With her leaving town tomorrow, there wasn’t time to waste.
When I arrived at the party, a zing of excitement ran through me at the thought of seeing Veda’s and Jolene’s hard work on display.
As I walked up the driveway, Jolene hurried over to me and snapped a picture.
“Welcome to the adventure party!” She smiled and pulled me in for a hug.
Aster appeared beside her.
“What’s up, bud? Haven’t seen you around much lately.”
“He’s been busy.” Jolene wiggled her eyebrows.
“Get that cake inside. Leighton is dying to see it. It came out gorgeous!” She squealed and clapped her hands.
“Talk more later?” I said to Aster before Jolene ushered me along and went back to snapping pictures.
He shot me a thumbs-up.
Again, with him and my sister.
What was going on there?
But I didn’t have long to think about it before I was swept up inside the party.
Cash and Leighton greeted me at the door.
“Oh my God, the cake is perfect!” Leighton said as she took it from me.
“Thank you for getting it. Ruby is amazing!”
“It’s actually her cake decorator, Stella. How talented, right?” I handed Cash the gift for Sammy.
“Where’s the birthday boy?”
“He’s out back having the time of his life in the bouncy house. Mom and Dad are keeping an eye on him. C’mon, let’s get you a drink,” Cash said as we followed Leighton into the kitchen.
As soon as I walked in, the air shifted.
Veda must be close by.
Sure enough, she stood by the sliding glass door, a drink in hand, watching the party happen outside.
A wistful, almost sad expression took over her features, and it tugged at my heart.
“What are we drinking, man?” Cash asked loudly, and Veda looked over, her entire body freezing when she laid eyes on me.
A second later, she disappeared out the door.
Shit!
“A beer is fine, man. I’ll be right back.” I didn’t wait and, instead, sprinted out the back door.
I looked around, but I didn’t see her anywhere.
The backyard was full of balloons, decorations, and kids and parents mulling around.
Goddamn, she did a good job planning this party.
It felt like you were in a Tonka construction zone.
I quickly said hello to my parents and the birthday boy before searching for Veda once more.
She wasn’t anywhere in the backyard.
Hurrying around to the front, I still didn’t see her.
Only Jolene and Aster were there.
Aster was leaning close as Jolene snapped pictures.
“Have you two seen Veda?” I asked, and they sprang apart like guilty teenagers caught in a make-out session.
I shot them both a weird look.
“No, she was inside earlier. Did you scare her off again?” Jolene narrowed her eyes at me.
“I never scared her off in the first place,” I said.
“Scared her off? What are you talking about?” Aster asked Jolene, but I didn’t have time to hear her answer.
I walked around back once more, but she was nowhere in sight.
I turned my head in the direction of the orchard, and I spotted her walking among the trees.
My heart jolted to life, and I took off after her.
She sped up as soon as she saw me, taking longer strides.
“Veda, wait! Please!” I called, but she kept going.
I sprinted forward and caught up to her, darting in front of her so she had to stop.
“Please. Hear me out.”
“Why should I? You threw me aside like a piece of trash as soon as you were done with me.”
I threw my hands up in exasperation.
“I know. I’m a fucking dickhead, okay? I understand if you never want to talk to me again. But I had to talk to you before you leave tomorrow.”
“Why? So you could kick me some more?”
“No. Of course not.” I stepped forward and reached for her hands, but she batted them away.
“I’m sorry, Veda. I never meant to hurt you. I was scared because what we had that night was unlike anything I’d ever had before. I don’t open my heart to women. I don’t trust love. But you…you make me forget all of it. I don’t know why, but my heart, my mind, my body, my soul…all of it wants you. I don’t care how old you are. I don’t care about any of that. I love you, Veda, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Her mouth fell open, and tears slipped down her cheeks.
I brushed one away with my thumb, and she leaned her head against my hand.
“I forgive you. I just wish you would’ve told me. Despite it all, I love you too, Caden. That’s why I’m letting you go.”
“Letting me go? What are you talking about?”
Tears fell quickly now.
“I can’t give you what a younger woman could. I don’t even know if I can have kids still. You deserve a family, Caden. Who am I to take that from you?”
I wrapped her in my arms, and she didn’t pull away.
“I don’t care about any of that. I want you. You’re my family, kids or not. Besides, there’s always adoption. So many kids need good homes.”
Veda leaned back and looked up at me, her eyes radiating so much love and warmth.
“Really? You’d be okay with that?”
I nodded and leaned in for a kiss, hoping she wouldn’t pull away.
She didn’t.
“With you by my side, I’d be okay with anything.”
“Oh, Caden. I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” I dipped her low and kissed her deeply, among all my precious apple trees, love blooming all around.