Chapter 23 Grae
GRAE
I flipped a pancake on the griddle, humming to myself as I did.
For someone who didn’t cook, Caden had a surprisingly stocked kitchen.
We’d settled into a routine of sorts over the last week.
I made breakfast every morning, then Caden drove me to work and went to his office.
He’d pick me up at the end of the day, and we’d get takeout.
Then we’d watch a movie or some bad TV and finally head to our respective bedrooms.
Caden was attentive and warm, but he’d erected a wall between us. That no-go zone I’d asked him to take down. The answer to that had clearly been: No.
I tried not to think about how much that hurt. How much I wished things were different. I had two choices. I could walk away altogether or take what he was able to give.
I saw now that it wasn’t even what Caden wanted to give or not give. It was about what he was physically able to do. And if this was it, I’d take every last piece. I’d have him in my life as a friend. With time, I’d let go of my hope for anything more.
Footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t turn around.
“Are those chocolate chip pancakes?”
The childlike hope in Caden’s voice made me grin.
“With homemade whipped cream.”
“I’m going to get spoiled with these breakfasts.”
“Like you weren’t already spoiled,” I huffed.
He chuckled. “You have a point there.”
I slid pancakes onto two plates and handed him one. “How’s the retreat prep going?”
Caden crossed to the island, and we both sat. “Good. I hired a new staff at the stables. And yesterday, I went with the team to check out the camping spot. I think it’ll be perfect.”
“I’d love to see these high-powered CEOs on a camping trip.”
“It definitely could be a good hidden-camera show.”
I took a sip of my coffee. “You should do a day hike to the falls when they’re up there. You could have their first team-building session when they reach the peak.”
Caden glanced at me. “That’s a great idea. Their defenses will be down if they’re tired.”
“Exactly.”
He leaned back in his stool. “Maybe you should come work for me.”
I laughed. “I think we would kill each other.”
Caden grinned. “Hey, we’ve been cohabitating for over a week, and there hasn’t been a single attempted murder.”
I snorted. “That just goes to show my incredible restraint.”
Caden shook his head, but a smile still played on his lips. “So, what’s on your docket today?”
“I’m taking a group on the Cedar Line trail this afternoon.”
He stiffened. “I thought you were staying at the office.”
I toyed with the edge of my napkin. After everything that had happened, Jordan had thought it might be good for me to stick close to town, and Caden and my brothers had agreed.
“It’s been a week. Nothing else has happened.
I need to get back to my life. And it’s not like I’ll be alone.
I’m taking a group of eight people with me. ”
Caden’s knuckles bleached white as his hold on his fork tightened. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
I turned to face him. “This is my job. Jordan can’t bench me forever. And I miss being out on the trails, teaching people about the area. If I don’t get back to it, I’m going to go stir-crazy.”
“You’ll have your sat phone?”
“Of course. And a Taser and bear spray.”
Caden’s jaw worked back and forth. “Who’s the group?”
“It’s a family from the Midwest.”
Caden didn’t look convinced.
I gave him my best smile. “Would it help if I told you the dad is a former Navy SEAL?”
Caden’s eyes flared. “Seriously?”
“We get bios on all of our guests so we know their fitness level and outdoor experience. I think I’ll be good to go.”
Caden stared at me for a moment, something unreadable in that gaze. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
My traitorous heart ricocheted around in my chest. “I’ll be good.”
“Call me as soon as you get back?”
“I promise.”
Jordan frowned at me. “I think I should come with you, too.”
I was going to scream. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got all my gear, and they’re an easy group.”
Noel glared in my direction. “He’s right. It’s not worth the risk.”
“You guys sound like Caden,” I grumbled.
Eddie smirked. “Lover boy not stoked about you going out on your own?”
“It helped that a former Navy SEAL will be on the trip.”
Eddie’s brows rose. “Really?”
“Yup.”
Jordan sighed. “I guess that does make things a little better. But I still think I should come.”
“You need to work out the scheduling for next week,” I told him.
“I’ll go,” Eddie offered.
Jordan looked unsure.
“I only had the sunrise kayak trip. I’ve got nothing else for the day. Wouldn’t mind getting out into the field.”
“You don’t have to do that. You must be exhausted,” I said.
He grinned at me. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
“You guys. I’m going to be fine. Navy SEAL, remember?”
A muscle ticked in Jordan’s jaw. “Fine, but I’m going with you on the kayak trip tomorrow because there’s no Navy SEAL on that one.”
I blew out a breath but nodded. There was no use arguing. And I was tired of fighting these battles.
A door slammed outside.
Eddie stood. “Looks like the tour group is here. Let’s get them loaded up.”
Jordan and I greeted the family while Eddie and Noel loaded the equipment. It was actually two families—a group of aunts, uncles, and cousins—and they were thrilled to be in Cedar Ridge.
I chatted up two girls hoping to see a bear while Jordan gave our gear one last once-over. He turned back to me. “I think you’re good to go.”
I grinned at our group. “Let’s hit the mountain.”
The hike was exactly what I needed, and the normalcy of leading a group up the mountain was, too. I could forget the break-in, the fire…everything. I got lost in teaching the group about our surroundings and chatting with them about their lives back home.
By the time we were coming down and headed back to the trailhead, I felt like a part of their family.
Kathy, one of the moms, smiled at me. “Well, if you ever make it out to Missouri, we can take you on a hike.”
Her husband, Mike, the infamous Navy SEAL, chuckled. “We don’t have views quite like this one, though.”
“It’s pretty incredible to wake up to these mountains every day,” I admitted. And it didn’t hurt to be reminded of that.
Their youngest girl, Cindy, slipped her hand into mine. “I wanna lead hikes when I grow up. I could do this every day.”
Kathy laughed. “You’ll have to study hard in all your science classes. Think of all the plants Grae taught us about.”
Cindy frowned for a moment and then nodded. “I can do it.”
Mike grinned. “If my girl gets an A in science because of you, we’re sending you a medal.”
I laughed as we reached the trailhead. “Sometimes, you just have to see the practical applications of those annoying classes.”
My steps faltered as we crossed the parking lot. Something about the passenger van wasn’t right. And that was when I saw it. Every single tire had been slashed, and someone had smashed each window. But no one had touched any of the other vehicles in the lot. Only mine.